Take Two: 1 Samuel 31, Proverbs 17

Chapter 31 details the fulfillment of the prophesy that God gave Saul through the Medium in Ch 28. The Philistines overtook Israel on Gilboa and the defeat was overwhelming. Saul observed the defeat and fell on his own sword to prevent the Philistines from taking him in battle )v.4). His armor bearer did the same (v.5). So, all of the army was destroyed and Saul as well as his sons were all killed.

The Philistines ransacked the country. They came to find Saul and, seeing that he was dead, they beheaded him and sent his weapons and head throughout the region as a trophy of how their gods had given victory over the Israelites. They even took and hung the bodies of Saul and his sons from the city walls in Beth-shan.

Warriors from Jabesh-Gilead came and removed Saul and his son’s bodies from the wall, took them back to Jabesh and burned them. They then buried the bones at Jabesh. While Saul was not a great king, he was still their king and fitting of due respect…a lesson that David has taught consistently throughout this book.

Some might propose that there is far too much killing in this book. They might even wince at the orders from God to destroy different peoples and the idea that God might give victory over the enemies of Israel. But one thing this final chapter soberly reminds us of…is that God sees everything. Had Saul obeyed the orders given him by God along the way…perhaps the ending would have been different. The Philistines were dangerous and evil people who lived without any sense of godly morality (since they rejected the God of Israel.) Their actions in this final chapter are simply an outworking of sin and consequence…and a detailing of the lives laid waste in its wake.

As we consider this, it is all the more obvious to me, that we should seek to fulfill the Word and will of God “to the letter” everyday. We may not understand or fully agree (at first), but we know that God always acts to bring about what is best. We are foolish to second guess him as if we might know better.

Proverbs 17:28 is the takeaway today. “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.” It is not that the fool becomes wise by being silent…only that he appears prudent/wise…because he does not speak foolishness. It is a well-known fact…that if you let a person talk long enough…they will ultimately hem themselves in with their own words. Sometimes, we would do well to simply stop talking.

Tomorrow, we continue with this narrative in 2 Samuel. See you there!

Take Two: 1 Samuel 30, Proverbs 16

Upon David’s untimely return to Ziklag (remember that he is only there because the Philistines mistrusted him and refused to allow him on the battlefield [ch.29]) he discovered that the Amelekites had raided Ziklag and had plundered it. They took the property and took hostage the women and children. They then burned it with fire.

As a sidenote: remember that this would not have occurred had Saul carried out God’s orders initially. His failure to do so makes him ultimately responsible for the suffering and the bloodshed that would follow. It is also why God judged Saul and removed the kingdom from him (28:18).

David received a Word from God directing him to pursue the Amelekites. David did with an army of 600. 1/3 of the army was too tired to proceed beyond Besor, so David and 400 men pursued the Amelekites and overtook them. David persecuted a fierce battle and destroyed all of the Amelekites except for 400 Calvary troops on camel-back. He then rescued all of the people (as God had promised- v.8) and returned with them to Ziklag.

Two principles emerge in my reading. First, David introduced the principle of giving equal spoil for those on the battlefield and those in support (vv.22-25). This displays a true sense of community and cooperation. It also recognizes the contribution of all parties to the overall cause. In a similar way, Paul argues this is true within the Body of Christ today.

Second, David found himself in a place where the people were against him…and yet he still had to lead. He did not garner support from those who were against him; rather, he drew strength from God and “lead out” anyway (v.6). This is a key leadership principle. There are times (many times) when it is advantageous and important to slow down, gather support, and proceed slowly. There are other times though…when the nature of leadership means that maybe only God is for you…yet you must lead anyway.

In my first church, a prominent figure was committing a sin and it was pretty public. I was a young and naive pastor, but I knew that this man’s actions were a distraction. I confronted him (MT 18) and the actions were corrected. Nearly all of the men around me (many of them related to the sinning individual) thought I should ignore it, preach about it generally, and “let God fix it.” The only problem is…God told me to (both Scripturally and in my prayer time). So, in that case, it really was me (and maybe a few other quiet supporters) and God…with the majority of people opposed to the action. Leadership requires doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time…even if no one supports the action but God.

