My thoughts (Christen Peters):

“Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.”

That is a pretty powerful picture. Can you see it? Can you see God saying “I am finished with you” and turning his back on Saul? Not just turning his back, but actually commanding an evil spirit to torment the man?

I see something a little different going on here. It’s similar to experiences I’ve had from time to time in my own life. While I am as far from a monarch as can be, I have sometimes felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have looked at my life and seen all those who count on me — and wondered how I’d ever be a proper example, how I’d ever fulfill their expectations. I have looked at the world around me and wondered how I’ll ever make an impact for the better — wondered what I’m not doing enough of because the world isn’t better enough yet.

There have certainly been times, too, when I have been far too proud of myself. Some project goes well and I become impressed with my skills. My daughter brags about how cool her parents are and my head can swell like an over-inflated balloon. I, like Saul, have lost my focus on God at times. And when I’ve allowed worldly matters to distract me, I’m sure my behavior has shown that.

I can only imagine what it must have been like to be Saul. To be the first human king of Israel must have been tough. God is a tough act to follow! Imagine the expectation of the Israelites — imagine going through each day wondering if you’re measuring up. And what a rush it must have been when things went well! Saul must have felt like he was God on earth. That could certainly have blinded him to God’s eternal power — and would probably have kept him from recognizing God’s dominion over his own life.

Along comes this kid who, unbeknownst to Saul, has been anointed as the next king of Israel, a human king of God’s choosing. And when Saul is being tormented, David simply plays his lyre, and Saul is relieved of his torment for a little while.

This must surely be the first example of formal music therapy. But what is really happening? How is it that a little bit of music has the power to even temporarily relieve Saul? Look at the songs that David was playing for Saul — read Psalms. Here are songs of praise, outpourings of fear and anger, and prayers of supplication. Every one of them is God-focused. What David did, even for just those few minutes, was allow Saul to let go of that weight of the world (and his own arrogance) and focus on the power of God.

Thought for the day: Just as when I’m caught up in myself and what I should be, could be, would be, Saul was caught up in Saul instead of God. When I remain focused on the fact that God is God and I am not, my psyche feels so much better. Music happens to be a great way for me (and apparently Saul) to re-focus on God.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

My thoughts on this passage (Tammy Mills):

This image of David — all decked out in King Saul’s garb, a boy trying to wear the armor of a warrior — always makes me laugh. He must look ridiculous, like a kid playing dress-up. We know from the reading that he feels goofy wearing all that stuff. He takes it off and goes into battle with Goliath simply as himself.

David didn’t need Saul’s armor or fancy weapons. What he needed to win the battle was to simply be himself and use the gifts he knew he had. How many times in life do we avoid the giants because we think we don’t have what we need to defeat them? This passage today reminds my heart that I am enough for God and I can use what I have to work in God’s service. I don’t have to wear someone else’s stuff or pretend I am something I am not.

Many things in our life can give us the message that we are not good enough. Scripture seem to send us the opposite message. God continues to use folks, flaws and all, to bring the kingdom of God to earth. I even wonder if it isn’t our imperfections that qualify us for service — but that’s a discussion for another day. The skill David had acquired tending sheep and his sling shot, coupled with God’s power, were more than enough to defeat Goliath!

We are enough. God can use us exactly as we are!

Thought for the day: Tell yourself you are enough. Remind yourself that you and God are an unstoppable force!

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):

This text carries so much pain in it. Saul is filled with the pain of rage, and David and Jonathan are filled with the pain of loss. The pathos is so strong, it almost seems over the top — like an opera, or a movie-of-the-week.

And yet, most of us probably find this story hard to read for the very reason that it hits so close to home. We remember a time when we had to stand up against our parents or another authority figure. Maybe they didn’t throw literal spears at us, but they certainly wounded us deeply with their fury.

We might also remember a time when circumstances, or family, got in the way of an important relationship. We were forced to say goodbye with tears pouring down our cheeks, knowing we would probably not see each other again this side of heaven.

In our society, we’re often expected to face these sorts of adversities with a strong resolve. We’re given a subtle message that no one wants to hear about the pain our parents caused us, or how much we still grieve over that terrible break up. But this story is a reminder that we aren’t the first people to feel such pain, and we won’t be the last. It’s okay to “weep the more” when we feel pain. In fact, it’s natural and healthy to let our emotions show when we’re confronted with such grief.

Thought for the day: Whatever memories came to you as you read this text, share that grief with God, knowing that God cares deeply for you, and will carry the pain with you.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

My thoughts (Julie Walsh):

David and Bathsheba… Quite a saucy story, don’t you think? Here is the Soap Opera Digest version:

David is out wandering about on his rooftop when he spots a lovely woman out bathing. He is overcome by lust and sends his messengers to retrieve her so that he can fulfill his desires without her husband’s knowledge. (After all, a king can have whatever he pleases!) Once he finds out that she is pregnant, however, David summons for Bathsheba’s husband so that he might come home and have sexual relations with his wife. This will surely cover up the king’s adulterous mistake! When Bathsheba’s husband refuses, David beckons him to stay one more night and gets him drunk, confident that he will then go home to his wife. When that plan fails, David immediately plots to have him killed at war. Orders are given to leave him stranded out on the front line and Bathsheba’s husband is killed.

