Bible in a Year Blog

1 Samuel 22:1-23:29 + John 10:1-21 + Psalm 115:1-18 + Proverbs 15:18-19
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Old Testament – Very sad readings today in First Samuel 22 as we read about the slaughter of the priests.  Sadly fitting that Doeg betrayed the priests to Saul and then Saul commanded Doeg to kill the priests, because no one else would.  This whole incident shows how far Saul has strayed away from God.  He has lost his moral compass completely. It’s interesting to recall earlier in our First Samuel readings how Saul looked like he might be a decent king initially.  But, then he was disobedient to God.  And then his sin continued and continued to where he is in today’s readings.  This should be a warning to each of us to not stray from God like this.  If we are allowing ourselves to be disobedient to God or if we are continuing in a sin, we are slaves to that sin.  And this slavery to sin can grow and grow until we lose all moral control, as Saul has.  This image below by Gerard Hoet from a 1728 Bible is courtesy of Bizzell Bible Collection, University of Oklahoma Libraries:

I love the mini-reunion of Jonathan and David in First Samuel 23 verses 16 & 17 – “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father is well aware.”  What great words of encouragement from Jonathan!  Who is the last person you encouraged?  Do you make it a habit to encourage people around you regularly?  Who is someone you can encourage big-time today or tomorrow?

 

Bible.org’s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled “Saul Loses His Grip” is at this link and commentary titled “A Friend Indeed” is at this link.

New Testament – I love Jesus’ teachings today in John 10 verses 9 & 10 – “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”   What a great analogy – Jesus is the gateway to salvation.  Life in relationship with Jesus will be full of green pastures – this reminds me of Psalm 23 verse 2!   And then Jesus tells us that his purpose is to give us life in all its fullness.  I think all too often we look for fullness of life in all the wrong places…  when all we have to do is walk through the gate.  Have you walked through the gate?

Jesus calling himself the Good Shepherd is so very beautiful and fitting in verses 14 &15 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.”   After we walk through the gate of faith to fullness of life with Jesus, he will be our Good Shepherd forever.  He is a shepherd that knows us – and we know him.  He will protect us with his rod and staff – again, a little Psalm 23 verse 4.  🙂  And more than anything else, this Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us.   Do you consider Jesus to be your Good Shepherd?

Bible.org’s commentary on our John 10 readings today titled “The Good Shepherd” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 115 verse 1 we will read – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” (Chris Tomlin fans out there will recognize this as one of his many awesome worship tunes. . .) I don’t know how this verse strikes you, but it strikes me hard. Which is good. I think sometimes I do things for my own glory. And this verse, and really the entire Bible, is clear that the glory is God’s and not ours. Yeah, sure, we will live our lives full of “glorious” moments when we are loving God and loving people. But, we should not be living our lives to build up our own fame or our own glory. As Rick Warren states so well in the 1st sentence of the 1st chapter of his book “Purpose Driven Life”- “It is not about you.” And this is true. It is about God. And this is good news! Really. I have tried to live my life in the past where it was all about me. And this was a miserable way to live life. I pray that you see the incredible wisdom in this verse – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” How are you living your life? Are you living your life to advance the fame and glory of God? Are you doing this by loving God and loving other people with all that you are? Or, are you by chance living your life to advance the fame and glory of yourself? And if so. . . how’s this going for you?

Proverbs – Proverbs 15 verse 19 today teaches us: “A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!” This is a great reminder that we should live our lives upright, intentionally, and not be afraid of a little hard work!

Worship Video: Per Psalm 115:1 reflections above, here’s Chris Tomlin’s beautiful song “Sovereign” live at Red Rocks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVpk-QmISRo

Do you know our sovereign God? Click here for Sovereignty!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to Jesus for laying down his life for you, if you have given your life over in faith to Him. Thank him for being your Good Shepherd! Pray for the lost “sheep” that you know, that they would come to know Jesus as their Good Shepherd.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

1 Samuel 22-23:29

Wow, David had to have been some leader. If I saw these guys coming toward me, I would be running for the “Border.” I know that I’m quick to check out the “character” of those hanging around me and I usually inch away from folks who are the type of people that flocked to David. Rebellious people will usually rebel against you so it would take intense mentoring to guide a group like this.

