OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 31

1 Samuel 31:1-13

In the previous chapter, we saw David ascend as a leader. In this final chapter of the first book of Samuel, we will see the final moments of Saul's descent. Saul has been mentally crumbling for quite some time now; the kingdom lost to him several chapters previous and the same time his lost his soul for power. 

31:1-3 Saul forced his best and most righteous commander out of Israel. Now, under a fierce attack by the Philistines, he is unable to defend the children of Israel. In battle, Saul's sons are killed and Saul is wounded by an arrow.

31:4 Saul commands his armorbearer to kill him, knowing he will die of the fatal wound but wanting it to be on his own terms. The armorbearer refuses. This desperate moment is symbolic of Saul's life. His fatal wound was rejection of God and the only one responsible for his spiritual death is himself. Even though God rejected Saul, no Israelite has the audacity to kill a king established by God.

Saul throws himself onto a sword and ends his life, knowing that he was about to die from the arrow wound but unwilling to again be a victim of the Philistines before doing so.  

31:5-6 Saul's armorbearer also kills himself upon witnessing Saul's death.

31:7-10 The Philistines brutally and proudly display their defeat over Saul; the Israelites have been soundly defeated. 

31:11-13 Saul's own people find and bury him with respect. Despite his shortcomings, he was not abandoned. Not even in death. 

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 30

1 Samuel 30:1-31

30:1 David and his men return to their home, Ziklag and find that it has been invaded by the Amalekites. David has just been denied from joining the Philistine army, effectively ending his career as a commander in their military. The newest phase in his life begins within this turmoil. 

30:2-3 The woman and children have been taken, the homes burned.  Someone needs to rescue them; someone needs to rebuild a secure life for these people. The beauty of being a child and thus servant of God is that He prepares us for such blessed work. It does not matter if we cannot even build a mound with mud, if God appoints us for a purpose, we are made able.

30:4 The anguish and torment consumes the returned men. Their families have been taken and their lives destroyed. Grief drains them of their vigor, hope and joy.

30:5 David's own family has been taken. His wives, Ahinoam and Abigail have become property to the Amelekites (who obvious have little regard for life).

30:6 The people turn their grief into the form of anger. Their response is destructive. David has become known as their leader and they place the blame of the Amelekites' attack on him. It is easy to give into such negative energy but nothing ever results from it but more misery.

David has a healthier response: "But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God". David's response is constructive. Leaders carrier great responsibility but a great leader allows himself/herself to be led by God. A good leader is a follow of God. David's grief is as strong, if not stronger, than the people around him. David feels pain and loss as well as responsibility. Maybe even shame. In such moments we must do as David did, allow God to overwhelm what is overwhelming us. We must draw strength from Him when fear and pain try to draw our strength away.

30:7-8 David asks God for direction. It is on his mind to pursue the men who took the families but before he makes a move, David consults God. David is told by God to indeed pursue the men; he is also told that he will prevail and recovery every person. God is meticulous; everything He does is complete. 

30:9-10 Four hundred men with David chase after the Amelekites. Two hundred of the men remain. 

30:11-14 David and his men come across an Egyptian in the field. The man has been without food and drink for three days. Rather than simply interrogate or ignore him altogether, they feed him. David then asks the man who he is. The man explains that he is the servant of an Amalekite but was left behind after the invasion of Ziklag because of illness.

30:15 David and the man make a deal: he will lead David to the Amalekites in exchange for his life. 

30:16-17 The man brings David and his men to the place where the Amelekites were and the find a celebration. The Amelekites are so drunk with their corrupt spoils that they render themselves defenseless. In such a way does God find much of the world upon His arrival, Matthew 24:36-50.

30:18-20 God enables David and his men to recover every thing and person taken. David's position as a respected leader is restored (humans are fickle, therefore it is fruitless to seek value from them rather than God) but David's faith in his Leader remains as steadfast in victory as it was in defeat. Thus the ultimate victory remains his. 