Though David had been filled with lust and had committed adultery with Bathsheba, I believe he really wanted to clean up the mess he made. The second mistake David made was not that he sent for Bathsheba’s husband, but that he never consulted God or asked God for guidance or direction. To flub up in our journey is common, but to make amends, we need to consult first with God to develop a plan. Too often we are consumed with trying to cover up our trail, but that can just lead to a domino cascade of other sins.

What I find even more intriguing is that despite all of David’s sins — lust, adultery, deceit, murder — he was still the “apple of God’s eye.” (Psalm 17:8) God is a God full of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love!

Many of us carry around guilt and shame from our sins. We have sincerely asked God to forgive us, but do not fully realize the worthiness God has granted so that we may be forgiven indeed!

The scars of your past don’t have to affect your relationship with God. God always knows your sins and has walked through those experiences with you already. Have you asked for forgiveness? Then be forgiven! You are still loved and cherished by God!

Remember David: He sinned again and again, yet God still blessed him and used him in mighty ways. He wrote many of the psalms found in scripture that we still sing today. His son Solomon built the great temple in Jerusalem. And most importantly, it is from David’s lineage that a Savior was born — for you!

Thought For The Day: God still considered David the apple of His eye despite great sin. Pick yourself up, consult with God, and move back onto the right path believing in God’s grace for you!

Today, let’s join together in prayer: Dare to ask God, “Am I on the right path?” And then wait for the answer.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (David Zier):

David and Saul have a checkered history together, and both could be described as vindictive and hostile.

If you read the prior chapters, you see that when David is angry, he tends to fly off the handle and take matters into his own hands. But David repented, made a confession and, in a sense, told God “No more.” Later on, when Saul was chasing David, he was trapped in a cave with David and could easily have been slain, but David held off. Saul, therefore, swore repentance, confessed his sin, and told David, “No more.” So now both men have made confessions regarding their sin of violence and revenge and have agreed their actions were wrong.

In today’s reading, the saga continues. Saul is once again out to get David, and David once again finds himself in a position where he could have murdered Saul, just as in the cave. Saul indicates to David, “I will never harm you again because my life was precious in your sight today; I have been a fool, and have made a great mistake.”

Ever been stuck in a cycle like this? It could be someone who holds a grudge against me, or someone who did something bad to me so I have to do something even more evil back to them, or maybe I just can’t stand seeing someone else succeed and have abundant blessings from God so I have a need to tear them down.

It seems we continue to repeat the David and Saul stories year after year in our own lives. The hope I find here is that they do reconcile. David had several chances to kill Saul, but he chose to take the higher ground. When something similar happens to us, how often do we take the higher ground?

Jesus tells us that we are to forgive seven times seventy. Do we practice that principle? As we allow Jesus to transform us, we need to let the righteousness of God take over our souls. If Jesus is always the first to forgive us, and we are supposed to be like Jesus, then perhaps we should be the first to forgive others.

Thought for the day: I’ve been forgiven. Am I passing it on?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts on this passage (Morgan Stewart):

Sometimes, when I’m feeling whiny, I bemoan the difficulties I have to face at work. But this passage is a bracing “Snap out of it!” for me. My boss has never thrown spears at me, attempting to pin me to the wall! We see how David remains calm under fire and provides two important lessons for any working environment:

• David had the ability to work effectively with difficult people. Virtually every workplace has its share of challenging personalities: the chronic complainer, the blow-hard, the loafer, the thief, the gossip, etc. And even Jesus didn’t have it any different when he battled the cantankerous religious leaders and even his own doubting relatives and disciples. Still, getting along with difficult people is invaluable. Your biggest “Saul” today may become the very person who helps or blesses you tomorrow.
• David remembered who had sent him to work for King Saul. I once wondered what God could possibly have in mind by sending me to a particularly hostile workplace. It can be difficult — some times nearly impossible — to hear God’s voice amidst office politics, disgruntled bosses, water cooler gossip and unfair treatment.

Over lunch, a school teacher friend encouraged me by saying “You may be the only Jesus your office ever sees.” With that comment, my perspective and attitude changed. Although I still failed to fully understand the God-given reason for being there, I trusted God’s judgment. God was my true boss! I began to care for and even pray for my co-workers with a renewed zeal.

Colossians 3:23 is a favorite “workplace” scripture of mine. I placed it in my Rolodex card file under HELP and referred to it as often as necessary: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

Thought for the day: For those who love the Lord, no experience is ever wasted.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.