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1 Samuel 20b Commentary Probably Jonathan understood something about his father. He feared for his life – probably in the process helping David, or as he performed acts of righteousness.Evil doesn’t have eyes. Jonathan survived his father’s spear. But it wasn’t the first time. Chapter 14 verse 44. And it wasn’t always because of David!Yes,ContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 20b Commentary”

1 Samuel 20 Commentary There are few chapters as deeply emotional as this one. The intense hatred by Saul is only paralleled by an opposite and rarest of friendly bonds. Jonathan and David have set such a high bar of friendship that one is tempted to think of it as a model representing the cross.ContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 20 Commentary”

1 Samuel 19 Commentary You cannot achieve godliness by resolutions. The oath that King Saul makes means nothing. It’s not up to him. As Jeremiah puts it, people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Leave it in the hands of the LORD. Both Jonathan and Michal, Saul’sContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 19 Commentary”

1 Samuel 18 Commentary The anointing (the Spirit of the LORD) on David has very interesting results.Jonathan deeply loves David. Verse 1.The troops and army officers are pleased with David. Verse 5.The women praise David’s name. Verse 7. One of them is intimately connected – Michal, King Saul’s daughter. She loves David. Verse 20.All IsraelContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 18 Commentary”

1 Samuel 17b Commentary We can observe that the Spirit of God is behind all the deliverances for Israel. We find the same statement with just about every judge: The Spirit of the LORD came upon him… David isn’t different. King Saul’s good early days weren’t different. So we find ourselves in familiar territory whenContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 17b Commentary”

1 Samuel 17 Commentary See what difference the anointing makes! A freshly anointed Saul had burned with anger when he was told about Nahash’s threats on Jabesh Gilead. Nahash’s Ammonites were a formidable force. The Spirit of the LORD had come upon Saul so powerfully that he feared nothing and advanced against the Ammonites. WithoutContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 17 Commentary”

1 Samuel 16b Commentary “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Could it be that the great prophet was tempted to consider candidates based on their appearance? And who wouldContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 16b Commentary”

1 Samuel 16 Commentary When the LORD speaks to Samuel about the next king, you sense in the tone that Samuel was deeply affected by Saul’s downfall. It was a father’s sorrow, but the LORD doesn’t want us to dwell in disappointments. The all-knowing God had been raising David for this very purpose. Samuel isContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 16 Commentary”

1 Samuel 15 Commentary. Saul sets up a monument in his own honor. This would be a fitting title to this chapter. But it’s not the most important moment.“I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” These words from the LORDContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 15 Commentary”

1 Samuel 14b Commentary Chapter 14 tells us a lot about Saul’s poor religion. He says in verse 19, “There’s no time to consult the LORD.” Unbelievable! But look at Jonathan, he understands everything and knows the LORD is at work. The enemy army (the Philistines) melts away because of Jonathan’s intercession. The LORD actsContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 14b Commentary”