Thru the bible radio

09/21/2019

1SAMUEL 31:

Here is the last chapter of this book! So jump on board and see how everything comes to a head! Grab your friends and enjoy the ride!

THE DEATH OF SAUL.
Gilboa: Location of an Israelite encampment. The Israelites under SAUL were preparing to do battle against the Philistines.

Recap of the Philistines: The Israelites defeated the Philistines at times, but generally speaking their advance against the Israelites continued! They had a highly trained military organization. They had ships designed with a curved keel and a head of a bird 🐦at the bow.
Philistine warriors wore a Plummed or feather headdress which added height to their physical appearance.
On land they were equipped with horses and chariots, numerous foot soldiers, and archers.
They wore bronze helmets, a jacket covered with metal rings or plates, serving as armour - Coat of Mail, leg protectors, spears and shields.

SAUL failed to check the Philistines intrusion into the Israelites territory which caused him to loose his life and that of his sons.

God's of the Philistines:
1. Dragon- chief God
2. Ashtoreth - fertility goddess
3. Baalzebub - Lord of the flies, averted pestilence or plagues

Sons of Saul:
1. Jonathan
2. Abinadad
3. Melchi-shua

The day of recompense has arrived in which SAUL defends into battle and dies. He watches as his soldiers fall before him. He sees his three sons fall before him.
SAUL was hit by an arrow and received a deadly wound. He asked his armourbearer to finish him off so he wouldn't end up in the hands of the Philistines.
When his armourbearer refused to do it, SAUL reached for the sword and fell upon it, ending his own life. His armourbearer followed SAUL and ended his life too.
So SAUL died, and his three sons, his armourbearer, and all his men that same day together!
The country was put into such confusion by the destruction of Saul and his army, that all neighboring cities fled!
The scriptures make no mention of the souls of Saul or his sons but their bodies and how they were abused by the Philistines.

Finding Sauls body they:
1. Cut off his head
2. Stripped him of his armour and sent it to be set up as a trophy of their victory in the house of Ashtaroth their goddess.

In closing, this book began with the birth of SAMUEL but ends with the burial of Saul. When comparing the two together, it teaches us to prefer honor that comes from God before any of the honors which this world pretends to have the disposal of.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM:
1. THRU the BIBLE Radio with J. Vernon McGee
2. 1917 Scofield reference notes
3. HolmanIllustrated Bible Dictionary
4. Biblestudytools.com
5. Matthew Henry's Study Bible

I hope you have enjoyed your ride through this book of the bible! Next we will be studying 2SAMUEL chapter 1!
Hope to travel with all of you on our next ride Thru the Bible! God bless everyone!

Use our free online Bible to better know the Word of God. Read verses by topic, study Scripture with commentary while using our large library of biblical resources.

07/04/2019

Good evening fellow bus riders! Welcome aboard! Grab a drink and a friend for a fantastic ride you won't forget!

1 SAMUEL 30.
David Smites the Amalekites.
Amalekites: descendant of Amalek, they were an ancient biblical nation living near the land of Canaan. They were the first nation to attack the Jewish people after the Exodus from Egypt. They lived south of Israel, in what is now know as the Negev Desert. They are the Israelites sworn enemies.

It took David and his men 3 days travel from the camp of the Philistines to arrive at their city, Ziglag, their home. They must have been very weary, but hoping to find rest in their homes and see their families I again. This could not be furthest from the truth! A black and dismal scene opened before their eyes.
David had 600 men with him by now, whom each had wives and children of their own. They must have been devastated at the horrible scene they came upon!

Their entire city had been engulfed in flames. There was nothing left. Their women and children were gone. The Amalekites had taken them captive. However, they believed everyone was slain.
David's men blamed him for what had taken place; for not leaving troops stationed in the city to defend it! They wanted to stone him to death!

David encouraged himself in the LORD his GOD. David requested Abiathar the priest, to bring him the Ephod.
Ephod: a priestly apron or breastplate, which only the high priest of ancient Israel was allowed to wear. It covers the back and breast, held together with 2 clasps or brooches of onyx stone set in gold. It was richly embroidered in beautiful colors. It's meaning was "Speaks of Prayer".

"When you find yourself in the
valley, with no way out, encourage
yourself in the LORD."

