Tag Archive | King Saul

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 107

Apr16

    Day 107 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for almost a third of the year. What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 107 – 1 Samuel 25 – 27 (Samuel dies, Nabal/Abigail, David/Saul, David/Philistines)

Away from those lovely Psalms and back to history.

The first thing we read in Chapter 25, is that the prophet, Samuel dies and is mourned.  It’s another end of an era, where Israel will have kings alone to lead them. (Yes, there will be prophets, but not a prophet/priest like Samuel.)

David is still running from Saul, hiding wherever he and his 600 men can find. In this story, they protect a very wealthy man’s livestock for a season. No animal or human predator had harmed a single one of them. So when the thousand sheep are brought in to be sheered, David sends men to Nabal to collect food for his men as payment for their service.

But the “foolish” Nabal, holds tight to his pennies and refuses to give a single fig. Angered by his refusal to compensate, David gathers 400 of his men to pay back the ingrate. (Kill every last one of them.) But Abigail, Nabal’s wise wife, hears and immediately remedies the situation by loading multiple donkeys with enough food to feed David and his army. Plus, she runs ahead and bows before the kingly commander and begs his forgiveness.  David admires her for her peacemaking, accepts the loot, and praises God for using her to keep him from sin.  And… after her husband, the fool, dies, David takes Abigail as his wife. Whoa! Fairy tale story!

A short note at the end of the chapter tells us that David took a third wife, Ahinoam.  and that his first wife, Saul’s daughter, Michal, had been taken from him (while he was on the run) and given to another man.

Chapter 26 shows David again running from the mad King Saul (and 3,000 of his men) after the people of Ziph tattle about his whereabouts. David again spares Saul’s life when he could easily have taken it. While the king and his soldiers slept a “deep sleep from the LORD,” David crept down to within a foot of where Saul snored.  He took his spear and water bottle and left.

Then, on a hill with a “great deal of space” between him and Saul, David calls out and chides Abner, his captain for not protecting his lord. When Abner and the groggy king see David waving the spear and water bottle, they recognize that God kept David from killing him. Saul apologizes, packs up, and goes home, with even a blessing for David.

Chapter 27 shows that Saul’s change of heart doesn’t last and that he soon pursues David again. And David AGAIN escapes to the land of the Philistines. Achish, the king of Gath, allows him to stay, believing wrongly that David and his men are warring against their own people. In reality, David is attacking smaller Gershurites, Girzites, and Amalekites towns, killing all so there are no witnesses, and bringing the loot back to Achish.

While God commanded Israel to do this when they first conquered the land, David’s deception was wrong.  However, the king of Gath was happy and even gave David and his men the town of Ziklag, which became David’s official “fort.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 104

Apr13

    Day 104 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for over a quarter of the year. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 104 – 1 Samuel 21 – 24 (Saul, David, hunt & flee)

These chapters give the accounts of David on the run from Saul, and how Saul’s actions are thwarted again and again while David miraculously escapes. Some incidents are grin-worthy, while others are deadly serious.

In Chapter 21, David and his rag-tag group of men, on the run from Saul, are hungry. They approach Nob where evidently the Tabernacle resides now. Ahimelech, the priest meets David and wonders what he’s doing away from Saul’s army. David LIES and says he’s on a special mission for the king, but he and his men are hungry and out of weapons. Ahimelech hesitantly gives David the five loaves on the Table of Shewbread in the Tent, asking first if David and his men are “clean.” David also asks for and receives Goliath’s sword which has been kept there.

Nearby was a man who overheard David and the priest’s conversation and saw the exchange. He was Saul’s chief herdsman, an Edomite named Doeg, and he kept this scene “in his pocket” for later.

Meanwhile, David flees to Philistine territory. What?? The people there remind the king that it was David who killed so many of them. Afraid of what would happen to him in this vulnerable time, David pretends to be out of his mind, drawing weird things on the gate and drooling into his beard. They shoo him away.

Chapter 22 tells of David in the cave of Adullam, his refuge in the foothills of Judah. David’s parents and brothers leave Bethlehem and join him there.  Also, about 400 destitute, disillusioned, distressed men. He becomes their captain. With this motley group, he journeys across the Jordan River and asks the king of Moab to look after his father and mother. (Remember, David’s great-grandmother was Ruth, the Moabite.) David then heads south to “the stronghold” which might have been Masada. However, the prophet Gad told him NOT to stay there, so David and his 400 go into the forest of Hereth.