2 And everyone in distress or in debt or discontented gathered to him, and he became a commander over them. And there were with him about 400 men.

I find it quit interesting that David uses his father’s connection to the Moabites to protect his mother and father. David’s father, Jessie, was the grandson of Ruth (Ruth 4:17). Because David sends his parents to stay in Moab before the Saul has the priest’s killed, David undeniably had a keen understanding of the lengths Saul would go to kill him and his family.

Saul’s promises of special privileges, implied or direct, had been used with his army as a motivational “tool” to get someone to kill Goliath, but Saul seemed to be someone who didn’t or wouldn’t keep his word. In the twenty-second chapter, he uses the carrot again to get people to pursue and fight an ungodly fight, the pursuit of David at all cost,

7 “Listen here, you men of Benjamin!” Saul shouted when he heard the news. “Has David promised you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you commanders in his army? 8 Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you has ever told me that my own son is on David’s side. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son–encouraging David to try and kill me!”

Saul doesn’t appeal to his men’s sense of “righteousness” but he appeals to their emotions by throwing a pity party, a poor me gripe session. If we take this scenario and place it in today’s churches, we can use it as a guide to evaluate appeals by unscrupulous “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” I believe a call to spiritual arms should never be based on emotion and sentiment so an appeal to consider, “Poor me as I suffer for the Lord,” should cause the ringing of bells and blowing of whistles to go off in one’s head. If Israel represented a type of the church then, our churches hold the capacity and potential to be just as ruthless and deadly as Saul. But for God and the fact that David had not served the purpose God had created him for, we would never be reading this wonderful story about David.

“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. (Acts 13:36). Our obedience to the will of God is what keeps us alive and if we are not severing our purpose, God’s mercy holds us back from the grave.

John 10:1-21

This chapter is jammed pack with stuff. Jesus is the gate, the gatekeeper, the shepherd, the Good Shepherd. He is the go to guy for all of our needs.

This verse is powerful, “10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness,” and sets every other belief system at odds with Jesus. Jesus emphatically states that anyone other than He is a crook and a murderer and He is ”intolerant” to anything else. I guess Jesus is a Politically Incorrect man and God.

This passage contains the words that should stop everyone and anyone looking to blame Jesus’ crucifixion on a specific group of people.

17 “The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command.”

The writer of Hebrews even states, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (12:2)” What was the joy set before Jesus? Our redemption from sin, death, hell and the grave.
Psalm 115:1-18

Idols are dead things which cannot move, who cannot do anything for us. We have to carry our idols around; well most of the things we worship we must carry around. I find the most damning thing in this particular division of Psalm is verse 8 (my paraphrase) “We become what we worship, we take on the characteristics of the thing we give our adoration too. That is a sobering thought. Flip that thought or statement over and one could say, “I can tell who or what your God is by observing who you are!”

8 And those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

Who am I, what are the fruit of my worship?

Proverbs 15:18-19

19 A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!

This is the first time I’m seeing this in this particular verse, but I know people who have bad things happen to their bad things. And I just realize the ones that I know really well, are lazy. They might not be lazy physically, but they refuse to use common sense in living their lives. They want someone else to tell them what to do because they don’t want to be held accountable for their decisions, “It not my fault I so and so told me to do it this way. They refuse to expend the time and energy to search for wisdom. Wow and boy oh boy or boy. Do I see me in all of this?

