Year 7, Day 321: 2 Samuel 4

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Today we get another vision of David's pursuit of righteousness.  Jonathan's lame son in killed.  The avengers come to David to show him that they killed one of his rivals.  They expect to be rewarded and welcomed.

We should not be surprised when we get to David's reaction.  David scolds the men.  He's not interested in other human beings protecting him from enemies.  David knows that God can do such a thing far more righteously than any human being can.  After all, who can judge a person's heart any better than God?

Furthermore, this child of Jonathan's was of no danger to David!  The people would not have seriously supported his claim to the throne.  Nevermind that this was the child of one of David's closest friends!  Naturally David is not interested in rewarding these killers.

I think this is a really enjoyable perspective to hear.  We can easily focus on many of David's faults, especially when we think about his wives, concubines, and his lust.  But we should also realize just how strongly he pursued righteousness when acting as a leader of God's people.  David was interested in making the right thing happen for the right reasons.  As a king, David paused frequently and trusted in God.  That is a quality that is to be respected.

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Year 7, Day 320: 2 Samuel 3

Theological Commentary: Click Here

2 Samuel 3 gives us an interesting tale about the working of human political machines.  As we read through these words, we hear that Abner is offended by the house of Saul.  This provokes Abner to have a change of heart.  Abner decides to support David and his claim to the throne instead of Saul's deformed son.  This is a big decision; Abner was one of the leading generals of Saul's troops.  As Abner went, much of Saul's family fighting force would go as well.

However, Joab cannot forget what Abner did.  Abner killed Joab's brother, Asahel.  Let's make sure that we remember the story.  Abner was being chased by Joab's brother and Abner killed him after telling the other man to leave him alone several times.  When this didn't happen and Asahel forced the attack, Abner killed him in self-defense.  Joab cannot get past this family grudge, so Joab kills Abner in cold blood.

What we can learn from this is that sometimes we blame people not because they are guilty but because we want them to be guilty.  Joab cannot forgive Abner even thought Abner was acting in self-defense and gave Asahel several opportunities to back away.  Abner is truly innocent, but Joab wants nothing to hear of it.

Look at David's reaction, though.  David curses Joab, which is amazing.  David looks to one of his generals and curses him.  David risks losing Joab's loyalty.  Why this is significant is because we see David choose the righteous path over the popular path.  Abner didn't deserve to die.  David sides with Abner instead of siding of his general Joab.

This is really a powerful testimony.  We need leaders who will do the right thing, not the popular thing.  We need leaders who will assert truth, not popular opinion.  We need to look for people who can think for themselves and stand up when needed.

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Year 7, Day 319: 2 Samuel 2

Theological Commentary: Click Here

I find this chapter interesting in that we get a glimpse of humanity from multiple directions.  First, David comes to God and asks his will.  God tells David to go up and be anointed as king.  David obeys.  As he does, he calls out the people who cared for Saul’s dead body and praises them for doing so.  David accepts the role of leadership with grace towards his enemies.

In contrast, we get to see Abner.  Abner doesn’t consult God.  Abner takes one of Saul’s malformed sons and lifts him up as king.  Abner may be loyal to Saul.  Abner may simply enjoy his position of power and not want to relinquish it.  Either way, Abner does not react with grace towards his opponents or towards God.  It ends with war among the tribes.

We can learn much from the contrasting actions.  However, what I think is really telling is that this whole situation arises because the people demanded a king in the first place.  When we look back at the time of the Judges, the Hebrew people were not fighting with each other.  They had their issues, but they were external rather than internal.  When the people were under God, they were united.  Now, however, they are desperately concerned about human leadership and human authority.  They are concerned about authority, power, greed, domination, rank, etc.  It’s interesting to note how the people fall as their desire to be under God wanes.

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Year 7, Day 318: 2 Samuel 1

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This passage gives us two very interesting choices for David.  The first choice is the death of the Amalekite.  Reading this story after finishing 1 Samuel 31 should cause us to pause.  After all, wasn’t Saul killed by his own sword?  Didn’t the Philistines gather him and his things up and put them on display?  How then are we to take these words of the Amalekite?

The truth is that this Amalekite is likely lying.  He probably knows that Saul was trying to kill David.  He probably thinks that he can earn himself a position with David if he claims to be the one who killed Saul.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t realize that at least twice David had the opportunity to kill Saul himself and never did.  As a result, the Amalekite is killed.  Whether David kills him because he knows that he is lying or because he respected Saul’s life is unclear.  Either way, this Amalekite was probably the first and last person to claim he killed Saul!

