Scripture – 1 Samuel 18 NIV
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!”
But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.
Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.”
Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’ ”
They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”
When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ ” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.
When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.
The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.
Bob’s thoughts:
I was thinking back to when Christ claimed me, how surprised that some people thought the lack of air conditioning or soft pew seat pads could be reason enough not to go to church. Today, not being able to breathe made me rethink this excuse. Years ago, the only alternative would have been to listen to a service on the radio with next to no choices.
Today we didn’t want to visit where we had not been and find out I couldn’t stay, and having not seen these grands since the hospital sealed the deal. During the service my grandson edged his way in closer to me, and I was surprised that as he got in tighter my breathing seemed to ease some. I think to accommodate his lanky frame I was sitting up straighter and breathing easier. I feel sure when I go back to the VA I will be given oxygen and be able to handle the temperature/humidity better. Today it was good to feel the healing touch of being with family.
One off-shoot of my doctoring is that God has put a lot of people in my path who need prayer, so I must say as always, I am truly blessed.
The third point from today’s message reminded me of an experience at the VA Hospital. The point was for a friend to be available and attentive, valuable attributes.
I had been wheeled to a waiting area outside the OR and was asked if I needed anything. To the first nurse who asked, I responded that my feet were cold. He brought two heated blankets and covered my body but not my feet. The next nurse inquired and I explained my need, she rolled two heated blankets and placed them under my neck. This felt good, but my feet were really getting cold. The next nurse brought a blanket for under my neck. While they were happy looking at the monitors, I pulled one from behind my neck and tossed it over my feet. The recovery room was calling other staff over to feel how cold my feet were.
I wonder how much we are like this in church and in life. Are we attentive? Fortunately, our Savior hears our every word, spoken or not.
I loved the duet during Communion; the voices blended perfectly.
Jan’s thoughts:
After a challenging few days, we felt the need to worship with family today.
The church is in the process of expanding the parking area, so there were plenty of dirt piles, blockades, and even some earthmoving equipment. I’m excited to see it when it’s completed.
Today’s message, Friending, was the second part of a series called Asking For a Friend. The pastor began talking about intentional or accidental friending/unfriending in real life or no social media. He defined contracts (a contingent relationship) and covenants (a promise not contingent on others’ keeping their promise). And the more recent phenomenon of ghosting, or refusing to maintain contact.
But he stated God’s design for the human race is connection and friendship, and the foundation of friendship is commitments. His advice for building a friendship is:
1 – Share experiences with others;
2 – Be generous;
3 – Be available and attentive; and
4 – Celebrate instead of compete.
He closed by advising us to ask ourselves the question: How can you slow down your life to be attentive and available to others? This sounds like a worthwhile goal and a good place to start.
For me, a highlight of the service was Communion and being escorted forward by our almost 14-year-old grandson.
Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray Your church continues to raise up compassionate friends who celebrate each other. Amen.
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