August 7, 2024 

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 20:24-42

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 20:24-42; 1 Sam. 21:1-23:29; 1 Cor. 1:1-25

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” (1 Samuel 20:31)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Saul was paranoid. He was obsessed with retaining his royal power. Even though he knew that David had been anointed king of Israel in his place, his jealousy and his pride fueled a murderous rage against the son of Jesse. Saul’s rage was so intense that even his own son Jonathan got caught in the crosshairs and almost became a casualty. Saul was only interested in an earthly kingdom; he saw his son as the future heir.

Sometimes, in our short-sightedness, we get lost in our little earthly kingdoms and forget that God’s kingdom is much bigger. Whether it involves our place in the family, with friends, at school, at work, or even at church, we like to have it our way and maintain things just the way we like them. Last Sunday’s Gospel revealed what kind of king the Israelites wanted: one who could feed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, with plenty of leftovers. They couldn’t see beyond their own self-interests either. So it is with the Old Adam.

Israel wanted a king so they could be like the nations, even though Yahweh God had called them to be distinct. Yahweh Himself was their king. Nevertheless, Yahweh made provision for a king. Saul proved to be a failure, following his own impulses rather than God’s Word. Yahweh chose another king–David. In 2 Samuel, we see again that God is working something much bigger than establishing the nation Israel in the Promised Land. He’s at work to establish His eternal kingdom in Christ. He’s at work for you.

No wonder Satan drove Saul into a murderous rage against David! Something bigger than the kingdom of Israel was at stake. Kings wanted Jesus, the Son of David, dead. Remember murderous Herod? The religious establishment wanted Jesus dead, too. They lied, deceived, and plotted to kill Him. He didn’t fit into their vision of the kingdom. They nailed the King of the Jews to a cross. Their murderous plot succeeded. But like St. Paul says, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). At the cross, God was at work for you, for your eternal salvation. Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, you have a place in God’s eternal kingdom. Rejoice and sing! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Crown Him the Lord of Life, Who triumphed o’er the grave And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save. His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die. (LSB 525:4)

-Rev. Joel Fritsche, director of Vicarage and Deaconess Internships and assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Confessions play a vital role in the church—both centuries ago, and today. But, do they apply to the daily life of a layperson? Pastor Andy Wright offers a resounding “yes” in his book, Faithfully Formed. He quotes, summarizes, and synthesizes key teachings from the Confessions, revealing their relevance in the daily lives of ordinary people.