“Fear of the Lord” is a phrase we find frequently in the Old Testament. Does it mean that we should be frightened of God? No.

“Fear of the Lord” gradually became a standard phrase for a good relationship with God. A good relationship begins with a reverent sense that God is so powerful and righteous that we dare not take Him lightly. But it goes on from awe to a sense of deep security, as Psalm 34 demonstrates.

The Fear of the Lord

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31).

For the believer, the fear of God is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this fear. It’s a combination of reverence and awe.

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom.

Fearing God means having a reverence for Him that impacts the way we live our lives. The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.

Fun Fact: The Bible uses the word “fear” at least 300 times in reference to God.

“If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.”

H.G. Wells

Saul was the right and proper king, living in luxury. David, a secretly anointed king, lived in a desert, scrambling to survive. Saul had a professional army; David had a band of outlaws.

Twice David could have killed Saul. He didn’t, knowing that was God’s job.

David was on the run, dealing with locals who turned him in twice (23:19; 26:1). David’s situation was deteriorating as Saul’s mental state was. He had popular support, even among his neighbors. Soon, he’d leave Israel and become a hired hand for the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:1).

David has a sense of God’s timing, essential to leadership.

You need to know when to act boldly and when to wait; when to bend and when to stand.

“A safe stronghold our God is still. A trusty shield and weapon.” Martin Luther

Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and prayerful Christmas Day!

I Survived is a kids book series, featuring a pre-teenish boy or girl protagonist who survives some ordeal (usually a natural disaster) based off real historical events. By Lauren Tarshis, I Survived books are short, easy reads sure to delight and teach at the same time.

The latest in Ms. Tarshis’ series is called “I Survived The Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967.” We follow an eleven-year old girl named Mel whose mother just died in a car accident. She visits her grandfather every year who lives in Glacier National Park. This is the first year they visit without her mother, and Mel is having a hard time adjusting. However, this year, the grizzlies in Glacier National Park are acting strangely, and Mel is determined to find out.

Her Aunt Cassie is a writer, and she visits as well. They meet a wildlife biologist investigating the bear incidents as well and decide to hike to a lodge up in the mountains called Granite Park. There they learn the grizzlies have become a tourist attraction as the lodge is feeding the bears (aka baiting them) with garbage. It’s become quite the show.

Mel herself almost gets attacked by a grizzly, but she is saved by a porcupine. That summer, two teenage girls are attacked and killed by grizzlies, bringing national attention to this problem. Trash was also everywhere, not being disposed of properly, further enticing the bears to change their behavior. These bears had lost their fear of humans and saw humans as a threat to their food source — garbage. The bears were also dying of starvation, having gotten glass in their mouths from all the bottles of food they tried to eat.

In 1967, this truly did happen. Many called for the eradication of the grizzlies (as if it were their fault humans were baiting them and feeding them). Luckily, intelligence prevailed and the National Parks began to clean up their acts. They disposed of garbage properly — including instituting bear proof garbage cans — and launched an educational campaign to not feed animals, approach animals, or litter.

Cleaning up our act has allowed grizzlies to thrive. In 1975, the grizzlies became a protected species and could no longer be hunted. There are now 1600 grizzly bears, living primarily in Montana and Wyoming with 32,000 in Alaska.

I personally had never heard of this in history, so this has been my favorite I Survived book so far. Mel learns to talk about her sadness. Very educational and informative and sure to spark many long conversations about topics such as the conservation of animals and humans’ role in preserving species. I loved this book and learned a lot.

Other I Survived topics include the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, The American Revolution in 1776, The Great Chicago Fire in 1871, and the Japanese Tsunami in 2011. Great, quick reads that I highly recommend.

Abigail (Hebrew for “father rejoices” or “source of joy”) was not a main player in the history of Israel, but she had an instinctive skill for diplomacy and peace-making. A woman of beauty and brains, Abigail in the Bible could defuse a dangerous situation between hot-headed men.

Though Abigail may have been trapped in a bad marriage — probably arranged by her parents — she was hardly helpless. She took decisive action when her husband mistreated David. Abigail in the Bible saved her people as well as David from taking action he would later regret.

She, in the end, would marry the man she saved from rash action, bearing him his second son, Kileab (2 Samuel 3:3). David could lose his temper but always recognized when faced with sense.

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

William Shakespeare

Happy New Year!

May this year bring blessing upon blessing to you all. I am grateful for each and every one of you. God bless

The Philistines

The Philistines were an immigrant people from the military aristocracy of the island of Crete (Amos 9:7). Small numbers of Philistines were in the land at the time of Abraham, but they only came in force soon after Israel came to Canaan from Egypt.