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

Saul had totally lost all form of respect for God.He knew Ahimelech heard from the Lord therefore the Lord was still with him yet he had him killed using a gentile.I can’t help but wonder how this really happened…did 85 priests just sit and wait for one Edomite to slay them all or did Saul’s officials finally decide to join in the slaughter…
I guess this may be a bit controversial…I couldn’t help wondering if what happened to the priests came as judgement on the house of Eli and his sons(I couldn’t find any scripture to clear me on that one)…The priests seemed godly men and their slaughter by ungodly men does raise the usual questions”why did God let that happen”.
We can see David getting encouragement when he’s at his lowest;the people he fought to save from the philistines are willing to give him up,each time he looks at Abiathar he remembers that priests got killed because of him,Saul’s hot on his heels….then his beloved friend Jonathan comes to remind him that God is still on his side.It’s also amazing that Saul stops at nothing to kill David yet when the philistines attack Israel,he turns back even though he’s so close to capturing David.God made him do that!Saul was capable of throwing his spear at Jonathan in public because of David,killed innocent priests because of David,surely he couldn’t have cared less if all Israel burned down if only he could get David….yet he turned back!
The question still rises up in my mind…what about the priests and their families…slaughtered like sheep.Reading Bob’s commentary,I guess when Jesus promises abundant life surely he meant eternal life.Daily we hear of christians killed during missions and it really doesn’t go with the prosperity gospel that we hear so much about.True nobody likes to preach about poverty but Jesus became poor so we could be rich…we are called to share in his sufferings.I pray for grace and understanding to be able to God will inspite of the costs.
God bless you all

Anka

====== Jim:

The friendship between David and Jonathan reminds me of the bonds developed by men who have served together on the field of battle. God seems to use this fraternal bond to encourage David in his most desperate time and it causes a son to turn on his father. Just a thought.
Jim

====== Sue:

What is with this ungrateful city of Keilah? David saves them from the Philistines and they show their gratitude by being willing to turn him over to Saul?

Is there some virus floating in the air? Saul is so focused on killing David. Has anyone read A Tale of Three kings? by Gene Edwards? (Good read.)

Anyway, who would have known God would have the Philistines attack at just the right time and to turn Saul’s head to that situation? Oftentimes I pray and have it all mapped out about how God should answer my prayers so that the outcome is to my liking, but I need to remember these types of passages, because God always has an “Ace in the hole” or a “trump card” that He can use to bring about His desires. Praise God~

Alrighty then, this good Shepherd story reminds me of when Jesus was talking just the other day about the slave having no rights but family being in solid.
It also reminds me of a story I heard about there being three kinds of people: Sheepdogs, wolves, and sheep. Wolves don’t become sheep; sheep cannot be wolves, and the job of the sheepdog is to protect the sheep from the wolves. I am sure you all can draw from the analogy here.

Idols. umm. umm. I guess sheep don’t recognize idols. We are not the sharpest pencils on the desk, are we?

Patience. We all know the axiom there, don’t we? We all want it but we don’t want to go through what it takes to get it.

Sue

====== John:

Jim

Amen. I spent six years in the peace time Navy. Most of it on one ship (an aircraft carrier). We worked long hours, fought fires, repaired machinery that couldn’t be repaired and formed bonds that I have only seen on some sports teams – (and that does not compare). I can only imagine how more intense the friendships and bonding are during war and when the men are in combat.

Sue: Keilah

Nothing is 100%. take a look at any poll today and no matter the question there will be a split amongst the respondants.

I am sure the city was grateful to David. The Philistines had attacked when the harvest was in, so this was a critical victory. However, no matter how grateful, I am sure Saul had some segment of the city in his camp (corner).

In addition, there is the fear factor. Since a priest had escaped they knew of the slaughter of priests and probably the annihilation of Nob.

“Why would the people of Keliah betray the man who just saved their city? No doubt, they heard of Saul’s brutal massacre of the priests (1 Samuel 22:16-19), so they knew Saul would stop at nothing to kill David.” (from enduring word.com)

They did not turn David over to Saul, we only know that if David had stayed God said they would have given David over to Saul. In the end they were spared from Philistines and Saul.

Note: The Ziphites were Judeans, and their sole reason for helping Saul appears to be to get in the good graces of Saul. For benefits or just to avoid his wrath?????

John

====== Johnnie:

====

I Samuel 22:1-23:29

There is sooooo much meat in today’s reading, so many things to hone in on yet, I can’t get away from a verse in Proverbs that keeps coming to me over and over again every time I read today’s Old Testament passage,

THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5.] When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (Proverbs 28:1-2 AMP)

I became stuck with this passage and didn’t know why. “God, what does this have to do with the passage? David is the one who is running from Saul; is David “wicked” because he is running; but Saul IS after Him,” what am I missing? “God what are you trying to tell me?”

And then I heard in the middle of the day after “seeking,” knocking,” “asking” about the meaning, “The wicked flee from the face of truth, that is what they are running from!” Never have I looked at those verses in Proverbs as speaking about anything other than one human who is paranoid because of evil deeds fleeing from another. Saul’s pursuit of David was not really about David although David was the object of Saul’s desire. Saul’s pursuit was all about fleeing from the truth that he had been removed from his spiritual authority over Israel and as the spirt goes, there goes the man.

What are we pursuing and are we pursuing it out of our fleeing from the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NET.)

I think I was given some insight into why those in Truth are persecuted. It’s really not about us, its all about Jesus.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! (Acts 9:4-5 NET.)

Saul hadn’t touched Jesus physically; however, because Jesus was and is the Truth, any assault against those who speak the Truth, love the Truth, live by the Truth is an assault against Jesus.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====

====== Jim:

David gathered his family and followers near a cave near the city of Adullam (which was where David wrote Psalm 142 and possibly 57). David then runs to Moab (establishing a strong hold at what is now known at Masada – 1 Sam 22:4) since his great-grandmother was from there and the Moabite king was probably interested in supporting a rebel king of Israel. Saul’s pursuit, however, keeps David on the move (including through Keliah, En Gedi, and finally Ziklag, David’s camp until he moved to Hebron and became king). David continued to attract men discontent with Saul’s uneven rule while Saul further appeals to tribal jealousies in suggesting that only he would likely favor his fellow poor Benjamites (rather than the son of Jesse) and claimed David was a revolutionary and not merely a fugitive. The priest Doeg turned in Ahimelech for helping David. During his own defense, Ahimelech in declaring the innocence of ignorant and faithful, defends David by asking Saul who is more faithful to him than David. Saul orders the death of all priest and their families, but only Doeg complies seeing further opportunity to win the king’s favor (only one priest of the 85 slain survives, Ahimelech’s son Abiathar – mentioned in Mark 2:26 with the incident of David eating the temple bread). This was partial fulfillment of the prophesized judgment against Eli’s house (2:27-36) and probably required the movement of the tabernacle from Nod to Gibeon, where it next appears (1 Chr 16:39 and 1 Kings 3:4). Abiathar had brought the ephod and is protected by David. He becomes David’s faithful priest (to eventually divide the country with Abiatha descendant of Mosses as the 10-tribes Northern priest and Zadok of Judah and descendant of Aaron as the 2-tribes Southern priest, who probably should have had the job alone – I think instead of bringing the two sides together, having two priests brought greater attention on the divergence), so “faithful” that he is not the one to bring David’s sin with Bathsheba to his attention (done by the prophet Nathan) and later joins David’s eldest son Absalom into sinful revolt against God’s chosen next king of Solomon (who later, of course banishes him). Close friendships and working relationships don’t always mix. Even though Saul could not find David, Jonathan locates him, affirms his kingship, and reconfirms the bond between them. With his military command, Jonathan could have been a serious rival to David. Instead he abdicates all authority.
The nation turned to David and not their king for deliverance from the Philistines (as Saul had not fought them for some time), but having a match between skills and needs does not by themselves make a ministry of God and David took the time to seek the will of God on whether he was supposed to deliver Keliah. Today’s popular church strategy to identify gifts in order to know the will of God (sort of a function that follows our form) seems backwards (we all know what happens when we assume). Not only did Sullivan teach us that “form follows function” (and not the other way around), but in the book “How Buildings Learn, What Happens After They’re Built,” Stewart Brand captures the history and evolution of numerous buildings to demonstrate even for the non-architect how buildings must adapt and constantly be refined and reshaped by their occupants. This is likewise true for our bodies as temples for the Spirit. Just because he had memorized the Bible, was committed to people in need (even building a job placement center and homes for the elderly and retarded), and was a charismatic speaker didn’t mean David Keresh (or Vernon Howell) was qualified to be a spiritual leader. Compare David’s faith with Saul who, like a bull in a china shop, was willing to destroy an entire Jewish town for any chance to capture David. David tests his assumptions by asking God whether Saul would come to Keilah and if the people would betray him and he received a “yes” answer to both questions. David’s narrow escape provides the historical background for Psalm 54, “for He had delivered me from all my troubles.”
