Latest / Bible in a Year with Jack Graham / Chapter 08: Exiled

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Chapter 08: Exiled · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in
• 0:03
  Speaker 1: the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: share it with your family and friends and help us
• 0:09
  Speaker 1: spread God's Word. Welcome to The Epic Adventure of David,
• 0:14
  Speaker 1: a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
• 0:19
  Speaker 1: and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: few know about David the man. In this episode, the
• 0:26
  Speaker 1: meteoric rise of David is put to a halt by Saul.
• 0:30
  Speaker 1: Up until this point, David has had nothing but victories.
• 0:34
  Speaker 1: He has slain giants, defeated armies, fallen in love, and
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  Speaker 1: gained allies. But now, our hero faces his toughest challenge yet.
• 0:43
  Speaker 1: His resilience and patience will be put through the gauntlet,
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  Speaker 1: and he will be betrayed by more than one ally.
• 0:50
  Speaker 1: The time has come for David to be put to
• 0:52
  Speaker 1: the ultimate test. This episode is the beginning of a
• 0:55
  Speaker 1: very long season in David's life, a time when he
• 0:59
  Speaker 1: isn't in the comfort of his father's home or the
• 1:02
  Speaker 1: favorite champion of the palace. David is going to be
• 1:05
  Speaker 1: sent on the run, and we will be left with
• 1:08
  Speaker 1: uncertainty on who he will become. This episode introduces us
• 1:13
  Speaker 1: to a new character, Abner. Although his time is brief
• 1:17
  Speaker 1: in this episode, we should pay attention to him. He
• 1:20
  Speaker 1: will be very important later on in the story. David
• 1:24
  Speaker 1: will also visit an old friend. I won't give away who, though.
• 1:28
  Speaker 1: You will have to listen to find out. This friend
• 1:31
  Speaker 1: will remind David of his calling and give him boldness
• 1:34
  Speaker 1: for the fight ahead. Before all this transpires, we will
• 1:38
  Speaker 1: open up with a prelude, a story taken from the
• 1:41
  Speaker 1: days of old before Israel was a nation or the
• 1:44
  Speaker 1: law was written into stone. Another chosen hero will be
• 1:47
  Speaker 1: forced to leave in fear of a loved one. But
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  Speaker 1: what God does with him in exile is worth it.
• 1:53
  Speaker 1: God Does Glorious Things in Exile, as we will come
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  Speaker 1: to see in later episodes. Let's learn more about God's
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  Speaker 1: faithfulness in Episode 8, Exiled.
• 2:09
  Speaker 2: Prelude to Chapter 8 The heat of the day had
• 2:12
  Speaker 2: finally disappeared as the sun set over the mountains. From
• 2:16
  Speaker 2: the forests of Canaan, Esau emerged with a deer carried
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  Speaker 2: on his shoulders. His broad and muscular frame marched home.
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  Speaker 2: Esau dropped the deer, skinned it, and prepared the meat
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  Speaker 2: for his father. A fragrant stew boiled.
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  Speaker 3: Under the fire.
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  Speaker 2: Esau smiled, pleased with the work of his hands. He
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  Speaker 2: poured the stew into a bowl and walked into his
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  Speaker 2: father's tent. Isaac was laying in bed, old, blind, and
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  Speaker 2: near death. Esau knelt beside his father and handed him
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  Speaker 2: the bowl.
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  Speaker 4: My father, I have returned from the hunts. I have
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  Speaker 4: prepared your favorite stew. Take and eat, so that you
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  Speaker 4: might bless me before you pass.
• 2:57
  Speaker 2: Isaac propped himself up in his bed and reached for
• 3:00
  Speaker 2: his son's face. Esau leaned forward and let him place
• 3:03
  Speaker 2: his hand on his cheek. Confused, Isaac pulled away and said,
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  Speaker 2: Who is this.
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  Speaker 3: That I am speaking to?
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  Speaker 4: I am your firstborn son, Esau. I have returned from
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  Speaker 4: my hunt so that you might bless me according to
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  Speaker 4: my birthright.
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  Speaker 2: Isaac's old hand began to tremble. Esau reached to take it,
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  Speaker 2: but his father pulled away in frustration.
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  Speaker 5: Who is it then that brought me food before? There
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  Speaker 5: was another who came in here, saying he was my
• 3:36
  Speaker 5: firstborn Esau.
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  Speaker 3: It was to him I gave the blessing.
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  Speaker 2: Esau panicked. He shook his head and raised his voice.
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  Speaker 3: No, no, father.
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  Speaker 4: I swear I am Esau. Whoever came before me was
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  Speaker 4: an imposter. It wasn't me.
• 3:53
  Speaker 2: It must have been... He paused and looked around the tent.
• 3:57
  Speaker 2: An empty bowl was beside the bed and a pile
• 3:59
  Speaker 2: of goat's fur rested at the entrance.
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  Speaker 3: Jacob.
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  Speaker 2: He whispered.
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  Speaker 3: It was Jacob. He tricked my father into.
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  Speaker 2: Esau looked up at Isaac and took his hand.
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  Speaker 3: Please, father.
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  Speaker 2: Please, bless me as well.
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  Speaker 4: Have you not reserved any blessing for me?
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  Speaker 3: Please, do not leave me here alone.
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  Speaker 2: Sorrow, rage, and anguish welled up in Esau's heart. His
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  Speaker 2: brother had tricked him into giving up his birthright, and
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  Speaker 2: now he had stolen what mattered most, his father's blessing.
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  Speaker 2: Isaac was enraged at Jacob, yet could not recant his
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  Speaker 2: blessing over him, and he would not undo what the
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  Speaker 2: Lord had set in motion. I have made him Lord
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  Speaker 2: over you, Isaac said. I have blessed him as an
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  Speaker 2: inheritor of all God has given me, and you will
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  Speaker 2: serve under him. Esau's face fell into his hands. A
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  Speaker 2: deep well of sorrow raged within him.
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  Speaker 4: Is there any blessing you can give me, father? Am
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  Speaker 4: I not worthy of anything?
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  Speaker 2: Isaac rested his hand on his son's head. He breathed
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  Speaker 2: in deeply and recited ancient poetry. The words were a
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  Speaker 2: poor consolation. To Esau, They might as well have been
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  Speaker 2: a complete rejection. Isaac spoke thus, saying.
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  Speaker 6: Behold, away from the richness of the earth you shall dwell,
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  Speaker 6: and away from the dew of heaven on high.
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  Speaker 5: You shall live by your sword, and you shall serve
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  Speaker 5: your brother. But when you grow restless, you shall break
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  Speaker 5: his yoke from your neck.