The Philistines’ period of greatest importance was from 1200-1000 BC when they were the principal enemies of Israel. They were organized into five city-states: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17). They were repulsed by the Egyptians in 1191, which forced their invasion of Canaan. Their cities were ruled by 5 lords or rulers (Joshua 13:3; Judges 16:5), one for each city.

The Philistines were a sea-faring people and traded with distant lands. Therefore, they were among the first in acquire newer and better military technology such as from the Greeks. Thus, the Philistines became a powerful enemy of the people of Israel.

The Philistines were the first in the region to effectively use iron. Before the influx of technology, the Israelites could compete on more equal terms with Moab and Ammon, but Greek military equipment (helmets, shields, coats of mail, swords and spears) made the Philistines much more formidable opponents. The Israelites did not yet know how to forge iron until the time of David. The Philistines did not share this technology, forcing the Israelites to come to them for iron.

During David’s time as a vassal of the Philistines, it is possible he learned the technique of iron-making. Probably David remained a Philistine vassal during the 7 1/2 years he reigned at Hebron (2 Samuel 1:1-4). When at the end of this time, he asserted his independence and united all of Israel under his rule, he defeated them in 2 battles (2 Samuel 5:17-25). David repeatedly bested them, ending their dominion over the Promised Land.

Some men see things as they are and say, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’

George Bernard Shaw

Summary 1 Samuel 28:

The Philistines again prepared for battle against Israel. Samuel was dead, and Saul had expelled all the mediums from the land. However, when the Philistines gathered at Shunem and Saul gathered at Gilboa, Saul was afraid. He consulted a medium, which was against the Law. Saul disguised himself to do so and asked the medium to call up Samuel.

Samuel chastizes Saul, telling him the Lord abandoned him because of his disobedience. The Israelites will lose the battle and Saul and his sons will lose their lives. The medium fed Saul and his men and they left.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 15, Day 2: 1 Samuel 28:

3) Saul was afraid he’d lose (which the medium told him he would). He was afraid he’d die (which the medium told him he’d do). Saul was afraid of the unknown. He went to a medium to get his answers since God had abandoned him. David was afraid of fighting against his own people and of Achish discovering his heart. David either had to kill his people to keep up the farce or not kill his people and reveal who he actually was and where his heart was.

4) Part personal question. My answer: It was against God’s law to consult a medium. Leviticus tells us mediums defile us. 1 Chronicles tells us Saul died partly because he disobeyed God’s law and did consult a medium. I don’t participate in amoral behavior and the friends and colleagues I keep wouldn’t ask me to do so. Hence, I don’t put myself in those situations.

5) Personal Question. My answer: The bible, prayer, and the advice of other Godly people. And I turn to God because I know He will answer me in His time.

Conclusions: BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 2: 1 Samuel 28:

I think once you sin, it’s easy to keep perpetuating that sin, which is what we see with Saul. He has disobeyed God so many times what does once more matter? He doesn’t think twice about it. We are influenced by the company we keep. You won’t be asked to sin if you have the right friends.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 2: 1 Samuel 28:

David is living the lie he’s been telling for years now, and presumably will be force to attack his own people, the Israelites, now.

Saul did obey the law by casting out spiritists and mediums (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 27 and in Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

Shunem, in the Valley of Jezreel, was about twenty miles north of Aphek, the most northerly Philistine city. The fact that the Philistines had penetrated thus far gives an indication of their dominance over Saul’s kingdom, and of their intention to press further east to the Jordan.

The Valley of Jezreel is the only part of Israel where you could go from west to east without crossing the mountains. The Philistines could now use their chariots in the flat terrain, and a victory here would cut Israel in half.

God will not always answer everyone who seeks Him; not when a man is in a place of judgment as Saul is. King Saul has rejected and is currently rejecting God’s previously revealed will. Since Saul didn’t care to obey God in what he already knew, God will not give him more to know. Saul was hunting David when God didn’t want him to (1 Samuel 24:16-20 and 26:21). If we want God to guide us, we must follow what guidance we already have from Him.

Who was the Witch of Endor?

• She was a medium or a necromancer – one who makes contact with the dead. The Hebrew word for medium is owb, and it has the idea of “mumbling” or speaking with a strange, hollow sound – as if one were “channeling,” with a dead person speaking through them. The Hebrew word has in mind the sound the channel makes as they speak. The English word medium has in mind the concept of a channel – they stand in-between the world of the living and the dead and communicate between the two worlds.

