The Bible by David Alley

In 1 Kings Chapter 9 This time God doesn’t appear in a dream as far as we know. But this seems more of a warning than before. It's almost a promise of punishment. God promises to preserve if Solomon obeys, but also promises to destroy this magnificent temple if they don’t.God has no loyalty to a building, even if it is the most fabulous thing on earth. Cabul means “good for nothing.” This is a different language to the modern city of Kabul in Afghanistan. Ezion Geber is the modern city of Eilat, a great scuba diving destination, and the confluence of Egypt, Jordan and Israel all at one point.Ophir isn’t known, but many think it was India. And given that in the next chapter it says they brought back peacocks etc from there, it seems like an asian location.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 8 we have one of the longest chapters in the Bible. It is all about the dedication of the temple. Apparently, according to Dentan, the opening of the temple was delayed by 11 months so it could coincide with the seventh month, the feast of tabernacles. The symbolism that God has come to live among us does fit the opening of God’s house. The ark of the covenant is brought into the temple in the proper way. Inside was the ten commandments only.What happened to the manna, and aaron’s staff? Was it lost when it went to the land of the Philistines? Or was it removed when it was returned and many men died looking into it? Even though no building is a perfect symbol of God’s house, he fills this building with his glory. This is to show that the later temple, built of human lives and hearts, is to be filled with his glory too.Solomon thought he had built a place for God to dwell forever, but the people had no concept of temples or of God. Why did God allow such misunderstanding to remain? Because he was allowing a type to be established so we could understand the real thing. Yes a temple is real, but the temple of God as seen in the NT is the real real.In Solomon’s prayer he acknowledges that the heavens cannot contain God, let alone this building. If the heavens cannot contain God - then what are we dealing with? God is not to be measured by time or space. He is not only eternal, he is ageographical. He is in no time or in no place, rather he IS all.This is why buildings are very poor illustrations of God. In Solomon’s prayer we see a hint that the poor spiritual condition of people affects the climate. So yes climate change is caused by people.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 7 we cover the elaborate 5 part palance of Solomon, plus the elaborate temple furnishings. First Solmon’s 5 part palace included a forest of lebanon building. This building wasn’t in Lebanon as it sounds, but in Jerusalem. It was a courtyard made with many pillars resembling a forest. Along with this and 4 other incredible buildings it took twice as long to build as the Lord’s temple. And all overlaid with gold. NO matter that in the Law, in Deut 17:17, it said kings should not accumulate “too much gold.”Solomon spent significantly more time and money on his own palace than the Lord’s house. If the Lord’s house was a 100 billion dollar project - what we have here is something on the grand scale of Egyptian like pyramidical construction. With Pharaoh’s daughter onside this makes sense. The temple furnishings are elaborate too, including two bronze pillars which are given names.The freemasons took a hold of much temple language and features and worked it into freemasonry. The two pillars are Jachin - he establishes, and Boaz - he is mighty. Boaz is also an ancestor of David & Solomon. THe most interesting of all the temple furnishing is the brass sea. It is described as being 30 cubits around, but also as being ten cubits across.A rudimentary calculation of pi here only gives 3.0 instead of 3.1428 as we would expect from our primary school mathematics. But there is something else going on. This video will explain the maths behind the brass sea, and how it is a possible indication of how big the handspan of the measurer was.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 6 we find possibly the most important scripture for dating the exodus. Because the building of the temple is fixed in history and its date well accorded. We are able to conclude the earlier dates based on this. It said that construction on the the temple was commenced 480 years after the exodus. This is 12 forties, so is a highly meaningful number. Temple construction occurred at 974BC.According to Coffman this places the Exodus at 1446BC. According to the Associates for Biblical Research this is also right. The temple was a building about 26 metres long, 13 metres high, and about 8 metres wide. So not huge, but very elaborate. It was described as a being like a Faberge egg, but the size of a building. Here we are talking of the most elaborate goldwork in the ancient world.And it was in a chamber that none other than God could see, except one high priest one time per year. There was no expense spared. When you think of the elaborate beauty of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's death mask, and then imagine the same beauty covering in and out a building 26 metres long by Here we have a project that involved 150000 slaves for 7 years, plus another 10,000 forced conscripted laborers (30,000 who worked one month on and two months off) plus another 3300 supervistors.This is a total of 163300 people at work for an entire 7 years. Paid an average daily wage of $200 working 6 days a week, we put the total labor cost in today’s terms in AUD at $71,329,440,000. If we add onto this the capital costs paid to HIram of Tyre feeding his royal house for 7 straight years, plus the cost of all the gold, we have a building worth in excess of 100 Billion dollars.This makes the temple a highly elaborate structure, representing the glory of God. God makes a promise for all who are concerned for God’s house, which is his people. He will put and establish his word in them and keep his promises to them. You see this promise in this chapter in verses 11-13.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 5 Solomon makes a deal with Hiram of Tyre. Tyre is a part of Phonecia. The Phonecians worshipped other gods, and later produced the terrible Jezebel. Phoenicia is also supposed to have produced the first or oldest alphabet. Interestingly the Canaanite alphabet, phonecian alphabet and the paleo-hebrew alphabet are basically the same. In other words, the oldest alphabet in the world is the biblical one, although Dr Douglas Petrovich is now a leading expert in an even older version of Hebrew coming out of Egypt, which may be older than the Phonecian.Solomon’s deal with HIram was for materials to build a temple for God, and a palace for himself and for the Pharaoh’s daughter, his wife. Solomon assumed in all o othis, that he was the son of David who would build God a house. Solomon may have been wise, but he had no idea that he was not the son that God was referring to. Christ was the son who would build a temple without hands, and also reign on an eternal throne.Solomon conscripted not just slaves, but also regular Israelites in the building of the temple. It was a big project. He conscriptured 30,000 non slaves, who worked in shifts one month on, and two months off. In addition he had 150,000 slaves and 3300 supervisors. How exactly did stone cutting happen in ancient times? Hre is an unfinished obelisk from ancient Egypt still in the process of being cut out. This explains why 150000 workers were needed to build a temple of stone which was only about 30 meters long.And why it took 7 years. 80000 of them were just to cut the stone, and 70000 to transport the stone. What a blessing concrete is today.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 4 Solomon develops a national system to run the country of Israel. It meant he didn’t have to worry about making things happen, he only had to make sure the right people were in place. He had 12 administrators. Two features of his kingdom was his administrations daily consumption of 30 cors of fine flour. This is about 6900 litres of flour, estimated conservatively. Plus a great amount of other meats and products.His Kingdom was peaceful the entire duration of his reign. To live in peace was an unusual thing in ancient times. This is why Solomon is a picture of Christ. He is the only one of the kings of Israel and Judah who gave peace to the entire nation the entire time he lived. Solomon had forty thousand horses, and twelve thousand riders. This is ratio of 3.33 horses per rider. Often chariots did have 2 horses per chariot. Either way there were many horses.Earlier in scripture, in Deuteronomy 17:6 the Lord said “you shall not multiply horses to yourself.” So even in the midst of wonderous achievement, we see reason for alarm. Horses were equated with military might, and Israel was to trust the Lord, not in military power. Earlier, King David said in Psalm 20:7 says “Some trust in horses, and some in chariots, but we will trust in the name of the Lord.” David hamstrung horses and didn’t multiply them. Here we find it mentioned that Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs.The book of Proverbs has about 800 proverbs, but not all of them were written by Solomon. So the majority of his proverbs are no longer with us. It also mentions he wrote 1005 songs, but of his 1005 songs, we only have four, the Song of Solomon, or the Song of Songs, plus Psalms 72, 127 and 132. Life in Israel at that time was unparalleled in the world up until then. Solomon was a picture of Christ and what will happen, when the world places itself under his rightful leadership.