RodR

The covenant between David and Jonathan is mutually beneficial. David eventually receives position as king without intervention from the rightful heir and Jonathan receives safety and security for himself and his family even though David becomes king. The covenant saves both of their lives and feeds into God’s plan. The covenant is not self-serving; it is God-serving as confirmed by the fact the God is witness to it.

Even when the Holy Spirit intervenes directly, Saul continues to ignore God’s will and tries to kill David. His men and Saul himself prophesy because the Holy Spirit is speaking through them. In Acts, the Holy Spirit spoke through those gathered at Pentecost proclaiming God’s message.

By the text it would seem that his pride was David’s chief motive for marrying Michal. The evidence is that he killed 200 instead of 100 Philistines as Saul asked and he accomplished the task before the time had lapsed. Nothing in the text indicates his love for Michal, simple obedience to Saul’s desires, or enjoyment in killing Philistines.

Saul promotes David and sends him into battle in order to get him out of the court and put him in harm’s way. David succeeds in battle and is not harmed. The narrator tells us it is because God is with him.

We tend to trust in our own ability and strength. In this case, David knew that it was God who was being disrespected and it would be God who would defend His honor. When we take a strong stand for Him, He will support His cause through us. Lord, help me recognize whether I’m fighting for Him or expecting Him to fight for me. I want to consistently be on God’s side!

David’s faith has been tested before and he is confident that God will give him His strength. David has no strength of his own. As a warrior, he knows he cannot overcome the giant but as God’s instrument, he knows he can win. Saul allows him to go because he believes that God might use David and he really has no choice since no one else will go up against Goliath. The source of Saul’s faith may come from his own experience of being used by God or by the testimony of David. Our own testimony of God working in our lives can encourage the faith of others.

David is upset because Goliath is disrespecting God. David has faith in God’s ability to overcome Goliath. Eliab is upset because of sibling rivalry and jealousy. He is reacting to human emotions rather than his faith. As Christians, we hope that we will stand strong for God in the face of adversity. However, we don’t really know until we are tested. I pray that I will be like David.

Quote from: 'Travis63' What does it teach us about Eliab's character? "I truly cannot say, I believe that anything said would not be a composite depiction. Character - The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities. Yes Eliab was in the moment, he was angry, I would rather say his actions were a facet of his character. Perhaps I could say that sometimes I may react as Eliab does. My hopes are that when these acts are exposed that I follow the Lord's counsel I cannot answer the question subjectively, not enough observation for me." --------------------- Good observation. We tend to judge character without enough evidence. Only God can judge the heart. Thanks for stating this perspective.

Quote from 'wjcargile' "Things that pervent us fro learning from God in the midst of our circumstances in which we find ourselves are: We want to solve the circumstances ourselves rather than waiting on God to lead us through, he knows the end results." I appreciate your comment above. It's always best to let God have His way with our circumstances. He has the long view and knows what we need. That's how James can encourage us to rejoice in trials - being assured that the end result is spiritual growth. (James 1:2)

David’s musical ability was recommended to Saul to help soothe his torment. From God’s perspective, He was working out His plan to put David in position as king. We fail to learn from our circumstances because we believe life just “happens” instead of considering it all a part of God’s plan. It’s helpful for me to look back and recognize the “Hand of God” in past circumstances. This convinces me to live today believing God is using the events in my life to prepare me for the future. As a result, I try not to live “under the circumstances” but choose to live “through the circumstances.”

Quote from 'JanMary' "Anointing was an outward sign signifying that David was God's chosen vessel for Kingship. Anointing also brought the presence and power of God to the life of the anointed. (Did not remove the free will, however)" Thank you for adding the comment in parenthesis. The presence of God's grace and power doesn't force us to follow His will. In David's case, he made several tragic choices. However, the Spirit in him did lead David to repent as He also desires for us to do when we sin.

Samuel anointed David in obedience to God’s command. This spiritual anointing indicated that David was God’s choice. The Holy Spirit coming on David qualified him to serve with divine power from God. The best evidence of our being predestinated to the kingdom of glory is our being sealed with the Spirit of Promise, and our experience of a work of grace in our own hearts.

The record of God’s “provision” of a new king teaches us the importance of listening to and following each step of His command. He often reveals only what we need to know for the next step and expects unwavering obedience. Instinctively, we discriminate based on outward appearance. God is teaching us to determine value based on his guidance and leading through the Spirit. Listening to the Spirit is developed by prayer and meditation on God’s Word.

Quote from "wjcargile" "When I find rebellious in my heart: I pray and ask God to remove it and forgive me for my sins (1John 1:9). If we do nothing, our hearts and conscious grows cold." I like your answer here. Continual rebellion eventually leads to apathy and a heart that is cold toward God. That's why immediate action is necessary. Saul's disobedience was compounded by his attempt to excuse his actions instead of repentance and confession.

Rebellion is open resistance to authority and a choice to “do your own thing” rather than come under the authority of another. One sin is as bad as another and all are a type of rebellion toward God. When we rebel, we are demonstrating arrogance by choosing our own will over God’s will. All forms of sin require repentance. When we find rebellion in our heart and repent, God is anxious to forgive. If we do nothing there is no forgiveness.

Believers, those who are "born of God," whether Jews or Gentiles, comprise “the Israel of God” today. Anyone who has rejected Christ is not a part of this group. Gentiles should not boast of their new position because they have been grafted in by faith and can be cut off by unbelief.

In 2 Cor 5:17, Paul tells us that anyone who is “in Christ” is a new creation. When we were baptized, we were probably encouraged to “rise and walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4) The indwelling Holy Spirit and our submitting to the process of sanctification is what makes the difference in our lives. Our new birth is a spiritual birth that is produced by our being buried with Christ and raised (re-born) as a new creation.

We tend to become weary living out our faith in the face of adversity or indifference. Paul reminds us that we will reap a harvest in God’s time if we do not give up. If we have a hard time “doing good” for our spiritual family, how can we expect to take our “goodness” to the rest of the world? God intends for all Christians to use their gifts to encourage and build up one another in order to prepare us to take the Cause of Christ beyond the walls of our buildings.

“Sowing to the flesh” is making choices that are not conducive to growing in Christ. When we reject the Spirit’s leading we sow to the flesh and produce the acts of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21) If we sow to the spirit, we "live" in Him, are "led" by Him, and "keep in step" with Him in an increasing measure. When a congregation is increasingly sowing to the spirit, God uses their individual strengths to “encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thess. 5:11) When the congregation is sowing to the flesh they may destroy one another. (Gal 5:15)

Being “caught” in sin has the implication of being “caught up,” “trapped,” or “overtaken” by sin. Paul cautions that the process of restoration of such a brother should be undertaken by those Christians who are living by the Spirit. The process should be done gently or meekly so that you will not be tempted and “caught” in sin yourself.

“Crucifying the flesh…” means to put to death or reject all things that do not help us become more like Christ. Too often, we lead people to Christ without helping them understand they are sinners and emphasizing their need for repentance. That produces lukewarm Christians who want the benefits of Christianity without considering the sacrifices. Jesus clearly told His disciples anyone who followed Him must deny himself. (Matt 16:24, Mar 8:34) I believe He is referring to our need to crucify the flesh and follow the Spirit’s leading in our lives.

The Spirit produces this kind of fruit by prompting Christians to “love and good works” (Heb 10:24) through the Word and through our relationships with one another. The theological term used for this process is sanctification but it occurs through discipleship. If the fruit of the spirit is not evident in the life of a Christian, it might be because they have not listened to His prompting or because they have been brought to Christ and then left on their own without the encouragement of others. James would say their faith is dead, meaning that it does not accomplish anything for them or for others.

Patient forbearance is essential personally and collectively in order to reflect the “peace that passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7) and to live in peace “as far as it depends on you.” (Rom 12:18) It demonstrates that you trust God’s plan and purpose for your life and that He will “work all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28)

According to Jesus in Matt 22:36-40, love for God and love for our neighbors are the basis for all other teachings of the law and the prophets. Therefore, we cannot have joy or peace unless we first commit to loving God and others. In addition, we cannot truly love God and others unless we have God’s Spirit within us. True love (1 Cor 13) includes all the characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Some Christians take God’s grace for granted and believe that God will forgive whatever they do. They believe they cannot lose their reward because of their actions once they have been saved. Paul’s letter to the Galatians reminds us that our good works cannot save us but our sinful works can condemn us. If they could change one word in Paul’s warning, they would feel better about it, but it wouldn’t change the truth of what Paul says. "...those who live like this will STILL inherit the Kingdom of God."