Unshaken Loyalty and Divine Deliverance: The Trials of David

Welcome to Day 77 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel 20-23, these chapters depict David’s escalating conflict with King Saul and his unwavering trust in God amid persecution. Jonathan reaffirms his covenant of loyalty to David, even as Saul seeks his life. David flees from Saul, seeking refuge among priests and foreigners, while Saul’s paranoia leads to tragic violence against the innocent. Despite constant danger, David continues to rely on the Lord’s guidance, securing victories and strengthening his followers. Through divine intervention and wise leadership, David evades capture, demonstrating God’s sovereign protection over His anointed servant.

1 Samuel Chapter 20: David and Jonathan’s deep friendship is tested as Saul’s murderous intentions become undeniable. Jonathan devises a plan to confirm Saul’s hostility, using a coded message with arrows. When Saul lashes out in anger, even attempting to kill his own son, Jonathan realizes David must flee. The two friends share a heartfelt farewell, reaffirming their covenant before God. Despite the painful separation, Jonathan’s loyalty highlights the power of true friendship rooted in faith.

1 Samuel Chapter 21: David, now on the run, seeks provisions and protection. He visits Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, and receives consecrated bread and Goliath’s sword. Fearing for his life, he flees to Gath, where he pretends to be insane to avoid harm. His desperate actions reveal the intensity of his struggles but also God’s provision in unexpected ways. Even in exile and uncertainty, David’s faith sustains him.

1 Samuel Chapter 22: David gathers a band of loyal followers at the cave of Adullam, attracting outcasts and those in distress. Meanwhile, Saul’s paranoia intensifies, leading to the brutal massacre of the priests at Nob. Doeg, the Edomite, executes Saul’s ruthless command, killing Ahimelech and his entire household. Only Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, escapes and seeks refuge with David. This chapter highlights both the consequences of Saul’s disobedience and David’s role as a protector of the innocent.

1 Samuel Chapter 23: David continues to seek God’s guidance as he rescues the town of Keilah from Philistine oppression. However, Saul pursues him relentlessly, forcing David to flee again. With divine intervention, David evades capture in the wilderness of Ziph. Jonathan visits him, strengthening his faith and reaffirming their covenant. Saul nearly captures David, but a sudden Philistine attack forces him to retreat, showcasing God’s providential hand over David’s life.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Samuel is named after Samuel, the prophet and judge who played a significant role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of Israel’s monarchy. The name Samuel comes from the Hebrew "Šəmuʾēl", which is often interpreted as "heard by God" or "name of God." This reflects how Samuel’s mother, Hannah, prayed for a son, and God answered her request (1 Samuel 1:20).

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of 1 Samuel is to document the shift in Israel’s leadership from judges to kings. It highlights the establishment of monarchy, focusing on three key figures: Samuel (the last judge), Saul (Israel’s first king), and David (Israel’s greatest king-to-be). The book demonstrates God’s sovereignty in appointing leaders, the consequences of obedience and disobedience, and how God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The authorship of 1 Samuel is uncertain, but Jewish tradition (Talmud - Baba Bathra 14b-15a) attributes it to Samuel, Nathan, and Gad based on 1 Chronicles 29:29, which states:

"Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer."

This suggests that Samuel wrote the portions covering his life (1 Samuel 1-24), while Nathan and Gad may have contributed the rest after Samuel’s death. Other biblical references to Samuel’s writings include 1 Samuel 10:25, which states that Samuel recorded events in a book and laid it before the Lord.

Outside the Bible, Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian from the 1st century, supports the view that prophets recorded historical events, affirming Samuel’s role in writing and preserving Israel’s history (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 6, Chapter 13).

Key People:

Samuel – The last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a priest who anoints both Saul and David as kings.
Saul – The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience.
David – A shepherd who is anointed as Saul’s successor; he defeats Goliath and gains fame.
Hannah – Samuel’s mother, who prayed for a child and dedicated him to God.
Eli – The high priest who raises Samuel but fails to correct his wicked sons.
Jonathan – Saul’s son and David’s close friend, known for his loyalty and bravery.
Goliath – The Philistine giant defeated by David with a slingshot and faith in God.
Doeg the Edomite – A servant of Saul who betrays and kills the priests of Nob.
Abigail – A wise woman who prevents David from committing bloodshed and later becomes his wife.

