Scripture

Saul was afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul.

Observation

David and Jonathan meet, and they instantly form a strong friendship .

David does everything successfully that Saul commands him. When David and Saul return from battle against the Philistines, the women sing, “Saul has killed thousands, and David tens of thousands.” This makes Saul jealous.

A tormenting spirit comes against Saul. He raves like a madman, and tries twice to kill David.

Michal falls in love with David. Saul offers Michal to David for the bride price of 100Pphilistine foreskins. Saul reasons that David will be killed by the Philistines. David and his men go and kill 200 Philistines. So David marries Michal.

Application

Fear and jealousy start to consume Saul. He can see how successful and popular David is, and he becomes afraid for his own position.

This kind of deception is a favourite tool of the devil. He stirs up negative emotions such as fear and jealousy to keep us isolated from other people. When we are isolated, he can amplify the emotions and make us quite irrational.

Saul had no cause to be afraid or jealous of David. David was loyal and had no desire to depose him. But satan is the father of lies, and Saul swallowed the deception.

Even though the Lord had rejected Saul as King over Israel, Saul could have repented of his sins and drawn close to the Lord. He could have been protected from his feelings of fear and jealousy. Instead, he chose to isolate himself and believe the lies rather than seeking the truth.

What a sad outcome this was. Many people follow a similar trajectory as they ignore the call of the Lord on their lives.

Prayer

Father, please help me stay close to you. Help me to always walk in the light of your word and the discernment that comes from your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Scripture

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the Name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the God of the Armies of Israel whom you defied.”

Observation

David, at his father’s request, leaves the flocks to take supplies to his brothers in Saul’s army. There he sees that a giant named Goliath taunts the Israelites, demanding that someone come out to fight him.

David finds out that the king has promised his daughter and exemption from taxes to the man who defeats Goliath. He volunteers and discovers that Saul’s armour and sword are too heavy for him.

So David responds to Goliath’s taunt. He frames Goliath’s challenge as a defiance against the Lord. Armed with just his sling, David kills Goliath. Emboldened by this, the Israelite army massacres the fleeing Philistines.

Application

David recognises that the Philistines’ hostility to Israel was not just a military or political issue, but a matter of spiritual warfare. They were not fighting against flesh and blood, but against the Lord of Heaven’s hosts.

He could go without armour or sword because his trust was in the Lord. He knew that the battle belonged to the Lord.

Similarly, our battles are not in the flesh, but in the spirit realm. We must fight these battles in the spirit realm using the gifts and weapons of the Holy Spirit.

Whether it is family or work issues that overwhelming us, it is the Lord’s battle. Human wisdom will not give us victory, but the power of the Holy Spirit will.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that, as I put my trust in you, then you will help me to overcome the giants in my life. Amen.