Sha’ul (Saul) responds to the loyalty of his servants by accusing them of betrayal and favoring David. Doeg, an Edomite, wants to gain favor with Sha’ul by exaggerating his chance sighting of David at the priestly compound in Nob. Doeg continues to try to gain favor with Sha’ul by willingly obey a grizzly order that none of the men of Israel want to obey.
Category: Prophets and Writings
These studies cover the ancient grouping of Hebrew Bible writings called Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). These books include from Joshua through Malachi in the conventional Christian canon.
David flees Saul on Jonathan’s command since Saul had set out to kill him. He first flees to the priestly city of Nob and later flees to the land of the Philistines, his sworn enemy.
Yom haKippurim (the Day of Coverings/Atonement) is seen as a time of self-reflection. Yes, in Leviticus 16 God teaches that one is to “afflict your souls,” which is taken to be a call for a fast, as seen in Isaiah 58. However, the apostolic letter to the Hebrews shows that the day is about reflection on the High Priest Who atoned God’s people once and for all time with His own blood.
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.
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.