"Oooooh Girl, Don't Go in There!" (1 Samuel 24)

In my college days at Texas Southern University, a predominantly black university, I had some close friends with whom I would go to the movies on the weekend. Have you ever been in a theater in the black community? It's awesome! The first time I went with my buddies I was more entertained by the audience than the movie. Seeing a movie in a black theater is more of an interactive event. The best dialogue is likely to come from the seats than the screen. And horror movies are THE BEST! Inevitably, in every good horror movie, there is that moment where the stupid white girl hears some noise in the basement or attic and feels some compulsion to go explore it. And when that happens...wow...the theater erupts with "Girl, get your butt out a dodge, honey!" or "Oooooo girl, don't go in there!" or "If that was a black person, all you'd see is the bottoms of they shoes, girl!" or "They have to get a white actress for that scene, 'cause ain't no black person crazy enough to go in there!" And, unfortunately, that white girl never heeds the warnings. And you know the rest of the story. How does this relate to 1 Samuel 24? Well, I think the lesson that me and the white girl need to learn is just because a door creeks open doesn't mean it's wise to walk through it.

Look at David. Saul is back from defending Israel against the Philistines and has resumed his hunt. And Saul falls right into David's lap. And I believe this was no accident. This was a test from God. Saul and his men were probably passed out cold from a night of heavy drinking. David's men found Saul and ran to David and insisted this was God's providence to deliver Saul into David's hands. This was the moment to exact his vengeance! David had justice on his side, right? Saul was out to kill him. David could end this once and for all. He could stop running. His kingdom could begin. Afterall, he was anointed by Samuel to be king, right? All these rational reasons to kill Saul in his sleep and what does David do? He cuts off a piece of Saul's robe and walks away. What an act of forgiveness! What a showing of trust in God and HIS timing! Unlike Chapter 23, David had no clear directive from God. But David could have easily interpreted this opportunity, this open door, as a sign of God's will. However, David is growing. He's learned what can happen when we follow our own devices. David still honored Saul as God's anointed king. He would not take the throne by force without God's command. David was willing to wait on the Lord.

Sometimes we as Christians misinterpret an open door or opportunity as God's will/direction. When that new business deal, chance to relocate, or chance to get justice presents itself we often don't even hesitate thinking that it must be God or why would this opportunity look so good. I'm sure a sleeping Saul looked awful tempting to David. At first glance it certainly appeared God was delivering Saul on a platter for David's taking. But Deut. 32:35-36 probably came to David's mind at that moment that says, "Vengeance is mine and retribution, in due time their foot will slip because their day of disaster is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them. For the Lord will vindicate His people..." David heeded the word of God, as should we. David later wrote in Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." It was a good thing that David had spent many a day meditating on God's word. Because at that critical moment in history, God's word gave him all the direction he needed.

Prayer: God, I thank you for Your word. How marvelous are Your statutes! May I meditate on them daily that I might not sin against thee at that critical moment in my life.

"So NOW you ask Me!" - God (1 Samuel 23)

Yesterday, I alluded to the big change in David's approach in making decisions from chapters 21-22 to chapter 23. Today, I can't shake this awesome truth - when we acknowledge God in everything, He WILL direct our paths (Prov. 3:6). But when we take things into our own hands and make our own decisions, we leave in our wake death and destruction.

Verses 1-13 of chapter 23 almost hit you over the head with "David inquired of the Lord". David repeatedly asks the Lord for direction! Should I go help Keilah? He asks this twice. God tells him to go for it. Then, after delivering Keilah from the Philistines, David asks the Lord whether the men of Keilah will give him over to Saul when Saul surrounds the city. God tells David that the men of Keilah will succomb to Saul's pressure and hand him over. So David gets out of town.

You see the difference between the David at Nob and the David at Keilah? He involves God in his decision-making. He finally gets a clue! And look what happens! Amazingly, David doesn't lie! He doesn't need to act like a crazy lunatic! He doesn't get a group of priests slaughtered this time! He defeats the Philistines once again! He successfully escapes Saul's plot at Keilah! And to put icing on the cake, just a few verses later, when it appears that David and his men are trapped and becoming surrounded in the mountains, God intervenes using news of a Philistine invasion as a diversion to distract Saul from chasing David.

What a dramatic difference! When I acknowledge God in all my ways, He WILL direct my path. When I start to see my life spinning out of control, when I am trusting in my own wisdom and foolish devices, when my choices are not based on God's word, when my prayer life is non-existent, is it any wonder I'm miserable? Is it any wonder that everything I touch dies? That's when I need to come back to 1 Samuel 21-23 and re-read these chapters. I need to be reminded that prayer and the word of God should be the beginning and end of every decision I face. I can't count the number of times that God has probably groaned at me from His throne on high, "So NOW you ask Me!" What took me so long?

