Chapter 1-8
Briefly read.
Note of interest:
Philistines were from the Island of Crete (disputed by some, but Britannica gave Crete more credit), Aegean people. (Remnants of the coast of Caphtor - Jeremiah 47:4) They were not native to Canaan.
Through young Samuel, God warned Eli of his fatherhood, but his response: "...let him do what is good in his eyes" (3:18). This is seen in today's churches where the seniors deal with issues in a liberal manner and pastors allow this to happen.
After first defeat, the Israelite brought out the Ark, and the Philistines were afraid at first, but they had no other choice, so they manned up and fought to victory, taking the Ark.
Phinehas' wife had a son, Ichabod, named by the mother while dying, to lament the lost of the Ark. (4:21)
The Ark was troubling the Philistines, so they sent it on cows to Beth Shemesh, of the Israelites. To see if the omen was of God's or of chance. On it, were guilt offerings of 5 gold tumors (as they were plagued by God in such) and 5 gold rats, according to 5 of their cities: Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron.
I supposed 6:19 is what influenced the Indiana Jones movie. There are debates whether God struck 50,070 or only 70, even though the Levites were there to handle the Ark. They number 50k is perhaps too great for Beth Shemesh, as some believe. 50,070 could have included the Philistines, or the Israelites who died in battles. I could accept either only 70 or more to include the Philistines, as long as it has to do with the Ark, not the battles. Whether there were Philistines touching the Ark as Uzzah, I see it matters not if God would strike them or not for they were not the law bearers.
Kiriath Jearim took the Ark eventually due to fear of it in Beth Shemesh. A levite Eleazar was consecrated to guard it.
During Samuel's burnt offering of a suckling lamb at Mizpah, the Philistines attacked. Israelites did not react but kept praying Samuel to continue the sacrifice. God came to their aid (7:10) with loud thunder, causing them panic. Then, the Israelites slaughtered them.
It appears that the Israelites even took back Ekron and Gath (7:14). Samuel led a good defense, contrasting with King David, against the Philistines. Israel also became friends with the Amorites after they help rescuing their territories from the Philistines.
Samuel traveled like Pak Tong, from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah to Ramah (his home). The late Eli was in Shiloh.
Because his sons were wicked, Samuel was not trusted with his natural successors. But ultimately, it was up to God (8:7): it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. This reminds me of Michael Liu's case, when many sought against him and Pak Tong. They did not care for God's will, only their logic of who Pak Tong's successor should be. Whether Michael Liu would be successor or not, it matters not, because it was not what Rev. Stephen Tong intented. His intention was to take care of Michael Liu (Matthew 18:10, Matthew 25:40) while other pastor/elder "kick" him out. In other words, Pak Tong was doing the job of some of those who criticize him for taking too much care of Michael Liu. I am doing some of their job of teaching their younglings as well. May God have mercy on us all. All they care about is to judge who is not suitable to be leader, because they think they know better, even than God, they want a human king, they praise men that they like, they scorn at those they like not. They liked Pak Tong then, they like him not now. They are the king, not God.
The warning against wanting a king discredits anti-civ.'s claim that Christianity (religion) brought elements of civilization that they frowned upon: control power, centralized government power, taxes, etc.
Chapter 9-10
9:16, God chose Saul as King. Though all culpability is upon Saul should he fall.
10:27, "How can this fellow save us?", these trouble makers are the lover of successors. Reminds me of Michael Liu's case, yet again. Only valiant men whose hearts God had touched are willing to follow God's will, even when it seems not satisfactory. (v26).
Chapter 11-12
11:12 Wishing to kill all those who were against Saul as king from end of previous chapter. This is a rush judgment...out of emotion. After winning the battle, perhaps out of pride, anger and vain zeal, that they sought this. Also perhaps they have tasted blood, which they were too lazy prior to Saul's spirit filled warning (11:6).
12:12 Wanting a king appeared to be caused by the attack of Nahash of Ammonites.
12:18 Good theatrical moment.
12:20 you have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. (but if persist in doing evil...v.25).
12:23 ...sin not against God by failing to pray for others.
Chapter 13-14
Jonathan ate the honey (c.14), but the foolishness and sinfulness were of Saul's, even though Saul kept blaming others.
14:44 self fulfilling vow.
Chapter 15
God rejects Saul as King. Memory verse for 15:22
Deep thoughts for 15:23.
Chapter 16
God chose David as King.
16:14 Once David was anointed, the Spirit of the Lord left Saul and he was terrorized by an evil spirit from the Lord.
It would appear to me that when Samuel was afraid to let King Saul know he was going to anoint David as king, he had caused David all those miseries from Saul. For King Saul looked highly upon Samuel. Samuel had escaped having confrontation with Saul, but that also means he withdraw his authority from Saul as well. Had Samuel testified before Saul, who David is going to be, things might have been better.
Chapter 17-18
Key verses:
When Eliab, David's oldest brother despised him,
1Sa 17:29 "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?"
After describing how he killed the wild beasts,
1Sa 17:37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.
18: Saul's intention to marry David to first Merab (failed), then Michal at the price of 100 Philistines foreskins, was to have David killed by the enemies, just as David did with Uriah later.
19:20-24 After sending 3 groups of men consecutively, Saul himself went. They all end up strange, "prophesying" - supposedly praising God, etc. An interesting look at the dispensation of God's grace. Saul prophesied even before he reached Naioth. When he had arrived, he stripped his robes (not necessary in nude) in Samuel's presence while prophesying, laying down on the ground all day and night, unlike his men. Saul prophesied like this before in 1 Sam 10. This shows God's absolute sovereignty in changing one's will in His grace. It also showed how hardened Saul was when God's intensified grace was upon him. Not that God was not able upon Saul, but to show the depth of the wickedness of men should God reveal it to us. How gracious was God then to His elects who were unworthy on their own merits.
