Day 93 · Part 7: The Kingdom
Saul’s Spear
In the Story
In context
After Goliath, “the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David,” and Jonathan gave him his own robe, sword and bow (1 Samuel 18:1–4). But when the women sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands,” Saul grew angry, then afraid (18:6–12). He threw his spear at David (18:10–11; 19:9–10), and he asked a deadly dowry for his daughter Michal, hoping the Philistines would kill David (18:17–27).
Michal let David down through a window while Saul’s men watched the house (19:11–12). Psalm 59 is headed “A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.” At the new moon, the start of the month, kept with offerings (Numbers 10:10), David’s seat at Saul’s table was empty, and Saul threw his spear at Jonathan, his own son (20:24–33). Jonathan’s arrows told David to go, and the two friends kissed, wept, and parted in peace (20:35–42).
But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress. To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
Psalms 59:16–17 · Saul’s men watched David’s house to kill him in the morning; David’s psalm from that time sings of God’s loving kindness “in the morning.”
For families
Jonathan spoke up for David to his father: “Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?” (19:4–5). He and David swore kindness to each other’s families: “Yahweh is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever” (20:14–17, 42). Years later David kept that promise (2 Samuel 9:1).
Jonathan and David promised to be kind to each other’s families. Who is a friend of your family from a long time ago?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
1 Samuel 18
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1 Samuel 19
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1 Samuel 20
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Psalms 59:title–1
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Psalms 59:3–4
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Psalms 59:6
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Psalms 59:16
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A hymn for today
What a Friend We Have in Jesus · words by Joseph M. Scriven
- What a Friend we have in Jesus,All our sins and griefs to bear!What a privilege to carryEverything to God in prayer!O what peace we often forfeit,O what needless pain we bear,All because we do not carryEverything to God in prayer!
- Have we trials and temptations?Is there trouble anywhere?We should never be discouraged;Take it to the Lord in prayer.Can we find a friend so faithfulWho will all our sorrows share?Jesus knows our every weakness;Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Are we weak and heavy laden,Cumbered with a load of care?Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer.Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?Take it to the Lord in prayer;In His arms He'll take and shield thee,Thou wilt find a solace there.