1 Samuel 22:17

1 Samuel 22;17 says, And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.  Saul then ordered his footmen to kill the priests.  He then falsely accused them of knowing where David was, siding with him against Saul,  and hiding him.  If people don't have legitimate reasons to persecute or kill Christians today, they will do so based on lies.  After all, they are under the leadership of Satan, the great Deceiver.  To their credit, even though it put them in great danger, the footmen refused to do as Saul ordered.  If there ever comes a time when we as Christians are ordered to take any harmful action against our fellow Christians, we must refuse to do so, even if this puts us at risk.  Verse eighteen adds, And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.  When the footmen refused to kill the priests, Saul turned to Doeg and told him tokill them.  He was more than willingly to do so, and killed eighty-five priests.  We could say that Doeg had no choice since Saul had ordered him to do so, but he had the same ability say no as the footmen did, and he might have been in a more powerful position than they were.  We can never justify sinful actions by saying someone in authority told us to take them.  If there had been a priest helping David, it would have likely been only Abimelech himself, but eighty-five priests were slain.  This was  because of Saul's imagined guilt of all the priests by association.  If the time comes when Christians are openly persecuted, we should not be surprised if many are just pronounced guilty by association if one is charged with some crime.  Verse nineteen continues, And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.  Saul didn't stop with having the priests killed, but he had all the people and animals of Nob, the city of the priests, killed as well.  This was Saul, the king that the people demanded, acting as Samuel had warned them a king might.  He was more interested in his position than he was in the welfare of his people.  There are still many leaders in the world today who are the same way.  Verse twenty states, And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.  Ahiathar, one of the sons of Abimelech survived the massacre and fled to David.  If we are in a place where persecution is taking place, I believe that all we can do ultimately is place our life in the hands of God.  Of course, if we are truly open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, He may lead us to a temporary place of safety but it will never be permanent, because this world is not our permanent home.  Verse twenty-one adds, And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.  Abiathar told David what Saul had done to the priests and the city of Nob.  Even when the news is bad, all we as Christians can do is tell the truth, even if it is painful to us to tell it or to the ones we are telling it to.  Verse twenty-two continues, And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.  David at least took responsibility for his part in what had happened.  By lying to Abimelech, David didn't even give him a choice as to whether or not to help him in defiance to Saul.  David said when he saw Doeg there that he knew he would go to Saul and tell him what had happened, or at least what he thought had happened.  If he knew that David had lied to Abimelech, he certainly did not tell Saul so.  We cannot expect those who are out destroy Christians to be completely truthful in their accusations against Christians, if they are truthful at all.  Verse twenty-three concludes, Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.  David told  Abiathar to stay with him, because the one that wanted Abiathar dead also wanted David dead and this was Saul.  David said that he would safeguard Abiathar, even though at this time David was fearful for his own life.  Even if we are living in fear, which I don't believe that we as followers of Christ should ever do, we need to support our fellow Christians when they are in danger also.  Of course, I believe that if David had been relying on the guidance of God, he would have made different choices.

1 Samuel 22:9

1 Samuel 22:9 says, Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. Doeg, who was over Saul’s servants, told Saul about David visiting Abimilech.  I don't know if he was trying to win favor with Saul, or if he believed that somehow David was a threat to Saul, which Saul had evidently been saying.  Verse ten adds, And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.  Doeg then told Saul that Abimelech had inquired of God for David and had given him food. These are things that a priest should be expected to do, without concern about political situations.  We should never allow politics to come between God and us.  Of course,  Daoeg didn't tell Saul about David lying about his reason for coming to Abimelech.  People still use half-truths to attempt to discredit Christians today.  Verse eleven continues, Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.  Saul sent for not only Abimelech but for all his household and all the priests at Nob, even though only Abimelech had been accused of helping David.  Those who are self-centered in their desire to stay in power still often desire to destroy or discredit anyone and everyone that they fear is a threat to them.  Verse twelve states, And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.  Saul didn't even call Abimelech by name nor title when he came before him.  This was a further sign of disrespect not only of Abimelech but also of God who had called him to be a prophet.  This in itself is an indication of how far Saul had gotten away from the will of God.  Abimelech, having done nothing wrong, acknowledged that he was there and that Saul was his lord, or the earthly ruler.  As followers of Christ, if we are called before the authorities, as may one day happen, we need to be able to stand before them innocent of breaking any laws, unless these laws are in opposition to God and His commandments.  Verse thirteen adds, And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?  Saul then accused Abimelech of plotting against him, and also of inquiring of God for help for David in this supposed insurrection.  Of course, if God was not with David and Abimelech, then the inquiry wouldn't have mattered.  Again, we should not be surprised if people of the world accuse Christians falsely of having ulterior motives in seeking God's will for either others or themselves.  Verse fourteen continues, Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?  Abimelech then defended David by telling Saul the truth about David.  No one was more faithful to Saul than David, who was both his son-in-law and had always gone when Saul told him to go.  Abimelech didn't even tell Saul that David had said he was there on a mission for Saul.  Since Saul was not concerned about God and His will but only about preserving his position a king, he probably wouldn't have believed Abimelech anyway.  Though we would hope so, the truth may not always set us free from the forces of evil today.  Verse fifteen concludes, Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.  Abimelech then told Saul that he had made no inquiry to God concerning David replacing Saul, and he still didn't tell Saul what David had told him about his reason for being there.  Abimelech also said he knew nothing about any dispute between David and Saul.  If we are falsely accused as Christians today, all we can do is stand on the truth and put our faith in God to deliver us one way or the other.  As long as Abimelech truthfully told Saul what he had done, then he was safe by God's mercy.  Verse sixteen says, And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.  Not only did Saul sentence Abimelech to death, he also sentenced all his family with him, even though Abimelech alone was accused falsely of helping David in a plot to overthrow Saul.  Those who fear that they may be put out of power in the world today still often kill their rivals and their families.   

