Reflections
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 26
S a m u e l .. King David 1
It amazes me to see the way God allowed the intrigue and violence of greedy men to bring about His purposes in the establishment of David as king over all Israel. Last week we saw the violent death of Abner, the power broker who had appointed Saul’s fourth son, Ish-Bosheth, as king over the Northern tribes of Israel. Ish-Bosheth made the fatal mistake of accusing Abner of “going in” to a former concubine of Saul (a sign of taking over Saul’s authority). This caused immense anger in Abner, so much so that he decided to switch sides and made a treaty of peace with David. Unfortunately for him, Joab, commander of David’s army, took it upon himself to avenge his own brother’s death, without David’s knowledge, in treacherously killing Abner. When Ish-Bosheth heard of Abner’s death he “lost heart” and became very depressed. Two captains of Ish-Bosheth’s army, then opportunistically sought favour with king David, by killing Ish-Bosheth and taking his head, as proof of their changed loyalty, to David at Hebron. David was unimpressed by their treachery, and had them summarily executed, just as he had previously done at Ziklag with the man who claimed to have killed king Saul. Then David, in a gracious act of respect, took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it with the body of Abner in Hebron.
“Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and spoke saying ‘Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in and the LORD said to you ‘You shall shepherd MY people Israel, and be ruler over Israel’”
“Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel.”
David was 30 years old at this time. (Interestingly, the same age about 1,000 years later, as Yeshua when He began His ministry on earth). I wondered how many years had passed since David was initially chosen by God, because it provides a lesson for us. There is no definitive answer to that, but there are clues. Commentators have spent many hours on this subject and have varied in their conclusions. Maybe easier if we knew how old David was when he killed the Philistine Goliath. The age range for that event is from 13 to 22 according to different studies. But, in my view, it is likely to be between 15 and 19. IF I am correct, God had provided David with between 11 to 15 years of experience in battle hardened conditions preparing him for the task of leadership for which God had chosen him. He was NOT a novice. (See Paul’s counsel to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3) It is also my conclusion, that when God calls us to His service today, He ensures we have suitable and appropriate experiential training for the tasks to which He calls us. And above all, in David’s dealings with others whom he perceived to be chosen by God, he always exhibited deferential respect. Another lesson.
King David then turned his attention to the capture of Jerusalem, which was occupied by the Jebusites at that time. Jerusalem (Mt Zion) is on a hill protected by steep valleys on three sides. The “water shaft” referred to is thought to be the one discovered by Sir Charles Warren in 1867, and now bears his name. It was used to bring water from the Gihon Spring to the old city (Not to be confused with Hezekiah’s tunnel which performed the same function some years later). David’s success in capturing “the stronghold” and naming it after himself (The City of David), caused his reputation to be spread far and wide, and surrounding neighbours provided materials and workmen to build David a magnificent house. Over the years, David populated that home with many children !
The LORD favoured King David with His presence in counsel and strategy as David began the task (neglected by earlier generations of Israelites) in conquering the Land of God’s Promise and occupying that land as a united kingdom. David erected the Tabernacle in Jerusalem and then set about bringing the Ark of the Covenant (captured by the Philistines ‘1 Samuel 4” and returned and residing in the home of Abinadab). The LORD provided David with a salutary lesson as the Ark began its journey, and the resultant death of Uzzah, who had touched the Ark to steady it over rough ground. So eventually, some three months later the Ark was successfully restored to its place in the most holy place in the Tabernacle. The story is full of dramatic detail (Chapter 6). David wore a linen ephod, normally only assigned for priests. There was sacrifice and dancing, great merriment and singing, blowing of trumpets and praise to the LORD as the Ark made its triumphant return to the place of God’s appointment. King David led the people with such exuberance that he ‘exposed himself’ as he twirled in dance and praise to the LORD. BUT, David’s wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, was less than pleased, and sarcastically chastised David for his exuberant exposure. That signalled the end of David’s relationship with Michal as David explained “the LORD has appointed me as ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel, Therefore I WILL play music before the LORD, and I will be more undignified than this, and be humble in my own sight.’
King David showed no restraint in his fervour and praise to God who chose him. What other people thought and said …. didn’t matter. Another lesson?
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 25
S a m u e l .. King David 1
Three days after David returned to Ziklag from recovering the possessions which were taken by the Amalekites, an escapee from Saul’s defeated army arrived in Ziklag with news of the death of Saul and his sons. It would appear that the man, knowing of the rancour that Saul had for David, decided to concoct a story about Saul’s death which he believed would ingratiate himself with David, by claiming that he himself had killed Saul. How wrong he was.
On two occasions David refused opportunities to take the life of Saul because he was anointed king by Samuel at the command of Almighty God. The truth about Saul’s death would have been more palatable to David. As it was, David was deeply distressed by the death of Saul in the manner reported to him. He ordered the execution of the self confessed perpetrator, and sat down and wrote a eulogy to Saul and Jonathan. (The Book of Jasher also known as the Book of the Upright is thought to be a collection of commemorative words about heroes of Jewish wars)
David’s life, and his outlook, was changed by the death of Saul. He sought guidance of the LORD about the future, by making enquiry, I presume, of the Ephod. He received clear confirmation that he should travel to Hebron. The whole company then left Ziklag and settled in that city. What follows provides clear evidence of David’s suitability, under God’s guidance, to be the leader of the nation. David had already been anointed king by Samuel (1 Sam 16;3 and 13). Now men of Judah visited David in Hebron and anointed him king, which confirmed David’s authority over the south of the country. Then David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead in eastern Israel. His words to them were conciliatory and respectful of their allegiance to Saul. “You are blessed of the LORD, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him.” And went on “I will also repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing.” A statesman like message to people who had been strong supporters of David’s predecessor. BUT, there was also strong opposition. at the same time. Abner, Saul’s cousin and commander of the army, had evidently survived the slaughter at Mt. Gilboa. He anointed Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s eldest surviving son, as king over eastern Israel and, eventually, over the tribes of the north, who had their own problems with the occupation of the Philistines.