Prayer: Father, before every step I take, before every decision I make, may I inquire of You as David learned to do. Thank you for Your promise that if we acknowledge You in all our ways, You will direct our paths. And when I do not follow this truth, Lord, thank You for being patient with me and never ceasing to pick me back up. In Jesus name...

The Fugitive's Guide for Dummies - 1 Samuel 21-22

When I read 1 Samuel 21, images of the movie "The Fugitive" came to mind. David, like Dr. Kimble, is running from the law. And Saul, like Lt. Gerard, becomes obsessed with catching him. David has done nothing to deserve Saul's wrath. He's an innocent man running to save his life! But is David truly "innocent"? I think Chapter 21 answers that question with a resounding "no"!


First wrong turn: David lacks the faith to return to a safe refuge in Samuel


David now is running to Nob where the tabernacle is located. David was apparently running out of places to hide from Saul. I assume he felt he could not go back to Samuel in Ramah because Saul would have staked out the place hoping David would return. I think this shows a weak moment in David's faith. Why not go back to Samuel? Did he forget how God saved his life through the power of music and the word of God? Samuel represented a safe refuge of God. But it would take faith for David to go back there. And his faith was weak. His decision to turn to Ahimelech would prove to be a disasterous one.


Second wrong turn: David lies to Ahimelech


Then, Ahimelech shows suspicion as to why David, a man of his fame and status in Saul's army, would be traveling alone. In desperation and fear, David lies to a priest! He tells Ahimelech that he's a CIA agent on a secret mission from Saul! C'mon David! That's got to be the corniest story possible! Do you know how many times that line has been tried and failed? (I seem to recall that prohibition in "Dating for Dummies" - what not to say on a first date). Seriously, David has completely forgotten that God is protecting him and starts relying on the flesh. How many times do we find ourselves in David's shoes? We get into a desperate situation with seemingly no way out and we lie. We cheat. We rationalize.


Third wrong turn: David seeks refuge amongst the enemies of God


Finally, I stopped and re-read the end of Chapter 21 several times not believing what I was reading. David, with Goliath's sword in tow, runs to the PHILISTINES, the enemy of God's people, for protection!! Maybe David thought he could hide in plain sight in Gath. I'm sure even king Achish was shocked to learn David had the gonads to show his face in town. Had David's fear and lack of faith blinded him to the dangers of sleeping with the enemy? Another genious choice David makes here. And then, I can only imagine the lengths to which David goes to convince the Philistines he is crazy - slobbering at the mouth, rolling around in the dirt, talking to himself, and who knows what else. Sometimes we take so many wrong turns in our lives we end up with our backs against the wall looking like David - a crazed idiot. This chapter is such a great image of what happens when we take matters into our own hands and try to solve problems on our own.


The tragedy that occurs in Chapter 22 is a direct result of David's sin in Chapter 21. The priests were slaughtered because David made horrible decisions without consulting God. David learns his lesson as he soon after specifically seeks out the word of the Lord in Chapter 23 before he goes to battle against the Philistines.

Every decision we make has consequences. One lie, one wrong turn can lead to horrible results. If you feel like a fugitive running for your life, don't leave God out of the equation. David did and we see what can happen. If you feel desperate, inquire of God. If you do not know where to turn, ask God for guidance. No sin, no matter how seemingly small, is ever the answer to your problem. We can be skilled at rationalizing a little "white lie" or seeking refuge in the things of this world. But no amount of reason or rationalization will ever make sin an acceptable solution to a problem. God is bigger than that! Go back to Samuel David! Go to back to God!

Prayer: Lord, in my darkest of days, may I acknowledge You. When times are tough, may I stand firm on Your word. And thank You for being patient with me when I make wrong choices. Thank You for being faithful when I am unfaithful. Let me never forget that sin is NEVER the answer to any problem in my path.

Killing Me Softly With His Song - 1 Sam. 19

Music. There is little that moves a human being more that a beautiful melody, a catchy beat, a thrashing guitar riff, or a clever lyric. Ezekiel 28:13 seems to suggest that Satan played a major role in the music played in Heaven before his fall. That is why, today, while music can be both a major force to heal our spirits and renew our minds, Satan can pervert it to infect our thinking and ignite fleshly desires. Simply put, music is powerful.