Proverbs 16:9 is the takeaway today. “The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” We have many plans. Some are godly…some are less than that. We make plans all the time…but are called to lay our plans on the altar before God. God has the ultimate veto power. Where is God directing your steps? Is His direction in line with your plans? If not…are you waiting on Him to change…or changing your plans to mirror God’s direction?

Take Two: 1 Samuel 29, Proverbs 15

Ch 29 details the amassing of troops against the Israelites. David went out with Achish. When the other Philistine leaders saw him, they expressed a real issue with David fighting with them. Achish defended David’s character to the other leaders (v.3) and affirmed to David that he did not mistrust him in the least (vv.6-9), but the the other Philistine leaders feared that David might turn on them to earn favor with HIS God (vv.4-5). So, the next morning, David left and returned to Ziklag. As we will see tomorrow, David is fortuitous to have returned…since the Amelekites attacked in his absence.

God is at work in even the smallest details and most seemingly inconsequential events in our lives.

Proverbs 15:11 is the takeaway today. “Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more the hearts of men!” Sometimes we think we are masters at “the mask.” We convince ourselves that we can fool anyone; but, God sees our heart…and before Him alone we will give an ultimate account.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 28, Proverbs 14

Well this chapter certainly presents its challenges for interpretation! It begins by pointing out a battle to ensue between Achish and the Israelites (vv.1-2). Achish commands David to join with him in the fight against Israel. David responds to him in a deceptive way, agreeing to go with him and noting that he should soon know “what his servant can do.”

Saul assembled his forces in Gilboa, where he had a vantage point to see the Philistine army. Saul was afraid and sought to know the outcome of the battle. He consulted prophets, a priest’s Urim, and dreams/visions. God was silent to Saul. Saul then took matters into his own hands and sent messengers to locate a Medium/Spiritist/practitioner of necromancer (See DT 18:11). (This would be the equivalent of a fortune-teller or human Ouija Board).

Saul went to this witch by night and asked her to call up from the dead Samuel the prophet. The woman did (MUCH TO HER OWN SURPRISE) (v.12). When she described the vision/ghost/apparition, Saul was convinced that it was Samuel. The object of the vision (who I will refer to as Samuel for now) told Saul that God had judged him and would carry out the judgment against him within 24 hours. Saul would lose the kingdom and David would become king since Saul had refused to utterly destroy the Amelekites as God instructed (CH 15).

Certainly this brings about several questions. Was the vision actually Samuel? Was he in the ground rather than in the presence of God? Can people speak to the dead?

Here is a representation of how the majority of conservative scholars have handled this question.

While this matter is not likely to be settled to everyone’s satisfaction, the following observations can be made. First, the plain statement of the Hebrew text is that she did in fact see Samuel. Second, the medium reacted to Samuel’s appearance as though it was a genuine—and terrifying—experience: she “cried out at the top of her voice.” Her strong reaction also suggests that Samuel’s appearance was unexpected; perhaps this was the first time she had ever actually succeeded in contacting the dead. Third, the speeches attributed to Samuel contained allusions to a prior interchange between the two, allusions that would have been appropriate only for the real Samuel to have made. Fourth, Samuel’s role and message as a prophet, so much a part of his ministry in life, was unchanged in his encounter with Saul here.

…An alternative reading of this passage suggests that it was not the skill of the medium but rather a unique act of God that brought Saul into contact with Samuel. The medium did not possess the capacity to disturb a dead saint; but God, as “a sign of his grace,”¹⁵¹ permitted Saul to have one last encounter with the prophet who had played such a determinative role in the king’s career.

¹⁵¹ Payne, I and II Samuel, 145.

Robert D. Bergen, vol. 7, 1, 2 Samuel, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1996), 266-267.

