March 28 - 1 Samuel 16-17
I wonder what Jesse and David thought about David’s
assignment to Saul as harpist? Was David always fearful that Saul would find
out that he’d been chosen as the next king? It definitely gave David a chance
to see the roles and responsibilities of a king. And it is disturbing that God
gave Saul an evil spirit that overwhelmed him. We know that God is incapable of
evil, so he must have given permission for an evil spirit to overtake Saul.
According to the National Geographic website, a rock shot
from an ancient slingshot could be as deadly as a .44 Magnum! David was
obviously experienced with this weapon that was known be accurate more than 600
feet away. The story of David and Goliath is one of the most famous in the
Bible, but I find I can’t read it without hearing the voice of Junior Asparagus
in my head (from the Veggie Tales show “Dave and the Giant Pickle”).
I noticed some things for the first time as I read it and
I wonder if you found some new items, too. First there was the interaction with
David’s brother, Eliab. Was he was jealous that David had been chosen to become
king? Had David flaunted that a bit? Second, this was the first time I ever
remember noticing that Goliath had a shield bearer in front of him. How did he
play out in the story? Was he considered guilty of not protecting Goliath
effectively? Often shield bearers were killed (or killed themselves) if they
failed in battle. Third, it appears that Goliath might not have died
immediately from the stone imbedded in his forehead. Verse 17:51 indicates
David might have killed Goliath as he lie on the ground before he cut off his
head.
Was there anything new for you in today’s reading?
TOMORROW’S TEXT: 1 Samuel 18-19, Psalm 59 (
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