Light in a Dark World

 “21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.” (1 Samuel 25:21-22)

David’s Temper

When David approached Nabal he expected to make Nabal his friend. When you approach someone in a meek fashion, they tend to take advantage of you. Nabal was so selfish that eventhough he had more than enough to share, he was not going to do that. Instead he heaped insults on David.

Nabal’s retort hit a nerve in David, now he armed his men to destroy Nabal and his entire family, servants and all. David’s demeanor changed from a patient man, to a Saul-like man. David did not consult God, now he was bent of destruction.

Abigail

Abigail was a beautiful woman, virtuous, and wise. Much wiser than her husband Nabal. As was the custom of the time, Abigail did not marry Nabal because she wanted to. Abigail’s father had married her off to Nabal.

Abigail knew where she stood with Nabal. She also knew that she was responsible to protect Nabal. That takes strength! It takes FAITH!

Abigail’s Servant

Abigail’s servant could have gone to Nabal about David’s plan to destroy him. There is no doubt that Nabal would have treated his servant harshly. Instead the servant goes to Abigail.

Abigail listened to her servant and contemplated what she should do.

Abigail’s Plan

“18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.” (1 Samuel 25:18)

Abigail did not delay. She knew that she could not appease Nabal, but she could at least try to appease David. Abigail did not do this for her own pride, she did it to defend Nabal. With this gift to David, Abigail atones for Nabal’s rejection of David.

“20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.” (1 Samuel 25:20)

Abigail could see David’s anger. She practices appeasement, by lowering herself to David.

“23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,” (1 Samuel 25:23)

Abigail atones for Nabal’s harsh treatment of David.

“24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.” (1 Samuel 25:24)

Abigail takes the responsibility of how horribly Nabal had treated David’s servants. She pleads compassion for poor Nabal. His name means Fool, and a Fool he is.

Abigail knows that her argument to stop David’s anger has had an effect.

“26 Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.” (1 Samuel 25:26)

Abigail is saying, “God is stopping you from killing, and that your enemies will be dealt with by God.”

Conclusion

Abigail stops David from his own wrath and turning the problem over to God. And that is our (you, me and us) problem. We can’t stop evil by using evil means. We must pray to God for protection, and God will provide it.

Stay Tuned…

“The Fool on the Hill”

 “Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.” (1 Samuel 25:3)

Nabal

“And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.” (1 Samuel 25:1)

Nabal is Hebrew for “Foolish”, but here we have, “the man was very great”. The term “Great” is assigned to many people; Alexander the Great, Catherine the Great, and Herod the Great. That title placed as value to a person is often never “Great”. In the case of Nabal he was Great in terms of money, but poor in leadership, compassion, and most importantly God.

Nabal was great in Worldly possessions that he received from his father, and that was all he inherited. He did not inherit the most important thing, Virtue. Nabal did not include God in anything. Always surly, with a nasty disposition.

David at Carmel

Although David and Saul had departed from one another, David was still expecting to be killed by Saul. At Carmel David had taken his 600 man army looking for food. David knew Nabal was not a nice man, but his men needed food.

David had his men deliver a very nice message to Nabal. Maybe too nice. David’s army went in among Nabal’s shepherds and defended them from Philistine raiders. Yet none of David’s men stole anything from the shepherds.

David came to Nabal as a beggar. Asking only for whatever Nabal could provide, and David would be grateful.

Nabal’s response to David’s messengers is like a modern response as an insult, “David? Never heard of him.” Nabal heaped abuse on the messengers.

David’s messengers could have retorted with insults, but they didn’t. They left and told David what was said.

“And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.” (1 Samuel 25:13)

David, who had been a reasonable man, was now angry. He planned to kill everyone in Nabal’s house. Every man, woman, and child.

Abigail

Abigail’s servant tells her of how good David has been to them. How David did not bother them, or take cattle. How David’s men had formed a wall of protection around them. But Nabal had grossly insulted David, and now David was coming to destroy them all.

Abigail was beautiful and far smarter than Nabal. She knew that it was up to her to calm David’s anger.

“18Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

19And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

20And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.” (1 Samuel 25:18-20)

Abigail deserves her own blog post.

Stay tuned…

“Three Thousand Sheep”

 “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.” (1 Samuel 25:1)

Background

King Saul and soon to be King David fall into an uneasy truce.

