Category: Nation Stream

Posted on

April 17


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I Samuel 26-31

We are in The Nation Stream today finishing the book of I Samuel. We are reading from the Good News Translation this week.

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David is such a man of upstanding character.  His years of solitude with God when he was young reflect in his behavior again and again. He is a skilled musician, a worshipper, a warrior who kills lions and bears and giants, he leads and rallies and inspires, he has cunning logic and people skills, and when he has a chance at killing someone who hates him with a vengeance … he doesn’t kill him!  Twice he opts not to kill his would-if he-could executioner. The fact that such a fighter is so gracious  and statesman-like is astonishing to anyone who understands human nature.

26 – Again, David is peering over a sleeping Saul and, with weapon in hand, he just walks away with the spear as evidence.  This is scarier than one might think.  David and friends have snuck in at night and walked through a filled camp. One man waking and shouting would have David killed without question. ‘Guts and daring’ could be added to the list of superlative traits that can be attached to David. The results following the revelation are similar. Saul talks admiringly and penitent as possible amid the embarrassment. Saul is such an obviously hollow soul. And there he is talking solicitous – surrounded by the soldiers he roused to help him go and kill a young man who could have killed him but didn’t. The difference between Israel’s current king that they chose, and the future one that God directed Samuel to anoint are as different as night and day to put it lightly.
27 – David was never again pursued by Saul after Saul was humiliated by David’s kindness a second time.  But he doesn’t know that Saul will never seek him again. Any time that Saul had ever been kind to David, it was a total lie. Saul was plotting. David, not knowing that Saul had resigned to leave David be, thought there was still a threat and he left for Philistia. He remained in that region until Saul was gone and he was enthroned king. During his years there he was a raider. Perhaps this was practice for when it was his assignment to expand the borders of Israel to the largest they would ever be. The Philistine king ended up trusting David. This is strange stuff but it is what is going on at this time.

28 – Meanwhile Saul makes his final pathetic error and it turns out to be what seals his doom. He goes to see a witch. He is terrified because warriors of Philistia have gathered against him. Samuel is gone, God isn’t answering and he is wondering what is next. He knew witchcraft was wrong and had expelled them from the country. Yet Saul himself goes to see one. It’s a fatal transgression and he will end up being killed in a day for his disobedience.  Saul never was one to obey the Lord.

29 – And back among the Philistines, David is endeared to Achish the Philistine king by now. Achish wants David to go with him to the next battle. He practically sees David as a token of good fortune and could use him. This is all convenient in Achish’s mind, but the other Philistine Kings don’t really know David except that he is an Israelite in hiding and therefore they don’t trust him. The issue of loyalty is an undying matter for all time isn’t it? David and Achish talk and realize it’s the better part of wisdom for David to return back to the coast of Philistia and sit this one out.
30 – David returned home after his conversation two days prior with Achish and his refuge town of Ziklag had been razed to the ground. Everything was stolen, all people had been kidnapped, possessions gone, anything left was burned. There was panic and grief among his 600 men who were planning to kill him.  It was the worst day of David’s life and y’might want to read the book by this similar title. David went straight to God as he had spent his whole life training himself to do and v. 6 says, “…but the Lord his God gave him great courage.”  David acts properly and quickly and recovers everything.  He again is humble and gracious amid great victory – and he shares all that is recovered from the Amalekites who had plundered his residence of Ziklag.  Keep in mind these are the Amalekites of whom Saul was ordered to rid from the earth – but as has been well established, Saul just can’t seem to obey.
31 – Saul is drawn into his final battle. Think: Who killed Saul? God? Philistines? The Philistines did wound him physically to the point of no return. But it was Saul’s disobedience and refusal to be anchored in God his savior – that’s what wounded him. And it was only a matter of time to where Saul killed himself. God brought him up and provided for him over and over. God spared him via David’s graciousness. Saul just outright could not do what he was told to do. He would not stand in for God and be a responsible King. Saul only looked out for himself and sought legitimacy through man’s approval.  We need to come to the end of observing Saul’s life and ask, “where does disobedience take us.”
Dear Holy Spirit, may we be shepherded by you and be found with a soul that is yielded and listening to you for our next step and our every move.  Amen.
Posted on

April 10


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I Samuel 21-25

We are in the Nation Stream and David is on the run from King Saul. We are reading from the Lexham English Bible this week.

