The language of a marriage contract, groom and bride are connected in the Bible to God’s deals with Abraham and Israel, Messiah and God’s people (believers), respectively.
Author: Daniel
Yahunatan (Jonathan) during a New Moon celebration learns that his father, Sha’ul (Saul) the ruler, plans to kill his best friend, David. Yahunatan creates a signaling method involving three days and three arrows to let David know to flee.
David ascended in fame with more victories. Sha’ul (Saul) descended with jealousy of those victories, pushed by an “evil spirit” the LORD sent. David escaped Sha’ul’s trap with a ploy used in the 20th century by an escapee at Alcatraz. Sha’ul pursued David to the headquarters of the prophet Sh’muel (Samuel), and God’s Spirit led Sha’ul to prophesy.
David and Yonatan/Yahonatan cemented a strong friendship. Meanwhile, David wins the hand of Saul’s daughter Michal by returning from battle with 100 foreskins in hand.
The account of David vs. Goliath is so well-known that many who haven’t read the Bible know it is about a seemingly overpowered force overpowering a seemingly greater foe. Yet what faith in the LORD drove David to take on such a foe and stop when the task was complete?
We start to see how closely connected the lives of Samuel, Saul, Jonathan and David truly are. All these men’s lives were shaped and irrevocably changed by the events surrounding the High Priest Eli and the confiscation of the Ark of the Covenant. We also see the beginnings of David’s quick rise in stature from a modest shepherd boy to a royal court entertainer and finally a leading warrior in Saul’s army.
Saul is given another test by the LORD but Saul doesn’t know it was his final test. Saul’s acquiescence to peer pressure became his downfall and Samuel tells Saul that the kingdom will be given to another.