1 & 2 Samuel – Page 17

1 Samuel 18:5-16 – Jealousy

hand in pinching position, with words "It Doesn't Matter the Size" in between the fingers

Saul has it right, but for all the wrong reasons. What keen irony that Saul would think David is after this place on the throne. It is actually God’s plan, and Saul has not be privy to this information. David is certainly making a name for himself and becoming quite popular with the people.

We have not seen David ever try to manipulate Saul or take the limelight. But God is with David, and everything David touches is successful. Wouldn’t it be healthier for Saul to see that David is a loyal warrior? Every victory of David only makes Saul, the king, look that much better for having chosen so wisely!

1 Samuel 17:52-18:4 – New Friends

Read 1 Samuel 17:52-18:4

two cuddly teddy bears sitting in a field, facing away, one posed with it's arm around the other

What a statement David’s actions made that day for the Israelites and the living God. The soldiers didn’t waste any time plundering the deserted camp. I can just imagine the relief they felt. They would not have to endure the bondage that seemed so sure.

It seems for David it was “all in a day’s work.” He carries Goliath’s head like a trophy, yet not with selfish pride but with gratefulness to God for giving him the strength. David’s deed had obviously caught Saul’s attention. Saul wanted to know everything about David. There doesn’t appear to be any recognition or association with the harp player, David. We see two, distinctly different sides of the same man in the accounts we’ve been reading.

1 Samuel 17:32-51 – Goliath Falls

Read 1 Samuel 17:32-51

How desperate was Saul to find a solution to the Goliath problem? We learned a couple readings ago that there was quite a reward being offered to the brave soul who kills Goliath. You can imagine Saul’s great surprise when young David says, “Don’t worry about this Philistine, I’ll go fight him!” Don’t worry? This was the same giant who sent the Israelite army scurrying away in fear!

But David had a plan. He knew he wasn’t a warrior in Saul’s army, but he knew he was a smart protector. I can just about picture David clubbing a lion to death should it try to take one of his precious lambs. God had gifted David to fearlessly use his wit and strength, and today we shall perhaps see why.

1 Samuel 17:12-31 – Inquiring Minds Want To Know

Read 1 Samuel 17:12-31

drawing of the brain inside the outline of the head, with all sorts of colors swirling arund like questions and thoughts

We get to see more into David’s character in this reading. He was an obedient son, his brother Eliab wasn’t a fan of David’s curiosity, and David was very inquisitive. I tend to be a very inquisitive person. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that I had a personality test reveal that as the controlling trait in all areas of my life. The result made me giggle, because I do ask a lot of questions. Sometimes I feel like I’m interrogating instead of simply communicating naturally.

Asking a lot of questions can be a good thing. Not only do we gain information, but we can learn things we wouldn’t have otherwise learned. That knowledge can come in handy down the road to help us or others.

1 Samuel 17:1-11 – Rocked By Fear

Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11

standing on a ledge, looking down at feet and to the street below

Probably the most well-known of all Bible stories we learned as children was the story of David and Goliath. All sorts of images pop up for me, from the felt board stories of my wee years to play acting the story with children with costumes and sound effects when I was Children’s Ministry Director.

We are going to take our time as we walk through this story. Maybe new messages will pop out for us. Sometimes we tend to rush through things, especially when they are familiar. I guess we want to conserve our “energy” for handling the more complex or new things we encounter each day.