The story in 1st Samuel 24 about David choosing not to kill Saul in the cave, but instead secretly cutting off a corner of his robe, ends with a flourish. Saul leaves the cave, having no idea that he almost lost his life. After Saul has walked a short distance from the mouth of theContinue reading “How a piece of torn cloth changed the world – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 4”
Tag Archives: King Saul
The single most important factor in making decisions – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 3
David and his men have been on the run, fugitives being hunted by King Saul. But in the previous post we learned that God was protecting David, keeping Saul from finding him. Someone does find David, though. A friend shows up in 1st Samuel chapter 23, verses 16-18. David’s best friend Jonathan, Saul’s son, makesContinue reading “The single most important factor in making decisions – 1st Samuel 23 & 24, Part 3”
A dark evil day during David’s fugitive years – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 4
David has been experiencing some good news while on the run as a fugitive, which we learned in the previous post. Just like that, though, things turn very dark. In 1st Samuel 22, verse 6, the narrative switches focus on David’s pursuer, King Saul. We learn that Saul is raving made that David has notContinue reading “A dark evil day during David’s fugitive years – 1st Samuel 21 & 22, Part 4”
The resolution of the crisis in David and Jonathan’s friendship – 1st Samuel 20, Part 4
David’s life hangs in the balance. But he has proposed an idea to his best friend, Prince Jonathan, in which Jonathan will try to discover if his father, King Saul, truly intends to kill David. Jonathan, though he doubts David’s interpretation of the situation, agrees to the idea. Jonathan will tell his father Saul that DavidContinue reading “The resolution of the crisis in David and Jonathan’s friendship – 1st Samuel 20, Part 4”
How to avert crisis when you disagree with your friends – 1st Samuel 20, Part 3
David and Jonathan’s friendship is in crisis. How so? Read the previous post here. In the previous post, we read that David has proposed a test in which Jonathan would lie to his father, King Saul, telling Saul that David had not shown up at Saul’s house for the New Moon festival because Jonathan gaveContinue reading “How to avert crisis when you disagree with your friends – 1st Samuel 20, Part 3”
When should you choose to break relationship with family? – 1st Samuel 20, Part 2
David and Jonathan’s relationship is at a crossroads. Jonathan is stuck in the middle between his father, King Saul, and his best friend, David. David adamantly believes Saul wants to kill him (David). Jonathan can’t imagine that his father would intend to kill David without consulting him (Jonathan) first. Jonathan could view David as beingContinue reading “When should you choose to break relationship with family? – 1st Samuel 20, Part 2”
How to overcome jealousy – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Part 5
What in the world can we learn from 1st Samuel chapters 18 & 19? In this post early in the series, I wrote about Jonathan’s generous act of friendship. And because next week we’ll return to David and Jonathan’s friendship in chapter 20, in today’s post, I’d like to focus on another theme in chaptersContinue reading “How to overcome jealousy – 1 Samuel 18 & 19, Part 5”
How (and why) a king was left writhing nude on the ground – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 4
King Saul is losing his mind because of the young upstart David. As we learned in the previous post here, Saul unsuccessfully attempts to kill David. In this post, we are studying 1st Samuel chapter 19. As the chapter begins, Saul now asks his son Jonathan to kill David. Saul likely knows how close JonathanContinue reading “How (and why) a king was left writhing nude on the ground – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 4”
When leaders lose power, and do anything to stay in power – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 3
When you are a leader and your role, position, and power is taken from you, it can be very difficult to give up that power. A quick glance throughout history shows kings, presidents, CEOs, pastors, and many other leaders unwilling to give up power. In our story of the monarchy in ancient Israel, as toldContinue reading “When leaders lose power, and do anything to stay in power – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 3”
My struggle with my basement – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 1
I don’t like the basement in my house. First of all, just getting into the basement is odd. The current placement of the basement steps is not original to the house. The previous owner did a near total rehab on the living areas of the house, and that necessitated moving the location of the basementContinue reading “My struggle with my basement – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 