In these next chapters, we read of Saul's rise and fall and David's rise to power. I find it curious that Saul raised a son named Jonathon who seemed to be a Godly man. Yet because of Saul's sin, God's promise held the retribution that Saul's lineage would not be king. Jonathon would not be the next king. God then dispatches Samuel to anoint and install David as king. We will read of David who was a man after God's own heart, yet he raised Absalom who was prideful and rebellious. I wonder if the outcome of their sons were due to the type or lack of parenting in the son's early years. Perhaps it was due to the influences exerted by their mothers. The Daily Bible disperses Psalms in the passages so that the particular Psalm is read at the time of it's penning. This adds a lot to understanding what David was experiencing and how he was relating to God.
Not a lot is said about spiritual authority any more in or out of the church. Believe me when I say that God does care about spiritual authority and our willingness to submit to God's will whether it is to Him or to the person God places in leadership over us. Spiritual authority speaks to us in every aspect of our life. As you read the accounts of Saul, David, Jonathon and Absalom, you are going to see great examples of spiritual authority in practice and also ignored.
I recommend you read a book entitiled, The Tale of Three Kings, authored by Gene Edwards. Is is a small book and easily read in a day or two. Gene Edwards is a pastor and he wrote this book as if he were telling a story. You will enjoy it! It helped me understand and practice spiritual authority in my life. If you want some deeper study in to spritual authority then read Spiritual Authority, authored by Watchman Nee.
There is a passage of scripture that records a heartbreaking account. They are found in I Samuel 15: 22-35. In I Samuel 15: 24,25 Saul begs Samuel for forgiveness and to accompany him back home so that Saul can "save face" in front of the people. Picture this, Saul begging Samuel to return with him and when Samuel turns to leave Saul grabs Samuel's robe and tears it. I picture Saul down on his knees begging Samuel. What a pitiful picture. In verse I Samuel 15:30 Saul replies, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord YOUR God. At this point Saul does not even claim the Lord as his God. Verses 34 and 35 tells us that Samuel grieved over Saul. God also grieved that He had ever made Saul king. What a sharp contrast to Saul's beginnings. He began a young man in search of his father's livestock and was searching for Samuel to assist him in where to look for the animals.
There is so much to learn in the accounts of the lives of Saul, Jonathon, David and Absalom. We see examples of how God responds to someone who tries his best to obey God, to the one who rejects God's instructions. In later chapters we will have examples how David responds when two of his sons dies, how he has to ask God for forgiveness and why God won't let him be used to build the temple.
I would love to hear from you and see what passages speak to you... We are now a quarter of the way through the Bible. It seems to me to have flown by.
Bon Apetit <3