1 Samuel 22:1

1 Samuel 22:1 says, David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.  David next escaped to the cave Adullam, and when his brothers heard about it, they went down to join him.  If we are in a bad situation today, and our family, and I would say our spiritual brothers and sisters maybe even more than our biological ones, hear about it, I hope they would join us.  Verse two adds, And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.  David had what we might call the rabble join him, those who were in distress, debt, or were just discontented with life.  This could describe us before we come to Jesus Christ by faith and accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord.  David, who had been a captain in Saul’s army, became their captain, about four hundred men.  Verse three continues, And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. David then went to the king of Moab and asked him to allow his mother and father to come there.  He wanted them to be safe, and he at least now acknowledged that his life was in God's hands.  We should want our mother and father to be safe today, and we should do all that we can to ensure that they are, but we should always put everything in God's hands.  Verse four concludes, And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.  David brought his mother and father to the king of Moab, and they lived there while David was in the hold, or cave.  We are not told how his parents felt about this, but I believe that when our parents are no longer able to care for themselves or are in danger otherwise, we have a responsibility to do all that we can to make sure that they are safe, sometimes even if they may not want to do what we know is necessarily.  Verse five states, And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth in Judah.  When the prophet Gad told David to go to Judah, he took the prophet's advice and went to the forest of Hareth.  There was nothing to be accomplished by just hiding, so God through His prophet told David it was time to be moving.  We cannot serve God effectively if all we are doing is hiding from the world in hopes of being safe.  We need to be open to God's leadership telling us when we need to move back out into the world, even if it puts us in more danger than hiding out might.  Verse six adds, When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)  While Saul was under a tree at Gibeah, with his servants around him and holding his spear in his hand, possibly from fear of David who still had done nothing to threaten Saul, he heard about where David was.  Matthew Henry says that by this time it seemed that Saul’s only purpose was to kill David.  If we as Christians are perceived as a threat to the people of the world today, it may become their biggest goal to either destroy or at least discredit us, even though we have done nothing to harm them.  Verse seven continues, Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;  Then Saul appealed to the greed of those around him, who were of the tribe of Benjamin.  He implied that he as king could give them more than David could, even though everything that he controlled had belonged to the people to start with.  People, especially some leaders, are still attempting to buy the loyalty of Christians today, even though they have nothing to offer us that doesn't already belong to God.  Verse eight concludes, That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?  Saul then went into a self-pitying declaration.  He said no one, not even his son, was standing with him against David, who was a threat in Saul’s mind only.  We still encounter people today who are full of self-pity over perceived threats from Christians.  They cry out that if we are in positions of power that we will be out to destroy them, even if this idea has no basis in reality, and as Christians we should always be reaching out to them with God's love instead of trying to destroy them. 

1 Samuel 21:10

1 Samuel 21:10 says, And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.  David was still running out of fear of Saul, and he went to a king of the Philistines for help, while still wearing Goliath's sword.  As is many times the case with people in the Bible, we don't have a record of David seeking God's guidance nor really putting his faith in God.  Of course, it may have been because he didn't want to have to kill Saul, since he had been nothing but loyal to him.  David we to Achish, king of Gath and asked for his help.  As followers of Christ, our first step in times of trouble should be to go to Him for help.  Verse eleven adds, And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?  Achish's servants thought David was the king of Israel, and by God's appointment he really was, though he had yet to proclaim himself king.  They thought this because of the people singing about Saul killing his thousands and David killing his ten-thousands.   People may sing our praises more than those of people in leadership in the church today, but we should not allow this to make us to believe that we should be in their place, unless we know God is placing us there.  Even then, we need to make sure that His timing is right.  Verse twelve continues, And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.  David took these words to heart, which then made him really afraid of King Achish.  This was the same David who faced and defeated Goliath with a sling.  Though we shouldn't, we at times may act out of great faith in God and have a great victory through His power, and then later find ourselves afraid in another situation we face.  God will always give us the ultimate victory if we remain faithful to Him.  Verse thirteen states, And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.  Because of his fear, David began to act as though he was insane, going so far as to scribble on the gates and drool on his beard.  David may have faced a bear, a lion, and a giant and won by faith in God, but now he was acting on his own without God's leadership I believe.  As followers of Christ, we may have stood bravely in the face of opposition by faith and then suddenly find ourselves afraid because we have quit relying on our faith in God.  Verse fourteen adds, Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?  Instead of having the desired effect, Achish asked his servants if they could not see that David was mad.  Verse fifteen continues, Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?  Achish continued by asking them what need did he have for a madman in his house.  Matthew Henry says Achish did this so he could protect David without appearing to do so since David was now but a mad man.  There may be people in the world who want to help Christians in times of need today but are afraid of how it would be perceived by the friends and neighbors who see Christians as nothing but a threat.

1 Samuel 21:1

1 Samuel 21:1 says, Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?   When David came to Abimelech the priest at Nob, Abimelech was afraid.  This was evidently because David came alone, which made Abimelech wonder why.  As a priest of God, if he was being faithful, there should have been no situation that lead him to be afraid, much less simply the appearance of David by himself.  As followers of Christ, we are a part of the priesthood of believers, and we should not be afraid no matter what is happening, but we especially shouldn't be afraid simply because something out of the ordinary that is non-threatening happens.  Verse two adds, And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.  When David was asked what he was doing there, he lied to Abimelech.  This is not what we would expect from a man who was said to be after God's own heart.  I don't know if David did this totry to  protect Abimelech if Saul were to find out that he had helped David or not, but whatever the reason, neither Abimelech nor David seemed to be putting a lot of faith in God.  I believe that as Christian we should stand by faith and always tell the truth about what we are doing 8n the world and for God, and especially with our fellow believers.  Verse three continues, Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.  David then asked Abimelech for five loaves of bread, or for however much he could spare if he didn't have five loaves.  We should not be ashamed to ask our fellow Christians for help if we need it.  Verse four states,  And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.  Abimelech told David that he had no common bread, but only hallowed bread, or bread considered sacred and set aside for God.  Still, he told David that they could have it if they were sexually pure.  What we as Christians must understand is that everything we own should be sacred to God, which means it should be dedicated to Him.  Why Abimelech chose this particular qualification to determine whether he would give them the shewbread or not I'm not sure, but he may have thought it would disqualify them from eating it.  Verse five adds, And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.  David only addressed the status of the young men for the last three days, and said that they had remained pure, or holy to God, so even if the bread had been consecrated to God, in the current situation it could be used as common bread.  If the bread were holy, so were they.  If we are followers of Christ, we are holy, or set apart from the world, and all things under God's guidance are lawful to us.  Verse six continues, So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.  Abimelech gave David the showbread because it was all he had.  We may have things dedicated to God today, but if so and someone needs whatever it is for their well-being, under God's guidance we should give it to them.  I personally don't believe that God wants us to simply store up the things he blesses us with, but expects us to use them to further His work and to help our fellow Christians and even non Christians if they need help.  Verse seven says, Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.  One of Saul's servants named Doeg was there while this was happening.  He was Saul's chief herdsman, and we would assume he was loyal to Saul.  We should not be concerned with who sees us doing God's work today, even if we might think they could be a threat to us.  Verse eight adds, And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.  David then asked Abimelech for a spear or sword, again lying and saying that in his haste, he had forgotten his.  I believe that he may have forgotten what he had done to Goliath with a sling and a stone.  As long as we are faithful to God, He will always meet our needs, though He may not always keep us from harm in this world.  Verse nine continues, And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.  Abimelech said the only sword available was the sword of Goliath, and he offered it to David.  It had been on display, but there was now a better use for it.  There may be better uses for things that we may be just putting on display for God today, and we as followers of Christ should always be armed with the sword of tha Spirit. 