Endor was only a short distance away, on the north of the Hill of Moreh, and accessible despite the Philistine forces close by. It was located four miles northeast of Shunem and thus dangerously close to where the Philistines were encamped.

As Saul sought the medium he brought upon himself a curse. God said in Leviticus 20:6: And the person who turns after mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

FUN FACT: Saul’s oath in the name of the LORD is comical. He is in complete darkness, yet still swears by the Lord, a reminder to us how meaningless this can be by those with the wrong hearts.  This is the last time Saul uses the name of the LORD in the book of 1 Samuel.

Why does Saul request Samuel?

1. Saul knows Samuel is a prophet who can speak to God, so he’s hoping Samuel can speak to God for him.
2. Samuel was Saul’s guide, mentor, and the man who raised him since he was a baby. He probably has some affection for him (1 Samuel 9:25-26)
3. If anyone will tell Saul what he wants to know, it’s Samuel

Why is the medium shocked to see Samuel?

• The medium was a fraud and unused to her tactics actually working
• The medium was shocked by the Holy Spirit
• The medium realizes she is speaking to Saul and is also afraid

“I see a spirit coming up out of the ground.” The Hebrew word translated by “spirit” is the Hebrew word elohim – literally, “gods” but often applied to the One God in plural form. This plural form indicates the Trinity. When the medium said she saw an elohim, she did not mean that she saw the One True God or Samuel as a deity. Instead, to her Samuel was a god since he appeared out of nowhere as a spirit.

How did Samuel appear?

1. Some scholars believe Samuel was a hallucination. But Saul saw Samuel as well.
2. Some scholars believe the medium deceived Saul.
3. Some scholars believe this was a demonic impersonation of Samuel.
4. Some scholars believe this was a real appearance of Samuel.  Most agree here since the evidence of the medium’s shock, the fact the Bible states it was Samuel who spoke, and Saul saw Samuel as well. Remember both Moses and Elijah also appeared after death when they appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).

Why did God allow Samuel to appear:

1. Saul’s judgement was pronounced again.
2. The medium learned a valuable lesson about dabbling in the occult.

The medium was not responsible for Samuel’s appearance; God was. And for His purposes.

Take away for us from the medium and Samuel’s appearance:

When we close our ears to God, He will find unusual and perhaps uncomfortable ways to speak to us.

Was Samuel in heaven?

• No. Jesus explained in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) that before the finished work of Jesus on the cross, the believing dead went to a place of comfort and blessing known as Abraham’s bosom. When Jesus finished his work on the cross, sin’s penalty was paid for these believing dead, and they were then ushered into heaven. However, Samuel was in a real place.

What answers is Saul seeking from Samuel?

• God doesn’t depart from man until man has departed from God. Hence, Samuel wants reassurance all will be well during the battle with the Philistines.
• Samuel is hoping in the 15 years that has passed since God took away Samuel’s crown and pronounced his fate (1 Samuel 15:28-29) that God would change his mind. God didn’t. God’s word to Saul didn’t change from the time He first said them until the time they would be fulfilled. Saul thought that time would change God’s mind; but time never changes God’s mind. Our repentance and genuine brokenness may.

When the medium saw Samuel, she said he was wearing a robe, which would have identified him as both a prophet and a priest. In 1 Samuel 15:27, when Samuel announced that God would take the kingdom away from Saul, Saul grabbed Samuel’s robe in desperation. The Hebrew word used for robe in 1 Samuel 15:27 (meheel) is the same word used in 1 Samuel 28:14. It is likely that when Samuel appeared before the medium and Saul, he wore this same torn robe to remind Saul that the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.

Saul’s time is up

Samuel reminded Saul that he would die. Saul had plenty of time to repent; he didn’t. Neither do we.

“You and your sons will be with me” does not mean that Saul was going to heaven and be with the believing dead. In the story Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31, the blessed dead and the cursed dead were both in the same general area. The believing dead were in the place of comfort knows as Abraham’s bosom, but the cursed were in a place of torment.

The dinner Saul ate that night was akin to the last meal of a man on death row. God’s will would be done.

Summary of 1 Samuel 29:

The Philistines prepare for war against the Israelites. The other rulers/commanders of the Philistines outside of Achish do not trust David (rightfully so) to fight against the Israelites. So they send him away. David protests but probably just to keep putting on the show.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 15, Day 3: 1 Samuel 29:

6) The men of Achish did not trust David since he was an Israelite and demanded David be sent back and not be allowed to go into battle against the Israelites.

7) God did not put David in a situation where he would jeopardize his safety and have to fight against his own men.

8 ) Personal Question. My answer: God has protected me too many times to count. He kept me safe when I was young and did stupid things and put myself in stupid situations. He protects me now as I go about my daily life, living His will for me.

Conclusions: BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 3: 1 Samuel 29:

I love how God works here. He places doubt in the minds of Achich’s men, and David is saved from having to fight the Israelites. Despite David (and our’s) stupid decisions, God protects us and saves us from ourselves.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 3: 1 Samuel 29:

Scholars don’t know if in these chapters David is pretending to be with the Philistines or if his heart really has turned from God to the Philistines. Here, the Philistines recognize this conflict of interest and keep David out of the battle.

Achish defends David. Again, it’s hard to tell if Achish is completely fooled by David or he knows David has turned from God.

Achish swears by the Lord, perhaps being courteous to David.

David didn’t like being rejected by the Philistines. Still, God uses the rejection of the ungodly for the Godly — in this case, David.

Even though we don’t know if David is faking or not, God did not put David in the situation to find out. God keeps David from sinning.

Summary of 1 Samuel 30:

Upon David’s return to Ziklag after having been rejected for battle by Achish, he finds the Amalekites has raided the town, burned it, and captured everyone, including their wives, sons, and daughters. David’s men were angry and threatened to stone him. So David turned back to God.

David consulted God who told him to pursue the Amalekites to recover their kin. David helps an Egyptian slave who got left behind by the raiding party. This Egyptian slave leads them to the raiding Amalekites. David attacks and wins. He recovers everything and everyone that was taken from him and returns to Ziklag, sharing all the plunder even with his men who were too exhausted from the 3 day hike previously to help. David sends some of his plunder to the elders of Judah.

Summary Psalm 36:

The wicked do not fear God. They do not know they sin. The plot evil, do wrong, and follow a sinful course. God’s love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice is unfailing. Men find refuge in God’s wings. In God’s light we see His love. God overcomes all evildoers.

We read Psalm 36 in Lesson 12, Day 5. The commentary is the same for Psalm 36.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 15, Day 4: 1 Samuel 30 with Psalm 36:

9) Upon David’s return to Ziklag after having been rejected for battle by Achish, he finds the Amalekites has raided the town, burned it, and captured everyone, including their wives, sons, and daughters. David’s men were angry and threatened to stone him. Everyone was distressed and wept until they had no more strength left to weep. So David turned back to God.

10) Part personal Question. My answer: David consults God. He tells his men when they are wrong when they are greedy and don’t want to share the spoils. He shares the spoils with the elders of Judah. I want to be more sharing of what I have as well.

11) Personal Question. My answer: God’s love is greater than any troubles I may face, and my job it so shine this love to others.

Conclusions: BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 4: 1 Samuel 30 with Psalm 36:

I love how God works here. He places doubt in the minds of Achich’s men, and David is saved from having to fight the Israelites. Despite David (and our’s) stupid decisions, God protects us and saves us from ourselves.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 4: 1 Samuel 30 with Psalm 36:

Commentary 1 Samuel 30:

David and his men covered about twenty-five miles a day on the march south from Aphek to Ziklag, where they would have arrived tired, hungry and expecting all the comforts for a welcome home.

There is a touch of the Lord’s poetic justice in all this since David brought this exact calamity on other cities  (1 Samuel 27:8-11 during his time among the Philistines. David made his living as a bandit, robbing cities and whenever David attacked the land, he left neither man nor woman alive. The Amalekites were more merciful than David was.

God, who is great in mercy, does not discipline us as much as we deserve. Like a compassionate father, He tempers the stroke of His hand with kindness and love.

David has nothing left

• David has lost his family
• David has lost his friends who now want to stone him
• David has lost his protection from Achish
• DAVID HAS NOT LOST THE LORD

Why God restore David?

• God is merciful
• God gives us undeserved grace
• David asks for God’s strength

What did David remember about God to give him strength?

• God’s love
• God’s promises
• God’s calling on his life
• God’s past deliverances

David now sees why he was rejected by the Philistines: so he could return home and rescue his family. God is good!

God sent David support when he needed it most. Men from Manasseh showed up to aid him (1 Chronicles 12:19-21) and they kept coming.

FUN FACT: This was the first time David inquired of the Lord since he went to live with the Philistines.

David turns to God

David sought God with the help of the priest, almost certainly using the Urim and Thummim that were part of the priest’s ephod. An ephod was a special apron that priests would wear to cover their clothing to keep the sacrificial blood off their clothes.

This was the ephod of the High Priest, which had the breastplate of judgment (Exodus 28:15) attached to it (Exodus 28:28). The breastplate had in it a pouch with two stones, known as the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30).

God gives us something to do, He also gives us a promise in the doing.

One-third of David’s army stays behind, too weak to continue. When God means to bless us, he often takes away a part of the little strength we thought we had.

Having shown unexpected kindness to an Egyptian, David is rewarded. He attacks the Amalekites when they were hung over from the party the night before as they thought the Israelites were far to the north.

God fulfills His promise through David’s action, not idleness.

Why was David allowed to keep the spoils of the Amalekites when Saul was commanded to not keep any spoil from that nation (1 Samuel 15:1-3) and was judged by God for not obeying that command (1 Samuel 15:13-23)?

1. David had no specific command from God to destroy all the spoil from the Amalekites, as Saul did.
2. David recovered what the Amalekites took from others, though he recovered far beyond what was taken from his city.
3. David was not acting as the king of Israel representing the Lord’s nation, as Saul did.

David declared an important principle: the supply lines are just as vital as the soldiers and God will reward both “soldiers” and “supporters” properly.

Take away from 1 Samuel 30:

Many people serve the Lord in invisible, behind-the-scenes ways, often supporting a much more visible aspect of the Lord’s work. God will support the hidden servant with the same reward as prominent servant.

Why David send spoils to the elders of Judah?

• David needed to mend relations since he was with the Philistines

When Jesus triumphed on the cross He won the greatest battle and He had “spoil to share.” He shared the spoil with His people, as it says in Ephesians 4:7-8: But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”

How is David a picture of Jesus Christ in 1 Samuel 30?

• David cares for his men
• David cares for those left behind (like the Egyptian slave)
• David cares for those enslaved
• David recovers spoils
• David shares spoils

Commentary Psalm 36:

This Psalm is titled, To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. Psalm 18 is the only other Psalm that uses the phrase “the servant of the LORD” in the title. Bible scholar Trapp observed that Psalm 18 comes from David’s old age and Psalm 36 from a younger David. From youth to old age, David was the servant of the LORD and “He took more pleasure in the names of duty than of dignity.” (Trapp)

An oracle of transgression could mean David were divinely taught by the sins of others or it’s the voice within a sinner.

We see “oracle of the Lord” in Genesis 22:16 and “oracle of David” in 2 Samuel 23:11.

It is likely that Paul had this Psalm in mind as he composed the opening chapters of his great letter since he quotes verse 1 in Romans 3:18.

The wicked thinks of himself much more highly than he should both in regard to his sins (his iniquity) and his prejudices (hates). Flattery can be us thinking we are more than we actually are; it doesn’t have to come from others.

How does one flatter himself with regards to sin?

Matthew Poole elaborates:

• Sins “are not sins, which a mind bribed by passion and interest can easily believe.”
• Sins “are but small and venial sins.”
• Sins “will be excused, if not justified by honest intentions, or by outward professions and exercise of religion, or by some good actions, wherewith he thinks to make some compensation for them or some other way.”

“The phrase ‘on his bed’ is parallel with ‘on the way’. The ungodly considers evil both in his lying down and in his walking.” (VanGemeren)

Sin is found in what we don’t do as well as in what we do.

The translation of mercy here is inconsistent for the same Hebrew word hesed is translated as loving kindness is both Psalm 36:7 and 36:10. This wonderful word speaks of God’s love and mercy, but especially to His covenant people.

David can only describe these attributes of God with the biggest things he can think of – the heavens, the clouds that fill the sky, the great mountains, and the great deep of the sea.

“The word precious establishes the change from the immense to the intimate and personal.” (Kidner)

Loving kindness in verse 5 is too great to grasp and in verse 7 is too good to let slip. (Kidner)

What does shadow of Your wings mean?

Bible commentators see the shadow of Your wings 2 ways:

1. The wings of the cherubim that are over the throne of God and represented in His tabernacle and temple, including the ark of the covenant, the very representation of His throne.
2. Like a mother hen covering her young chicks under her wings to protect, hide, and shelter them.

We saw this in Ruth with Boaz (Ruth 2:12), and when Jesus was speaking of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37).

I’m inclined to think both.

The word fullness here is literally fatness. “The fattest is esteemed the fairest and the most excellent food; therefore the saint was enjoined to offer the fat in sacrifice under the law. As God expects the best from us, so he gives the best to us.” (Swinnock, cited in Spurgeon)

The fullness (abundance) of your house is will one of our great joys in heaven when we come to our Father’s house. With unmeasured satisfaction we will have the right to roam heaven and say, “Is this ours? And is this ours?” and say it unto eternity.

River of delight/pleasures: “Possibly a reference to Eden may be intended in the selection of the word for ‘pleasures,’ which is a cognate with that name.” (Maclaren)

What does “in your light we see light” mean?

We see light twice: light discovering and light being discovered and enjoyed.

Light is invisible by itself. Everything is invisible until light strikes it. So it is with God: we can’t see Him, but “in his light” (under his loving influence), we see and understand His love in all that surrounds us. God’s overwhelming generosity stands in complete contrast to the self-important plotting of wicked humans.

John wrote in the opening words of his Gospel: He was the true Light which gives light to every man (John 1:9). “It is hard to doubt that John was thinking of Psalm 36:9 as he composed the prelude.” (Boice)

“The Hebrew is, draw forth, or draw out thy lovingkindness: a metaphor either taken from vessels of wine, which being set abroach once, yield not only one cup, but many cups; so when God setteth abroach the wine of his mercy, he will not fill your cup once, but twice and seven times” (Greenhill, cited in Spurgeon).

Unlike the righteous who may fall seven times yet rise up again (Proverbs 24:16), the workers of iniquity remain in the dust as God protects His servants.

‘They are struck down,’ (thrown down) is the same word as in the picture of the pursuing angel of the Lord in Psalm 35.” (Maclaren)

THERE: Some scholars think it refers to the pride mentioned in the previous verse, others to the place where the workers of iniquity practiced their sin.

Summary of 1 Samuel 31:

Like the apparition of Samuel had said, the Israelites lost the battle with the Philistines, and Saul and his sons lost their lives. Saul ended up falling on his own sword when he was critically wounded to avoid any punishment by the Philistines. All the Israelites fled when they heard the news, and the Philistines occupied the Israelites’ cities. The Philistines cut off Saul’s head and hung his body to the wall of Beth Shan. The people of Jabesh Gilead whom Saul had helped so many years ago (1 Samuel 11:1-11) rescued Saul’s body and his sons and buried them.

Summary of 1 Chronicles 10:

The same synopsis is given as above. Added details include: Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. We learn Saul’s head was hung up in the temple of Dagon.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 15, Day 5: 1 Samuel 31 with 1 Chronicles 10:

12) Saul died exactly how Samuel and the Lord said he would: in battle. He was critically wounded and had asked his armor-bearer to finish him off, so he wouldn’t face torture from the Philistines. His armor bearer refused so Saul took his own life. The people of Jabesh Gilead whom Saul had helped so many years ago (1 Samuel 11:1-11) rescued Saul’s body and his sons and buried them.

13) Personal Question. My answer: Good question. I don’t know. It’s something I need to be on the look out for. I don’t really think I do much honorable or compassionate in general.

14) Part Personal Question. My answer: “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance.” I hope it will be said I was a good person, and I fulfilled God’s purpose for my life while here. I was a good mother and wife and pet owner.

Conclusions: BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 5: 1 Samuel 31 with 1 Chronicles 10:

The inevitable has happened; Saul is removed from the throne, paving the way for David’s rule.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 15, Day 5: 1 Samuel 31 with 1 Chronicles 10:

Summary 1 Samuel 31:

Gilboa was the location of the Israeli army camp (1 Samuel 28:4), meaning Israel was in full retreat from the battle. Tt seems probable that the scene with the witch of Endor should have been placed just before this chapter, and not all the way back in 1 Samuel 28 (it’s current location requires some geographical skipping).

Tragically, Saul’s sons were affected in the judgment of God against their father, Saul. The brave and worthy Jonathan died loyally fighting for his God, his country, and his father the king.

The death of all of Saul’s sons was important in God’s plan. In taking the logical heirs to Saul’s throne, God cleared the way for David to become the next king of Israel. We know that if Jonathan had survived he would have gladly yielded the throne to David (1 Samuel 18:1-4). But the same could not be said of Saul’s other sons. God was also merciful to Jonathan, sparing him the ordeal of having to side with David against his own brothers.

David had to deal with Ishbosheth, the one surviving son of Saul before taking the undisputed throne of Israel (2 Samuel 2:8 through 4:12).

