1 Samuel 21:1-15

Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David, trembling, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?” And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place. Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.” And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women.” And David answered the priest, “Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?” So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the LORD, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away.

Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s herdsmen.

Then David said to Ahimelech, “Then have you not here a spear or a sword at hand? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.” And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.”

10 And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances,

  ‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands’?”

12 And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? 15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


David was now officially on the run from Saul and he had not had the time to make provision. He arrived at Nob. Little is known about the history of the tabernacle after the capture of the ark in 1104 B.C. The ark itself was in Kiriath Jearim since then (1 Sam 7:2; 2 Sam 6:3-4). Here it is hinted that the tabernacle is in Nob. David approached Ahimelech the priest for food. Ahimelech trembled at the irregularity of David’s visit and probed him for the reason he was alone. David answered that the king had sent him on a special mission that no one was to know about. Did David lie or was it a shrewd use of language referring to God as king (1 Sam 8:7; Ps 5:2; 29:10) in order to satisfy the inquiry without revealing too much? While lying is wrong, it is not necessary to tell everyone the complete truth about every situation. If David was lying to protect himself, the Bible is merely presenting what happened, not specifically endorsing David’s course of action.

Ahimelech didn’t have ordinary bread on hand. All he had was the consecrated bread (Ex 25:30) that had been removed from the Lord’s presence when replaced with warm bread. Though removed from the Lord’s presence, the bread was still meant to be eaten by the priests who were consecrated (Lev 24:9). As the priest, Ahimelech had the authority to apply Torah principles circumstantially with some latitude. Because David and his men were without food, the holiness of life would trump the holiness of bread. While men on a military mission couldn’t be expected to keep all the holiness laws (e.g. keep away from corpses) they could be expected to keep ritually clean with regards to sexual conduct. David’s answer showed that he believed that Israelite warfare was to be conducted by consecrated servants of the law and he required that those serving under him be in a proper relationship with the Lord. The priest gave David and his men the bread to eat.
David also asked Ahimelech for a weapon of some sort because he had left in such haste he had no weapon with him. All the priest had was the sword of Goliath which David had previously dedicated which David took with him.

While David was there he was spotted by Doeg and Edomite who was detained at Nob for some reason. He would soon serve as a spy for Saul (1 Sam 22:9).

From there David fled to Gath, the hometown of Goliath. There he was recognised as the king of Israel. The people of Gath had heard of the songs sung about David and mistakenly presumed he was king. Having been recognised, David pretended to be insane. His performance would have convinced them he was not a threat. In the ancient world, it was believed that insanity was a sign of divine affliction so he would have been left alone for fear of provoking the gods.

Jesus used this story as an example when teaching that the law wasn’t its own end (Math 12:1-8). Second only to love for God, we are called to love one another. Might you be guilty of putting any rule or religiosity ahead of showing the genuine love of Christ to a fellow image-bearer (Gen 1:27; Jas 3:9)?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Jesus Forgives and Heals: Luke 5-6

Proverbs 22:8-16

  Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
    and the rod of his fury will fail.
  Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
    for he shares his bread with the poor.
10   Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
    and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11   He who loves purity of heart,
    and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12   The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
    but he overthrows the words of the traitor.
13   The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!”
14   The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;
    he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.
15   Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16   Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Psalm 31

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

  In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    in your righteousness deliver me!
  Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily!
  Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me!
  For you are my rock and my fortress;
    and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
  you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
    for you are my refuge.
  Into your hand I commit my spirit;
    you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
  I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
    but I trust in the LORD.
  I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
    because you have seen my affliction;
    you have known the distress of my soul,
  and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
    you have set my feet in a broad place.
  Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
    my eye is wasted from grief;
    my soul and my body also.
10   For my life is spent with sorrow,
    and my years with sighing;
  my strength fails because of my iniquity,
    and my bones waste away.
11   Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
    especially to my neighbors,
  and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
    those who see me in the street flee from me.
12   I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
    I have become like a broken vessel.
13   For I hear the whispering of many—
    terror on every side!—
  as they scheme together against me,
    as they plot to take my life.
14   But I trust in you, O LORD;
    I say, “You are my God.”
15   My times are in your hand;
    rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16   Make your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love!
17   O LORD, let me not be put to shame,
    for I call upon you;
  let the wicked be put to shame;
    let them go silently to Sheol.
18   Let the lying lips be mute,
    which speak insolently against the righteous
    in pride and contempt.
19   Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
    which you have stored up for those who fear you
  and worked for those who take refuge in you,
    in the sight of the children of mankind!
20   In the cover of your presence you hide them
    from the plots of men;
  you store them in your shelter
    from the strife of tongues.
21   Blessed be the LORD,
    for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
    when I was in a besieged city.
22   I had said in my alarm,
    “I am cut off from your sight.”
  But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
    when I cried to you for help.
23   Love the LORD, all you his saints!
    The LORD preserves the faithful
    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24   Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the LORD!

