1 Samuel 13:23-14:52
1 Sam. 13:23-14:16
From the introduction of the people who were with Saul, you can see that the Tabernacle was still at Shiloh. The priest were there wearing the ephod with the Urim and Thummim (U&T). It doesn't appear that Saul was asking direction, but was apparently ready for battle.
Notice that Icabod is mentioned, not as being there, but as a relative of the priest. This gives us a sense for the passage of time and locating the time historically.
Jonathan was apparently "ready" too, but because of his faith. Jonathan has already been introduced in 13:3. Now we see him for the great, unsung hero of faith and man of God that he was. He is sort of like a "Barnabas" to David. Here we see his faith and courage.
V.15 God even provided some "music" to go with Jonathan's victory.
1Sam. 14:17-35
V. 18 is a bit of a question. In the Greek translation of the OT and in the Luther translation, it says "ephod," instead of "ark." If it was the ark, my bad, because I misspoke saying that the only time the ark was taken into battle was the battle where the ark was captured.
I'm not sure what Hebrew manuscript the Greek translators had, but they apparently were using a manuscript that said "ephod," and ephod is very different than ark. In the context, Saul asks for the "ark" to be brought to him so he can ask a question and receive an answer. Normally he would have asked for the ephod with the U&T. In verse 19 when Saul tells the priest to withdraw his hand, it sounds like Saul is saying not to use the U&T in light of the fact that there is enough action going on and everyone knows what to do. It makes sense to me that it was the ephod, not the ark, that was always being brought with Saul. It would have made sense to always have a priest with the ephod on hand and ask questions of the Lord. My feeling, however, is that they didn't want to lose the ark again. They regarded the ark as valuable and holy and dangerous. I think that the Septuagint has it right and this was the ephod, not the ark.
If the ark was there, it had been brought from Kiriath-jearim and was returned there.
Vs. 24-30 Why do you think the writer included this story? What does it tell you about Saul and about Jonathan?
Vs. 31-35 A picture of Saul's leadership? Good intensions, emotion, ego and "god words" lead people to dishonor the Lord.
1 Sam. 14:36-46
V. 37 They were using the U&T. What is interesting to me is that either we're missing some of the input by the priests, or Saul did have some perception into the Lord and the Lord's silence. He knew enough to know that if the Lord wasn't answering, it was because someone violated the vow.
What I don't understand is how Jonathan violated the vow when he hadn't heard it being made.
The people saved Jonathan simply by over powering Saul's resolve, which wasn't hard. The word used is that the people "ransomed" Jonathan. This means they delivered or rescued him, not that they paid something for him or someone took his place like Christ took our place and was Himself our ransom and ransom price.
In the Greek translation of the OT, it says they prayed for Jonathan that he might not die.
1 Sam. 14:47-52
It would seem that this summary describes Saul as a successful king. His failure at Gilgal showed that his heart didn't belong to the Lord. The Lord would seek a man after his own heart. We'll meet him tomorrow.
John 7:30-52
Jerusalem was not a large city. There were a lot of people there for this feast but it wasn't impossible to find Jesus. The only explanation to them not arresting Jesus was that His time had not yet come. In a way, as disciples, that should give us a perspective of God's presence and sovereignty in our lives too. We don't have to be silly and run with the bulls, but if God calls us to do something, including running with the bulls, we know nothing can happen to us that isn't in God's plan and timing.
V. 31 It is hard to understand what this "belief" meant. I'm sure some of it was saving faith, but the crowds turned pretty quickly. We'll see some of this in chapter 8, in a couple of days.
Vs. 32-36 Later, the night before Jesus dies, He will say this same thing to the disciples and they won't understand it either, but they believed in Him, so they did join Him, except for Judas, who wasn't there when Jesus said it later, but was gone selling Him out to these guys. (And you thought only the apostle Paul could write convoluted sentences.)
Vs. 37-39 It is interesting that what Jesus did here seems so hidden in the text. This seems like it was just a little event.
Jesus chose the most vital moment of the feast and, SUDDENLY, did the equivalent of running on the football field with a loud speaker and stopping the entire game and getting everyone to hear Him. Jesus completely disrupted this sacred day of the feast. Possibly more so than His entrance into Jerusalem on the donkey (which was a fulfillment of Scripture and official), this was His verbal presentation of Himself to Israel. Imagine being at a ballgame and suddenly having this guy stop everything and say something like this about himself.
Vs. 40-52 Confusion followed and more will come.
Psalm 109
Knowing what David did to Uriah, if it were not for the prophetic nature of this psalm, this would be hard to accept from him. But as it is, I found a couple of references to Jesus' betrayal and what happened as He was on the cross.
Notice that what saves David is his confidence in God's steadfast love. I find that very true and important for myself these days. I think it's always important, but we don't always value it as we should.
It is interesting what the Lord uses to give us strength and hope in certain seasons of life. As disciples following Christ in the harvest, it is good to look at how the Lord has "wired" you and what He's given you that gives you strength and courage and inspires you to come back to His feet and dare again to do great things.
During our church plant in Germany, I was working totally beyond my ability on all levels (which doesn't say much for my ability on any level, but God is Great). One of my ministries was leading the youth and young adult ministry (in Germany it was all one group) and, for this, train and lead a praise group. By God's grace I bumbled into a treasure cove of Hillsong praise music. Not only did the group love this music, but as I was learning it to teach them, it fed my heart. I really got to like this one writer/musician, Reuben Morgan (he's the lead acoustic guitar in the center, next to Darlene Zschech). Most of these songs seemed written for my heart. This is one of those songs that the Lord used to give strength to a weary soldier and help me keep my focus on God's unfailing love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PzABfJzpAQ
Proverbs 15:5-7
So, I'm wondering if a wise man gets rich in the treasures of the knowledge of God by heeding the instruction of his father, who loved the Lord.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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