 The second explanation seems to be most consistent (to me) with the overall counsel of Scripture. Saul sought answers to the outcome of the battle through prohibited means. God acted UNUSUALLY and SUPERNATURALLY to give Saul an answer…one that Saul really did not want to hear. A figure resembling Samuel (or a vision of Samuel himself) spoke to Saul. The clearest reading is that it was in fact Samuel.

Some of the theological implications and human curiosities are more difficult to answer. Was Samuel in some sort of “limbo” between heaven and hell? Are all people in the same position? Or, did Samuel get sent back from the presence of God to speak to Saul? Are there actually people who can speak to the dead…or are there imposter spirits who pretend to be those who have died? Is this encounter normative…or was it highly unusual?

Here is what I know for certain. First, believers today are immediately in the presence of God after they die. There is no in-between state (2 Cor 5:8). Second, Consulting with “mediums” and the like is prohibited for God’s people (1 Chronicles 10:13-14; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:9-12). This conduct was normal for the pagan nations and prohibited for God’s people. This is still true today. Christians do not rely on fortune tellers. Third, sending a spirit to deliver God’s Word of judgment/instruction is not difficult or improbable. God sent angels on a number of occasions in the NT to deliver God’s Word (cf. Zacharias in the temple, the angel and Mary, the angel and Joseph, etc.)

To summarize…Saul demonstrated in this chapter was seemed to be characteristic of his life choices as a whole. He would use whatever means he deemed necessary to achieve his intended end, even if it meant usurping the command of God. As a result, he lost everything and would experience great condemnation.

God gives us instructions to consider and keep for our own benefit. When we abide in Him and keep His commands, we prosper. When we violate God’s commands, we experience the judgment of God (temporal if we are believers, temporal and eternal if we are not believers). Christ-followers intentionally and willfully choose to align their lives with God’s plan and trust Him to bring it to pass.

Proverbs 14:12 is the takeaway today. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” There are times when our best logic and reasoning seems to indicate a particular course of action; however, the only guaranteed blessing comes from discerning and doing the Will of God…even if it seems illogical or unreasonable by man’s standards.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 27, Proverbs 13

CH 27 bears with it certain interpretive challenges. The man after God’s own heart (David) decides that Saul will continue to pursue him, even though he has blessed him on more than one occasion in the past. So David decides to relocate to the land under Philistine control (v.1)…which was actually ISRAELITE Land given to them by God in the Abrahamic Covenant. The region of David’s conquests is believed to be the modern day Gaza Region.

David receives asylum in Achish’s land in Gath. SHortly thereafter, David humbly requests to be granted a city away from Achish and is given Ziklag (v.6). David continued to fulfill the mandate of God by conquering the land that God had given his people (See commentary on Genesis and the Abrahamic land covenant (Gen 13, Gen 17).

Saul had chosen to spare the Amelekites and met his demise for it. David fulfilled the command of God and utterly destroyed all of the people of Amelek.

NOTE: Some have explained David’s actions as simply conduct according to the contemporary practices of his day. Others have tried to explain it as David’s dark side (usually followed by a statement of God’s unconditional election). The best way I know to reconcile this passage is this. David acted in a manner that is very difficult for us to fully comprehend. We do not see “conquest” as a reasonable manner of conduct today. We see conquest as barbaric. Perhaps David “intentionally” carrying out God’s justice against the people David conquered. Perhaps this is a narrative of David’s dark side (which he had since all of us are fallen by nature). We cannot gloss over the widespread bloodshed and we cannot be too quick to condemn. There are forces at work that are very difficult for us to comprehend.

I choose to believe that David was fuliflling God’s justice (either intentionally or unintentionally) against the Philistines. I liken the actions of David to those of Joshua in the conquest of Canaan.

Also difficult to reconcile is the intentional deception of David to Achish. As David would periodically visit Achish, he would tell him that he plundered the Negev (Southland) of Judah. This endeared David to Achish all-the-more. Achish was convinced that David was an enemy to Achish’s enemies and as the saying goes, “my enemy’s enemy is my friend.” It also did not hurt that David would continually bring Achish gifts from his plunder. Achish’s wealth grew at the hands of David…so he decided to ask very few questions.

