1 Samuel 16-19
It’s time to look for Saul’s replacement. Saul, of course, is not ready to step down. Despite Samuel’s declaration that God had rejected Saul as king, Saul persists. After all, what can old Samuel do to him?
Samuel, of course, is not going to “do” anything to Saul. He will simply obey the Lord. And the Lord tells him to go to Jesse’s house and anoint the next king. Starting with the eldest, Samuel hears God reject each son, saying, “Do not look upon his appearance…for the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (16:7). Finally, he reaches the youngest son, a shepherd who must be fetched from the fields. Saul anoints David king, and he is filled with the Spirit from that day on.
There follows a famous series of circumstances that place…
…David, the future king, in musical service to Saul, the present king.
…the young David in the Valley of Elah, just as Goliath is defying Israel.
…the victorious David in a friendship covenant with Saul’s son, Jonathan.
…the returning David in the midst of women’s cheers.
…the successful David as son-in-law to the king.
But through it all, you can feel Saul’s sinister, self-consumed suspicions mount. By the end of today’s reading, Saul is sick with jealousy and determined to kill David. But while he is chasing David, the Spirit waylays Saul and causes him to prophecy. How ironic!
Tomorrow, things get worse!
Pastor Gary
No comments:
Post a Comment