Friday, January 15, 2010

I Samuel Chapters 19-21

19:2,9,12 - Saul's evil spirit of jealousy has corrupted everyone and everything around him. His children are forced to lie to him and deceive him to protect an innocent man. The situation between David and Saul has become irreconcilable.

19:13 - Th writer seems to be telling us a little joke through this comical part of the story. Michal lays down one of the household idols and puts hair on its head to fool Saul's men into thinking that David is in bed asleep (Ala Ferris Buehler). It's a funny way to tel us that man made images are good fro nothing except deception and lies.

19:18 - This whole situation has got to be heartbreaking for David. He has been brought into the court of the king of Israel...he is a hero of Israel, and he is on the run for his life. His world is falling apart and he turns to Samuel, a mature man of faith. He uses this time of isolation to learn from someone older and to grow as a man of God.

19:20-21 - The men come on a foul errand from Saul (They have come to get David), yet when they are in the presence of God's king (David) and true worship - they cannot help but get caught up. As they enter into the presence of God, they forget about their mission from Saul and worship in the Spirit of God. True worship carries such raw emotional power with it.

19:24 - Even Saul himself who is bent on destroying David is caught up in the power of the worship experience. He is so caught up in spiritual fervor that David is given the time to escape.

20:16-17 - Jonathan with yet another show of character and humility acknowledges the kingship of David. He fully understands that God's favor has shifted to David and instead of feeling jealous...he chooses to support David and makes a covenant with him. The covenant they make will help to protect Jonathan's family when David does eventually take power.

20:30 - Saul is so angry that he basically calls his son, "The stupid son of a whore!" As we read on, we see the root of his extreme anger towards his son. His son is willing to sacrifice the kingly lineage of Saul in support of David. Saul's legacy will die when he dies and when faced with his own mortality he snaps.

20:41 - This verse illustrates the depth of their relationship. Do you have a Jonathan in your life? Someone who you know has your back no matter what? Somebody who you can trust your life with? Somebody that is willing to chase after Christ with you?

21:1 - We see again that when David is in trouble...he does not blame God or run from God...he actually goes immediately to godly men for help. When everything falls apart he relies on his faith.

21:4-6 - Both of the things that David gets from Ahimelech are very significant to his situation in life at this point. The priest has no regular brad, so he actually gives David the "bread of presence" - sacred bread to eat. This bread also serves as a symbol that the presence of God is with David. The priest only has one weapon - the sword of Goliath. It is fitting that David takes this sword as his weapon and it serves as a reminder that God can provide victory no matter what the odds. Plus, how insanely cool must David have looked with that massive sword strapped to his back?!

21:13 - David is fearful, because these people are the enemies of the Israelites and they recognize who he is. When they say, "Hey, isn't that David the guy they say has killed tens of thousands?" They are saying, "Hey isn't that the guy who killed tens and thousands of us?" Not exactly the kind of attention you want in a foreign country.

21:13-15 - So naturally, David acts like a crazy person...that's what I'd do - start drooling in my beard and what not. I think the king's response to David's craziness is hilarious...he says, "We already have enough insane people in this country - get this guy outta here!" The king is implying that their country is full of truly mad men...they were societally corrupt and crumbling from the inside out - that's what happens in a world without God followers.

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