1 Samuel 20:30

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him…”As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”

Observation

David has gone into hiding as a result of Saul’s anger, jealousy and murderous intent. To dispel Jonathan’s disbelief that his father seeks David’s life, the friends devise a plan by which Saul’s motives may be determined. Saul’s rage at David’s absence from a feast, and his paranoia that Jonathan is in league with David to destroy Saul, results in an attempt by Saul on Jonathan’s life. This confirmation of Saul’s unjust persecution of David results in a renewal of their covenant of brotherly love and devotion.

Love…is not proud…it is not self-seeking.”

If anyone had cause to be jealous and would benefit from David’s demise, it would be Jonathan. After all, he was Saul’s firstborn and therefore the heir to the throne of Israel. The only thing standing in the way of his ascension to the throne was the breath in David’s lungs. But instead of allowing the pride of the flesh (1 John 2:16) and petty insecurities to rule his actions (as they had his father), Jonathan submitted to the revealed will of God (1 Samuel 16) and acknowledged the future kingship of David by clothing David in his very own robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt; and entered into a covenant of friendship that would transcend familial ties (1 Samuel 18). Jonathan exhibited true humility, submission and love; as well as a commitment to building God’s kingdom over building his own empire.

Life Application

Is my cause is the cause of Christ?

In today’s reading, I find myself wondering how often the cause of Christ has been wounded, delayed or derailed due to petty jealousies and selfishness. Churches have split, ministries have been abandoned and the witness of the church destroyed as the people of God vie for supremacy, gain and notoriety. We have but one cause and one King – the Lord Jesus Christ – under whose reign and rule we must all joyfully bow and serve.

Scripture

1 Samuel 18:30

 The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.

Observation – What does it say?

After killing Goliath, Saul recognized that the Lord was with David and grew increasingly afraid of him. Saul attempted to pin David to the wall with his spear twice, sent David into battle with the Philistines hoping for him to be killed, and tried to give David his daughter in marriage hoping she would become a snare to him. And even after all that David remained faithful to Saul!

Understanding – What does it mean?

Let God dictate your character and actions, not other people.

Several years ago I found myself looking around frustrated. “If only I was somewhere else things would be so much better.” “If only… then my relationship with God would be doing so much better.” “If only… then my relationship with that person would be so much better.” On a Sunday morning during worship God spoke to me, “Where you are can never be an excuse for your relationship with me.” The truth hit hard. For those of us that follow Jesus, we have the ability to not match the attitudes and atmosphere around us. We have the ability to set it! We are called to be thermostats not thermometers. And we can be, because of God’s Spirit inside us.

Saul – David’s boss, king and father-in-law – had done all these horrible things to him. Yet, David didn’t turn in his resignation letter and quit serving the king. He was a mighty warrior who just killed Goliath. He could have fought back and probably killed Saul easily, but he didn’t. Instead, he remained humbly surrendered to Saul. Knowing Saul was against him he still went into the throne room, picked up his harp and played. He took whatever assignment the king gave him and carried it out faithfully. What a great example to us!

Regardless of how people treat us, because God is with us we can still experience favor and success if we will remain humble, faithful, surrendered and submissive. If we want to fulfill the great plans God has for our lives, we cannot allow ourselves to become bitter, complainers, angry, rude, selfish, etc. and blame it on someone else. We must let God dictate our behavior, regardless of the behavior of others.

Life Application

Who or what is dictating my behavior? Are there situations or relationships where I’m not showing Christ-like character?

Scripture

1 Samuel 17:45-47

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Observation

Goliath has challenged the Israelites and openly “defied the armies” of Israel.  All of the biggest and strongest were gathered within the camp; yet no one would take Goliath’s challenge.  David  comes to the camp, hears the challenge and decides to step forward and take on the giant. 

Understanding

David’s acceptance of the giant’s challenge is done purely on a seemingly unwavering faith in God.  From the outside looking in, there is little to lead one to believe that he would have success. 

Put simply, it doesn’t make logical sense.

Furthermore, David faced accusations from his brother, [initial] discouragement from Saul and mockery from Goliath. Doesn’t exactly sound like the back up or support you’d want in that type of situation. 

Even yet, David accepts the challenge, seemingly against all odds.  BUT the one thing David has the Goliath doesn’t – God in His corner.  And there seems to be no doubt in David’s mind that God will deliver them from this Philistine AND he gives glory to God in advance.

Life Application

Dear God, may I exhibit faith like David today.  May I be brought to action in response to defiance of you.  May I walk with that same boldness, despite “logical” reasoning, despite mockery, despite false accusations.  May I remain steadfast in my pursuit of your will for my life and give all glory to you along the way!  Thank you for being a God we can trust.  We love you!  In your name we pray, Amen.

Scripture

1 Samuel 15:28

Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.

Understanding

After defeating the Amalekites in battle, Saul fails to completely follow the Lord’s command to totally destroy all that belongs to them. Because of his rebellion and disobedience, Samuel pronounces God’s judgement upon him.

Observation

Pride is the root of Saul’s sin

Life Application

Lord, help me to remember that the highest form of worship that I can offer you is obedience; and when I sin, may I bring to you the sacrifice of humility, confession and repentance.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.                                                   Psalm 51:16-17

Scripture

1 Samuel 13:11-12

¹¹ “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, ¹² I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

Observation – What does it say?

Facing the huge Philistine army, Saul and the Israelites freaked out. Many ran and hid while some troops decided to stay with Saul. God had commanded Saul to wait for Samuel to come to him. Samuel would present fellowship offerings and burnt offerings to God when he got there. But, after 7 days had passed and Samuel hadn’t shown up yet, the troops with Saul were giving into fear and starting to scatter. When Saul saw it he grew impatient waiting for Samuel and offered the sacrifice himself.

Understanding – What does it mean?

Fear is a bad motivator.

Saul’s fear led him to take matters into his own hands, causing the kingdom of Israel to be taken from him. Fear and faith are opposed to each other. Fear leads us into sin. Faith leads us into obedience.

Rather than trusting God and obeying his command, Saul gave into fear. Abraham did the same when he lied about his wife Sarah being his sister. And the Apostle Peter did the same when he lied to those around the fire, saying he didn’t know Jesus.

Thankfully, for those of us who follow Jesus, we don’t ever have to live in fear and have fear dictate our actions. Why? Because we have the Holy Spirit!

Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba Father.”

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Life Application

Be motivated by faith and not by fear!

Scripture

1 Samuel 12:22

²² For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 

Observation

The Israelites had requested a king to rule over them and Samuel has resigned the government into the hands of Saul and is now speaking to the people.  He takes time to remind them of the great things God has done for them and their lineage.  Awakens them to their sin – in seeking a king other than their Heavenly Father – and reminds them of God’s power – calling to God for thunder.  And, now, He is encouraging them with hopes that all should be well – not because of their works or because they’ve been so well behaved (because that was not the case) but because of God’s namesake and His desire to choose them. 

Understanding

There is such beauty and freedom in being called God’s children.  The Israelites had seemingly tried everything.  They changed locations, moved the tabernacle, changed governments, changed idols…yet, none of this was moving them any closer to what they wanted because they were missing the big picture – to love and serve God wholeheartedly!  Had God chosen them for their good merits, it would follow that He would likely dismiss them for their bad merits.  But, in choosing them for His name’s sake, He would neither reject them nor leave them.  Furthermore, despite all this, He still took pleasure in calling them His and His desire remained that they would love Him and serve Him and Him alone.

Life Application