“20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

21Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.

22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.” (1 Samuel 24:20-22)

Death of Samuel

“We have here a short account of Samuel’s death and burial.

1. Though he was a great man, and one that was admirably well qualified for public service, yet he spent the latter end of his days in retirement and obscurity, not because he was superannuated (for he knew how to preside in a college of the prophets, ch. 19:20), but because Israel had rejected him, for which God thus justly chastised them, and because his desire was to be quiet and to enjoy himself and his God in the exercises of devotion now in his advanced years, and in this desire God graciously indulged him. Let old people be willing to rest themselves, though it look like burying themselves alive.

2. Though he was a firm friend to David, for which Saul hated him, as also for dealing plainly with him, yet he died in peace even in the worst of the days of the tyranny of Saul, who, he sometimes feared, would kill him, ch. 16:2. Though Saul loved him not, yet he feared him, as Herod did John, and feared the people, for all knew him to be a prophet. Thus is Saul restrained from hurting him.

3. All Israel lamented him; and they had reason, for they had all a loss in him. His personal merits commanded this honour to be done him at his death. His former services to the public, when he judged Israel, made this respect to his name and memory a just debt; it would have been very ungrateful to have withheld it. The sons of the prophets had lost the founder and president of their college, and whatever weakened them was a public loss. But that was not all: Samuel was a constant intercessor for Israel, prayed daily for them, ch. 12:23. If he go, they part with the best friend they have. The loss is the more grievous at this juncture when Saul has grown so outrageous and David is driven from his country; never more need of Samuel than now, yet now he is removed. We will hope that the Israelites lamented Samuel’s death the more bitterly because they remembered against themselves their own sin and folly in rejecting him and desiring a king. Note,

(1.) Those have hard hearts who can bury their faithful ministers with dry eyes, who are not sensible of the loss of those who have prayed for them and taught them the way of the Lord.

(2.) When God’s providence removes our relations and friends from us we ought to be humbled for our misconduct towards them while they were with us.

4. They buried him, not in the school of the prophets at Naioth, but in his own house (or perhaps in the garden pertaining to it) at Ramah, where he was born.

5. David, thereupon, went down to the wilderness of Paran, retiring perhaps to mourn the more solemnly for the death of Samuel. Or, rather, because now that he had lost so good a friend, who was (and he hoped would be) a great support to him, he apprehended his danger to be greater than ever, and therefore withdrew to a wilderness, out of the limits of the land of Israel; and now it was that he dwelt in the tents of Kedar, Ps. 120:5. In some parts of this wilderness of Paran Israel wandered when they came out of Egypt. The place would bring to mind God’s care concerning them, and David might improve that for his own encouragement, now in his wilderness-state”

(Commentary of Matthew Henry)

Stay Tuned…

God’s Music

 Music is intentional.

God is the producer.

From the thunder in the heavens,

to the crashing waves on the shore,

the meek tweet of the cardinal,

and the scream of the eagle.

God has put music in our hearts.

God has given us a voice to proclaim his glory.

From the ominous to the romance of minor chords,

to the shout of joy from the major chords,

God has given us all that gift.

God is the writer, we are the receiver.

Music stirs our emotions.

Rhythms from the drums of War to the timbrels of Joy.

The guttural chants of ancient man to the lifting voice of a choir of Angels.

God has put music in our hearts.

Sisters and Brothers lift your voice and talents to the LORD.

Preach God to the WORLD.

(A short poem from CaptBlackEagle)

“Merry Christmas”

 A break from 1 Samuel until after Christmas. Enjoy your time celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus.

“A Sliver of Fabric”

 “And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” (1 Samuel 24:1)

Saul’s Encounter

Saul gathered three thousand of his chosen warriors to seek out David. David and about 600 of his followers are hiding among the rocks of the wild goats.

If you have ever had to move across rocky terrain, you know that shoes are the most important thing you can have. Not just the sole, but also ankle support. Saul had come upon the Sheepcotes.

Sheepcotes are a man made structure used to keep sheep in. Saul sees the Sheepcotes and finds a cave. Saul’s needs to fix his shoes so that he can continue to search the rocks and caves. Saul assumes his cave is safe.