1 Samuel 20:35

1 Samuel 20:35 says, And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.  The next morning at the time David and he had agreed on, Jonathan went into the field to shoot some arrows, and he had a lad with him to retrieve the arrows as they had agreed the sign would be.   Jonathan was carrying out the plan, though I am sure it was with a heavy heart.  He actually had not wanted to believe that Saul, his father, was trying to kill David or have him killed.   We may not want to believe that people we know are out to destroy other Christians, but if we see the proof, we must accept it, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not just by our own understanding.  Verse thirty-six adds, And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.  Jonathan told the lad to run and find the arrows he shot, and Jonathan shot them behind him.  This was one of the two possible outcomes to signal Saul's intent toward David.  Of course, Jonathan could have still not accepted the fact yhat Saul was trying to kill David or have been more faithful to Saul, his father, and have sent the wrong message to David, but he didn't.  We, as followers of Christ, must be more devoted to God and His truth than we are to anyone else, even family.  Verse thirty-seven continues, And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?  When the lad got to the place where the arrow should be, Jonathan cried out, not really to him, but for David’s benefit, asking the lad if the arrow was not beyond him.  Of course, it really didn't matter where the arrow was, but only that David got the message.  Then, David had to act on the message.  Our circumstances today as we witness to the world do not really matter but only the message does.  Of course, Jonathan was trying to save David physically, and we as Christians when we share the gospel are trying to give them an opportunity to be saved spiritually.  It is then up to them to act on the message of the gospel.  Verse thirty-eight states, And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.  Jonathan told the lad to hurry and gather the arrows, and he did and returned to Jonathan.  I believe this was also directed more towards David than the lad, telling him to make haste in leaving.  Verse thirty-nine adds, But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.  As Jonathan had planned, the lad knew nothing about what was really happening, but David and Jonathan alone did. Even though he was successful without anyone knowing that he was helping David, Jonathan was still putting himself in danger to do so, especially with a somewhat paranoid Saul seeking the death of David.  We need this type of Christian friends today.  Verse forty continues, And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.  Jonathan then gave his artillery to the lad and told him to take it into the city.  Jonathan was then free to have a personal conversation with David, even though the signal had been for David to flee.  Jonathan didn't risk this until he knew there was no danger to David or himself.  Even if we desire to speak with a fellow Christian, especially one that we are very good friends with, we should do so only if we know that we are not somehow putting them in danger by doing so, and there may come a day when this will be a true possibility.   Verse forty-one declares, And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.  After the lad left, David rose from his hiding place and bowed three times before Jonathan and then they greeted one another affectionately as brothers.  We need to be willing to affectionately greet our fellow believers in Christ today, without fear of what the world may think.  Verse forty-two adds, And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.  Jonathan told David to go in peace and reminded him of their covenant under God's authority to live in peace with one another and for their descendants to do the same forever.  They had an unbelievable friendship and even brotherhood under God's direction and power, and we need to always make sure that if we are forming lasting relationships with people today that we do so by God's guidance.   David left, and Jonathan went back into the city.  Even though they were separated physically they were united in spirit.  We may be physically separated from our fellow Christians today, but we need to remember that we are always united spiritually. 

1 Samuel 20:24

1 Samuel 20:24 says, So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.  While Saul was sitting down to eat the feast, David was hidden in the field.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.  Jonathan and Abner were seated with Saul where they should have been, but David's seat was noticeably empty.  I am sure that Saul wasn't the only one to notice this since people are often looking for reasons to gossip.   We may not even realize it, but people are watching us as Christians today, both our fellow Christians and the lost people of the world.  Too often both groups are watching us to see if they can find something to discredit us with.  Verse twenty-six continues,  Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.  Saul didn't say anything that David, believing that something had befallen David that prevented him from being there, such as doing something that would have made him spiritually unclean.  This was a religious feast, so being spiritually unclean would have been a legitimate reason for David not to be there.  If we are not at church functions today, we need to make certain that it is for spiritual reasons and not personal ones.  Verse twenty-seven states, And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?  The next day when David wasn't there, Saul asked Jonathan, who was David’s good friend, why the son of Jesse wasn't there.  I don't know if Saul did not use David’s name to imply that they weren't that close or what, but the implication is there that this may have been the point.  We can be certain that when people of the world are attempting to discredit Christians today they are going to attempt to make us seem as unimportant possible.  To make a big deal of who we are would imply that what we think and who we are in relationship to God is important.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:  Jonathan then lied to his father who was also the king.  He said David had earnestly asked permission to go to Bethlehem.  I am not sure that we should ever lie to others about what our fellow believers may be up to, but if it is to keep them from being persecuted or killed, it might be justified.  We would need to pray about this though instead of just doing it.  In this case, it was a part of Jonathan's plan to find out Saul’s intentions toward David, so I believe it was justified.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.  Jonathan then continued with his story, saying David had asked him for permission to go to Bethlehem because his brother had asked him to come to a family sacrifice, and that David had ask to be allowed to go there if he had found favor in Jonathan's eyes.  Of course, we might wonder why David was asking Jonathan instead of Saul for permission.  Verse thirty says, Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?  Saul then became angry with Jonathan and unleashed a torrent of abuse on him.  Saul called Jonathan an illigimant child who was rebellious because he had his mother's nature and not Saul's.   Saul said Jonathan being more devoted to David than to Saul himself reflected badly to the world, even though Jonathan had been obedient to his father.  We should not be surprised if at times people of the world lash out at Christians with a torrent of verbal abuse.  Verse thirty-one adds, For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.  Saul then revealed his true feelings about David.  He said as long as the son of Jesse, still not calling David by name even though he was his son-in-law, was alive that Jonathan would never inherit the kingdom.   He then demanded that David be brought to him so he could be killed.  I believe that if someone wishes to harm Christians today that eventually this intention will be revealed to those who are watching what is going on.  Of course, if we are watching under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, it should become apparent more quickly.  Verse thirty-two states, And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?  Jonathan asked Saul what David had done to deserve to be destroyed, and we might ask the same question of those out to destroy Christians today.  If we a truly living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then we will not be trying to destroy the lost people of the world but to reach them with the gospel.  Verse thirty-three adds, And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.  In reply to Jonathan's question,  Saul threw a javelin at him attempting to kill him as he had earlier attempted to kill David.   Jonathan then knew that it was true that his father was attempting to kill David.   Jonathan may not have believed David when he told him that Saul was trying to kill him, but he was willing to find out for himself, and he now had the proof.  I don't know if Jonathan realized how much danger he was putting himself in, but I believe he would have still carried out his plan even if he did.  When we stand up for a fellow Christian, we may not realize how much danger we are putting ourself in, but we still need to be willing to do it no matter what. Verse thirty-four continues, So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.  Jonathan left the table without eating because he was grieved for David because his father had acted shamefully toward David.  Sometimes, we may have to move away from our family because they are acting shamefully toward other Christians or even toward God Himself.  Of course, if we do, we still need to be in prayer for them that they will come to a right relationship with God.  Then, if they do, we can have a restored relationship with them.

