Thursday April 14: 1 Samuel 18:1-19:7; Psalm 59; 1 Samuel 19:18-20:42 ~Cameron

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 18:1-19:7, Psalm 59, 1 Samuel 19:18-20:42

A little background reading revealed this little nugget:

from 1 Samuel 18:10-11:

The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing his lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.

Let us examine the original more closely: it is said that Saul prophesied in the midst of his house, that is, he prayed in his family, while David was playing on the harp; and then suddenly threw his javelin, intending to have killed David. Let it be observed that the word ויתנבא vaiyithnabbe is the third person singular of the future hithpael; the sign of which is not only to do an action on or for one's self, but also to feign or pretend to do it. The meaning seems to be, Saul pretended to be praying in his family, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and render David unsuspicious; who was, probably, at this time performing the musical part of the family worship. This view of the subject makes the whole case natural and plain.

Adam Clarke Commentary

Basically, Saul pretended to be enthralled with the praise and worship songs in order to catch David unaware. Reminds me of another verse urging us to be alert because the enemy "prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" - 1 Peter 5-8

Psalm 59:
There is something about faith under dire circumstances that captures the imagination. David is calling for God to deliver and be a fortress to him. An unjust conspiracy by the king had David a step away from an assassin's blade. He calls for God to rouse Himself and punish all nations (verse 5), to go ahead so David can gloat over those who slandered him (verse 10). That is some raw emotion! Later when David had a chance to gloat over whatever remained of Saul's family, he showed mercy and love. This was not a call for obliteration but a need to express both frustration and worship the One who controlled his destiny. Faith in any circumstances, regardless of the result, frees us to be the type of people who can be a light to the world wherever we find ourselves.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 21, Psalm 34, 1 Samuel 22:1-2, Psalm 57, Psalm 142