Saul's envy and jealously causes him grief!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!!

  1 Samuel 18:8 Saul begins to wonder. Remember, the women sang Saul killed thousands, but David tens of thousands.  Saul's envy, jealously, and eventually hate crept into Saul's mind.

   In verse 8 Saul is wondering what more David can get out of the kingdom. Now---worry sets in-- or as I like to call it---- satan's doubt darts.

  Saul began keeping a close eye on David, but, then, verse 10, an evil spirit came upon Saul. David was playing the harp to soothe Saul when Saul took a spear, threw it, and tried to pin David to the wall.  David avoided this calamity twice.

  Now at this point the LORD was with David and had departed from Saul.  So, Saul sent David away with troops, various campaigns of which he was successful and David became loved by all Israel and all over Judah. Verses 10-16.  So, Saul, being afraid of David gave his older daughter in marriage to David and then sent him to battle the Philistines.  Why would Saul do this?

   Saul is thinking I do not have to take care of David, as in kill him, but the Philistines will do the work for him.  David came to Saul saying he was not worthy to marry the older daughter, Merab, so she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. Yes, who is Adriel of Meholah? He was a nobleman of ancient Israel and his name means "God's helper" or "Mans saver".

  But another daughter was in love with David------Micah (verse 20).  And more tomorrow. Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

David is beloved, then disliked by Saul????

  Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  So, we have a young sprout of a man named David who plays a harp to soothe King Saul when evil comes upon him; he slays a fierce warrior named Goliath, so what is next?

   Saul had a son, Jonathan.  Jonathan and David became best friends, even to the point of loving each other as brothers.  They had a kinship and bonded.  David was an obedient servant of Saul; anything Saul sent David to do--he did and did it correctly!!!

  Sounds like a story with a truly happy ending and they all lived happily everafter. OOOOPPPPSSSS!   Not quite.  Saul and David were fierce warriors, BUT, the tide began to shift when, in 1 Samuel 18:6-7.   All the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine and the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes.

   As they danced they sang:   "Saul has slain his thousands and

                                                  David his tens of thousands."

   Aught-ohhhh!  This really PO-ed Saul and his thoughts were of jealously and gall.  He thinks what more can David get---my kingdom?  From here on Saul look at David with jealously.

   Jealous means resentful, suspicious of rivalry.  Here is a little bitty thing that we all have experienced - jealously.  Some may call it envy or lust, maybe even a bad attitude; however, it boils down to the fact that due to the jealously from the women singing Saul will grow to resent David.

   You may have experienced this in your life as well.  Are you sitting in a bath of jealously and resentment; OR, have you let it go and turned it all over to God?

   Tomorrow more about Saul and his dealing with David.  Thank you for reading. If you ever, yes if you find I have strayed from God's word please let me know.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

David "ROCKED" Goliath and then..................

Good day all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!!

   Okay, David has killed Goliath, cut his head off and taken the head to Jerusalem.  You will note in verse 55-58 Saul asks who is this man (David).  At this point Abner came to David, then took him to Saul.  David is still holding Goliath's head.  Saul asks him who he is.  He responds that he is the son of Jesse of Bethlehem.  Okay, all is well, but.....................................

   In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, if you remember, an evil spirit came upon Saul and they beckoned a harp play, David, son of Jesse, to play when this spirit came over Saul, yet he was allowed to continue to tend his fathers sheep when Saul did not need his harp playing.

   Now this tends to show either a contradiction in the Bible, OR, the 1 Samuel was not written Chronologically.  Possibly, Saul was a great warrior, but could be having difficulties with memory.  Hmmm!  I do not know, nor do the "expert theologians" so we may one day know when we get to heaven.

   Let me know your thoughts on this.  Look at the scriptures, reference your resources and shoot me an email.

  Thank you for reading as this is short today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

David really "ROCKED" Goliath's world!!

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. BLESSED!!

  Well, in 1 Samuel we have reached the part where Goliath insulted David, and David threatened Goliath and challenged him for going against God's people.  Goliath approached the battle line, but David ran toward the battle line armed with only a sling and 5 smooth stones from the river.

   When I say David really 'rocked' Goliath he did.  He took only 1 stone out of his pouch, placed it in his sling, he then cast the stone forward and it sunk into Goliath's forehead.  The giant fell forward, facedown on the ground.  So, David, triumphed over the huge Philistine with only a sling, rock and no sword.

   At this time David ran to Goliath, stood over him, took the Philistines sword and cut off Goliath's head with his own sword.

   The Philistines saw that their "hero" was dead they turned and ran. Now the Israelites and Judah men, who were afraid (their faith was low) bravely chased after the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gate of Ekron.  At this point the Israelites and Judah's plundered the Philistines tents; David took Goliath's weapons in his tent and took his head to Jerusalem.  Then Saul beckons David.

  More later and I have to retrace and study.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Would you take a rock to a sword fight? David did!!!

  Good morning all.  God  is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!!

   Okay, remember, Saul told David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

Saul then, being a warrior, tried to dress David in his war armor. Saul was a large and strong man; David, a mere boy much smaller than Saul.  Nothing fit.

   David spoke saying I cannot wear this, took it off, took his staff, 5 smooth stones from the stream (put in his pouch) and with sling in hand approached the Philistine.  Now it gets real interesting.  Arrogance and conceit against God's chosen.  Watch closely and see what happens.

   Goliath (from Gath) looks at David (probably with disgust) and roars loudly, "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?"  Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  He speaks again saying, "Come here and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"

   David, who has faith in God comes forth and says, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God f the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.  This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.  Today I will give the carcassees of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God is Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD's and he will give all of you into our hands."