The Assassins Approach

David and his men are hiding in the caves. It just so happens that they see Saul fixing his shoes. David’s men tell him that God has delivered Saul unto your hands. David sneaks up on Saul and cuts off a sliver of the skirt of Saul’s robe. David had gotten close enough to kill Saul if that had been his intention.

David felt guilt in cutting the skirt of Saul. Saul left the cave.

David and Saul’s Agreement

“8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.

11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

16And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

18And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

21Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.

22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.” (1 Samuel 24:8-22)

Stay Tuned…

“Keilah”

 “Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.” (1 Samuel 23:1)

Connection

When David had gone out to battle with Goliath he hadn’t asked God if he should fight Goliath, God led him to fight Goliath.

Samuel was led by God to David. Samuel realizes that David is God’s chosen replacement for king. Samuel followed God’s instructions.

Saul just didn’t deal with God. Saul dealt with himself. His own greed and power lust brought him nothing but fear and paranoia.

Connection to God

David had been seeking the counsel of God through the Priest at Nob. Ahimelech, the High Priest at Nob wanted David out of the Tabernacle. David left quickly.

Ahimelech played the neutral party in the argument between David and Saul. Ahimelech wanted to appease Saul and defend David. Ahimelech should have gone to God for an answer, but he didn’t. All of the priests and people in Nob were killed. Except for one priest who had escaped to join David.

David hid in a cave. His family and supporters joined him in the cave. Now God’s people in Keilah are in dire danger. David has a choice, continue to hide, or save Keilah. David skips priests, and takes the problem directly to God.

“Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:2)

A Model of Christ

The people with David did not want to go. Fear was controlling their thoughts. Just as fear controls us today.

“And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” (1 Samuel 23:3)

David asks God’s instructions again.

“Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.” (1 Samuel 23:4)

David and his smaller army goes to Keilah and slaughters the Philistines and saves Keilah.

God saves and does what we see as impossible. David had come from nothing to a cave. With the power of God. With the Faith of God’s promise. David, through God, saves Keilah.

Stay Tuned…

“David and the Rebels”

 “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.” (1 Samuel 22:1)

Background

David had left from the Philistines and hid in a cave. His faith had wavered. His father’s house will flock to him.

Reinforcements Arrive

“And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.” (1 Samuel 22:2)

This is a model of Christ. They trusted David and came to him for protection and leadership.

David is looking for a place to keep his Father and Mother safe. He takes his party to Moab and asks the King of Moab to take them in. The King of Moab does this. The prophet Gad instructs David to leave the cave and head to Judah.

Paranoia The Destroyer

Saul had discovered where David was. Now his paranoia of everyone grew.

“That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” (1 Samuel 22:8)

In Saul’s mind, there is a assassin behind every tree. Doeg, the Edomite, sees an opportunity. He tells Saul about David’s visit to the Priest Ahimelech. Saul is angry and someone must pay.

Massacre of the Priests

“Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.” (1 Samuel 22:11)

Saul calls the Priests from Nob to meet with him. Why did the Priests go to meet with him. It is clear that they had no idea what was about to happen.

Saul didn’t ask them questions, he made statements concealed with a question mark.

“And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” (1 Samuel 22:13)

Saul had already decided that the Priests had conspired with David, and God, to kill him. You would think that at this point Saul should already know that God is not with him.

The Priest Ahimelech came to the defense of David.

“14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

15Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.” (1 Samuel 22:14-15)

Saul ordered his men to kill the Priests, but they refused. So Saul went with his new right hand man, Doeg. Doeg killed the Priests and then all of the people of Nob. Only one escaped, Abiathar.

“21And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests.

22And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.

23Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.” (1 Samuel 22:21-23)

David takes responsibility of endangering the Priests, but now he promises to protect them.

Stay Tuned…

“Crazy as a Blue Jay”

 If you have ever observed the Blue Jay, you have obviously watched its unusual behavior. Watching it chase other birds away from a food source, to attacking cats, the Blue Jay is nuts.

Background

David has fled from Ahimelech at the Tabernacle in Nob. David is looking for a safer place. Sometimes a safer place is right under the noses of your enemies.

Under the Nose of the Philistines

“And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.” (1 Samuel 21:10)

Achish, the king of Gath, was the king over Goliath. David was easily recognizable to the Philistines. David couldn’t disguise himself as someone else, but he could disguise who he now was.

