1 Samuel 22-23
Here are some dark days in the history of redemption.
1 Samuel 22
Vs. 1-5 First, David escaped from Gath and regrouped in the
cave at Adullam. Notice the people who came to David. This cave was between Gath
and Jerusalem and is thought to be the place or near the place where David
killed Goliath.
In taking his family to Moab for safety, David could claim
that his great grandmother, Ruth, 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 no qualms or
conscience about killing the priests, but he had to appeal to a foreigner,
Doeg, the Edomite, to kill the priests. Never trust a guy named 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 Nob, 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 later read
that though David helped cities, they turned against him. The cities were
afraid of Saul because of this heartless destruction. If Saul would destroy a
city of priests and their families, it was clear that he had no respect for God
or anyone else. He 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. God is often very patient,
even in His judgments.
Vs. 20-23 It seems that David understood that his lying had
played 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
(U&T).
1 Samuel 23
Vs. 1-5 David had been a shepherd and was anointed as a boy
to be the future king. Although David would run for the next 10 years, God had
a plan for him. God would use David to protect Israel and to know not to put
his trust in people, but rather wholly in the Lord. Notice that David's men
were afraid because they would be going closer to Saul if they saved Keilah.
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 was wearing them out now.
Vs. 6-14 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 v. 13, David's little army had grown since 1 Samuel
22:2, from 400 to 600.
V. 14 It is hard to know how much time is passing, but the
danger was present every day for a while. Yet it was through this danger and
stress that David could see daily how the Lord was protecting him.
Vs. 15-18 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 strengthened 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 a selfless disciple maker.
Vs. 19-29 I'm sure this treachery hurt David but the Lord
kept David safe.
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
also had families, and families have babies, highchairs, 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.
V. 27 Then, in the nick of time, a messenger arrived telling
Saul that the Philistines had raided a city and without knowing how close he
was to finding David, Saul broke off the search and went away. David wasn't
saved permanently, but this small deliverance probably had a psalm written for
it.
Because we weren't there, we see these events 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 in
the harvest. We can work hard but still be calm, knowing that our Father is
working.
John 10:1-21
This is
such a great portion of Scripture that what it says to us as disciples is
deeper than any of us could ever go. Note that this reading concludes at v. 21.
All of this 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. 1-6
What Jesus says here is immediately after what He just said to these Pharisees.
As shepherds, they had just cast this sheep out of the synagogue. This is why
Jesus launches into this talk. They showed by their action against this man who
had been blind, that they were robbers and thieves and had not entered the sheepfold
by the right way. And then to boot, they didn't get what Jesus was saying.
Vs. 7-10
So to explain what He meant, Jesus further confused the Pharisees by telling
them who He was. Here Jesus says that the only way to come into the fold as a
sheep or a shepherd is through Him. He is the door to serve the sheep and He is
the door for the sheep. Those who come to Him are saved and find pasture and
life.
Vs. 11-13
Now Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd who dies for the sheep. Notice that
dying for the sheep is how He will protect them.
Vs. 14-16
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus calls His
sheep; they know His voice, and they follow Him. I wonder if the Pharisees
understood that they couldn't hear His voice. Notice that Jesus is saying that
He also had Gentile sheep and that there would eventually be one flock.
Vs. 17-18
This is the authority that Jesus
spoke of back in John 5. The Father has granted Him to have life in Himself.
Although no one could take it from Him, as the Good Shepherd, Jesus willingly
laid down His life for the sheep. Hallelujah!
Vs. 19-21
This is a very interesting look into the minds of the leaders of the people.
Most of them simply rebelled, but some of the priests, scribes and Pharisees
were being honest and were challenged by the spiritual truth in Jesus' words.
Later it will say that many, even among the authorities, believed in Jesus.
They were just afraid to admit it.
Jesus will
pick up this same line of teaching in the next verse, which will occur two
months later.
As
disciples following our Lord, we are also under the authority of the Father. We
are not our own; we've been bought with a price, and there are sheep who need
to hear the message of Christ. We are called according to His purpose and given
the Spirit to be His witnesses in His harvest.
And as
disciples we need to remember that we are His sheep and need to follow His
voice.
Psalm 115
This psalm seems to echo how alive, close and dependable the
Lord is to His people. This was probably written during the reign of David or
some other king who promoted the worship of Yahweh.
V. 1 The declaration of worship here is to give glory to the
living God who is known by His steadfast
love and faithfulness.
Vs. 2-3 Notice the contrast. The nations that have idols
wonder where Israel's idols are. Israel, according to the psalmist and God,
didn't need idols. They had a living God in heaven.
Vs. 4-8 These verses are full of the contradictions of
serving idols. The nations, but also
Israel, followed idols. The irony in v. 8 is interesting. Not only do people
who trust in idols become dumb like the idol, but they also actually trust in
themselves.
Vs. 9-13 This is the call for Israel to throw away their
idols and trust in God. Notice the repetition of words like help, trust, and bless. This is
what only the living God can do and He promised to do just that in the law.
Notice the mention of Aaron. This is referring to the priesthood and worship at
the tabernacle. That was where Israel was supposed to gather for worship and be
blessed. Instead they worshiped and sacrificed on every high hill. This writer,
possibly David, wanted the people to return to God.
Vs. 14-16 The Lord is the one who blesses, because He is the Creator of everything.
Vs. 17-18 Most religions have some sort of rite for the
dead. Israel didn't have that. Israel was to worship and praise the living God
who saved them. The forevermore
suggests that those the Lord has saved will, in fact, praise Him forevermore, because they will be alive
in Him.
As disciples, all of this talk about idols shouldn't be
taken lightly. I know we all laugh at the thought 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 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.
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