1 Samuel 24-26
Twice in today’s reading, David shows kindness to the increasingly unhinged and obsessive Saul. Twice, Saul is at David’s mercy; and twice David’s mercy prevails.
Saul is on the hunt for David. In chapter 24, Saul pauses to relieve himself in the very cave where David is hiding; David sneaks up and cuts off a piece of his robe. Afterward, from a distance, he shows Saul what he did—to prove his faithfulness and remind Saul of what he, David, might have done! In chapter 26, David sneaks into Saul’s camp; and takes Saul’s spear and water jug for the same reason he had cut off a piece of Saul’s robe in the cave. In both cases, when David revealed—from a distance—what he had done, Saul appeared contrite and repentant, but only for a time.
The chapter in between (25) contains the story of a fool named Nabal (which actually means “fool”). In this story, David was NOT going to show mercy, until a wonderful woman stepped in. Nabal had insulted David by refusing hospitality to his men. When David heard, he gathered his men to attack the fool. When Abigail, Nabal’s wife, heard of Nabal’s foolishness, she immediately set to work to correct her husband’s offense. She intercepted David and accepted the blame, saying she did not see the men. David was impressed. When she returned and told Nabal what she had done, he had a heart attack and died on the spot. When David heard of Nabal’s death, he came and asked Abigail to marry him.
Three chapters, three times David showed mercy; once with encouragement from Abigail.
Until Monday, when we finish 1 Samuel, and Saul will also be finished,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
MARCH 21 1 SAMUEL 20-23
1 Samuel 20-23
Friendship is a precious and elusive thing. How few are the friendships that can survive the stresses! Before we talk Bible, think back on your long-term friendships and give thanks to God.
David and Jonathan’s is one of the archetypal friendships of the Bible. Their commitment to one another was complete, and—in a true sense—more than life-long. We heard first of their friendship in 1 Samuel 18, there, Jonathan, next in line to the throne, makes a covenant with David, saying, in essence, “Your enemies are my enemies; we will defend each other no matter what.” Some have said that this mutual covenant was a blood covenant, not unlike “blood brothers” in some Native American traditions. If so, it took.
All while his father’s anger and envy mounts, while David becomes more and more a persona non grata in Saul’s eyes, while Saul chases David all over creation, Jonathan’s commitment stands strong. They renew their covenant in 1 Samuel 20:16; and they renew it yet again at their last meeting in 1 Samuel 23:18. We will see how their friendship outlasted death in 2 Samuel 9!
Jonathan’s commitment to David is a picture of our commitment to Christ. Jesus said, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26) Jonathan put Jesus’ ancestor above his father and his own future!
Tomorrow, we will see David’s Christ-like character toward the King who longs to kill him.
Pastor Gary
Friendship is a precious and elusive thing. How few are the friendships that can survive the stresses! Before we talk Bible, think back on your long-term friendships and give thanks to God.
David and Jonathan’s is one of the archetypal friendships of the Bible. Their commitment to one another was complete, and—in a true sense—more than life-long. We heard first of their friendship in 1 Samuel 18, there, Jonathan, next in line to the throne, makes a covenant with David, saying, in essence, “Your enemies are my enemies; we will defend each other no matter what.” Some have said that this mutual covenant was a blood covenant, not unlike “blood brothers” in some Native American traditions. If so, it took.
All while his father’s anger and envy mounts, while David becomes more and more a persona non grata in Saul’s eyes, while Saul chases David all over creation, Jonathan’s commitment stands strong. They renew their covenant in 1 Samuel 20:16; and they renew it yet again at their last meeting in 1 Samuel 23:18. We will see how their friendship outlasted death in 2 Samuel 9!
Jonathan’s commitment to David is a picture of our commitment to Christ. Jesus said, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26) Jonathan put Jesus’ ancestor above his father and his own future!
Tomorrow, we will see David’s Christ-like character toward the King who longs to kill him.
Pastor Gary
Thursday, March 20, 2014
MARCH 20 1 SAMUEL 16-19
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
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
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
MARCH 19 1 SAMUEL 13-15
1 Samuel 13-15
In the Song of Songs 2:13, Solomon says, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards.” It isn't always the big sins, the big failures, or the big rebellions that start a leader on a downward spiral; it’s the little indiscretions, the little lies, and the half truths. What spelled disaster for Saul? Where did he go wrong? These are the chapters of 1 Samuel, where we begin to find out. But when I tell you, (or better, when you read it for yourselves!) you’ll think, “That doesn't seem so bad.” And you’d be right. But, it’s the “little foxes” that spoil the grapes.
In these chapters, Saul continues to wreak havoc among Israel’s enemies. So, what went wrong? What were Saul’s “little foxes?”
Impatience, impertinence and fear. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices (10:8), but Saul had a battle to fight, and his soldiers were growing restless. No sooner had Saul offered the sacrifices himself, Samuel showed up. “Your kingdom will not endure,” Samuel says, “for God has sought out a man after his own heart.” (13:13-14).
In the Song of Songs 2:13, Solomon says, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards.” It isn't always the big sins, the big failures, or the big rebellions that start a leader on a downward spiral; it’s the little indiscretions, the little lies, and the half truths. What spelled disaster for Saul? Where did he go wrong? These are the chapters of 1 Samuel, where we begin to find out. But when I tell you, (or better, when you read it for yourselves!) you’ll think, “That doesn't seem so bad.” And you’d be right. But, it’s the “little foxes” that spoil the grapes.
In these chapters, Saul continues to wreak havoc among Israel’s enemies. So, what went wrong? What were Saul’s “little foxes?”
