1 Samuel 21
David was still on the run from Saul when he came to Nob, where he met Ahimelech the priest. When confronted by Ahimelech about traveling alone, it seems that David panicked and lied about his "mission" so as not to alarm anyone. He explains that he was secretly sent by the King. David asks for food and a weapon, which didn't really go well with his story that he was to meet soon with his men. When he was discovered by the servants of Achish, they said "Can this be the famous Daivd?... the one they sing 'Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand!'" David feared the worst and pretended to go crazy and so Achish sent him away.
Humble thoughts, reflections, and/or summaries from readings of God's word. "For if any one is desirous simply to know those things which it has pleased God to reveal, that is the man who accurately knows what it is to be truly wise. " Calvin
Monday, March 28, 2011
1 Samuel 20
In this chapter, David asks Jonathan for help in verifying whether Saul was planning to kill David. Jonathan and David were very good friends and Jonathan remained loyal to David, agreeing to help find out Saul's intentions. When Jonathan learned that Saul wanted to kill David, he asked Saul " why should he be put to death.. what has he done?" Saul said to Jonathan, " As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you'll never be king." Jonathan was crushed by his father's shameful behavior toward David. Jonathan secretly warned David, sending him off " go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord's name.. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us."
In this chapter, David asks Jonathan for help in verifying whether Saul was planning to kill David. Jonathan and David were very good friends and Jonathan remained loyal to David, agreeing to help find out Saul's intentions. When Jonathan learned that Saul wanted to kill David, he asked Saul " why should he be put to death.. what has he done?" Saul said to Jonathan, " As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you'll never be king." Jonathan was crushed by his father's shameful behavior toward David. Jonathan secretly warned David, sending him off " go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord's name.. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us."
Sunday, March 27, 2011
1 Samuel 19
Saul ordered David's death, but Jonathan warned David that he should be on guard and hide himself. Jonathan spoke with Saul, "Do not sin against your servant David... since his deeds have been very beneficial to you...he struck down the Philistine and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel". Then Saul vowed not to harm David, but later he tried unsuccessfully to spear David. David escaped and fled to meet with Samuel in Ramah. Saul sent men several times to capture him there, but each time the Spirit of God came upon the men and they instead prophesied. Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah to capture David, but he also went along prophesying after the Spirit of God came upon him.
Saul ordered David's death, but Jonathan warned David that he should be on guard and hide himself. Jonathan spoke with Saul, "Do not sin against your servant David... since his deeds have been very beneficial to you...he struck down the Philistine and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel". Then Saul vowed not to harm David, but later he tried unsuccessfully to spear David. David escaped and fled to meet with Samuel in Ramah. Saul sent men several times to capture him there, but each time the Spirit of God came upon the men and they instead prophesied. Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah to capture David, but he also went along prophesying after the Spirit of God came upon him.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
1 Samuel 18
The Lord was with David and he continued in his success in all that Saul asked of him. "Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's oficers." David became famous and people sang, " Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!" and this made Saul very angry and he "kept a jealous eye on David". All Israel loved David because he was so successful, but Saul became afraid of David when he continually saw that the Lord was with him.
The Lord was with David and he continued in his success in all that Saul asked of him. "Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's oficers." David became famous and people sang, " Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!" and this made Saul very angry and he "kept a jealous eye on David". All Israel loved David because he was so successful, but Saul became afraid of David when he continually saw that the Lord was with him.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
1 Samuel 17
On opposite sides of the vally of Elah, the Philistine and the Israilite armies gathered and prepared battle lines. A standout champion warrior in the Philistine camp, Goliath, shouted words of defiance against the army of Israel, which caused the Israelites to be "terrified and deeply shaken". For forty days, Goliath continued his defiance and offered a challenge to fight anyone from the Israelite army, but each time "as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright". One day, David was visiting his older brothers on the Israelite battle line and observed Goliath's threats. David asked, "Who is this pagan Philistine, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the Living God?" Later, David reported to King Saul, "Don't worry about a thing. I'll go fight this Philistine.. the Lord who has saved me from the claws of lions and bears will save me from this Philistine". Goliath sneered at David in comtempt and cursed him by the names of his pagan Gods, but David replied, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty... Today, the Lord with conquer you...and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel .. and that He does not need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle, not ours." Using a simple stone hurled at his forehead, David killed Goliath.
On opposite sides of the vally of Elah, the Philistine and the Israilite armies gathered and prepared battle lines. A standout champion warrior in the Philistine camp, Goliath, shouted words of defiance against the army of Israel, which caused the Israelites to be "terrified and deeply shaken". For forty days, Goliath continued his defiance and offered a challenge to fight anyone from the Israelite army, but each time "as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright". One day, David was visiting his older brothers on the Israelite battle line and observed Goliath's threats. David asked, "Who is this pagan Philistine, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the Living God?" Later, David reported to King Saul, "Don't worry about a thing. I'll go fight this Philistine.. the Lord who has saved me from the claws of lions and bears will save me from this Philistine". Goliath sneered at David in comtempt and cursed him by the names of his pagan Gods, but David replied, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty... Today, the Lord with conquer you...and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel .. and that He does not need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle, not ours." Using a simple stone hurled at his forehead, David killed Goliath.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
1 Samuel 16
Saul had been rejected as king over Israel and "the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him". A tormenting spirit was sent by the Lord, filling Saul with depression and fear. Next, the Lord selected one of the son's of Jesse of Bethlehem, David, to be His new King of Israel and asked Samuel to anoint him. "From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David".
Saul had been rejected as king over Israel and "the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him". A tormenting spirit was sent by the Lord, filling Saul with depression and fear. Next, the Lord selected one of the son's of Jesse of Bethlehem, David, to be His new King of Israel and asked Samuel to anoint him. "From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David".
Monday, March 21, 2011
1 Samuel 15
Saul was instructed by the Lord to go and completely destroy the wicked Amalekites, wiping them out entirely, even all their livestock. But Saul and his army spared the Amalekite king and the best of their sheep and catttle-- "these they were unwilling to destroy". Samuel was angry when he learned that Saul had violated the Lord's instructions. Samuel rebuked Saul for his rebellion and arrogance. Samuel told Saul that the Lord has now "torn the kingdom of Israel from you and has given it to one of your neighbors--to one better than you".
Saul was instructed by the Lord to go and completely destroy the wicked Amalekites, wiping them out entirely, even all their livestock. But Saul and his army spared the Amalekite king and the best of their sheep and catttle-- "these they were unwilling to destroy". Samuel was angry when he learned that Saul had violated the Lord's instructions. Samuel rebuked Saul for his rebellion and arrogance. Samuel told Saul that the Lord has now "torn the kingdom of Israel from you and has given it to one of your neighbors--to one better than you".
Sunday, March 20, 2011
1 Sam 14
Saul's son, Jonathan, left the Israelite camp to meet the Philistine army. He had only his armor bearer along with him, yet he was full of faith in God's provision, saying " nothing can hinder the Lord, for He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few". With God's help, Jonathan bravely fought the Philistines and their army began to panic with fear and it was reported to Saul that the Philistine army was melting away in every direction. Saul's men joined the battle and found the Philistines in confusion and killing each other. They recognized that the Lord had delivered Israel that day. But, the Israelites were faint and weary since Saul had directed them to take an oath not to eat anything all day. The Israelite army consequently was so hungry that evening that they broke God's command not to eat meat that still contained blood. Also, since Jonathan didn't know about Saul's oath, he had eaten during the day and therefore Saul ordered his execution. The Israelite people rescued Jonathan from Saul, saying " he was used of God to do a mighty miracle today", saving Israel from defeat by the Philisitines.
Saul's son, Jonathan, left the Israelite camp to meet the Philistine army. He had only his armor bearer along with him, yet he was full of faith in God's provision, saying " nothing can hinder the Lord, for He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few". With God's help, Jonathan bravely fought the Philistines and their army began to panic with fear and it was reported to Saul that the Philistine army was melting away in every direction. Saul's men joined the battle and found the Philistines in confusion and killing each other. They recognized that the Lord had delivered Israel that day. But, the Israelites were faint and weary since Saul had directed them to take an oath not to eat anything all day. The Israelite army consequently was so hungry that evening that they broke God's command not to eat meat that still contained blood. Also, since Jonathan didn't know about Saul's oath, he had eaten during the day and therefore Saul ordered his execution. The Israelite people rescued Jonathan from Saul, saying " he was used of God to do a mighty miracle today", saving Israel from defeat by the Philisitines.
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