Day 91 (Saturday) 1 Samuel 30:11-31:13; 2 Samuel 1-2

I am amazed at David’s loyalty to the anointed position of Saul. Saul was an evil man, but David understood that he was God’s anointed and David took that seriously. David never laid a hand on Saul and protected him from the other men who wanted to kill him. He even avenged Saul’s death by taking the life of the Amalekite who claimed to kill Saul at his request. David honored the position and I find that fascinating and impressive. I’m not sure I could await God’s judgment on the person but David did and he is a great example for all of us when it come to our spiritual leaders or leaders God has appointed.

Day 90 (Friday) 1 Samuel 25:32-30:10

I have to go off on a bit of a tangent today. What in the world are we supposed to learn from the details surrounding Abigail’s first husband? The guy is mean and wicked, sure, we get that, but after she appeases David with the gifts, the man is drunk and throwing a party. She decides to tell him what happened when he sobers up and he has a stroke. Now as weird as that is, he is now paralyzed and God strikes him dead ten days later. What! So the moral of the story is:
A) Get drunk and you could have a stroke
B) Don’t tell someone bad news when they have a hangover or they could become paralyzed.
C) God will strike you dead after letting you suffer for 10 days if you are a jerk.
Is there a letter “D”?

Day 89 (Thursday) 1 Samuel 23:1-25:31

Another great felt board lesson. “Okay children, here is King Saul, using the facilities…” God has got to have a good sense of humor. Humor can’t be a human trait only…we are created in his image and I see a lot of humor in the Scriptures. Saul is relieving himself in the same cave that David is hiding in. Not only is this funny from Saul’s perspective, but think of the poor guys stuck in the back of the cave…very little air movement! Sorry for digressing today, but I couldn’t pass this one by!

Day 88 (Wednesday) 1 Samuel 20-22

Saul is a nut! It is amazing what anger and jealousy and pride can do to a person. David seems squeaky clean and Saul comes across as a crazy man. I do love the interlude that took place with David and King Achish…scratching at the doors and drooling down his beard. I laugh out loud every time I read that! Saul on the other hand is not so funny. This man is sealing his fate. The slaughter of all those priests, out of anger, is unbelievable.

Day 87 (Tuesday) 1 Samuel 17:26-19:24

This story has been told so many times and I laugh at the way it is used for any type of application. The children’s versions leave out the way Goliath actually died…it wasn’t from the stone but the sword. Try cutting off Goliaths head on a felt board…that will get the kids attention! I have always wondered why David picked up five stones, maybe it was to kill Goliaths other four brothers (told in another part of the bible) or maybe he was not sure of his shot? I also have wondered about the number ten for the loaves iof bread and the cuts of cheese that Jesse had David take to the field. Numbers are not random in the Scriptures and they usually point to some very significant imagery. Another number that I find fascinating is the size of goliath. In the text, it says that he is 6 cubits and 1 span (about 9 feet tall) but the older and more accurate Dead Sea Scrolls say he was 4 cubits and 1 span (about 6’6”). So how tall do you think he was?

Day 86 (Monday) - 1 Samuel 14:43-17:25

What a contrast between Saul and David. Saul was a tall and impressive but David was overlooked and very unimpressive. Being king was going to Saul’s head (no pun intended) and he decided to overstep his bounds and become the priest for the people as well. The New Testament teaches us that only Jesus fits the role of King and High Priest. Samuel scolds Saul for his arrogance and Saul doesn’t get it. His judgment has been clouded by his pride and arrogance. Power has a tendency to corrupt the best of us. Even David, the man after God heart, will succumb to the sin of misusing the power he will have as future king of Israel.

Day 85 (Sunday) - 1 Samuel 12:19-14:42

Faith is a big deal. Faith moves mountains and Jonathan had faith that God could prevail. He took the steps to go to the place to be used and waited for God’s sign that the time was right. It was the great show of faith that caused the Israelite’s small army to overtake the Philistines. Saul missed the mark with his side bets about not eating for the day and then is so nearsighted with his oath that he is willing to kill his son, the one who had the faith God used. It is very easy to think you’re following God and doing his will when you are actually trying to be God and do your own will. Faith is the key to our relationship with God.