This leads us to the second interesting choice that David makes.  David mourns the life of Saul and his sons, especially Jonathan.  For those who know David, this isn’t an unusual choice.  This absolutely fits with David and how he lived.

What makes this choice unusual is just how unworldly this choice is.  Most people would be cheering the death of an opponent.  Most people would be cheering the death of someone who desires you to be dead.  Most people would be focused on their opportunity to become king.  Not David.  David is mourning the loss because he isn’t focused on himself and his desires.  David mourns because it is the right thing to do.

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Year 7, Day 317: 1 Samuel 31

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Today we finish the book of 1 Samuel.  I’ve found it odd that the book is called 1 Samuel, but Samuel is clearly dead prior to the end of the book.  Furthermore, the book ends with Saul’s death.  2 Samuel actually has nothing to do with Samuel, but with David as king!  There isn’t really anything theological in that chapter, just an interesting thought.

Regarding the death of Saul, there are a few things to note.  First of all, notice that Saul takes his own life.  While this is technically a suicide, I’m not entirely sure that it is equal to other types of suicides.  Saul takes his own life because his death is imminent.  He is going to be captured – maybe killed – at the hands of the Philistines.  Saul knows that if he kills himself, he can choose how painful and how long his death takes.  The Philistines might drag it out for hours, days, weeks, and maybe even years.  Saul takes his life to avoid the worst of the possibilities.

That being said, Saul still takes his life.  In that choice, Saul wrestles control out of God’s hands.  It could be that God would use the moment to teach Saul a lesson.  It could be that God could rescue Saul from the Philistines at a later date.  It could be that God has rejected Saul so much that God allows Saul to suffer and die.  The point is, we’ll never know because Saul takes his own life.  Saul doesn’t give God an opportunity to show His righteousness or His mercy.

Finally, we can tell from this story that God’s Word is true.  God promises Saul that none of his offspring will be upon the throne.  That promise is lived out in this battle.  In one moment, Saul and his sons are gone.  The only thing of Saul’s that remains now is Michal, David’s wife.  The door is now open for God to move as He places David on the throne.

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Year 7, Day 316: 1 Samuel 30

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Today I am focusing on a very small portion of this chapter.  I’m going to look at what happens after David has his town burned.  David marches his soldiers out after consulting with the Lord.  He is victorious, getting everything back that was lost, including his wives.

The issue is that during the pursuit there are some of his men that become tired and are unable to pursue the enemy as quickly.  This is important, because David knows that the enemy has got a head start on them.  The longer David’s possessions and wives were in the hands of another, the more likely they wouldn’t be able to be recovered properly.  Therefore, David leaves the tired men behind so that he can go on in speed.

When David is victorious, he has their own possessions retrieved as well as plunder from their defeated enemies.  Some of the men who went out to fight with David grumble and tell David that those who were left behind had no right to any of the plunder since they didn’t fight.  David has a decision to make.

Today we see David make a good decision.  David turns to those who grumble and teach them a powerful lesson.  The lesson is to realize where our strength rest.

David’s lesson goes like this.  It is God who gave us the power to defeat the enemies.  Therefore, the plunder should go to all people.  After all, if we only give plunder to those who fought, we are making the subtle claim that it was their own power and not God’s that provided victory.  I think that’s a very powerful lesson for the day.

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Year 7, Day 315: 1 Samuel 29

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1 Samuel 29 gives us a bit more indication towards David’s dark side.  The Philistines are marching out to go to war.  The lords among the Philistines don’t particularly want David to go down among them.  Unfortunately, given the circumstances I don’t think that I can really blame them.

Yesterday we discovered that David has been up to some nefarious actions.  He’s raiding people to stay alive.  He’s lying about his actions to Achish.  He’s killing people to cover up those lies.  He’s begun a bit of a downward spiral in his life.

Here’s the thing.  David continues those patterns of deceit in this passage.  Achish comes to him and tells him that the Philistines want him to stay behind.  Do you here what David says?  “What have I done?”  He plays innocent when he knows he’s guilty.  Perhaps what is worse is that he plays off of Achich’s ignorance of his actions as proof of his innocence.

David is showing his prowess as a liar today.  He is also showing his prowess as a manipulator.  I can’t give him a very high grade for what I see in this passage.

That being said, I can’t be too harsh on David, either.  David isn’t doing anything that I haven’t done.  David is just thinking about himself, something that I do quite frequently.  Chapters like this are a great opportunity for us to look into our lives and see where we are similarly guilty.

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Year 7, Day 314: 1 Samuel 28

Theological Commentary: Click Here

This chapter is another perspective of humanity.  Human beings really have a propensity for doing what is right when everyone is looking but then doing what they want when a need arises or when nobody is looking.  For example, take a look at Saul here in the chapter.

Saul, under the guidance of Samuel, had all of the mediums thrown out from the midst of God’s people.  God doesn’t want people consorting with the dead.  He doesn’t want them relying upon wisdom from anyone but Him.  Saul is willing to publicly follow Samuel’s guidance on this matter.

However, at this point in the story Samuel is dead.  God has quit responding to Saul and providing guidance to him.  There is a large army of Philistines who are seeking to conquer him and his lands.  Saul is looking for any kind of guidance, and everyone that can produce true wisdom is gone.

At this point, Saul turns to a medium at Endor.  Isn’t it interesting how Saul kicked out the mediums when it was publicly necessary.  But when push comes to shove, Saul decides to consort a medium.  Nobody is looking; nobody will hold him accountable.  Saul feels his back against the wall; Saul’s true colors rise to the surface.

This is what I meant at the beginning of this reflection.  Saul is willing to give a public face of righteousness.  But when nobody is looking, his darker character comes out.  When he feels cornered, Saul breaks his own rules.  When we aren’t careful, we often live hypocritically and do as we please when the mood calls for it.

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Year 7, Day 313: 1 Samuel 27

Theological Commentary: Click Here

The thing that I hate most about studying the life of David is exactly the same thing that I love about studying the life of David. David is such a real person.  One minute I am praising David’s focus on God’s ways.  The next minute I am confounded by his actions.  He’s so real because he’s always bouncing between awesome character, questionable character, and downright bad character.

For example, take today’s story.  I think this is a story about questionable character.  David flees Saul, which sounds like a great idea.  If David isn’t in the territory of the Hebrew people, then Saul will have a more difficult time trying to kill David.  It works out well for both people.

David goes to the Philistines and lives among them.  While not an ideal move, David seems to be accepted and makes a living among them.  He doesn’t make enemies of them and gets along well with the neighbors.  Again, this seems like a swell decision.

Furthermore, David goes on raids in order to provide for his people.  While not a great ethic choice in the modern world, the truth is that raiding was a cultural reality in David’s day.  Right or wrong, it was a part of life.  David chooses to raid people who dwell away from the place he’s chosen to live among the Philistines – although not too far.  This also seems like a great idea.  If you are going to make people mad at you, you don’t want it to be the people that you live right beside.

But then we see the flaw in the character.  David lies about what he’s doing.  David allows the Philistines to think that he has been raiding his own people.  David lies to cover up that he’s not really making his own people mad at him.  David doesn’t just allow the Philistines to believe what they think is true, David promotes the lie.  That’s pretty sketchy in my book.

Furthermore, David knows what he is doing is wrong.  David kills everyone he meets when he raids.  He does this so that there wouldn’t be any survivors to tell stories to counter David’s lies.  This is simply downright corrupt.  Raiding for supplies was a part of life in the ancient world.  Slaughtering everyone you raided was not a part of everyday life.  It may have happened occasionally, but even then it was an atrocity when it happened.

David really has questionable character in this story.  Yes, many of his decision are based on sound logic.  But are they based upon godly logic?  Is David seeking gain in the world around him through godly means or through worldly means?

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Year 7, Day 312: 1 Samuel 26

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I’ve always found this conflict between Saul and David interesting.  Saul seems bent on destroying David.  David seems bent on not destroying Saul.  Time and time again Saul pursues David to kill him.  Time and time again David finds himself in apposition to kill Saul and he lets him live.  This is a great study in contrasts.

What makes this story even more great is that we need to consider why it is that Saul desires to kill David.  He desires to kill David because he is jealous.  He wants to kill David because David is God’s elect and that means that Saul’s son won’t ascend to the throne.  He wants David dead because he is king and he is used to following his own compulsion.

On the other hand, look at David.  We are told again and again that David is a man after God’s own heart.  What is so special about David, especially since he seems so prone to sin?  What makes David special is his understanding that God’s ways are different than the ways of mankind.  How many times does David’s own soldiers try to convince him to take the life of Saul?  How many times does David refute them and allow vengeance to be in God’s hands?  In this regard – in fact, in almost all scenarios except those that involve wives – David is incredibly gifted at looking beyond what the world would expect and instead look to what God would call him to do.