When David finished his prayers, GOD answered him: Pursue your enemies and you will overtake them, and will recover all.
So David took only 400 men with him, as the other 200 men were not strong enough to continue on.

"When we are disappointed and discouraged 😞 in our expectations caused from second causes, then to go on in cheerfulness, confusing in the LORD; this is giving glory to GOD, by believing against hope, in hope."
By A. Kenneth Abraham

" The Son of David (JESUS") considered the frame of his men, who are not all alike strong and vigorous in their Spiritual pursuits and conflicts, but where we are weak, there He is kind; may more, their he is strong. "
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

They came upon an Egyptian who had not eaten or had anything to drink for 3 days. Now David and his men were in a hurry, but took the time to care for this man. As they were talking he told David about the Amalekites and what they had done. He then led them to their camp!
When they found the camp the Amalekites were eating and drinking and dancing, celebrating their spoil of the plunder of Ziglag!
David surprised them and went on the attack killing everyone. They took back all they lost, and more. The women and children were found alive! David took all the spoils left by the dead Amalekites. They had recovered more than they had lost. What a gracious GOD we have!
In returning to their city, some of the men did not want to share their spoil with the men that stayed behind. Here they are called wicked men and men of Belial!

Belial: is used as a name of Satan, a personification of all that is evil.

David ordered all the men who stayed behind to come in for an equal share with the men who went to battle!

"GOD'S mercy should make us merciful to others."

David then made it "The Law of Distribution" from that day forward .
With the considerable surplus, he then divided it amongst his friends. Doing this observed his character:
1. His Generosity. His aim was not to become rich, but to serve his country.
2. His Gratitude. He sent presents to all the places where he and his men found kindness towards them.
3. His Piety. He calls his present a blessing, for no present we give to our friends will be a comfort to them, but as is made so by the blessing of GOD.
4. His Policy. He sent these presents among his countrymen to engage them to be ready to appear for him upon his accession to the throne, which he now saw at hand!

This I found to be an exciting chapter! It taught us that no matter how hard and unbearable things may seem now, GOD is right there in it with us! He hasn't abandoned us He wants us to trust and rely on His wisdom! He never leaves us alone to walk thru the unexpected by ourselves! Praise GOD!

I hope you have enjoyed your ride through the Bible with us! Come join in on the next ride to see the final ending of a great book!

HIGHTLIGHTS taken from the following:
1. They the Bible Radio
2. Bible Study Tools
3. A. Kenneth Abraham
4. Matthew Henry's Study Bible

Our next reading will be 1 SAMUEL 31.
So jump ahead and start reading! I will meet you on the 🚌!

01/19/2018

Good Friday morning bus riders! It's catch up time in the book of 1SAMUEL 29.
I did a lot of research trying to find some detailed information on "The Battle Of Gilboa", and to my dismay there was not much out there. However, I did find a book "Warfare in the Old Testament" that was extraordinary in bringing the picture of the battle right before your eyes! I will give you further info on this book at the end of my highlights.

1SAMUEL 29.
The battle of Gilboa. Troops are gathering.

David had become very discouraged and despondent and wanted to throw in the towel! He left his land of Israel. God had never told David to leave the land. David did so in a lapse of faith and moved over to the country of Philistia, which was the enemy of his people. He spent a good period of time there and became very a good friend of the king.

Once again, war broke out between the Philistines and the Israelites. David finds himself between a rock and a hard place! He felt obligated to king Achish of the Philistines whom he had taken refuge with. However, God intervened and prevented David from attacking his own people. (I find it reassuring that when I too have a lapse in faith, God doesn't abandon me, but still reaches down and helps me when I make a mess of things.)

David had brought all his mighty men with him to meet up with king Achish's army, and stood in the rear with the king ready for battle: if he fought with the Philistines against Israel, he would become an enemy of God and His people, and would not become Israel's next king. If king Saul should die in battle, the fault would be laid at David's feet! If David didn't join the Philistines in battle against Israel, he would receive condemnation for cowardice and betrayal, and ingratitude by his close friend king Achish.

So on each side there seemed to be sin and scandal which he brought upon himself when he left the land of Judah during a lapse of faith, taking matters into his own hands, instead of trusting God to see him through to the end regarding Saul's unrelenting threat of death.

God opened a door for David to deliver him from this devastating mess he had placed himself into: God inclined the hearts of the princes of the Philistines to oppose David and his men taking part in their army against Israel and insisted to the king that they be dismissed.

Achish looked upon David as a refugee that had fled from a wrongful persecution in his own country and had placed David under his own protection, and by doing so, was obliged, in justice, to take care of, and therefore thought he might have David join their battle.

These princes were very insistent on immediate attention to this matter by their king, and left him no room for discussion on the matter. Their decision was final. David must be sent home because he had been an avid enemy of the Philistines in the past, songs had been sung in his honor of his triumphs over them in battle. He may be THE most dangerous enemy in the battle and surprise them with an attack against THEM from the rear. He could do them more mischief than all of Saul's army put together.

"Saul slew his thousands,
and David his ten thousands!"

King Achish was over-voted and had to dismiss David from joining in the battle, even though he was very fond of him. Achish gives him a very honorable discharge and is NOT a permanent one. He gives a testimonial of David's good behavior and lays all the blame for his dismissal upon the princes.

God's protective care ordered this wisely and graciously for David. This allowed a quicker return for him to his own city who wanted him, even though he himself didn't realize it. If the snare he created was not broken by God, this would not have happened.

The disgrace the Philistine princes had put upon him proved, in more ways than one, to be an advantage to him!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in His way. What He does with us we know not now, but we shall know hereafter and shall see it was all for good."

Highlights taken from:
1. THRU THE BIBLE RADIO
2. Patheos
3. Matthew Henry Study Bible KJV
4. Notes by A. KENNETH ABRAHAM

I love studying in the Old Testament as much as I do in the New Testament! They show how much God truly loves us and is never changing from long-a-go to present day! Love it!

The following book I truly recommend reading for a great pictorial and historical account of biblical battles, weaponry, and strategies used by a man who has studied this throughout God's word. I found it truly fascinating!
For the account of the Battle of Gilboa, you will find it beginning in chapter 5. It is under copywrite restrictions so I can only use a couple sentences, but you can download the book for free and read it or order a hard copy to keep on hand from Amazon.

Warfare In The Old Testament
By Boyd Seevers

Teaches the Old Testament at University of Northwestern since 2000, lived in Israel for 8 years prior, and is an expert on ancient warfare. You can find so much more about him by googling his name.

Our next bus ride we will be traveling with David and his men as they return to their home city of Ziklag! In the distance they could see smoke coming from the direction of their city. What could possibly be happening? All of their family and friends were there!

So grab your books and paper, and don't forget that person who just walked by, and let's jump aboard the bus for another great trip in 1SAMUEL 30!

01/19/2018

Hello fellow bus riders and the curious! Sorry for being missing in action for awhile. Family member fell backwards down cement steps breaking right hip in two. Been helping her since it happened November 3, 2017 right up to today. While in rehab she lost her job so we were working on a whole bunch of stuff! All is good now! Will start posting again tomorrow where I left off: 1Samuel 29 & 30,

12/29/2017

I hope everyone out there had a special blessing this Christmas!

12/25/2017

Have a very Merry Christmas fellow bus riders and visitors alike!

11/02/2017

Hi everyone! Our next study will be in 1Samuel chapters 29 & 30. Remember, you can hear the broadcast by going to ttb.org, go to the bottom and click on archives, then scroll till you come to our study and just click away!

Today's study we find the great armies of the Philistines gathering against the Israelites for battle! This puts David in a really bad situation. King Achish, who had given David and his men refuge from Saul, wanted David and his men to join his army in the fight against their enemy-the Israelites!

If he should, as was expected, he would be seen as an enemy to the Israel of God and a traitor to his people!

What is he going to do? Will God leave him in this mess he created himself to teach him a lesson, or will He help him out of a situation that's beyond his ability to get out of?

Whelp, grab that person that just walked by and jump on the bus for an exciting journey with David on his path to becoming king!

(I do do a lot of digging and research before posting, so it may take me a little bit).

Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee - Taking the whole Word to the whole world

11/02/2017

Good morning fellow bus riders! Here is a summary of the study in 1Samuel 28. It is a long one! So, let's jump right in!

If you would like to listen to the broadcast that goes with the studies go to ttb.org and click on daily broadcasts, go to bottom of screen and click on archive and find our study by scrolling and just click on it!