“11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

13And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.

14Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?” (1 Samuel 21:11-14)

David has successfully created a ruse to make the Philistines think he is mad. It is certainly a deceit to hide his real state of mind. Which is an obvious loss of Faith in God.

Stay Tuned…

“David on the Run”

 Background

David had left the field he had hid in and received the message from Jonathan that Saul intended to kill David.

Fear

“Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?” (1 Samuel 21:1)

Fear has a way of controlling people. David was afraid of Saul, Ahimelech was afraid of David and Saul. Ahimelech is a priest of the God of Abraham. The rules surrounding the tabernacle were strict. David has run to the tabernacle as a shelter from Saul.

Ahimelech is wanting to know why David is here and alone. David lies.

“And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.” (1 Samuel 21:2)

David says, “The king hath commanded me a business”, this is untrue. David wanted this information to be kept secret. This is because David is hiding from Saul. Fear is due to his lack of Faith. The exact same problem Saul had.

David makes things worse when he asks for bread. The only bread Ahimelech had was Shew Bread. Shew Bread is a type of bread created for the Priests on the Sabbath. It is intended for their use only. Ahimelech make his own mistake by giving the bread to David. Ahimelech gives David one more thing.

David asked for weapons because he hadn’t brought any weapons. Ahimelech had the sword of Goliath. The same one David had used to kill Goliath. Ahimelech would certainly be happy if David would go elsewhere.

Eyes

David and Ahimelech were not alone in the Tabernacle.

“Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.” (1 Samuel 21:7)

Keep Doeg in mind as the story progresses.

Stay Tuned…

“The Christmas Story Part 2”

 https://youtu.be/FUFHUtNKO5c

“The Christmas Story Part I”

 https://youtu.be/SkCIx_XbKs0

“Blood Brothers"

 “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” (1 Samuel 20:1)

Jonathan and David

We know a lot about the relationship of David and Jonathan.

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:1)

What David had done is fighting Goliath was the same as what Jonathan had done when he slew the Philistines. Both Jonathan and David had gone to fight without fear, because they knew God would take care of them. It is a message to us to have no fear, God is with you.

Does Saul Wish to Kill Me?

David has already confirmed that Saul wishes to do David harm. What he needs to know is if this is true. His best choice is to let Jonathan find out. David and Jonathan enter into a pact. Jonathan tells David that if Saul intends to kill David he will send him a message.

“19And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.” (1 Samuel 20:19-22)

Saul Intends to Kill Jonathan

Not only is David seeking to understand Saul’s plan’s, so is Jonathan. Jonathan knows his father is a fear filled man, but he holds out hope that Saul will have a change of heart. Over the next three days Saul will have a feast of meat with all his important people around him.

On the first day Saul does not see David at dinner.

“Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.” (1 Samuel 20:26)

Saul wants the thought of David out of his mind, but God keeps David in Saul’s mind. Saul is suspicious of everything, because he knows God is not with him anymore.

On the second day Saul does not see David at dinner.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?” (1 Samuel 20:27)

Jonathan lies to Saul.

“28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.” (1 Samuel 20:28-29)

Saul channels his anger of David towards his son Jonathan.

“And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.” (1 Samuel 20:33)

Message Received

Jonathan is sure that his father not only wants to kill David, but after throwing a spear at Jonathan, he is sure that Saul will kill anyone that crosses him.

Jonathan goes into the field where David is hiding and fires three arrows beyond the lad, and has him retrieve them.

Jonathan and David weep at the dangers both of them face.

“And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.” (1 Samuel 20:42)

Stay Tuned…

“David’s Window”

 “And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.” (1 Samuel 19:1)

Background

Saul is envious of David, because David is winning the hearts of the people. Even Saul had respect for David’s ability as a commander. Jonathan, Saul’s son, loved David as himself. What Saul doesn’t know is that David is the King of Israel.

Anointed with God’s direction to Samuel, David is King. Saul is not told of this. Instead of following God’s directions Saul considered himself above God.

Jonathan Defends David

Jonathan knows that Saul’s envy is a dangerous thing.

“2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.” (1 Samuel 19:2-3)

Jonathan tells David that Saul is out to kill him. Jonathan does not want David to be unaware of his plight. Jonathan also wants to calm his father’s anger.