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  Speaker 2: Esau left his father and stood over the fire. His
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  Speaker 2: large chest was huffing with anger. A dark part of
• 5:45
  Speaker 2: Esau's heart was awakened that day. A spirit of jealousy
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  Speaker 2: and contempt overwhelmed him. When Isaac had breathed his last
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  Speaker 2: and went to be with his father Abraham, Esau sighed
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  Speaker 2: a deep breath and said.
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  Speaker 4: The days of mourning my father are approaching. After I mourn,
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  Speaker 4: I will kill my brother Jacob.
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  Speaker 2: Jacob caught wind of this and fled out of his country.
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  Speaker 2: The hero God had chosen, was made an exile from
• 6:13
  Speaker 2: his own country, fleeing from his own family.
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  Speaker 3: The unity of our nation is under attack!
• 6:25
  Speaker 2: Saul yelled from the war room in his palace. Torchlight
• 6:29
  Speaker 2: flickered against Saul's body, casting a large shadow over the
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  Speaker 2: coarse stone walls. His trusted servants and advisors stood around
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  Speaker 2: the king, along with a few of the elders. A
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  Speaker 2: single tapestry draped over the back wall. The firelight illuminated
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  Speaker 2: its elegant design of the nation of Israel. All twelve
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  Speaker 2: tribes represented in a single map. The king drew out
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  Speaker 2: a dagger and tore the tapestry in two.
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  Speaker 3: Don't you see what he has done to the people?
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  Speaker 3: They praise him as if he is the Lord himself.
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  Speaker 3: We cannot have him dividing us and drawing the people
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  Speaker 3: away from me. If they do not trust me over David,
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  Speaker 3: we will have a civil war on our hands. He
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  Speaker 3: will revolt against us when the moment is right for him.
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  Speaker 2: The elders and advisors mumbled amongst themselves. Some agreed, but
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  Speaker 2: others were skeptical of whether the king was in his
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  Speaker 2: right mind. Remaining in the back with his shoulder leaning
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  Speaker 2: against the wall was Jonathan. He listened intently to his
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  Speaker 2: father's ravings against David. They were the rants of a
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  Speaker 2: paranoid madman. However, he was king, and absolute power to
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  Speaker 2: execute David was his. Saul flailed his arms and swung
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  Speaker 2: his dagger.
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  Speaker 3: We will make it look like an accident. The last
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  Speaker 3: thing we desire is for the people to turn against
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  Speaker 3: me for killing him. Or perhaps we could frame the Philistines.
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  Speaker 3: No doubt the people would believe they assassinated the giant slayer.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan's heart beat swiftly as he listened to Saul plan
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  Speaker 2: out his best friend's murder. He waited for a moment
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  Speaker 2: to slip away to warn David. As Saul got caught
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  Speaker 2: up in planning with his advisors, Jonathan slipped away into
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  Speaker 2: the shadows. He ran swiftly through the palace gardens and
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  Speaker 2: down the road where David and Michal lived. The sky
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  Speaker 2: was thick with marks of midnight. The stars spread over
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  Speaker 2: the horizon like a steady moving tide. The cool evening
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  Speaker 2: breeze slipped through the window of David's room, caressing his cheek.
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  Speaker 2: He brought the blankets in and rolled closer to Michal.
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  Speaker 2: He enjoyed the warm company of his bride. Never before
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  Speaker 2: had he felt such a serene sense of belonging. He
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  Speaker 2: belonged to God's chosen people, to the armies of Israel,
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  Speaker 2: to the house of King Saul, and to his beloved wife.
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  Speaker 2: It seemed as though nothing could steal away the bliss
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  Speaker 2: David had rightfully earned. In the stillness of the cold night,
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  Speaker 2: wrapped in blankets, David sighed and thanked God for his
• 9:03
  Speaker 2: grace towards him. David closed his eyes and slipped into
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  Speaker 2: a deep sleep. His weary and battle-hardened bones were growing
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  Speaker 2: heavy as he sank into his bed. He dreamt of
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  Speaker 2: green pastures and still waters. He dreamed of the babbling
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  Speaker 2: brooks and boughs of the sheep. All was peaceful, until
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  Speaker 2: a hand reached out from the darkness over his mouth.
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  Speaker 2: David awoke in a panic and reached desperately for his dagger.
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  Speaker 2: Just as he was about to strike, he saw the
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  Speaker 2: moonlight illuminating Jonathan's face. He placed a finger over his
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  Speaker 2: lips and gestured for him to join him outside. David
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  Speaker 2: nodded and slipped quietly out of bed so McCall could
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  Speaker 2: remain asleep. The two men stepped outside into the cold.
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  Speaker 2: David wrapped the royal robe Jonathan had given him around
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  Speaker 2: his shoulders. Jonathan was clearly nervous. He always stroked his
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  Speaker 2: beard when he was nervous. David placed his hand on
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  Speaker 2: his shoulder.
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  Speaker 3: What is this about, Jonathan? What is troubling you?
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan placed his hands on David's face.
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  Speaker 7: You are in danger, little brother. My father seeks to
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  Speaker 7: take your life. It could be tonight or it could
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  Speaker 7: be next week, but his mind seems to be set
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  Speaker 7: on killing you.
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  Speaker 2: David gave an impassive nod. I see, he said solemnly.
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  Speaker 7: You do not seem too surprised by this.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan inquired.
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  Speaker 7: Is there something you're not telling me?
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  Speaker 2: David crossed his arms, trying to keep himself warm under
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  Speaker 2: the crisp evening air. A soft breeze made his hair
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  Speaker 2: fall over his eyes as he looked down.
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  Speaker 3: Your father has tried to kill me already, David said.
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  Speaker 3: He attempted to pin me to the wall with his spear.
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  Speaker 3: When he missed, he sent another one. I escaped before
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  Speaker 3: he could throw a third.
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  Speaker 7: Why didn't you tell any of this to me?
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  Speaker 3: Because your father is a troubled soul, but more importantly,
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  Speaker 3: he is my king. David said sternly. It is my
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  Speaker 3: duty to give him mercy for any slights against me.
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  Speaker 3: After all, it was not too long after that that
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  Speaker 3: he gave me your sister's hand in marriage.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan shook his head.
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  Speaker 7: Your loyalty may be your undoing, giant slayer.
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  Speaker 2: It may be yours as well, brother. David said seriously.
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  Speaker 3: You are taking a great risk by being here to
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  Speaker 3: warn me. Tell me, what should I do?
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  Speaker 7: Be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a
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  Speaker 7: secret place and hide yourself. Tomorrow I will go out
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  Speaker 7: into the fields with my father. I will speak well
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  Speaker 7: of you and test to see where his heart is.
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  Speaker 7: Allow me to be your advocate.