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

1 Samuel 20:1-42

Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” And he said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so.” But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening. If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.’ If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him. Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?” And Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you?” 10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?” 11 And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So they both went out into the field.

12 And Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? 13 But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. 14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; 15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.” 17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 19 On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap. 20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. 21 And behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,’ then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. 22 But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. 23 And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”

24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. 25 The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty.

26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean.” 27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?” 28 Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”

30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31 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.” 32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34 And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him.

35 In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy. 36 And he said to his boy, “Run and find the arrows that I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” 38 And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” So Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. 39 But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40 And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.” 41 And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


David came from Ramah and asked Jonathan what he was guilty of that his father sought to kill him. Jonathan didn’t believe David had it right. He was his father’s closest confidant and he was sure his father no longer intended to kill David (1 Sam 19:6). But David insisted that because Saul knew of their friendship, he must have kept his new plan from him. Jonathan then agreed to help David with whatever he needed. David devised a plan. The next night was the new moon festival and he was expected to dine with Saul and the others. If Saul enquired of his whereabouts, then Jonathan was to say that David had asked to go to Bethlehem for a yearly sacrifice for his clan. If Saul was okay with David’s absence, then David would be satisfied that all was well. But if he got angry, then Jonathan would know that his father intended harm against David. David entreated Jonathan to deal fairly with him because of their covenant relationship before the Lord. David was so sure of his innocence that he put his life in Jonathan’s hands—Jonathan himself could take his life if he found him guilty of a capital offense. Jonathan would not hear of it. He assured David that if he had any notion that his father intended to kill him, he would have told him.

If David was right about Saul, then he would have to flee, leaving behind Jonathan, his close friend, and his wife, Michal amongst others. This was likely the last time they would see each other and so they made a pact. Jonathan knew that God was with David and would establish his kingdom. He asked that when David rose in power, that he would continue to show kindness to Jonathan and his family.

The next step in the plan was how Jonathan would communicate his findings safely to David. David would hide in a lair by a rock and on the third day, Jonathan would do some target practice near to David’s hideout. He would shoot three arrows and when he sent his assistant to collect the arrows he would call out in code. If he told the boy the arrows were on Jonathan’s side, then all was safe for David. But if he said to the boy that the arrows were beyond him, then David should flee. Both of them understood that in this event it was the Lord who had sent David away.

On the first night of the new moon festival, Saul was not too concerned about David’s absence. He assumed that David had become ritually unclean for some reason and would need to abstain from eating while unclean. But on the second day, when ritual cleanliness was no longer an issue, Saul asked Jonathan why David had been missing the two days. Jonathan told him the story the two had agreed on. Saul reacted in anger. He had stopped using David’s name and referred to him as the son of Jesse and now he called Jonathan a son of a perverse, rebellious woman. Saul couldn’t understand why Jonathan would choose David over his own right to the throne. When Jonathan again challenged Saul for the reason he deserved to die, Saul threw his spear at him. Then Jonathan knew David was right. His father was determined to kill him. Jonathan grieved, not because of how his father had treated him, but at how he had treated David shamefully.

In the morning Jonathan took a boy with him and followed the pre-arranged signal, shooting the arrows beyond the boy and letting David know the urgency of the situation in how he spoke to the boy. He shouted at the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” all messages intended for David. When the boy left for the city David came out of hiding. He bowed three times at Jonathan’s feet and then they kissed farewell and wept together. Jonathan sent David off with the goodwill expression, “go in peace.” While David and Jonathan would be separated from each other physically, they would remain inseparably joined by the oath they had made before the Lord.