Now we need to gain a lesson for ourselves from the narrative which follows. There are TWO sides here. It is clear from the text that David was the one anointed by God to be King. David is the one consistently seeking, and receiving counsel, from the LORD. Saul also sought, but did not receive such counsel because “the Spirit of the LORD had left him”. Saul turned to necromancy. At no time do we learn of David’s opponents seeking, or receiving counsel from the LORD. BUT, all Israel was aware of David’s exploits as a servant of the LORD. Today, there are NO nations actively seeking God’s counsel, with the possible exception of some in Israel, not ALL. For that reason, it is incumbent on everyone who belongs to the LORD, to diligently seek the will of God on a personal level (it is just not available on a national level, and one would have to be blind not to see the confusion that reigns in our world today) so that we may face God’s judgement in confidence that we have walked uprightly before him. That judgment is about our works … exactly as we are ‘reflecting’ on the works of those Israelites of old, who are judged by, and suffer consequences of, their works in our text. (See Revelation 20:12)
David ruled Judea from Hebron for seven and a half years. During this time, many from other tribes (occupied by Philistines) travelled to Hebron to meet with David and to pledge allegiance to him (Read 1 Chronicles 12 for detail). And at the same time, we might conclude, Ish-Bosheth was engaging with the Philistine invaders of the land in the north. This ‘came to a head’ with a sort of ‘final accounting’ at the ‘pool of Gibeah’, which our text describes graphically in the remainder of our reading today. Joab represented King David’s side and Abner represented king Ish-Bosheth’s side. It started with an agreement to a small scale conflict between the ‘champions’ of both sides. Twelve men from each side. That ended in a ‘draw’, so the conflict escalated from there. The whole contingent from each side engaged in a fight, which was won by King David’s group. Again Abner managed to run away. But Asahel, Joab’s brother was pretty fast, and caught up with Abner, who killed Asahel. It is a story of fierce loyalties, but brings ‘brother against brother’ and ‘friend against friend’ in mortal combat. It is summed up as follows. “Now there was a long war between the House of Saul and the House of David. But David became stronger and stronger, and the House of Saul became weaker and weaker.”
Our reading today ends with two distinctly opposite actions. First, the contrition of Abner and his realisation that David was God’s anointed King and made a treaty of peace with him. And second, the treachery of Joab, who contemptuously killed Abner, through revenge, regardless of Abner’s treaty of peace with David. Mercifully, it fell to David, in statesmanlike fashion, to honour Abner for his courage and leadership (albeit against David) in Israel. “For all the people and all Israel knew in that day that it had not been the King’s intent to kill Abner, the son of Ner.”
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 24
S a m u e l
“Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war to fight with Israel.” Then TWO unthinkable events took place. First, David had been befriended by Achish, king of Gath, and he expected David to join the war on the side of the Philistines. Second, king Saul, without having Samuel to offer advice was left to face this situation alone. And alone he was. He was thoroughly frightened at the prospect of war. He tried to gain the counsel of the LORD, but the LORD was as silent as Samuel was dead. Then Saul made a HUGE mistake. He sought advice from a ‘medium’. In spite of Saul attempting to disguise himself, the ‘medium’, fearful for her own life because there was a decree (made by Saul himself) against such Torah prohibited practices, called him out immediately and asked him what he wanted. He wanted to speak with Samuel. (Note:- If you think that believers today would shun such practises, you will be alarmed to learn that Benny Hinn confesses to such, claiming to speak with the deceased Kathryn Kuhlman on matters of ‘spiritual guidance’)
The Scriptures record here that Samuel DID in fact speak with Saul. Not that he gained any comfort from the encounter, quite the contrary. Samuel reminded Saul of his disobedience (1 Sam 15) in relation to the capture of the Amelekite king Agag. That was the time when God removed His Spirit from Saul. In addition, Samuel told Saul that the next day, he and his two sons would be with Samuel, in the place of the dead. (Note:- It is very comforting to believers to think that once dead, we are transported immediately into heaven. So please ponder the question “Is it likely that the faithful Samuel, and the necromantic Saul would end up in the same place?” A study of the Scriptures provides the answer. But it isn’t exactly the answer we have been told, or even what our wishful thinking would like it to be! Most commentators are unhelpful, by avoiding the question) “Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground and was dreadfully afraid.” And presumably, Samuel went back to his place of rest, awaiting the day of resurrection.