   Okay, now here is a young man who is taking a rock to a sword fight.  From the common sense philosophy this is not good and the sword is mightier than the rock, however, throw GOD in the equation and it is lopsided. The sword will not prevail.  Let's go on.

  The Philistine moved closed to the battle line and David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.  Then...........well.....it gets even more exciting after this. See you tomorrow with the next step. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you have faith? 1 Samuel 17

  Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BLESSED!!

Question for today:  Do you walk in your own strength and of your self OR walk in the strength and faith in God?  Hmmm!

1 Samuel 17 starting at verse 17 - Jesse told David to take almost 6 gallons of roasted grain and bread to his brothers who were on the front lines facing the Philistines and Goliath.  Also, he took 10 cheeses to the commander of the unit.

  Please note in verse 16 that Goliath came and belittled, called down, and humiliated the Israelites for 40 DAYS!   Does 40 have significance in the Bible? It often appears in times of trouble or trials. Moses 40 years, flood 40 days, etc. However, when the Bible says 40 days IT MEANS 40 DAYS.  Okay, let's go on.

   David left in the early morning and when he arrived the Philistines and Israelites were drawing battle lines. He left the goods with the keeper of supplies and ran forth to his brothers.  About this time Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came forth.  verse 24 - "When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear."

   The Israelites murmured among themselves that this man comes out and defies Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him.  Also, give his daughter in marriage and exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel.

  David speaks and says, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

  David older brother, Eliab, overheard David's conversation and became angry at David.  Eliab speaks to David: "Why did you come here? Where are the sheep and who is watching them? You are conceited and have a wicked heart, you only came down here to watch the battle."

   David says, "What have I done?  Can I not speak?"  Then he turned away and continued his conversation.  This was reported to Saul who called for David.  Saul looks at David and basically says, you are nothing but a runt of a boy, you cannot fight this man who has been a warrior since his youth.

   David's retort:  "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep.  When a lion or a bear came and carrie off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth.  When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.  The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

  Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

     Well, let us stop here folks, for the next is quite interesting as well.  So, is David walking in his own strength, OR, walking in the strength and faith of the LORD?  Thanks for reading. Love you all. (picture of David, sheep, lion/bear below)

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Do you have faith? Faith in God? Really???? 1 Samuel 17

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

  Questions to ponder:  1. Does the Bible teach we have to love everyone?  AND, 2. Just because we can't see it does it mean it is not real?  Hmmm! I am interested in replies to both questions.

  Okay, on to 1 Samuel 17.  What is happening here?  Here is the situation-- the Philistines gathered their forces for war and came together at Socoh in Judah.  The set up camp at Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

  Well, Saul and the Israelites set up camp in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines.  So, the Philistines sit on one hill, the Israelites on another hill, and the valley between them is where the battle should take place. (see map below

   Now there was a man from Gath named Goliath who stood about 9 feet 7 inches tall.  He was all decked out in his battle gear, which was very heavy.  He had a shield bearer who went ahead of him.  Goliath stood and shouted at the Israelites challenging them, even belittled them.  He issued a challenge, if you send someone out who defeats me we, the Philistines, will become your servants, BUT, if I defeat the one you send out YOU, the Israelites, will become servants of the Philistines.

   Well, brave ole Saul (a man chosen by God) and the Israelites were terrified,  Now to backtrack slightly, there was an old man named Jesse who had 8 sons.  The three oldest, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah, followed Saul to war.  David was the youngest of the bunch. 

   Now you remember that David was fetched to play the harp for Saul when he was distressed.  David went back and forth from Saul to Bethlehem to tend to his father's sheep.  So David is in the picture at this time, only as a harp player to sooth Saul when evil came upon him.

   Now, before we go further this is where I want you to stop and think about your faith.  Here are the Israelites, GOD's chosen people, and when challenged by a man, yes, a very large man, they are struck by satans DOUBT DARTS and become afraid and terrified.  What happened to their faith?

   Don't we do this so often?  We all are probably REALLY STRONG CHRISTIANS ON SUNDAY MORNINGS,  BUT,  when we leave the church or not around our church members is our faith as strong?  Do you really believe?  Do you share your belief with others?  Or, are you afraid as were the Israelites to step out in faith?  

   I really am trying to get anyone who reads this to understand the true stories in the Bible, not just the glorified version we so often hear in Sunday School as children.  Tomorrow, Davids actions and commitment.  LOVE YOU ALL.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Saul is troubled! Oh, what to do? 1 Samuel 16:15-23

   Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Today's prayer- Lord, please remove all iniquities and evil from my heart and mind and let me walk in your path and share blessings to others in your name.  Forgive me as I am a sinner, but redeemed through the blood of Jesus. Amen!

  Well, in 1 Samuel 16:15-23 we will find that Saul has a troubled spirit from God (as his servants said) and they are searching for a "cure".  They said let us find a cunning man who plays the harp so that you (Saul) may be comforted and well.

   Saul tells his servants to seek out such a person.  Then one of the servants said, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp.  He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man.  And the LORD is with him."

  Saul tells the messengers to go to Jesse and send David to him.  Upon this notification Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

  Saul liked him very much and David became one of Saul's armor-bearers.  A message was sent to Jesse saying his son, David, would remain in his service because he (Saul) was pleased with him.

  So, now, whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play, giving relief to Saul and the evil spirit would leave him.  Saul was exceedingly pleased.

   I have bounced around in the scriptures and will do my best to remain in 1 Samuel and work through it and 2 Samuel.  Different thoughts come forth and I tend to follow; but, I will do my best to stay on track through Samuel.

   Thank you for reading with me. May your day be wonderful and blessed.

Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny