Do you see what's happening in this chapter? God had spoken to Saul in chapter 15, and Saul didn't want to listen. God told Saul what to do, and he wouldn't do it. God gave guidance, and Saul didn't want to follow it. Saul is reaping what he had sown - he had ruled as if God was silent, and

The camera cuts suddenly from David being mustered with Achish in Gath, being enlisted as the First Hebrew Regiment of the Philistine Army, to Philistine forces marching north to Shunem. Saul's gathering forces 6 miles south at Mt Gilboa. What we see on screen are two forces amassing across a valley. The narrator is speaking, telling us two facts: Samuel

If you knew you had one meal left to eat, what would it be? Very few of us get to choose, death row inmates being the most obvious exception to the norm. Their choices are fascinating, ranging from a KFC bucket to steak, including simply just an olive. One photographer has recreated the last meals of some death row inmates

Thankfully, the message of the Bible is good news to people like David: those fleeing from where they ought to be, those who've remained where they ought not to be, and those living lives of deceit. David is undeserving, but God is a God of undeserving love.We see it throughout the chapter. David is wrong to disappear to the country

Despite David's doubts and deceit, all goes well for 16 months. Then he finds himself painted into a corner, required to march out against Israel under the Philistine banner. David's stay in the country of the Philistines ends with David in a pickle. Something will have to give; it is a no-win situation. He will either have to raise his

These verses are hard and murky - David is raiding, robbing, massacring (verse 9), and deceiving (verse 10).The first thing we have to say is that in striking down the Geshurites, Girzites, and the Amalekites, David is striking down those who were to be struck down. In Deuteronomy 20:16-17 God passes the death sentence on pagan, sinful people. This is

There's an air of permanence as David disappears into the country of the Philistines. He goes with 600 men, their families, and his own wives. David settles and dwells there, making it his home.We can easily imagine that over 1000 refugees arriving in Gath created its own problems, putting pressure on supplies, space, security, and society. David asks for his

I remember wondering when I was younger if I was the only person who talked to themselves; if what I now know as 'thoughts' were common to others. I remember the moment I realised I wasn't! Well, those who talk to themselves are in good company - verse 1. Here are David's thoughts and feelings, alongside his own summary of

In chapter 27 the endgame begins for David and Saul. The note about time in verse 7 signals a picking up of the pace, 16 months in exile after being on the run for 6 to 10 years, maybe as many as 15. The story is told dramatically, alternating between scenes and leaving us with cliff hangers. This is the

These chapters at the climax of David's wilderness years paint him as an upright king, who can be trusted, rested upon, and looked to. David has the privilege of painting the character of God's ultimate king, Jesus. He is an upright king, above suspicion; one who can be trusted, rested upon, and looked to. We want to see past David