1 Samuel 25-27 - David and Abigail

David and Abigail

1Sa 25:28-31 LSB -
[28] "Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant; for Yahweh will certainly make for my lord an enduring house because my lord is fighting the battles of Yahweh, and evil will not be found in you all your days.
[29] "And should anyone rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, then the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with Yahweh your God; but the lives of your enemies He will sling out as from the hollow of a sling.
[30] "And it will be that when Yahweh does for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and appoints you ruler over Israel,
[31] then this will not cause stumbling or a troubled heart to my lord, both by having shed blood without cause and by my lord having saved himself. When Yahweh deals well with my lord, then remember your maidservant."

1Sa 25:41 LSB - [41] And she arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, "Behold, your maidservant is a servant-woman to wash the feet of my lord's servants."

David Takes Saul’s Spear

1Sa 26:9-11 LSB - [9] But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can send forth his hand against the anointed of Yahweh and be without guilt?" [10] David also said, "As Yahweh lives, surely Yahweh will smite him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and be swept away. [11] "Yahweh forbid that I should send forth my hand against the anointed of Yahweh; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go."

1Sa 26:12 LSB - [12] So David took the spear and the jug of water from [beside] Saul's head, and they went away, but no one saw or knew [it], nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them.

David Escapes to the Philistines

1Sa 27:6 LSB - [6] So Achish gave him Ziklag that day; therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.

1 Samuel 22-24 - David Spares Saul’s Life

David at the Cave of Adullam

Saul Kills the Priests at Nob

David Saves Keilah

1Sa 23:6 LSB - [6] Now it happened when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, [that] he came down [with] an ephod in his hand.

1Sa 23:14 LSB - [14] And David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

Saul Pursues David

1Sa 23:16 LSB - [16] So Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David at Horesh and strengthened his hand in God.

1Sa 23:28 LSB - [28] So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.

David Spares Saul’s Life

1Sa 24:6 LSB - [6] So he said to his men, "Far be it from me because of Yahweh that I should do this thing to my lord, the anointed of Yahweh, to send forth my hand against him, since he is the anointed of Yahweh."

The Death of Samuel

1 Samuel 19-21 - In God I trust

Saul Tries to Kill David

1Sa 19:6 LSB - [6] And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, "As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death."

1Sa 19:9-10 LSB - [9] Now there was an evil spirit from Yahweh on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing [the harp] with [his] hand. [10] And Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

1Sa 19:23-24 LSB - [23] So he went there, to Naioth in Ramah; and the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. [24] He also stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

David and Jonathan’s Covenant

1Sa 20:14-15 ESV - [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."

Saul Is Angry with Jonathan

1Sa 20:41 LSB - [41] When the young man was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David [wept] more.

David Takes Consecrated Bread

1Sa 21:6 LSB - [6] So the priest gave him consecrated [bread]; for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence which was removed from before Yahweh, in order to put hot bread [in its place] when it was taken away.

Mat 12:3-4 LSB - [3] But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, [4] how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone?

 

David Flees to Gath

Psa 56:1-13 LSB - 

[1] For the choir director. According to Jonath Elem Rehokim. A Mikhtam of David. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. 

Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; All day long, an attacker oppresses me. 

[2] My foes have trampled upon me all day long, For many attack me proudly. 

[3] When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 

[4] In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can [mere] man do to me? 

[5] All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. 

[6] They attack, they lurk, They watch my heels, As they have hoped [to take] my life. 

[7] On account of [their] wickedness, will they have an escape? In anger, bring down the peoples, O God! 

[8] You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are [they] not in Your book? 

[9] Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me. 

[10] In God, [whose] word I praise, In Yahweh, [whose] word I praise, 

[11] In God I trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 

[12] Your vows are [binding] upon me, O God; I will fulfill thank offerings to You. 

[13] For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living.

1 Samuel 16-18 - Yahweh Looks at the Heart

David Anointed King

1Sa 16:7 LSB - [7] But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God [sees] not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."

1Sa 16:13 LSB - [13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

David Becomes Saul’s Armor Bearer

1Sa 16:14 LSB - [14] Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh terrorized him.

1Sa 16:18 LSB - [18] Then one of the young men answered and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one who is understanding in speech, and a man of fine form; and Yahweh is with him."

1Sa 16:21 LSB - [21] Then David came to Saul and stood before him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.

1Sa 16:23 LSB - [23] Thus it happened that whenever the [evil] spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play [it] with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Goliath Challenges Israel

1Sa 17:26 LSB - [26] Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who strikes down this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should reproach the battle lines of the living God?"

David Puts Goliath to Death

1Sa 17:40 LSB - [40] Then he took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in [his] pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.

1Sa 17:45 LSB - [45] Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have reproached.

1Sa 17:46-47 LSB - [46] "This day Yahweh will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the camp of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the 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 Yahweh does not save by sword or by spear; for the battle is Yahweh's, and He will give you into our hands."

1Sa 17:48-49 LSB - [48] Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. [49] And David sent his hand down into his bag and took from it a stone and slung [it] and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

Jonathan Cuts a Covenant with David

1Sa 18:3 LSB - [3] Then Jonathan cut a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul.

Saul Looks at David with Suspicion

1Sa 18:12-13 LSB - [12] And Saul was afraid of David, for Yahweh was with him but had turned away from Saul. [13] Therefore Saul turned him away from his presence and appointed him as his commander of one thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

Saul’s Daughter Given to David

1Sa 18:23 LSB - [23] So Saul's servants spoke these words in David's hearing. But David said, "Is it trivial in your eyes to become the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?"

