Today's Reading:

1 Samuel 17
1 Samuel 18
1 Samuel 19
1 Samuel 20
Psalm 59

I’m telling you, this is such a great book- it has everything from golden rear ends, talking donkeys, and David with a staff and slingshot. Goliath the Philistine was insulted seeing David was just a boy and asked, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” (17:43). Goliath had a dislike for David using no weapons of war, and he felt mocked as though he was treated lowly like an animal. The “sticks” were in reference to David’s shepherd’s staff, which was worthless in battle. Goliath relied on his own strength, armor, and size, whereas David relied on God. David strengthened himself in confidence through the Lord. Mentally strong people rely on God to help them grow spiritually. We must depend on God’s wisdom and find strength by trusting Him. What are your “lion and bear” challenges you have overcome? Do you try to wear the armor of someone else- relying on their methods or expectations that do not fit you?

 

 

The Philistines were camped out on the south side of the Valley of Elah, to fight Israel on the north hill. The Philistine named Goliath yelled for Israel to choose a man to come down to him to fight. During these times, wars were sometimes settled by “champion warfare” to avoid mass casualties. Each nation would pick one person to represent them in battle, and the outcome of the duel would decide the winning side. The people believed that their gods fought on behalf of their side. This was a winner-take-all battle, where the losing nation became subject or slaves to the winner.

David played the lyre for Saul, but did not live permanently at the royal court. He would have traveled back and forth as needed from his father’s house. Three of David’s brothers were with Saul on the battlefield. For forty days, Goliath the Philistine took up his position and taunted Israel. David’s father, Jesse, sent him to the battlefield with bread and cheese to feed the Israelites camped out and bring back assurance from his brothers. David saw the Israelites flee from Goliath in terror. Saul had set a reward of great wealth, his daughter's hand in marriage, and tax exemption for his family to the one who defeated Goliath. Eliab, David’s oldest brother, was angry that David talked to his fellow army men. Eliab’s pride as the oldest sibling was taking over; he may also have been embarrassed and jealous of David, the shepherd boy who showed courage.

Saul told David he was too young and inexperienced to fight, where Goliath had been a warrior from his youth. David replied that he had fought both lions and bears to rescue sheep, and that this would be like that, trusting in the power of God, not himself. Saul allowed David to fight and handed over his own armor and helmet to the boy, but it was too large and cumbersome for him. Instead, David grabbed five smooth rocks and, without cowering, ran towards the Philistine, shot him in the forehead, and Goliath face planted in the dirt. The Israelites plundered the Philistine camp after chasing them

when they fled. David took Goliath's head like a trophy to Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem was not yet under Israel's control; David paraded the head in triumph of power over the Jebusites.

Saul decided to keep David with him, living in the royal courts, to keep an eye on him. Jonathan, Saul’s son, was a military leader already and much older than David (possibly 30 years older). David became great friends with Jonathan who made a covenant, showing loyalty, by giving David his items as a symbolic act of transferring his royal position to the throne to David.

David was praised in song by the town’s women, which made Saul more jealous. An evil spirit came upon Saul as torment, and he threw his spear at David twice. David was able to get away, but Saul continued to try to kill him. He offered his oldest daughter Merab as a trap, but David declined, not being able to afford the cost of the bride’s price. Then Saul offered another daughter, Michal, who actually loved David, demanding only the foreskins of 100 Philistines as payment for his daughter. Saul believed the Philistines would kill David, but David delivered 200 foreskins- how would he have kept them intact to be recognizable for counting purposes? He cut them from the dead in battle, not the circumcision of the living.

David’s reputation as a hero grew, and he married Michal, which brought him closer to the throne. Jonathan and David’s friendship grew, as well as Saul’s fear of David, since the Lord was with him. Saul tried to kill David again, and Michal saved his life by letting him down through a window. She used an idol (teraphim) with goat hair as a decoy, then lied to Saul (her father), claiming that David threatened her life. David fled to Samuel, and Saul’s men chased after him three times, but the Spirit of God came upon the groups of men to have them prophesy. Saul then went after David himself, but the Spirit of God came on him as well to prevent his plans. Saul then stripped off his clothes, lying naked day and night and prophesying before Samuel. He would not have been completely bare (likely just his outer/royal garments); it showed he was overpowered by the Spirit and left physically helpless laying in public humiliation and loss of dignity. The tearing of his robe (in 1 Samuel 15) symbolized the kingdom being torn from him, as was happening.

David fled to Jonathan, and they devised a plan with arrows to see if Saul was really trying to kill him. Jonathan asked David not to cut off his kindness towards him when he eventually became king, recognizing God was at work. It was common in the ancient Near East for new kings to eliminate entire family lines to prevent rivalry.

Abner was the commander of Saul’s army- keep note of his name for the next few chapters. Jonathan warned David through the arrow signal that it was not safe. David bowed before Jonathan in gratitude and respect for his help and friendship as they left one another.

Psalm 59- Written by David, as a cry for help mixed with praise. David compared his enemies to dogs at night- bloodthirsty, howling, and thinking no one sees them. He pleaded with God to deliver him from his enemies, trusting in His strength and refuge. He does not want his enemies killed outright, but to see justice and have them humbled. In the next few chapters of 1 Samuel 19-20, Saul’s assassins surround the house. David’s prayer during the time turns from panic to praise. The “dogs” imagery fits with Saul’s constant pursuit. There was hope that God would turn the night of danger into a day of victory. Just as He did for David over the years in friendships, escapes, and ultimately the throne. God, the true King, sees His people’s praise. If he saw David sling a stone, escape through a window, and write psalms, then we too have hope that He sees us in our troubles and when we glorify Him.

Today's Discussion question: 

 
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