� Reading 1 - 1 Sam 18-19; 1 Chron 3

18 - Chapter 18 continues the theme of David’s continued success, with particular emphasis on God giving that success (verses 12, 14). Saul knows that God is with David (verse 28) but will fight against him anyway, thus in effect fighting against God!

19 - 1 Samuel 19 records the final break between Saul and David. Saul’s paranoia becomes increasingly evident, and David becomes a full-fledged refugee in fear of his life. We wonder why Michal has an idol in her house (verse 13). It might be a captured souvenir or may reflect pagan inclinations. Often Saul does not seem to be a very spiritual man. The power of the Spirit in verses 20-24 is seen in a very unusual way. Usually, the Spirit fills a person to do great deeds and gives strength and power to accomplish those deeds (as in Samson’s case). Here the Spirit incapacitates, and in Saul’s case, humiliates him as he takes off his royal robes (verse 24). Saul is fighting against God and cannot win.

3 - 1 Chronicles 3 narrows the focus to David. Notice verses 10-16 give a summary of southern kings in just a few verses. Their stories are not important here, just their connection to David.

Psalm 59

This is clearly a lament psalm (verse 1) but it has more to it than just the usual cry for God’s help. This psalm of David may be tied to the plot against him of 1 Samuel 19:11ff, but there are so many times David’s life was in danger it is hard to be sure. Note the strong prayer of verse 4, for God surely does not sleep but the psalmist feels as if God must be “asleep on the job.” David’s frankness here may be a challenge for us who feel heavily the need for reverence! He describes his enemies as wild dogs (verses 6-7), which were greatly feared in the biblical world as wild, rabid animals. The psalm then moves toward trust in God (verses 8-10) and then takes an unfamiliar turn. David asks God to wait to destroy his enemies until they can be destroyed in a way that lets all know God consumed them because they were wicked (verses 11-13). That makes this an imprecatory psalm, something we will see on occasion in the Psalter and we will deal more with as we journey through the psalms. The God who rules all nations (verses 5, 8) can and will save David (verses 16-17).

13 - Marks the action of the Spirit again (verse 2), a constant theme in Acts. Paul sharpens this theme by identifying the real struggle: the devil versus the Spirit (verses 9-10). The sermon that begins in verse 16 is not well known but uses Scripture powerfully to make the case for Jesus as Messiah to a Jewish audience. Verse 48 may seem to speak of a sort of predestination but don’t be confused. God has predestined all who will obey His word to be saved. How do you get into that group? You do as these did: you believe and obey God’s word.