Some would ask, “How can God bless a man who is intentionally deceptive.” One scholar explained it this way.

  In his visits to the Philistine royal city David would have a personal audience with Achish. As the king was receiving his share of David’s spoils, he would ply the Israelite warlord with questions regarding the location of his plundering activities. David’s cunning and deceitful answers suggested that he was raiding territories in the Promised Land that were under Israel’s control— “the Negev of Judah,” “the Negev of Jerahmeel,” and “the Negev of the Kenites” (v. 10). The answer seemed credible to Achish, for none of David’s victims survived who “might inform” the king to the contrary. David’s scheme was ingenious and effective. His conscious use of deceit was arguably the lesser of two evils: granted that lying is wrong and to be avoided (cf. Lev 19:11; Col 3:9), in this case David’s deception saved lives and thus fulfilled the Spirit of the Torah. Not only did it enable hundreds of Israelites to avoid a deadly confrontation with Saul, but it also helped Israel fulfill military assignments left undone since the days of Moses. ⁽Cf. discussion at 20:4 regarding the tension between the biblical mandate to speak the truth and the need to preserve life.) Robert D. Bergen, vol. 7, 1, 2 Samuel, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1996), 262.

I leave the final conclusion up to you.

Proverbs 13:5 is the takeaway today. “A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.”

Grace.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 23-26 (catching up)

Trying to catch up with posting. I had enough accountability in NY to keep me reading but not enough technology/time to keep the blog updated. Sorry

Ch 23 is pretty cool. Here were my observations.

In v.1 David is notified of a Philistine offensive against Keliah. He inquired of God who told hold him to go up and fight against them. When he told the men (v.3) they responded “we’re scared here…how much more scared will we be there with the Philistine Army to contend with?”

This is PRIME CONSIDERATION for many Christians. Sometimes God is calling us to move on to the next step and we look around us. We begin to feel inadequate and overwhelmed with our current situation…so jumping from the “frying pan into the fire” seems ridiculous. (Can I get a witness?)

David went back to God a second time (after taking a people survey) (v.4). God promised a victory. When David and the men obeyed, God brought a victory and used them to save Keliah.

Two considerations. First, leadership is not adjusting to public opinion polls. Leadership is “leading” people to embrace the will of God…even when they are uncertain, scared, or resistant. To simply take a poll and implement is more of a “chaplaincy” than a “pastorate.” Second, the decision to obey came before the victory. God made a promise and gave a directive. The people had to obey before they saw the fruit of obedience. There were MANY REASONS to NOT obey…but they did anyway. The same can be said of most of us.

VV.10-14 are an example of God’s protective hand. David is warned by God of the trouble ahead and is protected when he responds to the warning. This is one way that God brings victory (v.14). Sometimes, we want God to overcome our enemies with a show of force. But isn’t a warning of what to avoid also a victory provided? THINK NOW…this is good. God gives us victory over the temptation to lust by warning us to avoid the temptation. He gives us victory over the economy by warning us against living above our means. He gives us victory in parenting by telling us what to do and giving an example of how to do it (check proverbs 1-10 for one good example…).

In vv.19-28 we see that Saul is closing in on David and almost has him surrounded…when (coincidentally) the Philistines raided Saul’s kingdom. Even the enemies of God are instruments in His hand.

CH 24 is amazing to me. Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself. (Yes…just as it sounds). David (who has been forced to run from Saul) is in proximity to kill Saul and end all of the resistance. His men encourage him to do it and tell him it is the will of God (v.4). David, instead of killing Saul, cut the edge of Saul’s robe without Saul knowing it. The intent was to humiliate Saul and to demonstrate that he was superior to him.

David became convicted about the motive of his heart and persuaded his men to back off (v.7).

David then confronted Saul and told him all that he had done (v.8-22). David used this as a demonstration of how he was not the enemy of Saul and was loyal to him BECAUSE he was God’s anointed leader.

