Tag: Saul

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Wisdom Prayer

Show Restraint!

Show Restraint!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who show restraint. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We pick up the saga of King Saul and David.

King Saul had been hunting for and hoping to kill David. David hides in a cave with his men. While searching for David, Saul happened to go into the same cave where David and his men were hiding because 1 Samuel 24:4 (ESV) says, “Saul went in to relieve himself.”

David knew that Saul was God’s anointed King, and even though David had the chance to kill Saul, David instead cut off part of Saul’s robe instead.

As Saul was leaving the area, David revealed he had cut off part of the robe, and he told Saul how he could have killed him.

In 1 Samuel 24:16-22 (ESV) we learn Saul was moved by this incident.

“As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, ‘Is this your voice, my son David?’ And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, ‘You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.’ And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”

Would you have been tempted to kill Saul or would you show restraint?

What choice will you make the next time you have a chance to retaliate against someone?

If given the chance, follow David’s example, and opt for a peaceful resolution.

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Wisdom Prayer

We All Need Encouragement!

We All Need Encouragement!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who provide encouragement. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have you ever felt trapped?

Just as you think things could not get worse, would you expect to be encouraged?

Saul hoped to be rid of David.

Saul thought he had trapped David in Keilah, but David made a decision to flee with his men before Saul could surround the town. In 1 Samuel 23:13(ESV) we learn David’s men “went wherever they could go.”

In 1 Samuel 23:15-18 (ESV) we learn even though David was on the run, a friend comes along side of him.

“David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, ‘Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.’ And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.”

With the threat of death hanging over David, God sent Jonathan to provided encouragement.

Who can you come along side of and encourage? Think about it. Reach out and encourage someone today.

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Wisdom Prayer

Helping Those in Distress!

Helping Those in Distress!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who help those in distress. In Jesus’ name amen.

The story of David continues in 1 Samuel 21 with David fleeing Saul.

He went to Nob. Ahimelech, the priest, lived there and agreed to help David because David told him he was on a secret mission for Saul. Watching the conversation was Doeg the Edomite who was taking care of sheep.

David is given bread that was reserved for God. Then he goes from place to place including a cave at Adullam.

Others hear about David’s situation and come to join him; 1 Samuel 22:2 it says there were four hundred.

Saul is searching for David and makes his way to Nob.

1 Samuel 22:18-23 (ESV)

“Then the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn and strike the priests.’ And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword;

both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword. “But one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. And David said to Abiathar, ‘I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father’s house. Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.’”

David’s offer of help must have been most encouraging to Abiathar.

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Wisdom Prayer

Those Who Intend Harm!

Those Who Intend Harm!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom and safety for those who are around others who intend them harm. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In 1 Samuel 19, Saul once again tries to kill David. At another point, David fled in the night to avoid being killed.

In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan’s and David’s special bond is confirmed. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, tries to intervene with his father to stop him from killing David but to no avail. Jonathan devises a plan to determine if Saul is really angry, and wants to kill David.

This test is based on David missing a few meals with Saul and Jonathan. Because David is not present, finally, Saul gets mad, and Jonathan becomes convinced of his father’s intent to kill David.

Jonathan knows David has been hiding during this time. David is in his hiding place. As a signal to David, Jonathan shoots arrows a far distance. This lets David know it is not safe for him, and it is King Saul’s intent is to kill him.

When Jonathan is alone, David comes out of hiding.

In 1 Samuel 20:41-42 (ESV) Jonathan and David are together.

“And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’’ And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.”

Jonathan had saved David’s life.

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Wisdom Prayer

Issues with the In-laws!

Issues with the In-laws!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who have issues with their in-laws. In Jesus’ name.

King Saul was going to have David marry his daughter Merab, but before that happened she was given to someone else.

In 1 Samuel 18:20-23 (ESV) we learn Saul had another daughter, but Saul had ulterior motives.

“Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, ‘You shall now be my son-in-law.’ And Saul commanded his servants, ‘Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king’s son-in-law.’ And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, ‘Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?’”

King Saul made it known that although David did not have the money to pay a bride-price, in exchange Saul would have David bring the evidence of the death of one hundred Philistines. David brought evidence of the death of two hundred Philistines, so it says in 1 Samuel 18:27 (ESV) “Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife.”

1 Samuel 18:28-30 (ESV) we learn David’s being Saul’s son-in-law did little to change Saul’s attitude toward David.

“But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually. Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.”

The Lord is with David. Saul promises David one of his daughters. That daughter is given to another. Saul’s other daughter loves and marries David. David’s reputation as a soldier grows. Saul becomes David’s enemy.

Most people do not face these kinds of issues with their in-laws. Do pray for marriages where relationships with in-laws are strained.

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Wisdom Prayer

Toxic Relationships!

Toxic Relationships!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who find themselves in toxic relationships. In Jesus’ name, amen.

An incident mentioned in 1 Samuel 18:6-16 (ESV) explains how and why David and Saul came to be at odds. David had killed Goliath. That is when the story unfolds.

“As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.’

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?’ And Saul eyed David from that day on.

The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David evaded him twice.

Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.”

David and Saul’s relationship deteriorated. It became dangerous for David.

Toxic relationships can happen within families, on the job, and even between long-time friends. Discovering the source of the conflict and trying to right the relationship can be difficult. Yet, Don Moen’s song, “God will Make a Way,” reminds us that God can make a way when there seems to be no way.

God does not always choose to heal broken relationships. Yet, in many cases he does provide a way.

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