Meanwhile, Saul comes to Benjamin and “boo hoos” his problems. “My own son and this son of Jesse conspire against me.” “None of you is sorry for me.” “My own son has stirred him up kill me.”  And while Saul is talking, Doeg sees his moment and tells Saul what happened when David came to Ahimelech the priest.  Saul is insanely angry and orders his men to kill ALL the priests, but they rightly refuse out of fear, so Doeg does the deed. Then Saul orders that all the people and animals of a nearby town of Nob be killed.

However…. one priest, the son of Ahimelech escapes to David and tells him all. David immediately recognizes that it is HIS fault and is distraught. He tells the young priest, Abiathar, to stay safely with him.

In Chapter 24, David hears of the Philistines raiding the town of Keilah. He inquires of the LORD (Abiathar had brought the Ephod with the Urim and Thummim), and God tells him to go. He saves the town and takes the livestock (no doubt for food). But Saul is told that David has come close and musters an army to attack the town. David again inquires of the LORD and escapes before Saul can arrive.

And “Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.” Jonathan comes to David and encourages him, telling David that both he and his father KNOW that God will make David the king.

While in the wilderness, the people of Ziph tell Saul that David is hiding there, and Saul rushes to kill him. But David stays one step ahead of Saul, moving from place to place, all the time the king gets closer. Then God sends a message to Saul that the Philistines are attacking, so he has to take his army back to fight them. David lives in the strongholds of Engedi.

Chapter 25 tells a humorous account of when Saul is again chasing David through Engedi. David and his men hide in a deep cave when Saul’s army comes near and camps just below.  Saul needs to “have a bowel movement,” so he enters the mouth of the cave for privacy. David’s men urge him to take advantage and kill his arch-enemy while he has a chance, but David refuses, sneaks up, and cuts a corner of Saul’s robe off while he is “doing his business.”

Afterward, David is remorseful, having done this to “the LORD’s anointed leader.”  But when he later waves the piece of robe before Saul, the king recognizes David’s mercy and retreats. It’s possible that it was also brought to Saul’s mind when HE ripped a piece of Samuel’s robe and was told the kingdom would be torn from his hands.

So Saul went home, and David, with his men, lived in the strongholds and caves of Engedi.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 103

Apr12

    Day 103 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for over a quarter of the year. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 103 – 1 Samuel 18 – 20, Psalms 11 & 59 (Saul, David & Jonathan)

In Chapter 18, David meets Saul’s son, Prince Jonathan, and they immediately feel a strong and godly kindship and love. Perhaps Jonathan recognized the man who would be Israel’s future king instead of himself, giving David his royal robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt. 

David was successful in every campaign and task Saul sent him on, garnering the praises of all the women. Saul’s jealousy was enflamed when he heard them sing “Saul has struck down thousands, and David ten thousands.” And when the harmful spirit came on him, they called David with his lyre. Saul sat with his spear in his hand, brooding, but when he threw it at David, the future king evaded it…twice!

Then Saul promised David his first daughter if he was valiant enough to fight the Philistines, but later reneged and gave her to another man. Saul’s second daughter, Michal, loved David, so Saul thought she was a perfect incentive for David to go to battle… and perhaps die. Saul promised him Michal if he would kill 100 Philistines. David killed 200, and Saul was forced to give his daughter. But he became even more afraid of David. “So Saul was David’s enemy continually.”

In Chapters 19 and 20, Saul repeatedly tries to kill David, who always miraculously escapes out of his hand.  Jonathan doesn’t want to believe his father wants to kill his BFF, but it’s finally revealed and Jonathan sees for himself.  He sadly bids David to leave. They pledge their total support and allegiance to each other and David begins his flight from the mad king. 

Psalm 11 beautifully tells David’s song of fleeing from the one who desires his life and trusting in his God as the refuge for all the righteous. 