In our church tradition, we believe that a pastor is selected/assigned by God to a congregation. In our tradition, we determine this by a congregational vote rather than by a decision of a Board (Elder Rule) or by an edict from the Bishop (Episcopal (Catholic) rule.) I wonder sometimes though…how committed we are to living by the example that David gives. As Americans, we are terribly rebellious and hate to “submit” under anyone…whether a wife to her husband, or a church-member to a pastor. David’s example here gives a great picture of trust in God and submission to authority. David did not submit before Saul because he was deserving; rather, he submitted because Saul was God’s chosen leader.

CH 25 is a transitional chapter that begins with the death of Samuel. Samuel is the last of the prophet/judge rulers of Israel. Under his leadership, Israel was transitioned from prophet/judge rulers to that of a king. There is not much fanfare in the statement given in the text.

Vv.2-44 explains how David ends up with Abigail as his wife. David (through his messengers) encounters Nabal and asks for hospitality (which was normal custom of that day.) Nabal goes “scrooge” on David and David orders his men to take up arms so they can go settle the debt. On his way there, Abigail (Nabal’s wife) comes out with plenteous provisions and pleads for mercy. She is received well and David relents from destroying Nabal and all of his men (v.32).

The next day, Abigail tells Nabal what she has done and he has a heart attack and slips into a 10 day coma (my interpretation), after which he dies (vv.36-38). David credits God with vindicating him in taking Nabal’s life (v.39). He then sends messengers to Abigail offering to marry her. This is actually a great act of grace and mercy. A woman could not function as they do today…so David functions REDEMPTIVELY in marrying Abigail. This is a not an act of pity but of compassion and a demonstration of respect for Abigail’s character.

Vv. 44 is a statement to explain the disposition of David’s marriage to Michal (Saul’s daughter.) Details a re sketchy at best, but it seems that King Saul had forced or granted a divorce to Michal (likely on the grounds of the “threat” David posed to her (1 Sam 19:17)) and gave her in marriage to another man.

CH 26 gives another account of when David spared Saul’s life. During the night David and his men infiltrated the camp of Saul and stole Saul’s spear and ”canteen” from the head of his bed. They did this undetected…while all of Saul’s guards slept on the perimeter (vv.1-12). David then called to Saul (after crossing back out of the camp) and demonstrated his loyalty again. Saul again admits/confesses his awareness of David’s loyalty and blesses him.

 As you can tell, Saul and David’s relationship is “on again/off again.” Daivd is wise to it though. One thing that stands out, however, is David’s willingness to continue to demonstrate humility even when Saul is treating him unrighteously. There are implications for my life in this example.

We are now…back on track.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 22

Ch 22 records Saul’s wrath against the people who he suspected to be aligned with David. He orders the unrighteous execution of all of the priests at Nob and the people at Nob, including women, children, and livestock…because he suspected that they were conspirators against him and aligned with David.

This suspicion was fueled by the Edomite Doeg. Doeg functioned according to the laws of self-interest. He sought to advance himself and to be recognized as someone important. He saw an opportunity to gain recognition before the king (Saul) and took it. Saul’s commands were blatantly wrong. Even his own guards knew it when Saul ordered the execution of the priests. They refused to carry out the orders…but not Doeg. He jumped at the opportunity to impress Saul and move ahead.

Only one survivor from the city escaped and made his way to David. Upon telling David of the events at Nob, David accepted responsibility for all of the deaths there. He then invited Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech to join him and promised him protection.

We see three principles at play. First, we see that Saul would do anything to protect his rule and was consumed with the destruction of his perceived enemies. Saul was allowed to continue his terroristic reign because good people stood by and did nothing to overthrow him. Any leader can become consumed with himself. Good people must be willing to check him. Second, there is always one person who is trying to get ahead who will tell you what you want to hear. We do well to examine the motives of a man. Third, all actions have consequences. Saul’s actions resulted in the death of many innocent people. David’s actions resulted in the charges against the people.