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  Speaker 2: David smiled and hugged Jonathan. He held him tightly.
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  Speaker 3: People with unreliable friends meet early deaths. But there are
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  Speaker 3: friends who stick closer than brothers.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan patted David on the back.
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  Speaker 7: I will let you know if I hear anything from
• 11:51
  Speaker 7: my father. Stay safe and stay hidden for now.
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  Speaker 2: David went back into his home, being sure to keep
• 11:58
  Speaker 2: his dagger even closer. Jonathan slipped back across the garden
• 12:02
  Speaker 2: back home. On the other side of the palace, Saul
• 12:05
  Speaker 2: sat awake near the fire. His mind wandered into unpleasant
• 12:09
  Speaker 2: places like a ship lost at sea. His weary mind
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  Speaker 2: slipped in and out of sleep, until eventually he passed
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  Speaker 2: out on his throne. The next morning, Jonathan arose early
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  Speaker 2: to meet his father in the farmlands of Gibeah. Saul
• 12:25
  Speaker 2: took great care into ensuring the vibrancy of Israel's agriculture
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  Speaker 2: and livestock. He needed his people well-fed, hungry citizens made
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  Speaker 2: for fickle followers. He needed their loyalty. He craved it.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan walked the fields with his father. They spoke of
• 12:42
  Speaker 2: the kingdom, battle strategy, and their family. Despite all his flaws,
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan loved his father. He admired his steadfast attention to
• 12:51
  Speaker 2: the safety of Israel. As the two of them spoke,
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan was able to see small glimpses of why his
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  Speaker 2: father was chosen to be king in the first place.
• 13:01
  Speaker 2: Lingering impressions of past humility made brief appearances. Saul was
• 13:05
  Speaker 2: not always the paranoid and unstable man that stood before him.
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  Speaker 2: He was once a prince of promise and a beacon
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  Speaker 2: of hope to the infant nation of Israel.
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  Speaker 7: Father, there is a matter I wish to speak.
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  Speaker 2: To you about. Jonathan said shyly. Speak, Saul said, enjoying
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  Speaker 2: the sunlight on his cheeks.
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  Speaker 7: Your anger against David seems irrational to me. What has
• 13:29
  Speaker 7: he done wrong?
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  Speaker 2: Saul paused his stride and looked down at his son.
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  Speaker 2: It is not what he has done, Jonathan, but what
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  Speaker 2: he will do. The people have given him glory and honor.
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  Speaker 2: It is only a matter of time before they seek
• 13:44
  Speaker 2: to give him the kingdom.
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  Speaker 3: Your kingdom.
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  Speaker 7: God's kingdom, father.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan responded. Saul scoffed and dismissed the correction with a
• 13:53
  Speaker 2: wave of his hand. Jonathan persisted.
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  Speaker 7: I beg you to not sin against your servant, David.
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  Speaker 7: He has not sinned against you. His deeds have brought
• 14:03
  Speaker 7: you in this nation nothing but prosperity. When you and
• 14:06
  Speaker 7: I were faced with the option of standing up to
• 14:08
  Speaker 7: the giant, we wavered, yet he stood on our behalf.
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  Speaker 7: The Lord has clearly worked good through him. Why would
• 14:16
  Speaker 7: you seek to put that good to an early end?
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  Speaker 7: You yourself rejoiced when he slew Goliath. Why shed innocent
• 14:23
  Speaker 7: blood against a faithful warrior, a trusted servant, and your son-in-law?
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  Speaker 2: Saul looked down at the ground beneath his feet. Although
• 14:31
  Speaker 2: the ground was firm and easy to walk on, he
• 14:33
  Speaker 2: felt uneasy and off-balance. Saul had not felt right for
• 14:37
  Speaker 2: a very long time. He felt his senses and his
• 14:41
  Speaker 2: mind dull with paranoia and contempt. He sighed and looked
• 14:45
  Speaker 2: at his son. He knew he was right. David had
• 14:48
  Speaker 2: truly done nothing to deserve such hatred. For a brief
• 14:52
  Speaker 2: moment Saul could see clearly. He placed his hand on
• 14:56
  Speaker 2: his son's shoulder. You are a wise man, my son.
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  Speaker 2: As the Lord lives, David shall not be harmed by
• 15:04
  Speaker 2: my hand. Saul smiled, then continued walking. Relieved, Jonathan found
• 15:10
  Speaker 2: David and told him the news. David was restored to
• 15:14
  Speaker 2: be in the presence of Saul once again. He attended
• 15:17
  Speaker 2: meetings for battle strategy. He sat with his family for
• 15:20
  Speaker 2: feasts and parties. He played music for him beside his throne.
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  Speaker 2: All seemed well and normalcy was restored, until the Philistines
• 15:28
  Speaker 2: mounted yet another attack. Thunder roared from the heavens. A
• 15:34
  Speaker 2: storm of great force was blowing in from the north.
• 15:38
  Speaker 2: David stood with his men atop a hill, ready to
• 15:40
  Speaker 2: descend into the battlefield against the Philistines. The enemy horde
• 15:44
  Speaker 2: banged their swords against their shields, beckoning David to them.
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  Speaker 2: The giant slayer looked up, watching the heavens stir violently.
• 15:53
  Speaker 2: Rain was coming. It would not be a clean fight.
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  Speaker 2: There was no time to waste. The longer they waited,
• 15:59
  Speaker 2: the less advantage they had. David raised his sword high
• 16:03
  Speaker 2: in the air and slashed it downward. His archers sent
• 16:06
  Speaker 2: a flurry of arrows towards the Philistines. They retaliated with
• 16:10
  Speaker 2: just as many. The skies crackled with wood and metal
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  Speaker 2: as the rains began to fall. David ran first towards
• 16:17
  Speaker 2: the enemy, with his men to his back. They all
• 16:20
  Speaker 2: followed with courageous vigor. The two armies met in the
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  Speaker 2: middle of the battlefield. The thunder and rain drowned out
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  Speaker 2: the cracking bone and tearing flesh. It was the most
• 16:31
  Speaker 2: gruesome battle David had ever seen. From every angle, another
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  Speaker 2: one of his men fell to the Philistine. He swiped
• 16:39
  Speaker 2: through the enemy lines, leaving dozens of bodies in the wake.
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  Speaker 5: Press in!
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  Speaker 2: He yelled.
• 16:44
  Speaker 3: Do not lose heart!
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  Speaker 2: David's cries pierced through the white noise of wind and rain.
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  Speaker 2: His men were emboldened by his courage. They struggled through
• 16:53
  Speaker 2: mud and filth, slowly gaining the advantage over the Philistines.
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  Speaker 2: David never let go of his sword. Every attack the
• 17:00
  Speaker 2: Philistines mounted against him failed. The Lord was before him,
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  Speaker 2: and his men knew that they were in the presence
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  Speaker 2: of God's chosen hero. The skies ceased their onslaught of
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  Speaker 2: rain and lightning. All was still for a moment. David
• 17:17
  Speaker 2: paused to look around him. He was on top of
• 17:20
  Speaker 2: a hill on the enemy side of the battlefield. He
• 17:23
  Speaker 2: looked behind him. His men were standing. seeing that they
• 17:27
  Speaker 2: had killed every last Philistine that came up against them.
• 17:30
  Speaker 2: Nearly a hundred men lay dead at their feet. Through
• 17:34
  Speaker 2: all the struggle, they never lost hope. David drove his
• 17:38
  Speaker 2: sword into the mud and fell to his knees. He
• 17:41
  Speaker 2: looked up to the heavens. The sun was peeking out
• 17:44
  Speaker 2: through the darkened skies, and it seemed as though the
• 17:47
  Speaker 2: Lord was smiling down at them. David wept, and the
• 17:51
  Speaker 2: soldiers cheered. They rejoiced at David's bravery and leadership. Word
• 17:56
  Speaker 2: of the victory reached the ears of Saul. As he
• 17:59
  Speaker 2: listened to the men swoon over the giant slayer's bravery,
• 18:03
  Speaker 2: the tormenting spirit returned, and he forgot all about his
• 18:06
  Speaker 2: promise to Jonathan. He once again longed to see David
• 18:10
  Speaker 2: pinned to the wall of the palace with his spear.
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  Speaker 2: David's music filled the throne room. The melody was unfamiliar
• 18:18
  Speaker 2: to Saul. It had a different rising and falling than
• 18:21
  Speaker 2: David's typical songs of praise. This song was filled with
• 18:25
  Speaker 2: a rising hope that continued to build until the very
• 18:28
  Speaker 2: last moment. The joy expressed in the music was like
• 18:32
  Speaker 2: a burning coal upon Saul's brooding heart. He hated David's
• 18:36
  Speaker 2: connection to the Lord. He hated David's victories and his humility.
• 18:40
  Speaker 2: Everything David was, Saul hated. The light of David's countenance
• 18:46
  Speaker 2: made the darkness in Saul's heart ever more apparent. Saul
• 18:50
  Speaker 2: once again gripped his spear tightly and stood to his feet.
• 18:54
  Speaker 2: He yelled and hurled the spear at the shepherd. However,
• 18:57
  Speaker 2: David was prepared for another attack from Saul. He shifted
• 19:01
  Speaker 2: to his left, and the spear flew right past his
• 19:03
  Speaker 2: shoulder and pierced the cedar beam behind him. David stood
• 19:08
  Speaker 2: there facing the king. Saul's brows furrowed and nostrils flared.
• 19:13
  Speaker 2: Hatred had spilled over, and David saw in the king
• 19:17
  Speaker 2: the same eyes as Goliath. It was no longer safe
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  Speaker 2: to be in his presence. As Saul began to mount
• 19:24
  Speaker 2: another attack, David escaped through the back door and ran
• 19:27
  Speaker 2: into the night. David burst through the door of his home.
• 19:32
  Speaker 2: Michal startled from her bed.
• 19:34
  Speaker 8: What happened?
• 19:35
  Speaker 2: She asked worriedly.
• 19:37
  Speaker 3: This is the second time your father has attempted.
• 19:39
  Speaker 2: To kill me. David explained.
• 19:42
  Speaker 3: Before, I thought it was an outburst of anger, so
• 19:45
  Speaker 3: I forgave him. However, now I know he wants me. dead.
• 19:51
  Speaker 2: McCall was in shock. Her eyes widened and she frantically
• 19:55
  Speaker 2: ran to the window and looked out into the darkness.
• 19:58
  Speaker 2: Small torchlights could be seen nearly fifty yards away. McCall
• 20:03
  Speaker 2: knew her father well. If he wanted David dead, and
• 20:07
  Speaker 2: was unable to do so in private, He would have
• 20:10
  Speaker 2: his servants do it for him.
• 20:12
  Speaker 8: My father's men are lurking in the shadows.
• 20:15
  Speaker 2: She said in a hushed tone.
• 20:16
  Speaker 8: It is not safe for you to be here. They
• 20:19
  Speaker 8: will wait for you to come out in the morning
• 20:20
  Speaker 8: and slit your throat.
• 20:22
  Speaker 2: David pulled his hair back tight and groaned. What options
• 20:25
  Speaker 2: are there?
• 20:26
  Speaker 3: I cannot fight the king's men. They are my countrymen.
• 20:30
  Speaker 2: Mekal grabbed her husband's face with both her hands.
• 20:34
  Speaker 4: Listen to me.
• 20:35
  Speaker 8: If you do not escape tonight, they will kill you.
• 20:40
  Speaker 8: You must leave.
• 20:42
  Speaker 2: David shook his head and held Michal's hands in his.
• 20:45
  Speaker 2: I will not leave you. I will not leave Jonathan
• 20:48
  Speaker 2: or my men. Perhaps I can reason with Saul. He
• 20:53
  Speaker 2: is my father-in-law. Perhaps the Lord will change his heart.
• 20:58
  Speaker 2: Michal released David's grasp and began packing up food in
• 21:02
  Speaker 2: the sack.
• 21:03
  Speaker 8: You are a good man, David, but woefully innocent when
• 21:06
  Speaker 8: it comes to my father. He has not listened to
• 21:09
  Speaker 8: the Lord in years. You must go. Jonathan and I
• 21:14
  Speaker 8: will be okay, and your men will always be loyal
• 21:16
  Speaker 8: to you. But none of us want to see you dead.
• 21:20
  Speaker 2: She grabbed David's face and brought it close to hers.
• 21:23
  Speaker 2: She kissed him passionately and smiled. The two of them
• 21:27
  Speaker 2: fastened a rope together, and David lowered himself out the window,
• 21:31
  Speaker 2: escaping into the hills outside the city. Michal took pillows
• 21:35
  Speaker 2: and hid them under blankets to look like David. She
• 21:38
  Speaker 2: put goat's fur on the top to look like his hair,
• 21:41
  Speaker 2: then crawled into bed and waited up all night. She
• 21:44
  Speaker 2: knew the servants would come in the morning to kill David.
• 21:47
  Speaker 2: It was only a matter of time. Early that morning,
• 21:52
  Speaker 2: Mekal heard a knocking at the door.
• 21:54
  Speaker 8: Who is it?
• 21:55
  Speaker 2: She asked ignorantly. Although she knew it was her father's
• 21:59
  Speaker 2: men come to kill David. At the door was Abner,
• 22:03
  Speaker 2: the commander of Saul's army and most trusted servant and advisor.
• 22:07
  Speaker 2: Saul had sent him personally to see to David's death.
• 22:10
  Speaker 2: He trusted no one more than Abner. We come from
• 22:14
  Speaker 2: your father, my lady, he said.
• 22:16
  Speaker 3: We are here to speak with your husband. Could you
• 22:18
  Speaker 3: get him?
• 22:19
  Speaker 2: Michal's heart began to pound in her chest. She heroically
• 22:24
  Speaker 2: saved her husband, but she was now growing more nervous
• 22:27
  Speaker 2: for her own safety. Panicked, Michal cleared her throat and said,
• 22:32
  Speaker 2: He is ill.
• 22:33
  Speaker 8: You will have to come by tomorrow. I am afraid
• 22:35
  Speaker 8: he is in bed and cannot get up.
• 22:37
  Speaker 3: We have strict orders from the king, Mekal.
• 22:40
  Speaker 2: Abner replied sternly. We will visit him in the room.
• 22:44
  Speaker 2: The men made their way in without Mekal's permission, slowly
• 22:48
  Speaker 2: opening the door into their room. They drew their swords,
• 22:52
  Speaker 2: unwilling to take their chances with such a formidable opponent
• 22:55
  Speaker 2: like David. Abner took his sword and raised it into
• 22:59
  Speaker 2: the air. He drove it down into the bed, being
• 23:03
  Speaker 2: sure to put all his weight into it. His men
• 23:06
  Speaker 2: joined in, stabbing and slashing down at the figure in
• 23:08
  Speaker 2: the bed. However, it did not take long for feathers
• 23:12
  Speaker 2: and fur to begin pouring out from under the blankets.
• 23:16
  Speaker 2: Abner threw off the blankets, revealing the pillows and goatskins.
• 23:20
  Speaker 2: He turned back violently with his sword drawn at Michal.
• 23:23
  Speaker 3: Where is he?
• 23:24
  Speaker 2: Abner yelled. Where is David? Michal fell down onto the floor, crying.
• 23:30
  Speaker 2: Abner rolled his eyes back and sheathed his sword. Go
• 23:34
  Speaker 2: get the king. He ordered his men.
• 23:36
  Speaker 3: The last thing I want is to harm his daughter
• 23:38
  Speaker 3: trying to get the truth.
• 23:40
  Speaker 2: Saul's men beckoned him to David and Michal's home. He
• 23:44
  Speaker 2: stormed in with thundering anger. His large frame and deep
• 23:47
  Speaker 2: voice shook the house, and Michal quivered in fear from
• 23:51
  Speaker 2: her father. He had never hurt her, but he was
• 23:54
  Speaker 2: clearly not in his right mind. He had attempted to
• 23:57
  Speaker 2: pin David to the wall twice with his spear. There
• 24:00
  Speaker 2: was no clear limit to what he would do. Saul
• 24:04
  Speaker 2: bent down to his daughter, who was crying on the
• 24:06
  Speaker 2: floor next to the bed. His anger could be seen
• 24:09
  Speaker 2: through his teeth. Daughter, he said, holding back his outrage.
• 24:15
  Speaker 3: Where is he?
• 24:17
  Speaker 2: Michal had a decision to make. Would she honor her
• 24:20
  Speaker 2: husband or pander to her father? She weighed her options.
• 24:26
  Speaker 2: It was very likely that David would remain on the
• 24:28
  Speaker 2: run for a very long while. Maycall was used to
• 24:32
  Speaker 2: a life of luxury and privilege. As much as she
• 24:35
  Speaker 2: loved David, she loved her comforts more. She looked up.
• 24:41
  Speaker 5: Oh, Father!
• 24:42
  Speaker 2: She said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
• 24:45
  Speaker 8: Thank the Lord you have come! David threatened my life.
• 24:49
  Speaker 8: He told me that he would kill me if I
• 24:51
  Speaker 8: did not help him escape.
• 24:53
  Speaker 2: Tears ran down her face. However, they were tears of
• 24:57
  Speaker 2: shame and guilt for what she was doing. Saul held
• 25:00
  Speaker 2: his daughter appalled at her words. Even he, who hated David,
• 25:04
  Speaker 2: could not believe he would do such a thing.
• 25:07
  Speaker 3: I promise you, my daughter, I will find him and
• 25:10
  Speaker 3: destroy him. He will not hurt you again!
• 25:14
  Speaker 2: Saul stood up and gestured for Abner.
• 25:16
  Speaker 3: Send out scouts. Have them search for David, but tell
• 25:19
  Speaker 3: no one we want his life. I cannot have people
• 25:23
  Speaker 3: rising up to protect him.
• 25:25
  Speaker 2: Abner nodded, and he sent men throughout the city to
• 25:28
  Speaker 2: search for David. David ran all day until he arrived
• 25:33
  Speaker 2: at Naoth in Ramah. The sun was setting, creating a
• 25:38
  Speaker 2: crimson glow over the horizon. On any other day, it
• 25:42
  Speaker 2: would have been worth sitting on the hill to write
• 25:44
  Speaker 2: songs about the glory of God. But this day was different.
• 25:48
  Speaker 2: David needed protection. So he sought wisdom from the only
• 25:52
  Speaker 2: man he truly trusted. He walked up a dirt pathway
• 25:55
  Speaker 2: leading to a house sitting on a hill overlooking the city.
• 25:59
  Speaker 2: David felt a distinct shift in the air as he
• 26:01
  Speaker 2: approached the home. He looked to his left, seeing a
• 26:04
  Speaker 2: stone altar covered in blood. Smoke rose from an opening
• 26:08
  Speaker 2: in the roof, and flickering light came through the windows.
• 26:12
  Speaker 2: David approached the large wooden door and knocked. He stepped
• 26:16
  Speaker 2: back and waited. The door opened, and the sweet smell
• 26:20
  Speaker 2: of incense and cooked meat released into the air near David.
• 26:24
  Speaker 2: The young shepherd immediately bowed. I am sorry for disturbing you.
• 26:29
  Speaker 2: I had nowhere else to go. The figure standing before
• 26:32
  Speaker 2: him limped its way outside and leaned down to him.
• 26:36
  Speaker 2: David looked up to see the old and gray face
• 26:38
  Speaker 2: of Samuel smiling. He had not seen him since he
• 26:42
  Speaker 2: was anointed in Bethlehem. His presence was warm and comforting.
• 26:47
  Speaker 2: A few tears streamed down David's cheeks. In such a
• 26:51
  Speaker 2: short period of time, David had gone from a forgotten
• 26:54
  Speaker 2: shepherd boy to a famed warrior. Seeing Samuel made him
• 26:59
  Speaker 2: feel like a child again. Come, Samuel's raspy and dusty
• 27:03
  Speaker 2: voice said.
• 27:04
  Speaker 3: We shall worship the Lord together, and he shall deliver
• 27:07
  Speaker 3: you from the vengeance of Saul.
• 27:09
  Speaker 2: David took Samuel by the arm, and the two of
• 27:12
  Speaker 2: them walked into his home. Samuel's students were sitting by
• 27:16
  Speaker 2: the fire enjoying a meal. David sat among them and
• 27:19
  Speaker 2: told them all of what had happened. He spoke into
• 27:22
  Speaker 2: the night, sharing all the things the Lord had done
• 27:25
  Speaker 2: since he defeated Goliath. He told tales of Jonathan, Michal,
• 27:30
  Speaker 2: and the armies of Israel. He shared about the disturbed
• 27:33
  Speaker 2: nature of Saul and his attempts to kill him. In everything,
• 27:37
  Speaker 2: Samuel and his students were silent. They allowed David to
• 27:41
  Speaker 2: pour out his emotions and soul. They allowed him to cry, laugh,
• 27:45
  Speaker 2: and pray. Then after sharing a good meal, they sent
• 27:49
  Speaker 2: David to bed to rest. They knew that Saul and
• 27:52
  Speaker 2: his men would be there soon. They had to pray
• 27:55
  Speaker 2: to the Lord for protection and provision. If David truly
• 27:59
  Speaker 2: was the anointed and chosen king, no doubt God would provide.
• 28:04
  Speaker 3: One of our men came back with reports of David
• 28:07
  Speaker 3: seeing Niarama.
• 28:08
  Speaker 2: Abner said to the king. Saul leaned back on his throne,
• 28:12
  Speaker 2: brooding over a cup of wine. His eyes darted over
• 28:15
  Speaker 2: to Abner. He snarled and took a sip.
• 28:19
  Speaker 3: No doubt he has gone to see Samuel. Both of
• 28:22
  Speaker 3: them are probably conspiring against me as we speak. Go. Go.
• 28:27
  Speaker 3: and take David by any means necessary.
• 28:32
  Speaker 2: Abner bowed, and he sent men to retrieve David from
• 28:35
  Speaker 2: Nahoth and Ramah. The next day, Saul's men walked up
• 28:41
  Speaker 2: the dirt path with their swords drawn. They could see
• 28:44
  Speaker 2: the smoke rising from the home. Outside the home, Samuel
• 28:48
  Speaker 2: and his students were prophesying and worshiping the Lord. Samuel
• 28:52
  Speaker 2: stood in front of them with his hands raised. They
• 28:55
  Speaker 2: declared the goodness and justice of God and proclaimed His
• 28:58
  Speaker 2: mighty acts on the hilltop. As the men drew closer
• 29:02
  Speaker 2: with their swords drawn, they felt a shift in the air.
• 29:06
  Speaker 2: Their hearts began to flutter in their chests, and the
• 29:09
  Speaker 2: Spirit of God fell down upon them. Overwhelmed with the
• 29:13
  Speaker 2: sense of God's presence, they too began to prophesy and worship.
• 29:19
  Speaker 2: They had come to take David violently, but instead, They
• 29:23
  Speaker 2: were met with a fortified wall of praise and worship.
• 29:27
  Speaker 2: God had protected his chosen king, not with weapons of warfare,
• 29:31
  Speaker 2: but with his spirit moving in the hearts of wicked men.
• 29:37
  Speaker 2: The men returned empty-handed, but beaming with the joy of
• 29:40
  Speaker 2: the Lord. Their spiritual glow vexed Saul. His anger was
• 29:45
  Speaker 2: kindled against his men when he heard that they had
• 29:48
  Speaker 2: worshipped God instead of obeying him. Saul stood up from
• 29:52
  Speaker 2: his throne and rode to Ramah himself with a dozen
• 29:55
  Speaker 2: men behind him. He came heavily armed and prepared to fight,
• 30:00
  Speaker 2: He knew that David was a mighty warrior, and somehow
• 30:03
  Speaker 2: Samuel and his prophets had cast a spell on his men.
• 30:07
  Speaker 2: Saul charged up the hill leading up to Samuel's home.
• 30:10
  Speaker 2: As he crossed the threshold, Saul could feel the presence
• 30:14
  Speaker 2: of God like the embrace of an old friend from
• 30:16
  Speaker 2: years ago. Saul ceased his charge and paused. He looked
• 30:21
  Speaker 2: down at his hands and his feet, not sure what
• 30:23
  Speaker 2: to do. He took a step further, seeing Samuel's students
• 30:28
  Speaker 2: praying only a few yards away. He approached them, and
• 30:32
  Speaker 2: the tug of God's spirit became overwhelming. Saul fell to
• 30:37
  Speaker 2: his hands and knees. His heart ached from the burst
• 30:40
  Speaker 2: of benevolent power rushing through him like a mighty river.
• 30:44
  Speaker 2: It was almost too much for him to bear. Saul
• 30:48
  Speaker 2: looked up to the heavens with tears rushing down his face.
• 30:51
  Speaker 2: He knew that the Lord was only revealing himself to
• 30:54
  Speaker 2: protect David. He even knew in his heart that he
• 30:57
  Speaker 2: would not change his ways. Nevertheless, He was grateful, grateful
• 31:03
  Speaker 2: that he could experience the Spirit of God once again,
• 31:06
  Speaker 2: even for just a brief moment. Saul tore his royal
• 31:10
  Speaker 2: robes and began to worship and prophesy with the others.
• 31:14
  Speaker 2: After this, the Spirit of the Lord compelled him to depart.
• 31:19
  Speaker 2: David watched out the window at the king leaving down
• 31:22
  Speaker 2: the hill. He turned to Samuel, who was sitting by
• 31:25
  Speaker 2: the fire once again. Samuel beckoned him over and had
• 31:29
  Speaker 2: him sit beside him. David spoke first, saying, Thank you
• 31:33
  Speaker 2: for all you have done. However, I put you and
• 31:37
  Speaker 2: your students in danger by being here. I shall leave tonight.
• 31:42
  Speaker 2: Samuel smiled and tilted his head towards the fire. The
• 31:46
  Speaker 2: coals had been tended to carefully by Samuel. They beat
• 31:50
  Speaker 2: like tiny little hearts in the flame. A few of
• 31:53
  Speaker 2: the coals popped. He looked at David sitting beside him.