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 3 Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter, which was probably not a loving marriage, but a political one. This was about ensuring peace and an effective economy. The Pharaoh was probably Psusennes II - and Pharaoh’s daughter’s name is unknown. Solomon goes up to offer sacrifices at Gibeon, a high place. At this point God seems to overlook the use of the high places, because of no temple, and because it was towards him.Solomon himself sacrifices at Gibeon in verse 4. After this Solomon has a dream where God tells him he can have anything he asks for, and he asks for wisdom. The he gets wealth and fame thrown in. Solomon has a lucid dream - he is able to interact with the Lord while asleep. This is rare, but not unheard of. In my own dreams at times I have been presented with temptations which I have chosen against. Some level of human will does seem to make its way into our dreams.Having been conditioned as a child through this story, I always wanted to ask for wisdom. But the sad truth is that the request for wisdom in my own mind was motivated by obtaining the other things as a byproduct. As I have aged, I have realised that I do want the other things, but my true request would be to know Christ, who is wisdom in person.Solomon’s request for wisdom was within a context. He wanted to be able to govern the Lord’s people well. This should be the prayer of all leaders, ministers and parents, to have wisdom for the tasks the Lord has given. An example of Solomon’s wisdom is given with the story of the two prostitutes and their babies. This is a remarkable story, even today.The NT writer James tells us that in James 1:5 that “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” What many don’t realise is that God has made the same offer to all, not just to Solomon. IN Christ’s own words we can “ask anything in his name” and it will be done. We don’t feel close enough to God, or lack faith, or feel we are not heard, oor many other reasons. But we should explore these things, and begin by seeking wisdom.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 2 David dies, but not before giving Solomon some advice. He reminds him of the Messiaanic promise, and the need to follow God. He also advises about certain people that need to be removed. It sounds like David is seeking revenge, but he is exercising great wisdom. If these people were lawless when David was alive, what now when he is dead?These people are Joab, and Shimei. Adonijah is also someone Solomon has his eye on. Adonijah then asks Bathsheba, to ask Solomon for Abishag from Shunem as a wife. There was no technical reason why he couldn’t marry her, she wasn’t a concubine of the king, but only a nurse. If there was any suspicious reason, Bathsheba would have picked it up.Solomon says no, and commands his death. Solomon’s reaction seems out of all proportion. But there is a way of seeing Adonijah’s request as a claim to the throne, because he wanted a king’s consort to be his wife, even if she wasn’t a real consort. Some commentators think that Abishag the Shunemite had been added to Solomon’s harem by this point, so he was asking for something treasonous.Some also think that the Shulamite woman in the Song of Songs is Abishag the shunammite. In this chapter all of Solomon’s opponents are dead, and his reign is established.

In this video listen to 1 Kings Chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Kings Chapter 1 we cover the remaining 38 kings, and 1 queen of the nations of Israel and Judah. Samuel focussed on the first three kings, but now we are going to cover the rest. Ultimately through it all we are going to see that no human king is perfect, and hardly any of them are good, only seven.The book starts with David being elderly and Adonijah, his oldest remaining son, aspiring to be king. When someone says “I will be king” they are on dangerous ground. This is what Lucifer said and plunged all creation into chaos. Christ IS the king of kings and yet he came to serve. It is the Lord who exalts. Adonijah is David’s fourth son - and his name means “My Lord is God.”For David this was true, but Adonijah doesn’t seem to have walked in the same strict sense of doing things the Lord’s way. It must have been somewhat common knowledge that David wanted Solomon to be king, because Nathan knew it, and Adonijah didn’t invite Solomon to the ‘coronation’ event. Encouraged by Nathan the prophet and BAthsheba, David elevates Solomon while still alive, and this causes panic, and all of Adonijah’s help evaporates.Solomon extends mercy to him for the moment. David and Solomon are technically king at the same time. David doesn’t seem to give the impression of a great father, but in the case of Solomon we know he took an interest because of things recorded in the book of Proverbs. With so many wives and so many children it would not be possible to spend quality time with them all, but he seems to spend time with Solomon - perhaps in an endeavor to ensure good things for the future.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 24, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 24 we have a census. Here it says God led him to take a census, but In 1 Chronicles 21 it says in the other telling that “Satan” enticed David to take the census. So who orchestrated it? This is a similar passage to Job where Satan accuses Job, God consents, and then later is is seen as God’s action. God allows it because he knows that ultimate goodo will come from it, but he is not the initiator.Ultimately nothing can happen without God allowing it, but he allows free will and other things because he knows these things are required for ultimate good outcomes. The whole of human history is a similar situation to this. How did evil originate? There will always be people who blame God because without some allowance it could never have gotten started. God knows however that by allowing human free will, we will have error, sin, pain and other things, but ultimately will be achieved a great mystery, the union of God and humanity.True love cannot be arrived at without the possibility of hate. Also, in the Chronicles 21 version of the census it comes back with different numbers. It says that there were 1.1 million men including 470000 men from Judah. This video explains a possible reason why. Finally God gives David a choice of three consequences, and he chooses the quickest one. In the punishment we have here is another example of the layers of reality working together.People are dying, and the cause of death is a spiritual one, an angel, but the corresponding reality is a physical pestilence. This video discusses, free will, sovereignty, differences in biblical stories and the layers of reality

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 23, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 23 we have another psalm to add to the 73 in the book of Psalms. David is not only a significant character, but also a significant writer in scripture. Finally we have here a prophecy, and Acts 2:30 tells us that David was a prophet and we see that in this song, and in others also. This is a Messianic Song. After the song we have a list of David’s mighty men, and some of their deeds.There was a time when David’s hometown, Bethlehem, where Jesus was to be later born, was under Philistine occupation. During the time of Saul’s reign, large sections of Israel ended up under Philistine control. Three of Davi’ds mighty men broke through enemy lines to get David water from the well at Bethlehem. This story probably happened when Saul was the king.Also here we have mentioned Bathsheba’s father and grandfather, and here Bathsheba’s husband Uriah. The whole thing of mighty men is an example of discipleship. In the NT Christ called people to follow him, and he had 12, but also had 72. These became well known all through church history. Here in the OT we have the same type of thing. Whoever you follow, you will become like.Its a reminder to leadership to be what you want your followers to become, and a reminder to disciples to follow the one God has placed in your life. This isn’t only about academics, or mental things, but about attitudes, of the heart, about having sonship in the heart.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 22, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 22 we have a song written after David had been delivered from all his enemies. The song here is almost identical to Psalm 18, but there are five phrases here that are not in Psalm 18, and there are four different phrases in Psalm 18 that are not here.The Psalm 18 version also has a heading “To the Chief Musician.” David wrote songs and handed them over for specific use in worship, but here we see a version that he himself sang which is slightly different. Both versions are a part of God’s word even with their differences. The main theme of this song is how the victory is ascribed to God, who equips David for victory.It is David who wins, but he wins because God trains him, secures, him, strengthens him and everything else. The four additional phrases here are found in verse 3, verse 28, verse 43 and verse 47.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 21, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 21 we come to the last four chapters of 2 Samuel, where we have a collection of stories which relate back to various moments in his life. Various scholars have analysed the linguistic features, and the chiastic pattern of these stories. Essentially it demonstrates that these stories are not an afterthought, but a planned inclusion.It also reminds us that every part of the Bible is placed there with Christ’s intention, and there is value in it for us. The first story is of a famine. David sought the Lord and found it had a spiritual cause because Saul had sinned against the Gibeonites. The physical and spiritual layers of reality overlap but this is not often observed, but in this chapter it is clearly seen. In this chapter we discuss the physical and spiritual layers.We will discuss the Gibeonites and how a famine can have been caused. We will briefly consider if climate change and things like it can have spiritual causes? The famine was resolved by taking the blood of seven of Sauls’ descendants. Today we discuss how a spiritual issue like this would be resolved today. We have a better blood available to ous.In this chapter there are also a few textual issues to consider. Does Michal, David’s wife, have 3 husbands? Does she have five sons, or was it her sister? Also is there two Goliath’s? How many giants did David kill?