30:21-22 David and his men return victorious. The men who were too upset to join in the rescue are immediately shunned. The "wicked and worthless men" of the group want to force these men to leave with their families and defect. Some of the men followed David out of thirst for blood. Some of the men could not follow David because their hearts were broken. God has greater sympathy for a compassionate coward than a brave but cruel person.

30:23-25 David is of similar mind: he explains that they will not deal out cruelty when God has provided kindness. For indeed God delivered the victory; without Him, they might not have recovered anything. David's own compassion and righteous leadership unify the group. Each person, he explains, have a valued part in their ability to stand and function. 

30:26-30 Although he could have greedily kept his gains to himself, David shares. We are given to in order that we may give. We are children of the God of creation and proliferation. With His kindness, we are meant to make more.  

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 29

1 Samuel 29:1-11

29:1-3 David's saving grace, orchestrated by God, is that when the time came to bolster against Israel, David is rejected by the Philistines. Although Achish trusts David, the other Philistines do not.

29:4-5 The Philistine army refuse to fight alongside David. David has a history of demolishing the Philistines and they have not forgotten it or his Israelite origins. 

29:6-7 Achish sends David away in peace. Perhaps he assumes that David will take offense at being dismissed. But actually, this is the release David needed (and he did not even have to work for it). God knows what we need before we even ask; Matthew 6:8, and He tells us not to be like the others. For the "others" here are the Philistines and they are afraid of an enemy within their camp... God's children never have to be afraid, His foresight and planning are protection.

29:8-11 David must act reluctant to leave. Once again his life faces a major shift but he does not need to be apprehensive because God is doing the shifting.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 28

1 Samuel 28:1-25

28:1-2 The precise conditions of David's self-imposed time with the Philistines are not clear. What we can see from the text is that the Philistine, Achish firmly believes that David is against Israel. David's actions have suggested otherwise but discouragement is able-enough to derail any person (even one after God's own heart, 1 Samuel 13:14). From David's life, it is important for us to glean that. Our pursuit of God must be bold and dogged even, when discouragement works to sink us like stones.

After all, we each at times are made to rusticate within discouragement. This is why God sent so much encouragement and reassurance. Keep Matthew 6:8 as a constant reminder that God knows what we need, before and more comprehensively than we know. 

Matthew 10:27-31 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

God wants us to allow our private moments with Him to propel us forward through the broader aspects of life. He coddles us in quiet moments so that we have strength in the loud ones: to say and do what needs to be said and done as a righteous servant of God. If we take His love and instruction inward and share it outward with humanity, in any capacity as that may be, we have His power against discouragement.

We do not have to be discouraged by the absence of things or the threat of circumstances because God has ensured that He knows what we need, is willing and prepared to provide it. We do not have to fear the loss or decline of our lives because our lives are valued by the life Giver.

Do not be afraid to be dependent on Him; full of hope and trust that He will provide what we do not have and retain what we are afraid to lose. We are most fortunate to learn these lessons, David's life a reinforcement on our own experiences. 

28:3 Saul is presently without an anchor, even the anchor of his own ability to reason. Lost in greed and paranoia, he desperately seeks counsel. But the one who counseled him so efficiently has died. The prophet Samuel helped Saul grow into his role as king but their bond was broken by Saul's own choice. Unable to restore that connection, he seeks what he once outlawed: a person who claims to speak with the dead. But God does not want us to commune with any spirit other than Himself.

28:4-6 The reason for Saul's increased distress is the threat of the Philistine army. God remains silent, knowing that even though Saul requests His services, he will not listen to them or follow them through. And the people who could have given Saul advice, Saul had killed.

28:7 Feeling and fearing the isolation he chose, Saul commands his servants to find a woman who claims to speak to spirits. The reason for the initial outlaw of the practice was due to Leviticus 20. God does not want His children to consult such people therefore we know there is no truth or benefit to be found through them.

28:8 In disguise, Saul meets with the woman and asks here to raise someone. What we need to know is that such desperation is unnecessary. An earnest child of God will always be able to reach Him. God: specifically, not some spirit through another person. A child whose ears are open to God, will always be able to hear Him respond to our questions and prayers. Saul is unwilling to be earnestly diligent and therefore... well, desperate measures are taken and once again Saul breaks God's law.

