Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Samuel 27-31

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟟:𝟙𝟙

"And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, "lest they should tell about us and say, 'So David has done.'" Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines."

If you steal from a thief, does that make you more guilty or vindicated? Is it a virtue or a doubly vice?

David was a cunning guy. A masterful deceiver. Really, a descendant of Jacob!

BTW, in the parable of the shrewd manager, the master praised that wicked guy, and Jesus asked us to be like that guy in making friends for the kingdom. Let those who have spiritual ears hear what that means!

What would I do then if I were David!!??? 🤔🤔🤔

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟠:𝟟

"Then Saul said to his servants, ‘Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.’ And his servants said to him, ‘Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.’"

One can write a book analyzing the character of Saul from this chapter alone!

But for a WhatsApp post, this I have to say: Saul is so desperate that he went back to what he has banned. I remember 2 Peter 2:22, "a dog returns to his own vomit."

Well, remnant sin in life is also like this. We fight and avoid and do whatever it takes, but there are someday we just return to it. And it's the mercy of God that we receive grace upon grace. Saul perished from that battle!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟡:𝟠

"And David said to Achish, ‘But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?’"

What a bluff master! Anyway, he wasted his time there and his town was raided by enemies.

Was David stupid or extraordinarily cunning? But the Lord prevented him from the battle. At the same time, the Lord sent enemies to raid his own town.

He was busy bluffing when his own home was burnt down!

Just an observation for tonight!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟛𝟘:𝟞

"And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God."

For years I have been thinking and contending that this is the lowest moment of David's life, even lower than fleeing from Absalom. Here, even his people were wanting to stone him to death.

In the words of Lloyd Jones, "Thank God for "But" in the Bible." There's a "but" in this episode, in this very verse. What a powerful contrast it is! What a strategy! David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God.

There, I see why and how David is different from the rest, that he is known as a man after God's own heart!

Job was told by His wife to curse God and die, but...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were told to bow down, but...

Polycarp was told to deny Christ and be free, but...

Bunyan was asked to stop preaching and walk out of jail, but...

They put their trust in God! Trusting is the strength when everything fails.

Let God be our dwelling place, our fortress, our refuge, our defender, our protector, our strength, our joy, our life!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟛𝟙:𝟜

"Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it."

What a contrast of character between David and Saul! And what a tragedy to die in this way and to end the book of 1 Samuel!

David strengthened himself in the Lord in his lowest moment: Trusting. Saul took his own life in his lowest moment.

Saul feared men that they might abuse him. David trusted God when the people even tried to stone him to death.

Saul's situation was a probability. David’s situation was already happening!

If you have tasted and known the lovingkindness of God, no situation is too bad to abandon God. Those who haven't trusted God won't trust Him even if the dead come back to life. BTW, Samuel’s spirit was raised up to speak to Saul; nothing changed. And here lies Saul, decapitated.

Postscript: Even his armor-bearer refused to kill Saul. No euthanasia for him!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Samuel 21-26

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟙:𝟙𝟛

"So he disguised his sanity before them, and acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard."

Positively:

1. David never thought highly of himself; he didn't mind being treated as a fool.

2. David would do anything to survive; some people loved their honor and would die.

3. David didn't revolt against the anointed king.

Negatively:

1. David lacked trust in God, for which he would confess and repent later on.

Well, If I were David, I can't think of a better way than what he did. He was sinful, but in this episode, I might even be more sinful than him. Whether we like it or hate it, whether we can do better or worse, sin is sin!

Peter denied Christ when he feared the guards. Peter sank when he feared the waves. Abraham abandoned his wife Sarah when he feared Abimelech, so was Isaac. There's sin in fear! May we be people of courage!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟚:𝟙𝟠

"Then the king said to Doeg, "You turn around and attack the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod."

Saul dared to kill the priests of God. He massacred 85 people. Last time, Samuel mentioned that Saul could kill him. This Saul is a blood-monger.

Not surprising that people are attacking churches and preachers. How many churches, even in the civilized west, Canada are burnt down this year? No surprise if persecution, allegation, lynching come up anytime anywhere!

The priest Ahimelech stood his ground, even when all his households were at stake. How many will give up the Gospel if they [persecutors] threaten to kill their children?

The 2016 movie, The Silence portrayed such scene. A priest was asked to deny Christ or be dead. That was easy for him. But when the persecutors threatened to torture and started to torture his people, he apostatized.