“4And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

5For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?” (1 Samuel 19:4-5)

Saul swears he will not kill David.

David Goes To War

“And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.” (1 Samuel 19:8)

Saul becomes angry again because David was not killed in war. While David was playing the harp, once again Saul tries to pin David to the wall with a spear.

Michal

Saul sent men to watch David and in the morning kill him. Michal, David’s wife warns David that Saul’s men will kill him in the morning. Michal helps David escape through a window. Michal then works to delay Saul and his men.

Michal puts an “image”, another word for statue or form, in the bed and added goats hair to complete an appearance that David was sleeping. Saul’s men come again and Michal says, “David is sick”.

Saul sends men again, this time to bring the sick David to him, so he can kill him. The men go in and find the goat hair fake David. Saul is angry.

The Chase Begins

David has gone to be with Samuel. Saul finds out that David is there and sends men to capture David. When the men come near to David, Samuel is prophesying surrounded by other prophets. God uses those prophets to change the hearts of Sauls men and they stop chasing David and prophesying with Samuel.

Two more times Saul sends men and they likewise were stopped and began to prophesy with Samuel.

Saul himself arrives and the Spirit of God comes on Saul, he too stops and begins to Prophesy.

Stay Tuned…

“The Spear of Saul”

 “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:1)

Background

After David has killed Goliath the people no longer see a young shepherd, they see a warrior. Some of them see David as a skilled and brave soldier; some see him as a soldier sent from God. Things change drastically for Saul and David.

Jonathan and David

Jonathan recognized that David was just like him. It was God that led Jonathan up a hill to plow under the Philistines. It was God that guided a stone through the head of Goliath. Although they are not of the same blood, they are filled with the same spirit.

“And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” (1 Samuel 18:4)

David

The victory over Goliath certainly had an impact on all of Israel. Saul brings David into his house. David is now put in charge of Saul’s armies.

“And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”(1 Samuel 18:5)

David is gaining a following. Although he has already been anointed as King, only David and Samuel are aware of this. The people recognize David’s ability as a warrior and leader.

Saul

Saul still considers himself King. This is not a position Saul wants to relinquish. Although Saul’s flaw is that he sees himself as above all others. Regardless of what happens Saul expects the people to worship him, and him alone. The people do not react that way.

“6And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

7And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:6-7)

Saul is angry. Why? Did he hear the songs of how many he had killed as compared to David as a song against him?

General Dwight Eisenhower had led the combined armies of America, England, the Free French, and Polish armies to the defeat of Germany. Although the Generals, Officers, and men under him had personally killed tens of thousands. It was through the strategy and selection of leaders that brought about Germany’s defeat. General Eisenhower knew that, he also knew that the ultimate leader was Christ.

Saul didn’t see it that way. He thought the people would replace him with David.

“And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” (1 Samuel 18:9)

While David was playing his harp in Saul’s presence, Saul threw a spear at David with the intent of killing David.

Saul was afraid of David.

Stay Tuned…

“David and Goliath”

 “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.” (1 Samuel 17:1)

Background

Saul is still King, but he suffers from depression and fits of rage. To calm his rage, the shepherd boy, David, sits with Saul and plays the harp for him. Saul loves David and promotes him to armorer bearer. Saul is not much of a warrior. This often puts David back to tending his father’s flock.

Then the Philistines arrive again, gathering on one mountain, and Israel on the opposite mountain. There is a valley between them.

Goliath

Goliath is a very strong warrior. He is wearing a great brass helmet, chest and back plate, a huge spear, he also had a shield bearer. There is no doubt he was bigger than any other man on the field of battle.

“8And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

9If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.”(1 Samuel 17:8-9)

For the next 40 days the Philistine and Israel fight in battle. Every day Goliath repeats his taunting. Saul is terrified of Goliath.

David

While the battle is raging, David is tending his father’s sheep. Jesse, David’s father, sends him to the battle to see how his brother’s are faring. When David arrives he sees the battle being fought, and hears the taunts of Goliath.

“And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

Eliab, David’s oldest brother rebukes David. To paraphrase, Eliab is telling David you are too young and weak to be here among the adults. The other adults treat David the same way.

David and Saul

The people around David tell Saul about what David had said. Saul sent for David to come before him.

