1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>God'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 <strong>Samuel</strong>.Chapters 24 and 26 are virtually mirror images <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> a remorsefulSaul and his returning home from his pursuit <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> Saul's life ch. 24The incident recorded in this chapter concerns cutting <strong>of</strong>f (vv. 4, 5, 11, 21). David had theopportunity and received encouragement to cut <strong>of</strong>f Saul's life but chose to cut <strong>of</strong>f only hisrobe hem. He ended up promising not to cut <strong>of</strong>f Saul's descendants and name."The verb 'cut <strong>of</strong>f' forms something <strong>of</strong> a recurring theme, a leit-motiv, in 1<strong>Samuel</strong> 20-24." 262David's cutting <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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.