Category: 1 Samuel

David knew grief well, and knew that it sometimes needs expressing. While he and his men had emotionally grieved the death of Saul, Jonathan, and so many of Israel’s army, that was not enough. David composed a lament, or written expression of grief. His lament reminds us that grieving in this sinful world is normal.…

The first scene of 2 Samuel introduces us to David’s learning of King Saul’s death through the arrival of a grifter, bearing Saul’s kingly baubles. We quickly discover that the man is less concerned with the situation than with his own advancement, and meets judgement for it. On the other hand, David’s response shows the…

While David had successfully rescued his wives and children from captivity, and even spread the bounty of victory around, the Philistines and Israel under Saul entered into battle. For Saul, the battle did not go as it did for David, because God was with David and was not with Saul.

But unlike recent situations which had led to a ransacked Ziklag, “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (v.6). How is not exactly stated, but given David’s next steps, it likely involved prayer and meditation on God’s promises to him and to his people.

The author of Samuel appeared to be setting up a final grudge match between David and Saul, lined up against each other. David, forced onto the Philistine side by his recent choices. Saul, about to face the hour of his final judgement due to his own past choices. This, despite the many situations in the…

For some, this “Dark Night of the Soul” or “Divine Despair” is the road by which unbelievers come to Christ. For many unbelievers though, hardened by many years of rejecting Christ and suppressing the truth of God’s existence in unrighteousness, there is no comfort that comes from God. Only the knowledge of coming judgement. Lord…

Even the best of us follow our heart. David certainly did. Despite all the external evidence of God’s provision for David, the internal strain became too much. He did not listen to God. He followed his heart. He ultimately landed in a sticky situation. One that God, much like he has done for us in…

David’s act, or inaction, to spare King Saul’s life rather than spear Saul, was a great act of faith. David had been hounded and chased from pillar to post, yet had learnt in his struggles to trust in God and God’s timing. David had come to understand that God’s plan required him to wait, and…

Our passage begins with momentous news that passes as a footnote: the death of Samuel (v.1). The prominent character of the early part of 1 Samuel has passed from view, and now from death to life. All Israel mourned his passing, though David likely mourned remotely.

We must wait on God’s timing for taking on responsibilities, or seeing injustices answered. In 1 Samuel 24, David understood that fact. Leaving aside an opportunity to seize the throne by killing Saul in his moment of weakness, David demonstrated his fitness for the kingship and as God’s servant. This fitness looked forward to Jesus,…