We work through one Old Testament chapter each day, covering all 929 chapters in three years!
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Saul continues to pursue David, despite earlier promises to leave him alone, I Samuel 26:1-5, Pursuit to the hill of Hakilah The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?" So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search there for David. Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill…
David is in exile, anointed king by Samuel but chased by Saul. 1 Samuel 25:1-3, A wealthy Calebite Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and mourned for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David moved down into the Desert of Maon. A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in…
David continues to run from Saul. 1 Samuel 24:1-4, Saul vulnerable After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi." So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David…
David is on the run from King Saul. 1 Samuel 23:1-3, Keilah attacked When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," he inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more,…
The Hebrew language is rich with many words and concepts that do not carry over directly into English and so must be translated with a variety of English words or phrases. One word that does not immediately translate into English is the word hesed . It translates into Greek roughly as agape . In various places it is translated as "love", "care", "loyalty." Robert Hubbard argues that hesed is the…
David is fleeing Saul. His first stop was in Gath where he faked insanity. Now he moves on. 1 Samuel 22:1-2, Collection of discontents David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four…
David is now fleeing from Saul. 1 Samuel 21:1-5, "Please, bread" David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?" David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, `No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them…
Erratic Saul has tried several times to kill David. 1 Samuel 20:1-4, "A step from death" Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, "What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?" "Never!" Jonathan replied. "You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn't do anything, great or small, without confiding in me. Why…
David has grown in popularity, as he successfully battles the Philistines. 1 Samuel 19:1-3, Saul recruits Jonathan and attendants Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my…
David has killed the Philistine giant, Goliath, and has been added to Saul's collection of armor-bearers. 1 Samuel 18:1-4, David and Jonathan After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he…