Taking the Bait

1 Samuel 31:10 “They put his armor in the temple of the Astoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan” (NIV). Observation: We see here the fruit of flesh at work. The Philistine army had conquered Israel and killed three of Saul’s sons. Saul himself had...

Precipice of Premature Action

1 Samuel 28:17  “The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.” Observation: The reign of Saul would tomorrow come to an end. In taking refuge from Saul by living among Philistines, David was in turn obligated to war against...

Strange Bedfellows

1 Samuel 27:2  “So David and the six hundred men with him went over to Achish son of Maoch king of Gath” (NIV). Observation: Under constant pressure from Saul’s pursuing army, David decided to seek relief by settling among the Philistines. He and his army, together...

Knowing His Timing

1 Samuel 24:4  “This is the day the Lord spoke of when He said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands to deal with as you wish’” (NIV). Observation: Saul has gone into a cave, apparently to rest from midday heat, unaware that David and some of his men were...

The Best Hiding Place

1 Samuel 23:16  “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God” (NIV). Observation: Earlier in this chapter David led his band of fighting men to victory over the Philistines at Keilah. Even though he was not yet king of Israel,...

Learning to Fear

Psalm 34:9  “Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing” (NIV). Observation: There are many familiar, comforting lines in Psalm 34, such as, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (v. 1); “My soul will boast...