Why did the armor-bearer refuse to kill Saul?

It’s unclear why the armour-bearer refused. It could be that killing his king – even if commanded to do so – is just too great a sin for him, or it could be a final dig at Saul as we saw in 1 Sam. 22:17, where his followers refused his command to kill the the priests at Nob.

Did Saul commit suicide?

No. Suicide is deciding to end your own life. Saul’s life was taken by the arrows of the enemy. He only hastened the inevitable.

What does the Bible say about suicide?

God does regard suicide as sin; it is the sin of self-murder. Yet, we are wrong if we regard it as an unforgivable sin. Suicide is the result of Satan’s lies whose purpose is to kill and destroy (John 10:10).

We don’t see any repentance, sorrow, or crying out to God from Saul before his death even though he knew it was coming (1 Samuel 28:19). He did not seem to prepare his soul to meet God in any way.

Take away from Saul’s death:

• Saul did not want to repent like so many others.
• Saul’s life began with such promise and light and ended in such darkness and despair.

We’ll see in  2 Samuel 1:4-10 an Amalekite came to David with the report that Saul had died in battle and that he actually delivered the death-blow to Saul. Does the Amalekite’s statement contradict this passage, where it seems Saul killed himself? It may be that Saul fell on his sword, and life still lingered in him, so he asked this Amalekite to finish him off. Or it may be that the Amalekite simply lied and was the first one to come upon Saul’s dead body, and that he told David that he killed him because he thought David would be pleased and he would be rewarded.

Consequences of Saul’s death

• With the Philistine army now occupying territory on the other side of the Jordan, they have effectively cut Israel in half from west to east. The rest of the nation is now ripe for total conquest by the Philistines.
• The Israelites scatter. Jesus feared this same effect with his demise: Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” (Mark 14:27)

Take away about responsibilities of being a leader:

• The fall of leaders can endanger many more people than the fall of someone who is not a leader. Leaders are held to a higher standard because of this responsibility. (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6).

Saul’s death was used to glorify pagan gods and to mock the living God.

In that culture, to have your dead body treated this way was considered a fate worse than death itself.

Why was Saul’s body burned?

It’s not clear why people of Jabesh Gilead choose to burn the bodies rather than simply bury them. It could be that the fire is intended as a sort of purification after the bodies were left hanging too long (if they rescue the bodies on the night of the same day that they were hung, this would still violate Deut. 21:23). Or there was some variation in burial practices at this time.

You can go to the ruins of Beth Shan today, as the foundations to the city sit high on a hill overlooking the Roman ruins destroyed in an earthquake. It was high on that hill that the Philistines hung the decapitated corpse of King Saul in the ultimate humiliation.

God’s work is bigger than any one man or group of men

David’s life was a whirlwind of events, emotions, and crises that he always bounced back from. He maintained his trust in God despite his sins and imperfections. Yet David from the Bible was completely, passionately alive. Whatever he did, right or wrong, he did with his whole heart. In his love for God, David held nothing back.

We have just studied in 1 Samuel David’s youth and exile. In 2 Samuel, we’ll see David as king, leading, uniting, inspiring his people.

Healing Israel’s Wounds

However, Israel is in tatters. Southern Israel recognizes David as king but Saul’s son launches a civil war for the throne. Ugly infighting ensues, with intrigue, murder, and treachery.

David in the Bible wins, but his authority remains shaky in the Israelites’ eyes. He needed to heal the wounds of war. David won the Northerns over by:

• Showing decisive action
• Punishing murderers justly
• Mourning his enemies’ deaths

David conquered Jerusalem when everyone said it couldn’t be done. He defeated the Philistines once and for all. Israel was safe. Trade expanded and Israel’s economy boomed.

David in the Bible is Israel’s Greatest King

1. David was never vengeful with his enemies
2. David took full responsibility for his mistakes
3. David always remembered he began as a shepherd boy
4. David knew he held power only by God’s grace
5. David knew God had every right to remove him from power
6. David had great strength of character

Israel thrived because of who David was and not just because of what David did.

Living a Passionate Life

• Live with God at the center of your life
• Live every moment — don’t live in the past nor the future
• Admit your mistakes
• Take responsibility
• Learn and grow every day
• “What would Jesus do” is your mantra for daily living

“Happiness comes from solving problems.” by Mark Manson

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Summary 2 Samuel 1:

David hears of Saul’s death from a messenger, an Amalekite, who claims he was with Saul in battle. He claims he killed Saul and took his crown to David. David and all of his men mourned Saul and Jonathan’s deaths. David kills the Amalekite for striking down the Lord’s anointed.

David laments Saul and Jonathan’s deaths with a poem, saying not to tell Israel’s enemies, who will only rejoice and for Mount Gilboa (where both men fell) to never yield grain again. He grieves Jonathan’s death as a brother.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Samuel 1:

3) The man, an Amalekite, claimed he was the one whom Saul asked to kill him, and the man claims he did kill him. In reality, Saul took his own life, and he had asked his armor-bearer to kill him, not a foreigner. The Amalekite claims he took Saul’s crown and band off his arm and brought them to David. In reality, the Amalekite was a thief, who stole Saul’s crown and band after he died and made up this story to cover his actions.

4) Saul was God’s anointed, and thus, deserved respect, admiration, and support. David trusts God. David knows God is in charge and will work history in His way and His timing.

5) Part personal Question. My answer: David still loves Saul, his enemy who tried to kill him. David respects and submits to God’s authority. David is still sad for loss of life and is not bitter or angry. David forgives Saul. I would like to be more compassionate to others, more forgiving, and have more faith that life’s events are in God’s hands.

Conclusions: BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Samuel 1:

I love David’s power of forgiveness of Saul. He understood the depth of Saul’s mental illness and twisted heart and did not hold that against Saul. It’s interesting how David did kill the Amalekite. I presume he saw through the lies, probably knowing Saul would not ask a foreigner to kill him, so David punishes the man justly for stealing. David sets a powerful example for his men on compassion, forgiveness, and mourning the loss of a leader no matter what personal feelings you may harbor for the person. As God’s anointed, Saul will always be special similar to the Jewish people today. As such, honor and respect are rightfully theirs.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 16, Day 2: 2 Samuel 1:

King Saul and his three sons were killed in battle against the Philistines, dying on the slopes of Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-8). It was the sad ending to a tragic life, concluding the story of a man who came to the throne humble but left it hardened, bitter against both God and man.

At the end of 1 Samuel, David had left the Israelites and had allied himself with the Philistines. God prevented a complete alliance and brought David back through heartbreaking circumstances (the Amalekites stole the families and possessions of David and his men). Strengthening himself in God (1 Samuel 30:6), David defeated the Amalekites and brought back everyone and everything.

This event brought David back to the Lord.

The Amalekite arrived with torn clothes and dust on his head —traditional expressions of mourning for the dead.

We know the Amalekite is lying from 1 Samuel 31:5 which tells us Saul’s armor bearer saw he was dead.

What do we learn from David’s reaction to Saul’s death?

• Our hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness are chosen from Free Will.
• David became better not bitter
• To honor God’s anointed (all leaders)
• To trust God with history

The Israelites were in a precarious position. Their king has fallen and the Philistines have defeated them.

What do we learn from David’s justice against the Amalekite?

• It is God’s job to end a life — not ours — unless it’s justified killing in war, self-defense, or lawful criminal execution.
• No matter how we personally feel about the Lord’s anointed, no action whatsoever must be taken against him.

FUN FACT: The book of Jashar is also mentioned in Joshua 10:13; it evidently contained a collection of early Hebrew poetry.

What do we learn from David’s lamentation song of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths?

• David was not bitter, even when he was greatly wronged and sinned against. David fulfilled 1 Corinthians 13:5: love thinks no evil. David knew the principle of 1 Peter 4:8: And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
• David trusted in God and God’s power. He knew that God was in charge of his life, and that even if Saul meant it for evil, God could use it for good.

How did Saul fall?

Saul fell long before his death. He fell when he hardened his heart against God, against the word of God through the prophet, and against the man after God’s own heart. Saul’s death on Gilboa was merely the sad conclusion.

Why does David not understand a woman’s love?

It might surprise you that David said Jonathan’s love for him was more wonderful than that of a woman’s.

Had David followed God’s plan for marriage – to one woman, faithful for a lifetime – he might have found more fulfillment in his marriage relationship. David’s own experience of love with women was not according to God’s will. His multiple marriages kept him from God’s ideal: one man and one woman in a one-flesh relationship. If we can draw anything from Bathsheba, it will be how David’s “love” was more like lust — at least in the beginning.

David and Jonathan’s love for one another

There is not the slightest hint that David and Jonathan expressed their love in a sexual way. They had a deep, godly love for each other – but not a sexual love. Our modern age often finds it difficult to believe that love can be deep and real without sex being involved.