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The jealous venom Saul had for David that began after Goliath was killed has reached full strength.  Saul hates him so furious that the hatred is driving Saul into madness.  Control freaks often end up going mad over time unless they can turn it over to God.  But Saul is turning out to be unable [actually refusing] to turn anything over to God.

David is well into his seven years of being a fugitive on the run.  He lived like a scrapper, did some real quick “thinking on his feet”, remained in pray, ultimately he kept his heart and head in tact (creatively so at times!).  It is interesting to talk to some old soldiers and have them gaze away, admit they were scared and then confess with a sigh, “those were the best months and years ever…”  Things were very exciting for David. Perhaps too exciting at times. But David made the best of it.  Through his “fear of God” [his reverence] David triumphed here too.
The compensating begins immediately when he is fed the holy bread. This isn’t to happen but he is hungry and on the run.  Then he is in hostile territory and exposed.  His feigning insanity erases the appearance of him being threatening and he survives.
22 – This entire chapter proves one thing: Saul has gone utterly manic and crazy.  The battle lines have been drawn and there is no reversing them. The soul of every man in the country had to decide from there on whether they were with Saul or with David.  It was a fatal mistake to choose unwisely. Imagine the devilish soul of Saul to kill 85 Hebrew priests and families and animals. David in his conquests did things that may appear similar but they were completely opposite. David eradicated communities that were so utterly wretched and diabolically sinful they the entire village was well on its way to cultural suicide and self -destruction.  Saul, on the other hand, is killing people that were working for God.  Saul is completely gone bad and is as bad off as Judas by now.
23 – notice that David, when faced with a dilemma of whether/when/how to fight back the Philistines, he pauses to inquire of God…twice.  This is something we do not see Saul doing.  This is a pattern we see over and again, especially in contrast to Saul.  David asks of God. When Saul is perplexed, he takes a poll.  He’s a politician if there ever was one. David is a statesman and king in the making.  The intrigue, the cunning, the meeting with Jonathan, the strategy and countering and countering again is the stuff of legend.  This is the thinking that has David to be a folk hero the world over to this day.
24 – David shows more character when he spares Saul’s life than anyone expects.  Most read this and personalize it to muse, “come on David, do it for Israel. The chump in charge needs to go now and here’s your opening.”  Amazing that David handles the incident in the cave the way he does, simply amazing.  Saul realizes what he is made of when he realizes how merciful David is.  Saul exclaims and confesses that David is a better man then Saul is. Biblical scholar, Dr. Halley humorously quips about this, that Saul acknowledged being a fool — but kept on being one.
25 – Samuel dies here. Note that Samuel was the last one who had had any spiritual input into SAul’s existence. And it had been a long time ago, btw.  This is the last of the last of any sign of any spiritual hope for Saul – and he (Samuel) is gone now.
It is impossible to not assess this chapter; the story of Abigail and Nabal and their vastly differing treatment of David and his men, and not see the obvious.  Nabal is a stin-gy scoundrel and Abigail is gracious and honoring.  Nabal dies and Abigail becomes wife to David before the chapter is out. Eventually Abigail is living in the King’s residence.  Nabal? he is composting in no time.  We need to see that it is vitally important to be about the things of God. Join in what God is doing.  When someone is immersed in the duties of the LORD and you can be of assistance, it is not wise to be one’s usually crotchety self. Honor that person. Pour out for that person. Supply them as you are able. Do we want to be involved in the things of God, or do we want to be found fighting them … like Saul.  It is dangerous to not see this and learn from Abigail and Nabal’s fates here.
Lord, we all go through suffering, but not as bad as David was put through. May we be writing and praying and be in the Psalms especially during difficult times.  Thank you for being with us regardless.  Amen.
Posted on

April 3


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I Samuel 17-20

We are in the Nation Stream today as we experience that classic story of David & Goliath. We are reading from the World English Bible.

