Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Today's reading is in I Samuel 22-24.  It begins with Saul's evil attack on Ahimelech and the priests and people of Nob.  Doeg the Edomite carries out their execution on the orders of Saul.  His fear of David is apparent again in this episode.  Abiathar, Ahimelech's son escapes and warns David.  In Psalms 52,  David first accuses evil doers, but ends with praise for God's unfailing love.

Before a campaign to help to people of Keilah, David again ". . .inquires of the Lord . . . ." and is given direction.  Although David and his men, now around 600, have to move daily to avoid capture, David praises God again in Psalms 63.

This reading ends with the passion-filled conversation between David and Saul following the cave incident.  Saul acknowledges that David is more righteous of the two and also that David will be the king.

Finally, in Psalms 57, David praises God for safety.

Man on the Run, Monday, April 2, 2012

In I Samuel 21 and 22 and I Chronicles 12 David travels far and wide seeking refuge.  Perhaps during this time, Psalms 56 was written, seeking God for confidence.  He approaches Ahimelech, a priest, asking for food and weapons.  He is given consecrated bread to eat and the sword of Goliath.  From there he goes to Achish, the king of Gath.  I wonder why he did that.  He is recognized and in order to escape he feigns insanity.  Psalms 34 was written as a thanks for God's encouragement.  David then travels to the cave of Adullam, where he is joined by his father's household and 400 men.  These men are said to be there because they are in distress, in debt, or discontent.  Not the best resume.

The amazing thing in this journey is that David is constantly relying on God for strength and comfort.  That alone will account for his eventual success.

Jonathan and David, Sunday, April 1, 2012

The friendship between Jonathan and David begins in I Samuel 18-21, today's reading.  The first sign of trouble between Saul and David is Saul's jealousy in comparing the peoples' praise for their respective military conquests.  The statement that Saul feared David caught me off guard.  I had never noticed that before.  The jealousy was apparent, but I had not payed attention to the fear.  In yesterday's reading, Saul was influenced to disobey God because he feared the disfavor of the people.  And here it is again.

The chronological schedule integrates the Psalms of David with these readings from Samuel.  Today read Psalms 59, a prayer for God's strength.

David Kills Goliath, Saturday, March 31, 2012

In I Samuel 16 and 17 Samuel anoints David as king before his brothers.  The well-known story of David's killing of Goliath is described.  The description of Goliath as over 9 feet tall and wearing armor weighing over 125 pounds is hard to picture. David, still a boy, does not fill out the armor given to him by Saul.  But David is relying on God's power not his own.  He is incensed that Goliath dares to defy the armies of the living God.  His bravery is an inspiration.

The Amalekites and Agag, Friday, March 30, 2012

Although Saul and his armies triumphed over the Amalekites in I Samuel 14 and 15, they failed to finish the work God ordered.  Saul saved the king and some desirable items as plunder.  Samuel mourned for Saul because of his disobedience and the Word says ". . . the Lord grieved that he had made Saul king. . . ."

Reign of Saul, Thursday, March 29, 2012

Saul is shown to be a courageous leader in I Samuel 13 and 14.  But before long, he disobeys God by making a sacrifice before battle instead of waiting for Samuel.  Perhaps because his conquests were stunning, he then made foolhardy decisions.  For instance, he made a vow to avenge himself on his enemies and forbade his troops food until this was accomplished.  Jonathan, who had not heard the order, disobeyed his father and was nearly killed by Saul for it.  The soldiers intervened in what would have been a devastating murder.

Saul Annointed King, Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Today's reading in I Samuel 8-12 begins by telling of the corruption of Samuel's sons through their positions of power.  Their acceptance of bribes and perverted justice were used by the Israelites as an excuse for demanding a king.  In fact, by their own admission, they wanted to be like the countries around them.  Another case of "be careful what you ask for". 

God told Samuel that the people were not rejecting Samuel, but rather they were rejecting God as their king.  Samuel was instructed to give the people what they said they wanted, but to warn them what the king would require of them.

The annointing of Saul takes place in secret, with only Samuel and Saul present.  The announcement was made later at a gathering of the Israelites at Mizpah.