“32And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

33And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:32:33)

David tells Saul about how when David was tending his father’s sheep a lion and a bear took a lamb from the flock.

“36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” (1 Samuel 17:36-37)

Saul can’t argue David’s response. God had made Saul’s son, Jonathan, strong enough to destroy the garrison of Philistines. So Saul tries to outfit David with his armor. David sees things differently.

The Armor of David

Goliath is armored with the style of armor of that day. He is well protected from the conventional weapons of that day.

David chooses to remain dressed as he did when he was a shepherd. He is armed with a staff, a sling, and a pouch of stones.

In today’s world armored vehicles are surrounded by technological improvements on armor, but most of them are still vulnerable.

Big and slow, is easily defeated by small and quick.

The Battle

Goliath says, “43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.” (1 Samuel 17:43-44)

David says, “45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

David charges toward Goliath and puts a stone in his sling.

Imagine the tension on both sides. Israel sees a small child heading to his impending doom. The Philistines sees their mighty champion standing tall against the impudent wimp.

David lets the stone fly.

A collective sound of Israel holding their breath, ready to flee, and the Philistines holding their breath ready to cheer.

The stone hits Goliath and penetrates his skull.

Fear and rejoicing turns to AWE!!

Goliath drops in his shadow. David does not have a sword, so he uses Goliath’s sword to cut off his head.

The Aftermath

Instead of rejoicing in the victory they anticipated, the Philistines ran. Their armies fell apart. Not just a withdrawal, but a full on retreat.

The army of Israel instead of deciding how to retreat, now is in a full on charge to catch the Philistines. Pushing them out of the valley, out of their mountains and into the Philistines cities.

Saul is not only surprised by David’s victory, he now wants to talk to David.

Stay Tuned…

“The Harpist”

 “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” ( 1 Samuel 16:1)

Is Saul Dead?

In the human sense Saul is still very alive. In the spiritual sense he has been rejected by God. In a word, he was fired. Kings as kings go in history typically were descended from a family, and one king would be expected to arise from his family line. Of course history never follows a straight line. Kings are replaced through court intrigue, a bit of poison, an arrow in the back, there are many things that bring kings to heel.

Search For a New King

God sends Samuel to see Jesse and anoint one of his son’s to be the next King. Samuel looks at each of the son’s of Jesse. He rejects every son in the house; then discovers there is a little boy tending sheep.

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:13)

David is Anointed in Secret

Why? Because that was not God’s plan. God will seek justice on Saul. It begins with Saul being troubled by an evil spirit.

“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” (1 Samuel 16:14)

The Harpist

To soothe Saul’s troubled soul his advisers told him there was a harpist that could soothe him. His name was Jesse, David’s father. God brings people together as part of his plan. Saul was so impressed with David he loved him and made him his armor bearer.

Stay Tuned…

“The People Made Me Do It”

 “Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 15:1)

Background

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.” (1 Samuel 15:2)

In Exodus 17 we are told about how the Amalekites had attack the children of Israel in the wilderness. When Moses held up the rod of God Amalek was defeated and when he let his arm fall Amalek was winning. In the end Amalek retreated. It is clear that the Amalekites did not like Israel.

Destroy Them

“Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” (1 Samuel 15:3)

God is very specific in his command. Every body, and everything must be killed.

Saul Attacks

Before Saul attacks the Amalekites he warns the Kenites to leave. Saul shows mercy to those who had shown mercy. It is the only light in what Saul does next.

Saul’s army attacks the Amalekites and kills everyone and everything, except their king Agag, the sheep, and cattle. Saul has rejected God’s command.

Samuel Confronts Saul

“And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 15:13)

Saul proclaimed himself to be above God. He “almost” did all that God had commanded. “Almost done” is “Completely Not done”. Samuel knows.

“And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” (1 Samuel 15:14)

Saul’s Excuses

History is full of excuses; The devil made me do it, I was only following orders. God does not rejoice in the death of sinners. When God says do something he means do it without hesitation.

“22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

24And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”(1 Samuel 15:22-24)

Saul is fired, but he will not step down.

Stay Tuned…

“God Provides”

 “Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.” (1 Samuel 14:1)

Saul is sitting under a pomegranate tree safe and sound in Gibeah. He is protected by 600 men and a priest of Israel.