1Samuel 28.
The Prosperity Of The Righteous.
Psalm 112.
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth forever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for e ver; his horn shall be exhausted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Samuel has died and all of Israel showed great grief for him. He was buried in Ramah, in his own city.

The Philistines had gathered in Shunem, a great way north from their country; and Saul's armies gathered on the adjacent mountains of Gilboa preparing to go to war against them.

Saul was in terror when he saw the great number of the Philistines. They were more numerous, better armed, and more determined than his own men were. Had he kept close to God he would'nt have been afraid at the sight of the Philistine army.

Saul had inquired of the Lord in such a way that it was as if he had not inquired at all. It's been said he inquired not of the Lord, for he did it faintly and coldly, and with a secret design if God did not answer him, he would consult the devil. The Lord did not answer him by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

WHAT WERE THE URIM AND THUMMIM? The Urim (lights) and THUMMIM (perfectionist) were gemstones that were carried by the high priests of Israel on the ephod (priestly garments). They were used by the high priest to determine God's will in some situations. Some believe that God would cause the Urim and Thummim to light up in varying patterns to reveal his decision. Others believe that the Urim and THUMMIM were kept in a pouch and were engraved with symbols identifying yes/no and true/false.

THE WITCH OF ENDOR-
We now are at the point in our study where Saul visits the witch of Endor. Endor is located NE of Shunem and the mountains of Gilboa.

Without doubt, this is one of the most mysterious and difficult chapters in the bible to deal with. Samuel was dead and buried, yet he reappeared to seal Saul's fate.

"I have always thought this the finest and most finest witch scene that ever was written or conceived, and you will be of my opinion if you consider all the circumstances of the actors of the case, together with the gravity, simplicity, and density of the language. It beats all the ghost scenes I have ever read."
-Lord Byron.

The actors of the cast are Saul the king, the witch, and Samuel the prophet-a most unusual trio! Saul about to join the dead; the witch and her traffic with the dead; Samuel, brought back from the dead.

There is no more tragic a figure than Saul, the son of Kish, who, in his early days was "the glory of Israel." He had great stature and personality. Physically and morally he was above his fellowmen. When anointed by Samuel as the first king of Israel, the people had such high expectations. But he became corrupted by power, sin, and murder, and jealousy reducing him to a physical and spiritual wreck.

Saul had previously issued orders that all who seek to traffic with the dead should be destroyed. He had driven out those that had familiar spirits and wizards from the land.

By his dark sins he had severed himself from all divine influences, and as a last desperate resort disguised himself as a common soldier. He leaves God to consult with a witch for any hope she might be able to bring by producing the spirit of Samuel, whose past counsel Saul had spurned.

The witch of Endor has a distinction all of her own in that she had a king of Israel for a consulter and a prophet for an apparition. The witch, who was introduced to Saul by his servants, had a "familiar spirit", that is a gift to induce or compel a departed spirit to revisit the world and submit to questioning. In Exodus 22:18; and Leviticus 20:27 the Mosaic Law is very clear that they are not to consult a witch.

Witchcraft had prevailed among the people and is known under a variety of names as "enchantments","sorceries," "familiar spirits," "wizards," "observer of times," "dreamer of dreams," "divine reds," "charmers," "necromancers," or " consulter said of the dead." The New Testament speaks of "seducers," "seducing spirits," "unclean spirits," "working of miracles," all of which are associated with the arts of the devil. Those communicating with the unseen world were put to death, and all those who sought such people were defiled, as told in Leviticus 19:31. Idle curiosity and concern in the unseen world in trifling with such matters was strictly forbidden as stated in Deuteronomy 12:30-32.

The witch of Endor knew the practice of such dark arts was a capital offense punishable by death.

Saul promises her with an oath that if she helps him he will not betray her and will not be put to death. However, he promised that which he could not do, for he could not even save himself let alone her from divine vengeance.

Samuel, who had just recently died, was who Saul desired to talk with. The witch upon seeing the apparition that was Samuel, now knew the man who came to consult her was king Saul. Had she believed that it was really Samuel who she saw, she would have had more reason to be afraid of him, who was a good prophet, than of Saul, who was a wicked king.

Did God work through a spiritualistic medium, and through a witch, satisfy Saul's request? Was it actually Samuel who appeared? Having sternly forbidden any dealings with witches, did God deign to use what he condemned?

Regarding the appearance of Samuel, some believe that his appearance was a deception practiced by the witch and was most effective with Saul because of his distraught condition. Others believe it was an evil spirit that impersonated Samuel. Satan and his ministers are quite capable to transform themselves into the appearance of angels of light, and they may also have represented the saintly prophet. But what are the actual facts?

Saul said to the witch, "Bring me up Samuel," and the issue is plainly stated, "The woman saw Samuel." "Then said Samuel," and "Saul was sore afraid because of the words of Samuel." The witch of Endor described the God-like, majestic, and covered form she saw, and Saul understood that it was Samuel.
"Thus by some hidden exemption of the divine will, the prophet allowed himself to be made use of."
-St. Augustine

It has been suggested that Samuel was sent by God to the utter confusion and dismay and dread of the witch herself, as she was about to have run back and retreat to her usual arts; thus God himself intervened to answer Saul by the prophet Samuel.

The overpowering effect the apparition had on Saul, the rebuke he received, and the prophecy of his death and his sons the next day at the hands of the Philistines, imply the reality and genuines sod Samuel's appearance. Evil spirits are not permitted to prevent or obstruct God's purposes, thus no witch was able to make the prediction that Samuel's appearance had. Therefore, some believe God allowed Samuel to return to warn Saul of his doom just as he allowed Moses and Elias to return to comfort Christ in view of His cross-Matthew 17.

As Samuel appeared, Saul told his woeful tale, but was reminded that God could do nothing for him because of his blatant sins. The prophet reminded the king of his past wickedness and its effects upon the nation. Saul then heard the announcement:
"Tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons
be with me,"
And this sentence of death would be carried out at the battle of Gilboa. But Samuel further announces:
"Thou and thy sons shall be with
me,"
Mercy rejoiced over Divine judgement. As our Savior said to the dying thief upon the cross, who believed Jesus was the Christ,"Today shalt thou be with me in paradise," so to the stricken, and may be, now fully repentant Saul, he too will be in paradise.

CHARLES WESLEY asked:
What do these solemn words portend?
A ray of hope when life shall end.
Thou and thy sons, though slain shall be
Tomorrow in repose with me.
Not in a state of hellish pain,
If Saul with Samuel do remain.
Not in a state of damned despair,
If loving Jonathan be there.
Our God is one who delights in mercy,
And the gospel hymn states it's-
Whilst the lamp holds out to burn
The violist sinner may return.

Highlights taken from:
1. THRU THE BIBLE RADIO BROADCAST
2. Matthew Henry Study Bible
3. Gotguestions.org
4. Lord Byron
5. St. Augustine
6. Charles Wesley
7. Bible gateway

I hope you enjoyed your time with me on this bible study! Come back and join us any time for more exciting points in every chapter of God's word!

Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee - Taking the whole Word to the whole world

10/07/2017

This study is a long one.
1Samuel 27:
The Lord Our Refuge
A Psalm of David
"In the Lord put I muy trust: how say ye to my soul, flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrows upon the string, that they may privilege shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trimethoprim the righteous: but the wicked and him that Lovett violence his soul hate the. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord Lovett righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

1Samuel 27.
Can the dead communicate with the living? We find David in a dark valley in this chapter.

David's heart is becoming weary with the continual running away and hiding in the dens of the earth. He des pares that there will never be a solution to his never ending problem. It's a departure of David from the high plain of faith that had manifested in his life. David's fear was the effect of the weakness befallen his faith. His eyes were taken off God and placed on his situation and became desperate for it to end.

David, with his mighty men, go to Gath (often referred to as Gath of the Philistines) unto King Achish; whom we met in chapter 21. David no his men brought their families and households with them. Masters of families ought to take care of those that are committed to them, to protect and provide for those of their own house, and to dwell with them, as men of knowledge. So they dwelt with Achish.

David has left his land and has entered the land of his enemies to take shelter from Saul.

Saul was made aware of David being in Gath. Because he dares not go to Gath of the Philistines, he resolves to let him alone.

David requests from Achish to give him a place in a town in the country of his own. There he would have more freedom to exercise his religion and keep himself and his men from the idolatry in Gath.

Achish was very kind and generous to David's request. He gave David Israel's ancient city of Ziklag, which was od the tribe of Judah.

David and his 600 men invaded the Geshurites and the Amalekites, who were causing great suffering and trouble and were they themselves from the families of Israelites: they were against the other tribes of Israel. They were considered nomads. They were of incorrigible wickedness. They were enemies of the Hebrews. Ye would plunder the country and destroy the inhabitants. These nations were of the land of Cannan. David's invasion expanded from Shur to the deserts of Egypt.

When You Look For A Quick Resolution:
" Never act in a panic; nor allow man to dictate to thee; calm thyself and be still; force thyself into the quiet of thy closet until he pulse beats normally and the scale has ceased to perturb. When thou,art most eager to act, is the time when thou whilst make the most pitiable mistakes."
-F.B. Meyer

When Achish inquired where David had gone, he lied to the king and said he had gone against the south of Judah, the south of Jerahmeelites, and the south of Kenites; making the king believe he attacked his own people and was now on the side of the Philistines.

VERSE 1: And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.

DISPONDENCY OF DAVID:
1. The gloom and despondency of David's heart. How variable the Christian experience is. Compare the little tree that's moved by the slight breeze, and the giant oak with outstretched branches bearing the full weight of ice; the tiny lake with a small surface only producing a soft ripple; as the sea is heaved and lashed into a fury. This is how different our Christian walk can be. David was a large-souled and large-hearted man, his experience is ever-varying, the slightest circumstance stirs him to the depths.

II. The causes of despondency. God never wells that we should be cast down; it is attributed to ourselves. Some men exclude themselves from the rays of the sun; it shins nevertheless.

1. The first cause is David regarding man as a primary agent instead of a secondary agent.
2. In communing with his heart instead of with God.

III. Comparing what he had against what his enemy had. Compare the suggestions of sense and faith. Sense tells him he only has 600 men with a mighty captain against the multitude of Saul's armies. Sense says the host of Satan's emissaries come up against one soul and says "Run before they overtake you!" Faith doesn't count the number of opposing forces, and gives assurance of victory. Sense says "I will one day die at the hand of Saul." Faith says"Greater is He that is for me than all that is against me."

IV. His forgetfulness of the Divine promises. Samuel the prophet of the Lord, anointed David King. Hadn't this been proved time and time again by God's protection? Hadn't Saul been forced to acknowledge him as his successor, yet he believes he will die by the hands of Saul?
-J.H. Smell

Under the pressures of trials and discouragement we tend to take our focus off of God and look to a quick fix by doing what we have condemned as wrong, to find relief. Everything we do under such things as these feelings will be pretty sure to be wrong, and give us work to be done because of these wrong actions taken, after we repent.
-W.H. Lewis

DAVID'S FEAR AND FOLLY:
I. His fear. It was the language of his feelings; that which he felt in his heart: "said in his heart, I shall now one day perish by the hand of Saul." This is what he "felt" but not what was true. David wasn't in any danger of dying by the hand of Saul. Indeed, Saul was a malicious and powerful enemy; but was chained and could do nothing against David except that was given him by God. And the Lord was on David's side: he had the promise of the throne, which implies preservation, not death. He already experienced many wonderful deliverances from God. An old writer once said, "Never converse with your difficulties alone."

II. David's folly. "There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines." Nothing could have been worse. For by this one step:
1. He would alienate the affections of the Israelites.
2. He would justify the reproaches of the enemy
3. He would deprive himself of the means of grace and the ordinances of religion.
4. He would grieve his soul with the vice and idolatry of the heathen around him.
5. He would put himself out of divine protection.
6. He would place himself under obligation to those he could not serve without betraying God.

How much depends on me wrong step. The effects may be damaging to our future.
-W. Jay

A Fit Of Mistrust.
I. This sudden resolution. "David said in his heart." Never act in a panic; or allow man to dictate to you; calm yourself and be still; become quiet until your pulse returns to normal and the scare has stopped making you anxious and upset. When you are most eager to act is the time you will make the most miserable mistakes.

1. It was very dis honoring to God. In essence, David is saying that he fears that God has undertaken more than He can do. He questions God's ability to overcome his growing difficulties regarding Saul. He is sure that sooner or later Saul will come and accomplish what he has wanted all along; David's death. He believes he has waited long enough and must take matters into his own hands.

2. It was highly injurious. Philistia, where the Philistines dwelt, was full of idol temples and idolatrous priests. God was not amongst these people.

3. He was on a course that demanded a never-ending practice of deceit. His who.e behavior at this time was utterly unworthy of his high character as God's anointed servant.

4. It was also a barren time in David's religious experience. No Psalms are credited to this period. The sweet singer was muted.
-F.B. Meyer

The Danger Of Doubting.
I. The thought of David's heart was false.

1. "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." There was no evidence to prove this statement. When we doubt God's Word, we mistrust without a cause.

2. What David said in his heart was contrary to evidence. Why did he believe God would leave him? Where is the evidence for this conclusion?

3. This exclamation by David was contrary to God's promises. Samuel poured the anointing oil on David's head-God's promise He would become king. If David died by Saul's hand, how could he become king?

II. Why did David doubt God?

1. Because he was man.

2. He had been exposed to a very long trial; month after month, hunted like a partridge upon the mountains. Bearing one trial could be done, but a continual onslaught is very hard to bear.

III. Ill-Effects Of David's Unbelief.

1. It made him do a foolish thing. If we are left to our own belief, we shall fall into the same sin repeatedly.

2. The beginning of sin is like the letting out of water, and go from bad to worse. David went over to the Lord's enemies. David killed Goliath, but sought refuge in Goliath's land; he smoke the Philistines and now trusts the Philistines; he was Israel's champion and now has become the servant of Achish.

3. David went into open sin. He did two evil things: he acted the part of a liar and a deceiver. He slew theGeshurites and told Achish he had been south of Jordan and made the king believe he rose up against his own people, he was guilty of bloodshed whatsoever town he went and put all the people to death. One sin led to another in order to keep the original sin; the lie, from Achish.

4. David was on the verge of being guilty of still worse sin-of covert acts of warfare against the Lord's people; because David having become the friend of Achish, when the king of the Philistines went to battle against Israel, David professed his willingness to go. It may have only been a feigned willingness, but we convict him again of lying.

5. The last effect of David's sin-it brought him into great trial. While David was away with Achish, the Amalekites invaded the south and attacked Ziklag; David's town. They did not put to death those that dwelt there, but took them and their treasures with them. All the men that were with David turned on him when they saw this because of their loss of family and wanted to stone him to death. David encourages himself in the Lord his God. The child of God can not sin with impunity.
-C.H. Spurgeon

God's Restoring Mercy.

By the divine dealings with David in respect to the burning of Ziklag: It was by God's great mercy that the Philistine lords were so set against the continuance of David in their camp. They thought they were executing a piece of ordinary policy; little realizing that they were the shears by which God was cutting the meshes of David's net. David left the camp with a greater following. Here too was proof of God's tender thought, foulness, because at no time in his life did David need it more. When David and his soldiers reached Ziklag, after three days of exhausting marching, they found it a heap of smoldering ruins; instead of the welcome of their wives and children, silence and desolation reigned all around them. Their loyalty and devotion that had always been there had now drastically changed. But this was the moment of David's return to God. In that dread hour, with the charred embers smoking at his feet; with this threat of stoning in his ears; his heart suddenly came to its old resting place in the bosom of God. From this moment, David is himself again, his old strong, glad, noble, self. For the first time after months of disuse, he asks Abiathar to bring him the ephod, and he inquires of the Lord. With great vigor he arises to pursue the marauding troop and overtakes it. He awaits until daylight approaches and releases his men to the work of rescue and vengeance, that not a man was left standing. The sunshine of God's favor rested afresh upon David's soul.
-F.B. Meyer

Moral victories are often succeeded
by terrible weaknesses.
H.E. Stone

Highlights taken from:
1. THRU THE BIBLE RADIO BROADCAST
2. Matthew Henry Study Bible KJV
3. Bible hub
4. Biblical illustrator
5. F.B. Meyer
6. J.H. Snell
7. W.H. Lewis
8. W. Jay
9. C.H. Spurgeon
10. H.E. Stone

I really enjoyed this study and the wonderful written illustrations by so many! Makes the written word come to life!