As this was going on, the Philistines were gathered in their thousands in the valley of Jezreel parading, ready for war, before the lords of the Philistines. Last of all in that parade came David and his band of outcasts. The smart lords of the Philistines could see the possibility of David turning on them in the battle and so it was that David’s small army was excused battle duty and were sent back to Ziklag. It was a three day trip from the Jezreel Valley, and when they returned they found that Ziklag had been invaded by an Amalekite group who’d made off with all their possessions as well as their families. David was blamed for the catastrophe and was threatened with ‘stoning’. “But David strengthened himself in the LORD”. We are not told, but it is worthwhile pondering how David did that, because it would be a good example to follow. What we are told is that David called on Abiathar to enquire of the LORD using the priestly Ephod. By God’s guidance, they met a man who was a servant of the raiding Amalekite group and he was able to lead them to the place where the raiders were celebrating their victory. Thus it was that David’s company of men were able to recover all their possessions, and more, as well as being reunited with their families. One of the good outcomes of that recovery experience was the sharing of the spoil among the whole group, not only among those who actually went into battle. That became a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day forward. It is noteworthy too, that David shared the spoils with other Judean groups in the region as a thankyou for their past support.
While David was recovering their possessions in the south, at the other end of the country, in the north, at Mt Gilboa, the Philistines were enjoying great success in their battle with the Israelites. Thousands of corpses of those slain in battle littered the mountain battleground as they sought to escape the carnage. As they fled, Saul’s sons, Jonathan, Abinabab and Malchishua were killed, as Samuel had said they would be just a day before. Saul himself was gravely wounded by an arrow, and knew that he too would soon die. Rather than be humiliated in capture, he asked his armour bearer to kill him. The armour bearer could not bring himself to kill the king, so Saul took the sword and fell on it himself. The armour bearer did the same moments later. A very sad end to Israel’s pleadings some years earlier to be led by a king, after what was, for them, about 400 years of a succession of judges.
Saul’s failure as king was due to his refusal to be obedient to the LORD’s direction. But the final act of debasement was still to come. The Philistines saw that the Israelites had fled from the mountain so they went to ‘strip the slain’ of useful and valuable possessions. They found Saul’s lifeless body, took his armour, which they eventually put into a pagan temple, and beheaded him, and fastened his body to the walls of Beth Shean. The men of Jabesh Gilead had reason to be thankful to Saul for his rescue of them from the Ammonites (1 Sam 11) years earlier, so they did what they could to provide a ‘decent burial’ for his remains.
The Book of 1 Samuel records some momentous failures for Israel. Early in this book we are told how they lost the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines. It ends with the complete humiliation of their nation and king in battle with the Philistines.
But, God’s succession and success plan for Israel, had already been set in His choice of the young David as king. We continue our ‘reflection’ on that in future weeks.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 23
S a m u e l
“Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him in his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran. The well respected Samuel, the last of the Judges of Israel, one who had some influence and an element of control over Saul, no longer there to exercise such influence. Almost in the same sentence, we find David moving out of the ‘strongholds’ of En Gedi, having received a kind of commitment of peace from Saul (which we dealt with last week), back to the wider spaces of Paran.
It may be assumed that David was prepared to take Saul at his word, and although he was cautious, he seemed to be ready to settle and wait to see how Saul would behave. He sought the favour of a wealthy farmer called Nabal, who lived in Maon, but had sheep and goat herds in Carmel, a little further north. (See map for geographical relationship) Nabal (which means ‘foolish’) was “harsh and evil in his doings”, but his wife Abigail was both wise and attractive. David, knowing of Nabal’s wealth, sent ten of his men to Nabal to seek his favour and support by way of food provision. Nabal refused. So David determined to ‘help himself’ to a portion of Nabal’s wealth! He instructed his men to get ready for ‘some action’! In the meantime, Abigail was told about Nabal’s refusal to assist David, and took matters into her own hands by taking supplies of food to David’s camp. The two groups met as they made their respective journeys. Read the dialogue of their encounter (1 Sam 25: 21 - 35). When Abigail returned home and told Nabal what she had done, he had a heart attack and died.
David’s wife, Michal (Saul’s daughter) had been given to another man! So on learning of the death of Nabal, David proposed to Abigail (who consented) and another lady, Ahinoam (not the one who was Saul’s wife), thus David acquired two new wives. Chapter 26 of our text opens with the news that Saul had soon forgotten his promise not to seek David’s life and was again hunting him down with 3,000 select men of his army. Of course, David was soon aware of this and took steps assess the situation with another man called Abishai. They came across Saul’s camp as he slept, entered the camp, and took Saul’s water bottle and spear, then left. Abishai had strongly urged David to let him put an end to this matter by summarily killing Saul in his sleep, but for the second time, David resisted on the grounds that Saul remained God’s anointed king, assuring Abishai that God would deal with Saul in His own good time. What an inspiring lesson that provides.
How many times in our own experience, when things don’t go according to our expectation, do we ‘take matters into our own hands’ to solve the issue? It could be argued that God had created the opportunity for Saul to be killed by David, TWICE, … but David was wise enough to know that it was not his role to be executioner of a rival who had been appointed by God Himself.
David retreated to some high ground with great distance between himself and Saul’s camp and shouted, waking up the camp and specifically addressed Abner, Saul’s cousin and commander of Saul’s army. David taunted him with being slothful in his duty of protecting the king, asking him to look for the king’s water bottle and spear. The eventual result was a second statement of promise from Saul to desist from pursuing David. Saul’s words are sincere. “I have sinned … for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly”. And David’s response was memorable. “May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.” And I believe that to be a reliable statement of God’s intent towards all who are His, and who deal so with others with such grace. “So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.”