“2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.” (1 Samuel 14:2-3)

Jonathan, like many children do, had decided to attack the Philistines, but not tell his father. Likewise, Saul is just sitting around making no decisions at all.

Jonathan’s Story

Jonathan and his armor bearer heads towards the Philistine’s garrison.

“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6)

Jonathon is on a two man mission to sneak into the Philistine garrison. Then when in the middle of the garrison they will reveal themselves. And that is exactly what happens.

“And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.” (1 Samuel 14:13)

Saul’s Story

Saul, and the people around him hear a great noise and the Earth quaked. What they see is the Philistines attacking each other. The people of Israel who had been hiding from the Philistines now came out and chased them.

“And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.” (1 Samuel 14:24)

This causes a real problem. Old adage, “Armies travel on their stomach”. The chase is on to the point that Israel is becoming weaker the further they go. They are following the rules of Saul, slowing down in the process.

Israel’s Story

Israel is stuck in a commandment from Saul that they can not eat while chasing the Philistines. It can be argued that Saul used the lack of food to keep Israel from extending the battle too far from the safety of the camp. That may seem a reasonable decision, but it did not come from God.

Saul’s command turned a victory into a sinful nature. Struck with hunger the Israelis are now eating meat that included the blood. Eating blood was a sin. (Leviticus 17:12) Saul pitted Israel against God.

God’s Story

God revealed in Jonathan’s mind that he would protect Jonathan during the raid on the Philistines. This simple act resulted in the Philistines killing each other. This paved the way for Israel to chase them and destroying them along the way.

“And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.” (1 Samuel 14:37)

Why didn’t God respond to Saul? God didn’t have to, the result of God’s power over the Philistines was already evident. Saul had also given an order to Israel that did not come from God.

God provides what we need when we need it.

Stay Tuned…

“The Fall of Saul”

 “Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,” (1 Samuel 13:1)

Although Saul had proved himself on the battlefield he was not always in agreement with God. Saul, like Aaron, did not listen to what God has told him to do.

This begins in 1 Samuel 12.

Matthew Henry says it best,

“The invasion of the Philistines. (1-7) Saul sacrifices, He is reproved by Samuel. (8-14) The policy of the Philistines. (15-23)1-7 Saul reigned one year, and nothing particular happened; but in his second year the events recorded in this chapter took place. For above a year he gave the Philistine time to prepare for war, and to weaken and to disarm the Israelites. When men are lifted up in self-sufficiency, they are often led into folly. The chief advantages of the enemies of the church are derived from the misconduct of its professed friends. When Saul at length sounded an alarm, the people, dissatisfied with his management, or terrified by the power of the enemy, did not come to him, or speedily deserted him.

8-14 Saul broke the order expressly given by Samuel, see ch. 1Sa 10:8|, as to what should be done in cases of extremity. Saul offered sacrifice without Samuel, and did it himself, though he was neither priest nor prophet. When charged with disobedience, he justified himself in what he had done, and gave no sign of repentance for it. He would have this act of disobedience pass for an instance of his prudence, and as a proof of his piety. Men destitute of inward piety, often lay great stress on the outward performances of religion. Samuel charges Saul with being an enemy to himself. Those that disobey the commandments of God, do foolishly for themselves. Sin is folly, and the greatest sinners are the greatest fools. Our disposition to obey or disobey God, will often be proved by our behaviour in things which appear small. Men see nothing but Saul’s outward act, which seems small; but God saw that he did this with unbelief and distrust of his providence, with contempt of his authority and justice, and with rebellion against the light of his own conscience. Blessed Saviour, may we never, like Saul, bring our poor offerings, or fancied peace-offerings, without looking to thy precious, thy all-sufficient sacrifice! Thou only, O Lord, canst make, or hast made, our peace in the blood of the cross.

15-23 See how politic the Philistines were when they had power; they not only prevented the people of Israel from making weapons of war, but obliged them to depend upon their enemies, even for instruments of husbandry. How impolitic Saul was, who did not, in the beginning of his reign, set himself to redress this. Want of true sense always accompanies want of grace. Sins which appear to us very little, have dangerous consequences. Miserable is a guilty, defenceless nation; much more those who are destitute of the whole armour of God.”

Stay Tuned…