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Year 7, Day 311: 1 Samuel 25

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I have to be honest.  The opening verses to 1 Samuel 25 are some of my favorite.  No, not because Samuel dies.    It’s sad when a great spiritual leader dies and is unavailable to be among the people who need him.  But why I love these words is because the eulogy is so understated.  Samuel dies.  Israel mourns.  Life goes on.

That’s a great perspective to remember.  This is the spiritual leader of the whole Hebrew people who just died.  There is no great eulogy.  There is no great retelling of all of Samuel’s great deeds.  He dies, they mourn, and they move on.  What a great perspective!

For the rest of this chapter, we see an interesting mix.  Let’s start with Abigail.  Here is a woman who is of great worth!  She hears about the rash offense that Nabal makes against David.  She takes matters into her own hand and goes out to meet David with what Nabal should have sent in the first place.  She does what is right in spite of her husband’s folly.  David receives the offering and peace is made.  The right thing happens in spite of the folly of a foolish man.

In fact, when Nabal comes to his senses and realizes what has happened, he is struck.  A few days later, God strikes him dead.  Through Abigail, God rescues David and then takes care of Nabal himself.

One last comment.  Once Nabal is dead, David offers to take Abigail as a wife.  Remember, David already has a wife.  This is the beginning of an issue with David, an issue we’ll see occurring again and again throughout the chapter.

The question is, how much credit should we give the death of Samuel with respect to the timing of this event?  How much impact does the death of a spiritual leader have on the morality of the people and its leader?  I’m not saying that it is Samuel’s fault, of course.  Samuel is dead, there’s not much he can do about it!  What I am saying is that I think that there is a lesson to be learned here.  When we find ourselves far from good spiritual leadership we also find ourselves close to the jaws of sinfulness and temptation.

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Year 7, Day 310: 1 Samuel 24

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Yesterday we saw how corrupt people deal with life.  Corrupt people are always looking out for themselves.  Corrupt people are willing to use one another as stepping stones to make themselves better.  That’s how corrupt people live.

On the other hand, look at David in this chapter.  Saul comes into the cave in which he is hiding.  Remember, David is hiding from Saul because Saul wants David dead.  Saul comes into the cave to go to the bathroom.  He is utterly helpless.  Saul is at David’s complete mercy.

David’s own men encourage him to kill Saul!  They try to tell Saul that this is God’s opportunity being presented to David.  They want David to do what is best for him in the moment.  That’s perfectly natural.  It’s perfectly human.

However, look at what David does.  David cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe.  David finds a way to prove to Saul that he could have killed Saul but instead chose to let him live.  David shows us how righteous men live.  David will Kill when it is the Lord’s idea.  But he will not kill here because Saul if his king.

The neat thing is that we get a glimpse of righteousness in Saul because of David’s righteousness.  Remember, he brought down his army to pursue David.  Now, David is within his grasp.  However, Saul is shamed into righteous behavior because David has proven his heart.  Saul turns around and leaves David in peace.  Should David have killed Saul, there no doubt would have been more bloodshed between Saul’s followers and David’s followers.  David’s righteousness diffuses the situation completely and allows violence to pass from within their midst.

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Year 7, Day 309: 1 Samuel 23

Theological Commentary: Click Here

In this chapter, God uses David to save a town from the hands of the Philistines.  Unfortunately for David, these aren’t people who are loyal to him.  When Saul hears about David’s presence, Saul pursues David.  The Lord warns David that the people of the town will turn David over to Saul, so David flees.

There is a neat point that we can bring out here.  Do you remember who came to serve with David?  In the last chapter, we hear that David is joined by those who were distressed under Saul’s kingship, those who were embittered under Saul’s kingship, and those who were indebted under Saul’s kingship.  In other words, David is able to make friends of those who would be in a better position for him to become king.

On the other hand, take these people of the city that David just saved from the hands of the Philistines.  They are masters over their own city now that David has saved them.  While they should feel a debt to David for freeing them from the Philistine oppression, they actually see David as a means to strengthen their position under Saul!

What’s the lesson that we can learn here?  It is not safe to assume that people will remember what we’ve done for them.  People will always seek the path that will put them in the better position.  The men who are David’s allies are such because it will be to their advantage.  The people of the city seek to turn David over because they see an advantage to it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that we don’t go out and do good.  We continue to help people regardless of whether they are appreciative and remember or not.  We do it because we know that God will remember.  But we do it remembering that people will seek their own advantage first; it is just human nature to do so.