Impatience, impertinence and fear. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices (10:8), but Saul had a battle to fight, and his soldiers were growing restless. No sooner had Saul offered the sacrifices himself, Samuel showed up. “Your kingdom will not endure,” Samuel says, “for God has sought out a man after his own heart.” (13:13-14).
Rash and unbending. Saul, in the heat of battle, makes a rash vow, “Cursed be the man who eats food until…I am avenged on my enemies.” (14:24). Jonathan, his heroic son, didn’t hear his father’s oath and ate some honey. When this comes to light, Saul is determined to kill him. Only the people’s intercessions save Jonathan’s life.
Incomplete obedience and greed. God, through Samuel, commanded Saul to attack the Amalekites and “devote them to destruction” for their wickedness. But after Saul’s glorious victory, he spared the king and kept the best of their livestock. When Samuel shows up, he asked, “What is this bleating of sheep I hear?” (15:14) Saul attempted to cover his disobedience with obedience, “I kept them to sacrifice to God.” (15:15) Samuel’s famous answer is brutal and unbending: “To obey is better than sacrifice! Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you from being king.” (15:22-23)
Little things, little indiscretions, little sins, little foxes…and a spoiled king!
Tomorrow, we look for a replacement!
Pastor Gary
Little things, little indiscretions, little sins, little foxes…and a spoiled king!
Tomorrow, we look for a replacement!
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
MARCH 18 1 SAMUEL 9-12
1 Samuel 9-12
The people demanded a king, so God gave them one with fantastic potential. Saul, the first King of Israel, he had literally everything going for him:
Tomorrow, we begin to find out!
Pastor Gary
The people demanded a king, so God gave them one with fantastic potential. Saul, the first King of Israel, he had literally everything going for him:
- Stature. God had given him height and good looks (9:2).
- Circumstances. God had arranged for him to meet Samuel (9:17).
- Humility. God had chosen him from a humble tribe (9:21.)
- Oil Anointing. God told Samuel to anoint Saul king (9:16; 10:1).
- Spirit Anointing. The Spirit of God “rushed” upon him, and God gave him “another heart” (10:9-10).
- Divine Confirmation. Saul was confirmed by lot (10:20-24)!
- Public Acclamation. “All the people shouted: Long live the King!” (10:24)
- Military Success. Saul destroyed the Ammonites, who were threatening Israel (11:11).
- Samuel’s Prayers. Samuel retires and promises to pray, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.” (12: 23)
Tomorrow, we begin to find out!
Pastor Gary
Monday, March 17, 2014
MARCH 17 1 SAMUEL 4-8
1 Samuel 4-8
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Don’t forget, the greatest thing about St. Patrick has nothing to do with wearin’ green or eating corned beef and cabbage. It has everything to do with St. Patrick’s witness for Jesus. God called him to go back to Ireland and witness the gospel to the very people who had kidnapped and enslaved him as a child! So, go ahead and wear green, but do it in honor of St. Patrick’s incredible witness!
The day and time we read about in 1 Samuel for today was anything but happy.
In their war with the Philistines, Eli’s wicked sons think they can haul out the Ark of the Covenant, like some sort of good luck charm, to help them win. Instead, Eli’s two sons are killed (just as the prophet had said), the ark of God is captured, and when Eli receives the news, he falls over backward and dies. So great is the day’s sadness that one of the boys’ widows names their newborn Ichabod.
The only other Ichabod I’ve ever heard of is Ichabod Crane. Ichabod is not the sort of name we use for our children very often, and for good reason. It means, “The glory has departed!” The glory of God’s presence in the Ark of the Covenant had departed from Israel.
So, the Philistines have the ark, but it’s not a happy time for them, either; their idols fall over in its presence, and their people are afflicted with boils. They can’t get rid of the thing soon enough. The Philistines place it on a cart drawn by oxen; load it with extra golden images; and send it back to Israel.
After Eli’s death, Samuel becomes the last of the judges of Israel. Though he judges long and well, when Samuel is old, the thankless people of Israel demand a king. Though Samuel carefully explains all the hard things that kings will do, they insist.
Tomorrow, we will see what sort of king they get.
Pastor Gary
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Don’t forget, the greatest thing about St. Patrick has nothing to do with wearin’ green or eating corned beef and cabbage. It has everything to do with St. Patrick’s witness for Jesus. God called him to go back to Ireland and witness the gospel to the very people who had kidnapped and enslaved him as a child! So, go ahead and wear green, but do it in honor of St. Patrick’s incredible witness!
The day and time we read about in 1 Samuel for today was anything but happy.
In their war with the Philistines, Eli’s wicked sons think they can haul out the Ark of the Covenant, like some sort of good luck charm, to help them win. Instead, Eli’s two sons are killed (just as the prophet had said), the ark of God is captured, and when Eli receives the news, he falls over backward and dies. So great is the day’s sadness that one of the boys’ widows names their newborn Ichabod.
The only other Ichabod I’ve ever heard of is Ichabod Crane. Ichabod is not the sort of name we use for our children very often, and for good reason. It means, “The glory has departed!” The glory of God’s presence in the Ark of the Covenant had departed from Israel.
So, the Philistines have the ark, but it’s not a happy time for them, either; their idols fall over in its presence, and their people are afflicted with boils. They can’t get rid of the thing soon enough. The Philistines place it on a cart drawn by oxen; load it with extra golden images; and send it back to Israel.
After Eli’s death, Samuel becomes the last of the judges of Israel. Though he judges long and well, when Samuel is old, the thankless people of Israel demand a king. Though Samuel carefully explains all the hard things that kings will do, they insist.
Tomorrow, we will see what sort of king they get.
Pastor Gary
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