DAY 86
Ever notice these books don't end with happily ever afters?
Remember that we are reading an entire story of God told over many years. The individual books help us follow that story, but we do well in remembering it's still one complete story.
Today, we're finishing 1 Samuel. As we read, we'll see how far Saul has fallen. Ultimately, what God said would happen, happens.
DAILY READINGS
1 Samuel 28-31 & Psalm 86DAILY NOTES
1 Samuel 28- This chapter is devoted entirely to Saul's encounter with a medium.
- Notice that Saul had previously expelled mediums and wizards. This could be a sign of his former faithfulness.
- Saul's fear overwhelmed him. He is up against a Philistine army he does not think he can defeat.
- Since Saul could not hear from God, he seeks a medium to "inquire of her." What did he want to know (from God or the medium)? He asks Samuel what he should do. So, is that asking whether to flee or fight?
- Samuel confirms what he has already said would happen.
1 Samuel 29
- David has done such a good job for Achish that he defends David before the other Philistines.
1 Samuel 30
- This seems like the first time that David is ever actually in danger. His troops were devastated when they returned to find their families had been taken; they are ready to kill David in return.
- David is able to rally the troops and defeat the Philistines.
1 Samuel 31
- Saul's sons are killed. Saul kills himself so the Philistines could not "make sport" of him--they do anyway
Psalm 86
- Compare this psalm with what happens in 1 Samuel 28.
- Imagine these words being on Saul's lips.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
If you've ever participated in any ongoing Bible study with me, you know I try to get us past any of the watered-down, cliche answers of faith. Ours is a growing faith. So, there are many times what we think about faith and life should be growing, changing or developing, too.
Look at David again. His troops are ready to attack him. They have lost everything, and all because of him. Of course, we can try to imagine what they were feeling. But let's consider what David is thinking. He knows he's responsible for what happened. He has lost his family, too. I imagine he's tired of running. He's given so much and look at what it has cost him.
As the troops' bitter spirit rises against David, the text says that "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
If I were to ask this in a Bible study, "What does that mean? How did David strengthen himself? Or how do we strengthen our selves in the Lord?" we'd probably hear the easy answers first. We strengthen ourselves by reading the Bible, praying and being patient. If I ask a bunch of kindergartners that same question, they'll give me the same response. So, there is something elementary, basic about doing such things, although I've never heard a 5-year-old talk about patience!
But think about this: Did David have his Bible handy--"What's a Bible," he would probably ask?
He didn't have time to be patient.
I imagine he prayed, though. But I don't think he prayed the way many of us are used to thinking about prayer. I don't see him closing his eyes or bowing his head once. Does he pray quietly? I don't think so. Again, we're imagining here. The text doesn't offer us any more insight. But if you know what it's like to be in anguish, to be in trouble, to be furious, to be furiously frustrated, you know that a Precious Moments prayer time is not what you're in need of.
So, what do you think that looked like as David "strengthened himself"?
Stay blessed...john
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