Year 1, Week 31, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 31, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Samuel 20; Psalm 11; 59.

Today’s reading continues describing Saul’s jealous hatred toward David, while also revealing the loyal friendship between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son. 1 Samuel 20 notes the plan that Jonathan and David devise to make Saul’s determination to kill David more evident. David will miss the banquet that Saul hosted. When Saul notices David’s absence at the banquet and inquires of Jonathan why David is missing, Saul’s response to Jonathan’s explanation will serve as a sign to Saul’s intentions: “If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him” (1 Samuel 20:7). Saul’s response is clarifying: “Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die…So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death” (1 Samuel 20:30-31,33b). Jonathan shows himself to be very different from his father. Jonathan makes a covenant with David even at the expense of his own prospects of ever becoming king. Psalms 11 and 59 provide us insight into the heart of David as he cries out to the LORD while fleeing from Saul.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was how David’s perspective of the LORD controls his response to Saul’s desire to kill him: “In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart” (Psalm 11:1-2); and: “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men” (Psalm 59:1). David models for us that in the face of danger, it certainly is fitting to flee from the danger; but how much more fitting is it to flee to the LORD amid the danger that we face.

Saul wanted David dead. Saul’s desire to kill David is unjust: “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men” (Psalm 59:3-4a). Saul, as a king was to uphold and execute justice, but his jealous hatred of David was void of any righteousness. Saul was morally unhinged. But David did not follow suit. David’s strategy was not retaliation but appeal to the LORD. David deeply felt the urgent need for the LORD to intervene, but he resolved to wait upon the LORD to act on his behalf: “You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil” (Psalm 59:5). David was confident that the LORD is just, so his prayer and his response of waiting is shaped by what he knows is true concerning God.

David’s description of Saul and Saul’s henchmen were not flattering: “Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips—for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” (Psalm 59:6-7). Those seeking David’s life were like a pack of wild obnoxious dogs who roamed about and mouthed off with no thought of the LORD and His judgement. But David is aware of what the LORD is doing at that moment: “But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalm 59:8-10). Psalms 1 and 2 are introductory to the Psalmbook and acquaint us with themes that play out throughout the Psalms. For instance, Psalm 2 declares the LORD’s response to the wicked who conspire against Him: “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Psalm 2:4-6). David’s response to his particular threats were shaped by his knowledge of the LORD and His plans. David was confident—not self-confident, but truly confident in the LORD for he knew the reality of the LORD’s purposes. Such a reality shaped his heart and the response of his heart: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

But David did not merely want the LORD to step in and rescue him; David wanted the LORD to bring honor and glory to Himself: “For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 59:12-13). David desired that the LORD would be glorified and for that glory to be displayed through judgment. David was on the run; but he ran toward the LORD, whom he wanted to be exalted even as he rejoiced in his God’s loving presence: “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).

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

Pastor Joe