28:9 The woman is afraid that Saul (who sits before her, disguised) will condemn her for doing as he asks. She is upset and truly, this is not fair of Saul. But Saul puts himself before justice and before the law and that is his fundamental problem.

28:10 Once again pretending that his faith is honest, he promises on the Lord's name that the woman will not be punished. We know that God taught us to simply be honest, letting our yes be yes and no be no, Matthew 5:37 instead of swearing and on His name!

28:11-12 Saul then converses with something that allows itself to be identified as Samuel... but is not Samuel. 

28:13-14 Saul waves aside the woman's fear to know what she sees; she describes a spirit ascending from the earth. Saul bows down to the spirit which is not Samuel.

28:15-16 The spirit is not pleased by Saul's actions. But Saul pleads his case anyway; he wants someone to tell him what to do, how to face both a fierce army and his consuming fear. 

28:17 But the spirit explains that as a prophet, he was an agent of God's will. The spirit explains the reason for Saul's situation: he disobeyed God and repented not about it.

28:18-19 The spirit reminds Saul that his present situation is a direct answer to what he asked for: separation from God. Samuel goes further to inform Saul that he is right to worry. He threw away God and therefore has no protection or strength against the Philistines. Saul learns from Samuel that he and his sons will die the next day in the battle (not as punishment but as fact).

28:20 Saul is tormented by Samuel's information. Children of God know that with Him, the battle is won; and also that even in death, there is life. Saul's response is full of fear, highlighting the fact that he does know know God at all.

28:21-23 The woman takes pity on Saul; he refuses to eat, too submerged in misery to have an appetite. Ironically, if he had an appetite for bread, that is, the metaphorical bread of the Lord (John 6:35), he would not be in the position he is in. Always hunger for the word and will of God. Whenever it is proffered, consume it gratefully; for God's sustenance heals a broken spirit.

28:24-25 At the woman's prodding, Saul eats. But not the bread of the Lord. Saul was not restored by the conversation with the spirit because Saul had not been speaking with God or an agent (angel, or prophet) of God. 

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 27

1 Samuel 27:1-12

27:1 Seeking a permanent and secure hiding place, David decides to hide within the land of the Philistines. Passionate as he is for God, David has moments when discouragement and fear command our actions more than we allow faith to. Yet God can weave any situation for good and he is therefore capable of dealing with our imperfect nature and decision, Genesis 50:20.

27:2-4 David brings his family and men to Gath. Because he is out of the land of Israel, Saul terminates his pursuit of David. Saul is desperate to keep the kingdom of Israel, if David is out of the region, Saul is content to let him stay there.

27:5-7 David is the same man in Gath as he was in Israel; he does not seek to rule a kingdom. He earns the king's favor by serving in the military (even though David is actually commanded by God, not the king) and then requests land. The king grants David Ziklag for his family to dwell, and for a year and four months, that's precisely what they do. From a more isolated place, David is able to run his life and actions according to God rather than Gath.

We can observe that David is a humble, agreeable, and dutiful person. Because of that, no matter where he is, people genuinely like and respect him. Still, David is not the way he is to gain favor with people but to obey God. And that distinction makes all the difference. 

27:8-10 Ironically, David continues to do God's work as he dwells within Philistine land. We see that even though David made the decision to dwell here out of discouragement, God is still able to utilize him as a tool. God has turned the desperate situation into a productive one. David is working the job from inside the region. As God always taught him to, David is completely destroying corrupt cities - all of the same regions God sent him to destroy when he lived in Israel. The king of Gath is none the wiser. 

Within enemy land, David has obtained from God through this Philistine king, a safe home and respected position. God wants us to understand that He can and will turn every situation for good for His children. He has zero limitations or barriers. 

27:11 Because David decimated the corrupt cities entirely, his attacks against Philistines remained a secret. This would be a precarious situation... if David were not protected by God. But David continues to allow God to orchestrate the details of his life and therefore David is in no danger. David continues to serve righteousness, even when it is not easy; even when he is surrounded by corruption.