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Year 7, Day 308: 1 Samuel 22

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This is such an interesting passage to study.  I hinted yesterday at a truth we would discover in this passage.  The priests at Nob are slain by Saul because they helped David by giving him supplies.  David lied about his mission, causing the priests to find themselves in the awkward place of having helped David without realizing that it would make Saul angry.

First, let’s look at the reactions of the priests.  Even when they hear that David was not on a mission from Saul, do you hear their response?  They stick by David’s side.  They ask the king who is more of a loyal servant than David.  They try to remind Saul that David hasn’t done anything to earn Saul’s wrath!  They try to bring truth to Saul.  I truly respect these priests.  In the face of an enemy that will take their life, they stay on the side of truth and forfeit their lives.

Saul wants nothing to do with the truth and he slaughters the priests.  Perhaps worse, he has one of his underlings slaughter the priests.  Saul isn’t interested in righteousness anymore.  He is interested in removing a rival.  He is interested in disposing of the man in whom God’s Spirit has come to reside.

Finally, let’s look at David in this passage.  David hears about what happens and he repents.  David admits that this has happened because of his choice to involve the priests.  He knows that they are dead because he went to the temple.  This is why David is a man after God’s own heart.  David knows that he isn’t perfect; when his imperfections are revealed to him he humbly acknowledges his guilt.

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Year 7, Day 307: 1 Samuel 21

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Life can be interesting at times.  I’ve often heard people say if you want to know who you are, look at what you do when nobody is looking.  I also think that it is valid to say that our true colors also come out when we are under stress.  When nobody is looking, we don’t have to hide.  When we are under stress, we don’t have time to think and we just react.  Our instincts take over.

For example, take David here.  David is on the run.  Jonathan has affirmed his darkest fears. Saul does want David dead.  David is now running for his life with a few loyal soldiers. 

In this context, David comes upon a temple.  He needs food and equipment.  Look how David handles the situation.  David tells the priest that he is on an urgent mission for the king.  An urgent mission away from the king, maybe.  But as it is, David lies about the context.  David lies to the priest to evoke some sympathy.  David lies to the priest in hopes that the priest won’t turn him over to Saul.

We get to see David’s true colors in this story.  David is a sinner at heart.  When the pressure is on, David is looking out for himself rather than living according to God’s ways.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not trying to judge David.  The Lord knows that in my life I am just as guilty as David at looking out for myself when the pressure is on.  It’s human nature.  But it is good for us to know about it and good for us to consider that when we are under pressure we are most susceptible to falling into sin.

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Year 7, Day 306: 1 Samuel 20

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Isn’t it interesting what happens in our life when we let jealousy and pride have roost in our life?  When we let evil in and let it stay, its creeping tendrils wrap themselves around every aspect of our life.  Suddenly we find its influence where we did not expect it.  Our life is corrupted in ways we could not – even would not – allow.

For example, take Saul.  We’ve been talking for a few days now about Saul’s jealousy of David.  Saul’s jealousy has turned into all-out hatred.  About the only thing keeping David alive at this point is that the leader (Saul) fears David’s popularity among the people.  (Aside: sound like a parallel to the life of Jesus to anyone?)

Today we see that Saul has allowed this evil spirit of jealousy and pride to affect other places in his life.  When his own son mentions David’s name in his presence, Saul’s anger is kindled; Saul tries to pin his own son to the wall with the point of a spear!  Can you imagine what dark evil must reside within a person to try and kill their own son just at the mention of another person’s name?

Unfortunately, Jonathan learns a harsh lesson here.  Blood is thicker than water, but the spirit is thicker than blood.  When we allow a spirit of evil in our life, we will eventually follow that spirit of evil against all the other influences in our life.  Jonathan learns that his own father is capable of not only hating David but hating him as well.  We must be careful of how much we let evil, hatred, jealousy, pride, and other sins have a place in our life.

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Year 7, Day 305: 1 Samuel 19

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When we look at this passage, we certainly see Saul at his worst.  Saul wants to kill David some more.  His jealousy is absolutely getting the best of him.

The odd things is why.  Saul is jealous of David’s popularity.  Saul is jealous of how the people are responding to David’s success.  Saul is jealous that the Lords is with David.  Essentially, Saul is looking to David and seeing all of the things that he really wants for himself.

Jealousy is an ugly master.  Jealousy causes Saul to miss so much.  David is winning victories that are saving God’s people and Saul’s kingdom.  David is playing marvelous music.  David has so much to offer the kingdom!  Instead of approving of David, Saul only increases his hate.

