David ran from Saul to Achish the king of Gath. He and his men were suspicious of David, so David pretended to be mad (crazy) in their presence. Achish ordered that he be sent away, so David fled. He hid in the cave of Adullam, and his brothers went down to him. Then the following … Continue reading David Flees Saul and Forms a Small Army (1 Samuel 21:10 – 22:5)
David and the Holy Bread (1 Samuel 21:1 – 9)
David fled from Saul, and came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. David said that the king had sent him on business and that he needed five loaves of bread for his men. Ahimelech said that he had no common bread, only holy bread, but that if the men had abstained from sex, they could … Continue reading David and the Holy Bread (1 Samuel 21:1 – 9)
Saul and David; Jonathan and David; Two Very Different Relationships (1 Samuel 19 – 20)
Saul determined to kill David, and commissioned his men to do so. Jonathan warned David, then reasoned with his father and convinced him that David had value and should not be killed. Saul relented, and David was spared. David won a great battle against the Philistines, and was with Saul as before. Then the distressing … Continue reading Saul and David; Jonathan and David; Two Very Different Relationships (1 Samuel 19 – 20)
Saul Resents David; David Marries Michal (1 Samuel 18)
Saul took David with him from this moment onward, and Saul's son, Jonathan, loved David "as his own soul." Saul set David over his men of war, and David won acclaim, with the women crying out "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." This made Saul angry, being jealous and paranoid. The next … Continue reading Saul Resents David; David Marries Michal (1 Samuel 18)
David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
This is one of the most recognizable stories in all of the Bible. David and Goliath. Overcoming insurmountable odds. The little boy defeats the giant man. The underdog wins! However, it is important to examine a few of the most pertinent or telling facts of the story and then reflect on its significance. The Israelites … Continue reading David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
One Reign Begins, Another Begins to Crumble (1 Samuel 16)
1 Samuel 16 begins with a stark statement by the Lord: 16:1 "Now the Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a … Continue reading One Reign Begins, Another Begins to Crumble (1 Samuel 16)
Saul Disobeys God’s Instructions (1 Samuel 15:1 – 35)
Samuel told Saul to attack the Amalekites and utterly destroy them and their possessions. Saul went with 200,000 troops and did battle, but spared King Agag and took booty of the best animals and items of the Amalekites. The Lord spoke to Samuel and expressed his regret at making Saul king. Samuel grieved over the … Continue reading Saul Disobeys God’s Instructions (1 Samuel 15:1 – 35)
Saul’s Rash Oath (1 Samuel 14:24 – 52; 1 Chronicles 5:10, 5:18 – 22)
"Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So the men did not eat anything. They came to a wood where there was honey dripping. No one ate any of it. However, Jonathan had not heard his father's vow, and ate some honey, and his … Continue reading Saul’s Rash Oath (1 Samuel 14:24 – 52; 1 Chronicles 5:10, 5:18 – 22)
No Weapons for the Army; Jonathan Defeats the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:16 – 14:23)
Saul and Jonathan remained in Gibeah, and the Philistines encamped in Michmash. The Philistines took off in three directions into Israel, and got rid of all the blacksmiths so that the Israelites could not have swords or spears. On the day of battle, there were no weapons in the hand of any of Saul's people. … Continue reading No Weapons for the Army; Jonathan Defeats the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:16 – 14:23)
Saul’s Coronation and Saul’s Sin (1 Samuel 12:1 – 13:15)
Samuel opens this passage with a speech leading up to Saul's coronation. He asks if anyone has a charge against him of unfaithfulness or receiving a bribe. They all affirm his integrity. He then reminds them of how God delivered Israel from Egypt, from the Philistines, the Moabites, even Nahash of the Ammonites. They had … Continue reading Saul’s Coronation and Saul’s Sin (1 Samuel 12:1 – 13:15)
Devoted To You 