We should ask ourselves what actions we take (or don’t take) in our lives and what consequences these bring about. Are they the intended consequences? Just a moment of “pause” is all that is necessary at times to awaken us to consequences that will likely result. Sometimes, consideration of those consequences can motivate us to change course entirely.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 20-21

Let me make an attempt to catch up on my posts. I am out of state on a mission trip at the moment, and the change in routines have affected my consistency in posting. Sorry.

Ch 20 is a great chapter about the community and connection we are intended to experience as believers. It is naive to think that all believers will be so intimately connected and committed to one another in this example, but every believer should seek to have one or two relationships that carry to this level of transparency, intimacy, and commitment.

Saul has David scared and shares with Jonathan all that concerns him. Jonathan finds the charges to be incredulous but covenants with David to protect him if this were the case (v.13). They developed a signal for Jonathan to use if Saul’s motives were to harm/kill David. When it was revealed that this was in fact the case, Jonathan attempted to intervene with Saul. Saul tried to kill his own son out of anger (vv.32-33).

Jonathan was placed in a place of great difficulty. If he honored what should have been self-interest and his own father, he would have to violate his covenant with David. If he honored his covenant, he would suffer great personal costs. Such is the choice many of us face as Christ followers in the world. Standing firm in our convictions as believers will cost us. We are called to pay those costs joyfully…knowing that our faithfulness is an act of pure worship before God. Jonathan warned David just as he had promised (vv.35-42).

1 Sam 21 is an interesting one. It shows David acting in ways we don’t talk of in church. He deceives the priest Ahimelech by claiming to be on a mission from the king. He asks for the bread of Presence (five loaves from the table in the God) (v.1-6). He then asks for a sword and is given the only sword in the place, the very one he took from Goliath after killing him many years before (vv.8-9). David then fled to Gath and pretends to be a madman in order to protect himself (vv.10-15).

As I have said before, I appreciate the OT because it displays the characters in honest image. There is no glossing over the fact that David lied. There is also no justification for the fact that David lied. God did not preserve this account so that we would be instructed in “what” to do, but to record honestly what occurred. We see the humanity and frail nature of David and are (hopefully) made more aware of our own…and (hopefully) drawn to a more honest transparency regarding our weaknesses with those we trust.

There is a tendency in us to mask over our weaknesses when we are among other Christ followers. We can try to justify this in many ways…but in the end, its root is pride and its end is our own destruction.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 19, Proverbs 5

Saul gives the execution order again for David at the opening of this chapter (v.1). Jonathan speaks on behalf of David to his father and David is restored to his position in the royal house (v.7). Perhaps no one other than Jonathan could have enjoyed the access that was afforded him. God, in His providence, established the relationship between Jonathan and David for such a time as this.

In v.9-10 we see that Saul once again made an attempt on David’s life while David was wil him in the royal house. David fled and did not return. He returned home to his wife (Saul’s daughter, Michal) who let David down through a window to flee from the royal guard sent to capture him (vv.11-12). Michal then placed the idol (a teraphim- a human looking idol of sorts) in the bed and made it look as if David were there. When discovered and questioned by Saul as to her conduct…she lied and claimed that David had threatened her. This gave all-the-more reason for Saul to desire David’s death…even though the charge was not really plausible.

David fled to Ramah to the presence of Samuel. Samuel took David to Naioth (likely a religious sanctuary within Ramah) and remained with him. The Spirit of God dwelt heavy on the place so that every one who came there began to prophesy before God (vv.18-21). Saul himself, having become frustrated that none of his messengers had carried out the command to seize David went to Ramah. Upon his approach, he too became overwhelmed by the power of the Spirit of God and was able to do nothing but prophesy before God. Having divested himself of all of his royal garments, he was able only to do as God directed and lay prostrate before God prophesying (vv.22-24).

