1 Samuel 20-21
Tales of
woe in the history of redemption.
1 Samuel
20
Vs. 1-11 I
think David came back to Jonathan because Jonathan had helped in the past, and
also because David hoped, like we all would have, that this broken situation
could be fixed. This is something that we all need to learn, and the quicker
the better. The kind of objectivity to think clearly only comes from being
absolutely secure in the Lord. Also, sometimes the Lord allows broken
relationships to stay broken to separate us from harm (Joseph from his brothers
and Canaan) and to work in our hearts in hard circumstances and isolation
(again, Joseph at Potiphar's and in prison). David's curriculum had already
begun, but it would still be years of suffering and running before he would
graduate.
Vs. 12-17
The very powerful thing that comes out of this event is the covenant they make.
Jonathan initiates this and that is significant. He realized that God was
exalting David. It was common in kingdoms to kill all the heirs of the throne
from the previous ruler. Jonathan realized that God would make David the king
and therefore wanted to hear David say that he would promise to protect his
family.
V. 14 This
seems to be Jonathan saying that if he is still alive when David becomes king,
that David would not harm him.
V. 16
Jonathan blessed David before the Lord. What an awesome spiritual man and model
of a disciple.
V. 17
These were two spiritual men who had a deep love and loyalty to one another.
Vs. 18-23
The reason for the boy and the arrows, I think, was that if Saul was really mad
enough to kill David, he would have had Jonathan followed, assuming that
Jonathan was going to David. Going out for target practice would be close to
home and apparently it was something Jonathan did often, so, no need to follow
him.
Vs. 24-29
Apparently everything looked good for the first day.
Vs. 30-34
Saul lost his mind, and a mind is a terrible thing to lose. He actually tried
to kill Jonathan. It is interesting that Saul knew that God wanted to make
David king. What an awful way to live, fighting against God.
Vs. 35-42
Jonathan and David renewed their covenant and parted. We'll see Jonathan again,
being an encouragement to David. What a contrast between father and son. Saul
had the irrational hatred and Jonathan had the supernatural love of God.
1 Samuel
21
Vs. 1-6
This is actually a famous situation in the NT. Jesus uses this story to show
that mercy and saving life are allowable reasons to "break" the
Sabbath.
V. 2 I see
this as a very unfortunate "hole" in David's character. I know he was
afraid, but he lied and didn't need to. David will continue to lie like a
trooper. Without realizing it (God knew) he was putting Ahimelech's entire
family / clan in danger. Remember God's curse on Eli and his branch of the
priestly family? That branch is this family and it's about to get broken.
V. 3 This
doesn't mean anything, but I find it interesting that when Jesus fed the 5000,
he had five loaves.
V. 5 This
appears to be another lie. It might have been David's practice to get his men
focused for a coming expedition, but this flight from fear was no ordinary or
planned mission.
V. 6 These
loaves had already been replaced for the day with new loaves. Normally only the
priests could eat these. Also, this means that the tabernacle and the Holy
Place were at Nob. The ark was still in Kiriath-jearim.
Vs. 7-9 So
why does it say that Doeg was there? Never trust a guy named Doeg.
V. 8
Another lie, and one that made no sense.
V. 9 It's
interesting that the ephod was there and David didn't think to use the Urim and
Thummim. David will learn to seek the Lord.
Vs. 10-15
Apparently David had the right idea, but the wrong timing. Later he would live
among the Philistines and this king will be his good buddy, but at this point
it was a bad idea. Just think: He had this "killer" reputation and he
was carrying the sword of Goliath, who was from Gath; and he was standing
before the king of Gath and surrounded by Philistines. What made him think this
was a good idea?
Notice in
v. 11 that they refer to David as a king, because he was given more honor in
the song than Saul. Even the Philistines understood the rebuke to Saul and the
exalting of David. Remember, David had been given honor for slaying
Philistines.
This was a
funny way to get himself out of this jam and Achish lands a great line in v.
15. This not only shows David's desperation, but it shows his lack of closeness
to the Lord. He'll need time in the wilderness. We all need time in the
wilderness to become the kinds of disciples who seek only God and follow Christ
in the harvest through trials and suffering, making disciples who will do the
same.
John 9
Jesus is
still in Jerusalem for the week of the Feast of Tabernacles, which followed the
week after the Day of Atonement. These symbols are rich in what has happened
here. During the feast, as the cleansing water was being brought into the
temple, Jesus had stopped the ceremony by crying out that He was the living
water. During the lighting of the great lanterns in the treasury / Court of
Women, Jesus had disrupted this ceremony saying He was the Light of the world. Six
months before His crucifixion, Jesus was making His claim to be Messiah.
Now, to
prove that Jesus is the Light of the world, the Father leads Jesus and the
disciples to notice a man. The disciples ask a question and Jesus realizes that
the Father has put this man there to give proof that Jesus is literally the
light that gives light to men. And to boot, it was the Sabbath. What was the
Father thinking?
Vs. 1-7 In
order for this man to have been punished for his own sin, he would have had to
have sinned in the womb since he was born blind. The people were very confused
about sin and the Pharisees helped the people feel sinful. Jesus said this
disability had been given in order to give God glory. That ought to make us
think too.
Notice
what Jesus says about works and light. I think this applies to us too. While it
is still light in the harvest, we need to make hay.
So, why
did Jesus make the clay? I think there were two reasons. First, it was to
challenge the leaders. This was a class "A" miracle and an obvious
sign that Jesus was the Christ, but making clay was forbidden on the Sabbath
and it was probably some violation of something to use spit. Second, it was for
the faith of the blind man. Jesus often tested faith in people He met. Going to
the pool and washing this off made the blind man have to show that he believed
Jesus.
Vs. 8-17
This is the first round of testimony given by the formerly blind man. This all
played out so naturally and innocently that it is actually profound. The people
didn't want to believe it, but they couldn't argue with the man. I like what he
said, "I am the man."
The point
of what Jesus did is shown in the conflict among the Pharisees in v. 16. The
work that the Father had given Jesus to do was amazing and they knew it. Some
of them couldn't deny it.
Vs. 18-23
This is the testimony of the parents. Their fear is understandable, but later
John will mention this same threat of being put out of the synagogue and
fearing to confess Jesus by saying, "for they loved the praise of men more
than the praise of God."
Vs. 24-34
Even the blind man could see the blindness of the Pharisees. What he says here
is totally honest and inspired by the Spirit. Could anything be more out of the
mouth of God? This is sort of like what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew
10, when He sent them out, When they
deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to
say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not
you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Vs. 35-38
Finally, Jesus sought out this man to comfort him; the man, desiring to see
Jesus, worshiped Him.
Vs. 39-41
The Pharisees apparently didn't know the old saying, "Never miss a good
chance to shut up." Jesus declared judgment and they stepped right into
it.
As Jesus
said to His disciples, if He was treated like this, and we disciples are no
better than He, we should expect the same treatment. Yet when we acknowledge
His name before men, He also acknowledges us before the Father and sends the
comfort we need. Also, this situation reminds us that we can't neglect the
harvest because of Pharisees or others who resist. Somewhere, there is someone
waiting in the darkness for the Word of light. And they will respond to the
light and follow.
Psalms 113
I know,
you're wondering what to get out of The Psalms, if all The Psalms are beginning
to sound the same.
First, you
have to gird up the loins of your mind; because believe it or not, you'll
finish The Psalms in June and begin again in July.
Second,
just observe repetitions and find the heart of the psalm; the reason for the
praise.
V. 1 This
is calling the servants of the Lord to praise Him. Every person was to see
himself as a servant living for the glory of the Lord on earth. This was the
purpose of Israel.
Vs. 2-3
God's praise is for all of time and for all of the earth, all generations and
all peoples.
Vs. 4-6
God is over all nations and looks over every person.
Vs. 7-8 He
has His eye on the poor.
V. 9 He
also has His eye on those without hope, symbolized by a barren woman. He cheers
their hearts.
Get this
stuff under your belt and you'll always have something for a devotional. Not
only that, as a disciple making disciples, if this stuff lights a fire in you,
you'll light a fire in those you are discipling. Discipleship is more often
"caught," than taught. And, you'll praise the Lord.
Psalm 114
Vs. 1-2
This summarized God's plan in bringing up Israel from Egypt. God ruled over
Israel through Judah. Not only did the king come from Judah, but the ark and
the temple were in Jerusalem.
Vs. 3-4
This is what happened as God came into the land.
Vs. 5-8
This is the call to the earth to submit to God's power.
If God can
control all that and cause all powers to bend to Him, how much more can we
depend on God for all the cares and challenges of our lives as we follow Christ
in the harvest?
Proverbs 15:15-17
Can you
think of three verses that hang together so well, that say so much?
For us as disciples, what I think of when I read these is, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you (Luke 12:30-31).
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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 complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
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