Never-the-less David was unconvinced by Saul’s words of remorse and decided to relocate, with this own group of 600 men and their families, to the land occupied by the Philistines. “And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath (again); so he sought him no more.” In time, David asked Achish, king of Gath, to give him a place in which he and his band of followers to settle. “So Achish gave him Ziklag.” And David lived there for 16 months. During that time, David effectively continued the work that Joshua was given to do several hundred years earlier. He attacked and plundered territory occupied by Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, the Jerahmeelites and Kenites, all original occupants of the Land of God’s Promise, now known as Judea. David gained significantly in wealth and reputation, through plunder and success in those raids. No-one was left alive to tell the tale, and Achish became convinced that David was attacking Judeans, and so making enemies of Israel, the enemies of the Philistines. Thus David was eyed, by the king of Gath, as an ally of his, and David gained knowledge of the various plans Achish made to war against Israel.
It is a fascinating story to read. It is also quite amazing, because we know the end of the story, to see how God so amazingly put together all the pieces to bring about the result which He had planned for Israel from the very beginning.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 22
S a m u e l
David was in big trouble! As he fled from the wrath of king Saul, he went about 15 km West, to Gath, a Philistine stronghold, thinking that Saul would not follow him there. He was right in that assumption. But the servants of Achish, king of Gath, recognised him as an enemy of the Philistines, so he very effectively feigned madness to avoid arrest, and our text begins today with David moving on again, this time about 15 km South east into the safer territory of Judea to the “Cave of Adullam”, about mid distance between Gath and Hebron. David was joined there by his whole family, and as word spread, our Bible tells us that many others, discontented with king Saul also joined him there. A company of about 400 men and their families. This number would shortly swell to over 600 as more families joined him.
It seems that David was now acutely aware of the dangers he faced from Saul, and the possibility of that being extended to his immediate family. So he sought safe refuge for them. Presumably drawing on his own Moabite ancestry (Ruth was his great grandmother) and counting on the Moabite mutual animosity towards Saul, David’s family was taken to, and remained in, Moab, until Saul was no longer a threat. What a good example to sons !!
Saul’s home base was Gibeah, a city with a horrible history (Judges 19) north of Jerusalem. Saul was brooding over the fact that David had fled and no-one could, or would, inform him about David’s whereabouts nor Jonathan’s collusion in his departure. Then the devious Doeg, the one who was “detained by the LORD” at Nob as we read about last week, spoke up. He related the events he witnessed in Nob, and that resulted in the priest Ahimelech receiving a visit from Saul at Nob. It is a brutal story resulting in the slaughter, at the hand of Doeg the Edomite, of 85 priests as well as women and children. Even their animals were not spared the rage and blood lust which Saul visited upon them. But one, Abiathar, escaped the carnage and fled to the ‘Forest of Hereth’ where David was camped with his followers.
It was at this point that David began to embrace the call that God had placed on his life. Here is a lesson of great importance. It is amazing to see how the LORD was working out His purposes in all the circumstances of the events which had preceded this. The most unlikely people, like Doeg, had been (unwittingly to them) used by God to bring about the result the LORD had planned for Israel from the beginning. As we continue in our ‘reflection’ we clearly see that the threat to David’s life was undiminished, but David began to rely more and more on the LORD for instruction and for survival. The evidence for this is in the account (1 Sam 23) of the respective roles of both David, in rescuing the city of Keilah from the marauding Philistine army, and Saul in his attempts to besiege David and his followers as they defended Keilah.
Throughout this narrative, there are many instances in which David is both respectful towards Saul, whom he correctly identified as being anointed by God as king, and honourable, as he seeks to know God’s will for the actions he is about to take. Here we find another lesson as we seek to know “God’s plan” in everyday life situations. Earlier we read about Abiathar, a priest who escaped from the carnage at Nob. We are told that he took with him an “Ephod” (The apron like covering over the High Priestly linen garment) which contained the Urim and the Thummim. Our Bible does not describe these items, and so to us they remain mystical elements, which God used to convey His will and purpose to the High Priest in matters of direction and judgement. In our text today, we find that even without the presence of a High Priest, God made the Urim and Thummim available to David for consultation in his wilderness hiding places to keep him safe. I suggest that today, they are replaced by God’s written word and guidance of His Holy Spirit. (Even visions and dreams for some people). The lesson of David’s example is in his reliance on God, not on his own best guess !!
Saul’s pursuit of David seems unrelenting. His army was numerically vastly superior to that of David, but David’s followers were more nimble and kept ‘a step ahead’. At one point, when David was encamped in the “Wilderness of Maon” it seemed like Saul would succeed, but then word came to Saul about an invasion of Israel by the Philistines, so Saul had to ‘break off’ the chase in order to defend the territory from Philistine attack. (Personal note:- On a visit to Israel in 2012, our tour guide took us to the location of the “Wilderness of Maon”. It was searingly hot. He described for us the plight of David and his followers. Unbearably hot. Then suggested that this was where David wrote Psalm 61, in which David pleaded with God to lead him to a rock “that is higher than I”. A place of shelter from the sun, and hiding from his pursuers. Then a prayer for the king’s life. Speaks much about David and his trust in the LORD)
As time went on David moved East and encamped at En Gedi on the shores of the Dead Sea. There he had that famous encounter with Saul in which he removed a corner of Saul’s garment. The result of that was the ultimately disingenuous promise of Saul to cease his pursuit of David, saying “Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.”
Prophetic YES. But it’s a tale of two very different personalities, isn’t it?
