Year 1, Week 31, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 31, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Samuel 18-19.

Today’s reading records the response of Israel in the immediate aftermath of David’s killing of Goliath. 1 Samuel 18 indicates that most everyone in Israel is over the top happy, except Saul. Saul’s own son, Jonathan, was especially pleased with David’s efforts, and the two forged a deep friendship. As the Israelites were extolling the successes in battle, David was given more credit than Saul: “And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on” (1 Samuel 18:8-9). Saul erupts with jealousy and begins a plot to have David killed. 1 Samuel 19 notes how David is eventually forced to flee for his life.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the LORD’s protection around David: “O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love” (Psalm 59:17). Saul’s jealous hatred of David was unfounded. David had done nothing against Saul “More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore?” (Psalm 69:4). Saul’s attitude toward David is rooted in the absence of God’s Spirit upon him; and in fact, the presence of an evil spirit: “The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.” (1 Samuel 18:10-11). Saul tries multiple ways to get rid of David, even conspiring to give David a daughter in marriage as a means of getting David killed off by the Philistines: “Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him” (1 Samuel 18:20-21). Saul’s plan to get David killed through his need to secure a bride-price for Michal in Philistine foreskins fails. David acquires the foreskins and obtains Michal as his wife. David’s successful outcome just made matters worse: “Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually” (1 Samuel 18:29).

The LORD’s constant protection upon David occurs in different ways. In some instances, the LORD raised upon people within Saul’s own family to come to the aid of David. Jonathan, Saul’s son is an example as he confronts his father concerning his jealous hatred: “And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you” (1 Samuel 19:4). Saul relents but it is short lived: “And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death” (1 Samuel 19:6). Saul’s torment returns: “Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul” (1 Samuel 19:9-10a). Soon after, Michal learns that David is not safe in their home from Saul: “But Michal, David's wife, told him, “If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped” (1 Samuel 19:11b-12).

But the LORD’s faithful protection on David, at other times, came from the LORD directly, without any human agency. When Saul learned that David has fled to Naioth in Ramah, he sent some of his men to capture and kill David, but the Spirit of God came upon the men and redirect them to prophecy instead of harm David. After a second attempt and same outcome, Saul personally went to Naioth in Ramah to capture David. The Spirit of God overwhelms Saul as well: “And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night” (1 Samuel 19:23-24).

David would be on the run for some time. Yet he is the LORD’s anointed king, who is being hunted down by the man whom the LORD has rejected as king. It may seem unusual for the LORD to expose His king to all sorts of dangers and potential harms. But the LORD is present with David and He is faithfully protecting David. The LORD’s protection certainly can mean that the LORD prevent some troubles from ever crossing the path of His people, but at other times, the LORD’s protection is displayed in how the LORD delivers his people from the troubles He has exposed them to: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe