Chanukah is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a season of rejoicing, a season of thanksgiving, a season of praising the LORD. Chanukah begins at sundown on December 12.
Fast facts about Chanukah:
It occurs on the 25th of Kislev (the ninth month on the Jewish calendar)
It lasts eight days and eight nights
It is called the Festival of Lights or the Festival of Dedication
Chanukah means in Hebrew "dedication"
Chanukah spelled in Hebrew is chet-nun-vav-caf-hey
The root word of Chanukah is chet-nun-vav-caf (pronounced "Enoch" in English). Enoch was in the seventh generation from Adam. He lived 365 years before God took Enoch. "And Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer, for God had taken him" (Genesis 5:24).
Although many Christians believe Chanukah is not a biblical holiday, this is simply not true.
Chanukah has happened in the past and is prophesied to happen again in the future.
(Side note: In Judaism, everything happens in cycles. Things which have happened in the past will repeat themselves. This can be seen in the Torah reading in which the Torah is read through in a single year and then is rolled up to the beginning and started all over again. Additionally, this concept can been observed in Scripture: "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun" Ecclesiastes 1:9. Chanukah has happened in the past; thus, the events of Chanukah will repeat themselves and happen in the future.)
The Number Eight
In the Bible, the number eight often signifies dedication and new beginnings. This seems apropos since Chanukah lasts for eight days and eight nights.
2 Peter 2:5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly.
God saves Noah and eight people when God brings a flood to destroy the world. After the world has been washed cleaned, eight people are the start of a new beginning to the world's population.
Exodus 22:29-30 You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe fruits, and of your liquors: the firstborn of your sons shall you give unto me. Likewise shall you do with your oxen, and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eight day you shall give it to me.
For seven days a person may keep his firstborn sons and animals and first fruits of his produce, but on the eighth day, the items are to be dedicated to God.
Leviticus 9:1, 23, 24 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
It was on the eighth day after Aaron and his sons were consecrated to become priests to the LORD that the glory of the LORD appeared at the tabernacle in the wilderness.
Chanukah in the Bible
Many Christians believe Chanukah is not a biblical event and does not appear in the Bible. This is quite erroneous. The word Chanukah appears multiple times in the Tanakh (Old Testament). The word "Chanukah" does not appear in our English translations because like most Hebrew words in our Bible, it is translated into English. Chanukah is translated into the English word "dedication".
1500 BC: Moses Tabernacle: Moses chanukah (dedicates) the tabernacle to the LORD
Numbers 7:1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had appointed them, and sanctified them;
Numbers 7:88 And all the animals for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty goats, and sixty lambs of the first year. The was the dedication (chanukah) of the altar after it was anointed.
1000 BC: Solomon's Temple: On the eighth day Israel chanukah (dedicates) the altar to the LORD
2 Chronicles 7:1-2 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.
2 Chronicles 7:8-9 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. And on the eighth day they held a sacred assembly, for they observed the dedication (chanukah) of the altar.
500 BC: Rebuilt Temple
Ezra 6:3a, 5a, 16 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication (chanukah) of this house of God with joy.
In short, Moses chanukah the tabernacle to the LORD in the wilderness, then Solomon's temple is chanukah to the LORD and when the temple is rebuilt in 500 BC it is chanukah to the LORD. Again and again, Israel has celebrated chanukah (dedication) of God's place of worship. When the future temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem, there is no doubt there will be another chanukah (dedication) celebration to the LORD.
Additionally, many Christians will protest Chanukah is not a biblical holiday because Jesus did not celebrate it. However, again, this is a fallacy. In John 10:22-24 we read, "Now it was the Feast of Dedication (chanukah) in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly"
Chanukah has happened in the past, and it will happen again in the future.
In the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 24, Jesus and His disciples sit on the Mount of Olives. Jesus' disciples ask about signs which are to come about Messiah's second coming. What most Christians do not understand is that Jesus is describing a future chanukah. By exploring texts about a previous chanukah which happened around 168 BC, we can understand Jesus' warning about the chanukah that is yet to come.
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Sunday, November 26, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 17 Part Three (Verses 45-58)
2. (1 Sam 17:45-47) David, full of faith, replies to Goliath
Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD 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 army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."
You come to me with a sword, spear and javelin: David makes a contrast between himself and Goliath without giving credit to Goliath. David recognizes that Goliath has some of the best weapons of the time, but David knows his victory will come from God.
This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands: David speaks with as much courage as Goliath had done, but David has better grounds, confiding not in his own strength, but in the Divine, and expecting through it, certain victory, not only over Goliath, but over the whole army of the Philistines. David was careful to say, "The LORD will deliver you up into my hands." David was bold, but bold in God and not in himself. He knew the battle belonged to the LORD.
That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel: This whole incident made David famous. But that is not why he did it. He did it for the fame and the glory of the LORD, not for his own glory. He wanted all the earth to know that there is a God in Israel.
For the battle is the LORD'S: Although we possess no special psalm composed by David on this occasion of his battle with Goliath, we find in many of the psalms David trusts in God to deliver him from all his enemies. ("For I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. But You have saved us from our adversaries, and You have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted all day long, and we give thanks to Your name forever" Psalm 44:6-8.) ("The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield" Psalm 33:16-20.)
He will give you into our hands: Again, notice David's humility. It isn't, "He will give you into my hands." David knows this was a battle he was fighting on behalf of Israel. It they were not trusting in the LORD, David would trust for them.
3. (1 Sam 17:48-49) David kills Goliath
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. And David put his hand 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.
When the Philistine rose: Goliath was seated, as was the custom with armies in ancient times when they were not engaged in conflict. When Goliath saw David emerge from the ravine, he rose, and carrying his vast load of armor, moved slowly towards his enemy.
David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine: Many Christians struggle at this point. Is God supposed to do it or am I supposed to do it? The answer is, "Yes!" God does it, and we do it. Trust God, rely on Him, and then get to work. Work as hard as you can and run right at the enemy. That is how the work of God is done.
David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it: Slinging stones had been practiced among the Israelites to a masterful perfection. Many years before this time, we read: "Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss" Judges 20:16. It appears this skill had been passed down through the ages to David.
Struck the Philistine on his forehead: Goliath's helmet had no visor protecting his forehead. (That form of protection had yet to be invented.) Instead, Goliath's only protection came from his armor-bearer in front of him. Since Goliath was a giant, and his armor-bearer was just average height, Goliath's face was exposed to an assault by David. While the rest of the Israeli army thought, "Goliath is so big, I cannot beat him." David thought, "Goliath is so big, I cannot miss him." A man of less faith might have been too nervous to take proper aim.
The stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground: Just as the Philistine god Dagon fell on his face before the LORD (1 Samuel 5:2-5), so now the worshiper of Dagon falls on his face.
4. (1 Sam 17:50-54) David beheads Goliath, and Israel romps over the Philistines
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps. Then David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.
David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone: David's great victory was extraordinary. It required immense courage as well as perfect skill. Only the front of Goliath's head would have been exposed. If David would have hit Goliath on any other part of his body, the blow would have had no avail due to Goliath's body armor. Using just a sling, which was probably not considered as deadly of a weapon as a sword, David subdues the giant.
Then David ran...and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him: Like many other times in the Bible, God uses the enemy's own weapon to slay the enemy. When Gideon and his 300 men blow the trumpets around the outskirts of the Midianite's camp, God uses the Midianites' own swords to slay the Midianites (Judges 7:21-22). Throughout the Psalms, we read of how God uses the enemy's own snare to cause destruction on the enemy. ("They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down. They have dug a put before me; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen" Psalm 57:6.) God loves to use the enemy to bring destruction on himself. This is another incredible reminder that we do not need fancy weapons or heavy armor to defeat the enemy. All we need is faith in God, and He will provide the victory.
And cut off his head: This was not done to show Goliath's death, but it was done as a trophy to be shown to King Saul. The heads of the slain enemies were regarded in the East as tokens of victory. A very similar scene is played out when King Saul dies during a battle with the Philistines. ("It came about on the next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people" 1 Samuel 31:8-10.)
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled: The Philistines had agreed to consider this single fight as decisive. They had no fears as to its result, and when they saw their highly exalted champion fall, they were seized with sudden panic. Their adversaries, the Israelites, on the other hand, seeing the unarmed shepherd boy with the head of the great warrior who had so long defied them in his hand, felt that the old power had come back to them. At last, their Invisible King was back with them. At once, with a triumphal shout, the Israelites charged their defeated foes, and the battle, as far as the Philistines were concerned, became a total rout.
Then David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem: There are no indications that Jerusalem had yet attained any importance either as a political or religious center. The citadel still remained in the hands of the Jebusites, but the lower part of the city had been captured by Israel. ("Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem to this day" Joshua 15:63.) Some historians believe David deposited Goliath's head at some "place of arms" located in Jerusalem. Other historians believe David deposited Goliath's head as a votive offering in the tabernacle at Nob which was close to Jerusalem.
He put his weapons in his tent: The Hebrew word ohel rendered as "tent" here, can also mean "dwelling". Some believe David took Goliath's weapons back to his home in Bethlehem, and at some later time presented them to the tabernacle at Nob. Other historians believe this is a future action. When David has made Jerusalem his royal seat, he orders the skull of Goliath to be set up as a victory trophy. The expression "in his tent" refers to the tent of God. God's tabernacle is referred to as "the tent of David" in Acts 15:16. David is given such a claim to fame since in 2 Samuel 6:17, he pitches a tent for the Ark of the Covenant in his own city, Jerusalem. ("So they brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD" 2 Samuel 6:17.)
5. (1 Sam 17:55-58) Saul meets a victorious David
Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistines, he said to Abner the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this young man?" And Abner said, "By you life, O king, I do not know." The king said, "You inquire whose son the youth is." So when David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine's head in his hand. Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
Whose son is this young man: This phrase does not necessarily mean that Saul did not recognize David. Saul is simply asking about David's family background. Saul promised his daughter to the man who killed Goliath, and Saul may just have wanted to know something about his future son-in-law. It is also quite possible that Saul indeed did not recognize David. Some historians believe that David played his music behind a screen or curtain. So, Saul may have never seen David's face. Others believe that since a distressing spirit was upon Saul, he was not entirely in his right mind.
Moreover, Saul may not have recognized David because David did not spend all his time in Saul's court. In 1 Samuel 17:15, we read that David went home to tend the sheep. It is very possible David's appearance changed during his time away from Saul. David would have been in his teens or 20's and easily could have grown in height and matured into a young man. Additionally, it is sometimes hard to recognize people when they are out of place. I know it has happened to me many times when I see someone, perhaps a grocery store clerk at the doctor's office or my doctor at the grocery store, and I simply do not recognize the person. Saul may not have recognized David outside his palace and without a musical instrument in his hand.
Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD 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 army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."
You come to me with a sword, spear and javelin: David makes a contrast between himself and Goliath without giving credit to Goliath. David recognizes that Goliath has some of the best weapons of the time, but David knows his victory will come from God.
This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands: David speaks with as much courage as Goliath had done, but David has better grounds, confiding not in his own strength, but in the Divine, and expecting through it, certain victory, not only over Goliath, but over the whole army of the Philistines. David was careful to say, "The LORD will deliver you up into my hands." David was bold, but bold in God and not in himself. He knew the battle belonged to the LORD.
That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel: This whole incident made David famous. But that is not why he did it. He did it for the fame and the glory of the LORD, not for his own glory. He wanted all the earth to know that there is a God in Israel.
For the battle is the LORD'S: Although we possess no special psalm composed by David on this occasion of his battle with Goliath, we find in many of the psalms David trusts in God to deliver him from all his enemies. ("For I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. But You have saved us from our adversaries, and You have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted all day long, and we give thanks to Your name forever" Psalm 44:6-8.) ("The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield" Psalm 33:16-20.)
He will give you into our hands: Again, notice David's humility. It isn't, "He will give you into my hands." David knows this was a battle he was fighting on behalf of Israel. It they were not trusting in the LORD, David would trust for them.
3. (1 Sam 17:48-49) David kills Goliath
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. And David put his hand 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.
When the Philistine rose: Goliath was seated, as was the custom with armies in ancient times when they were not engaged in conflict. When Goliath saw David emerge from the ravine, he rose, and carrying his vast load of armor, moved slowly towards his enemy.
David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine: Many Christians struggle at this point. Is God supposed to do it or am I supposed to do it? The answer is, "Yes!" God does it, and we do it. Trust God, rely on Him, and then get to work. Work as hard as you can and run right at the enemy. That is how the work of God is done.
David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it: Slinging stones had been practiced among the Israelites to a masterful perfection. Many years before this time, we read: "Out of all these people 700 choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss" Judges 20:16. It appears this skill had been passed down through the ages to David.
Struck the Philistine on his forehead: Goliath's helmet had no visor protecting his forehead. (That form of protection had yet to be invented.) Instead, Goliath's only protection came from his armor-bearer in front of him. Since Goliath was a giant, and his armor-bearer was just average height, Goliath's face was exposed to an assault by David. While the rest of the Israeli army thought, "Goliath is so big, I cannot beat him." David thought, "Goliath is so big, I cannot miss him." A man of less faith might have been too nervous to take proper aim.
The stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground: Just as the Philistine god Dagon fell on his face before the LORD (1 Samuel 5:2-5), so now the worshiper of Dagon falls on his face.
4. (1 Sam 17:50-54) David beheads Goliath, and Israel romps over the Philistines
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps. Then David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.
David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone: David's great victory was extraordinary. It required immense courage as well as perfect skill. Only the front of Goliath's head would have been exposed. If David would have hit Goliath on any other part of his body, the blow would have had no avail due to Goliath's body armor. Using just a sling, which was probably not considered as deadly of a weapon as a sword, David subdues the giant.
Then David ran...and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him: Like many other times in the Bible, God uses the enemy's own weapon to slay the enemy. When Gideon and his 300 men blow the trumpets around the outskirts of the Midianite's camp, God uses the Midianites' own swords to slay the Midianites (Judges 7:21-22). Throughout the Psalms, we read of how God uses the enemy's own snare to cause destruction on the enemy. ("They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down. They have dug a put before me; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen" Psalm 57:6.) God loves to use the enemy to bring destruction on himself. This is another incredible reminder that we do not need fancy weapons or heavy armor to defeat the enemy. All we need is faith in God, and He will provide the victory.
And cut off his head: This was not done to show Goliath's death, but it was done as a trophy to be shown to King Saul. The heads of the slain enemies were regarded in the East as tokens of victory. A very similar scene is played out when King Saul dies during a battle with the Philistines. ("It came about on the next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people" 1 Samuel 31:8-10.)
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled: The Philistines had agreed to consider this single fight as decisive. They had no fears as to its result, and when they saw their highly exalted champion fall, they were seized with sudden panic. Their adversaries, the Israelites, on the other hand, seeing the unarmed shepherd boy with the head of the great warrior who had so long defied them in his hand, felt that the old power had come back to them. At last, their Invisible King was back with them. At once, with a triumphal shout, the Israelites charged their defeated foes, and the battle, as far as the Philistines were concerned, became a total rout.
Then David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem: There are no indications that Jerusalem had yet attained any importance either as a political or religious center. The citadel still remained in the hands of the Jebusites, but the lower part of the city had been captured by Israel. ("Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem to this day" Joshua 15:63.) Some historians believe David deposited Goliath's head at some "place of arms" located in Jerusalem. Other historians believe David deposited Goliath's head as a votive offering in the tabernacle at Nob which was close to Jerusalem.
He put his weapons in his tent: The Hebrew word ohel rendered as "tent" here, can also mean "dwelling". Some believe David took Goliath's weapons back to his home in Bethlehem, and at some later time presented them to the tabernacle at Nob. Other historians believe this is a future action. When David has made Jerusalem his royal seat, he orders the skull of Goliath to be set up as a victory trophy. The expression "in his tent" refers to the tent of God. God's tabernacle is referred to as "the tent of David" in Acts 15:16. David is given such a claim to fame since in 2 Samuel 6:17, he pitches a tent for the Ark of the Covenant in his own city, Jerusalem. ("So they brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD" 2 Samuel 6:17.)
5. (1 Sam 17:55-58) Saul meets a victorious David
Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistines, he said to Abner the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this young man?" And Abner said, "By you life, O king, I do not know." The king said, "You inquire whose son the youth is." So when David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the Philistine's head in his hand. Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
Whose son is this young man: This phrase does not necessarily mean that Saul did not recognize David. Saul is simply asking about David's family background. Saul promised his daughter to the man who killed Goliath, and Saul may just have wanted to know something about his future son-in-law. It is also quite possible that Saul indeed did not recognize David. Some historians believe that David played his music behind a screen or curtain. So, Saul may have never seen David's face. Others believe that since a distressing spirit was upon Saul, he was not entirely in his right mind.
Moreover, Saul may not have recognized David because David did not spend all his time in Saul's court. In 1 Samuel 17:15, we read that David went home to tend the sheep. It is very possible David's appearance changed during his time away from Saul. David would have been in his teens or 20's and easily could have grown in height and matured into a young man. Additionally, it is sometimes hard to recognize people when they are out of place. I know it has happened to me many times when I see someone, perhaps a grocery store clerk at the doctor's office or my doctor at the grocery store, and I simply do not recognize the person. Saul may not have recognized David outside his palace and without a musical instrument in his hand.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 17 Part Two (Verses 31-44)
C. David prepares to fight Goliath
1. (1 Sam 17:31-32) David's confident words become known to Saul
When the words which David spoke were heard, they told them to Saul, and he sent for him. David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
They told them to Saul: It was not as if David's words were all that bold. He never said, "If I went out to fight against that Philistine, I would easily defeat him!" David did not talk like that, but at least he stood up to Goliath. David did not show a lot of backbone, but at least he showed more courage than anyone else in Israel. So it was worth reporting to Saul.
Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: These are bold words! This is the first time David specifically volunteers to go in to battle with Goliath. It is one thing to say, "Someone someone should do something about the enemy." It is entirely another matter to say, "I will do something about the enemy."
Saul waited a long time (at least 40 days) for someone to say these words. But to hear them now from the mouth of this young shepherd boy probably seemed like a cruel joke. "The good news is that someone is finally willing to fight Goliath. The bad news is that he is a young shepherd boy." David's words to Saul almost made the matter worse. "Let no man's heart fail on account of him." These words almost seem like David says, "All right everyone. Calm down. I have the situation completely under control." It seemed ridiculous coming from such a youth. It probably seemed like boastful pride and overconfidence, but it was not.
2. (1 Sam 17:33-37) David's training as a shepherd prepared him
Then Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God." And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go and may the LORD be with you."
You are not able...you are but a youth: Saul thought David was disqualified because of his age, size and inexperience. Saul thought David was but a novice when it came to his military skills. Saul thought David was no match to Goliath's long standing war record. Saul essentially told David, "He's been a soldier longer than you have been alive. How can you defeat him?" Again, this shows that Saul only looked at outward appearances and not at the spiritual dimension of this battle.
Your servant was tending his father's sheep: Here follows a conversation between the king and a young boy. It is a simple, brave narrative in which many children listen with wide-eyed anticipation. Fierce wild animals, the terror of every Mid-Eastern shepherd, had attacked David's father's flock. And David met and slayed these fierce beasts, almost without any arms.
When a lion or a bear came: In these ancient times, when the forests of Israel had not been cleared, it was the habitat of wild animals which usually frequented the mountains of Lebanon and the thickets of the Jordan River valley. From Lebanon, bears descended the heights into the lowlands of Israel. From the Jordan River region, the lion prowled the plains of Israel. The bears in this region are said to have been especially ferocious and appears to have been more dreaded than the lion. Currently, it is rare to find lions and bears in Israel.
God prepared David for this battle when David was a lowly shepherd. A lion attacked his father's sheep, and David fought the lion. A bear came against the defenseless sheep, and David battled the bear. All along, God prepared David to fight Goliath. David had been preparing for this battle for his entire life. This generally is God's pattern for preparation. He calls us to be faithful right where we are. Then, He uses our faithfulness to accomplish greater things. If David ran scared at the lion or the bear, he would have never been ready to fight Goliath.
I seized him by his beard: Neither the bear nor the lion in this part of the world has a beard. The literal Hebrew translation is "the chin" or "the place where the beard grows". It is clear from this description that David grabbed the beast by its chin and slew it with his shepherd's staff.
This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them: Goliath degraded himself below a wild beast by his blasphemy, and therefore, he now carried no more terror with him to David than a lion or a bear.
He has taunted the armies of the living God: Here we see the foundation of David's confidence and success. The Philistine had defiled the living God in defying His armies and had openly avowed himself to be God's enemy. David therefore comes forward, as God's friend, to support God's cause. It is as if David said, "The lion and the bear were only enemies to me and to my father's sheep. And it was only in defense of them that I attacked these beasts. But this Philistine is an enemy to God and His people. And it is for their honor that I attack him."
The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion: As a shepherd facing bears and lions, David had no idea he was being trained to fight a giant. In the midst of our preparation, we rarely see how God will use it. Yet now, David can look back and know that the same God who delivered him before will also deliver him now. David knew that God's help in times past is a prophecy of His help in the future.
And Saul said to David, "Go...: The king's consent was necessary before David could act as the champion of the Israelites. It was a courageous act in Saul to give his permission, considering the dangerous combat conditions. But the two arguments given by David persuaded Saul. The first argument being David's strong confidence in God, insuring his courage. And secondly, the coolness and bravery David had shown in these dangerous encounters with savage beasts.
3. (1 Sam 17:38-40) David prepared to fight Goliath
Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, "I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them." And David took them off. 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.
Then Saul clothed David...with armor: King Saul was determined to omit no earthly means of securing victory to his young champion. Saul made David try on his own various pieces of fighting array, doubtless the best and costliest that Israel possessed. Saul's "garments" is a dress worn beneath the mail. Upon this was buckled on a heavy armor suit, which included a large fighting sword and a bronze helmet. It is not necessary to suppose David was at all the same proportions as Saul, for much of the dress could have been speedily adjusted to one shorter or thinner than the king. The results show that the armor was far too heavy and cumbersome for David to wear.
David...tried to walk, for he had not tested them: Saul tried to put his armor on David, but it did not work. It did not work because it was far too cumbersome for David. Moreover, it did not work because Saul's armor did not spiritually fit David. Armor, military technology or human wisdom could not win this battle. The LORD God of Israel would win this battle.
Often, people try to fight with another person's armor. They see God do something wonderful through someone else, and they try to copy it without making adjustments for their own strengths and weaknesses. God's work is never most effectively done in this way. Sadly, many people say the same thing about God's armor, "I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them." Are you more familiar with the weapons and armor of the flesh or with the weapons and armor of the Spirit?
And David took them off: David had to renounce Saul's armor. He desired to go forth into battle with the lightest possible armor--strong in the LORD and not in himself, armed not with heavy metal but with faith. Often we want a safe middle ground where we try to wear both kinds of armor. God wants us to trust in Him and Him alone.
He took his stick...five smooth stones...the shepherd's bag which he had, even his pouch, and his sling: David uses the same tools he used before as a shepherd to kill the lion and the bear. What God used before, He will use again. Why did David choose five stones? He only needed one to kill Goliath. Perhaps it was because Goliath had four brothers. (Now it came about after this that there was war again with the Philistines at Gob; then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was among the descendants of the giant. There was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. There was war at Gath again, where there was a man of great stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also had been born to the giant. When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, struck him down. There four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants" 2 Samuel 21:18-22.).
And he approached the Philistine: This is where it mattered. David could have said bold words, renounced Saul's armor, trusted in God's armor and gathered his shepherd's tools. But, if he never went into battle, what would it have mattered? Ultimately, David had the faith not just to talk, not just to renounce, not just to prepare, but to actually draw near the Philistine. That is real faith.
D. David defeats Goliath
1. (1 Sam 17:41-44) Goliath curses David and his God
Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. The Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field."
Then the Philistine came on...with the shield-bearer in front of him: Besides Goliath's height and military experience, Goliath also had with him an armor-bearer. Now the fight was two against one, making David's victory even more miraculous.
He disdained him: Goliath looked around, expecting to meet someone tall, someone with an extensive military career. But when he saw a young boy, he despised him. Goliath thought he was below his caliber to even enter into a fight with David. Fighting someone so insignificant would lessen the glory of Goliath's assumed victory. There was nothing in David which struck fear in Goliath's heart. Proverbs 16:18 seems fitting here: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Am I a dog: Dogs in our current society are seen as man's best friend. They are cute, cuddly and many folks spend a fortune on them for food, clothing and other luxury items. In ancient times in the Mid-East, dogs were despised. They were not pets; they were free roaming nuisances. They attacked people and livestock. They were filthy creatures known to carry fleas and other diseases. So, being called a dog, was quite an insult.
The Philistine cursed David by his gods: Goliath invokes the vengeance of his idols against David, wishing that Dagon, Ashtaroth and the rest of his gods would confront and destroy David. The Romans used to curse their enemies in the same manner, saying, "All the gods and goddesses of Roman destroy my enemy!"
1. (1 Sam 17:31-32) David's confident words become known to Saul
When the words which David spoke were heard, they told them to Saul, and he sent for him. David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."
They told them to Saul: It was not as if David's words were all that bold. He never said, "If I went out to fight against that Philistine, I would easily defeat him!" David did not talk like that, but at least he stood up to Goliath. David did not show a lot of backbone, but at least he showed more courage than anyone else in Israel. So it was worth reporting to Saul.
Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: These are bold words! This is the first time David specifically volunteers to go in to battle with Goliath. It is one thing to say, "Someone someone should do something about the enemy." It is entirely another matter to say, "I will do something about the enemy."
Saul waited a long time (at least 40 days) for someone to say these words. But to hear them now from the mouth of this young shepherd boy probably seemed like a cruel joke. "The good news is that someone is finally willing to fight Goliath. The bad news is that he is a young shepherd boy." David's words to Saul almost made the matter worse. "Let no man's heart fail on account of him." These words almost seem like David says, "All right everyone. Calm down. I have the situation completely under control." It seemed ridiculous coming from such a youth. It probably seemed like boastful pride and overconfidence, but it was not.
2. (1 Sam 17:33-37) David's training as a shepherd prepared him
Then Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God." And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go and may the LORD be with you."
You are not able...you are but a youth: Saul thought David was disqualified because of his age, size and inexperience. Saul thought David was but a novice when it came to his military skills. Saul thought David was no match to Goliath's long standing war record. Saul essentially told David, "He's been a soldier longer than you have been alive. How can you defeat him?" Again, this shows that Saul only looked at outward appearances and not at the spiritual dimension of this battle.
Your servant was tending his father's sheep: Here follows a conversation between the king and a young boy. It is a simple, brave narrative in which many children listen with wide-eyed anticipation. Fierce wild animals, the terror of every Mid-Eastern shepherd, had attacked David's father's flock. And David met and slayed these fierce beasts, almost without any arms.
When a lion or a bear came: In these ancient times, when the forests of Israel had not been cleared, it was the habitat of wild animals which usually frequented the mountains of Lebanon and the thickets of the Jordan River valley. From Lebanon, bears descended the heights into the lowlands of Israel. From the Jordan River region, the lion prowled the plains of Israel. The bears in this region are said to have been especially ferocious and appears to have been more dreaded than the lion. Currently, it is rare to find lions and bears in Israel.
God prepared David for this battle when David was a lowly shepherd. A lion attacked his father's sheep, and David fought the lion. A bear came against the defenseless sheep, and David battled the bear. All along, God prepared David to fight Goliath. David had been preparing for this battle for his entire life. This generally is God's pattern for preparation. He calls us to be faithful right where we are. Then, He uses our faithfulness to accomplish greater things. If David ran scared at the lion or the bear, he would have never been ready to fight Goliath.
I seized him by his beard: Neither the bear nor the lion in this part of the world has a beard. The literal Hebrew translation is "the chin" or "the place where the beard grows". It is clear from this description that David grabbed the beast by its chin and slew it with his shepherd's staff.
This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them: Goliath degraded himself below a wild beast by his blasphemy, and therefore, he now carried no more terror with him to David than a lion or a bear.
He has taunted the armies of the living God: Here we see the foundation of David's confidence and success. The Philistine had defiled the living God in defying His armies and had openly avowed himself to be God's enemy. David therefore comes forward, as God's friend, to support God's cause. It is as if David said, "The lion and the bear were only enemies to me and to my father's sheep. And it was only in defense of them that I attacked these beasts. But this Philistine is an enemy to God and His people. And it is for their honor that I attack him."
The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion: As a shepherd facing bears and lions, David had no idea he was being trained to fight a giant. In the midst of our preparation, we rarely see how God will use it. Yet now, David can look back and know that the same God who delivered him before will also deliver him now. David knew that God's help in times past is a prophecy of His help in the future.
And Saul said to David, "Go...: The king's consent was necessary before David could act as the champion of the Israelites. It was a courageous act in Saul to give his permission, considering the dangerous combat conditions. But the two arguments given by David persuaded Saul. The first argument being David's strong confidence in God, insuring his courage. And secondly, the coolness and bravery David had shown in these dangerous encounters with savage beasts.
3. (1 Sam 17:38-40) David prepared to fight Goliath
Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, "I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them." And David took them off. 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.
Then Saul clothed David...with armor: King Saul was determined to omit no earthly means of securing victory to his young champion. Saul made David try on his own various pieces of fighting array, doubtless the best and costliest that Israel possessed. Saul's "garments" is a dress worn beneath the mail. Upon this was buckled on a heavy armor suit, which included a large fighting sword and a bronze helmet. It is not necessary to suppose David was at all the same proportions as Saul, for much of the dress could have been speedily adjusted to one shorter or thinner than the king. The results show that the armor was far too heavy and cumbersome for David to wear.
David...tried to walk, for he had not tested them: Saul tried to put his armor on David, but it did not work. It did not work because it was far too cumbersome for David. Moreover, it did not work because Saul's armor did not spiritually fit David. Armor, military technology or human wisdom could not win this battle. The LORD God of Israel would win this battle.
Often, people try to fight with another person's armor. They see God do something wonderful through someone else, and they try to copy it without making adjustments for their own strengths and weaknesses. God's work is never most effectively done in this way. Sadly, many people say the same thing about God's armor, "I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them." Are you more familiar with the weapons and armor of the flesh or with the weapons and armor of the Spirit?
And David took them off: David had to renounce Saul's armor. He desired to go forth into battle with the lightest possible armor--strong in the LORD and not in himself, armed not with heavy metal but with faith. Often we want a safe middle ground where we try to wear both kinds of armor. God wants us to trust in Him and Him alone.
He took his stick...five smooth stones...the shepherd's bag which he had, even his pouch, and his sling: David uses the same tools he used before as a shepherd to kill the lion and the bear. What God used before, He will use again. Why did David choose five stones? He only needed one to kill Goliath. Perhaps it was because Goliath had four brothers. (Now it came about after this that there was war again with the Philistines at Gob; then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was among the descendants of the giant. There was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. There was war at Gath again, where there was a man of great stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also had been born to the giant. When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, struck him down. There four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants" 2 Samuel 21:18-22.).
And he approached the Philistine: This is where it mattered. David could have said bold words, renounced Saul's armor, trusted in God's armor and gathered his shepherd's tools. But, if he never went into battle, what would it have mattered? Ultimately, David had the faith not just to talk, not just to renounce, not just to prepare, but to actually draw near the Philistine. That is real faith.
D. David defeats Goliath
1. (1 Sam 17:41-44) Goliath curses David and his God
Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. The Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field."
Then the Philistine came on...with the shield-bearer in front of him: Besides Goliath's height and military experience, Goliath also had with him an armor-bearer. Now the fight was two against one, making David's victory even more miraculous.
He disdained him: Goliath looked around, expecting to meet someone tall, someone with an extensive military career. But when he saw a young boy, he despised him. Goliath thought he was below his caliber to even enter into a fight with David. Fighting someone so insignificant would lessen the glory of Goliath's assumed victory. There was nothing in David which struck fear in Goliath's heart. Proverbs 16:18 seems fitting here: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Am I a dog: Dogs in our current society are seen as man's best friend. They are cute, cuddly and many folks spend a fortune on them for food, clothing and other luxury items. In ancient times in the Mid-East, dogs were despised. They were not pets; they were free roaming nuisances. They attacked people and livestock. They were filthy creatures known to carry fleas and other diseases. So, being called a dog, was quite an insult.
The Philistine cursed David by his gods: Goliath invokes the vengeance of his idols against David, wishing that Dagon, Ashtaroth and the rest of his gods would confront and destroy David. The Romans used to curse their enemies in the same manner, saying, "All the gods and goddesses of Roman destroy my enemy!"
Sunday, November 12, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 17 Part One (Verses 1-30)
DAVID AND GOLIATH
A. Goliath challenges Israel
1. (1 Sam 17:1-3) The Philistines gather for battle
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammin. Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines. The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
Now the Philistines gathered their armies: There is nothing to tell us how much time has elapsed since Saul fought the Amelekites and the other events which transpired in chapter 16. The compiler of this book is from this time forth mainly concerned with the story of David, and how he gradually rose to power and popularity with the people. The history presented in 1 Samuel does not profess to give anything like a consecutive account of the reign and wars of Saul.
Socoh: This was one of 14 villages located along the Shephelah, a region of low hills of limestone which created a boundary between the plain of the Mediterranean Sea and the higher mountains to the east. Socoh belonged to the tribe of Judah, which shows how strong a footing the Philistines had on Israel.
They camped between Socoh and Azekah: This location was about 12-15 miles southwest of Jerusalem and about 9-10 miles from Bethlehem, the home of Jesse and his family.
Ephes-dammin: The meaning of Ephes-dammin is the boundary of blood, so called from the continual fighting which took place there.
Valley of Elah: The Valley of Elah is now known as Wady-es-Sunt, which runs in a northwest direction from the hills of Judah near Hebron past Gath to the Mediterranean Sea near Ashdod. Elah is named after the terebinth tree which still can be found in a large quantity in this region. (The region's current name, es-Sunt, is named after the acacia trees found there.)
The Philistines stood on the mountain: The Israelites camped on the eastern slopes while the Philistines camped on the western slopes of the valley. In the middle of the broad, open valley, there is a deep stream-bed, which has deep vertical sides. This makes the valley impassable except in certain places, making it a valley within a valley and creating a natural barrier between the two hosts.
2. (1 Sam 17:4-10) The Philistine Goliath challenges Israel
Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, "Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us." Again the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together."
A champion: The literal Hebrew is "a man between two camps". It was a person who did not fight in the ranks like an ordinary soldier, but he came forth into the space between the two camps to challenge the mightiest man of his enemies to come forth and fight him.
Goliath from Gath: It is very likely that Goliath was a survivor of the ancient race of Anakim. A remnant found refuge in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod when they were exterminated by Joshua from the mountains of Judah. ("Then Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab and from all the hill country of Judah and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. There were no Anakim left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained" Joshua 11:21-22.)
(Side note: The Anakim were a race of giants, notorious for fighting wars (Deuteronomy 2:10, 2:21, 9:2). The Anakim's ancestry has been traced back to Anak, the son of Arba (Joshua 15:13, 21:11). Arba was regarded as the "greatest man among the Anakim" (Joshua 14:15).)
Six cubits and a span: The cubit, or the distance from the elbow to the middle finger, is variously estimated from 18-21 inches. A span is the distance between the thumb and the little finger in an outstretched hand. So, Goliath's height was between nine feet nine inches and eleven feet four inches. The most probable estimate is about ten feet three inches.
He had a bronze helmet on his head: The helmet was usually made of skins of beasts or of leather and covered in either iron or bronze.
He was clothed with scale-armor: More accurately, this was a breastplate of scales. The armor was made of metal scales, like those of a fish. This coat of mail was flexible and covered the back and the sides of the wearer.
Five thousand shekels of bronze: The common shekel was about a fourth of an ounce. So five thousand shekels would be 1250 ounces (or about 78 pounds).
Greaves: Armor that protected the shin. The coat of mail was usually long and covered the wearer's thighs. Greaves needed to be worn on the shins to protect the lower legs in battle.
His spear weighed 600 shekels of iron: This would be about 9.3 pounds.
However tall and strong Goliath might have been, with this vast array of heavy armor, his movements would have been slow and labored. Goliath might have been invincible if attacked with a sword or spear, but he was too encumbered with defensive armor to be capable of fighting someone lightly armed.
Am I not the Philistine: It is worthy to note the article "the" used for Goliath to describe himself. He is not "a" Philistine, but "THE" Philistine. The Hebrew is very forceful here and emphasizes Goliath's pride. Jewish tradition states that Goliath was the warrior who had slain Hophni and Phinehas (the sons of Eli the high priest) and had carried the Ark of the Covenant to the temple of Dagon.
3. (1 Sam 17:11) The fear of Saul and all Israel
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly terrified.
When Saul...heard these words: Saul had special reason to be afraid. Goliath was the giant among the Philistines, and Saul was head and shoulders taller than the other Israelites ("He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people" 1 Sam 9:2.). Saul was the logical choice to pair up with Goliath.
They were dismayed and greatly terrified: This was Goliath's intention in issuing the challenge. Goliath came out in full battle armor and paraded around in front of the Israelite army. He wanted them to be "dismayed and greatly terrified". Goliath defeated the Israelites on fear alone.
In any contest, it is always useful to demoralize your opponent and strike fear in their hearts. It may keep you from ever going to battle with them because they are afraid. Additionally, if they do fight you in battle, they will do so with fear and apprehension. So with just using words, Goliath was able to win the battle against Saul and his army before it ever began. This is a significant strategy the devil uses against believers.
Dismayed and greatly terrified: As battle loomed, this was Saul's emotional state. At one time, he was known as a fierce and successful military leader. But that was before the Spirit of the Lord departed from him (1 Sam 16:14). As the Spirit left Saul, so too did his courage.
B. David comes to the camp of Israel
1. (1 Sam 17:12-15) David, the youngest of eight brothers, splits his time between the palace and the pasture
Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men. The three older sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. Now the three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem.
The Ephrathite: Ephrath is an old name for the city of Bethlehem. ("Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem)" Genesis 35:19.)
David went back and forth from Saul: David left Saul's court, with his permission, to tend his father's sheep. David most likely returned back to his father after his father sent his three oldest sons to serve Saul in his army. It seems David was only called to the palace as needed, when Saul was afflicted by the distressing spirit. Although David was appointed to be Saul's armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21), it probably was a nominal appointment. David was young and inexperienced. His attendance in camp was probably not required. Joab had ten armor-bearers ("And ten young men who carried Joab's armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him" 2 Samuel 18:15.). Saul probably had many more armor-bearers than this. Only the strongest and most loyal probably followed Saul into this battle.
2. (1 Sam 17:16-21) David brings gifts from home and comes into Israel's camp
The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand. Then Jesse said to David his son, "Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers. Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them. For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines." So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.
The Philistine came forward...for forty days: This verse picks back up the narrative, which was disturbed by the explanation about David's family relations. It is amazing that Goliath continues to taunt the Israelites for forty days, without either army advancing or retreating. Day after day, Goliath taunted and mocked the army of Israel, exposing them all (and especially Saul) to be cowards. In this time in history, most military battles lasted but a few days. It seems family and friends sought out to supply Israel's army with food during this long campaign.
Roasted grain: This was wheat or barley dried in a furnace or oven and ground into meal. The meal was then mixed with water, milk, butter, honey or oil and was very delicious. An ephah was as much as ten men could eat in a day.
Ten cuts of cheese to the commander: Jesse desired to give a gift to his son's commander, whose favor he might obtain with some dairy delights.
Left the flock with a keeper: This little observation shows the shepherd's heart of David. If he left the sheep to run an errand for his father, he made sure the sheep were still well cared for.
He came to the circle of the camp: This was the shape of camps in ancient times. They were protected against surprise attacks by having the wagons and baggage placed around them.
The army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry: This must have been the scene for forty days. The armies gathered on each hillside, screaming and shouting at each other across the valley. Goliath made his parade and shouted insults, and after a while, the Israelites walked back to their camp in shame.
3. (1 Sam 17:22-24) David sees Goliath's challenge and the fear of Israel's soldiers
Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines and he spoke these same words; and David heard them. When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.
When the men of Israel saw the man, they fled: Upon seeing Goliath, the men of Israel drew back in haste from the edge of the ravine. It is very likely, Goliath only came to the edge of the ravine. Weighed down in armor weighing several hundred pounds, Goliath would have had great difficulty trying to traverse the steep ravine. In verse 40, we read that it was out of the ravine that David selected his smooth small stones, and being encumbered with no armor, it was easy for him to climb up the other side of the ravine and attack his heavily armed opponent.
4. (1 Sam 17:25-27) David hears of Saul's reward to the man who beats Goliath, but he speaks of God's honor
The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel." Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, "Thus it will be done for the man who kills him."
To defy Israel: Rather, a better translation would be "to cast scorn on" or "to dishonor Israel".
The king will enrich the man: The situation had become so desperate that King Saul needed to offer a three-part bribe--a cash reward, a princess and a tax exemption--to induce someone, anyone to fight and defeat Goliath.
Make his father's house free in Israel: Whoever fought and defeated Goliath, his father's house would be free from personal service in the army and from any other service due to the king. It also probably included exemption from taxation, contributions to war expenses and other contributions which may be required from the people of Israel.
And David spoke: Very vividly the historian depicts the scene that morning on the front lines. The dismayed soldiers of King Saul watch and listen to the boastful, impious words of Goliath as he shouted across the narrow ravine which separated the two armies. The young, enthusiastic shepherd boy, glowing with religious fervor, travels from group to group asking questions, and gleaning all the information he can about the insulter of his God.
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine: David expresses a high degree of indignation that Israel, who were the servants of the living God and fought under His banner, should be terrified of an idolater. The God of Israel was no match for a man who worshiped statues made with his own hands.
The living God: The god of the Philistines was a lifeless idol. The God of Israel was real and had performed countless miracles from leading Israel out of Egypt to providing manna from heaven to providing triumphal victories over Israel's enemies.
Other soldiers focused on the danger of the battle or the material rewards which could be won. It seems David alone focused on the reputation of Israel and the honor of the living God. This truly shows David to be a man after God's own heart. He cares about the things God cares about. He saw the problem in spiritual terms and not in material or fleshly terms.
5. (1 Sam 17:28-30) David is misunderstood and falsely accused by his brother
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger burned against David and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle." But David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?" Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before.
Eliab's anger burned against David: We might have thought that David's visit would please Eliab, especially considering all the gifts David brought from home. But, David's words angered Eliab, and there are many reasons why. First, Eliab was angry because he felt David was an insignificant, worthless person who had no right to speak up. Second, Eliab was angry because he felt he knew David's motivation. But on the contrary, Eliab really did not know David's heart. Third, Eliab was angry because he thought David tried to provoke someone else into fighting Goliath just so he could see a battle. Eliab was a tall man of good appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), and he may have felt David was trying to push him into battle. Finally, Eliab was angry because David was right! When you are dismayed and greatly afraid, the last thing you want is someone telling you to be courageous and fight the enemy.
Additionally, there were probably many years between the ages of the eldest and youngest of these eight brothers, and this jealous anger was, no doubt, nothing new in Eliab. Probably, too, the envious older brother well remembered the visit of the great prophet, Samuel, to Bethlehem, and how Samuel had anointed his younger brother, for some mysterious, and as yet unknown, reason.
What have I done now? Was it just a question?: David answers his jealous and over-bearing brother with all gentleness and forbearance, and sticks to his position. There is no doubt that what his brother Eliab said hurt David, but he would not let it hinder him. David remained concerned with God's cause before everything else. Before his own personal safety, before his own personal glory, before his own person honor, he had a passionate concern for God's cause.
David was more concerned with God's cause than with his own feelings. When David was misunderstood and publicly rebuked, probably amid the laughter of other soldiers, he could have quit. But, he showed the strength and armor of God in his life and replied in a just fashion. He did not care about his glory or success, but he only cared for the glory and success of the LORD'S cause. If Eliab's hurtful words can get David in the flesh and out of step with the Spirit of the LORD, then David's strength is gone. But when David ruled his spirit and answered softly, he was more in step with the Spirit of the LORD than ever...and Goliath would be a dead man.
Then he turned away from him: Being moved by God's Spirit to undertake Goliath, David speaks with many people about it. And with much chatter, the matter soon reaches the king's ear.
A. Goliath challenges Israel
1. (1 Sam 17:1-3) The Philistines gather for battle
Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammin. Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines. The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
Now the Philistines gathered their armies: There is nothing to tell us how much time has elapsed since Saul fought the Amelekites and the other events which transpired in chapter 16. The compiler of this book is from this time forth mainly concerned with the story of David, and how he gradually rose to power and popularity with the people. The history presented in 1 Samuel does not profess to give anything like a consecutive account of the reign and wars of Saul.
Socoh: This was one of 14 villages located along the Shephelah, a region of low hills of limestone which created a boundary between the plain of the Mediterranean Sea and the higher mountains to the east. Socoh belonged to the tribe of Judah, which shows how strong a footing the Philistines had on Israel.
They camped between Socoh and Azekah: This location was about 12-15 miles southwest of Jerusalem and about 9-10 miles from Bethlehem, the home of Jesse and his family.
Ephes-dammin: The meaning of Ephes-dammin is the boundary of blood, so called from the continual fighting which took place there.
Valley of Elah: The Valley of Elah is now known as Wady-es-Sunt, which runs in a northwest direction from the hills of Judah near Hebron past Gath to the Mediterranean Sea near Ashdod. Elah is named after the terebinth tree which still can be found in a large quantity in this region. (The region's current name, es-Sunt, is named after the acacia trees found there.)
The Philistines stood on the mountain: The Israelites camped on the eastern slopes while the Philistines camped on the western slopes of the valley. In the middle of the broad, open valley, there is a deep stream-bed, which has deep vertical sides. This makes the valley impassable except in certain places, making it a valley within a valley and creating a natural barrier between the two hosts.
2. (1 Sam 17:4-10) The Philistine Goliath challenges Israel
Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, "Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us." Again the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together."
A champion: The literal Hebrew is "a man between two camps". It was a person who did not fight in the ranks like an ordinary soldier, but he came forth into the space between the two camps to challenge the mightiest man of his enemies to come forth and fight him.
Goliath from Gath: It is very likely that Goliath was a survivor of the ancient race of Anakim. A remnant found refuge in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod when they were exterminated by Joshua from the mountains of Judah. ("Then Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab and from all the hill country of Judah and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. There were no Anakim left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained" Joshua 11:21-22.)
(Side note: The Anakim were a race of giants, notorious for fighting wars (Deuteronomy 2:10, 2:21, 9:2). The Anakim's ancestry has been traced back to Anak, the son of Arba (Joshua 15:13, 21:11). Arba was regarded as the "greatest man among the Anakim" (Joshua 14:15).)
Six cubits and a span: The cubit, or the distance from the elbow to the middle finger, is variously estimated from 18-21 inches. A span is the distance between the thumb and the little finger in an outstretched hand. So, Goliath's height was between nine feet nine inches and eleven feet four inches. The most probable estimate is about ten feet three inches.
He had a bronze helmet on his head: The helmet was usually made of skins of beasts or of leather and covered in either iron or bronze.
He was clothed with scale-armor: More accurately, this was a breastplate of scales. The armor was made of metal scales, like those of a fish. This coat of mail was flexible and covered the back and the sides of the wearer.
Five thousand shekels of bronze: The common shekel was about a fourth of an ounce. So five thousand shekels would be 1250 ounces (or about 78 pounds).
Greaves: Armor that protected the shin. The coat of mail was usually long and covered the wearer's thighs. Greaves needed to be worn on the shins to protect the lower legs in battle.
His spear weighed 600 shekels of iron: This would be about 9.3 pounds.
However tall and strong Goliath might have been, with this vast array of heavy armor, his movements would have been slow and labored. Goliath might have been invincible if attacked with a sword or spear, but he was too encumbered with defensive armor to be capable of fighting someone lightly armed.
Am I not the Philistine: It is worthy to note the article "the" used for Goliath to describe himself. He is not "a" Philistine, but "THE" Philistine. The Hebrew is very forceful here and emphasizes Goliath's pride. Jewish tradition states that Goliath was the warrior who had slain Hophni and Phinehas (the sons of Eli the high priest) and had carried the Ark of the Covenant to the temple of Dagon.
3. (1 Sam 17:11) The fear of Saul and all Israel
When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly terrified.
When Saul...heard these words: Saul had special reason to be afraid. Goliath was the giant among the Philistines, and Saul was head and shoulders taller than the other Israelites ("He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people" 1 Sam 9:2.). Saul was the logical choice to pair up with Goliath.
They were dismayed and greatly terrified: This was Goliath's intention in issuing the challenge. Goliath came out in full battle armor and paraded around in front of the Israelite army. He wanted them to be "dismayed and greatly terrified". Goliath defeated the Israelites on fear alone.
In any contest, it is always useful to demoralize your opponent and strike fear in their hearts. It may keep you from ever going to battle with them because they are afraid. Additionally, if they do fight you in battle, they will do so with fear and apprehension. So with just using words, Goliath was able to win the battle against Saul and his army before it ever began. This is a significant strategy the devil uses against believers.
Dismayed and greatly terrified: As battle loomed, this was Saul's emotional state. At one time, he was known as a fierce and successful military leader. But that was before the Spirit of the Lord departed from him (1 Sam 16:14). As the Spirit left Saul, so too did his courage.
B. David comes to the camp of Israel
1. (1 Sam 17:12-15) David, the youngest of eight brothers, splits his time between the palace and the pasture
Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men. The three older sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and the second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. Now the three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem.
The Ephrathite: Ephrath is an old name for the city of Bethlehem. ("Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem)" Genesis 35:19.)
David went back and forth from Saul: David left Saul's court, with his permission, to tend his father's sheep. David most likely returned back to his father after his father sent his three oldest sons to serve Saul in his army. It seems David was only called to the palace as needed, when Saul was afflicted by the distressing spirit. Although David was appointed to be Saul's armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21), it probably was a nominal appointment. David was young and inexperienced. His attendance in camp was probably not required. Joab had ten armor-bearers ("And ten young men who carried Joab's armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him" 2 Samuel 18:15.). Saul probably had many more armor-bearers than this. Only the strongest and most loyal probably followed Saul into this battle.
2. (1 Sam 17:16-21) David brings gifts from home and comes into Israel's camp
The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand. Then Jesse said to David his son, "Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers. Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them. For Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines." So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army.
The Philistine came forward...for forty days: This verse picks back up the narrative, which was disturbed by the explanation about David's family relations. It is amazing that Goliath continues to taunt the Israelites for forty days, without either army advancing or retreating. Day after day, Goliath taunted and mocked the army of Israel, exposing them all (and especially Saul) to be cowards. In this time in history, most military battles lasted but a few days. It seems family and friends sought out to supply Israel's army with food during this long campaign.
Roasted grain: This was wheat or barley dried in a furnace or oven and ground into meal. The meal was then mixed with water, milk, butter, honey or oil and was very delicious. An ephah was as much as ten men could eat in a day.
Ten cuts of cheese to the commander: Jesse desired to give a gift to his son's commander, whose favor he might obtain with some dairy delights.
Left the flock with a keeper: This little observation shows the shepherd's heart of David. If he left the sheep to run an errand for his father, he made sure the sheep were still well cared for.
He came to the circle of the camp: This was the shape of camps in ancient times. They were protected against surprise attacks by having the wagons and baggage placed around them.
The army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry: This must have been the scene for forty days. The armies gathered on each hillside, screaming and shouting at each other across the valley. Goliath made his parade and shouted insults, and after a while, the Israelites walked back to their camp in shame.
3. (1 Sam 17:22-24) David sees Goliath's challenge and the fear of Israel's soldiers
Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines and he spoke these same words; and David heard them. When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.
When the men of Israel saw the man, they fled: Upon seeing Goliath, the men of Israel drew back in haste from the edge of the ravine. It is very likely, Goliath only came to the edge of the ravine. Weighed down in armor weighing several hundred pounds, Goliath would have had great difficulty trying to traverse the steep ravine. In verse 40, we read that it was out of the ravine that David selected his smooth small stones, and being encumbered with no armor, it was easy for him to climb up the other side of the ravine and attack his heavily armed opponent.
4. (1 Sam 17:25-27) David hears of Saul's reward to the man who beats Goliath, but he speaks of God's honor
The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel." Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, "Thus it will be done for the man who kills him."
To defy Israel: Rather, a better translation would be "to cast scorn on" or "to dishonor Israel".
The king will enrich the man: The situation had become so desperate that King Saul needed to offer a three-part bribe--a cash reward, a princess and a tax exemption--to induce someone, anyone to fight and defeat Goliath.
Make his father's house free in Israel: Whoever fought and defeated Goliath, his father's house would be free from personal service in the army and from any other service due to the king. It also probably included exemption from taxation, contributions to war expenses and other contributions which may be required from the people of Israel.
And David spoke: Very vividly the historian depicts the scene that morning on the front lines. The dismayed soldiers of King Saul watch and listen to the boastful, impious words of Goliath as he shouted across the narrow ravine which separated the two armies. The young, enthusiastic shepherd boy, glowing with religious fervor, travels from group to group asking questions, and gleaning all the information he can about the insulter of his God.
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine: David expresses a high degree of indignation that Israel, who were the servants of the living God and fought under His banner, should be terrified of an idolater. The God of Israel was no match for a man who worshiped statues made with his own hands.
The living God: The god of the Philistines was a lifeless idol. The God of Israel was real and had performed countless miracles from leading Israel out of Egypt to providing manna from heaven to providing triumphal victories over Israel's enemies.
Other soldiers focused on the danger of the battle or the material rewards which could be won. It seems David alone focused on the reputation of Israel and the honor of the living God. This truly shows David to be a man after God's own heart. He cares about the things God cares about. He saw the problem in spiritual terms and not in material or fleshly terms.
5. (1 Sam 17:28-30) David is misunderstood and falsely accused by his brother
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger burned against David and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle." But David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?" Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before.
Eliab's anger burned against David: We might have thought that David's visit would please Eliab, especially considering all the gifts David brought from home. But, David's words angered Eliab, and there are many reasons why. First, Eliab was angry because he felt David was an insignificant, worthless person who had no right to speak up. Second, Eliab was angry because he felt he knew David's motivation. But on the contrary, Eliab really did not know David's heart. Third, Eliab was angry because he thought David tried to provoke someone else into fighting Goliath just so he could see a battle. Eliab was a tall man of good appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), and he may have felt David was trying to push him into battle. Finally, Eliab was angry because David was right! When you are dismayed and greatly afraid, the last thing you want is someone telling you to be courageous and fight the enemy.
Additionally, there were probably many years between the ages of the eldest and youngest of these eight brothers, and this jealous anger was, no doubt, nothing new in Eliab. Probably, too, the envious older brother well remembered the visit of the great prophet, Samuel, to Bethlehem, and how Samuel had anointed his younger brother, for some mysterious, and as yet unknown, reason.
What have I done now? Was it just a question?: David answers his jealous and over-bearing brother with all gentleness and forbearance, and sticks to his position. There is no doubt that what his brother Eliab said hurt David, but he would not let it hinder him. David remained concerned with God's cause before everything else. Before his own personal safety, before his own personal glory, before his own person honor, he had a passionate concern for God's cause.
David was more concerned with God's cause than with his own feelings. When David was misunderstood and publicly rebuked, probably amid the laughter of other soldiers, he could have quit. But, he showed the strength and armor of God in his life and replied in a just fashion. He did not care about his glory or success, but he only cared for the glory and success of the LORD'S cause. If Eliab's hurtful words can get David in the flesh and out of step with the Spirit of the LORD, then David's strength is gone. But when David ruled his spirit and answered softly, he was more in step with the Spirit of the LORD than ever...and Goliath would be a dead man.
Then he turned away from him: Being moved by God's Spirit to undertake Goliath, David speaks with many people about it. And with much chatter, the matter soon reaches the king's ear.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 16 Part Three (Verses 15-23)
2. (1 Sam 16:15-17) A solution suggested
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well. So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me."
Saul's servants: It is interesting to note that Saul did not seek refuge from his evil spirit, but Saul's servants seem to be acutely aware of the change in Saul's countenance. This is a great example of how our spiritual condition is far more apparent to those around us than to the one afflicted.
An evil spirit from God: The form in which the evil spirit manifested itself in Saul was apparently an incurable melancholy, which, at times, burst forth in fits of uncontrollable rage and jealous anger. When Saul's attendants and his officers perceived the mental anguish under which the king was evidently suffering, they suggested perhaps the evil influence which troubled the king might be alleviated by the playing of music.
Seek a man who is a skillful player: In today's language, Saul's servants are asking Saul if they can seek out a worship leader. They want to find a man who can, using music, bring the love, peace and power of God to Saul. Saul was often disobedient. Having a worship leader could help Saul seek the LORD and find rest for his soul. God created music and gave it the capacity to touch people with profound power. Like so many things, music can be used for tremendous good or it can be used for great evil. Music powerfully communicates with our inner being.
You will be well: It had been a well-known fact that music exerts a powerful influence on the mind. In ancient Greek literature, music is recommended to heal mental disease. In the past, Saul received the Spirit of the LORD in the presence of music (see 1 Samuel 10:10). His servants thought, perhaps, music could help restore the Holy Spirit back to Saul.
3. (1 Sam 16:18) A man is nominated
Then one of the young men said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.
Then one of the young men: The Hebrew here is very specific in stating that the servant who suggests David is a young man. This young man very likely was a contemporary of David and thus may have had several interactions with David or may have even been his friend.
A skillful musician: As a boy, David possessed rare gifts in poetry and music. It is probable that some of David's early Psalms were originally composed while watching his father's sheep around the hills near Bethlehem. Many centuries later, while shepherds were watching over their sheep by night, the angel host appeared to them to tell them of the birth of a child in Bethlehem.
A mighty man of valor, a warrior: the description of David being a mighty valiant man can be explained from what is related in 1 Samuel 17:34-35: "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.'"
A question has been raised respecting the word "warrior". It seems from the narrative in 1 Samuel 17 that the combat with the giant Philistine was David's first great military exploit. However, it has been suggested that in addition to the combat with the wild beasts, which were common in the hills of Israel and were a terror to the shepherds, David had been most likely engaged in repelling one of more or the Philistine marauding expeditions, very common in those days. Bethlehem was a strong garrison where the Philistine often congregated.
Prudent in speech: Rather, a better translation would be "skilled in word" or eloquent. This refers back to David's tremendous gifts in poetry and music. David's skillful way with words can be seen over and over again in his Psalms.
The LORD is with him: That is, the LORD directs and prospers all David's undertakings. Seeing the LORD was with David, it might be expected that the evil spirit would depart from Saul when David was in his presence.
4. (1 Sam 16:19-23) David enters Saul's court
So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David who is with the flock." Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son. Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." So it came about 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.
Send me your son David who is with the flock: Since this happened after Samuel anointed David, this means that David simply returned back to being a shepherd after his anointing. Perhaps David did not yet understand the significance of Samuel's anointing. Or if he did, he understood that it was God's job to bring him to the throne. In the meantime, David continued on watching his father's sheep.
Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread: It was and still is customary in the East to acknowledge obedience and subjugation with a gift. Jesse would be expected to send his son to Saul's court with some token of homage. The simply of Jesse's gifts shows how most gifts given were from the natural produce of the ground--vines (wine), fields (bread) and pasture lands (a young goat).
David came to Saul and attended him: David ministered unto Saul just like the rest of Saul's servants. This shows that Saul had no knowledge of David's anointing. Otherwise, it cannot be supposed that Saul would have brought David into his court.
He became his armor bearer: The armor bearer was a very dangerous position. The armor bearer had to carry his master's weapons of war and often traveled in front of his master. If a battle broke out, it was the armor bearer who would be the first person in the line of fire. Moreover, the armor bearer had to be a highly trusted servant because his master's life depended on the bravery of his armor bearer. If the armor bearer decided to flee, his master would be left open to attacks on all sides and would be completely defenseless without his weapons.
It is very likely that David only served Saul a short time as armor bearer. For in 1 Samuel 17:55, after David defeats Goliath, Saul asks, "Whose son is this youth?" There is no mention of time, so we are not able to discern how long it might have been between David's service to Saul and David's defeat of Goliath. It is likely, however, that the evil spirit afflicting King Saul was making rapid progress. Saul's mind may have been affected and prevented the king from recalling to mind memories from the past.
This was an important time in David's life and training for God's destiny for him. For the first time, he lived in a royal court and had to learn the customs and manners he needed to know in order to be a king later in life.
David would take the harp and play: A harp is a lyre. It is the ancient version of the guitar. Unlike the large harps you find in orchestras, a lyre was small and easy to handle.
Saul would be refreshed and be well: God used David to minister to Saul. David was happy to be used. What seemed like a great arrangement would not last for long. God was at work in ways no one could see. We can easily see from a perspective of time, how God was laying the foundation for David to become a great king. But at the time, perhaps only Samuel knew God's intentions.
The evil spirit would depart from him: There are many instances which might be quoted of the beneficial effects of music and singing upon a disturbed spirit. The prophet Elisha would often call for a minstrel, and after listening to the music, would utter his prophecies. "Elisha said, 'As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you. But now bring me a minstrel.' And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him" (2 Kings 3:14-15). When the evil spirit would depart from Saul, it would only be for a short time. Eventually, the evil spirit would return, and David would once again have to soothe Saul with his musical abilities.
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well. So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me."
Saul's servants: It is interesting to note that Saul did not seek refuge from his evil spirit, but Saul's servants seem to be acutely aware of the change in Saul's countenance. This is a great example of how our spiritual condition is far more apparent to those around us than to the one afflicted.
An evil spirit from God: The form in which the evil spirit manifested itself in Saul was apparently an incurable melancholy, which, at times, burst forth in fits of uncontrollable rage and jealous anger. When Saul's attendants and his officers perceived the mental anguish under which the king was evidently suffering, they suggested perhaps the evil influence which troubled the king might be alleviated by the playing of music.
Seek a man who is a skillful player: In today's language, Saul's servants are asking Saul if they can seek out a worship leader. They want to find a man who can, using music, bring the love, peace and power of God to Saul. Saul was often disobedient. Having a worship leader could help Saul seek the LORD and find rest for his soul. God created music and gave it the capacity to touch people with profound power. Like so many things, music can be used for tremendous good or it can be used for great evil. Music powerfully communicates with our inner being.
You will be well: It had been a well-known fact that music exerts a powerful influence on the mind. In ancient Greek literature, music is recommended to heal mental disease. In the past, Saul received the Spirit of the LORD in the presence of music (see 1 Samuel 10:10). His servants thought, perhaps, music could help restore the Holy Spirit back to Saul.
3. (1 Sam 16:18) A man is nominated
Then one of the young men said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.
Then one of the young men: The Hebrew here is very specific in stating that the servant who suggests David is a young man. This young man very likely was a contemporary of David and thus may have had several interactions with David or may have even been his friend.
A skillful musician: As a boy, David possessed rare gifts in poetry and music. It is probable that some of David's early Psalms were originally composed while watching his father's sheep around the hills near Bethlehem. Many centuries later, while shepherds were watching over their sheep by night, the angel host appeared to them to tell them of the birth of a child in Bethlehem.
A mighty man of valor, a warrior: the description of David being a mighty valiant man can be explained from what is related in 1 Samuel 17:34-35: "But David said to Saul, 'Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.'"
A question has been raised respecting the word "warrior". It seems from the narrative in 1 Samuel 17 that the combat with the giant Philistine was David's first great military exploit. However, it has been suggested that in addition to the combat with the wild beasts, which were common in the hills of Israel and were a terror to the shepherds, David had been most likely engaged in repelling one of more or the Philistine marauding expeditions, very common in those days. Bethlehem was a strong garrison where the Philistine often congregated.
Prudent in speech: Rather, a better translation would be "skilled in word" or eloquent. This refers back to David's tremendous gifts in poetry and music. David's skillful way with words can be seen over and over again in his Psalms.
The LORD is with him: That is, the LORD directs and prospers all David's undertakings. Seeing the LORD was with David, it might be expected that the evil spirit would depart from Saul when David was in his presence.
4. (1 Sam 16:19-23) David enters Saul's court
So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David who is with the flock." Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son. Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight." So it came about 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.
Send me your son David who is with the flock: Since this happened after Samuel anointed David, this means that David simply returned back to being a shepherd after his anointing. Perhaps David did not yet understand the significance of Samuel's anointing. Or if he did, he understood that it was God's job to bring him to the throne. In the meantime, David continued on watching his father's sheep.
Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread: It was and still is customary in the East to acknowledge obedience and subjugation with a gift. Jesse would be expected to send his son to Saul's court with some token of homage. The simply of Jesse's gifts shows how most gifts given were from the natural produce of the ground--vines (wine), fields (bread) and pasture lands (a young goat).
David came to Saul and attended him: David ministered unto Saul just like the rest of Saul's servants. This shows that Saul had no knowledge of David's anointing. Otherwise, it cannot be supposed that Saul would have brought David into his court.
He became his armor bearer: The armor bearer was a very dangerous position. The armor bearer had to carry his master's weapons of war and often traveled in front of his master. If a battle broke out, it was the armor bearer who would be the first person in the line of fire. Moreover, the armor bearer had to be a highly trusted servant because his master's life depended on the bravery of his armor bearer. If the armor bearer decided to flee, his master would be left open to attacks on all sides and would be completely defenseless without his weapons.
It is very likely that David only served Saul a short time as armor bearer. For in 1 Samuel 17:55, after David defeats Goliath, Saul asks, "Whose son is this youth?" There is no mention of time, so we are not able to discern how long it might have been between David's service to Saul and David's defeat of Goliath. It is likely, however, that the evil spirit afflicting King Saul was making rapid progress. Saul's mind may have been affected and prevented the king from recalling to mind memories from the past.
This was an important time in David's life and training for God's destiny for him. For the first time, he lived in a royal court and had to learn the customs and manners he needed to know in order to be a king later in life.
David would take the harp and play: A harp is a lyre. It is the ancient version of the guitar. Unlike the large harps you find in orchestras, a lyre was small and easy to handle.
Saul would be refreshed and be well: God used David to minister to Saul. David was happy to be used. What seemed like a great arrangement would not last for long. God was at work in ways no one could see. We can easily see from a perspective of time, how God was laying the foundation for David to become a great king. But at the time, perhaps only Samuel knew God's intentions.
The evil spirit would depart from him: There are many instances which might be quoted of the beneficial effects of music and singing upon a disturbed spirit. The prophet Elisha would often call for a minstrel, and after listening to the music, would utter his prophecies. "Elisha said, 'As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you. But now bring me a minstrel.' And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him" (2 Kings 3:14-15). When the evil spirit would depart from Saul, it would only be for a short time. Eventually, the evil spirit would return, and David would once again have to soothe Saul with his musical abilities.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 16 Part Two (Verses 11-14)
4. (1 Sam 16:11) Samuel asks about an absent son
And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."
Are these all the children: Samuel had a problem. God told him, "I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons" (1 Samuel 16:1). Yet, here were the seven sons of Jesse, and God did not chose any of them. Since Samuel knew God's word was true, he knew there must be another son of Jesse who was not in attendance.
There remains yet the youngest: This shows the low regard David had among his own family. First, his father did not even mention him by name. Second, he was not invited to the feast. Third, he was only called to come because Samuel insisted on it. When we consider David was the youngest of eight sons, we should not be surprised at the low regard he had in his own family. It was not because David's conduct or character was unworthy, it was simply because he was the youngest of eight sons. God often chooses unlikely people to do His work. This ensures that we all know the work is God's work and not man's work.
He is tending the sheep: Tending the sheep was a servant's job. The fact that David was out keeping the sheep showed that the family of Jesse was not especially wealthy, and thus could not afford to have servants. If they would have been wealthy, a servant would be keeping watch over the sheep. Moreover, tending the sheep meant you had to trust God in the midst of danger. David had lions, bears and wolves to contend with, and the sheep had to be protected. The country around Bethlehem was not a tranquil wilderness, and the career of a shepherd was one of brave heroics and constant vigilance to keep the sheep safe.
So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
Ruddy: Ruddy denotes red hair and fair skin, which are regarded as a mark of beauty in the Mid-East, where hair and complexion are generally dark. We do not know how old David was at this time. The ancient Jewish historian, Josephus, says David was ten years old. Other historians state he was about 15 years old.
And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he: By all outward appearances, David's seven brothers seemed to have been better material for royalty. As unlikely as he was, David was the one chosen to be king. David was a shepherd, but there were lots of shepherds during this time. David was good-looking, but there were a lot of good looking young men. David was young, but there were plenty of young men God could have chosen. What is important is how God saw David. In 1 Samuel 13:14, God describes what made David special: "The LORD sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people."
God's choice of David shows us that we do not have to quit our jobs and enter into full-time ministry to be people after God's own heart. We do not need to be famous or affluent to be people after God's own heart. We do not need to be respected or even liked by others to be people after God's own heart.
Where did David get his heart? Obviously, from time spent with the LORD. But someone had to start him on that path. David says nothing about his father, but twice in the Psalms he refers to his mother as a handmaid of the LORD. ("Turn to me, and be gracious to me; oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid" Psalm 86:16. "O LORD, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds" Psalm 116:16.) It is very probable that David's mother taught her son to fear the LORD and gave him a foundation to build his own walk with the LORD.
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: The true significance of the act of anointing David as the future king of Israel appears to have been concealed to his brothers. As in subsequent history, they do not seem to have any idea of their brother's high calling. It is very probable that the people who witnessed David's anointing thought Samuel was just honoring David for an unknown reason.
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward: The real anointing of David happened when the Holy Spirit came upon David. The oil on his head was just an outward sign of his inward anointing.
And Samuel arose and went to Ramah: Samuel did not begin a political rally to enthrone David and did not begin to undermine Saul's throne to establish David as king. It is interesting to note that in 1 Samuel 16:13, the name David is first mentioned. Prophetically, David has been referred to in 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 15:28. David's name means beloved or loved one. David will become one of the greatest men in the Bible, mentioned more than 1,000 times in the pages of Scripture. He is mentioned more than Abraham, more than Moses and more than any man in the New Testament. It is no accident that Jesus was not known as the "Son of Abraham" or the "Follower of Moses" but as the "Son of David".
B. Saul's distressing spirit
1. (1 Sam 16:14) Saul's distressing spirit troubles him
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.
(Side note: From this time forward, David is the central figure of this historical account. Saul has been rejected, and though he is still king and must still play his part, from this time forth, his decline goes hand in hand with the growth of David in every kingly way. The record is no longer given on Saul's account. Instead, we are given the account of how David was first brought into connection with Saul, and the subsequent interactions between the two, until ultimately, David becomes king.)
The spirit of the LORD departed from Saul: In 1 Samuel 16:13 we read, "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward" As the Holy Spirit came upon David, "an evil spirit" came upon Saul and terrorized him. Again we see, as David rose in power, Saul continued his downward decline.
An evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him: If God is all-good, why did He send a terrorizing spirit upon Saul? There are two ways in which God can send something. First, He may send something in the active sense. Second, He may send something in the passive sense. Passively, God may withdraw His hand of protection, which allows evil to come, without being the source of evil itself.
Passively, this is what happened to Saul. First, "the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul". This meant that Saul lost his spiritual protection and shield against evil. So when this protection was lost, Satan was more than ready to send an evil spirit to fill the void in Saul. This is why the continual presence of the Holy Spirit for all Christians is such a comfort. We do not have to fear that God will take the Holy Spirit away from us. ("Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)
("However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But t the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies thought His Spirit who dwells in you" Romans 8:9-11.)
Today, Saul would probably be diagnosed as being mentally ill. Yet, his problem was spiritual in nature, and was not mental or psychological. There are many people today in mental hospitals who are really suffering from spiritual problems. These folks need liberation from their evil spirits. However, our modern mental health system is not set up nor equipped to deal with such spiritual problems. Unfortunately, many are given highly potent drugs which only dulls the mind and does nothing to alleviate their spiritual burdens.
From the LORD: Perhaps this judgment was a final verdict on Saul's past wickedness and rebellion against the Holy Spirit's guidance. This may be an example of God giving Saul over to his sin. Saul did have the Holy Spirit upon him early in his kingship. ("When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him [Saul]; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them" 1 Samuel 10:10.) As Saul was proud and rebellious against God, Saul resisted the Holy Spirit. He again and again denied to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, and God finally gave him up. God gave Saul over to his own desires. But, Saul never realized the price he would have to pay when "the Spirit of the LORD departed from him". Saul thought he would be happy and free once he was separated from God's will. He did not realize he would be in even more bondage when an evil spirit came upon him. Even in this state, however, Saul would still repent. He was not past the state of repentance or restoration. It was up to Saul to receive God's correction and respond with a tender, repentant heart before the LORD.
God's choice of David shows us that we do not have to quit our jobs and enter into full-time ministry to be people after God's own heart. We do not need to be famous or affluent to be people after God's own heart. We do not need to be respected or even liked by others to be people after God's own heart.
Where did David get his heart? Obviously, from time spent with the LORD. But someone had to start him on that path. David says nothing about his father, but twice in the Psalms he refers to his mother as a handmaid of the LORD. ("Turn to me, and be gracious to me; oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid" Psalm 86:16. "O LORD, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds" Psalm 116:16.) It is very probable that David's mother taught her son to fear the LORD and gave him a foundation to build his own walk with the LORD.
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: The true significance of the act of anointing David as the future king of Israel appears to have been concealed to his brothers. As in subsequent history, they do not seem to have any idea of their brother's high calling. It is very probable that the people who witnessed David's anointing thought Samuel was just honoring David for an unknown reason.
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward: The real anointing of David happened when the Holy Spirit came upon David. The oil on his head was just an outward sign of his inward anointing.
And Samuel arose and went to Ramah: Samuel did not begin a political rally to enthrone David and did not begin to undermine Saul's throne to establish David as king. It is interesting to note that in 1 Samuel 16:13, the name David is first mentioned. Prophetically, David has been referred to in 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 15:28. David's name means beloved or loved one. David will become one of the greatest men in the Bible, mentioned more than 1,000 times in the pages of Scripture. He is mentioned more than Abraham, more than Moses and more than any man in the New Testament. It is no accident that Jesus was not known as the "Son of Abraham" or the "Follower of Moses" but as the "Son of David".
B. Saul's distressing spirit
1. (1 Sam 16:14) Saul's distressing spirit troubles him
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.
(Side note: From this time forward, David is the central figure of this historical account. Saul has been rejected, and though he is still king and must still play his part, from this time forth, his decline goes hand in hand with the growth of David in every kingly way. The record is no longer given on Saul's account. Instead, we are given the account of how David was first brought into connection with Saul, and the subsequent interactions between the two, until ultimately, David becomes king.)
The spirit of the LORD departed from Saul: In 1 Samuel 16:13 we read, "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward" As the Holy Spirit came upon David, "an evil spirit" came upon Saul and terrorized him. Again we see, as David rose in power, Saul continued his downward decline.
An evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him: If God is all-good, why did He send a terrorizing spirit upon Saul? There are two ways in which God can send something. First, He may send something in the active sense. Second, He may send something in the passive sense. Passively, God may withdraw His hand of protection, which allows evil to come, without being the source of evil itself.
Passively, this is what happened to Saul. First, "the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul". This meant that Saul lost his spiritual protection and shield against evil. So when this protection was lost, Satan was more than ready to send an evil spirit to fill the void in Saul. This is why the continual presence of the Holy Spirit for all Christians is such a comfort. We do not have to fear that God will take the Holy Spirit away from us. ("Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)
("However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But t the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies thought His Spirit who dwells in you" Romans 8:9-11.)
Today, Saul would probably be diagnosed as being mentally ill. Yet, his problem was spiritual in nature, and was not mental or psychological. There are many people today in mental hospitals who are really suffering from spiritual problems. These folks need liberation from their evil spirits. However, our modern mental health system is not set up nor equipped to deal with such spiritual problems. Unfortunately, many are given highly potent drugs which only dulls the mind and does nothing to alleviate their spiritual burdens.
From the LORD: Perhaps this judgment was a final verdict on Saul's past wickedness and rebellion against the Holy Spirit's guidance. This may be an example of God giving Saul over to his sin. Saul did have the Holy Spirit upon him early in his kingship. ("When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him [Saul]; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them" 1 Samuel 10:10.) As Saul was proud and rebellious against God, Saul resisted the Holy Spirit. He again and again denied to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, and God finally gave him up. God gave Saul over to his own desires. But, Saul never realized the price he would have to pay when "the Spirit of the LORD departed from him". Saul thought he would be happy and free once he was separated from God's will. He did not realize he would be in even more bondage when an evil spirit came upon him. Even in this state, however, Saul would still repent. He was not past the state of repentance or restoration. It was up to Saul to receive God's correction and respond with a tender, repentant heart before the LORD.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
1 Samuel Chapter 16 Part One (Verses 1-10)
GOD CHOOSES DAVID
A. Samuel anoints David as king
(Psalms that may correspond to this time
in David's life: 8, 19, 23, and 29.)
1. (1 Sam 16:1-3) God tells Samuel to go and anoint a new king over Israel
Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long
will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over
Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the
Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons." But Samuel
said, "How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the
LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to
the LORD.' You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what
you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to
you."
How long will you grieve over Saul: The grief Samuel exhibited was prolonged almost to a sinful extent. We, who see Saul's whole career, and know how deeply he fell, are often in danger of discrediting his high qualities. But those who were witnesses of his military skill and prowess, and saw his heroic son raising the nation of Israel from feebleness to a mighty empire, might give him great admiration. Both David's dirge (2 Samuel 1:19-27) and Samuel's long mourning along with the dedicated obedience which he was able to exhort from the nation Israel, bear testimony to Saul's powers as a ruler and commander of his nation. But now God warns Samuel to mourn no longer. Saul's rejection was final. Samuel must sacrifice his own personal feelings and prepare to carry out the purpose indicated in 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 15:28.
Jesse the Bethlehemite: Grandson of Ruth the Moabitess, Jesse
belonged to the tribe of Judah through his male ancestors. ("Now these are
the generations of Perez: to Perez was born Hezron, and to Hezron was born Ram,
and to Ram, Amminadab, and to Amminadab was born Nahshon, and to Nahson was born Salmon, and to Salmon
was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed, and to Obed was born Jesse, and to Jesse,
David" Ruth 4:18-22.)
How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he
will kill me: Saul was
king, and the anointing of another in his stead would be regarded as an act of
open treason, and the stirring up of civil war. The anointing of David was a
prophetic indication of the man whom God, in His own way and at His own time,
would place upon Saul's throne. Moreover, this emphasizes the rapid decay of
Saul's mental faculties. The jealous king was changed from the Saul, who even
in his self-willed rebellion against the Lord, was careful to pay homage to
Samuel. But now, Samuel felt if he crossed the king's path in any way, even in
carrying out the commands of the LORD God, Samuel's life would be
forfeited to the fierce anger of Saul.
Take a heifer with you: There was yet to be no public anointing
of the successor to Saul, only the future king must be sought out quietly and
set apart for service to the Lord. With this act done in secret, there would be
no treason and no inciting a civil war. David, still a child, was to be set
apart, without probably fully knowing what the anointing meant and certainly
with no actions being taken by him towards winning the crown which was to be
placed upon his head in the future. Moreover, to have openly anointed David as
king would have forced David's father, Jesse, to an open feud with King Saul.
Jesse would have had to seek safety either by fighting for his life or by
breaking up his home and fleeing to a foreign land.
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice: The word translated
"sacrifice" is the word zebach in Hebrew, which means a sacrifice
followed by a feast, at which all elders of the town, with them Jesse and his
elder sons, would be present by the prophet's invitation. It seems such
sacrifices were not unusual, or Saul would have demanded a reason for Samuel's
conduct. The Ark of the Covenant remained at Kiriath-jearim until Saul at some
time in his reign moved it to Nob. Samuel may have instituted this practice of
occasionally holding sacrifices throughout the land of Israel to keep alive
religion in the hearts of the people. At such occasions, Samuel would have
taught them the great truths of the law during the sacrificial feast.
You shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to
you: Years before this, Israel
rejected the Lord as their king. They wanted a human as their king instead. God
gave them a human king after their own desire (Saul), but God was still on the
throne, crowning whom He pleases as He pleases. The simple fact was that God did
rule Israel. They could recognize His rule, submit to it and enjoy the
benefits. Or they could resist His reign over Israel and suffer because of it.
We do not have to fear the future when we know God has provided for Himself
leaders. He will keep them obscure and hidden until the right time. Then, He
will raise them up.
It is interesting to note that the ceremony of anointing David as king was performed three times: (1) on this occasion by Samuel, when David as a boy was set apart for the service of the Lord; (2) when appointed as king over Judah at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4); (3) when David was chosen as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3).
2. (1 Sam 16:4-5) Samuel comes to sacrifice at Bethlehem
So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came
to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said,
"Do you come in peace?" He said, "In peace; I have come to
sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the
sacrifice." He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the
sacrifice.
The elders of the city came trembling to meet him: Very probably, such visitations by Samuel often took place because some crime had been committed into which Samuel wished to inquire, or because the people had been negligent in some duty. The people are conscious of no such fault, and yet, here is the coming of Samuel.
Consecrate yourselves: Samuel quiets the elders by telling them to sanctify themselves. That is, to wash and purify themselves, abstain from anything unclean and put on festal garments.
He also consecrated Jesse and his sons: In the case of Jesse and his sons, Samuel supervises their necessary purification. This gives Samuel the opportunity to interview Jesse and his household.
3. (1 Sam 16:6-10) God does not choose any of Jesse's older sons
When they entered, he looked at Eliab and
thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." But the LORD
said to Samuel, "Do not look at the 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 the LORD looks at the heart." Then
Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "The
LORD has not chosen this one either." Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And
he said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Thus Jesse made
seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD
has not chosen these."
He looked at Eliab: There was something in the stately appearance of Jesse's eldest son, which probably reminded Samuel of Saul in his youth. Eliab seemed in all aspects to Samuel fit to be the successor of King Saul. But God sternly warned Samuel to not let appearances lead the selection.
Do not look at the appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him: Samuel made the mistake of judging Eliab based on his appearance. This was the same mistake Israel made about their first king. Saul looked the part, but he did not have the heart a king of God's people should have. It did not matter how good Eliab looked because God had refused him.
For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart: Even the best of men will look at the outward appearance. At the moment, Samuel was guilty of it. We must understand that we cannot read the secrets of another man's heart. We often only judge on outward appearance.
The LORD has not chosen these: God told Samuel that He had not chosen any of the seven sons of Jesse. It was not that these sons of Jesse were bad men, but they were not God's choice. God had a man in mind different from Samuel's or Jesse's expectation. Eliab and the rest of the older sons were perfect potential kings as far as the flesh is concerned. But God did not want a king after the flesh. Israel already had a king like that.
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