Day #109

Sermon - Audio
1 Samuel 28-31
1 Sameul 28-31

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I Samuel 28: Saul and the Medium

v. 2 – As he was in Saul’s service, David is now appointed as the head of the bodyguard for Achish. This puts him in a difficult situation, since it almost guarantees that he will battle against Saul.

v. 5-7 – With the armies facing off in the Jezreel Valley, Saul is rightly concerned about the upcoming battle. He first turns to his usual methods of consulting God, but God did not answer because He had rejected Saul from being king. In his despair, he resorts to consulting a spiritual medium. Contact with the dead was forbidden by God, but Saul goes ahead and does it anyways.

v. 12-14 – Is this the real Samuel or a mere apparition? The former is the more likely option for the following reasons: (1) The consternation of the medium upon seeing Samuel indicates that his appearance had nothing to do with her magical arts (which may not even have commenced) nor with such “familiar spirits” as were within her experience: (2) the narrator himself referred to the figure simply as “Samuel” and (3) the subsequent words of Samuel were fully in keeping with his pronouncements while alive. It seems very likely, therefore, that the real Samuel appeared, although his return could not in any sense be credited to the medium, but could only be the result of the Lord’s sovereign action. (paraphrased Reformation Study Bible)

1 Samuel 29: Philistines Reject David

v. 4 - Although Achish trusts David, the other Philistine commanders think back to the painful memories of David in an earlier war with Israel (chapter 14:21). Little did they know that they became God’s instrument for delivering David from a “lose-lose” situation.

v. 5 – This is the third time this chant has been quoted in the text (chapter 18:7 and 21:12). Originally it served as a mark of distinction for David and a source of Saul’s jealousy and hatred toward him. In the episodes involving the Philistines, the chant is used as a reminder and a warning that David cannot be trusted to serve Achish loyally. In this instance it provides David with a plausible excuse not to participate in the final battle against the “Lord’s anointed.” (IVP)

1 Samuel 30: David Destroys the Amalekites

v. 6 – David chooses to turn to God in prayer and worship to gain comfort and strength rather than wallowing in his own pity. As Christians today we establish patterns of seeking advice and help. Lots of times we find answers outside our faith or from sources other than God himself, who has revealed His truth in scripture. Does it depend on the gravity of the situation? Do you tend to seek God only when all else fails?

v.11-15 – The text points out David’s care for an Egyptian slave left to die in the desert. How ready are you to stop, for example, for someone stranded on the side of the road? Our culture tends to overlook the vulnerable and even blame them for their circumstances. Passionate followers of Jesus have the opportunity to be like him by demonstrating care for those who need our help spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

v. 21 – Their exhaustion was not surprising after a march of over 60 miles from Aphek (chapter 29) to Besor brook.

v. 22-25 – David adhered to the sacred code that auxiliary troops, left to guard a fortress or the baggage train, should also share equally in the spoil. The two hundred men who were too exhausted to continue still served as a rear guard in case David was forced to flee and thus deserved their share.

1 Samuel 31: Saul Dies

v. 4-5 – In this period it was common for captured kings to be mutilated and subjected to a life of humiliation; begging and fighting for scraps under the triumphant king’s table or displayed in public places for whatever abuse passersby might invent.

v. 6 – Samuel’s foretelling that God would give Israel into the hands of the Philistines and that Saul and his sons would die has come true. (chapter 28:19)

v. 11-13 – Saul had saved Jabesh-gilead at the beginning of his reign (chapter 11), a fact that the men of the city remembered. The burning of bodies was usually considered desecration, but here the purpose may have been to keep them from further dishonor. (ESV)