Psalm 59 is a prayer of David for God to deliver him from his enemies who try to kill him, specifically Saul and the men he sends to hunt for David. But David trusts in God, and sings His praises, brave enough to fight the Philistines, but later reneged and gave her to another man. Saul’s second daughter, Michal, loved David, so Saul thought she was a perfect incentive for David to go to battle… and perhaps die. Saul promised him Michal if he would kill 100 Philistines. David killed 200,

But I will sing of your strength; 
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been a fortress and refuge to me in the day of my distress.
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, 
For You, O God, are my fortress, 
the God who shows me steadfast love.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 102

Apr11

    Day 102 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for over a quarter of the year. Praise God! What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 102 – 1 Samuel 15 – 17 (Saul, sin, & Samuel)

In Chapter 15, Samuel gives King Saul some very clear instructions. He is to strike the nation of Amalek and destroy all of them, and everything living thing they have.

(The Amalekites were the people who attacked Israel as they came out of Egypt, when they were a bunch of slaves and could not fight. God at that time foretold their doom. Let none be left alive.

So, Saul musters an army of 200K men of Judah. They go to Amalek and defeat them, killed all the people except King Agag (a trophy?) and all but the very best of the sheep, oxen, fatted calves and lambs. Did he obey the instructions of the LORD?  It seems “partial” obedience is not obedience, and when Samuel comes, he is furious with Saul.

“I saved the best animals for sacrifice!” Saul says. (Yeah, right.).

“Obedience is better than sacrifice,” Samuel says. “And because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.” Then Samuel hacks King Agag to pieces. (!!!)

“I’ve sinned,” says Saul. I was afraid of the people, so I obeyed their voice. Please pardon my sin. Please go back with me.”

When Samuel says no, Saul grabs his robe and it tears. (Oops!) Samuel whirls around, “As you’ve torn this, God has torn the kingdom of Israel from you.  He has in mind, a man “after His own heart, who is better than you.”

Samuel sees Saul no more after this incident, but he grieves for the “would-be” king. The LORD also grieved that He had made Saul king over Israel.

In Chapter 16, God shakes Samuel out of his grief for Saul and sends him to anoint that “man after His own heart.”  God tells him to anoint a son of Jesse whom he will point out. (Jesse is the grandson of Ruth & Boaz.) Samuel obey and immediately thinks it must be Jesse’s firstborn son, Eliab, another tall, strong man. But God tells him NOT to look on appearance or height, but on the heart. Jesse brings all six of his sons who are present before Samuel. Samuel looks to God who shakes His head.  “Don’t you have another son?” Samuel asks Jesse, thinking that maybe he didn’t hear God’s words accurately.

“Only the youngest, a shepherd boy out with the sheep,” was the dismissive comment.

But God, through Samuel, calls for the boy, and when he arrives, God says, “THAT one!” Samuel anoints David and the Spirit of the LORD “rushed” upon him.

However, the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. (Reminds me a little of the “thorn in the flesh” that God sent to keep another Saul (the Apostle Paul) humble.

No, “it just so happens” that Saul’s servants said that maybe, if a harpist were to come and play for Saul, he would get well. Saul thought it a good idea and inquired of them. They recommended none other than David, the shepherd boy who composed psalms to the LORD with his lyre as he watched his sheep.”  And so, David was brought into the court of King Saul now and then when the evil spirit tormented him. And Saul was “refreshed and well.” (Our Sovereign God orchestrates things so beautifully.)

Chapter 17 tells the well-known story of David and Goliath.  The young man came one day to Israel’s camp with some food for his brothers. While there, he heard the boastful words of the giant Philistine, Goliath of Gath, defying the army of Israel.

“Why doesn’t someone shut that guy up?” he basically says.  His brothers deride him, so he goes to King Saul and volunteers to fight the giant.  “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

The cowardly King Saul (who is head and shoulders – at least 18 inches – taller than any other Israelite) sends a boy to fight a giant. But that boy is on the side of the LORD God.

“Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” Goliath roars. “I curse you in the name of Dagon!”

“I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied,” answers David, “that all the earth may KNOW that there is a God in Israel and that all this assembly may KNOW that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle IS THE LORD’S and He will give you into our hand.”

And with a single stone from a sling, the LORD-empowered shepherd boy kills the 9.5-foot champion of Gath. Then he runs to him, draws out that huge sword, and cuts off his head. So there!

King Saul, duly impressed, asks his commander, Abner, who that boy is.   Abner doesn’t know but says he will inquire. When David comes back, swinging the head of Goliath, Abner grabs him and brings him to Saul. David tells him he’s the son of Jesse, from Bethlehem.  (Did Saul not remember how David sometimes plays the lyre for him? But, maybe Saul is out of his mind at those times.)