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 20, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 20 Amasa is now the commander of the army - Joab was replaced. This was both a political move by David because Amasa was Absalom’s army commander and it was a connection that showed David was on the side of all Israel. But David also replaced Joab because of his displeasure with Joab after killing Absalom. After Amasa becomes commander, Joab murders him.This is the second time Joab has killed the commander of the army, after he killed Abner earlier in David’s life. Joab is lawless and cannot be trusted. Even though he did the right thing with Absalom, he was still lawless. Lawlessness is something which displeases the Lord, and something we all struggle with.Christ said there would be those who stand on the day of Judgement, saying “Lord Lord.” but Lord was a name only, not retaining its true meaning to them. Joab was loyal to David but did things his own way. Many believers are like this.

In 2 Samuel Chapter 19 David weeps for Absalom, despite a great victory in battle, and all the soldiers are ashamed of their win. Joab has to rebuke David to snap his emotions and restore proper leadership. While weeping for your lost ones is noble, David allowed his emotions to overcome his leadership. Christ does weep for his lost ones, but remains fully in control, fully objective.Christ is endlessly patient but knows when to end his patience. One the way back to Jerusalem, David meets Shimei who is very sorry for treating David shamefully when it looked like he would lose his throne. Shimei is almost certainly not truly repentant. But he recognises that he is at the mercy of David and tries to put things right. He is a picture of the average sinner who comes to Christ.Most of us are not truly remorseful of our sins, but we do want the mercy of God. Is asks an interesting question. Do you forgive others when you know they might not be sincere? Absalom may not be there anymore, but the seeds of his rebellion remain, and have budded in many hearts. The problems haven’t gone away politically. Bad attitudes are hard to shift, and they easily spread.I remember talking to one of my sons as a six year old, asking him to let go of his bad attitude at one point, he said “I want to, but I can’t.” Bad attitudes of contempt, pride, superiority, malice, anger and more, so easily come and are hard to remove. But there is a place where these things can be washed away, it is Calvary. We begin by asking God to forgive, and then we choose to forgive others. Soon the sting behind the problem melts away.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 18, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 18 the battle between David’s army and Absalom’s army happens in the forest of Ephraim across the Jordan. It makes much more sense for a smaller army like David’s to fight in a forest. This makes it hard to mobilise troop movements for the enemy and becomes more like guerilla warfare. David's men were experienced fighters and having the enemy spread out all around the place made it easier to defeat them, despite them being numerically disadvantaged.Plus, the Lord was fighting for David as we shall see. As Absalom was riding his hair became entangled in an oak tree and he was left hanging in mid air as his mule rode on. Deuteronomy 21:23 says “cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree.” This highly coincidental act was not coincidental, the Lord had put Absalom under a curse. He was going to be the third of four of David’s sons who would die in accordance with the prophecy from Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel 7-8.When David’s commander Joab saw Absalom - he speared him to death. Then they buried him and heaped stones on his body. According to the law a man who dishonoured his father was to be stoned. Absalom is symbolically stoned here. With the leader gone, all Israel fled back home. They had backed the wrong horse. This chapter mentions a pillar of Absalom which existed previously. This is not the same “pillar of Absalom” which is there today. Today’s pillar is a tomb which dates to the 1st century AD, but this refers to a more ancient monument.The pillar spoken of here is mentioned in the copper scroll discovered at Qumran as one of the locations of treasure. When news of Absalom’s death reached David, he mourned and said ““My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!” This is a picture of Christ who loved those that rebelled against him.Christ does weep for those who hate him, and he does die for those who hate him, and they still have hardened hearts.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 17, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 17 David has just left the city when Ahithophel gives advice to assemble a lightning strike force of twelve thousand men, and pursue him through the night to kill just the king only and finalise Absalom’s coup. It was smart military and political advice. Ahithophel is the grandfather of Bath-sheba and many commentators think that he turned against David because he carried a grudge.This might not be correct because by supporting a rebellion against David he almost certainly was supporting the ultimate death of his granddaughter and her son Solomon in the aftermath. My sense is that Ahithophel thought deeply about things that happened and wanted to be on whoever’s side was going to win, and from there use his position to preserve himself and his family.In response Hushai, who is a planted agent of Davids, gives advice to wait, and assemble a big army that will be able to succeed with certainty. He plants fear based on the idea that David is smart enough to expect a lightning strike and is prepared for it. Imagine being Absalom and having to choose between these two ideas. Absalom goes with Hushai’s advice, and after this Ahithophel hangs himself. Ahithophel and Judas have several things in common.Both of them shared deep fellowship with the person they betrayed, and they later hanged themselves. Psalm 41 which talks about Ahithophel in verse 9 is often seen as a prophetic picture of Judas. Each election in a democracy we choose sides and we do so without fear of reprisal. For some of these people in this story it was a life or death choice choosing who to support. In the same way - our choice to follow and support Christ is a life and death decision too

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 16, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 16 we see how David acts while on the run again, but this time he is in charge. We meet three fascinating characters and see how David responds to Ziba, Shimei and Hushai the Arkite. At the end of the chapter Absalom brings his army into Jerusalem as David is leaving with his much smaller army. David is only about 2 miles ahead of him, it is a narrow escape. In this position, Absalom stops and sleeps with David’s ten concubines on the roof of the palace, giving David extra time to escape.This wasn’t a lustful move, but a political move demonstrating that he was now the king. In this we see the word of the Lord come to fulfillment spoken through the prophet Nathan back in chapter 7, and the ugliness of sin and its consequences is being born out. Our sin affects other people, not just ourselves and what David in private with Bathsheba has now come back against him in public multiplied ten times, and against those David loved.After all of this, David walked with God and his heart was more tender than before. And in this chapter his attitude toward Shimei who pelted mud and stones on him, demonstrated a heart of submission to God in all things. This is a remarkable chapter.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 15, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 15 Absalom begins his treachery. For four years he misleads Israel about his intentions, then mounts a coup against David, raising an army, and marches on Jerusalem to take over the throne. It is 30 kilometres from Hebron to David - so David has just one day to make his escape. He wisely left people behind who could relay information, namely the priests who supported him.As he leaves he finds out that his trusted friend and advisor Ahithophel has gone to Absalom’s side. He is very saddened and prays, “Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” God immediately began to hear this prayer and sent Hushai the Arkite to confuse the voice of Ahithophel. It's remarkable how God hears these prayers on the go. At this point Psalm 41 speaks and provides a window in the mind and heart of David at this point.It shows how David considers his lost friendship with Ahithophel, someone he trusted deeply. Here are verses 5-8. It reminds us of Judas My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.In this video we will consider how to handle people when they do things against you, and do so in light of Christ’s attitude towards Judas.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 14, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 14 Absalom would have been third in line to the throne, but after murdering Ammon he goes into exile in Geshur. Joab for unknown reason initiates a process to restore Absalom. It takes five years in two stages to bring this about. Absalom’s banishment in Geshur for three years, and then isolation at home for another two seems cruel to us, but was somewhat merciful punishment for the times.David loved his son, but probably felt he had no choice. The law required Absalom to be killed, just as it required Amnon to die. But David seems to be following the example of what God did to Cain, allowing him to live for killing his brother, but sending him away. Eventually David and Absalom are reconciled, but it is not what it was before, and Absalom only feins respect.His heart is far away. After his restoration, Absalom sets about his strategy of winning people over in an attempt to take the throne. In some ways Absalom is like Lucifer - someone close to the king, who aspired to be the king, and had justification in their own mind as to why it was right. There is a thing called the Absalom spirit - a spirit of rebellion and usurping.This happens in some ministries where an up and coming leader sees themselves as better and wants to remove the head leader. It can be done obviously or quietly. The spirit is not a person, and yet a person can act like Absalom, controlled by that same motive. We must make sure such a thing isn’t within us. Instead we seek a spirit of sonship, the heart of Christ towards his parents and towards his heavenly father. We seek to honor our leaders and serve with sincerity.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 13, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 13 the consequences of David’s sin continue, and the second of his four sons will die. Amnon, first in line to the throne, falls in love with his half sister Tamar, but abuses his position and rapes her. She tries to talk him out of it and gives him a lot of wise advice before he takes her, trying to avert disaster. She says she would be willing to marry him if he would only wait.Actually, according to the law brothers and sisters were not allowed to marry, so that would never have eventuated, but it was a smart thing to say from her perspective. It was a wise attempt that failed, because Amnon had no self control, and didn’t truly care for her. According to Deuteronomy 22:28-29 in a similar situation to this, the man should pay 50 shekels to the father of the girl he violated and take her to be his wife.For David 50 shekels would not have been a great sum of money. However even worse, these were siblings, and not allowed to be married. According to Leviticus 20:17 a man who slept with his sister was to be put to death. So for Amnon the levitical consequence was death. It is in fact what he ends up getting later in this chapter, although not in a proper judicial manner. The initial feeling Amnon had, of falling in love may have been outside his control.But all his other choices and actions were controllable. Like many people they choose wrong, even knowing they are choosing wrongly. Tamar’s full brother, Absalom, third in line to the throne, murders Amnon in revenge, and flees to Geshur to live with his grandfather. What Absalom does is technically what the law required, but is actually murder because he takes the law into his own hands. In all of this, David knows that God is with him.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 12, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 12 David is confronted by Nathan the the prophet. He begins with an allegorical story. David judges the offender in that story proclaiming he must die, and payback four times. David actually decided his own judgement here… he must restore/pay fourfold. But the Lord overruled the first part of the judgement and David did not die. So often when we judge others we do not realise we are passing judgement on ourselves.Later David ends up losing four of his sons over this one incident. The unnamed son in this chapter, Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah, who are the first, third and fourth in line to the throne. To David’s great credit he acknowledged the prophet is right. “I have sinned” is a phrase found in scripture spoken by a number of people, including Pharaoh, Judas, King Saul, Achan, Shimei and more. In almost every case it included remorse but not repentance and humbling. David is a rare case of repentance and humbling.We can read the condition of his heart, recorded in Psalm 51. After this David and Bathsheba have two sons, Solomon who becomes the next king, and Nathan, named after the prophet Nathan. Both are included, one in each of the two genealogies of Christ in Matthew and Luke.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 11, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.2 Samuel Chapter 11 is the start of the bad chapters of David’ life. A series of terrible events begin here with his sinning with Bathsheba, and against her husband. The consequences come back against David’s own family and kingdom. David should have been at war serving God, but instead stayed home. While at home he looked at a naked woman and was interested. It isn’t a sin to see, but it is a sin to look. Today’s world is full of pornography and many people fall into this sin, both male and female, and it is hard to avoid.At this point David had about twenty wives, so we could assume he was sexually fulfilled, but the Lord’s plan for sexual fulfillment comes with monogamy, and the variety only causes the mind to think further afield. Pornography does this too, and should be avoided. It can only be overcome by grace… pressing in for a victory. There are four major areas of overcoming required for all people who want to walk a godly life.The first is what we must learn to do, the other three are what we must learn not to do. If you get the first one, it helps to get the other three. Learning to discipline oneself to pray and seek God Overcoming the fear of man - what other people think of you. Overcoming the love of money. Overcoming the lusts of the flesh We all tend to think the sin with Bathsheba was the bigger sin, but the killing of Uriah the hittite was more abominable. He killed the husband of the woman he took advantage of to cover his own sins.Uriah was also one of David’s mighty men… a faithful man who had known him a long time and been with him through the difficult years. It makes the betrayal personal to this family. The bible says the Lord was displeased. This is one of scripture’s great understatements.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 10, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 10 is the account of the battle with the Ammonites, but is actually the backdrop for The next chapter, which is the start of the “bad part” of David's story, that of Bath-sheba. Apparently David already had some treaty with Ammon (according to Coffman) but the new king was looking to be free of it.So when David sent messengers, they were treated badly, having their beards forcibly shaved and being sent back half naked. Both things that happened were humiliating. We may only relate to being naked, but having no beards was probably more humiliating for these men, and harder to fix. Jericho was the closest Israelite town to where this happened, and David sent them there.They could find new clothes and wait for their beards to regrow. Up to this point David had not been in the battle, and Joab was fighting without him, as described in the next chapter. During these events David was committing adultery with Bath-sheba and arranging the death of Uriah the Hittite. His sin was grievous. Yet even while David had sinned, the Lord gave him a great victory.And when God made promises to David in chapter 7 he knew this was ahead. This is a picture of grace at work. All of us live in grace of this type. When Christ died for our sin, all of it was in the future. We tend to think of Christ’s sacrifice as being only good for those who come after Christ, but his sacrifice was good for all sin, of all time, both before and after.After this event, David’s empire now extended up into Mesopotamia - the area where Abraham and Jacob had come from. It is worth noting that Ammon in the Bible is where we get the capital of Jordan today, Amman.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 9, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 9 David wants to show kindness to his friend Jonathan and finds out that he has a remaining son, Mephibosheth. He calls for him to come. It was customary to put to death potential heirs to the throne from those who preceded a king. So Mephibosheth was probably terrified.But David doesn't punish him but rewards him, giving him a place at the king’s table and putting in place servants to care for him and his property. Mephibosheth is a picture of fallen humanity in its crippled state. Yet we are called to dine at the table of the king because of the kindness of Christ. It would make complete sense that Christ would also want to slay all his enemies, but Christ's method is to turn enemies into friends.Psalm 110:1 says God’s enemies would be his footstool. This sounds bad, but turns out that his enemies will become Christ’s resting place. In Romans 5:8 it says that while we were Christ’s enemies, he showed his love for us and died for us. Interestingly we also find out in this chapter that Mephibosheth was staying at the home of Bath-sheba’s brother before this incident.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 8, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 8 we have an outline of how David defeated all the enemies of Israel, but its a summary chapter, not giving any sense of how long it took, or what order. But his victories are comprehensive over the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, and more. The Philistines were such a major threat to Israel for so long, but from David on, they are never a problem for Israel again. Today we get the name Palestine from the Philistines.David also cuts the Moabite army by two-thirds, which seems overly forceful. According to Jewish tradition, David’s parents were killed in Moab after David trusted them to the King, and some think this is why he seems to have changed his attitude to Moab from earlier. When attacking King Hadadezer of Zobab, he hamstrung many horses. In Deuteronomy 17:16 it says the king should not acquire many horses. David follows this command.But Solomon later does not. Just as David struck down all his enemies, so Christ. Colososians 2:15 says Christ led his enemies in triumph, and humiliated them. David’s victories are symbolic of greater victories in the heavenlies. At the end of the chapter is a short list of special positions in David's system. The Cherethites and the Pelethites were David’s bodyguard, special soldiers that seem to have come from elsewhere, but were highly loyal.We too have been brought into the Lord’s army to show him loyalty. You are called to be a Cherethite and Pelethite for Christ… his bodyguard, someone who will defend Christ.