Ahimelech stood his ground and all his family members up to 85 people were killed! Just for David that also! Hmmm! Some things are worth suffering and sacrificing, and dying for. Top among them is the Gospel! Oh! May I be found willing and ready when the time comes!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟛:𝟙𝟙

"’Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.’ And the LORD said, ‘He will come down.’"

I still remember myself getting so fascinated with this story even when I was a young boy reading my Bible. I had never heard it from anyone, but I read and understood. Till today, I have never heard anyone preach a sermon from this passage, nor have I read any exposition from anywhere. Well, it's a testimony that God's word is alive and powerful that even a young boy could understand by himself!

People say Bible is boring to read because they don't understand. Well, I don't understand why people say that. Sure, there are many things I can't make sense of when I am in my daily reading, but I almost always see something striking. How could Bible be boring!!!

All this to say: read your Bible regularly. All your excuses are funny and shall not vindicate you when you stand before its author. Having said that:

David earnestly inquired God [always] in this episode. Mentioned at least 4 times. God answered all of them; David didn't like anyone of them! 😂

God commissioned him to fight for Keilah. He did, but he wasn't allowed to enjoy the victory. Even the people of Keilah would deliver him to be executed. And Saul was still doing everything to kill David, even when he has driven away from their mutual enemies, Philistines.

God's ways are mysterious, which WhatsApp post has no time and space to reflect upon more!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟜:𝟠

"Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage."

What a list of contrast in this account of Saul and David.

And David would humble himself before such man, and even debased himself to a dog, oh dead dog, and to a flea (v14). Of course, he was talking about the harmlessness as doves. But why not choose a dove over a dead dog?

I struggle to respect a wicked man. I struggle to respect a foolish person. I struggle to respect an incompetent person. Oh! I can go on, but let me not disclose much of my vulnerability. 😶

It's something to learn from David. I was just listening to John Piper today, and he defined humility in this way "looking at other people and regarding them, whether they are or not, as worthy of your service." Wow! He got that from Phil2:3-4.

Well, David is that man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mR_U9rVwEc&t=496s

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟝: 𝟛𝟚-𝟛𝟛

"And David said to Abigail, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!’"

I don't like this story, but I like the demonstration of how God protected a man of God from committing sins. My years are few, but I have seen the protection of God in my life many times!

Last night I was listening to Sinclair Ferguson. He said that you will not be able to tell a difference between Peter and Judas on the night Jesus was betrayed and denied by them. It's the intercession of Jesus that leads Peter to repentance.

Spiritual victory, standing firm, spiritual discipline, repentance are the blessings of God. David Brainerd wrote in his journal many times that one of his struggles of sins is spiritual pride!

David must have been convicted heavily and deeply impressed by the approach of Abigail, he ended up marrying her! It's God who lives our spiritual life. It's we who live the life of the flesh (Galatians 2:20).

Even all these regular WhatsApp Posts!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟞:𝟚𝟜

"Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation."

No wonder Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Forgive us as we forgive others."

If David could be that merciful to a man like Saul, He knows God is better than him. There are times when we swallow our anger, hold our peace, maintain our composure; remember, God sees those and will reward you. If you being evil can do that, why won't the righteous Father do much more? (Matt. 7:11)

For every good deed we do, for every wrong thing we avoid, big or small, God sees it. May we at least learn to say like David!

If there's one thing we need to learn from David, it is how to pray. Look at how many Psalms he wrote! Let's practice praying like that. But to pray like that, we've got to do those acts of mercy, grace, goodness, etc.

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Samuel 16-20

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟞

v12 "So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he.’"

Even Bible reading Christians have a wrong view of David. I can understand that because narratives [what we heard] are often stronger than what we read. I myself have found myself many times flipping the pages of my Bible to confirm whether what I grew up hearing is indeed true or a myth! Like the stories of David, Noah, Gideon, and Christmas.

Those Sunday School teachers and preachers who added details, their mouths should be whacked, huh! 😬😂

BTW, just look at the description of David: ruddy, beautiful eyes, handsome. His brothers were all kingly in appearance v6. David came from a good stock of genes! He was the youngest, but not spoiled; he was very responsible, tending the sheep v11.

v16. Skillful player of harps chosen to be at the palace. Do you think Indian Idol winner Pawandeep Rajan will be invited to Rashtrapati Bhawan? A far talented guy than him was David. No wonder later on when he became king, he assembled musicians and psalms to praise God through music and songs.

v18. Skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, handsome, and Yahweh with him.

v21. Saul loved Him

v23. Saul would be refreshed by the presence of David.

He killed a bear and a lion. I don't think even Bruce Lee can do that!

I don't have beautiful eyes, rather I have to wear thick spectacles. I ain't handsome, I can't even slingshot off a bird, don't even play guitar. Well, "prudent in speech" is what I can think of to imitate him.

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟝

"But David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem."

An interesting mention in this chapter is the sheep, that David was a shepherd v15.

From Royal Court to wilderness to tend the sheep.

Even on the battlefield, with a conversation with his warrior brother, they talk about sheep again (v28).

When he decided to fight Goliath and came before the king, Saul, he talked about sheep again (v34).

When he came and stood before Goliath, he came like a shepherd, not as a warrior, again with a stick (staff) v40. ["shepherd" is mentioned again].

Even in the act of killing Goliath, David's shepherd bag is mentioned again v49.

I see a shepherd boy in this chapter. A shepherd, chosen to shepherd Israel. A shepherd who went to the Royal court to tend the needs of a king. A shepherd who took food to the battlefield for his brother. A shepherd who volunteered to fight those who despise God. A shepherd who refused to pretend to be who he was not (he refused Saul's armor, and delighted to be who he was). A shepherd who went to battle. A shepherd who won the battle.

No wonder, he wrote, "The Lord is my Shepherd!" (Ps.23) Yahweh is the Shepherd of this magnificent shepherd boy! And Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd!" (John 10).

And Jesus told Peter to be a shepherd (John 21). And Peter in turn tells the elders of the church to be shepherds (1 Pet 5).

#Shepherd, #Sheep, #Sheepfold

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟜

"David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him."

This was said of Joseph too. The stones that were thrown at him had become stepping stones to attain a further height of success and glory.

Saul planned to give Michal to be a snare to David, well, she loved him like anything!

Saul asked 100 Philistines that he [David] may be killed, well, David brought 200.

Saul sent him out to war to be killed, well, even the enemies esteemed him. And the Israelites and Saul's soldiers loved him!

That's what it looks like when God is with a person, and when a person walks with God. What further motivation do we need than this!?

Walking with God is not an absence of suffering, threats, troubles, and challenges; it's endurance, faithfulness, and going through all of them. That's why even Psalm 23 says, "Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"; it's walking through, not escaping.

Our Lord says, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church." The imagery here is not a prevention of trouble, nor an escape from trouble, but the walking through greatest trouble and threats!

Satan used Judas to kill Christ. Well, God raised Him up for the defeat of Satan and for our victory! Indeed, God can use the hurled stones for stepping stones to bring more glory to Him and His servant! In trouble and suffering, we may do well not to complain, but to contemplate, that's comely of Christians. The great Bible commentator Matthew Henry says, "Sinners in trouble bark like dogs; The godly in trouble mourn like doves." (Paraphrase).

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟡:𝟙

"Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death. But Jonathan, Saul's son, greatly delighted in David."

In this chapter alone, Saul tried to kill David thrice; and David was protected thrice. The intensity increased, not decreased; God's protection was also greater.

His friend Jonathan protected him in the palace. His wife Michal protected him in his home. Samuel's God protected him in God's house. In the public square, private home, sacred place, a man who dwells in God is protected!

Blessed is a man whose dwelling is God. Blessed is a man who has such friend, such wife, and such spiritual leader!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟚𝟘:𝟛𝟜

"Then Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food on the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved over David because his father had dishonored him."

Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan. Wow! Had Jonathan not a skilled warrior, he couldn't possibly escape that!

Jonathan was grieved because his father had set his mind to kill David. There's no mention that he was sad because his father almost killed him. His loss of appetite and sadness was in sympathy with David's condition.

Jonathan is an outstanding example of loving others! He would rather think of Saul's anger against David than [his father, Saul’s anger] upon him!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Samuel 8-15

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟠:𝟛

"His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice."

Never presume your children will grow up like you (especially your walk with God). Eli's sons weren't. Hezekiah's son, Manasseh wasn't. Samuel's sons weren't. John Piper's son wasn't. Francis Schaffer's son wasn't. Nietzsche and Darwin seemed to have a religious upbringing. I think even Miley Cyrus’ parents were church leaders!

Job prayed and made sacrifices for his children every early morning. But I am glad for the Gaithers' song: "Because He lives, this child can face tomorrow."

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟡:𝟚

"He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people."

His father was a mighty man of valor. He was tall and handsome. A perfect combination to be desired by all!