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 21
S a m u e l
Last week we read about David’s wise behaviour and the esteem which was afforded him by the people as a result. At the same time, king Saul, devoid of the influence of the Spirit of God had become a very troubled, depressed individual, with murderous intent towards David. This was a result of intense jealousy which had turned to hatred. And therein we can find a lesson for ourselves if we are willing to learn it. So our reading this week opens with Saul’s announcement to the royal court, which included his son Jonathan, that David was to be killed off.
But Jonathan had become a close friend to David, so he warned him of the threat and colluded with him to bring about change in Saul’s paranoia. Which he did. Then David was restored to his place as Saul’s comforter, playing soothing music to ease Saul’s depressive moods. But it was a short-lived. Soon there was another war with the Philistines. Once again David distinguished himself in the ensuing battle. The result. Another surge in David’s popularity. Another severe depression for Saul. Another attempt on David’s life and another order from Saul to kill David. This time David’s wife, Michal, who was Saul’s daughter, came to David’s aid. The whole story is well known and loved by most children who ever attended a Sunday School.
Firstly Jonathan, then Michal, Saul’s children, risked, and were prepared to lose, their own lives to save David’s. In my mind I see a fore-runner, an example in type, of sacrificial love which was eventually given for my own salvation. But the LORD had great plans for David, so thus it was that David fled to Ramah, Samuel’s home, where he unburdened himself to the prophet. It seems that Samuel had established a place of learning and worship, called Naioth, a few miles farther north in the mountains of Ephraim. It was to Naioth that Samuel and David went to be safe from Saul. Such was the atmosphere at this place of worship at Naioth that all who came within it’s boundaries were drawn into it’s influence and were overwhelmed by the Spirit of God. Even Saul himself was found in prophetic worship at that place.
David seemed puzzled. He simply could not understand why Saul was so angry with him that he wanted him dead. In his distress he sought Jonathan’s help. Read the account in Chapter 20 of our text. It speaks of the great bond of love and friendship between Jonathan and David, and ends with their parting. Jonathan went back to the city, and David began his new life as a fugitive. Because we are privileged to know the end of the story, it may come as a shock to discover the way the LORD chose to place David in, what can only be described at this point in his life, a somewhat perilous situation. And in that, I find another lesson for those who choose to serve the LORD. The “prosperity” teachers today would have people believe that ‘coming to Jesus’ leads directly into a life in which all of life’s problems, material and financial are instantaneously solved. I can think immediately of two prominent servants of the LORD, David and Paul, who might take issue with that teaching. The LORD had very important work for David to do, and he needed to be trained, by experience, to deal with many adverse circumstances in which he personally, and the nation he was destined to lead, would face as the fullness of God’s plan unfolded.
David was God’s anointed, yes, and chosen for a purpose. Did God choose David because he was ‘perfect’? Did God choose Paul because he was perfect? Did God choose YOU because you are perfect? David was inexperienced and young. Paul was an enemy of believers. Only you, and God, know about you. And to accomplish the task for which God calls us, we all need to be trained by experience to fulfil God’s expectation.
“Now David came to Nob”. Nob was a dwelling place of priests on high ground about 2 miles north east of Jebus (Jerusalem) beyond the Mt of Olives. David was met by a priest, the great grandson of Eli, Ahimelech (which means “brother of the king) who expressed surprise that David was unaccompanied (even though the text implies that he was not alone). David concocted a story about being on the king’s secret business, and asked for some food for his journey. In the event, David was given some of the ‘showbread’ which had recently been taken (and replaced by new bread) from the altar in the tabernacle. He also was given the sword which was taken from Goliath, and went on his flight from Saul towards Gath, a Philistine city, where David reasoned he would be safe from Saul. In the event, the servants of Achish, king of Gath, recognised David as the slayer of Goliath and numerous other Philistines. So David thought he might have jumped “out of the frying pan into the fire” so to speak. He feigned “madness”, and acted insanely.This caused Achish to dismiss him out of his sight, and thus it was that David escaped the wrath of Achish and continued his flight from Saul.