1 Samuel 20:12

1 Samuel 20:12 says, And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;  Johnathan sought God's guidance in the situation.  He still  wasn't sure that David was right about Saul wanting to kill him, but he was willing to accept the fact that it could be true and to ask for God's help in determining the truth.  We may not always know the truth of a situation, but if we don't, our first step as followers of Christ should be to ask God for His help in determining the truth.  Jonathan told David to stay away from the feast while he found out the truth.  Verse thirteen adds, The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.  Again, Jonathan left it up to God to make the determination, and said if Saul had evil intents toward David that he would send David away.  He also said that God should punish him if he were not being truthful.  We need to be truthful in our relationships with other people as Christians, and we should expect God to punish us if we aren't.   Verse fourteen states, And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:  Jonathan then asked David to show him the kindness of not killing him if it turned out that his father was trying to kill David.  This would not have been that unusual then,because Jonathan would have been seen as the successor to the throne and could have been seen as a threat to David.  Just because someone is a threat to us today doesn't mean that we are to want their whole family destroyed.  Verse fifteen adds, But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.  Jonathan continued by asking that David not cut off his kindness from his house, or family, once God had cut off all of David's enemies and he was established as king.  Again, we cannot allow the actions of one person determine our actions toward all their family as Christians, but even more importantly, we must allow God to guide us.  Verse sixteen continues, So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.  Jonathan made a covenant with David and God.  As followers of Christ, all our covenants should be guided by God, and if they are, we can never go wrong.  Verse seventeen concludes, And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.  Jonathan had David swear to the covenant, because he loved David as much as he loved his own soul.  This was a Godly brotherly love and not something sexual as some might imply today to justify a sexual relationship between two men.  We are expected to love others even more than we love ourself as Christians, but this is always to be a Godly love.  Verse eighteen says, Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.  Jonathan said the next day was the feast of the new moon, and when David wasn't there, that he would be missed because his seat would be empty.   If we are absent from Christian gatherings today, we should be missed, but often we may not be.  Verse nineteen adds, And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.  Jonathan then told David after three days that he was to come to the stone, or rock,of Ezel.  This is another case of someone being told to come to the rock, and as followers of Christ, the Rock that we always need to come to is our faith in Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation.  Verse twenty states, And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.  Jonathan told David his plan to let him know Saul’s intention.  He was going to shoot three arrows as though he were shooting at a mark.  This would be nothing unusual. Verse twenty-one adds, And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.  Jonathan said that he would send a lad to find the arrows, and if he said they were on this side of the mark, it would be safe for David to return.  Verse twenty-two continues, But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.  Jonathan then said that if he said the arrows were on the other side of the mark that David was to leave, because the LORD would have sent him away.  Once more Jonathan was acknowledging God's guidance in the plan.   When we come up with plans today as Christians, whatever it might be for, we need to make sure that we have sought God's guidance for it. Verse twenty-three concludes, And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever. Jonathan then said that in the matter of the relationship, or friendship, between David and himself that God should guide them forever.  This is what we should want for our friendship with other people today.  We need God's guidance and a Godlike love each other.

1 Samuel 20:1

1 Samuel 20:1 says, And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?  David fled to Ramah, where he meet Jonathan and asked him what he had done to Saul to make him want to kill him.  Though we should do our best to find out why the people of the world at times seem so angry at Christians that they want to destroy them, there may never be an answer.  David had done nothing against Saul, and we as followers of Christ should do nothing to harm others, unless it is necessary to defend our faith and keep God from being dishonored.  Saul had not openly done any of this, other than assuming the duties of a priest, which David had not been directed by God to correct.  Verse two adds, And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.  Jonathan refused to believe it when David said Saul was trying to kill him.  Jonathan said Saul, his father, discussed all his plans with him, and asked David why his father would keep his plan to kill David from him.  He underestimated the integrity of his father, and people today often underestimate the integrity of those that they look up to, especially if it is a close family member.   Verse three continues, And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.  David explained to Jonathan that it was because Jonathan was friends with David and to avoid him suffering from grief at knowing his plans to kill David that Saul had told Jonathan nothing about his plans.  People today still want others to see them in the best light, and often do things in secret that they don't want others to know about.  David assured Jonathan that he was one step from death at the hands of Saul.  All we can do is tell people the truth of our situation if we are in danger because of our faith today.  Verse four states, Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.  Jonathan then told David that he would help him anyway that he desired.  This is all that we can do today if our fellow Christians reach out to us for help.  Verse five adds, And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.  David said the next day was a new moon and the time for a holy feast that he should not fail to eat with Saul but proposed that instead of doing that, he would hide himself in the field until the third day.  Matthew Henry points out that even though the Spirit of God had departed Saul, he was still going through the motions of observing the holy feasts.  We as Christians do not want to be guilty of going the motions of worship if the Holy Spirit is not guiding us.  Verse six continues, If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.  David told Jonathan if Saul asked about his absence, to tell him that David begged his leave but he had to return to Bethlehem for a yearly sacrifice there.  This was a part of a test to determine Saul’s intent toward David and sometimes we may have to test the intentions of others toward us, but we should do so only under God's direction.  Verse seven says, If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.  David said if Saul said that David returning to Bethlehem was a good thing so that he could have peace in his soul, then everything was okay between them.  If on the other hand Saul was really angry with David, then nothing was good between them.  Saul would have no reason to be angry with David if David was doing what he believed God was calling him to do.  If people become angry with us because we don't do what they want or maybe even expect us to do, we might want to question their real attitude about us.  Verse eight adds, Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?   David then asked Jonathan to deal kindly with him and do this for him, and he then said if Jonathan thought there was any iniquity in David in relationship to Saul that Jonathan should just go ahead and kill David himself.  That would eliminate any need for Jonathan to bring David to Saul.  We need to have enough faith to lay our life on the line if necessary to prove our innocence in a particularly dangerous situation, especially if we are asking someone to help us that might also put them in danger, as Jonathan could be doing by helping David.  Verse nine states, And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?  Jonathan still didn't want to believe David.  He said if his father proposed evil against David that he would know it.  As stated before, it is sometimes hard to know the evil that may be in someone's heart simply by outward appearance.   Verse ten adds, Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?  David said if Jonathan didn't help him, who would.  If we are ever a person's last hope of finding out the truth in a situation, we need to pray that we will always be willing to help them, even at the risk of bringing danger to ourself.   Verse eleven continues, And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.  Jonathan then told David that they should both go out in the field. Jonathan may still not have believed David concerning Saul’s intent, but he was still willing to stand with him.  Ultimately, that is all we can be expected to do for our Christian brothers and sisters today.  Even if we don't really understand what they are facing, if they ask us for help, we need to be willing to stand with them by our faith in God.

