1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 91What did David do while he trusted God? He did not become anxious and just wait. Hesought God in prayer (vv. 2, 4, 11, 12; cf. Ps. 54; Phil. 4:6), and he proceeded to serveGod (vv. 2, 5; cf. Matt. 28:19-20).How did David receive strength during his trials? God answered his prayers (vv. 2, 4, 11,12; cf. Saul). Moreover other godly people encouraged David, namely, Abiathar thepriest, who helped him in prayer (v. 6), and Jonathan the prince, who reminded him ofGod's promises (vv. 16-18).3. David's goodness to two fools chs. 24—26". . . chapters 24—26 form a discrete literary unit within 1 Samuel.Chapters 24 and 26 are virtually mirror images of each other, beginningwith Saul's receiving a report about David's latest hiding place (24:1;26:1), focusing on David's refusal to lift a hand against Saul, 'the Lord'sanointed' (24:6, 10; 26:11), and concluding with the words of a remorsefulSaul and his returning home from his pursuit of David (24:17-22; 26:21,25). The two chapters form a frame around the central chapter 25, wherethe churlish Nabal functions as an alter ego of the rejected Saul. Inaddition, divine protection that keeps David from shedding innocent bloodruns as a unifying thread through all three chapters." 261Saul, who had disregarded God's Law, became a deadly threat to David (23:19-28).However, David, who regarded God's Law, became a source of life to Saul (23:29—24:22) and to others in Israel (ch. 25).In the previous section, Saul sought the opportunity to take David's life. In this one(23:29—24:22), given the opportunity to take Saul's life, David spared him.David's first sparing of Saul's life ch. 24The incident recorded in this chapter concerns cutting off (vv. 4, 5, 11, 21). David had theopportunity and received encouragement to cut off Saul's life but chose to cut off only hisrobe hem. He ended up promising not to cut off Saul's descendants and name."The verb 'cut off' forms something of a recurring theme, a leit-motiv, in 1Samuel 20-24." 262David's cutting off of Saul's hem 24:1-7Engedi lay near the Salt Sea's western shore close to its mid-point north to south. Eventoday it is a refreshing oasis with waterfalls, tropical plants, and wild goats. The Hebrewword means "spring of the kid." It may have been while David was hiding in this cavethat he wrote Psalm 57 and or Psalm 142 (see their titles; cf. 22:1).261 Youngblood, p. 745.262 Baldwin, p. 146. Cf. 15:28; 20:14-17; 24:4.