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Chapter 25 begins with a closing note about the prophet Samuel.  Given his stature in Israel’s story, the mention is curiously brief.  This opens for two stories that help fill out our sense of David’s character.  The second will feel similar to what we saw yesterday in the cave of Engedi.  The first is a unique encounter between David, a worthless man, and his wife. 

We saw yesterday that as David and his men roam the wilderness of Judah, they are providing a measure of security for its residents.  While Israel has ostensible control of the region, Philistine raiding parties are still threatening life and property.  Today David reaches out to Nabal, whose estate David had been protecting, and asks to share in a feast day with him.  Given the size of David’s militia, it’s hard to fathom how much support David was expecting from Nabal, but Nabal – described as harsh and badly behaved, heaps insults upon David. 

David is hot, and commands his men to strap on their swords.  The story turns in two places.  First, one of Nabal’s servants has the nerve to go to Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and warn her not only that David has a point, but that all of them are going to be wiped out.  Second, Abigail goes to David, and in the longest speech attributed to a woman in the whole Old Testament, sways David by reminding him that “The LORD will certainly make [him] a sure house…” and will appoint him “…prince over Israel.”

As soon as this episode ends, we find that Saul is still on David’s tail, despite his confession in chapter 24 that he knows that David will “surely be king.”  We’re also reminded that Saul’s army suffers either from disinterest or incompetence, and David is able to sneak into the camp at night and toy with Saul again.  Saul is again convicted, repentant, and releases David with a blessing.  

Take note of the interesting narrative structure of chapters 24 through 26.  In the bookends, we have stories of David overriding the advice of his men – even chastising them – and refusing to kill the man he calls, “The LORD’s anointed.”  However, in between, it is David who is rash, and who is kept from evil by the advice of another.  As in all the Bible, we are dealing with human beings whose triumphs and flaws are on full display.  Listen for connections throughout these stories today.  

Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:28:  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

1 Samuel 25 and 26.  Now let’s read it!

1 Samuel chapters 23 and 24

Civil war.  The last time there was open conflict between rival Israelites, there had been no king in Israel.  Things were supposed to be different now – the Israelites had sought as much when they had demanded a king.  Remember, it was the succession difficulties of Samuel’s sons, which had followed those of Eli, that would instigate Israel’s demand to be “like the nations.” 

Now they were reaping the whirlwind.  Saul had not only recruited the sons of Israel into his army, he had tried to employ them in executing the LORD’s priests, and was now leading them throughout Israel in jealous pursuit of his son-in-law.  David had also acquired a following, a ragtag group of the disenchanted, whose integrity has yet to be tested. 

The narrative opens with David returning to southeast Judah to defend the town of Keilah from the Philistines.  Notice that David inquires of the LORD about taking action in a very Moses/Joshua way, being ready to heed His word both to fight and to flee.  Saul pursues; the people of Keilah take sides.  This war leaves few untouched.   

Saul’s son Jonathan has chosen sides as well.  He goes to Horesh alone to meet David and make a covenant before the LORD, assuring David, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 

The narrative drives toward a crescendo in chapter 24.  David has a chance to strike a lethal blow, to end a war he did not start, to become king.  Saul’s army would surely rally to him, the aggrieved party, and nonetheless he had an army of his own.  But David, at least here, would not take the kingdom “like the nations.”   

After sparing Saul’s life, David attempts to pierce his heart: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’?  Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’”

Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:28:  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

1 Samuel 23 and 24.  Now let’s read it!

As we closed yesterday Jonathan had warned David that Israel was no longer safe for him.   David is now on the run – and will remain so for the rest of Saul’s life.

Our story today revolves around the town of Nob, a small town in southern Israel, to which David first flees.  There was a worship center there: not the tabernacle, but some settlement managed by descendants of Aaron.  The priest, Ahimelech, trembles when he sees David – David’s arrival was no good for the prophets at Naioth – but he’s also curious, “Why are you alone?” 

David’s response might leave you scratching your head: “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything [about it]...”  On the surface, it sounds like a boldface, Abraham-style lie.  But it could also be an honest turn of phrase.  To which “king” is David referring?  I’ll let you decide. 

Nonetheless, David requests help – food and weapons – from Ahimelech.  This David receives, and the story would be complete if not for one seemingly extraneous detail: “A certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day…” 

David heads west to seek refuge in Gath, one of the five principle cities of the Philistines.  But his reputation has preceded him – perhaps too well, as he is described to the ruler of Gath as “King of the land,” about whom is sung, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”  David realizes his danger, and finds yet another unique means of escape. 

From there he traverses the land of Israel to Moab, on the Eastern shore of the Dead Sea.  On the way he picks up a following, as everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.

But while David is safe, those who have abetted him are not.  His band will soon be joined by one more – the son of the priest of Nob.  

Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:28:  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

1 Samuel 21 and 22.  Now let’s read it!

Today’s reading dives into one of the deep friendships of the Bible, that of Jonathan and David.  Jonathan, as you know, is the king’s son.  He has shown trust in the LORD and courage in battle, and faithfulness to both Saul and David, and provides balance between these aggressive characters. 

His attributes come into bloom today.  Remember that Saul has tried to kill David before, and that when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually.  

So when chapter 19 opens, it’s no surprise that Saul wants him dead.  What is surprising is that he would plot so openly about it with his son and servants.  His intense hatred and fear of David was compounded by his awareness of something else, which doesn’t get revealed until chapter 20, when he tells Jonathan that: “…as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established.”  Apparently word has gotten back to Saul that the LORD, and Samuel, have already moved on.  But he doesn’t intend to go quietly.  

Consider Saul’s situation.  He made an awkward entrance into the kingship to begin with.  Samuel, who could have been his greatest human asset, was bitter about Israel wanting a king to begin with, but became even more disillusioned when Saul proved himself so unworthy.  Other kings, whom Saul could cite as examples, would have seen eliminating a rival just part of the territory.  But Israel, and her king, was to be different.  

Consider his loneliness.  He has alienated his soldiers, as proven by their disobedience toward him in chapter 14.  His popularity among his subjects is second to that of his greatest solider.  Three chapters ago the LORD turned His back on him.  Today, his daughter and son do the same.  

Our verse for this week is Isaiah 40:28:  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

1 Samuel 19 and 20.  Now let’s read it!