There is something that I really love about this chapter.  Do you notice who it is that saves David from Saul’s hand?  Saul’s own son, Jonathan intervenes.  Jonathan is God’s agent to bring salvation to David.  But it isn’t just Jonathan!  Michal intervenes.  In case you forgot, Michal is Saul’s own daughter!  God uses Saul’s own children to counteract the effects of Saul’s jealousy.  Blood may be thicker than water, but blood can’t hold a candle to God using a person to bring about His good.  That’s cool.

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Year 7, Day 304: 1 Samuel 18

Theological Commentary: Click Here

In this chapter, we get to hear about love.  First, we have Jonathan and David’s shared love.  They are like brothers.  Jonathan and David grow to have a great appreciation for one another, as we’ll see later.  Jonathan and David forge a covenant together.  They are truly even closer than family because of their kindred spirit.

On the other hand, we hear about Saul’s love for hating David.  I find this interesting.  Here is the boy who soothes Saul’s temper by being a great musician.  Here is a boy whole just killed Goliath and freed the people from his threat.  Yet, Saul loathes David.  What is it that causes this hero to be hated by Saul?  There are two reasons.  First of all, there is sheer jealousy.  That’s a great lesson to learn.  We will be hated by those who have a jealous eye.  The second reason, though, is far deeper.  Saul hates David because the Lord is with David and no longer with him.  David is hated because God is with him.

Then we hear about Michal’s love for David.  What I find despicable about this story is that Saul is willing to use his daughter’s love to get at David.  Saul puts a bride price for Michal as something that will draw him into direct physical conflict with the Philistines.  Saul is willing to use his daughter’s love as a tool to destroy David.  It’s very interesting to see the how people can corrupt something as beautiful as love for their own pleasure.

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Year 7, Day 303: 1 Samuel 17

Theological Commentary: Click Here

David and Goliath is one of the premier stories of the Old Testament, especially for young people.  I can’t begin to tell you how many young people find courage in this story.  After all, when you are young, what’s not to appreciate about this brave young man who goes off and conquers the big tall status quo?  There’s much to love in this underdog story.

That being said, let’s make sure that we understand some of the main points here.  First of all, notice that David isn’t doing this for his own glory.  This is not about David and his fame.  This is about, as David puts it, an “uncircumcised Gentile” coming up against God.  This isn’t about David, this is about God!  David is living into God’s calling for him.  That’s vitally important for understanding David’s motivation and righteousness.

Second, pay attention to the results of this battle.  First of all, the Philistines don’t live up to their word.  When Goliath is slain, they run.  They don’t serve the Hebrew people like they promised.  They run away.  They aren’t people of their word; they are people who threaten and intimidate and then run when called out.  Essentially, they are bullies and living out every bit of the role.  However, when they run they leave everything behind.  The Hebrew people are free to plunder their camp when they return from pursuing the Philistines.

Most important, though, is to note where David places his faith.  David doesn’t place his faith in Saul’s armor.  Neither does he place his faith in his own power.  I love David’s great statement of faith.  “The Lord who delivered me from the paws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from this Philistine.”  David is willing to follow God and place himself into harm’s way because he knows that God is more than capable of delivering him.  That’s the greatest part of  this whole story.

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Year 7, Day 302: 1 Samuel 16

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Often when I read this passage, I focus on what I believe to be one of the major themes: God looks beyond the outward appearances when judging a person.  Today I’m going to look at God’s provision instead.  I think it is neat to watch God’s hand appear in places we might not expect and then see what He does.

David is anointed.  Do you hear Samuel’s objection before he goes?  Samuel knows that if Saul hears what Samuel is doing that Saul will be angry.  God encourages Samuel to go anyways.  After all, God can protect Samuel.  Samuel goes.

However, we’re left with a dilemma after David is anointed.  How is this little shepherd boy going to learn how to rule a kingdom?  How is David going to ever learn to feel comfortable in Jerusalem amidst the people, the political agendas, the maneuvering, and the sheer mass of humanity?

God provides an answer.  Saul is tormented by a spirit.  He needs to be soothed.  The way that the spirit is soothed is through music.  What is David other than a talented musician!  God gets David into the court and into the arena where He wants him through this tormenting spirit.  David will get his court training, begin to make political alliances, and make a name for himself because of Saul’s tormenting spirit.

I find God’s ability to work through almost any circumstance absolutely amazing.  It is usually worth pausing and reflecting on just what God can actually use to accomplish His will.  Then, it’s worth realizing He is still working like that, too.

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