There is an interesting snippet in the text (1 Sam 21:7). It refers to an Edomite, called Doeg. He is not a very nice man, and we will meet him again next week. As I read this text I note that Doeg, in this special place where the priests dwelt, was “detained before the LORD”! We don’t know the circumstances, but bad as he was, he was part of God’s overall plan. And what do I learn from that? God’s purposes will NOT be hindered by ANYONE. Good bad or indifferent. So it was that this unlikely Edomite was used in the purposes of the Lord, in the rescue and preservation of David, the LORD’s anointed.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 20
S a m u e l
The faithful Samuel was grieving, not for, but about, king Saul. Such a disappointment because of the way events had unfolded and exposed the frailties of Saul’s character, thereby rendering him unsuitable to lead the people in the ways of righteousness. God had already revealed to Samuel that the reign of king Saul was at an end, and that He had already chosen a successor! Our reading today opens with the Lord giving Samuel a ‘prod’ to get on with the job of identifying that successor. It may seem surprising that Samuel was actually fearful of Saul (evidence of Saul’s unsavoury character perhaps), because he was initially reluctant to seek out God’s chosen replacement. So God provided a plausible reason (some might conclude it to be an excuse) for Samuel’s ‘secret’ mission! The predictable Saul may be equated today, in some countries, to ‘godless’ governments, of which believers are rightly fearful. Could it be that the Lord provides such ‘reasons’ today to faithful believers who work in such countries, where the ‘ekklesia’ are known as ‘underground churches’? One thing of which I am sure is that the work of the Lord may be frustrated by men, but it will not be stopped. (I recall, many years ago, listening to a visiting pastor from a church in Lebanon declaring that he would not want to live in a country where being a christian was “easy”. Why? Because in such a country there was little sense of value and privilege in being a christian. He said “When it is costly to belong, it is greatly valued, and growing in faith is inevitable”)
“So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem”. There he met with Jesse, (grandson of Boaz and Ruth) who had brought his sons with him to the sacrifice which Samuel was to conduct. As soon as Samuel’s eyes looked on the oldest son, Eliab, Samuel was sure that he was the one to replace king Saul. The story is well known. However, “The Lord does not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”. So it was that Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel before Samuel said “The Lord has not chosen these”. The youngest lad was looking after the sheep. “He was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good looking. And the Lord said ‘ Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Samuel took a horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers “and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward “. Then Samuel returned to his home in Ramah. The very next statement in the Scriptures tells us that just as the Spirit of the Lord came upon David, “the Spirit of the Lord departed from (king) Saul” and was replaced by a ‘distressing’ spirit from the LORD which troubled him. Remember the injunction of the LORD to Isaiah many years later? “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways”. (Isaiah 55:8) Whoever could imagine that the LORD would use this ‘distressing’ spirit, not only to introduce Saul to David, but to also have Saul declare favour towards him, and to find in David a source of comfort.
But, it wasn’t long before things began to change! And I commend readers to keep in mind that everything that follows is under the direct control and direction of Almighty God. He was working out His purposes then, and He is working out His purposes today. Here is a modern photograph of the region where these events occurred. It is the same valley along which the Ark of the Covenant was drawn by the cows when it was returned to Israel from it’s Philistine captivity. (1 Samuel 6) In our text today, we have one of the most well known events in biblical history. I was probably less than 5 years old when I first heard it !! “Only a boy named David only a babbling brook, only a boy named David and five little stones he took.” It is legendary in its detail. A young shepherd boy saves his nation by killing a giant. But he had a lot of help! God was with him, and had great plans for his future, as we discover later in this story. However, David’s life took on new meaning and new challenges from that day forward. As indeed it does for all who earnestly and willingly become part of God’s plan.
The Philistine’s champion had been conquered. The Israelites were full of admiration and joy at the conquest. But Saul was full of jealousy, anger, and distress. So much so that he sought to kill the people’s hero. Three times in chapter 18 of our text, Samuel tells us that David “behaved wisely”. And when (v.15) “Saul saw that David behaved vey wisely, he was afraid of him”. Then it happened that Saul changed tack and sought to make David a son-in-law, offering his daughter to David in marriage. But he set an unusual dowry for the hand of his daughter Michal. A dowry which Saul was sure would result in David’s death! He had to kill 100 Philistines. Surprise! Surprise! David killed 200 and was married to the king’s daughter.
“Thus Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David …. So Saul became David’s enemy continually.” And finally for this ‘reflection’ we have some words which should be an encouragement to every believer. “David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed.” Many times in the Scriptures we are told the “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. The Psalmist (111:10) and the Preacher in Proverbs (9:10) being the most often quoted. We may be sure that the young shepherd boy David certainly “feared the LORD” because he was very wise.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 19
S a m u e l
The Lord had granted the people their wish to have a king reign over them. Samuel had made it abundantly clear that it was tantamount to a rejection of God Himself, and that they would need to tread very carefully in obeying the commands of the Lord so as not to make matters worse for themselves. It is evident from our reading this week that the first two years of the reign of king Saul were uneventful. We do know that God had given Saul a ‘new heart’. I speculate here because we are not told, but it may well have been that in the flush of that new experience Saul was indeed treading very carefully, (I have in mind the experience of some in our day, to my certain knowledge, who once came to faith in Yeshua. Starting the life of faith well and enthusiastically, but failing to ‘last the distance’, become distracted, and slip back into former habits, friendships, practices, and lifestyle) … but I could be wrong in my speculation! In any event, what king Saul did after the first two years drew this reaction from Samuel. “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For (by) now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel for ever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you”. I note carefully the past tense there. “What the Lord shuts .. no one opens!” (Revelation 3:7). But the stubborn king Saul did not appreciate, or even understand, that word.
In order to gain some perspective on the events about to unfold, reference to a good Bible Map would help. The initial action takes place approx. 30 km. north and slightly east of Jerusalem. Samuel had no sooner left the scene, then king Saul’s son Jonathan, engaged in a belligerent act of aggression against the Philistines. The Israelites had for some time been in subjection to the Philistines, who had ensured that the people of Israel did not have any blacksmiths in their company, so had to rely on the Philistines to sharpen and make tools of iron for them. Also the Israelites were thus unable to make their own swords and spears to do battle. Never-the less, Saul’s son, Jonathan decided to engage them in a skirmish, in which he killed about 20 men before the Lord intervened by causing an earthquake. It was at that point that king Saul took his army into battle (without swords) and found the Philistines fighting themselves in the confusion of the earthquake. King Saul had also foolishly put his army under an oath of fasting until the battle was decided. Jonathan had not heard that instruction and ate some honey himself and encouraged others to eat to sustain themselves. In addition, even though king Saul had built an altar to the Lord (the only one we find account of in the Scriptures) it was evident that he had made decisions about engagement in battle without consultation with the Lord. As a result he had completely lost the attention of the Lord, who then stopped responding to his prayers even when Saul did try to consult with Him. Now that is a brief summary of what happened that day. But the consequence of those events carried on for the rest of king Saul’s life. His relationship with the Lord was broken. His relationship with his son Jonathan was broken, with the people siding with Jonathan over his father king Saul, even though the battle that day established Saul as a warrior king as he surrounded himself with strong fighting men. His relationship with Samuel was broken. And “there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul”. (1 Sam 14:52). But that did not mean that the Lord had abandoned Israel.