Have you ever heard the "live" version of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" sung by the late Luther Vandross? Check it out on You Tube some time. It's an incredibly beautiful and moving song about the power of music and lyrics.


How does this fit in with 1 Samuel 19 and all this prophesying we read about at the end of the chapter? Well, "prophesying", according to many commentators and biblical historians, was more than simply foretelling the future. Prophesying was an art form. Throughout scripture we will see examples of prophets proclaiming the word of the Lord through poems and music. In chapter 19, David runs to Samuel's school for prophets to hide from Saul. We find Samuel teaching and directing a group of prophetic students in the art of prophesying. And here we see this strange thing happening. As Saul's messenger's of death arrive to kill David, they hear the amazingly powerful combination of beautiful music and the word of God being sung by a choir of prophets. Through this Spirit-filled concert, God overwhelms these evil men's desire for blood and they become entranced by what they hear. The music and lyrics are so powerful that these men join in and begin prophesying themselves!!

Later, Saul decides that if you're going to get something done right, you got to do it yourself. So he sets off to Samuel's prophet university to kill David. But even before he arrives, the faint echos of this anointed music melts his soul and even SAUL begins to join the chorus!! The music of God literally brings him to total submission as he lay on the ground paralyzed by the power of God! What a sight to see! As these evil men are overcome by the sweet sound of music from the throne of God, David slips away and escapes. God uses music to fulfill His purpose.

Sometimes I see churches using music to simply fill the gaps in the service before the preacher delivers his sermon. And when I help lead in praise and worship at my church, I am guilty of sometimes just moving my lips and going through the motions. Shame on me! When spirit-filled music fills a room, it can tame the wildest spirit! It can break the hardest heart! It can lift a crippled soul! It is vital to the health of any church body! Music is powerful. Don't ever underestimate it's influence on the heart.


Kill me softly with Your song, oh God!


Prayer: Thank you Lord for music. May my lips praise you and my voice be raised to sing your praises daily. Place a new song in my heart to glorify Your Name.

Saul's Worst Nightmare

I was planning to discuss what all that prophesying was about at the end of 1 Samuel 19. But I cannot avoid this amazing statement of "the evil spirit from the Lord" that plagued Saul and is repeated several times in 1 Sam. 16:14, 18:10, and 19:9. How can an evil spirit come from the Lord?

Clearly the bible teaches us that God is Holy and that He is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5. So can an evil spirit come from the Lord? Many commentaries I have read demonstrate that "evil" here is not a spiritual wickedness, but rather some form of mental or physical torment. With that understanding, we can read this seemingly controversial statement knowing it does not contradict God's very Holy essence.

Along with the above commentary, I came to an eye-opening realization in 1 Samuel 16:14 about this perplexing phrase. The first time we hear about Saul receiving an evil spirit from the Lord is in verse 14. I'm confused by the "evil spirt from the Lord" phrase, but what does the phrase before that say? "But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul." By the time I got to the "evil spirit from the Lord" phrase, I had already forgotten about the first phrase because I was so shocked to read that an "evil" spirit could come from God! But here's where the beauty of meditation and prayer comes in! A couple of days after first reading those words, I was still thinking about Saul's evil spirit and this verse came back to my memory. "But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul." WOW! I cannot imagine what Saul felt the moment the Spirit of the living God departed from him.

Saul, in his original human state, was depraved. But after being annointed by Samuel, the Spirit of God came to dwell in him. Wow! How amazing Saul must have felt! To have the Spirit of the living God dwelling in him had to have been an amazing high! He was now king of Israel and GOD WAS WITH HIM. The void and chasm between God and man was graciously filled by the very presence of the Almighty! (We who are Christians take this amazing truth for granted sometimes. But God lives in US! What a reason to celebrate, right?!)

But now imagine what it would be like if God took His precious Holy Spirit away from you or me (Of course, God clearly promises He will not do that to those whom Jesus saves). It's unthinkable to those who have experienced the amazing power of God in our lives! Unimagineable! It's our worst nightmare!! David shares this feeling when he proclaims in Psalms 51:11: "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit away from me!!" Can you imagine the void that's left without the Holy Spirit?? In God's absence, all that is left is evil. All that is left is despair, depression, and death.

So, when I read 1 Samuel 16:14 again, I see God not directly sending an evil spirit from Himself to Saul, but rather leaving Saul with an evil spirit of insanity, depression, and despair by the very fact that God removed His Spirit from Saul. Do you see the distinction? It was God's action of removing His Spirit that brought about Saul's evil spirit that exists by default apart from God. The absence of God is the presence of evil. And I believe that is what the author of 1 Samuel is trying to convey in 1 Samuel 16:14.

Saul, having personally eaten of the sweet honeycomb of God's presence, now knows what it is like to have tasted the Goodness of the Lord only to have it ripped from his soul! It then is easier to understand why Saul went mad. I can only imagine that I would also go mad and insane at the very moment I realized God left me. It is even hard to write such a statement. Why do real human characters exist like Jack Torrence in The Shining? Why would a woman kill her baby and eat the child's brain? Why would a couple who adopts and raises children with special needs be gunned down in cold blood? Answer: When the Spirit of God does not reside in man's heart, evil is all that remains. It is a little easier to understand why such unthinkable acts occur. It now is also easier to see why Saul acts as he does through the remainder of his life. His mind will never find peace. What a tragedy. What a nightmare.

Prayer: Thank you Father for Your precious Holy Spirit that lives within me! May I never take Him for granted. May I see Saul as an example of the preciousness of Your sweet Spirit. I have nothing but despair, depression, and death without You! Forgive me for my apathy and ignorance of the power of the Holy Spirit. And let Your Holy Spirit guide and rule my heart today in Jesus name.

THIS is Kochav Nolad!

American culture dominates the developed world. We export more of our music, movies, television shows and fashion than any other commodity we produce. A perfect example of this is the television and music phenomena known as "American Idol." Love it or hate it, this show has spawned offspring in many countries around the globe (of course, to be accurate, British Idol preceded our version, but American Idol is what made this format a universal sensation). Countries such as Japan, India, Canada, and Australia have adapted hugely successful licensed versions of AI. And even some unlicensed knock-offs in countries such as Israel are thriving. Wait, did I just say ISRAEL? The country of God's chosen people has been sucked into this choral catastrophe? Yes, we have polluted even our blessed Jerusalem. Their show is called Kochav Nolad (Hebrew for "A Star is Born"). Over 2000 years ago a star was born but few came to watch that show. How ironic that one of the most popular shows in Israel would have this name. But I digress. This isn't a Christmas post.

So, how does this minutiae fit into 1 Samuel 19-20? So I'm reading Chapters 19 and 20 . Saul's ticked at David. He wants him dead. Jonathan, Saul's son and heir to his throne, loves David and is trying to convince his father to lighten up. Saul refuses. Michal, David's new bride and Saul's daughter, warns David to run or die. He escapes through a window and runs to Samuel. Meanwhile, Michal stalls her father's men by putting an idol in David's bed to make it appear that David is quietly sleeping. Saul commands his men to bring David in his bed to him. Saul's men soon discover Michal's deception.

Now, I read through that story and almost missed an interesting fact. Why the flip did David and Michal have a man-sized idol in their house?!! We can always blame Michal and say it was hers. But David should have been the spiritual leader, huh? Can you image it's the day after their wedding. The royal movers pull up to David's crib and start carrying the furniture inside. David and Michal probably are seeing much of each other's stuff for the first time. Out comes David's smelly sheepskin rug. Michal takes one whiff of the thing and insists it go back in the cart. David protests. It's a family heirloom he argues. It reminds him of where he came from. But his persuasion falls on deaf ears. At least his homemade harp and slingshot collection made it in. He reluctantly agrees to give his precious sheepskin rug to Jonathan.

A few minutes later the royal movers come staggering out of the cart with what looked like a life-sized mummy. A human body, wrapped in linen, is carried past David as his eyes widen and his mouth drops. He steps in front of the movers and blocks the front door. It is his turn now to protest. He will not let some mummified prize from her father's conquest come in his home! Michal laughs. She assures David it is no real body. It is a beautiful wooden image that her father's idol makers had hand-carved for her birthday. It was very special to her. It would bring protection and prosperity to their home. David responded by quoting God's prohibition against idols. Michal begins to cry. She sees nothing wrong with keeping this one special gift from her father. Afterall, he IS the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel himself! Then, I can imagine Michal craftily proposing a trade-off. She offers to bring back the sheepskin rug if they keep the idol. David loves that rug and reluctantly gives in. And the rest is history.

This is certainly NOT in the biblical text. It's just my imagination having a little fun. But one thing is for sure. It was a sin for David to allow that idol in his home, regardless of how it got there. Israel sinned when they failed to completely eliminate all of the pagan cultures that existed in Canaan when they first entered the land. And the ripple effect of that sin is still being felt in 1 Samuel. God's people were still being negatively influenced by these cultures.

My goofy example of Israeli Idol is not far from the reality of David's day. Israel was importing culture from pagan societies like Fat Albert at a buffet. And by the time we reach the story of David's escape from Saul, idol's are so prevalent that it's almost an afterthought in the account. How far have God's people fallen away! Even David, a man after God's own heart, is seemingly complacent about his wife's idol worship.

Yet, here is an example of how God uses even sin to accomplish His purpose. Michal's deception with a sinful idol allows David to escape and run to Samuel for protection. Now, was this the only way God could have delivered David from Saul in this instance? Of course not! God can use any situation to bring glory to Himself and accomplish His purpose! That's what makes Him sovereign. All things (obedience and disobedience) work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. (my parenthetical) Romans 8:28.

Does this mean that God condoned Michal's idol worship and David's weak leadership in the home? Absolutely not! Their sinful choice has its consequences. But God takes our good and bad free-will choices and carefully and mysteriously crafts them into something wonderful!

Stay tuned for more on 1 Samuel 19-20! What's with all this prophesying???

PRAYER: Lord, if there are any idols I have allowed to come into my home, cast them out and forgive me for sinning against You. Thank You for working in my life, even in spite of my stupid mistakes and arrogant decisions.

We're Just Huggin' Here (Pat, Pat) - 1 Samuel 18

The drama really kicks up a notch in this chapter! If David's life were a movie, his victory over Goliath would have been the action-filled, attention-grabbing opening scene. I can close my eyes and envision little David hoisting the blood-matted decapatated head of Goliath high above his head so that the Philistines could see they were doomed. (fade to black)

Chapter 18 sets the backdrop for the drama to come. Jealousy is building inside Saul's heart as he witnesses the people praising David. Jonathan, Saul's son, becomes a central character as he and David enter into a covenant friendship (more on that in a minute). We can already anticipate that this friendship will create deep tension between these three men. And finally, we see Saul trying to kill David - once in his chambers while David is playing his instrument for Saul and then when Saul sends David to the front lines hoping David will be killed in battle. (Hmmmm, sound familiar?)

Now, I'm gonna just throw this out there. In our culture, Jonathan's actions towards David seem a little on the sweet side (if ya know what I mean). First he takes off his robe and armor and gives it to David. They hug and kiss. David even compares his love for Jonathan as exceeding that of a love for a woman. (2 Samuel 1:26) Some revisionist commentators beginning in the early 1950's began to suggest that this act and other outward displays of affection were homosexual in nature. Thus, they concluded that the Bible's telling of this story condones homosexual relationships. But a closer look at Middle Eastern customs in David's time suggests otherwise.

The act of disrobing and exchanging armor and weapons was the warriors' way of displaying a loyal bond between one another. There was no sexual undertones to that ceremonial custom. In David's case, he had no armor to exchange. So, Jonathan was the only one to disrobe.

Also, the public displays of affection (man love) that the Bible refers to (namely all the kissing and hugging between David and Jonathan) were also custom between two close friends. Even today in the Middle East, close male friends greet one another with a kiss and hug which has no sexual meaning.

As to David's lament later on when Jonathan dies, his poem states that Jonathan's love surpassed the love of women. (2 Samuel 1:26) There seems to be a certain hyperbole in this poetic statement. Their friendship was so strong that David could not imagine being loved by a woman to that degree at that moment. But to read a sexual meaning into this poem by David is a bit of a stretch.

We must be careful not to pervert accounts like these when there are clear verses stating that homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord. (Lev. 18:22; 20:13) Rather, the account of David and Jonathan is one of an intimate friendship. A Friendship to which all men should aspire. David and Jonathan's relationship displayed selflessness, commitment, sacrifice, and honor. Even after Jonathan's death, David would honor and care for his friend's descendants. I wish more men in our churches would strive to have that type of friendship modeled after David and Jonathan.

One other thing I found interesting about Chapter 18 is Saul's plot to kill David. (Saul sends David to command troops on the front lines in hopes that David would be killed) It bares a striking resemblance to David's plot to kill Uriah years later after David sleeps with Uriah's wife (Bathsheba)! I guess David and Saul had more in common than what I first thought. What was the key difference? David's repentant heart. (See my previous post for more on that)

So next time you hug your buddy and give him the ol' "we're just huggin" pat on the back, give him an extra squeeze and peck on the cheek. It's ok. You won't melt.

Ok, maybe not. When in Rome...

P.S. When looking for a photo for an article on David and Jonathan, DON'T google "two men hugging"....yikes

PRAYER: Lord, please make me more selfless and trustworthy. Cultivate my friendships to reflect the qualities shown in David and Jonathan. Thank you for the friends that I do have. And if I don't have that one true friend, please place that person in my life.