1 Samuel 22-23
1 Sam. 22
Vs. 1-5 First, David escaped from Gath and regrouped in the cave at Adullam. Notice the people who came to David.
In taking his family to Moab for safety, David could claim that his great grandmother was also from Moab.
I don't know if Gad the prophet traveled with David, but this was good advice and David began to ask the Lord more and more about what he should do.
Vs. 6-19 This is Saul at his worst.
Saul had to appeal to a foreigner, Doeg, the Edomite, to kill the priests. Never trust a guy name Doeg.
Notice that when Saul was commanded to kill everything that belonged to the Amalekites, he didn't do it. Here, regarding the city of Nod, a defenseless city of the priests, He declared "holy war" by killing everyone and everything, using a non-Israelite to do his dirty work.
The reason Saul did this will be clear when you read that though David helped cities, they turned against him. They were afraid because of this. If Saul would destroy a city of priests and their families, it was clear that he had no respect for God and was totally ruthless.
It is interesting that later Saul will seek the Lord, and God will not answer. Go figure.
It should be noted that this was in fulfillment of the curse that God put on the priestly lineage of Eli (from Aaron's son Ithamar). After this, two priests would emerge, Abiathar, the last priest who would ever serve God from Eli's lineage, and Zadok, from the other priestly family originating in Aaron's son Eleazar. Abiathar will be retired (with his life spared because of his rebellion), when Solomon becomes king. From that point on, the only priests come from the family and lineage of Zadok.
Vs. 20-23 It seems that David understood that his lying had had a part in the slaughtering of Abiathar's family. Saul would have killed them anyway because they helped David, but at least they would have known what was going on and could have protected their families. One good thing David got out of this deal was that Abiathar brought the ephod with the Urim and Thummim.
1 Samuel 23
V. 2 This is the first mention of David inquiring of the Lord. Very cool. Verse 6 explains what made this "inquiring" possible. When you see the ephod, you think of the U&T, right? These things were the best kept secret in Israel and seldom used, but David's wearing them out now.
What I find interesting in all of these adventures in Keilah is that as David was seeking the Lord, asking Him the questions that were on everyone's mind, David was also teaching his motley crew to seek the Lord and depend on Him. This is how David really became their leader, and it was under pressure and in dangerous times.
Notice that in verse 13, David's little army had grown since 22:2.
V. 14 It is hard to know how much time is passing, but the danger was present every day for a while.
V. 16 Did you know this was here? It touches my heart to read this. So little is said about Jonathan, but what a heroic man of God he was. Supposedly the name means "Yahweh has given." Well Jonathan submitted to both God and David in giving up his right to rule. And in Jonathan, God gave David a friend that he really didn't deserve. More about this when we see how David treats Jonathan's son.
Notice that Jonathan strengthens David's hand in the Lord. This was no ordinary pep talk. The German says that Jonathan strengthened David's trust in God. What a model of Barnabas and as a selfless disciple maker.
V. 21 These are incredible, contradictory words.
Vs. 25-29 This is David's closest call. They were separated only by the space of a few minutes. David not only had 600 men, but the men had families, and families have babies and highchairs and strollers (all terrain) and potty chairs and tents and, plasmas, and computers, and cappuccino makers, and, and, and…. That's all to say that this was not easy. The text here doesn't talk about their families, but when David lands at Ziklag and the town is overrun, it says that everyone lost someone to the kidnappers. Again, reading year after year, letting the Spirit make slow, natural connections, pays off and adds human feel to the details.
We see this very one dimensionally and objectively. We don't feel the heat or sense the urgency, but it was all there. Ironically, in the middle of this desperate escape, God was so present that Saul could have been a million miles away, because God wasn't going to let David get caught. It is good to remember God's sovereignty even when we are acting with God's urgency, going nuts and sweating like crazy.
John 10:1-21
This is such a great portion of Scripture, I really don't need to say much. What it says to us as disciples is deeper than any of us could ever go.
One note: This reading concludes at verse 21. This all is happening in October. Verse 22 picks up at Hanukkah in December.
As you read, look for stuff to underline, especially about doors and shepherds. Take a little time to figure out what all that means.
Vs. 17-18 Jesus is saying that He has not only the authority to give His life as a sacrifice for us, but also the authority to resurrect Himself. Of course, Jesus is God the Son; but as a man, in submission to the Father as the Son of God and the Son of Man, He had to receive that authority.
As disciples following our Lord, we are under authority too. We are not our own, we've been bought with a price. We are called according to His purpose and given the Spirit to be His witnesses in His harvest.
Psalm 115
This psalm seems to echo how close and dependable the Lord is to His people.
Vs. 4-8 is the contrast. The nations, but also Israel, followed idols. The irony in verse 8 is interesting. Not only do people who trust in idols become dumb like the idol, but they actually trust in themselves.
I know we all laugh at the thoughts of idols, but when we're in need, it is easier to go to the plastic (charge card) than to sit before the Lord in silence, waiting until He answers as only He can.
Proverbs 15:18-19
In contrast to yesterday when the three verses fit together, we have these very different verses.
So, I figure it like this: A hot-tempered man is like a sluggard in the sharp contrasts, edges and unevenness in his life. The upright controls his temper and is balanced in dealing with his life before 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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