Jonathan and David exhibit exemplary friendship. Both were completely committed to each other, modeled unwavering integrity, and demonstrated complete faith in the Lord’s direction. Are you that kind of friend?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Baptism of Jesus: Luke 3-4

1 Samuel 19:1-24

And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. 10 And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

11 Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, “If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped. 13 Michal took an image and laid it on the bed and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head and covered it with the clothes. 14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.” 15 Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.” 16 And when the messengers came in, behold, the image was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head. 17 Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me thus and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go. Why should I kill you?’”

18 Now David fled and escaped, and he came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and lived at Naioth. 19 And it was told Saul, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.” 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 21 When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And one said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


We have seen Saul grow in his attempts to eliminate David. It began with a thought, then an attempt in private. Then the plans got more and more elaborate as he tried to use the Philistine army and his daughter as a pawn. Now he begins to enlist others in his attempts. Saul spoke to his son Jonathan and his servants. But Jonathan, who arguably had the most to win through David’s death, warned David and then interceded on his behalf before his father. Jonathan discouraged his father from pursuing his course of action. He brought up that David had committed no crime that warranted the death penalty. David had also been of personal benefit to Saul as he fought and was victorious against the Philistines. Finally, it would be a grave sin for Saul to kill David without cause. Saul listened to Jonathan’s reasoning and David was brought back into Saul’s presence—for a time.

Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel and David went out and was victorious against them. Once again a harmful spirit came upon Saul while David was playing the lyre and he tried a third time to pin David to the wall with his spear. David didn’t stick around this time to allow Saul another chance. He escaped to his house. Saul sent men to David’s house with a plan to kill him. David’s wife Michal, like her brother, was aware of her father’s plot and helped him escape out an unguarded window. She then took an idol and put it in David’s bed with goat’s hair to appear like David was sleeping. This mention of her household idol helps us to understand why Saul believed she might be a snare to David (1 Sam 18:21). When Saul’s militia arrived, Michal told them David was sick. When this was reported to Saul he had them bring him in his bed. Perhaps Saul thought he was faking it, but either way, Saul wanted him dead. When they found the idol and goat’s hair and challenged Michal, she pleaded innocence saying David had threatened her.

Meanwhile, David fled to Samuel at Ramah, about three miles away. There David lived with Samuel (Naioth may not be a named place, the word means dwelling/habitation). Saul sent his mercenaries but when they arrived and saw Samuel, the Spirit of God came upon them and they began prophesying. Saul sent another group and they too were held up prophesying. The same thing happened to the third group. God was a lot more gentle at this time than when King Ahaziah sent soldiers against Elijah (2 Kgs 1:9–12). Finally, Saul went himself and before he even got there the Spirit of God came upon him too and he prophesied all the way there. We see God’s overwhelming force bringing Saul to complete submission. God wouldn’t even let him wear his royal robes in His presence. Saul’s prophesying gave renewed life to the proverb coined when he was anointed king, “is Saul among the prophets?” (1 Sam 10:11). Even this proverb distanced Saul from the office of king.

Saul showed the classic pattern of sin beginning with wrong thoughts and leading to death (Jas 1:14-15). Saul was driven by the desperate need to retain control despite the Lord telling him he had already lost the throne. On the other hand, we see David in complete dependence on God, faithfully serving God and waiting on His timing. Despite Saul’s persistence, God thwarted his every attempt. Are you living a life that is self-sufficient or submissive?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Birth’s of John the Baptist and Jesus: Luke 1-2

1 Samuel 18:1-30

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,

  “Saul has struck down his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands.”

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on.

10 The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. 11 And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.

12 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 18 And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” 19 But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” 22 And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king’s son-in-law.’” 23 And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?” 24 And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.” 25 Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, 27 David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. 28 But when Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, 29 Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Following David’s victory with Goliath, he became close friends with Jonathan, Sauls firstborn son and heir apparent to the throne. Jonathan’s love for David was so great that he made a covenant with him and gave him his robe, armour, sword, bow, and belt. Saul brought David into permanent residence in the royal household and had him serve in the army. He was so successful wherever Saul sent him that he was promoted to a high rank and he gained favour with all the people. In one day David had the opportunity to wear the king’s armour, acquire Goliath’s sword, and Jonathan had symbolically recognised David as the heir to the throne by giving him his royal robe and the prince’s armour. God was moving and preparing David for his role as king even though that would still be fifteen years later.

But things weren’t always easy for David while God prepared him for the throne. He had great military success causing the women to sing a song, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” This resulted in Saul being jealous and recognising David as a threat to his throne. So great was his jealousy that even with David playing the lyre, the harmful spirit came upon Saul but his suffering wasn’t eased by the playing. Instead, he raved like a madman and hurled his spear at David in an attempt to pin him to the wall. David’s loyalty to the king is evident because he remained in his presence long enough that Saul took a second attempt. But David evaded him twice. It became strikingly clear to Saul that the Lord was not with him but was with David and he became afraid.

Saul’s first attempt at killing David didn’t work so he tried to do it at the hand of the Philistines by sending him into battle. When that didn’t work he offered his second daughter, Michal, thinking she would be a snare to him and because the bride-price he set would put him in further danger with the Philistines. Despite all of Saul’s underhanded dealing with David, David prospered because the Lord was with David. Saul became even more afraid of David and remained his enemy from then on.

Living your life to honour God doesn’t mean life will be easy. In fact, you may face real opposition and even danger. But like David, you should see God’s hand over time moving you into places where you have greater opportunities to serve and influence others for Him.


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Jesus’ Death and Resurrection: Mark 15-16

1 Samuel 17:31-58

31 When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”

38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.

55 As soon as Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” 56 And the king said, “Inquire whose son the boy is.” 57 And as soon as David returned from the striking down of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


David’s disdain for Goliath’s insults on Israel, the armies of the living God, and his inquiries about the reward were brought to Saul’s attention and he was summoned before the king. David encouraged all around him not to be discouraged by Goliath’s words and then he proposed an astonishing solution—he would fight Goliath. Saul immediately rejected David’s proposal. Again we see man judging by outward appearance. David was only a youth while Goliath had been a man of war since his youth. But David explained why he believed he could win this battle. He had been a shepherd and had to protect his father’s sheep against attacks from lions and bears. When one of those predators stole a lamb, David would go after it, fight it and rescue the lamb. David had killed both lions and bears and the uncircumcised Philistine Goliath would be no different because of his defiance against God. David wasn’t boasting in his physical abilities or leaning on his past achievements. David recognised God’s faithfulness in delivering him from the paws of the lion and bear and trusted that God would deliver him from Goliath.

Saul agreed to David’s plan and dressed him in his own armour, helmet, and sword. David tried to go out wearing the armour but could not because he wasn’t used to it. So David went with only his shepherd’s staff in his hand and he chose five smooth stones from the stream. It’s interesting to note that Goliath and Saul relied on weapons forged by man while David went out with weapons created by God—a stick and some stones.

When Goliath saw David approaching, he saw him as a youth and not a very challenging opponent. He was incensed and insulted David’s choice of weapon, a stick only fit for beating a dog. Then he cursed David by his gods. This is theologically significant because in cursing a son of Abraham, Goliath was bringing down the Lord’s curse on himself (Gen 12:3). Then Goliath’s final threat was to kill him, dishonour his corpse, and deny him an honourable burial by feeding him to the animals and birds. David replied that while Goliath, with his sword, spear, and javelin thought he outmatched David, David would outnumber Goliath because he was not alone. He came in the name of the Lord of hosts (Lord of armies) who Goliath had defied and he was assured that God would deliver him and his army to Israel. What Goliath had threatened to do to David would be the fate of him and his army. The end result would be that all the earth would know that there is a God in Israel and that everyone present would recognise that God doesn’t need a sword and spear to ensure victory for the battle is the Lord’s.

Goliath stepped up. David ran forward, took a stone out of his hand, slung it, and hit Goliath on his forehead and killed him—“without a sword in his hand”. Theologically the Old Testament required that anyone who blasphemed God’s name should be stoned (Lev 24:16). David would continue to be a diligent follower of God’s law in his military endeavours. David followed the custom of the day, removed Goliath’s weapon, and proved he was dead which caused the rest of the Philistines to flee. The army of Israel rose with newfound courage and pursued the Philistine army returning later to retrieve the spoils of war.

The closing of this story seems a little confusing. Saul asks the commander of his army, “whose son is this youth?” It appears he doesn’t know David even though David has been serving as his armour-bearer. Saul was probably officially looking for his father’s name so he could formally issue the tax exemption promised as part of the victor’s reward.

This Bible story is probably one of the most famous and is used to describe someone overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat an oppressor. But that is not what this story is about. This is a story of someone with great faith putting all their trust in God and inspiring an entire army to victory by showing that no one will succeed in defying the armies of the Living God. Will you move forward in faith and allow God to show others His power through your life?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin: Mark 13-14

1 Samuel 17:1-30

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.

17 And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.”

19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.

24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”

28 Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 29 And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Sometime after David entered the king’s service, Israel was again facing the Philistines. Each army was camped on either side of the Valley of Elah. Out of the Philistine camp came a fighting champion named Goliath of Gath. He was a giant at 9 feet, 9 inches tall. He wore a helmet and scale armour weighing about 57kg. He had a spear with an iron tip weighing almost 7kg. His shield-bearer went out in front of him providing protection. Goliath shouted out a challenge to Israel. He would face one man from Israel in a battle to the death and the victor would represent the whole army. The nation of the losing man would be servants to the nation of the victor. Saul and the whole of Israel were terrified at the words of Goliath. Goliath came out every morning and evening and presented his challenge for forty days.

While we have already been briefly introduced to David’s family, this story goes into a bit more detail. Jessie was old and had eight sons of which David was the youngest. The three oldest sons had joined Saul in battle. It may be that the three oldest were the only ones old enough to be conscripted into the army (Num 1:3) or each family was required to send no more than three sons for military service in which case the eldest would have made the most sense for the task. David moved between Saul’s service and tending his father’s sheep. Jesse sent David to the front line with provisions for them and their commander and to bring back word of their wellbeing.

David rose early and left his father’s sheep with a keeper. This is a small detail but shows David was a good shepherd, a metaphor of a good leader (John 10:1-21). He arrived as the two armies were drawing their battle lines. David left the provisions with the supply officer and then went to the front lines to check on his brothers. While greeting his brothers, Goliath came out with his challenge as before. All the soldiers were afraid and began to talk about the reward Saul had offered to anyone who could face and defeat Goliath. The victor would be given wealth, Saul’s daughter in marriage, and his family would be freed from taxation. David was incensed at this uncircumcised man who dared to defy the armies of the living God. He saw Goliath’s insults as not only against Israel but against God Himself. David had missed the talk of the reward and asked those around him what would be done for the man who killed Goliath.

Eliab, David’s eldest brother heard David speaking to the men around him and became angry with him. He accused David of abandoning the sheep to come and watch others die in battle. David responded along the lines of, “How have I offended you? I was asking about an important matter.” Perhaps this segment was included to show that God was right by not anointing Eliab as king. Eliab showed that his heart was not right and he wasn’t able to make proper judgments about others.

The stage is set in arguably the most famous Bible story. We see a giant defying God’s army. We see an army standing in opposition but terrified. We see a young shepherd recognising the absurdity of God’s army quaking at a threat against it. And we see intentions misunderstood. You know the outcome of this story but where would you be in this story? Are you terrified at some insurmountable challenge? Or do you believe the truth that if God is for us, who can be against us (Rom 8:31-39)?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Parable of the Vineyard Owner: Mark 11-12

Proverbs 22:1-7

  A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
    and favor is better than silver or gold.
  The rich and the poor meet together;
    the LORD is the Maker of them all.
  The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.
  The reward for humility and fear of the LORD
    is riches and honor and life.
  Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
    whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
  Train up a child in the way he should go;
    even when he is old he will not depart from it.
  The rich rules over the poor,
    and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Psalm 30

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

  I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
  O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
  O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
  Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
  For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
  Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.
  As for me, I said in my prosperity,
    “I shall never be moved.”
  By your favor, O LORD,
    you made my mountain stand strong;
  you hid your face;
    I was dismayed.
  To you, O LORD, I cry,
    and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
  “What profit is there in my death,
    if I go down to the pit?
  Will the dust praise you?
    Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10   Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!
    O LORD, be my helper!”
11   You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
    you have loosed my sackcloth
    and clothed me with gladness,
12   that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
    O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.