Highlights:
Powerful reading! A gigantic "battle" rages between God and Satan — Inside Saul. Did this ever happen to you? Check chapter 19! Saul is jealous, rebellious, disobedient, and confused. David displays wisdom and confident faith in God.
Verses for Today:
Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David . . . Saul my father seeketh to kill thee . . . abide in a secret place, and hide thyself (I Sam. 19:1-2).
David became a national hero and, as time passed, King Saul became increasingly jealous of his popularity. Saul had manipulated circumstances to expose David to the Philistines, hoping they would kill him (18:25). Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said . . . Let not the king sin against his servant. . . . For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it . . . wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? . . . and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain (19:4-6).
Saul had become violent with an uncontrolled temper. Jonathan revealed remarkable spiritual insight and courage when he confronted his father the king in defense of David. In a fit of rage, Saul denounced his son. He even attempted to kill Jonathan. Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him . . . send and fetch him (David) . . . for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him (20:30-33).
Jonathan could have avoided any risk to himself if he had decided not to get involved in defending David. To defend an innocent person from slander or harm's way, whatever the cost, is to remain faithful to biblical principles by doing what is right.
We too may find ourselves in situations where a person is being accused, intimidated, or taken advantage of. We are then faced with the decision of whether to get involved. We should not be an accomplice to evil by remaining silent but respond as Jonathan did. There is a direct connection between what we truly believe and how we behave. The Apostle James urged believers: Be . . . doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).
Thought for Today:
Defend the poor and the fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked (Ps. 82:3-4).
Christ Portrayed:
By David, who, as a servant of Saul, suffered at the hands of the one whom he chose to serve (I Sam. 19:1,10-11). Jesus suffered at the hands of the ones He came to serve and to save. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must . . . suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day (Matt. 16:21).
Word Studies:
19:9 played with his hand =played music on the harp; 19:13 bolster =headrest; 20:2 but that he will show it me =without first telling me; 20:12 sounded =questioned; 20:26 not clean =ceremonially defiled (Lev. 15; Num. 19:11); 20:30 confusion =dishonor, shame; 20:33 javelin =spear; 21:4 hallowed bread =showbread, sacrificial bread to be eaten only by priests (Exodus 25:30; Matthew 12:3-4).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Iva Jo Swinsburg • Government Officials: Rep. Robert Brady (PA) and Gov. Mitch Daniels (IN) • Country: Dominica (65,000) in the British West Indies • Major languages: English and French patois • Religious freedom • 75% Roman Catholic; 12% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for your brothers and sisters that they might be filled with spiritual discernment and the fullness of Christ (Eph. 3:14-18).
Optional Reading: Acts 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:9-10