27:12 The Philistine king mistakes David's humility for dedication to this new region. He trusts David has separated himself from Israel.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 26

1 Samuel 26:1-25

26:1-2 Saul continues a ruthless pursuit against David. The mental battle ranges within Saul, David symbolizes everything he is paranoid of losing. Once a fairly humble and simple man, Saul's desire is now adhered to wealth, power and kingdom. He has become a slave to his desires. Saul rejected God and action by actions lost his common sense. Fear and greed dominate over what he knows is right. He knows that David is innocent; he knows David is not the reason for his weakening grasp on the kingdom. He also cares about and respects David. But none of that is more powerful than the command of greed. 

As humans, we are not invulnerable to such contradicted misery. We can know what is right and want what is right... but still act against that knowing. Saul serves as an example to us: we are so capable of becoming servants to greed. Greed for wealth, vanity, power, property. God says to throw it by the wayside. The more stuff we own, the more stuff owns us. The more desperate we become to retain it. Yet we do not need any of it. God provides for our true needs. God provides contentment and peace. 

Saul currently has everything he is terrified to lose. But he has no peace. And it is the absence of peace of mind that is tearing him apart.

26:3-4 David knows that Saul cannot be trusted, even though Saul has apologized. Saul is not in control of himself and therefore David must continue to flee. David sends out spies to watch Saul's movements, thus providing the information he needs to remain hidden.

26:5-6 When he finds out Saul's location, David intents to go there; Abishai offers to go with him. David approaches Saul while Saul's camp is at rest. It is not battle that David seeks; he does not wish to challenge Saul's authority, only to once again inquire after his crime. 

26:7-8 Once again David finds himself in a position to easily kill Saul. In this moment, David can destroy his enemy and finally stop living on the run. David serves in the military and has killed men before. Saul's weapon is within reach. The only thing holding David back from killing Saul is David's love and obedience to God. And he also cares about Saul; David can see that the man is deconstructing but he does not understand why he is involved.

26:9 For the second time, David will not use his advantage over Saul although he is urged by Abishai to do so. Against reason, against peer pressure, against reasonably self-defense, David will not harm someone God has not commanded him to. And there is the stark contrast between the way Saul reigns and the way God knows David will reign: one listens to God above everyone and everything else and the other does not.

26:10-13 Through David, God presents evidence that a true servant of His is obedient under all circumstance. David's submission to God keeps at bay any anger, fear or frustration that might derail him from righteousness. Satisfied to take Saul's jug of water and spear, as evidence of his leniency, David leaves Saul and his camp sleeping and unharmed. 

This situation likely brought more solace to David. Having arrived at Saul's camp with total advantage and power, God showed David that he was made safe by Him. Despite the constant threat, David did not need to fear for his life. Saul might scamper through the region in various states of mental instability but God's movements were intentional and always are. Saul was not a threat to David and God proved it for a second time.

26:14-16 David calls to Saul's guard, Abner and accuses him of doing a poor job of protecting Saul. Interestingly, David still cares for Saul and is distraught at the thought of him being exposed to his enemies. David knows that any other enemy of Saul would have quickly and sufficiently killed him. Not only does David not want to kill Saul... he does not want anyone else to do it either. The only outcome David wants is the one arranged and tailored by God. True, Saul was unraveling, but David did not think it anyone's business to finish the job. Except for God. 

26:17 Saul hears David's voice and affectionately calls to him. When in the presence of David's mercy Saul remembers that David is innocent. In Saul's mind, David is a symbol of every fear and threat he has ever had. Saul has already been made aware by God that he would be proceeded by a better king. Saul hates the idea of losing his position more than he actually hates David. 

26:18-20 After greeting Saul, David again inquires as to his crime. David is distraught, Saul's pursuit of him has caused his life to go in directions he never wanted. David declares that if he is guilty of something before God he is willing to repent. But David's knows that no man can claim that David has ever acted unjustly. 

David pleads for his life (unnecessarily as God protected it). David does not want to die unnecessarily. He compares himself to a flea, a hunted bird. Hardly worthy of a war. David pleads for his life but his heart pleads for restoration. He desperately wants his friendship to be restored and the senseless argument between them to cease. 

26:21 Saul does not act maliciously against David; shame prevents him. And shame is the truest hell there is, it causes once to face one's own destruction against innocent and justice. Without mercy shame plunges an individual into a depth-less sea. David's magnanimous kindness debilitates Saul more forcefully and completely than any weapon ever could. Saul knows he is undeserving of kindness but David offers him kindness anyway... and the monster within him is tamed by its own appearance juxtaposed David's kindness. 

26:22 David offers Saul back his spear, without deceptive motive. David suggests Saul send one of his men to retrieve so that Saul will be confident David is not trying to draw him closer to kill. 

26:23 David is kind but he is also righteous and yearns to be redeemed. David trusts and prays to God to restore the situation, to deal with each individual justly. David knows that he is innocent just as he knows Saul is not. Whatever anger does exist within David, he allows God to mollify it. David allows God to construct justice for him.

26:24-25 Saul prays for David to be blessed and confesses that he sees goodly potential and fulfillment in him. David is the servant that Saul is not, and though that thought frequently tormented Saul and drove his anger, in sober moments he can see its benefit. For the children of Israel, all of humanity, need a righteous leader, a shepherd. 

David and Saul depart, each going symbolically their own way. David goes on his way and Saul returns to his place. Indeed David continues to walk the way of God and Saul returns to his place. Saul is on his own track, a stagnant place really, but David is on God's track and he therefore keeps on his way of fulfilling what God has planned.

OT: The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 25

1 Samuel 25:1-44

25:1 The prophet Samuel passes on from the earth. Respectful of him and grateful for his service, all of Israel mourned. Samuel's mother, Hannah, prayed emphatically for him. She promised him to God if she could conceive him. Hannah and Samuel remained committed to God and served Him well.

After Samuel is buried in Ramah (and his soul is released to Spirit) David journeys to the desert of Paran.

25:2-3 In Moan, there is a rich man named Nabal and his wife Abigail. Abigail is wise and lovely but Nabal is cantakerous and dishonest.

25:4-6 David sends 10 of his messengers to Nabal with a pleasant greeting during the time of shearing sheep (which was a time of cultural celebration).

25:7-8 David and his men enabled Nabal to be as successful as he is; they provided protection for his livestock. David tells his servants to request from Nabal provision for David's men, as David has been the protection for his sheep.

25:9-11 But Nabal shows ingratitude and denies David's request. Nabal is unwilling even to be charitable enough to share for the sake of generosity. We are asked by God to be enablers of righteous forces. David, keeper and protector of sheep, dedicated his life to the defense of the Israelites. Nabal benefited doubly as David protected his livestock, but foolishly denied to reciprocate. 

We must think of these disagreements figuratively. Nabal's refusal is symbolic of opposition to justice and greed over charity.

25:12-13 When David receives the news, he prepares 400 of his men with their swords; 200 of the men remain with the supplies. 

25:14-17 A servant informs Abigail of the situation: David's men came and requested provision but were denied by Nabal. The servant explains to Abigail that David's protection was necessary, helpful and honest. Without him, they likely would have lost their sheep. Everyone around Nabal disagrees with his decision but the servants hope Abigail will be able to rectify it. 

25:18-19 Abigail puts together 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep, money, roasted grain, cakes of raisins, cakes of pressed figs and loads all of it onto donkeys. She tells the servants to go ahead and proceed with it all toward David and she follows.

25:20-22 As David approaches Nabal's land, Abigail approaches David's men in a mountain ravine. David's angered speech identifies what he sees as the problem: Nabal has paid evil for good. David has fought such ideologies for much of his life and refuses to ignore it now. 

25:23-27 Abigail approaches David with apology and deference. She offers the provisions Nabal should have offered and explains that had she been informed, they would have received them the first time. She explains her husband to be a foolish man and comparable to David's other foolish enemies.

