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“The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.  Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.  Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

The events of chapter 31 were predicted by Samuel at En-dor, so the only surprise today will be the shock of the prophecy coming true.  The battle scenes are brief and violent.  The Philistine victory is total.  Even across on the east bank of the Jordan, Israelites were forced to flee.  The foreigners’ treatment of Israel’s king and his family was typical for the time and place. 

Difficult as it is, one can also imagine an act of mercy toward David when it is the Philistines who take out the three most suitable claimants to Saul’s throne.  Now David will be spared most – but not all – of the disgusting work that would probably be required to consolidate the kingdom under the LORD’s anointed. 

But there is one moment of solemn hope.  When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead – tribes east of the Jordan – heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and went all night… to pay a final honor to Israel’s first king. 

Our verse for this week is Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Samuel 31.  Now let’s read it!

Today, the camera shifts to David in exile, and two episodes highlight the irony of his position.  In chapter 29, the other Philistine lords challenge Achish’s faith in David, disbelieving that he will stand with them against Saul.  By the end of chapter 30, the author will have masterfully positioned all the principle characters on the eve of the climactic battle, between Israel and the Philistines. 

There are a few details to take note of.  When the Philistine commanders refer to David’s band as “these Hebrews,” you can pick up on two things.  First, you’ve already noticed that there’s a derogatory slant, like calling them “these rebel scum.”  Second, it’s a term typically used by foreigners to refer toward Israelites, rather than Israelites using it themselves.  It’s unclear where this term came from or exactly what it means, but it carries the sense of being a “foreigner,” which may be what the New Testament author of Hebrews is picking up on.

It’s a bit jolting when Achish, the Philistine king, swears by the LORD God of Israel, that he’s sure David has been honest with him.  It’s also disconcerting when the Philistine lords bring out the popular refrain: “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”  It’s designed to make us fear for David, both for his life and for his integrity.  David makes a sincere show of wanting to fight against Saul, asking Achish, “What have I done?” and divine intervention might be required to keep him from harm.  

That intervention comes in chapter 30.  While David is pleading his case, the Amalekites raid his stronghold of Ziklag and exact revenge for David’s recent raids.   Tension abounds as now the locals speak of stoning him, for bringing disaster upon them.   But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God, and takes off in rescue, across the Negev, and away from the gathering armies at Mount Gilboa. 

Our verse for this week is Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Samuel 29 and 30.  Now let’s read it!

Chapter 27 picks up after Saul has blessed David and allowed him, again, to go on his way.  David does, and having no trust in Saul’s ability to keep his word, he runs again to the Philistines. 

The last time he went to Achish, David was a lone fugitive and the Philistine king would have had every reason to distrust this giant slayer.  Now, David has been running from Achish’s enemy for some time, his militia could pose its own threat to the Philistines, yet alternatively could provide some free security on the frontier.  David even appears to shift his loyalties, and Achish observes, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant…”

Meanwhile, Achish and his fellow kings of the Philistines gather their forces for war… against Israel, and this is where the real meaty story happens today.  As Saul looked out on the forces of the Philistines, his heart trembled greatly.  He inquired of the LORD and received no response – which is no wonder given his extermination of the LORD’s priests at Nob.  The author reminds us – curiously it seems – that Samuel is not available either. 

So Saul is alone, cut off from the God who had enthroned him, from the prophet who had installed him, and from the soldier who had won so many battles for him.  And so he turns to a medium, a necromancer – the Medium at En-dor. 

The dialogue in their nighttime encounter bursts to fullness.  The Medium tells a disguised Saul that she wants no part of crossing the king.  Saul assures that no harm will come to her – which is a blasphemous promise on the LORD’s behalf.  Saul asks to speak to the one man who always gave it to him straight.  And to even the Medium’s horror, he arrives.  

Just what is happening here, the author refuses to speculate.  The story is presented with no secret meanings or turns of phrase.   The Medium shrieks.  Saul knew that it was Samuel.  The spirit knows Saul’s story, and knows the LORD has abandoned him.  And most importantly, he knows Saul’s future: not only will he lose the kingdom, but “moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines…”  

Our verse for this week is Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Samuel 27 and 28.  Now let’s read it!