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 7, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 7 David wants to do something for God. Now this is something that so many people seem to not do. Many are grateful for what God does for them, but it never seems to go to the next step, where they ask God, what can I do for you? David seems to have completely taken the initiative here, and yet, he runs his idea past God via the prophet, so seeks approval for his idea.And unlike many who build ministries foro their own glory, David is sincere in his desire to do something for the Lord. His specific idea is to build God a temple. In response God says he will bless David for his heart, but he is not to build the temple. David’s son will build the temple. Who is that son, and what is the temple? In a short term physical sense, the son was Solomon.The Lord raised him up, and he built the temple and his kingdom was established. But in the true sense the son was Christ who built the true temple which is the church. The throne of Christ is an everlasting throne, and his kingdom an everlasting kingdom. While this promise is grand and fulfilled here for David, the same promise comes repeatedly to God’s followers over and over.Whenever anyone has a heart for the Lord’s work, for his house, for his family, for his people, for his church, the Lord sees that he builds their house and family in return. David’s response is one of humility, gratitude, faith and affirmation. He feels unworthy of the Lord doing anything for him, and yet he urges Him to do it. This is an unusual combination of attitudes, and we should learn from it.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 6, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 6 David seems to not be aware of the biblical rules for transporting the ark. Neither does he seem to remember recent history when a huge number of people were killed in an ark-related incident when it was returned from Philistine occupation. So he endeavors to bring the ark to Jerusalem, which killed Uzzah. He then leaves the ark with Obed-Edom who is blessed by having it there.Then David tries again successfully to bring the ark to Jerusalem. As the ark comes he dances more or less in his undergarments willingly making a fool of himself. Having the presence of God with you as Obed-Edom did blesses you. When we make the Lord welcome in our lives and hearts, we blesses us. David set up a special tent for God. This was not the tabernacle.This was called the tent of David. This is that to which the prophet Amos later referred saying “I will restore David’s fallen tent.” (Amos 9:11) What was happening here was very much a move of grace by God as it was outside the rules given to Moses. As David danced into Jerusalem, he embarrassed his first wife Michal. Michal had other struggles to begin with. Despite being David’s first wife, she now shared him with about twenty women.She was also taken away and had another husband that seemed to truly love her, having five sons with him. Her marital situation was complicated, not to mention that her father was the previous king. Her attitude to David was worse than simply being embarrassed by what he did. Michal expressed her disgust to David, and never had anymore children after this. The Lord probably didn’t curse her fertility, but more likely David never desired to be physically intimate with her anymore.She should have held her words, or have apologised and retracted them. But she did neither. It can be hard to know what to do when you are in such a complex position. Meanwhile, will you be Christ’s fool?

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 5, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 5 David becomes king over all Israel at 30 years of age. From the time David defeated Goliath until now has been at least 11 years, but more likely 12 to 15. For the last two years of his life (since age 28) he has been King of Judah at Hebron, and would reign there another 5 and a half years before moving his capital to Jerusalem.In conquering Jerusalem, they got under the wall through a water shaft, which is almost certainly the shaft discovered by Samuel Warren in the 1800’s, now called Warren’s shaft. In conquering Jerusalem, David was now doing what Joshua and those after him should have done four hundred years earlier. David is now fully conquering the land and subjugating it, but sadly the Israelites have already been influenced by those around them.David had a lot of children. It is worth noting here Nathan the third son of his to be born in Jerusalem, and named after Nathan the prophet. Also, in Luke’s gospel genealogy of Christ, Jesus is descended from Nathan. (Luke 3:31) Jesus is also descended from Solomon as listed in Matthew’s genealogy. (Matt 1:6-7) Interestingly, in 1 Chron 3 we learn that both Nathan and Solomon were children of Bath-sheba. Up to now,David had been an ally of the Philistines, but no longer. Battles begin which David wins. All the losses to the Philistines in Saul’s time are now being reversed. When we turn back to Christ, who is symbolised by David in this chapter, we begin to take back from the evil one what was lost. The key is walking with Christ. Note: The introduction of the word Zion in scripture, theology and history is here.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 4, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 4 Ishbosheth, the king of Israel is assassinated in cold blood by two of his own military officers. They travel through the night and bring the head to David in Hebron thinking they are bringing wonderful news. Israel now has only one remaining heir to the throne, which is Mephibosheth, the lame and crippled grandson of Saul.The two assassins declared to David that “God had delivered him of his enemies.” This is an interesting thing depending on one’s perspective. What they had done was cold-blooded murder and deserved to be punished. The Lord can hardly be endorsed as the motivator for this. From the men’s perspective they were glory-seeking and didn’t care about David’s deliverance, or the Lord’s honor, only their own advancement.From David’s perspective these men had to be punished for their crime, and to show he had no part in it. This was both the righteous thing to do, and also the right political thing to do too. But strangely what they said was actually true. The death of Ishbosheth was a deliverance, despite being at the hands of evil men, that David needed.The Lord used this to bring about his plan, despite its origination in the hearts of evil men. Incredibly the Lord often brings about his purposes despite the evil intentions of people. Is there anyone that you know with certainty is not in the will of God. Is there a so called king like Ishbosheth that you know of. It could be a leader of any type.If it is clear to you that they do not belong… even still, do not raise your hand against them. What does Christ say? Love your enemies. Do good to those who persecute you.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 3, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 3 a long war between Saul’s house and David’s house began in which David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker. This was more of a cold war, and the Philistines were also in the mix controlling a lot of Israelite territory too. Up north in Israel a strange thing happens. King Ishboshet accuses Abner of sleeping with his father the king’s concubine. Quite a few commentators have mentioned that to take a king’s concubine was seen as a claim on the king's throne.It was a way of saying the king's property was your own. So Ishbosheth is feeling threatened by Abner. Abner gets mad and decides to hand the tribes over to David, and begins the process of doing that. But after a good visit to David at Hebron, Joab murders Abner. Joab had two issues, one with revenge for his brother, and other may well have been a job security issue because Abner was his counterpart in Israel. David also requests Michal his first wife back.This is one of the strangest things in the Bible. Politically this helped David’s cause as a son of Saul. He might also have still felt fondness for her because she saved his life, and she was his first wife and they were only married a short time. But it had been at least ten years, and she was now married to another and may even have had children. David also had many wives at this point. In today’s world we see people who have multiple partners, not usually at the same time, but often one after another.Life becomes more and more complicated the more people one is married to. In all of this we can see why monogamy is God’s plan.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 2, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 2 David asks the Lord what to do, now that Saul is dead. David was always listening to what the Lord suggested. God is the omniscient one, and we should pay attention to his opinion. God sends him to Hebron, and the people of Judah anoint him the king of their tribe.Now David blesses and encourages the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead who are outside the tribe of Judah. He is pleased with how they took care of Saul’s body. He thinks broadly and encourages and blesses all God’s people, not just those he is responsible for. This is exactly how pastor’s should think, and should also have a parish mentality, not a congregation mentality. But Israel appoints Saul’s last son Ishbosheth king in Mahanaim.The battle against the Philistines was in the north of Israel and it meant they occupied territory normally belonging to Israelites. So Israel is governed from across the Jordan out of reach of the Philistines. Ultimately it is David who pushes the Philistines back, and if he doesn’t do it, probably all of Israel would have become under Philistine control. The tribes of Israel remain split for two years and have a mini civil war, but thorugh it all David remains civil and does his best to serve all.