Chapter 20:
The means of finding out Saul's true intent of killing David was wise. If it were a lie or prevarication, as a few commentators (K&D, BBC, etc.) wondered, it is never justified. However, it is sure that David lied in the next chapter, to Ahimelech the priest.
David appeared to understand King Saul very well, his secret motives, his temper, etc.
v41 is the greatest display of friendship between David and Jonathan. Unfortunately, the gays must love to twist this verse.
Chapter 21-22:
21. When Jesus alluded to David eating temple food in Matthew 12, etc. This shows that David wasn't lying about his men with him. I supposed that David tried very hard not to lie, though he failed at times. He did lie to Ahimelech the priest about being on a secret mission from the king, this, according to MacArthur, led to the deaths of the priests in the next chapter.
Here we also see David pretended to be insane/crazy before the king of Gath.
22. In the cave of Adullam, David's family and those who were weary came to him. About 400 of them. Here David began to exhibit his role as the future king.
v4. Stronghold is possible Masada.
Prophet Gad is introduced.
David owed up to his mistakes, cared for Abiathar, son of Ahimelech.
Chapter 23-24:
23.
v12-13: Some may foolishly assume that God had changed his mind or that God "predicted" the future wrongly. Not so. This shows God's providence to David, who wisely follows God's unchanging will. Even after help citizens of Keilah, David showed such great heart for the people of God.
v17: Jonathan's displayed how Saul should have behaved if he were to remain Godly. Jealousy and striving for the best don't come hand in hand, Jonathan sought that which is of God's, not according to his own wisdom, or Saul's, that he should be king.
Even the Ziphites were willing to give David up to Saul.
Lots of place names.
At least Saul was willing to help fight the Philistines half way pursuing David.
24.
David spares Saul's life.
v5: David was conscience-stricken (NIV), David's heart smote him (KJV), 心中自责 (CUV)
v4,7: Contrasts with the man of God in 1 King 13.
v9: "...when men say...", David unlike today, did not accuse Satan all the time of deceits in the world.
v16: Saul even wept.
v17: "You are more righteous and I", was it a jealous remark? for Saul pursued David after this incident. However, in v21, Saul showed some humility.
v21: Saul's true intend on killing David - to preserve his line and name.
Chapter 25-26
Nabal & Abigail
It is not the case that David would demand some sort of protection fee from Nabal. However, Nabal's insolence is to be disdained. After calmed down by Abigail, David had to break his vow to kill every male of Nabal's household. After the feast, Nabal's heart became like stone after his wafe had told him everything. 10 days later, he died.
Many would try to justify Abigail's marriage to David, but what if Abigail was ugly?
v.43 shows David's polygamy.
v. 44 Michal, David's first wife, has been given by her father King Saul to Paltiel.
26.
The Ziphites were really persistent (c.23) in telling Saul about David's whereabouts.
David spared Saul's life a second time. This time, not by cutting Saul's cloth but by taking his spear and water jug. More rebuking than mocking Abner, Saul's cousin and captain from afar.
v10 David prophesied Saul's fate.\
v19 In Israel, it is a share of the Lord's inheritance, contrasting with gentile land which is equivalent to serving other gods.
Chapter 27-28
David has 600 men now. Each man with his family. David with 2 wives: Ahinoam & Abigail.
Ziklag, given by Achish son of Maoch king of Gath, became Judah Kings' territory.
David lived in Philistine 1 year 4 months.
v10: It would appear that David resolve to lying again...though not directly, but the motive was to deceive.
28.
Saul visits the witch
v10 Saul used the name of the Lord to swear to the witch.
v20 Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear....(not tears)...after listening to the spirit of Samuel's judgment on him.
I believe Saul still has God's mercy to repent, but he sought not. Only fear overcame him. He had known what is righteousness before, just as many liberalists. However, in the end, they refuse to submit to God's sovereignty, they rather feel fear instead of a true repentance. The Liberalists have no problems with idolatry. Hence, Saul did not trouble himself to fellowship with the sorceress (v.25). That is not to say that the witch had no kind heart, which was a blessing from God.
Chapter 29-31
29.
The Philistine commanders had trouble with David accompanying them to fight the Israelites. I would doubt his motive as well, given his past. Whether David tried to vindicate himself or not, we know how David felt about God's people being attacked.
30.
David and his men went home (Ziklag) to find it destroyed by the Amalekites, their wives and children taken. His men were also angry with David and were considering stoning him(v.6). Therefore, he's not always viewed as successful by others. But David find his reliance upon God.
This also explains the necessity of David's deportation from King Achish's campaign. That now it is not too late for him to pursue the Amalekites.
v.22-25 When some refused to share the plunder of David with those 200 who were too weak to follow David all the way, David was clear on God's grace alone, that we have no merit apart from God's provision. So he was against what the Bible calls: the evil men and troublemakers (v22). But all appeared to be resolved peacefully.
David must have great plunder to share with so many (v.31).
31.
Defeated by the Philistines, Saul's 3 sons were killed, and Saul and his armor-bearer took their own lives. The enemy desecrated Saul's and his sons' bodies. The people of Jabesh Gilead were godly men and they stole away the bodies and burned them, after which they fasted 7 days. They also did this probably in gratitude towards Saul's rescue in chapter 11, against the Ammonites, just before Saul was officially confirmed by all as king.