Day 87: 1 Samuel 25-27; Psalms 17 & 73

David comes up with some "out-of-the-box" kind of ideas. He decides that the best place for him and his men to remain safe from Saul is in the land of the Philistines...the enemies of Israel. He becomes friends with Achish, king of Gath. If you'll recall, Gath is where Goliath was from! Amazing! And all the while David lives among the Philistines he carries out raids against the Philistines from within:

     Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.
     When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.” (1 Samuel 27:8-12)

He allowed Achish to think he had the upper hand when all the while David was doing to the Philistines what Saul should have been doing! David lived this way for a year and four months...and Achish never caught on.

David is a complex, intriguing character. I've been thinking of him as confident and humble but he was also brilliant and creative. These characteristics are evident in his dealings with people, his military strategies, as well as in his poetic writings.

He paints a beautiful word picture in Psalm 73. He's talking about "the wicked" when he says this, but I think you could apply this thought to all of the trials, grief and hardship of this life:

They are like a dream when one awakes;
   when you arise, Lord,
   you will despise them as fantasies. (Psalm 73:20)

Then Psalm 73 closes with these words, which cause me to realize just how shallow my commitment really is. Maybe someday I'll get to the point where I'll be able to say this...and it'll be true. Actually, I suppose it is true (except for maybe that "desire" part), it's just that I don't always live like it's true:

Whom have I in heaven but you?
   And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26)

Day 86: Psalms 56; 120; 140-142

These are some more psalms written by David while he's on the run, or hiding out. He has literal enemies wanting to kill him (something I've never experienced) and this is a time when he produces some of his greatest works of praise and worship.

I just thought I'd quote a few of the verses that really spoke to me today.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
   In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
   What can mere mortals do to me? (56:3-4)

 If David can express this kind of faith in the midst of what he's going through surely I should be able to face my trials with a similar combination of confidence and humility. Those words seem to keep coming to my mind as I read about David.

Today's big news was that Osama Bin Laden has finally been found and killed. With that context I thought these verses were particularly timely:

Too long have I lived
   among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
   but when I speak, they are for war. (120:6-7)

Then, possibly my personal favorite for today (perhaps because I'm reminded of my need to pray a similar prayer):

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
   keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
   so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
   do not let me eat their delicacies. (141:3-4)

Day 85: Psalms 7,27,31,34,52

Reading these Psalms today gives insight into David's frame of mind during this time when he's being hunted down by Saul. He is a great example of a man who puts his complete confidence in God and not in himself. As I noted in an earlier post, he has that rare combination of complete confidence and utter humility.

I think it's appropriate to post a music video on a day when the Psalms are being read. I couldn't help but think of a song taken from Psalm 27 that was sung many times by our group, The New Disciples, back in the day. Bill always did an outstanding job on the solo and it was always one of my favorites. Here it is being sung by The Imperials (Yeah, we stole quite a few of their songs.)

Day 84: 1 Samuel 21-24; Psalm 91

There's an event recorded in 1 Samuel 24 which has always interested me. David has been one of the best things that has ever happened to Saul. He is a valiant warrior and a loyal servant of the king. But because of all this, and David's popularity, Saul, in his paranoia, is jealous of him. So, while David continues to fight the Philistines he is also on the run from Saul who is hunting him down and plans to kill him. At one point Saul hears the call of nature and goes into a cave to relieve himself (even kings gotta pee). What he doesn't know is that David and his men are hiding in this same cave. David has the opportunity to kill Saul and end the running and hiding...but, against his men's advice, he doesn't take the opportunity. Instead, after Saul finishes his business and steps out of the cave David reveals himself to Saul with these words:

Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you. (24:8-13)

I don't know if David is really that honorable or if he's simply a political genius...because this whole thing is going to play well with the public opinion of David. I'm inclined to think that David is both. He has already proven himself honorable a number of times...and this is certainly in keeping with David's character as we've come to know him...but no one would have blamed him for killing Saul...except for his own conscience. I'm not sure that even God would hold this against him because He has already declared that He was taking the throne away from Saul and giving it to David. But then again, I'm not as honorable as David so I could be wrong.

