 I am amazed at David’s loyalty to the anointed position of Saul. Saul was an evil man, but David understood that he was God’s anointed and David took that seriously. David never laid a hand on Saul and protected him from the other men who wanted to kill him. He even avenged Saul’s death by taking the life of the Amalekite who claimed to kill Saul at his request. David honored the position and I find that fascinating and impressive. I’m not sure I could await God’s judgment on the person but David did and he is a great example for all of us when it come to our spiritual leaders or leaders God has appointed.
-Pastor Doug
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 I have to go off on a bit of a tangent today. What in the world are we supposed to learn from the details surrounding Abigail’s first husband? The guy is mean and wicked, sure, we get that, but after she appeases David with the gifts, the man is drunk and throwing a party. She decides to tell him what happened when he sobers up and he has a stroke. Now as weird as that is, he is now paralyzed and God strikes him dead ten days later. What! So the moral of the story is:
A) Get drunk and you could have a stroke B) Don’t tell someone bad news when they have a hangover or they could become paralyzed. C) God will strike you dead after letting you suffer for 10 days if you are a jerk. Is there a letter “D”? -Pastor Doug  Another great felt board lesson. “Okay children, here is King Saul, using the facilities…” God has got to have a good sense of humor. Humor can’t be a human trait only…we are created in his image and I see a lot of humor in the Scriptures. Saul is relieving himself in the same cave that David is hiding in. Not only is this funny from Saul’s perspective, but think of the poor guys stuck in the back of the cave…very little air movement! Sorry for digressing today, but I couldn’t pass this one by!
-Pastor Doug  Saul is a nut! It is amazing what anger and jealousy and pride can do to a person. David seems squeaky clean and Saul comes across as a crazy man. I do love the interlude that took place with David and King Achish…scratching at the doors and drooling down his beard. I laugh out loud every time I read that! Saul on the other hand is not so funny. This man is sealing his fate. The slaughter of all those priests, out of anger, is unbelievable.
-Pastor Doug  This story has been told so many times and I laugh at the way it is used for any type of application. The children’s versions leave out the way Goliath actually died…it wasn’t from the stone but the sword. Try cutting off Goliaths head on a felt board…that will get the kids attention! I have always wondered why David picked up five stones, maybe it was to kill Goliaths other four brothers (told in another part of the bible) or maybe he was not sure of his shot? I also have wondered about the number ten for the loaves iof bread and the cuts of cheese that Jesse had David take to the field. Numbers are not random in the Scriptures and they usually point to some very significant imagery. Another number that I find fascinating is the size of goliath. In the text, it says that he is 6 cubits and 1 span (about 9 feet tall) but the older and more accurate Dead Sea Scrolls say he was 4 cubits and 1 span (about 6’6”). So how tall do you think he was?
-Pastor Doug  What a contrast between Saul and David. Saul was a tall and impressive but David was overlooked and very unimpressive. Being king was going to Saul’s head (no pun intended) and he decided to overstep his bounds and become the priest for the people as well. The New Testament teaches us that only Jesus fits the role of King and High Priest. Samuel scolds Saul for his arrogance and Saul doesn’t get it. His judgment has been clouded by his pride and arrogance. Power has a tendency to corrupt the best of us. Even David, the man after God heart, will succumb to the sin of misusing the power he will have as future king of Israel.
-Pastor Doug  Faith is a big deal. Faith moves mountains and Jonathan had faith that God could prevail. He took the steps to go to the place to be used and waited for God’s sign that the time was right. It was the great show of faith that caused the Israelite’s small army to overtake the Philistines. Saul missed the mark with his side bets about not eating for the day and then is so nearsighted with his oath that he is willing to kill his son, the one who had the faith God used. It is very easy to think you’re following God and doing his will when you are actually trying to be God and do your own will. Faith is the key to our relationship with God.
-Pastor Doug  Why would God give Israel a king? If God was to be their king, why would he give them the desires of their hearts for a human king? I believe it is another example of allowing the people to choose who they will serve. God has always been the kind of God that allows his people to choose. He doesn’t force us to choose him, he allows us to choose. Saul is not God’s choice, but the people’s choice and it’s going to get pretty rough on them in the near future. Mel Brooks said “It’s good to be the king”, but I’m not so sure!
-Pastor Doug  It seems like no one wants the Ark. There seems to be a desire to have the Ark if they can wield its power, but when God’s power is unbridled and does not fit into the selfish plans of the tenants, the Ark is not wanted. Have you noticed a respect theme in the Old Testament? God wants respect and he demands it from his people. Disrespect=death. I wonder what God thinks of our Christian culture; the making of religious junk (trinkets) like fish for our cars, koozies and clever t-shirts for profit and the building of expensive churches for the comfort and enjoyment of the attendees. God is the same God today as he was in 1 Samuel. His character does not change. He is a jealous God and I’m afraid we are giving him much to be jealous of.
-Pastor Doug  The Ark is gone! Remember that God does not live nor is he bound by the location and whereabouts of the Ark. The Ark represents god’s presence with the people and now that it is gone, God’s presence and protection has lifted. It is strange that Eli would not discipline his sons and allow God’s judgment to fall upon the people out of blatant disobedience. I don’t mean to over spiritualize this story, but I see this more in today’s culture than I’ve ever read or heard about in previous generations. Parents have stepped aside and allowed their children to do what they wish instead of the hard work of protecting, boundaries and discipline. Parents are more concerned with their kids liking them than they are in raising them right. It’s a tough time to raise kids and a tough time to be a kid. Buck the culture and be a great parent, aunt or uncle or Grandparent…the kids in your life need guidance to not be like Hophni and Phinehas!
-Pastor Doug |
AboutThis blog was originally written by Pastor Doug Bartel of Hillcrest Church, starting in Spring 2009. Keep that in mind if you read anything that doesn't quite add up to the time of year. Archives
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