1Sa 18:25 LSB - [25] Saul then said, "Thus you shall say to David, 'The king does not desire any dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king's enemies.'" Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

1Sa 18:26 LSB - [26] Then his servants told David these words, and it was right in the eyes of David to become the king's son-in-law. So before the days had expired,

1 Samuel 13-15 - To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Saul Strikes Down the Philistines

1Sa 13:1 LSB - [1] Saul was [thirty] years old when he began to reign, and he reigned [forty-]two years over Israel.

Act 13:21 LSB - [21] "Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

 

Saul Doesn’t Keep Yahweh’s Commandment

1Sa 13:13-14 LSB - [13] And Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which He commanded you, for now Yahweh would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. [14] "But now your kingdom shall not endure. Yahweh has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him as ruler over His people because you have not kept what Yahweh commanded you."

1Sa 13:19, 22 LSB - [19] Now no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears." ... [22] So it happened on the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who [were] with Saul and Jonathan, but they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan.

Jonathan Slaughters the Philistines

1Sa 14:6 LSB - [6] Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps Yahweh will work for us, for Yahweh is not restrained to save by many or by few."

1Sa 14:13-15 LSB - [13] Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him. [14] And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land. [15] And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

1Sa 14:19 LSB - [19] And it happened that while Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

1Sa 14:23 LSB - [23] So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven.

Saul’s Oath Makes the People Weary

1Sa 14:45 LSB - [45] But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.

Saul Fights Against His Enemies

Saul’s Disobedience

1 Samuel 15:9 LSB — But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and they were not willing to devote them to destruction; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

Yahweh Regrets He Made Saul King

1 Samuel 15:10-11 LSB - Then the word of Yahweh came to Samuel, saying, “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not established My words.” And Samuel became angry and cried out to Yahweh all night.

1 Samuel 15:22 LSB - And Samuel said,

“Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

As in obeying the voice of Yahweh?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:35 LSB - So Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And Yahweh regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

1 Samuel 10-12 - Spirit of God Came Upon Saul

Saul Among the Prophets

1Sa 10:9-10 LSB - [9] Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. [10] And they came to the hill there, and behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.

Saul the King

1Sa 10:20-22 LSB - [20] Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken [by lot]. [21] Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but they looked for him, and he could not be found. [22] Therefore they inquired further of Yahweh, "Has the man come here yet?" So Yahweh said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage."

Hiding Among the Stuff by Spurgeon

I dare say he thinks tonight that, if he had been Saul he would not have been hiding himself. If it were to have his head taken off, a man might very wisely hide himself, but to have a crown put upon his head does not seem to be a reason for hiding ones self, but a reason for coming out into the open and saying, “Here am I; do unto me as seemeth you good!” But this conduct, which seems so strange in Saul, is an exact imago of the behavior of many of you who are here tonight. There may be some of you here present, who may be doing precisely what Saul did, only you are doing it more foolishly than he did. He did but hide away from an earthly crown, but you hide from a heavenly one. He did but shun a crown that fadeth; you seem as though you would avoid a crown that is undefiled and that fadeth not away. The crown which Saul sought to hide from no doubt brought many cares with it, for it is only too often true that —

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

but the crown which you are avoiding brings no care with it, but much of holy ease and joy, and that head lies easily enough which is crowned with God’s crown of lovingkindness and tender mercy. But you hide yourselves away from it, — from the crown which prophets and apostles counted on, for which they were willing to sacrifice all things, and counted their best prospects but as dross and dun,” that they might win it. This crown, which glittered in the martyr’s eye, and made him, sing as he swam through a sea of blood to reach it: this crown is lightly valued by you, and you hide yourself away among the stuff, that you escape from this boon of God’s bountiful mercy and love.

 

Saul Strikes Down the Ammonites

1Sa 11:6 LSB - [6] Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he burned with anger exceedingly.

1Sa 11:15 LSB - [15] So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and there Saul and all the men of Israel were exceedingly glad.

Samuel Speaks to Israel

1Sa 12:20-22 LSB - [20] And Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. [21] "And you must not turn aside, for [then you would go] after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless. [22] "For Yahweh will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because Yahweh has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.

1Sa 12:23 LSB - [23] "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and upright way.

1 Samuel 7-9 - Saul to Be Anointed Over Israel

1Sa 7:2 LSB - [2] Now it happened from the day when the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long; it was twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.

Samuel Judges Israel

1Sa 7:4 LSB - [4] So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served Yahweh alone.

1Sa 7:9-10 LSB - [9] And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh; and Samuel cried out to Yahweh for Israel, and Yahweh answered him. [10] Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were defeated before Israel.

1Sa 7:14 LSB - [14] And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. So there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Israel Tells Samuel to Appoint a King

1Sa 8:3 LSB - [3] But his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after greedy gain and took bribes and caused justice to turn aside.

1Sa 8:5 LSB - [5] and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."

1Sa 8:7-8 LSB - [7] Then Yahweh said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. [8] "Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day--in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.

The People Refuse Samuel’s Words

1Sa 8:19 LSB - [19] Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, "No, but there shall be a king over us,

Saul to Be Anointed Over Israel

1Sa 9:16-17 LSB - [16] "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be ruler over My people Israel; and he will save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people because their cry has come to Me." [17] Now Samuel saw Saul, and Yahweh answered him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall restrict My people."