In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 1, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 2 Samuel Chapter 1 an Amalekite brings so-called good news to David. The distance from Mt Gilboa to Ziklag in a straight line is 139 kilometres on Google maps, and most likely the Amalekite didn’t travel in a straight line. He probably travelled more than 150 kilometres in just a few days.He was rushing to meet David and carried with him Saul’s crown he lifted off his body after the battle. He expected a reward, but instead was punished for claiming to kill the Lord’s anointed. One of the big issues that caused the Lord to reject Saul was his failure to obey and completely destroy the amalekites. And here an amalekite takes the crown off his head to bring to David.Its very ironic. One of the things many unbelievers and even young believers have complained about is all the apparent rules God gives. They feel the burdens of God are too much. But here we see that if Saul had obeyed it would have been life for him, and his disobedience If David was in danger, Saul would never have considered doing anything to protect him, but would have gleefully celebrated his demise.Now we see in this chapter David standing up for Saul and mourning his demise. David is a picture of Christ to us. How many of us celebrate when we see the demise of any other person. Sadly people celebrate when a pastor of another church falls, because they think in competitive terms.That type of thinking stinks and God abhors it. David then lamented Saul and Jonathan. He loved Jonathan, even if in the last ten years of his life he was not able to spend time with him. Their hearts were knit when they first met, and they had a close connection greater than in many marriages. It was not weird, but the way that God intends for his people to be in faith - to be of one heart. We have much to learn from David and Jonathan’s example.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 31, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 31 King Saul and three of his sons die in battle against the Philistines at Mt Gilboa in the north of Israel. Saul is left with only one remaining son Here in 1st Samuel it says Saul killed himself when he lost hope, but in 2 Samuel an Amalekite falsely claims to have done it. Then in 1 Chronicles in the retelling of this event it says “the Lord put him to death.” Such is the nature of the Lord’s work, it is often not recognised by people because it seems to them to be the hand of a human.For example later in the Bible when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem they have no idea that God says he was sending them. Also, Cyrus the king of Persia is described by God as a shepherd, and he rebuilds Jerusalme and the temple. God often uses people and they have no realisation that God is working through them.So God often does things through people, and this is how he puts Saul to death. In the battle, there was an intervening day here when the battle was still going, but the dead were not stripped yet. It is in this period that scavengers can take advantage. In this period of time, the Amalekite visited the battle and saw the dead body of Saul, and took his crown, which he presented to David in 2 Samule 1.After the battle the Philistines and Saul’s body are on the wall at Beth Shan, but brave men of Jabesh Gilead take it down and bury it. Saul’s very first battle as king many years earlier was to rescue the people of Jabesh Gilead from the Ammonites. So this response of thiers makes a lot of sense. They always had affection towards Saul for his help.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 30, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 30 David’s family is kidnapped from Ziklag. Ziklag is a town only recently unearthed in archaeology, since 2015 and contains the burn layer that matches the biblical story. This is a chapter about great disappointment for David, for his soldiers and for their families who were undoubtedly terrified in captivity.The Amalekite raiders were taking them south to the Egyptian slave markets, along with great plunder. David enquires of the Lord, gets the green light, and pursues them. At the brook Besor, about twenty kilometres south west, two hundred of the soldiers are too exhausted to continue, so they are left behind.After all is recovered they are rewarded equally despite not participating in the battle, marking a turning point in how war remuneration was conducted. In this incredible chapter David is symbolic of Christ in a number of ways.In David Guzik’s enduring word commentary he makes these five points:We are like David’s men, David is like Jesus. · We are like the weary ones left behind, David is like Jesus.We are like the Egyptian slave, David is like Jesus.We are like the spoil David recovered, David is like Jesus.We are like the elders of Judah, and David is like Jesus. Finally there is the promise of recovery for all of those who have been attacked by the enemy. Some have lost loved ones, or health, or many calamities, but in Christ we are able to find hope, restoration, salvation, and much.All is in Christ.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 29, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 29 David is summoned to war with the Philistines who are going to attack Israel in the north. We don't know how long David and his men were mercenaries for Achish up to this point, but it was at least for two years minimum. Though Achish trusts David, some of the Philistines commanders have doubts, so they push for David to be left behind.The Lord is very gracious to David and delivers him from his dilemma of being a double agent. It's no wonder David later writes in the Psalms that the Lord delivers the righteous from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:19) David isn’t really wanting to go to war, but has to be annoyed to support his position of double agent. But the Lord is so gracious to him here for multiple reasons.Not only is he saved from his position as double agent, but his home town of ziklag has been raided, and God is freeing him to go save his family. The Lord is always in the detail. Having said that... if David went to war, what would he actually have done? Undoubtedly he would have turned and fought the Philistines, and the Lord didn’t want that to happen either. God wanted to put Saul to death. In our trickiest moments of life, the Lord is in the detail, and we must trust Him.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 28, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 28 the Philistines are mobilising for full scale war against Israel and David is asked to join them. David and his men are now in a very tricky position. They have played the double agent for years, and now the rubber hits the road where their loyalty will surely be exposed. We will see how the Lord helps David through in the chapters after this. Meanwhile Saul is terrified and enquires of the Lord, who ignores him.Saul had treated the Lord so badly, killing the priests and chasing the one anointed to be king, is it any wonder God wouldn’t talk to him. However the real reason is that Saul was rejected by God and the Lord was in the process of putting him to death as advised in 1 Chronicles 10:13. So Saul turns to the witch of Endor, a medium, proving he had no regard for God.The Lord outlawed mediums and the like in Deuteronomy 18:10-12. In Leviticus they were commanded to be put to death. In the New Testament the same prohibition is found in Galatians 5:19-21 where it lists witchcraft as a fruit of the flesh. Paul says that anyone who lives like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. The second death is the eternal death and thus the real death, and with this in mind the sin of witchcraft still carries with it the same penalty.This video will discuss whether the witch of endor actually brings up Samuel, or pretends? This video will also discuss why is it wrong to consult a medium instead of consulting the Lord? Finally, who else in the Bible does God put to death because he is displeased with them? Watch the video and find out.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 27, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 27 David and his men become mercenaries for the Philistines. He is safe here from Saul because Saul won’t pursue him into enemy territory. This must have seemed a very strange thing to do from an Israelite perspective because he was now working for the enemy. David is playing a very tricky game not wanting to be Philistine, but not being safe in Israel. If God had not been with David this would have probably failed.David had a long history of seeking the Lord before doing things, and even though it isn’t written here, he probably had the Lord’s mind on this decision. Every minute detail shouldn’t have to be explained for us to know that was the case. Much later when David was the king, he was going to defeat the Philistines thoroughly and his time with the Philistines might have helped him with inside information. The WEB text says he served Achich for a year and four months but the Hebrew says “days and four months.”Also, later in 1 Samuel 29 Achish of Gath acknowledges David has served him for years. So this time period was probably longer. David was physically with the Philistines, but his heart was not given to them. Many believers go to the world, but they give their hearts to it. So there was a difference. When Israel first came into its inheritance, God had commanded them to remove the inhabitants of the land, which they had failed to do.David is doing here what God had commanded, and by leaving none alive this had a double purpose in leaving no trace of information that could get back to the Philistines. David then gave false information to the Philistines about his work, and was thus playing a very tricky double role.One interesting issue discussed in this video is how long the period of time was from Sanuels; death to Saul’s death. Josephus says 22 years, but this cannot be right.