Conclusion

The book of 1 Samuel marks a pivotal transition in Israel’s history, shifting from the era of judges to the establishment of monarchy under Saul and David. It highlights God's sovereignty in choosing and rejecting leaders, emphasizing that obedience and faithfulness matter more than outward appearances. Ultimately, 1 Samuel sets the stage for God's covenant with David, foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah through his lineage.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Samuel 20, In this chapter, YHWH is repeatedly mentioned as the covenant-keeping God. Jonathan and David swear their covenant before the Lord, trusting that He will uphold it even beyond their lifetimes. This reflects God’s unwavering faithfulness and His role in establishing divine relationships that transcend human circumstances.

God is faithful, unchanging, and a protector of His people. He demonstrates His sovereignty by preserving David through Jonathan’s loyalty, showing that He places godly friendships in our lives for encouragement and support. The lesson in this chapter is that true commitment to God results in steadfast relationships, and His plans cannot be thwarted, no matter the opposition.

In 1 Samuel 21, The name Elohim appears in this chapter, emphasizing God’s supreme authority and provision. Though David is fleeing for his life, God ensures he is fed with the consecrated bread and armed with Goliath’s sword, showing that He provides for His people even in desperate circumstances.

God is the ultimate provider and sustainer, ensuring that His anointed one is cared for in his time of need. Despite David’s deception and fear, God’s provision remains evident, teaching that even when we falter in faith, He is still in control. The lesson here is that we must trust God’s provision rather than resorting to human schemes, for He is always sufficient.

In 1 Samuel 22, This chapter reflects El Roi, the God who sees. While Saul commits atrocities against the priests at Nob, God sees the injustice and preserves Abiathar, ensuring that His plans for David remain intact.

God is just and sovereign, never allowing evil to go unnoticed. Even when wicked leaders oppress the innocent, God is watching and will ultimately bring justice. The lesson from this chapter is that God’s protection extends to His people even in the darkest times, and His justice will prevail over the wicked.

In 1 Samuel 23, In this chapter, Yahweh Yasha, meaning "The Lord Who Saves," is evident as God delivers David from Saul’s relentless pursuit. Despite being betrayed by the Ziphites, God intervenes and redirects Saul’s attention, proving that His salvation is always near.

God is a deliverer and a refuge for those who trust in Him. David continually seeks God’s guidance, and each time, the Lord provides a way of escape. The lesson from this chapter is that when we rely on God in times of distress, He will lead and protect us, ensuring His will is accomplished in our lives.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How does God demonstrate His faithfulness to David throughout these chapters?
In what ways do we see God as a protector in David’s life, and how does this apply to our own lives?
How does God’s justice manifest in 1 Samuel 22, and what does it teach us about trusting His timing?
What do these chapters reveal about God’s provision, even in desperate situations?
How does God’s sovereignty guide David’s decisions, and how can we seek His direction in our own lives?

Questions About Themes:

What role does covenant loyalty play in David and Jonathan’s relationship, and how does it reflect God’s covenant with us?
How does fear affect the decisions of both David and Saul in these chapters?
What do these chapters teach about the consequences of jealousy and insecurity in leadership?
How does God use adversity to shape David’s character and prepare him for future leadership?
In what ways do we see the theme of divine protection and deliverance throughout David’s trials?

Reflective Application Questions:

When have you experienced a Jonathan-like friendship that encouraged your faith? How can you be that kind of friend to someone else?
In difficult times, do you rely on God’s provision or try to solve problems in your own strength? How can you grow in trusting God’s provision?
Have you ever felt betrayed or abandoned like David? How does knowing God as your ultimate protector bring comfort?
How do you respond when facing opposition or injustice? What lessons from David’s life can help you navigate those challenges?
Where in your life do you need to seek God’s guidance more intentionally, just as David did before making decisions?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans