In a cave along the Dead Sea, God arranged a meeting between David and Saul. Neither expected to meet the other. David and his men would have seen Saul and his army of several thousand soldiers approaching. They moved to the back of the cave and surprisingly, Saul entered the cave alone, with guards posted… Read More »
Blog – Ziphites Plot Against David
Word travelled throughout the region that King Saul wanted to capture David. The Ziphites saw an opportunity to gain favor with King Saul and offered to deliver David to him. There were others that were sympathetic to David and kept him informed of Saul’s movements. The Philistines were also aware of Saul’s movements. When they… Read More »
Blog – Abiathar, We Weep For You
As a descendant of Eli, Abiathar was witnessing the consequences of the sins of his ancestors. Eighty-five members of his family were executed as a result of Saul’s life being controlled by an evil spirit. Could Saul have avoided executing the priests at Nob? Could Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas have avoided disobedience to God… Read More »
A Kingdom United
“We are your relatives,” said the Israelites to David. “In the past, even when Saul was king of Israel, it was really you that led the forces of Israel. And God told Samuel that you were to be the leader of the Israelites.” So, in Hebron, David made a covenant before God, with all the… Read More »
A Kingdom Divided
The people of Judah made David their king. Abner, who had been the general of Saul’s army made Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, king of Israel. One day Abner and the soldiers of Ishbosheth met Joab, the leader of David’s soldiers, at a pool near Gibeon. Abner yelled to Joab, “Let’s have some of our best soldiers… Read More »
Defeat at Mount Gilboa
The Philistines and Israelites were locked in a fierce battle at Mount Gilboa. King Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan, were killed in the battle. With this, the remaining Israelites ran away. Meanwhile, David and his army of 600 warriors defeated the Amalekites that destroyed Ziklag (the city where David’s army had been… Read More »
“Sleep On!”
King Saul was obsessed with eliminating David, the person married to his daughter (due to David’s popularity with the Israelites). Saul received word that David and his warriors were hiding in a mountainous area. Saul formed a group of 3,000 men and set out for the suspected area. While they were camped, God caused a… Read More »
“You’re Like a Brother to me!”
King Saul’s son, Jonathan, was a close friend of David. But, because of Saul’s jealousy of David’s battle victories and the praise David received from the Israelites. David became a fugitive. “Why does your father, Saul, want to kill me? What have I done wrong,” David asked Jonathan. “My father can’t be trying to kill… Read More »
“Take That!”
Seized by a tormenting spirit, King Saul hurled a spear at David, intending to pin him to the wall. What did David do to deserve this treatment? He was playing a musical instrument in an attempt to soothe King Saul’s spirit. Saul was consumed with a jealousy regarding David’s ability to lead warriors in battle. … Read More »
“Give Me Your Best Shot!”
“Pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he wins, we (Philistines) will be your slaves; but if I win, you all (Israelites) will be our slaves and will serve us.” This is what Goliath, the nearly 10-foot tall Philistine warrior said to the Israelites. David, the youngest son of Jesse, said to… Read More »