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 26, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 26 David is hiding in the desert but Hachilah is on the edge of the desert, so David actually sends men secretly to see if Saul is really there and he is. What a shock? Despite the previous incident where David spared his life, Saul is still after him. So David embarks on an undercover night mission. Saul would not have been expecting anything like this.David takes Saul’s spear and spares his life in a similar way to what happened before in the caves at En Gedi. Saul is once again sorry and appreciate. David realises that no matter what assurances there are from Saul, that he is going to relent again. Saul has now several times made promises that David’s life is safe but failed to keep them. So David will remain in hiding even after this incident. What this type of incident does though is send a very strong message to all of Saul’s soldiers, and to all of David’s men. It shows he is honourable, he is not self-serving and this attitude is what will bring about God’s will.Later in the book of kings there are many examples of coups and assassinations to take the throne, and in most cases those people had unstable governments and were often assassinated themselves. David’s attitude of honor establishes something permanent and good. Later when the nation splits in two... the southern nation of Judah maintains the same dynasty throughout, descended from David, ultimately leading to Christ.The northern nation goes through many dynasties as blood and controversy follow them all until ultimately the northern tribes cease to exist. Would David’s dynasty have survived if he had killed Saul here? Many people justify themselves in what they do, but few are single heartedly committed to doing what is right in God’s eyes.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 25, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 25 Samuel dies and is buried. At this point Samuel is no longer writing the book of Samuel, and may not have been doing so for the last few chapters. We know that Gad the prophet has been with David and is an eyewitness into what happens in David’s life. The rest of 1 Samuel and all of 2 Samuel are written by Gad and Nathan.David goes to the desert of Paran and we meet Nabal and Abigail. Nabal is probably a nickname, meaning a fool and Abigail is described as beautiful. Only a small number of women are described as beautiful in the scriptures, being Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Tamar, Another Tamar, Abigail, Bath-Sheba, Abishag the Shunammite, Vashti the Queen of Persia, Esther and Job’s daughters. Abigail was a godly woman married to an ungodly man. There are women in churches today who have found themselves in such a situation.The NT provides instructions for this situation in 1 Peter 3. As you are faithful to Him, and loving towards your earthly husband, you may win him to the Lord, but either way, you will win a crown of righteousness that lasts forever. The chapter then describes how David nearly kills all the men of Nabal’s household, but Abigail’s wise intercession saves him from doing so.David had protected Nabal’s property against raiders, and it wasn’t appreciated in return. In the end Abigail saves David from taking things into his own hands, and the Lord gives Nabal a heart attack and puts him to death. In Abigail’s wise words to David she acknowledges that David fights for the Lord saying, “because my Lord fights Yahweh’s battles.” David was someone who took up the cause of the Lord.We saw this right back in 1 Sam 17 where David was bothered about Goliath, not just after rewards. Do you fight the Lord’s battles? So God fights for David too which we saw when he put Nabal to death, and saved David from causing a blood feud in his own tribe of Judah

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 24, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 24 David hides at En Gedi with the wild goats, and spares Saul’s life. These wild goats are actually Ibex that live at En Gedi. The En Gedi system is large enough and represents a mini ecosystem supporting even goats. En Gedi is a fabulous tourist location supporting a million visitors per year. While at En Gedi, Saul seeks him and while relieving himself in a cave, David has a chance to kill him, but saves him.That moment was predicted in a personal prophecy at some point prior. It’s a shame we don’t have a Psalm for this one. David was probably thinking and feeling many things. Here he overcomes temptation, because the death of Saul would have meant they were no longer fugitives and could return home. The personal prophecy could have come from Samuel who David knew or Gad, who was with David at some point, certainly when they were in Moab.This prophecy seemed to give a sense that God was fine with David killing Saul, but David does what seems good.... which is to not harm. David’s move is also beneficial in the future, winning the hearts of all Israel because he was a man of loyalty, wisdom, thought, slow to anger, love towards his enemy and much more. He represents a type of Christ.Warning: If you have ever received personal words or prophecies for your life, do not assume things based on them as to how things will happen, or that you can do whatever you want. You need to allow God to act, and to maintain righteousness in all things. The Lord’s anointed means the one God chose. If you consider that literally, it would be very dumb to go against somebody God chose, and David knew it. Christ is the ultimate ‘anointed one’ the Messiah.Today many people speak against the anointed one, and raise their hand against Him, a very foolish thing to do.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 23, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 23 David goes to Keilah, where he delivers them from Philistine raids, but they later seek to betray him in return. It doesn’t seem fair. David was someone who enquired of the Lord, and before helping the people of Keilah, he asks the Lord for help twice. After this occurs, Abiathar the priest arrives with the ephod, which was a method of enquiring of the Lord. David is someone who sought the Lord even without an ephod, such as we should do today.God is capable through many methods of making his mind known, we don’t need ephods or any object to aid us. Having said that, the ephod was a tangible sign that God was with David. Saul who seemed to always skip enquiry of the Lord in previous chapters no longer had access to the ephod. But David who enquired of the Lord in all circumstances, now obtained access.This is the way of God... to those who have a heart to know God’s way and mind, he provides. This reminds us of why Christ spoke in parables, so that those who were not seekers would not know. In the desert while in hiding Jonathan visited David. This was the last time Jonathan and David would see each other, but neither of them knew it. Jonathan expected to serve David when he was king in the future.After this, Saul almost has David caught, but a messenger comes and Saul has to race away... The Lord always knows how to deliver as he does in this story. Some have questioned God saying “why didn’t he deliver David completely so he wasn’t being chased at all?” The truth is that God does this type of thing too, but for those who have been completely delivered in advance of their problems, they have no knowledge of it.Such is probably true of you who read this. God has delivered you from many things you know not of. After his escape David hid at En Gedi, a great place to hide, but also a potential trap.

n this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 22, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 22 David flees to Adullam where men gather to him. He writes Psalm 34 there. Then he flees to Moab and arranges asylum for his parents who are distantly related to the Moabites via Ruth. After this Saul hears that the priests of Nob had aided David and commands Doeg the Edomite to strike them down - killing 85 of them. Only Abiathar survives and flees to David.This indecent and horrific act is a fulfilment of a prophecy against the house of Eli recorded back in 1 Samuel 2. It is hard three thousand years after the event to see much good in Doeg or Saul after reading a chapter like this one. In a similar way, after hearing of this event, David wrote Psalm 52, of which a few verses are repeated here; Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue! (Psalm 52:1-4) Was David speaking of Saul in this Psalm, or of Doeg? It seems of Saul, but perhaps of both. Either way he speaks of all who are like them. Today there are also people who strike down the priests, those who do not hesitate to raise their voice against those the Lord has called to serve in his house.We should not be quick to speak against those the Lord has called. We would be committing the sin of Doeg if we did. What advantage is it to us?

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 21, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 21 David goes to Nob to get help from the priests. The tabernacle was in Nob, but not the ark of the covenant which was in Kiriath Jearim for a long period of time as recorded in 1 Samuel 7. When Shiloh was destroyed at the first battle of Ebenezer, while the town was destroyed it seems the actual tabernacle and its other furnishings were saved.This may have been because they had warning about the coming Philistines and the priests there acted quickly. In any case, we have a period of time where there is no ark in the tabernacle. It was at least twenty years in Kiriath Jearim, plus at most thirty-three years in Jerusalem with David, and then almost eleven years with Solomon before the temple was finished. So it seems about sixty-four years. Even after the ark was returned to Jerusalem by David he set it up in his own special tent, we call the tabernacle of David.The priests are worried about David’s mission. David then lies about his purpose, but it is for the safety of the priest. If the priest doesn't know the truth, he won’t be guilty of working against Saul right? The priest gives David 5 loaves of bread - the number of grace. He also gives him the sword of Goliath. In the NT Jesus commented on this event in Matt 12:3-4 using it as evidence that it was ok to pick grain on the Sabbath. Sometimes the need outweighs the strict rules.The priests had the freedom to bend the rules in the sake of real need. In the Mark 2 version of this story it says that it was in the time of Abiathar the High Priest not mentioning Abimelech the priest, but these were father and son. Both were working in the tabernacle. There is no contradiction, Abimelech gave the bread to David at the time that Abiathar was the high priest. After taking Goliath’s sword, David goes down to the land of the Philistines.How does David who killed Goliath of Gath, go to Gath and survive? What is interesting is that he no sooner takes the sword of Goliath, that he goes to Gath where the sword comes from. To seek asylum in Philistine territory is most unexpected. Did he take Goliath’s sword back to its home town as a peace gift seeking asylum?