Here is Saul's response:

When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.” (24:16-21)

I'm pretty sure that Saul isn't finished trying to kill David...he has proven himself to be paranoid and completely untrustworthy in this regard. But still:

David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. (24:22)

I believe we will see a time in David's future when this oath will come into play.

Days 82&83: 1 Samuel 13-20

There are some memorable verses in these chapters. Such as:

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (15:22)

And:

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (16:7)

Both are saying of Samuel the priest at a specific time for a specific purpose but they also contain many levels of insight into God and our relationship with Him.

Even though by all outward appearances Saul has been a successful king he has pretty much a disappointment to God. Saul's actions have grieved God to the point that He plans to remove Saul from the throne and choose another king.

Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel. (15:35)

David is chosen by God as the next king and the way the whole thing plays out is like a soap opera with all the twists and turns, the jealousy and complex web of relationships.

David is an interesting character. He seems to have supreme confidence and complete humility at the same time. Because of his victory over Goliath David is granted the king's daughter in marriage...but he's not so sure he wants to accept:

But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” (18:23)

This is David's perception of himself even though only a few verses earlier we read:

But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. (18:16)

David seems to be a great example of a person whose confidence is based on God and God alone and has a very clear understanding that he is nothing but a tool in God's hand.

Confidence and humility...a rare and powerful combination.

Days 80&81: 1 Samuel 4-12

When it comes to raising kids it seems Samuel did about as well as his mentor, Eli:

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (8:1-3)

There's something about raising kids when you're in a position of leadership. I'm not convinced it's always the fault of the parent. It is a very difficult position for the kids. In a way they live in the public eye with a lot of expectations that aren't always fair. It takes a very wise and disciplined parent to raise kids in that situation.

This whole "kingship" thing is interesting to me. The people of Israel really want a king to lead them. This desire for a king is considered an evil thing because God's intention was that HE would be their king. I guess they felt they needed a king "with skin on." I'm sympathetic with them. The thing is, while this is not God's ideal, and is, in fact, against the whole idea...and while He warns them through Samuel about all the bad things that will happen to them because of having a king...He lets them have a king. And even chooses one for them.

God, through Samuel, appoints Saul as Israel's first king with these words:

The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. (10:6-7)

Even though God is against the whole king idea He actually goes along with the plan and even decides to work within it. I'm reminded of the often quoted Romans 8:28 - "...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Anointing Saul as king doesn't seem to be a real uplifting experience:

Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” (10:17-19)

 In chapter 12 Samuel is giving a "farewell address." It sounds like he thinks he's going to retire or something. Maybe he thinks that because God is now appointing a king that his work is finished. It isn't. Anyway, as usual in these farewell speeches, the history of Israel from the time of the Exodus is recounted...up until today:

 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king. Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good! But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
     “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king.” (12:12-17)

In other words, "I'll give you what you want...but you're not gonna like it."

I also notice a lot of "ifs" in that speech.

Will the people...and the king...live up to all the "ifs"?

Stay tuned.

Day 79: 1 Samuel 1-3

Eli was a servant of God...a priest. He had two sons, Hophni & Phinehas, who also served as priests. These sons of Eli were pretty bad:

Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the LORD. (2:12)

Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. (2:22)

I can't help but think about all the bad press the Catholic church has gotten in recent years because of all the abuse and cover ups that have been going on. However, the other thing that I can't help but consider is the duty of parents to raise their kids in the Lord. Somehow, even though Eli was a man of God and apparently served faithfully, that dedication wasn't passed on to his sons. But it's really even more than that. The truth is that sons (and daughters) make their own choices. As parents we do the best we can but ultimately the choice is theirs. The real problem here is that Eli knew his sons were "scoundrels" but he didn't do anything about it. He allowed them to continue to "serve" even though he knew what was going on. For this, God holds Eli responsible:

Why do you honor your sons more than me? (2:29)

I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. (3:13)

The 2:29 verse really jumped out at me. "Why do you honor your sons more than me?" That's really what it comes down to, isn't it?

What, or who, do I honor more than God?