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Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis

Lord, thank you for David’s example here.  We can shine with you and walk with you no matter who is against us, or how fierce the attitude is against us or how bleak the odds seem against us.  You will always give us the human and spiritual comfort that we need.  Amen.

David and Goliath – the battle seems to be a preview or a “trailer” of world history.  We’ve heard of this reference in so many contests.  Well the original story comes from here;

I Samuel 17.  It is intriguing that historians of all stripes and creeds will confess that monotheism hung upon the outcome of this battle. Theologically, God is bigger than our perspectives, but for that assessment [the fate of montheism] to be attached to this David/Goliath showdown is impressive.  David’s courage and confidence and skill; to be assured that he could drop this behemoth pagan goon in a single pop testifies to the fact that David was in touch with more than his dismissive brothers were aware of.  Saul tried to dress David in Saul’s armor so that any victory would be associated with Saul.  David doesn’t need it.  If David can take on a several hundred pound lion and a several hundred pound bear, then he can take on a several hundred pound man who lacks claws and teeth. Pastor Chuck Swindoll once called Goliath a “cross-eyed discus thrower” – he didn’t have much talent or break many records, but he sure kept the spectators awake!   We know the story of the five smooth stones. Goliath did have four other brothers so if the Philistines wanted to break contract and charge them in, David was ready to drop them too. Analyze this fascinating story from any angle and the discussion of it remains endless

18 – Saul’s character and paranoia are only further revealed in this string of stories. He treats David as an enemy AND has to hide that fact that he loathes him, is jealous, and scared of David.  David becomes all the more entwined in the Kingdom as Jonathan [Saul’s son] and David become “friends for life”. The chanting about David’s prowess is making Saul crazy.  Still, Saul wants him close (like Mafia thinking that is determined to keep enemies close-by). He throws spears at him after using music to make David vulnerable  He mocks David in offering his daughter then revoking the deal. He sends David on a fool’s mission to kill Philistines … time and again Saul shows his vapid character and David shows his faithfulness.
19 – things only get worse for Saul as it turns out his own home is committed to David over Saul.  Jonathan is caught in a duplicitous position in his sonship to the king and his friendship to the future king who is hated by the present king; his father.  Jonathan becomes vital informant to David and is strangely yet secretly protected by Jonathan. Michal, Saul’s daughter is Davids’ wife and she is eventually protecting David against the king; her father.  Saul might do well to read into the obvious but the LORD had left him and he is too crazed to see reality anymore.  In his effort to apprehend David, the LORD God of Israel intercepts again and “slays” all Saul’s messengers through using them to prophecy.  It’s certainly an odd scene.  It seems to only prove the mangled hilarity of trying to fight God or anyone who is indeed on God’s side.
20 – Then there’s the dinner, and David’s failure to appear for saying he was going to meet his family in Bethlehem, [remember I Sam. 18:2; Saul had forbidden this]. Jonathan’s attempting to cover for David threw Saul into a manic rage and now he is throwing spears at Jonathan; his own son!  The scene with Jonathan and David meeting, the part of the little boy present as a decoy and informant during the “arrows routine” – of which the young boy is oblivious – all this is nothing short of clever.  It shows more of the same mind of David that would win him numerous other battles and verify why Jonathan and he are such dear friends.  This would seem to be the benediction put upon their friendship as Jonathan is now starkly aware of his father’s hatred of David. Jonathan was a true hearted fellow and in his right mind, but he wasn’t going to trigger an open rebellion against his own father; the King.  So Jonathan and David part company and it is a sad day for the both of them.  Their final encounter is in ch. 23, but this one here in ch. 20 feels like they are both bracing themselves emotionally to part company. The friendship between them had become so costly.  And this made it all the more dear.