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 20, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 20 David leaves Samuel to get intelligence about what is happening, and why Saul is trying to kill him. But Jonathan seems to know nothing about it. The period between his fleeing to Ramah, and this coming back must have only been a short period for Jonathan to have remained ignorant. Jonathan and David agree on a system to find out and pass on information about the truth, and they do it with a secret message sent via the archers bow.Here we see an example of the world of espionage as in ancient times, passing on secret messages as used to happen before technology changed everything. After the message from the archer’s bow confirmed David’s life was in danger, he and Jonathan briefly talked, agreed to treat each other's families well in the future, embraced and departed in great sadness.This was the second last time they were to see each other in life, not that they were to know this of course. The Last was in 1 Samuel 23 when Jonathan snuck out to see David while he was hiding out in the wilderness. Not only was David in a difficult place, Jonathan was too being loyal to his father and also loyal to David.What should he have done? Should he have left his father to serve David, or stayed with his father as he did? Perhaps if he had left his father to serve David he may have survived the battle of Mt Gilboa at the end of 1st Samuel. Meanwhile, though in exile, David himself actually remained loyal to Saul in his heart. Despite being physically separated he was emotionally connected.Contrastingly many people remain physically connected but emotionally separated. It takes a great man or woman, to give the heart to another, and to not remove it even when things are not to your advantage.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 19, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 19 things were peaceful and Saul stopped trying to kill David for a while at least, but there was war again. It seems that war, and David’s clearly better military skill is the catalyst for jealousy. Saul tries to pin David with a spear again. This isn’t a repeat of the previous story, but a separate incident.There had been a period where things seemed to have improved, but Saul slips into another bad patch and David escapes. Saul then sends soldiers to David’s house to kill him in his bed. He escapes out the window at his wife’s advice. She puts a teraphim, an idol in the bed to pretend he is there. David’s house was built into the wall just like Rahab in Jericho.David fled to live with Samuel - for a little while. He probably had no idea what to do when on the run, and here he is seeking the Lord’s will. This is what we should all do when in trouble. Saul tries to follow David to where Samuel is, but the spirit of God waylays him and he prophecies. Saul is someone who actually prophecies a number of times in the Bible - he has the gift of prophecy.This is a gift, not something based on merit or righteousness which clearly he is lacking. Gifts from God do not authenticate a person or their character.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 18, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 18 Jonathan and David discover they have the same heart, and they love one another in the Lord. Previously Jonathan had shown huge bravery at Michmash, and is a warrior-like man similar to David. Here the Lord knits their hearts together. David then enters Saul’s service and participates successfully in many battles over an undetermined period of time. After a while, the Israelite women sing a song which makes Saul jealous.This didn’t happen after the Goliath victory, but at some point later. Verse 6 says “after he returned from defeating the Philistine.” However, according to the margin of the ESV translation, Philistine here is plural. So it was after the slaughter of the Philistines, not referring to defeating Goliath, but to an extensive campaign of war as indicated in verse five.And so Saul becomes jealous. Jealousy is a terrible sin, perhaps one of the worst. In the New Testament we are warned against such things, saying they are a “work of the flesh” and that people like this will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Galatians 5:19-21. Jealousy is the breaking of multiple commandments at once, that of covetousness, failing to love others, of murder all combined with a lack of faith in God, and overwhelmed by fear.According to James 3:14-15 jealousy is demonic, and out of it comes disorder and “every evil.” Saul now tries to kill David in multiple creative ways. Yet everything was going David’s way... the Lord was with him, and this is the nature of it. Even what the enemy plans for evil turns to good.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 17, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 17 David slays Goliath, in what is a rare example of representative fighting or one-on-one combat. One-on-one combat was a way of saving many lives, but also required a lot of bravery, even on the part of Goliath. One-to-one fighting was not common in the Middle East, and here Goliath actually educates the Israelite army about how it works.In the process, which drags over forty days, the biblical number for testing, Goliath also insults the Israelites, presumably with many different insults that are not recorded. In the Jewish Targum it notes Goliath as claiming to be the one who killed Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, and being the one who captured the ark of the covenant.That probably wasn’t true, but it didn’t mean Goliath wouldn’t have said things like that to get them worked up. Another giant also called Goliath is named in 2 Sam 21:19 - this isn’t the same person as there were multiple people called Goliath in ancient times. David is a symbol of Christ who defeated Satan and humiliated him. David’s five stones are a symbol of grace that we receive, and the victory of David seemed uncertain, but was absolutely certain, just as Christ’s victory was never in doubt.There are many “David facts” that are not quite right, such as his age, the size of the armour and more. This video goes over some of the differences between reality and the Sunday school story versions of this story. Back in the book of Numbers, Israel was afraid to take the land because of the giants. And now we see the same thing present here. Only two people in Israel back then were filled with faith, Caleb and Joshua. And now, we will see there was only one, David.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 16, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.We are in 1 Samuel Chapter 16. Previously we saw three stages in the raising of Saul to King - the private anointing, the public choosing, and the obtaining of public approval. Here David is now at stage one, being privately anointed, but the other stages do not come from a long time, like twenty years. As Christians, this is like when we are given a promise from God. It’s tempting to try and make it happen in our own strength. Instead we walk with Christ in faith until he brings it about. We don’t remain passive, but obey.David is the eighth son - 8 is the number of new beginnings and Israel is going to start again with a new king, new tribe, and this time a dynasty that will lead to Christ. In this chapter after the Holy Spirit departs Saul, he is tormented by an evil spirit from God. How does an evil Spirit come from God? Simple, this is the shorthand way of saying that God allowed it. We see this type of thing in the book of Job where the devil attacks Job, but God allowed it, and all through the narrative everyone clearly sees the things that happen as having come from God.God doesn’t torment Saul, but because of God's choices this indirectly happens. Because of Saul’s torment, he seeks a musician to make him feel better, and David is selected. God is opening doors for him. This and also later events, such as Goliath, indicate the Holy Spirit is now helping David. Meanwhile with Saul, common grace at work. Even when someone has turned their heart away from God, the Lord still sends his servants to minister to them. All over the world, the spirit of God is always appealing to those who are lost.

In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 15, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.In 1 Samuel Chapter 15 is illustrated how Saul didn’t really care about what God wanted - that is, he didn’t have a heart after God. Many Christians do things for God, but don’t care about what God wants. They serve God for their own benefit, as Thomas a Kempis called it, as “spiritual mercenaries.” Very few serve God because they love Him and love His ways.The amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel after they left Egypt - and may have been aligned with Pharaoh. Now God wants to deal with them, but they fail to do the job properly. Much later in the story of Esther, the antagonist, Haman is a descendant of Agag the Amalekite. Because they didn’t properly finish the job off and it came back to be a problem later on.After Saul’s disobedience, Samuel said, “Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying Yahweh’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. Listening to God isn’t about just knowing what he is saying, but about putting it into practice. True listening is challenging and requires grace.Saul says “I have sinned.” This is something that six others in the Bible also said. These are Pharaoh, Balaam, Saul, David, Shimei, Judas and the Prodigal son. Of the seven people in scripture who said “I have sinned”, only David’s (plus the prodigal son” exhibit true repentance. The others simply regret they have been caught, or regret how it turned out.