1 Samuel 19:11

1 Samuel 19:11 says, Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.  Saul sent messengers to David's house to not only watch him but to kill him in the morning.  They were there to make sure David didn't leave.  God was watching out for David, though, and Michal, his wife warned him of Saul’s plans, even though he was her father.  We can be certain that God is always watching out for us, no matter what happens in life, and it is also important that we put our spouse above our parents.  Verse twelve adds, So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.  Michal not only warned David, but she helped him escape as well.  She could have been putting herself in danger, but she was willing to put David first, and she lowered him out window and he escaped.  We need to be willing to put ourself in danger if necessary in order to help our fellow Christians.  Verse thirteen continues, And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.  Michal then made a dummy to put in David’s bed so it would look like he was still sleeping.  She went above and beyond what many people would do, even for a spouse.  After all, Saul was still considered the king, even though God had already replaced him.  We also should be willing to stand up against authorities if they are threatening our fellow Christians.  Verse fourteen states, And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.  When Saul sent messengers to take David, Michal said he was sick, still risking her safety to save him.  Sometimes, we may have to use whatever method we have in order to help a fellow Christian, and we should be willing to do so even if it is risky for us.  Verse fifteen adds, And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.  Saul was not going to be put off.  He told the messengers to bring David in his bed so that he could slay him.  Saul might have even liked that better than having to face David man to man, especially since he knew God was with David and not him. We can expect the people of the world to use every advantage available to discredit or destroy Christians.  Verse sixteen continues, And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.  The messengers discovered that an image and a wig were in David’s bed.  If they were the ones responsible for watching him, they  could have been in big trouble.  Verse seventeen says, And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?  Saul asked Michal, his daughter, why she had sent David his enemy away, and she said David had said he would have to kill her if she didn't.  Matthew Henry points out that this false implication might have made Saul feel even more justified in wanting to kill David.  Though she had helped David escape, Michal did not stand up to her father by telling him the truth when she was put in a position of a possible threat to herself, and we may find friends who have stood with us against evil in the world today abandon us if they feel threatened, much like Peter did with Jesus right before His crucifixion.  Verse eighteen declares, So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.  David didn't return to his family, but went to Samuel instead, which might have partially been because Samuel had anointed him as king.  Whatever reason we might have for running when faced with a threat because of our being a Christian today, we need to go to the source of our power, which is God Himself, and for David, Samuel represented the source of God's power.  Verse nineteen adds, And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.  David and Samuel had gone to Naioth, and Saul was told this, evidently by some of the people of Israel who were either still loyal to Saul or afraid of him.  We need to pray that we as God's people today do not become divided and betray one another.  Verse twenty continues, And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.  Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they found themselves in the company of prophets, the themselves began to prophesy as well as the Spirit of the LORD came over them. God can change the heart of those who are working against us just as easily today, especially if we have a group of Christians acting under His leadership.  Verse twenty-one says, And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.  Saul sent messengers twice more, and both times they began to prophesy as well.  When the Spirit of God is at work, it doesn't matter how many times nor how many people His enemies send against Him.  God can change their heart if they are open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, which these messengers had to have been, because as stated before God does not force His will on anyone.  Verse twenty-two adds, Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.   Then Saul went looking for David and Samuel himself and stopped at a great well in Sechu and asked someone where they were.  He was given a truthful answer that they were at Naioth.  Whether the person who told Saul knew of his intent or not, he was still king, if in name only.  We may not always know the true intent of people today when they ask about things relating to God and His.people, so all we can do is tell the truth under God's guidance.  Verse twenty-three continues, And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.  As Saul continued on to Naioth, the Spirit of the LORD came on him as well.  God had never really abandoned Saul, and when he was open to God's Spirit, He still directed Saul. Verse twenty-four concludes, And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Saul stripped off his clothes and began to prophesy himself, lying naked all night, and the people began to ask if Saul was now a prophet.  Removing his clothes may have been symbolic of removing everything that stood between God and him.  He was no longer Saul the king but simply a man with nothing between God and Himself.   We may at times,e specially if we have gotten off track as Christians, need to strip our soul bare before God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our life.

1 Samuel 19:1

1 Samuel 19:1 says, And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.  Saul began to attempt to recruit his servants and even his son, Jonathan, to kill David.  His subtle plans had failed, so he became more open in acting on his hatred or jealousy of David.  When subtle methods don't work in discrediting or destroying Christians, or at least their works for God today, we should not be surprised when those who hate or are jealous of us begin to use more open, aggressive means in attempting to do so.  Verse two adds, But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:  Instead of following his father’s orders, Jonathan who was a true friend to David, warned him of Saul's intent and told him to go and hide himself.  If people are plotting against us as followers of Christ today, we need to pray that we have at least one friend like Jonathan who will stand beside us no matter what.  Jonathan would have been the apparent successor to Saul as his son, but he did not allow jealousy about David's popularity to keep him from doing what was best for David. We may seem to be the heir apparent to a position in the church today, but we cannot allow selfish desires to keep us from looking out for the best interest of other Christians, even if they take the place we might assume should have been ours.  Verse three continues, And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.  Not only did Jonathan warn David, he said he would take his place by his father’s side and warn David of Saul's intent toward David.  Jonathan was really putting himself at risk, nor only in battle, but also by defying his father's order to kill David.   We should be willing as Christians to put ourselves in danger for the benefit of our fellow Christians if necessary.   Verse four states, And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward very good:  Jonathan also spoke to his father on David's behalf, telling him that David had done nothing but good toward Saul, which was true.  We need to be that kind of friend to our fellow Christians today if they are in danger.  Verse five adds, For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?  Jonathan reminded Saul that by God's grace David had delivered the people of Israel from Goliath, and that Saul had rejoiced because of it, and then asked him why he now wanted to shed the innocent blood of David.  Jonathan was really putting himself in danger by doing this, since he was questioning a jealous king filled with hatred for David.  It is one thing to silently support our fellow Christians, but we need the faith in God that causes us to openly support them no matter what it may cost us.  Verse six concludes, And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. Saul listened to Jonathan and swore that as surely as the LORD lived he would not destroy David.  Of course, we will see later that Saul didn't live up to this promise, even though it was made to God.  People of the world may make promises about not trying to destroy Christians or even God's word, but they seldom remain true to these promises.  Verse seven says, And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.  Jonathan called David out of hiding, and David was once again in Saul’s presence as he had been in the past.  There was at least a temporary truce on Saul's part, since David didn't need to make one since he had never attempted to do anything to harm Saul.  If there is a truce between the world and us today it needs to be on their part, since we as Christians should never want to do anything to harm them.  We are called on to reach out to the lost people of the world with love and compassion, and not with hatred and evil intent.  Verse eight adds, And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.  The war with the Philistines continued,and David continued to fight against and kill them, so the Philistines were afraid of him.  All we can do today as followers Christ is to be willing to engage in the battle against sin and evil in the world  even if it puts us in danger.  Verse nine declares, And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.  Once again we are told that an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, but as I have stated before, I don't believe that God ever sends evil spirits on anyone.  Saul may have attributed the evil spirit to God, but it was really a result of Saul's own lack of being willing to follow God's will that resulted in his attitude, which was once again a desire to kill David.  Temporary truces with the people of the world today will never last.  Saul sat with a javelin in his hand as David played the harp again.  David was still willing to do all that he could to please Saul under God's guidance.  We should be willing to do all that we can to help people today, even those who may be our enemies, as long as we don't go against God's word.  Verse ten adds, And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.  As David was playing the harp for Saul, Saul threw the javelin at David, again trying to kill him in spite of his word to Jonathan and God, but once again God protected Davtd and he slipped away.  All we can do today in our battle against Satan and his forces is to put our life in God's hands.  He will keep us secure in our everlasting relationship with Him no matter what happens in this world.

1 Samuel 18:20

1 Samuel 18:20 says, And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.  One of Saul's daughters, Michal, loved David and this pleased Saul.  He wasn't pleased for his daughter, though, but was pleased because he thought he could use her by having having her marry David.   Verse twenty-one adds, And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.  Saul’s plan was still to have David killed by the Philistines, believing they would hate David even more if he was his son-in-law.  Of course,  David was likely already more hated by the Philistines than Saul was, because David was killing more of them.  If we are being highly effective as Christians today, which would not be in killing but in reaching the lost, the people of the world are going to attempt to stop us by some method.  Saul told David this was going to happen that day, and as a loyal subject to Saul, I don't believe that David would have objected.  Verse three continues, And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law.  In order to ensure that David would agree to marry his daughter, Saul had his servants talk with David privately and tell him that Saul loved him and wanted him to be his son-in-law.  As Christians, we should not be surprised if people today use our friends and aquantenances in an attempt to make us think they are being nice to us while they are secretly attempting to destroy our effectiveness in reaching the lost world.   Verse twenty-three states, And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?  When the servants told David this, he asked if they thought it was a light, or unimportant thing, that he become the king’s son-in-law, since he was a poor man and lightly esteemed.  David was still a humble shepherd's son, even though he had killed Goliath and had been anointed king by Samueland more importantly by God.  No matter our position by God's calling in the church today, we should always remain but a humble sinner saved by grace.  Verse twenty-four adds, And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.  His servants told Saul what David had said.  Like David, they were obedient to Saul.  Verse twenty-five continues, And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.  Saul sent word back to David that insteadof a dowry, he wanted the foreskins of a hundred Philistines, not because he really waited them, but because he figured David would be killed trying to get them.  People today still often act as though they are being nice to Christians while secretly working to destroy them.  It should never be our fellow Christians who are attempting to do this though, as it was with Saul and David, both being a part of God's Chosen People, at least by birth.  Verse twenty-six says, And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not expired.  When David heard this, it pleased him. Still, we would think that David would have prayed about this instead of just basing his decision on what pleased him.  I do know that as followers of Christ, we should never base our decisions just on what pleases us, because often we may gain whatever it is, and it may not be what God wanted for us.  God may have blessed David's decision, but David should have prayed about it first, and we are not told that he did.  The time for David to take action had not expired.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.  David and his men went out immediately and killed not one hundred, but two hundred Philistines and David brought their foreskins to Saul.  David had brought double what Saul requested, but this really wasn't anything Saul wanted.  The fact that David was still alive meant that Saul’s plan had failed.  As long as we are faithful to God, man's plans to destroy us will always fail.  Saul had no choice but to give his daughter to David in marriage.   Verse twenty-eight declares, And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.  I am sure that it was much to Saul’s dismay that he realized that God was with David and not with Saul himself, and adding to Saul’s dismay was the fact that Michal actually loved David.  I believe the people of the world are often dismayed when their plans to destroy Christians backfire on them, and ultimately they all will.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.  Saul was now even more afraid of David, because David was now a part of Saul's family, giving him even more  power in the eyes of the rest of Israel, and Saul became David’s enemy continually.  We should note that this was a one-sided hatred.  David was still loyal to Saul.  When  people of the world treat us with hatred, we are still called on to treat them with Godly love.  Verse thirty concludes. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.  The Philistines were getting ready for another war, and David was still behaving even more wisely, which made the people of Israel esteem him highly.  There will always be enemies of God at war with Christians, and all we can do is be ready and behave in a way that pleases God and brings honor to Him.

1 Samuel 18:12

1 Samuel 18:12 says, And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.  Saul was afraid of David, not because David was stronger or richer, but because God was with David and had departed from Saul.  I believe it is more accurate to say that Saul had stopped being obedient to God and David still was obedient to Him.  As followers of Christ, we can be certain that God is not going to just arbitrarily leave us, so if we believe that He is blessing someone else more, instead of being jealous, we just need to get closer to God.  Verse thirteen adds,  Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.  Saul moved David away from himself by making him a captain over a thousand, and David went 8n and came out before the people.  Of course, this had the effect of making David more visible and endeared to the people of Israel, which certainly had not been Saul’s intention.  The best laid plans of those who stand against God today will always ultimately fail, and at times may have the opposite effect of what they intended.  Verse fourteen continues, And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.  David continued to behave wisely, or under the direction of God, since all true wisdom comes from God.  David was still faithfully serving Saul and even though he had already been anointed as the king of Israel, he was content to let it happen in God's time.  If we know that God has called us for a particular purpose in the church today, we need to just continue to serve Him until He decides the time is right for us to do what He has called us to do.  We should never attempt to force ourself into any position before God says it's time.  Verse fifteen states, Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. Seeing how wisely David behaved made Saul even more afraid of him.  When we act wisely, or under God's leadership, as Christians in the world today, we should not be surprised if the people of the world become even more afraid us.  If we are no different than them, they will have no reason to even think about us, much less be afraid of us.  Verse sixteen continues, But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.  All the people of Israel and Judah loved David, because he was always out amongst them.  As followers of Christ, if we want the people of the world to love us today, we need to first love them and be out amongst them.  We cannot reach the world with the gospel of Christ by withdrawing from it.  We need to be out amongst them with Godly wisdom guiding us.  Verse seventeen says, And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.  Saul then devised a plan to have David marry one of his daughters, which would show the people of Israel that he loved David, and then have David to swear to act valiantly for him.  All this was done not out of any love for David, but for the purpose of having David die in battle, so the people would not know that Saul wanted him dead.  As Christians, people today may appear to be our friends while they are secretly plotting how to destroy us.  Verse eighteen adds, And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?  David asked Saul who he was or even who his father was that he should become the son of a king, which he would have been considered had he married Saul’s daughter.   We need to realize that this all happened after Samuel, under God's direction, had already anointed David as king, but David was still humble servant to Saul.  I believe that sometimes as Christians, we let self-pride get in the way of our effectively fulfilling the position that God has called us to.  Verse nineteen continues, But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul’s daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.  At the time when Saul’s daughter, Merab, should have been marrying David, she was given in marriage to another man instead.  Matthew Henry says Saul did this in an attempt to get David to mutiny against him, and then Saul would have had a reason to kill David.  We can be certain that the people of the world are often going to do everything they can to get us to react in anger instead of out of love and concern under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. 

1 Samuel 18:1

1 Samuel 18:1 says, And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  After Jonathan heard David's speech to Saul, he began to love David like a brother as much as he loved his own soul.   Jonathan, who it would seem should have been the heir to the throne was not jealous of David, but accepted him wholeheartedly like a brother.  We cannot allow what we may assume should be our future position in the church to cause us to be jealous of someone God has  chosen instead.  Verse two adds, And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. After David defeated Goliath, Saul took him into his house and would not allow him to return home to his father.  Though Saul didn't know it, he had brought his replacement as king into the place he governed from.  If people today are in a position of leadership in the church but are not following God's will, their replacement may already be with them and they do not even realize it.  Verse three continues, Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  Jonathan and David made a covenant between themselves that day, because Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.   We are not told what this covenant was, but can assume it was to always support one another no matter what was happening.   We need Christian friends like that today.  Verse four concludes, And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.  Jonathan gave David his robe and his armament.  He didn't know it, but David was already anointed as replacement as the future king, so this would have symbolically transferred that position.  Even if we think we should be the next to assume a position of leadership in the church, we should never allow that to keep us from being friends with someone that God has called to the position instead.  Matthew Henry equates this with Jesus's love for the church, where He stripped Himself of His royal robes, but instead of putting them on us, He put on our fifty rags instead, spiritually speaking.  Verse five states, And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.  David was obedient to Saul, going wherever Saul sent him, and Saul set him over the men of war.  Matthew Henry points out that Abner was still the overall leader of the army, but that David was placed in some position of authority over them.  Today, instead of attempting to hang on to a position of power in the church and maybe even thinking that one of our children should succeed us,we need to be preparing for the replacement that God has chosen to be called.  Verse six adds, And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.  After a period of time, when David would return from battling the Philistines, the woman would come out sining praises, not to David, but to Saul.   Since Saul was still king, this would have been normal, and we don't read anything about David resenting this fact.  Not that we serve God for personal glory, but we need to be careful that we don't become jealous if someone else is praised for something that we did in the church.  Verse seven continues, And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.  Of course, even as the women sang praises to Saul, they gave David more honor, saying Ssul had killed his thousands and David his ten-thousands.  I don't believe that David was seeking this praise, and neither should we be seeking praise above any other person who is in a position of leadership in the church today, even if they like Saul may not be following God's guidance.  Verse eight says, And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?   David might not have been seeking their praise, but Saul definitely noted it.  He asked if they were attributing more honor to David than to Saul himself, then what more could David want but his kingdom.  Two things we should note.  First,  God had already given David the kingdom, and second, it was not Saul's kingdom to give or have taken away from him, but it was God's kingdom.  As long as we as followers of Christ recognize that the Church is God's and He calls people into positions of leadership, we have no reason to envy anyone.  Verse nine adds, And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.  Saul began to watch David from that day forward.  Though David had no intention of overthrowing Saul, Saul’s jealousy made him think he did.  We can never control how our fellow Christians view us, but as long as we are obedient to God, it is not our responsibility to placate them.  Verse ten continues, And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.  We are told that an evil spirit from God came upon Saul, but as stated earlier,  I don't believe God sends evil spirits on anyone.  I believe more accurately it would be that Saul allowed an evil spirit to control him and attributed it to God, and then under the influence of the evil spirit, he began to prophesy.  Matthew Henry says this was likely to make it seem that God was behind his coming behavior.  I don't believe that as followers of Christ that we should ever attempt to credit God with our evil behavior, and we certainly should never try to use this to justify our bad behavior if we act on it.  Verse eleven concludes, And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.  Saul then threw a javelin at David twice, but missed both times.  Saul thought if he killed David that his problems would be over, but his problem was not David, but God's rejection of him because of his own unwillingness to serve God.  If we as Christians are unwilling to do what God calls us to do, we should never become angry with someone who is willing. 

1 Samuel 17:48

1 Samuel 17:48 says, And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  When the Philistine army came toward David, he rushed to meet them and their champion, Goliath.  He not only didn't run away, but he ran toward the enemy.  We should also never run from the enemies of God today, but should be ready to meet them head on.  Verse forty-nine adds, And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.  David was armed only with a sling and a few rocks plus his faith in God, but that was enough.  As long as we are faithful to God, He will provide us with all we need to succeed.  The first rock sunk into Goliath's forehead, and he fell face down to the ground.  David had no need of the other rocks, but even with faith it is best to be as prepared as possible when facing the giants in our life.  Verse fifty continues, So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.  As just discussed, David prevailed over Goliath with a sling and a stone,and he had no sword in his hand for afterward.  Again, when we are acting by faith in God, if we need something to be successful, He will provide it.  Verse fifty-one states, Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head thereawith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.  Having no sword of his own, David ran to Goliath,  pulled his sword out of its sheath, and used it to cut off Goliath's head.  Goliath was so confident in his victory that he hadn't even drawn his sword.  He was also there representing the Philistines and their gods, and had said that the people following the one who lost would serve the people of the victor, but the Philistine army ran away in fear instead.  People of the world serving their gods today are still at times so unconcerned with Christians that they don't even draw their weapons against us.  Verse fifty-two adds, And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.  Saul and his army, who had been cowering in fear before Goliath suddenly found the courage to engage in battle.   It may only take one brave Christian to stand up by faith in God against what seems to be a giant by today to inspire other Christians to join the battle.  The Israelites chased the Philistines all the way to their cities.  Verse fifty-three continues, And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.  This says that when the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines they spoiled their tents, but as Matthew Henry points out, they brought the spoils of the war back to their tents.  Of course, since they were attempting to profit materially from their victory, and we are not told that God directed them to do this, they may have indeed spoiled their tents.  We are not called to fight evil in the world today so that we may profit materially from a victory, but instead so that God may be glorified.  Verse fifty-four declares, And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.  David took Goliath's head to Jerusalem, but he kept Goliath's armor in his tent.  Later, Goliath's sword would be preseved behind the ephod in the tabernacle consecrated to God as a memorial to His victory, because ultimately it was God and not David Who slew Goliath.  We need to consecrate our victories as followers of Christ today to God, because He is always the source of our victories.  Verse fifty-five adds, And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.  When Saul saw David go against Goliath, he asked Abner, who had earlier brought David to him to entertain him with the harp, whose son David was, and Abner said he could not tell.  Saul had forgotten David who had been gone from his court for some time.  David had just been a musician and not a champion of Israel.  Sometimes, it may be hard to see God's champions today because we have known them as something unimportant before.  Verse fifty-six continues, And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.  Saul told Abner to find out whose son David was.  We are not told Saul's motive for wanting to know, but David had done what Saul himself had failed to do.  Verse fifty-seven states, And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.  When David returned from the slaughter of the Philistines, with Goliath's head in his hand, Abner brought him to Saul.  Evidently, neither remembered David from his earlier time in the king's court.  We may be just as unmemerable to our fellow Christians today unless we do something that seems miraculous, and that should be okay with us.  David was not looking for praise for himself,  but for glory for God, as we should be doing today as Christians.  Verse fifty-eight adds, And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.  When Saul asked David whose son he was, David said he was the son of Saul’s servant Jesse of Bethlehem.  Whether Saul remembered David at this time or not we are not told.  David did not mention Samuel visiting his father and anointing David as king of Israel, but simply referred to him as Saul’s servant.  David was content to allow God to do things in His own time, and so must we be today. 

1 Samuel 17:40

1 Samuel 17:40 says, And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.  David had removed Saul's armor, and instead went to face Goliath with a five smooth stones he got out of a stream along the way and his sling. This wouldn't seem to be much armament against a well armed giant, but David was going by faith in God.  We may seem ill armed to fight against the forces of Satan in the world today, but even if we are armed to the teeth, we had better be relying on God and not superior weapons.  Give me God and a sling everytime over all the weapons in the world without Him.  Verse forty-one adds, And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.  Not only was Goliath armed, he had a shield bearer going before him, which would have freed his hands to be used in the battle.  As tall as Goliath was, I have to wonder how the shield bearer was able to shield him completely and of course we know that he didn't shield Goliath'shead.  As we engage in battle with the world today as Christians, we may find that they have people helping protect them, even by being shielded by the laws of man.  Verse forty-two continues, And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.  When Goliath saw David, he looked on him with disdain.  Goliath and challenged the people of Israel for days to send their best man to face him, and now he saw a youth had been sent.  What Goliath didn't.realize was that though he had no shield bearer, David was not alone.  He had God on his side to protect Him, and as followers of Christ, we always have the Holy Spirit with us to keep us safe forever, no matter what happens in this world.  Even if we were to lose the battle, we have already won the war.  Verse forty-three states, And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  Goliath asked David if he thought he was no more powerful than a dog that David would come at him with staves.  Goliath was full of self-pride, and because of that, he cursed David in the name of his gods.  People still look down on Christians today and curse them in the name of their gods, which is anything that they consider to be more powerful than God.  Verse forty-four adds, And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Goliath then told David to come to him, and he would not only kill him, but he would scatter his body for the birds and the beast to feed on.   People always have been willing to overlook the power of Christians who are acting under God's power and authority.  Of course, being a Christian in name only will leave us cowering as the rest of the people of Israel were doing.  They will also be willing to let us go fight the battle, even if they don't think we stand much of a chance of winning.  Verse forty-five declares, Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  David openly declared the source of His power, and that was the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel Whom Goliath had defied.  Of course, at this point the armies of Israel were not acting as though they believed in the power of God themselves.   We cannot allow people to insult God even if we stand alone against overwhelming odds if we are truly a follower of Christ.  David said Goliath might be better armed to fight, but that he was armed with something more important, and that was faith in God.  We need to realize this today as well.  We have the only God there is on our side.  Verse forty-six adds,This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  Though it might seem that David was bragging as Goliath had been, there was one main difference.  David didn't say that he was going to slay Goliath, but that God would deliver him into David's hand, and then he would kill him.  Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who put their faith in Him have already been given victory over all the powers of the world.  We simply need to be like David and act on our faith.  Verse forty-seven continues, And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.  David had said that when, not if, he defeated Goliath that the world would know that there is a God in Israel, and now he continues by saying that God does not save by the sword and spear, but by faith in His power.  We may profess to know that God is all powerful and that He has already defeated sin and death, but if we are unwilling to put our faith in Him, we will never truly know this.  David could have said that he knew God was going to give him the victory, but then refused to face Goliath.   We must be willing to face our giants head on if we are to be victorious for God, and if we do, we must then make sure that we give God the glory.  

1 Samuel 17:31

1 Samuel 17:31 says, And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.  People heard what David said and reported it to Saul.  David, a young shepherd and future king became the champion of Israel, because of his faith in God and not his own abilities.  As long as we as followers of Christ put our faith in Him, we have no reason to fear what appear to be giants to the world.  Verse thirty-two adds, And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. David told Saul to not let anyone's heart fail because of Goliath, because he would go fight him.  We need to be the one that gives others encouragement when things seem hopeless by standing faithfully with God.  Verse thirty-three continues, And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.  Saul told David he couldn't fight Goliath, because David was but a youth and Goliath was a man of war.  No matter how overpowering the odds may be for us, as a Christian if we put our faith in God then we will ultimately win.  Verse thirty-four states, And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:  David shared a story about when he was keeping his father's sheep and a lion and a bear took a lamb from the flock.  Against such odds, we might say that it was only a lamb and let it go, but if we begin to compromise when the odds are against us, we will probably continue to compromise even when the cost is higher.  Verse thirty-five adds, And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  David said that in spite of the danger, he went after the lion and killed it, and delivered the lamb out of its mouth.  This is the type faith we have today, where we are willing to take the lion by the beard if necessary to save a lost lamb.  Verse thirty-six continues, Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  David said that he killed both the lion and the bear, I believe implying by God's help, and the uncircumcised Philistine would be the same since he defied the Living God.  We may be okay with people ridiculing us as followers of Christ, but we should never allow anyone, no matter how powerful, to get away with ridiculing God.  Verse thirty-seven says, David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.  David then stated plainly that God had delivered him from the bear and the lion and said that God would do the same with Goliath.  Saul then told him to go and said may the LORD be with you.  Of course, Saul had really put little faith in God himself.  We need a faith like David's but too often have a faith like Saul's.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.  Saul attempted to put David in his armor, but it didn't fit.  We don't need to attempt to arm ourselves with someone else's armor, but only with faith in God.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.  David said he couldn't go in Saul's armor, because he hadn't proved it.  We must prove our faith more than someone else's armor.  David removed the armor and went by faith alone, and so should we.