1 Samuel 26

Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts. If you don't have a Bible with you, you can follow this link to the passage: 1 Samue 26

I am amazed that David continues to spare Saul's life. This is especially striking considering how willing he was to take Nabal's life in the last chapter. It really highlights how sacred the life of the Lord's annointed is. David was "within his rights" to kill Saul, and God practically handed Saul to him. By human reckoning Saul deserved punishment, yet he was the Lord's annointed. Fitting then that Jesus, the Lord's Annointed, would be killed unjustly by those who had no right to take his life. David's radical perspective in this text is that God alone has authority to give life and take it away. Thanks be to God that he gives life so freely to us because of Jesus.

1 Samuel 25

Please read the whole chapter and feel free to post a reply even before you read my thoughts. If you don't have a Bible with you, you can follow this link to the passage: 1 Samue 25

Even as Samuel dies, God provides another to guide David, namely Abigail. David came very close to claiming the vengeance that belongs to God alone. Thankfully, Abigail causes David to stop and think. This story also makes David's mercy toward Saul even more interesting, since this instance shows David's natural inclination. As I continue to read through 1 Samuel I find myself thinking that these stories are so distant from experience: warfare, polygamy, kingdoms. But the truth is that I have been in David's position. I have needed correction from another, and very often my first reaction is to defend, but God provides these people in our lives as he provided David with Abigail. May He give us guidance and open ears.