25:28-31 Abigail proves to be both faithful and wise. She reminds David of his righteous innocence, and God's defense on his behalf. David does not need to mar himself by harming or killing Nabal. God always takes care of his righteous children; He always redeems. Abigail is grateful for David's work and service and does not wish for this situation to result in needless chaos. 

25:32-34 David is immediately grateful for Abigail's intervention. Although David gives the credit to God for keeping him from a massive and deadly mistake, he is also grateful to Abigail for being the instrument through which He could do so. David was incensed by Nabal's actions and it caused him to react out of character. 

God understands that we are not perfect. We feel anger and are sometimes tempted to act on it. But as long as we remain faithful to God's instruction, He insures the we do not have to succumb to anger. After all, David taught us that wickedness proceeds from wicked. It's a cycle for a slave. God does not want us to be trapped in a cycle, like slaves, to our anger or discontent. Because David trusted and listened to God, God was able to defuse his anger and keep him from a mistake. 

But Abigail evidences another part of ourselves: the ability to be the instruments through which blessings come. God's instruction and provision can come from, and often does, dutiful children/servants of His. Abigail boldly took a righteous position on this issue in order to save many men and David's soul. She acted selflessly, courageously and faithfully... all components of an instrument of God.

25:35 David is restored and sends Abigail back in peace.

It's important to realize that David was not mollified because of the provisions Abigail brought. The word of God Abigail brought defused David's anger. Abigail reminded David, and us, that we do not have to seek vengeance. We keep busy doing righteous work, God keeps busy protecting and defending us while we do.

God is able to focus His attention on the orchestration from "up there"; we take on some of the work down here. And truly it is blessed work: If we will serve as the instrumental, tool, and vessel, He will provide the material, the ability and the blessing. For God is able to perfect the details, the intricacies of life and blessing. It is most generous of Him to allow us to participate in the unfolding of blessings. 

25:36-38 Abigail returns to find Nabal inebriated. Nabal is drunk and celebrating his wealth ostentatiously, greedily. Abigail decides to wait to tell Nabal of the circumstances (a wise decision as inebriation alters the brain and not for the better). Indeed Abigail waits until Nabal is sober to tell him. Nabal will meet his mistake with a clear head. Upon receipt of the news, Nabal is... paralyzed. Literally maybe but figuratively definitely, Nabal's evil drains him of life. 

Shortly after, he dies. An unrighteous soul is already dead, having discarded their spiritual life through evil actions. Wickedness proceeds from wicked. Our actions are an echo that reverberates back to us; we receive what we give, Galatians 6:7-9.

25:39-40 As He always does, God restores the righteous. David remained innocent and God dealt with his enemies. When we trust God with our lives, we thrive. We must trust Him the way that Adam and Eve did not; choose to live in His protected garden.

David sends his messengers to Abigail; David asks to marry her. Indeed she is a righteous, wise and thus lovely woman. (Saul gave David's wife Michal to another man, but David is not opposed to bigamy.) None of us are perfect but, David's interest in Abigail would provide her the with provision and protection that widowhood never could in the ancient society.

25:41-42 Abigail accepts with deference (feet washing a sign of trust and love). With her five female servants, she went to David and became his wife.

25:43-44 David also marries Ahinoam. Today, polygamy is ghastly arrangement but we must make allowances for the time period and culture. Also, we must allow that David is as imperfect as each of us. Ultimately, he has a good and faithful heart and is trying to navigate the world just like the rest of us. In Biblical times, some men and their wives took on additional members for the expansion of the family name (Abraham and Jacob for example). It was not done so out of evil.

Our ultimate, perfect example: Jesus, did not have any wives. He was solely dedicated to following the word and fulfilling the will of God. The apostle Paul followed in his footsteps, stating that rather than necessary, marriage was an option for those who simply needed that romantic outlet, 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (polygamy, then, is not encouraged - unless to protect a widow from destitution, Deuteronomy 25:5).

To further "hammer" this monogamy point home: Matthew 19:5-6 "'For this reason a man [singular] shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife [singular], and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”