Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 16-17 NET, Ch. 18-20 NKJV

Podcast Introduction

Today is History Tuesday. We’ll read 1 Samuel 16-20. I’m calling the episode “Get In the Game.” 

Design: SWS and Steve Webb | Photo: Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash

Comments on 1 Samuel 16

"14Now the Spirit of the Lord had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!” ~1 Samuel 16:14-15 NET

An evil spirit from the Lord? God is not the author of evil. Therefore there could not be an evil spirit from the Lord. This is an example of a faulty translation. Several translations use this word, but other translations say “an injurious spirit” or a tormenting spirit. The notes in this translation (NET) say, “The  Hebrew word translated “evil” may refer to the character of the spirit or to its effect upon Saul. If the latter, another translation option might be “a mischief-making spirit.’ 

I also like the NKJV’s translation here: a distressing spirit.

It’s been said that if you live long enough, you will have regrets. Regrets are often times caused by sin. Could be the sin of commission, or could be the sin of omission. We regret what we  have done, or what we haven’t done. At my age, I have lived long enough to have a few regrets. And some of those regrets have caused distress. I have lost sleep over them. Or to use one of the other words I referenced earlier, I have been tormented by some of the regrets in my life. 

Imagine the regrets Saul must have had in losing God’s anointing? To know that he was God’s chosen to lead God’s people, and then to have that taken away because of bad decisions? I have an inkling of how tormented he must have been. 

Regrets can be good if they cause us to confess the sin that brought them on. I'm so thankful that God has provided a way to put our regrets behind us. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.”

Comments on 1 Samuel 17

Let me say that this translation disagrees with most other translations in regards to Goliath’s height. In our translation today, the number given was “close to seven feet tall”. Most others say it was six cubits and a span. So what is a cubit, and what is a span? 

Before mankind had agreed on standard lengths, they often used body parts to measure distances. Today, a foot is standardized at 12 inches. Back then, a foot was however long the measurer’s foot was. A cubit was the length of a forearm. The average was about 18 inches, but it could be a little longer or a little shorter. The span was the width from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when the fingers are extended, or widened apart. That’s about 9 inches. So a span is about a half a cubit. So, doing the math, Goliath was 117 inches in height, or 9 feet, 9 inches. 

And something that might seem a little strange about this story. At the end of the chapter, we’re told that Saul asked his general, Abner, who this boy is. At first, if you isolate the story, that seems like a reasonable question. But if we take it in the context of what we have already read in previous chapters, Saul has already met David. Remember? David was the musician who’s playing had calmed Saul when he was being tormented after God withdrew His spirit from him, and afflicted him with an evil spirit, or some sort of mental disease. And that is the key as to why Saul doesn’t recognize David here on the battlefield. He has not been mentally and/or spiritually healthy. He hasn’t been in his own mind. He has been confused. And the last thing he expects is the young shepherd boy who was a skillful and talented musician, to turn up on the battlefield with more courage than he and his entire army!

But David’s courage was not based on his own strength ...