The area occupied by the Philistines was relatively small and they pushed their borders in an effort to expand their territory.  At times, God used the Philistines to punish the Israelites for disobedience.  During the reign of Saul, the Philistines weakened the Israelites by forbidding them to make weapons of war.  When they learned that… Read More »

Among Abner, Joab and Ish-Bosheth, each were focused not on God’s will, but their own interests.  As a result, each lost their life while trying to control the lives of others.  The elders of the tribes of Israel came to David and acknowledged that God had enabled David to achieve military success.  This is the… Read More »

Although Abner, Saul’s Commander, was aware that God had chosen David to be the king of Israel, he enjoyed the power and prestige of being the commander of the king’s army.  To retain this position, he anointed Ish-Bosheth to be the king of Israel, except for Judah. The rivalry between Abner and Joab, the Commander… Read More »

At God’s direction, David and his men and their families and flocks moved to Hebron.  Hebron was no stranger to a royal court.  Hebron had been the location of Saul’s court. The elders of Judah came to David and anointed him king of Judah.  Saul’s commander, Abner, however, selected Ish-Bosheth, the son of Saul, to… Read More »

David was aware that Saul was God’s anointed and he always treated Saul with respect.  Even when Saul sought David for the purpose of destroying him, David refused to return evil for evil.

Saul was a fearful person.  He has been told by a messenger of God (the spirit of Samuel) that neither he nor his sons would survive the upcoming battle with the Philistines.  Because God was not opposing the Philistines, the battle was going poorly for the Israelites.  Consequently, many of the Israelites fled the battlefield. … Read More »

As God promised, David and his men defeated the Amalekite raiders.  All the wives and children and flocks were recovered.  Nothing was missing.  In addition there were flocks of the Amalekites that were captured and distributed throughout the villages, in Judah, that David and his men had visited.

When David and his men returned to Ziklag, they saw a horrible sight.  The city was destroyed by fire and there was not a person or animal anywhere.  Evidently, the raiding party took all the inhabitants, animals and anything of value.  But, where?  David’s men were so furious that there was talk of stoning David. … Read More »

In order to put an end to King Saul trying to capture him, David sought refuge in a Philistine city.  King Achish assigned him to the city of Ziklag.  From Ziklag, David and his men would conduct raids on cities not controlled by the Israelites.  When the Philistines were preparing to battle the Israelites, David… Read More »

Saul finds himself in a desperate position.  The Philistine army has amassed for attack on Israel and the Israelite army has assembled for defense.  Saul can easily see that the Philistines have battle weapons that the Israelites don’t possess.  In the past, God had enabled the Israelites to overcome great disadvantages.  But that was when… Read More »