The Pharisees also professed to the best guides and shepherds of the people even though Jesus had charged them in the last chapter of choosing not to see and thusly being unqualified to lead the people. Jesus proceeds in John 10 to describe the character of a true shepherd (and uses Himself as an example). He tells them that one cannot enter the “sheepfold” on just the duties of teaching and guarding the flock but only by the influences of the Spirit of Jesus. Jesus calls those who claim to be pastors only by ambition and not under His appointment to be thieves and robbers. We have become a people much like those in the days of Christ, so lame and trained to follow any keeper with the utmost docility (and political correctness). How great is our need for a true Shepherd who will gather the strays from the unfenced tempting fields to every side. Many adventures in our spiritual lives are not unlike the wild beast recounted by David that boldly attacked his flock even in his presence (when he often put his life on the line to protect his flock). Compare with Jeremiah 23:1 and Ezekiel 34:2-3.
David fought both a lion and a bear in order to protect the sheep entrusted into his care. If sheep were ever killed, the shepherd was required to produce evidence that the loss had not been his fault (Exodus 22:13). The One Year Bible Companion asks the question today, “What is the difference between the good shepherd in John 10:11, the great shepherd in Hebrews 13:20, and the chief shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4?” It answers, “The good shepherd died for his sheep, the great shepherd conforms the sheep to his image, and the chief shepherd is coming again with his reward for the sheep. The good shepherd’s work is finished, the great shepherd’s work is in the present, and the great shepherd’s work is in the future.” In being our good shepherd, Jesus’ sacrifice was voluntary (“no one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord”), total (He put aside his glory as God the son to enter our world as a vulnerable baby as per Philippians 2:1-11, experienced being forsakened as per Matthew 27:46, and shouldered the entire wrath of God’s hate for our sin), and beneficial (1 Peter 3:18). The word shepherd is also used with reference to congregational leaders metaphorically (and not as a title) to feed (1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28, John 21:16) and to care (1 Peter 5:1, Acts 20:17) for the flock. In addition, in John 21:15-17, the entire church seems to be the context when Jesus tells Peter three times to shepherd his sheep. The terms of elder (or pastor) and bishop (or overseer) is linked with the divine being and action of caring for souls of their sheep, but these sheep are not their own as they belong to the Chief Shepherd. It is important for elders to be committed to unanimous agreement on His will before acting (like David does in Keliah) – God has only one will.
The Pharisees and scribes sought wealth, office, and ease at the expense of the people and so well deserved being called thieves and robbers. This is also true for most of our religious leaders today. Although it is federal law that all non-profit corporations must release to the public their five top salaries, few religious organizations comply. Jesus’ words in Mark 10:21 seem clear enough: “One thing you lack: go and sell all you posses, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me.” Kenneth Copeland asserts, however, that God personally revealed to him that this verse actually promises earthly, monetary dividends and says, “This was the biggest financial deal that young man had ever been offered, but he walked away from it because he didn’t know God’s system of finance.” Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, etc. likewise all live in million dollar estates with gold plated transports. Joyce Meyers is the most popular woman evangelist today (and brags about her poor education), but she personally keeps 90% of the $100 million per year her ministry draws and her 10,000 square-foot home and $2 million car are but a few of her prized possessions. “But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.” 1 Timothy 6:9-12, “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”
David supposedly composed Psalm 113-118 on his death bed (at about the age of 70). Psalm 113-114 is sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115-118, and 136 are sung after. Psalm 115 provides a glorification of the Lord, a comparison with the utter impotence of idols and false gods, and a litany of trust and blessing in the Lord. While the people of the OT were given little revelation concerning death, passages like verse 17 were not talking about the cessation of existence but only that the dead have left the sphere of early activities (compared with the spheres of heaven and silence), the highest of which is to praise the Lord. Hallelujah is Hebrew for “praise the Lord.”
Jim

======= Vance:

I Samuel 23 (NKJV)
9
When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”
10
Then David said, “O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake.
11
Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” And the LORD said, “He will come down.”
12
Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the LORD said, “They will deliver you.”
John 10 (NKJV)
10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
13
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
14
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
15
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
18
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Psalm 115 (NKJV)
16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
~~~
NOTE:
Of course all of the heaven and the earth are the Lord’s – which is self-evident by the fact that He is Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Yet, the Spirit says that “…the earth He has given to the children of men.” Obviously, Adam and Eve (humanity) were created to be under God’s authority because—obviously—He is Creator. Yet, while being under God’s authority, man was given authority over the earth.
This helps explain one reason why the devil tempted man. The main reason, I am sure, was because the devil hated God. But he also wanted to steal man’s authority over the earth as a way of expressing his hatred and opposition to God.
We are talking spiritual warfare. When Adam chose to follow foolish feelings and sin against by God by giving into temptation to be “a god”, the devil (though not created to be so) became “the god of this world”. Though Satan obtained it illegally (against God’s will), he did obtain this through the deception of sin.
This is why Jesus, being fully and Perfectly Man and fully God, had to be born of a virgin. This is why He had to undergo every temptation of Adam, Israel, and all humanity and overcome every sin and temptation. When He did that, then He was able to re-install redeemed humanity as having spiritual authority over the earth through His own victory.
Matthew 28 (NKJV)
18
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
~~~
We are either agents of light and truth (Father, Son, and Spirit) or darkness and deception (the devil). In reality, no man is a “free moral” agent in the sense of being totally isolated, a being unto himself.
Note Saul, by giving himself over to sin, was more and more controlled. Contrast this with David who sought the Lord’s counsel.
David had intimacy with the Lord. If David had this wonderful privilege in the OT, surely we can and must have the experience of intimacy with the Lord Jesus who came to give us eternal and abundant life because we are His sheep and we know His voice.
How we do know His voice? Because we are His sheep, and He has a very distinctive voice. How do we distinguish His voice from all others? By spending much time with Him, His Written Word, and in His Presence.
Vance

======= John:

Jim
Amen. I spent six years in the peace time Navy. Most of it on one ship (an aircraft carrier). We worked long hours, fought fires, repaired machinery that couldn’t be repaired and formed bonds that I have only seen on some sports teams – (and that does not compare). I can only imagine how more intense the friendships and bonding are during war and when the men are in combat.
Sue: Keilah
Nothing is 100%. take a look at any poll today and no matter the question there will be a split amongst the respondants.
I am sure the city was grateful to David. The Philistines had attacked when the harvest was in, so this was a critical victory. However, no matter how grateful, I am sure Saul had some segment of the city in his camp (corner).
In addition, there is the fear factor. Since a priest had escaped they knew of the slaughter of priests and probably the annihilation of Nob.
“Why would the people of Keliah betray the man who just saved their city? No doubt, they heard of Saul’s brutal massacre of the priests (1 Samuel 22:16-19), so they knew Saul would stop at nothing to kill David.”
They did not turn David over to Saul, we only know that if David had stayed God said they would have given David over to Saul. In the end they were spared from Philistines and Saul.
Note: The Ziphites were Judeans, and their sole reason for helping Saul appears to be to get in the good graces of Saul. For benefits or just to avoid his wrath?????
John

======= John:

Anka,
Great catch on the House of Eli.
None would live to see the prime of life, and those not cut off would be heartbroken – as Ahimelech will be when Zadok is given the High priesthood. (1 Sam 2:30-36)
God uses all to accomplish his ends – even if that all includes someone like Saul.
List of (high) priests of Israel is at this link:
Eli, descendant of Itamar, son of Aaron
Ahitub, son of Phinehas, grandson of Eli
Ahijah, son of Ahitub
Ahimelech, son of Ahijah, High Priest during the reign of King Saul
Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, High Priest during the reign of King David
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_High_Priests_of_Israel
In Bob’s conclusion remarks:
“Because of Eli’s sin of failing to deal with his sons, Eli’s priesthood was to be taken away. The sign that this would happen was the death of his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas (2:34). The next phase of the fulfillment of this prophecy comes in our text, brought about by the insane jealousy of Saul when he orders Doeg, the Edomite, to kill all the priests and their families. One survivor is left, just as God indicated (2:33). The next phase of fulfillment will come in the days of Solomon when the priesthood is taken from Abiathar, the descendant of Aaron’s son, Ithamar, and given to Zadok, the descendant of Aaron through his son, Eleazar (1 Kings 2:27, 35). The full and final fulfillment seems to be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the faithful priest (see Psalm 110; Hebrews 5:6; Revelation 19:16).100
Who would have ever thought that the prophecy of chapters 2 and 3 would be fulfilled as described in chapter 22 by a virtual madman? Even in his disobedience and insanity; even in his rebellion against God by the slaughter of the priests, Saul is being used of God to fulfill His promise, yet in a way that does not impugn the character of God.
Notice the similarity between the prophecies God made concerning Eli’s priesthood in chapters 2 and 3 and the prophecies God gives concerning Saul’s kingship in chapters 13 and 15. Because of his sin in failing to deal with his sons’ abuse of their priesthood, Eli’s priesthood was taken away. A significant part of this we now see described in chapter 22. Is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Eli here not given to us at this point in the story to buttress the prophecy God made concerning Saul’s kingship? Just as surely as Eli’s priesthood was taken away a few years and a few chapters later, so Saul’s kingship is taken away a few years and a few chapters later. God always keeps His promises, and He sometimes does so by employing the most unlikely instruments.”
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=368
John

======= John:

Jan,
I would propose that Saul lost the holy Spirit, so there was a vacuum. God allowed an evil spirit from Satan to occupy Saul.
[Note: this is similar to idea that a sealed believer can not be possessed by Satan. the two spirits can not occupy the same body.]
Even allowing the evil spirit in Saul, God is still in control. (just like with Job). Even though Satan rebelled against God to be his Adversary, it is ironic that in his adversarial role he still is part of the work of God’s plan. So his rebellion has gained him nothing, he is actually a “slave” to the Lord’s plan (probably unwittingly).
I say all this, because I propose that it is not Saul being tested, but David. Through an “evil” Saul, David is the one being put through the wringer. God uses Satan, the evil spirit and Saul to fulfill the curse on House of Eli, and put David through the fire. Note: David always seems to seek the Lord.
Just like with Job, David was not to be killed (that was not in God’s plan), but he certainly was harassed and tested.
John

======== Ramona:

I Samuel 22:1-23:29
There is sooooo much meat in today’s reading, so many things to hone in on yet, I can’t get away from a verse in Proverbs that keeps coming to me over and over again every time I read today’s Old Testament passage,
THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5.] When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (Proverbs 28:1-2 AMP)
I became stuck with this passage and didn’t know why. “God, what does this have to do with the passage? David is the one who is running from Saul; is David “wicked” because he is running; but Saul IS after Him,” what am I missing? “God what are you trying to tell me?”
And then I heard in the middle of the day after “seeking,” knocking,” “asking” about the meaning, “The wicked flee from the face of truth, that is what they are running from!” Never have I looked at those verses in Proverbs as speaking about anything other than one human who is paranoid because of evil deeds fleeing from another. Saul’s pursuit of David was not really about David although David was the object of Saul’s desire. Saul’s pursuit was all about fleeing from the truth that he had been removed from his spiritual authority over Israel and as the spirt goes, there goes the man.
What are we pursuing and are we pursuing it out of our fleeing from the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NET.)
I think I was given some insight into why those in Truth are persecuted. It’s really not about us, its all about Jesus.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So he said, “Who are you, Lord?” He replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! (Acts 9:4-5 NET.)
Saul hadn’t touched Jesus physically; however, because Jesus was and is the Truth, any assault against those who speak the Truth, love the Truth, live by the Truth is an assault against Jesus.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======== John:

John 10:9
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” NIV
Someone once told me a shepherd could lay down at the gate of his pen, and the sheep would walk over him (not hurting him) and exit the pen. If a stranger lays in the gate – the sheep will not go near the gate. Have no verification on this anecdote.
However, Jesus is that gate and when we go through Him we are saved. We will have the benefits of security by being in him (in the pen), and the ability (and mandate) to go outside the pen into the world. Throughout it all we will be taken care of and find pasture (nourishment) for our life in Christ.
John

===== Laura:

Very Thankful for the Word and the worship!
Laura