Bill1

It is a very strong bond..a bond of love and brotherhood. Not easily broken. David receives help in the way of escape and warning. Jonathon receives David's love and promise that he will never forsake Jonathan or his family It was not self serving...it benefited both of them. They benefitted each other almost. That God would oversee the covenant and judge accordingly.

Sauls faith is nill..he has none. He uses "faith" only for his benefit and when it pleases him. Because the HS takes control. The HS came over those at Pentecost and took control. When the HS is in control, you're not.

I believe David's reason for marrying Michel was to kill more Philistines. He knew from the time he went up against Goliath that the Philistines did not fear God nor worship Him. David did both and this is the reason I believe he married Michel because it would give him an opportunity to take out more who spoke against the Lord's armies

Saul sent David into battle to try and get rid of him. It was a bad choice for Saul to do this because it had exactly the opposite effect. The people loved David and the soldiers loved David and respected him. The only was this happened was because the Lord was with David everywhere he went and in all he did.

(1 Samuel 17:47) Why do we so often forget that "the battle is the Lord's"? What does that phrase actually mean? How can we avoid the arrogance of pulling God into our battles ("God is on my side"), rather than engaging in His battles ("I am on God's side")? We forget the battle is the Lords because we are in the heat of battle, trying to plan, think ahead, recover, move, etc...never giving the battle to God. We think we know how to win. If it is going against God and His kingdom, He will fight the battle..we need to stand. WE need to align ourselves with God's kingdom..seek first. If we do that we can engage in His battles, otherwise we are fighting our own futile wars

David completely and fully relied on God in all his situations and believed that God would deliver him in all instances. David is very lethal...because he has God fighting for him. God is on his side and you don't lose like that. Saul needs someone to take out/on Goliath. David proved himself worthy in his explanations of his battles as a shepherd. Saul has faith in God, David reassured that God was real and could handle the battle. That type of faith, when seen like that, is hard to turn away from. Saul's source of faith, at this time, was David's witness to the Lord. Who could help but have faith after listening to what God has done in David's young life so far.

David is upset about Goliath's threat because no one will call him out on it. He has defied God and has challenged Gods chosen people, yet no one has stepped up to the challenge....David is sick and tired of hearing Goliaths empty threats. Elian is upset because he sees David as a "little brother" who is just stirring up trouble. Elian believes David is only capable of tending sheep. David's faith is deep and strong. Where others see a giant, David see and insult to God..and David loves God and will defend God. Eliab is weak and scared. He wants nothing to do with the giant, and sees David as a nuisance who is going to start something more than he can handle.

To play the harp to relieve Saul of the evil spirits that torment him It seems that God wants David to see the inner workings of the kingdom...that he will eventually be in charge of. We are to busy trying to figure it out ourselves rather that sitting, listening and learning. Being still. A quiet time...peaceful time with God so we can discern His voice above the madness.

Samuel anointed David at God's direction. Not of his own volition. He waited on God's approval and direction as to who to anoint. The Holy Spirit came upon David powerfully at his anointing. This is one of the few times in the OT where the Spirit is on someone. It is significant because Jesus has not come yet and given believers the Spirit. David's success is completely dependent on God and David's relationship with God. The Holy Spirit is vital for us as believers in our daily walk. We have to have it...even though for me, a lot of times, it hindsight. I should have done this or said that. I am working on hearing the Spirit first...not after I have said or done something.

When we listen carefully to God's voice, we can fulfill his desires for us. Our instinctive way to discern is usually visual...summing someone up on the outside. What they look like, sound like, how they are dressed, etc. God wants us to discern the heart, and put away what we see on the outside. We have to look inside to see the heart and hear the heart. We learn to listen to the Spirit by listening over and over again to the soft, still voice. Learning to hear it above all else

Rebellion is doing as I choose, not as God directs or guides me to do. Rebellion is as witchcraft as you make something else God and focus on it and not the Living God. It takes precedence. Rebellion and arrogance go hand in hand. Arrogance carries with an attitude or I know best, I am best, no one or thing has greater thoughts, plans or ideas than me. It goes hand in hand with pride...and certainly then destruction. I have seen this in my own life to many times. When we get to this point, the only thing we can do is repent. Ask for God's mercy on us and return to God's way....not our way.