God gave them what they would want. BTW, let’s remember David accurately. He wasn't a weakling. He fought a lion and a bear. Would UFC fighter, or Modi or Kim Jong Un, or Vladimir Putin pick a fight with a bear or a lion? I don't think so!

God doesn't despise the rich, tall and handsome. He rejected Saul because of disobedience; God hates disobedient people! If you are poor, dwarfish, ugly, and also disobedient, how pathetic it is. Like Winston Churchill said of one woman, "Madam, I am drunk and will be sober by morning, but you will still be ugly in the morning!" Hahaha!

Saul was a son of a mighty man, and he himself tall and handsome!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟟

"But certain worthless men said, "How can this one deliver us?" And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent."

v6 says Saul was already a changed man. v9 repeats that Saul was really a changed man. v26 says God changed some people's hearts to stick with Saul.

Of course, who would want to stick with this coward? But God changed their hearts, and Saul has also become worthy of following. The amazing work of God. Whom God calls, God qualifies and equips for His work.

Well, there were some worthless men. Always! Where God works, Satan wants to stick in too. I am still young, but I have met some worthless men already!

Saul maintained his silence! Kudos to Saul, at least for this!

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟙:𝟛

"The elders of Jabesh said to him, ‘Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.’"

This story always fascinates me. Nahas sounds so gruesome yet he commands my respect. He allowed those inhabitants to ask help to kill him. He gave them chance, opportunity. A man of principle.

It is often said and seen in war history that in wartime there are no rules. They say, "All is fair in love and war." After all, only the winners live to tell that and write the history; they've got to justify their conduct.

Nahas dared to give them time to fight him! I wish the Taliban would do that! Or RSS would do that instead of lynching! I wish the underground of North East are man enough to do that instead of abducting and killing such and such!

All underground and terrorist leaders should salute Captain (King) Nahas! 😎

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟟-𝟙𝟠

"’Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king.’ So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel."

Samuel dared [proposed] to bring down rain in an unusual time of rain; he did! Are there Samuel-like people who are cut from the same cloth still in our times? Will God ever raise up such people like Samuel, Elijah, and Isaiah?

Or do we really need such people these days? I don't think so.

But are there people who are godly as them, who are as faithful as them, who are as prayerful as them? I would like to think so.

There are some godly men who have studied the sign of our times and warned what's about to unfold. And they are found to be right again and again!

Like the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, if we don't listen to them, nobody will listen even if Samuel shows up now. Actually, Saul didn't listen to Samuel when he was raised up by the Witch of Endor.

For example, Spurgeon has warned regarding the Downgrade Controversy. JC Ryle. Francis Schaffer etc...

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟙

"But Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash.’"

I am sure all of us can see Saul in ourselves. Saul was a son of Adam and Eve what to do! Playing the blame game. Or to be more fair: Saul made up 3 excuses that look really genuine to a natural man:

1. Saul blamed (made an excuse) the people that they were disloyal and deserted him.

2. Saul blamed (made an excuse) that Samuel didn't come a little earlier.

3. Saul blamed (made an excuse) that the enemies (problems) are challenging.

Indeed, an ignorant, arrogant fool was Saul! I-A-F – (not Indian-Air-Force) but Ignorant-Arrogant-Fool.

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟡

"Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.’"

Saul and Jonathan, father and son, what a set of characters! Totally different. Saul was a hypocrite. Saul was a coward. Saul's idea was dumb. He was willing even to kill Jonathan to save his face.

Everyone knew Jonathan was the hero. Even later on David will be the hero. Saul wanted to be a hero, but he never had the brain nor the guts of a hero. But he always wanted to remain in power!

There seems to be a lot of leaders like this, maybe even Biden! 🙂😂

 

𝟙 𝕊𝔸𝕄𝕌𝔼𝕃 𝟙𝟝:𝟛𝟘

"Then he said, ‘I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.’"

Once a man has tasted power, glory, and honor, he doesn't want to let them go. Most people will do anything to retain them. Saul was such one! He knew God had rejected him and Samuel was very displeased with him. Yet he asked Samuel to treat him as if Samuel and God were okay with him in front of the people!

And Samuel caved in, to this request. Very interesting! Was Samuel weak as Saul? Saul caved in, to the voice of the people (v24-25). And now Samuel listened to Saul. Well, I see the compassion of Samuel for Saul and the political situation of the nation.

Maybe sometimes, our actions may look compromising to some people, but we must sacrifice even our reputation if necessary. In this, Samuel did not love honor, power, glory as Saul did!