It was at this point that the Lord spoke to Samuel, instructing him to direct king Saul to engage in battle with the Amalekites in retribution for their hostility towards the Israelites on their journey to the land of God’s promise. They were to be ‘utterly destroyed’. A well known story. (1 Samuel 15) King Saul certainly engaged and conquered the Amalekites and caused great destruction, “BUT Saul and the people spared Agag (the king) and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed”. Then the Lord spoke to Samuel again. “I greatly regret that I have set Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments”. When Samuel confronted Saul about the mission, Saul claimed to have completed it as instructed, bringing from Samuel that famous retort “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?” Reminding me of a famous truism from the Scriptures “Be sure your sin will find you out”. (Numbers 32:23) (And because of king Saul’s disobedience, we meet a descendant of Agag again, hundreds of years later, in Esther 3:1 in the person of ‘the wicked’ Haman).
For many reasons it is a sad story of a man, God anointed to lead the nation, who failed to appreciate the importance and value God places on obedience to His command. There is surely a lesson in that story for anyone willing to learn it. God is NOT reliant on any ‘person’ to fulfil His agenda. But He is reliant on every ‘person’ He chooses to faithfully walk with Him in accord with His plan and purpose. Samuel asks some pertinent questions. “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifice as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king”. Samuel and Saul did not meet again during their lifetime.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 18
S a m u e l
The appointment of the first king over Israel.
The faithful and highly esteemed Samuel appears to have made a mistake! When he was ‘old’ he made his sons, Joel and Abijah, judges over Israel in Beersheva. “But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice”. The elders of Israel took the matter to Samuel, presumably dismayed at the injustices they could see taking place, and sought Samuel’s support in appointing a ‘king’ to assume authority over them instead of ‘judges’. Samuel prayed, and perhaps to his surprise, the LORD told Samuel to “heed the voice of the people”. But, also to “solemnly forewarn” the people what behaviour they could expect of a king who might rule over them. It was a description of complete selfishness.*(see comments in penultimate paragraph) But the people wanted to be ruled in the manner of other nations around them …. and God told Samuel to appoint them a king.
Saul, a Benjamite, was head and shoulders taller than his kinsmen, and a very good looking fellow. His father, Kish, had lost some donkeys and sent Saul and a servant out to look for them. They travelled widely around the countryside but could not locate the donkeys. Read the story in chapter 9 of our text. Saul went to the city where Samuel (whom he had heard of as a seer) was attending a festival, to consult with him about the donkeys. As soon as they met, the Lord spoke to Samuel saying “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people”.
It was an amazing encounter. When they met, Samuel told Saul that they would dine together that evening and meet again the next day, at which time Samuel would tell Saul all that was in his heart. Furthermore, almost as a ‘by the way’, Samuel said “But as for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found”. There was no hint that Saul even mentioned the donkeys! The next morning as Saul and his servant were about to leave, Samuel took Saul aside and anointed his head with oil and kissed him .. a sign of great honour. “Because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance”. Then Samuel told Saul a number of things that would occur as he journeyed back to his home.
First a meeting with two men at the site of the tomb of Rachel just outside Bethlehem, who would announce that the lost donkeys had been found. Next, as they continued their journey they would meet three men in an oak grove, who were on their way to Bethel to worship God. Those men would share their food with Saul and his servant. After that, another encounter with a group of men praising God with singing and musical instruments. Samuel told Saul that he too would join them in praising and worshipping God “and be turned into another man, “And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you”. The Spirit of the Lord would be Saul’s guide as he continued his journey. Finally, Samuel instructed Saul to proceed on down to Gilgal (where the Israelites had camped when first entering the land). There Samuel would join him one week later and let him know what he should do next. “So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day”. There was an evident, immediate, change in Saul’s behaviour such as was noticed by all who knew him. On being questioned, Saul told them about his meeting with Samuel and the donkeys, “but about the matter of the kingdom, he did not tell them what Samuel had said”.
Samuel convened another convocation of all the people at Mizpah. He reminded them of all the Lord had done for their forefathers and for them, but did not refrain from also telling them that in asking for a king, they were effectively rejecting the will of God for them. Never-the less, as the tribes were presented before Samuel, by some process of elimination. Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, was chosen and announced to be their new king. But Saul was evidently a reluctant candidate, and was no-where in sight. Ironically, it was the Lord Himself who told them where he was hiding from them! Samuel said “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no-one like him among all the people”. The tall handsome Saul stood before them. “So all the people shouted and said ‘Long live the king’.” “Then Samuel explained to the people the behaviour of royalty”. How did Samuel know? The Lord had carefully explained these things to Moses, and caused him to write it in a book. Samuel had diligently read that book, and probably committed much of it to memory. It’s NOT a secret. That book is readily available to us today. The relevant section is Deuteronomy 17:14-20. *(It is nothing like the descriptor quoted earlier in this ‘reflection’. In fact it was written specifically to avoid such a person being selfish and detached). But that did not mean that there weren’t those among them who were unsupportive of the new king.