It may be difficult to process the fact that God used the lie of Michal and the ruse of the idol in her home to save David. Idolatry was expressly forbidden, yet she possessed an idol in the home of David…a man after God’s own heart. Why did God allow this evil idol become his instrument of deliverance for David? As you ponder this…consider that all things can serve a purpose for God. Whether the “evil spirit” or the “idol” or the lies of a person. This does not mean that God is responsible for the idolatry…but that He can use the evil for a good purpose according to His own plans.

The fact that Saul prophesied presents a challenge to the theology of most people. (Me too.) But the aspect that is accentuated in the text is not the prophesy (since we don’t know fully what this entailed), but the fact that the enemies of God (Saul and his messengers) were powerless in the presence of God.

When we serve a God as big as this…what do we have to fear?

Proverbs 5:16 is the takeaway today. “Should your springs be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets?” This proverb actually encompasses vv.16-23. The challenge is to give oneself only to his one wife. A man should not engage in a relationship with anyone other than his wife…not physically, intellectually, or emotionally. Certainly the principle is reciprocal… God’s plan leads to blessing, but our plans (apart from God) lead to destruction.

Take Two: 1 Samuel 18, Proverbs 4

Chapter 18 provides some drama for our unfolding narrative. David and Jonathan become great friends (soul-mates/ best friend) (v.1). They were both gifted and passionate young men who were adept as leaders in battle and displayed great courage. Jonathan’s covenant with David culminated with Jonathan giving David his royal robe, armor, sword, and bow…something usually passed on to an heir (v.3-4). Saul gave David a position of military leadership and David prospered. The people all approved and David experienced success. So much success, that the people began to recognize David…something that affected Saul’s pride and brought on a sense of paranoia in him (vv.6-9).

During one of Saul’s fits under the persuasion of the “evil spirit,” Saul attempted to kill David twice with a spear. David was supernaturally protected…a fact that Saul recognized and one that struck fear in him (vv.10-12)

When his attempt to kill David failed, Saul sent David to be a field commander, The increased exposure in battle, Saul thought, would lead to David’s death (v.13). David continued to prosper though because God was with him (v.14).

Saul offered his older daughter in marriage to David but David humbly resisted since, in his mind, he could not provide the dowry and was not the “sort” of man to marry into the king’s family (vv.17-19). Saul was not to be deterred though, so he sends word to David that he will give the younger daughter to David for a dowry of 100 foreskins of the Philistines. He also sweetened the deal by positioning it as a patriotic challenge…since the Philistines were enemies of king Saul (vv.20-26). Regardless of David’s response, Saul saw himself as a victor. If David refused, then he would be refusing to attack the king’s enemies…proving to be disloyal to the king. If David consented, he would be most certainly killed in battle.

David rose up and attacked the Philistines and presented 200 foreskins to the king. This displayed loyalty and honor toward Saul since David went well beyond the required dowry (v.27). Once again, David demonstrated humility, loyalty to country, honor, and most importantly…that God was with him.

All of these events served to illustrate to Saul that David was a growing threat to him for the throne. It is not that David threatened to take the throne. All to the contrary. Saul, however, had turned from being concerned with the Office and with the responsibility of being king…to being self-absorbed. He was more interested in how things would affect him than with how they would serve the nation.

This character flaw in Saul is seen in our era as well. Many politicians seek to make decisions for political advantage rather than for what is right. Many churches commit to practices for their own comfort and enjoyment rather than for mission accomplishment. Many pastors aim to be loved and esteemed more than fidelity to God (and lose their prophetic voice). This chapter serves to remind us that when we do the right thing because it is the right thing, God is honored and is “with us.” Doing so, means we will, at times, make decisions that may not be in our personal interest. Ultimately though, God “with us” is a more sure return on our investment than all of our own efforts.

Proverbs 4:27 is the takeaway. “Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.” We are instructed to stay true to a straight path. There are times when we will be tempted to choose to turn from it (to the right or left). There is also an instruction to turn our foot from evil. In this phrase we see that, left alone, our nature will default toward evil. We must actively and intentionally keep ourselves from evil…our we will end up there by default.