Here at the end of 1 Samuel, the Philistines were once again gathering for war against Israel. In chapter 28 we learned that Yahweh would give Israel into their hands and that king Saul would die. Now, we knew this day was coming for Saul sooner or later. But there was another problem: David had […]

1 Samuel 27 sets up the final section of the book, where the reign of king Saul comes to an abysmal end. But the story here about David and the Philistines seems rather odd. It can be a difficult chapter to interpret, understand, and apply. But one thing is abundantly clear here (and in the […]

After Jonathan had exposed his father’s wicked intentions beyond all doubt, David knew it was time to go. From now until the end of the book, David will be on the run as a fugitive, as an exile. Like Israel, who escaped from Pharaoh yet had to wander through the wilderness before entering the promised […]

After David defeated Goliath we saw how David was becoming God’s prospering king, successful and loved by many. But he wasn’t loved by all. Saul was becoming jealous of David; he was David’s enemy continually (1 Sam. 18:29). As a result of this hatred, God’s prospering King would also become God’s persecuted King. Saul tried […]