Saul seemed to be somewhat reluctant initially to assume his position as king and that drew a certain boldness among the enemies of Israel, specifically the Ammonites. The consequence was that Saul became emboldened and led the people into a victorious battle against the Ammonites. But throughout all this, Samuel continued, into his old age, acting as a check and a balance on Saul as he began his reign as king, encouraging the people to remain faithful to the Lord. “For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, for it has pleased the LORD to make you His people”.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE IN THE PROMISED LAND
The Promised Land “reflections” 17
S a m u e l
We ended last week with “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel”.
Samuel was appointed God’s prophet. ALL Israel recognised the authority with which Samuel spoke. His word became synonymous with God’s word, the same way that, centuries earlier, Moses’ word was received. BUT, Eli was still alive as ‘judge’ over Israel, albeit almost 100 years old. And his sons Hophni and Phineas, were still acting corruptly as priests. The dark cloud that covered Israel had not yet departed. In yet another battle with the Philistines, Israel lost another 4000 men. So in a futile attempt to somehow gain favour with the LORD, they went to the tabernacle at Shiloh. The corrupt and self serving Hophni and Phineas, in an act of reckless tokenism, took the Ark of the Covenant into the battlefield against the Philistines. 30,000 more Israelites, including Hophni and Phineas, died there. Furthermore, when news of the death of his sons reached Eli, both he, and his daughter-in-law died. To cap it all off, the Ark was captured by the Philistines. What a disaster for Israel. And as the story unfolds, an even more disastrous outcome for the Philistines!! And the Ark of the Covenant was never returned to the tabernacle at Shiloh! (Such a monumental event that Yeshua made reference to it when He drove the moneychangers out of the Temple in Jerusalem centuries later (Matt 21:13, Mk 11:17) as He recalled the words of Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7 ‘house of prayer’) and Jeremiah (Jer 7:11,12 ‘den of thieves’. And not many years later the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed too.) There is a lesson here in the root cause for this. The casual, or even reckless abandonment or contempt, by those who are called by His name, to observe, with reverential fear, the commandments of God. We live in days in which sincere believers demonstrate similar traits. “The Torah of God is obsolete” we often hear within the ‘believing’ community. Or “Jesus kept the commandments so we do not have to” is another. Hebrews 8:13 (becoming obsolete) is usually quoted in support of this. Or worse, we just trustfully repeat the words of others who conveniently neglect the fact that the text refers to the ‘covenant’ (agreement) NOT to the Torah (instructions). The remedy? Study the Scriptures for yourself.
The Philistines were an immigrant (from Crete) gentile group who had settled in the coastal areas of Canaan. They had embraced “Dagon”, the Syrian and Canaanite god of agriculture, as their god, and set up temples to his worship in Gaza (destroyed by Samson) and Ashdod. It was in the temple at Ashdod that they put the captured Ark of the Covenant. The next morning the people who gathered at that temple were alarmed to see the statue of “Dagon”, with head and arms broken off, prostrate on the ground next to the Ark. At the same time, the people of Ashdod were plagued with ‘tumours’ (thought by some to be haemeroids). The Ark remained in Philistine hands for seven months, being moved from city to city, and wherever it was taken, the people were plagued by the ‘tumours’. And many others who did not suffer the ‘tumours’ died. So it was that the Philistine hierarchy called upon their priests and sages for advice about what they should do. Read the story in chapter 6 of our text. It is a story of miracles. An ox cart, drawn by cows who had left their calves (against all that is natural) and headed directly back to the Israelites at Beth Shemesh. The curiosity of the men of Beth Shemesh, who could not resist looking inside the Ark, cost 50,070 of them their lives! How many times do we need to be reminded ? “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. (Hebrews 10:31)
Well, it certainly got the attention of the Israelites on this occasion. The Ark was taken to Kiriath Jearim (a town founded by Shobal, descendant of Caleb, on the border of Judah and Benjamin north of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 2:50,53)) where it remained in safety, in the household of a man called Abinadab, for the next 20 years. After the recovery of the Ark of the LORD, Samuel spoke to the people. We could learn a good lesson if we considered these words as spoken to us even today! “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths (the female goddesses of Cannan, principally the moon goddesses) from among you, and prepare hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines”. The reaction of the people was a measure of the standing of Samuel in the LORD’s eyes. The idols, the gods, the Ashtoreths, were all ‘put away’, and worship was again centred on the LORD. Samuel summoned the people to an assembly at Mizpah (it was here that, in the first century BCE, Judas Maccabees called an assembly before recapturing the Temple from the Romans). There the people repented of past sin and disobedience.
However, the Philistines learned that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah and went to do battle with them there, bringing great fear on the people of God. “Then Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him”. The LORD’s answer? A thunderstorm which so confused the Philistines that they were completely overcome. The text is not explicit on this, but I speculate that it was a violent thunderstorm that was NOT heard by the Israelites. Such is my consideration of the mighty God we serve! “And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel”. In addition to that, the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to them.
Samuel enjoyed the favour of the Lord all the days of his life. “He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and judged Israel in all those places. But he always returned to Ramah, for his home was there”.
Shabbat Shalom
RS