• 31:57
  Speaker 2: His eyes were attentive to Samuel's every move. Are you
• 32:01
  Speaker 2: able to keep the coals burning? Samuel asked. His voice
• 32:05
  Speaker 2: was deep and sonorous. Even in his old age, his
• 32:09
  Speaker 2: voice maintained its resonant authority. It was as if the
• 32:13
  Speaker 2: words of God flowed out of his mouth from a
• 32:15
  Speaker 2: deep cavern. David looked at the fire.
• 32:19
  Speaker 3: I am not sure.
• 32:20
  Speaker 2: David said honestly.
• 32:22
  Speaker 3: I suppose the flames are both started and sustained by
• 32:26
  Speaker 3: the Lord.
• 32:28
  Speaker 2: Samuel said nothing. He touched David's head as he did
• 32:32
  Speaker 2: the first day they met. He prayed with him, and
• 32:35
  Speaker 2: then sent him on his way. David disappeared into the
• 32:39
  Speaker 2: night back to Gebeah. He needed to speak with Jonathan.
• 32:44
  Speaker 2: The dual nature of Saul had left him confused. Was
• 32:47
  Speaker 2: he able to mend his relationship with Saul? Would he
• 32:51
  Speaker 2: be able to reconcile? Or was David forced to live
• 32:54
  Speaker 2: on the run forever? He needed such answers. Jonathan sat
• 33:01
  Speaker 2: on a large stone wall looking down at the fields
• 33:03
  Speaker 2: of grain outside his home. The gentle evening wind made
• 33:07
  Speaker 2: the grain move like the seas. The sound of crickets
• 33:10
  Speaker 2: chirping harmonized with the whistles of the breeze coming in
• 33:13
  Speaker 2: from the east. It was a place David and he
• 33:16
  Speaker 2: would often meet. They would speak of war, the wonders
• 33:20
  Speaker 2: of God, and their dreams for the future. Jonathan would
• 33:24
  Speaker 2: often chuckle at David, comparing everything to herding sheep. As
• 33:28
  Speaker 2: the wind picked up speed across the fields, Jonathan could
• 33:31
  Speaker 2: have sworn he heard a voice say his name. Jonathan.
• 33:35
  Speaker 2: The voice whispered. Jonathan. It said again. The young prince
• 33:39
  Speaker 2: looked down the hill, sloping into the fields. David was there,
• 33:43
  Speaker 2: resting his back against a stone. Jonathan hopped off the
• 33:47
  Speaker 2: wall and embraced David.
• 33:49
  Speaker 3: I thought you had left forever.
• 33:50
  Speaker 2: Jonathan exclaimed.
• 33:52
  Speaker 7: My father has been mad in search of you.
• 33:54
  Speaker 3: What was my crime, Jonathan? What is my guilt? that
• 33:57
  Speaker 3: your father would seek my life. Have I not served
• 34:00
  Speaker 3: him faithfully? Have I not honored him?
• 34:04
  Speaker 2: David was frantic and frustrated. He was weary from hiding
• 34:08
  Speaker 2: and becoming flustered from the sleepless nights. Jonathan reassured David
• 34:13
  Speaker 2: and put his arm around him.
• 34:14
  Speaker 7: My father vowed to me that he would not kill you.
• 34:17
  Speaker 7: I do not believe he will.
• 34:19
  Speaker 2: Jonathan said in ignorance.
• 34:21
  Speaker 7: My father does nothing without first disclosing it to me.
• 34:24
  Speaker 7: If he had planned on killing you, he would tell me.
• 34:26
  Speaker 7: Surely he is looking for you because of something else.
• 34:28
  Speaker 2: David shook his head. He paused and looked out of
• 34:31
  Speaker 2: the fields. The breeze and sound of moving grass reminded
• 34:35
  Speaker 2: him of simpler times with his sheep. David, still looking forward, said,
• 34:41
  Speaker 2: Your father knows we are closer than brothers. He would
• 34:44
  Speaker 2: not tell you of his plans to kill me again.
• 34:48
  Speaker 2: He probably suspects that You are the one who warned
• 34:51
  Speaker 2: me in the first place that he would kill me.
• 34:53
  Speaker 7: My loyalty is to you before my father, David. We
• 34:56
  Speaker 7: have a bond and an unbreakable covenant. Tell me what
• 35:01
  Speaker 7: you need, and I'll do whatever you want.
• 35:04
  Speaker 2: Jonathan said. David looked over at his friend. For so
• 35:09
  Speaker 2: long he had been alone. Even in the large family
• 35:12
  Speaker 2: of Jesse, David was always the outcast, the runt. His
• 35:17
  Speaker 2: heart was full of gladness for his friend Jonathan. He
• 35:20
  Speaker 2: feared that in the midst of the chaos, he would
• 35:23
  Speaker 2: be abandoned and left. David smiled and looked up at
• 35:27
  Speaker 2: the moon. He pointed to it and said.
• 35:30
  Speaker 3: Tomorrow is the new moon. Many people will be gathering
• 35:34
  Speaker 3: to celebrate. Your father will probably be expecting me to
• 35:38
  Speaker 3: feast with him and the elders. I am his son-in-law,
• 35:42
  Speaker 3: and to not attend would be a great insult to him.
• 35:47
  Speaker 3: I will hide instead, and you will tell him I
• 35:50
  Speaker 3: am in Bethlehem making a sacrifice with my clan. It
• 35:54
  Speaker 3: will no doubt enrage him and kindle his anger towards
• 35:57
  Speaker 3: me even greater. However, if your father respects my decision
• 36:02
  Speaker 3: to be with my kinsmen, then we will know he
• 36:05
  Speaker 3: means me no harm. What if he is outraged?
• 36:08
  Speaker 2: Jonathan asked.
• 36:09
  Speaker 7: What would that tell us?
• 36:11
  Speaker 3: If your father is angry, it will show his heart.
• 36:15
  Speaker 2: David said. He paused again. Tears began to well up
• 36:20
  Speaker 2: in David's eyes.
• 36:22
  Speaker 3: You should have seen the hatred in his eyes, Jonathan.
• 36:25
  Speaker 2: David whispered.
• 36:27
  Speaker 3: You should have seen the disdain he had for me.
• 36:30
  Speaker 3: He looked at me like I was an abomination. I
• 36:35
  Speaker 3: might as well have been a Philistine to him.
• 36:37
  Speaker 2: David drew his sword and handed it to Jonathan.
• 36:40
  Speaker 3: You and I have made a covenant with one another.
• 36:43
  Speaker 3: You have sworn to protect me.
• 36:46
  Speaker 2: However.
• 36:47
  Speaker 3: If you see any guilt in me, please drive this
• 36:52
  Speaker 3: sword into my chest.
• 36:54
  Speaker 5: Never!
• 36:55
  Speaker 2: Jonathan yelled, pushing away David's sword.
• 36:57
  Speaker 3: Get up.
• 36:58
  Speaker 2: Come with me. Jonathan lifted David up and the two
• 37:01
  Speaker 2: of them walked down to the fields. They stood there
• 37:04
  Speaker 2: listening to the humming of the wind and the chirping
• 37:06
  Speaker 2: of crickets. Jonathan pointed to the caves nestled in the
• 37:10
  Speaker 2: hills beyond the field.
• 37:12
  Speaker 7: You hide out in the caves beyond this field. I'll
• 37:14
  Speaker 7: send word of my father's temperament.
• 37:16
  Speaker 3: Thank you, brother.
• 37:18
  Speaker 2: Jonathan breathed in deeply inside.
• 37:21
  Speaker 7: Remember what I told you before when I gave you
• 37:23
  Speaker 7: my armor and robe?
• 37:24
  Speaker 2: He asked. His tone was serious.
• 37:27
  Speaker 7: I told you, you would certainly become king. I still
• 37:31
  Speaker 7: believe it, and I am certain my father believes it.
• 37:34
  Speaker 7: That's why he hates you.
• 37:36
  Speaker 2: The wind ceased its whistling, and all was still for
• 37:38
  Speaker 2: a moment. Jonathan choked on his words. He was holding
• 37:43
  Speaker 2: back tears.
• 37:44
  Speaker 7: Sometimes... I linger in the halls of the palace and
• 37:50
  Speaker 7: listen to you play music to my father. You have
• 37:52
  Speaker 7: a deep well of love for the Lord, David. Your
• 37:55
  Speaker 7: music speaks to your relationship with God. He will show
• 37:58
  Speaker 7: you favor wherever you go. He will exalt you as
• 38:02
  Speaker 7: king and destroy all those who make you their enemy.
• 38:06
  Speaker 7: All those who seek to destroy you now will be eliminated.
• 38:09
  Speaker 7: And God will pave the way for your kingdom.
• 38:12
  Speaker 2: Please, I beg you.
• 38:16
  Speaker 7: Show love to my house when God removes your enemies.
• 38:19
  Speaker 7: Be kind to my wife and children.
• 38:22
  Speaker 2: David said nothing in response. He wanted to humbly reject
• 38:26
  Speaker 2: Jonathan's prediction that he would be made king. However, David
• 38:30
  Speaker 2: knew that it was what he was destined for. He
• 38:33
  Speaker 2: had come to realize the reason Samuel anointed him in
• 38:36
  Speaker 2: the pasture so long ago. He was chosen to be
• 38:40
  Speaker 2: the next king of Israel. And David swore to show
• 38:43
  Speaker 2: Jonathan and his entire household love and favor. Jonathan spoke again, saying, In.
• 38:50
  Speaker 7: The next three days, I will go out into the
• 38:52
  Speaker 7: field for target practice where you are hiding. I will
• 38:55
  Speaker 7: shoot three arrows towards you and send my servant to
• 38:57
  Speaker 7: go and retrieve them. And if you hear me yell,
• 38:59
  Speaker 7: the arrows are on that side, it means the coast
• 39:03
  Speaker 7: is clear for you to return. If you hear me yell,
• 39:05
  Speaker 7: go further, run, then that means Saul is still seeking
• 39:09
  Speaker 7: your life and you should flee.
• 39:13
  Speaker 2: David said, The two embraced, and Jonathan left to return
• 39:20
  Speaker 2: to his family. David walked into the dark and rough
• 39:24
  Speaker 2: openings in the hills. He set his belongings down and
• 39:27
  Speaker 2: leaned his head against the cave. He sighed. and the
• 39:31
  Speaker 2: echoes of his breath traveled deep into the caverns. The
• 39:34
  Speaker 2: young shepherd closed his eyes and began singing a song
• 39:38
  Speaker 2: to the Lord.
• 39:39
  Speaker 3: O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
• 39:44
  Speaker 2: Save me from my pursuers.
• 39:47
  Speaker 3: Deliver me, O Lord my God, if I have done this,
• 39:51
  Speaker 3: if this is my evil doing, let the enemy.
• 39:54
  Speaker 5: Pursue my soul and devour it like the lions.
• 39:58
  Speaker 3: May they lay my glory in the dust.
• 40:01
  Speaker 6: Selah.
• 40:04
  Speaker 2: As David sang, his heart was comforted. The Lord met
• 40:08
  Speaker 2: him in his anguish. There was nowhere he could run
• 40:12
  Speaker 2: where the love and passion of God could not follow.
• 40:15
  Speaker 2: He drifted to sleep, wondering about the future of his
• 40:18
  Speaker 2: life his family, and his kingdom. The moon festival had begun,
• 40:26
  Speaker 2: and the elders gathered to celebrate with Saul and his family.
• 40:30
  Speaker 2: Saul wore his robe of elegant colors, flashing his wealth
• 40:34
  Speaker 2: before the nobles of Israel. He paraded his family around
• 40:38
  Speaker 2: like the jewels on his crown. However, when David's place
• 40:42
  Speaker 2: at the king's table was empty, Saul took notice. Where
• 40:46
  Speaker 2: is the son of Jesse? He asked Jonathan.
• 40:49
  Speaker 3: First he threatens my daughter's life, and now he has
• 40:53
  Speaker 3: the gall to shirk his royal duties?
• 40:56
  Speaker 2: Jonathan peered across the table at his father. He did
• 40:59
  Speaker 2: his best to read him, to look into his thoughts
• 41:02
  Speaker 2: and motives.
• 41:03
  Speaker 7: David asked me if he could go back to Bethlehem
• 41:06
  Speaker 7: to make a sacrifice with his clan. His father and
• 41:09
  Speaker 7: brothers demanded it, so I allowed it.
• 41:11
  Speaker 2: Salt drove his knife into the table. You foolish.
• 41:16
  Speaker 3: And useless, son!
• 41:18
  Speaker 2: He yelled. Everyone at the table tightened and looked over
• 41:21
  Speaker 2: at Jonathan. He was motionless and oddly unrialled.
• 41:25
  Speaker 3: Do you think I'm a fool? I know you want
• 41:28
  Speaker 3: him to be king in your place!
• 41:29
  Speaker 2: Saul took his plate of food and threw it against
• 41:32
  Speaker 2: the wall. He picked up his spear and pointed it
• 41:35
  Speaker 2: at his son.
• 41:36
  Speaker 3: You shame yourself and your mother! David is planning to
• 41:40
  Speaker 3: rip this kingdom away from me!
• 41:42
  Speaker 2: Jonathan's face was impassive. Now he was witnessing his father's
• 41:47
  Speaker 2: true colors. He stood up slowly and looked deeply into
• 41:51
  Speaker 2: his father's eyes.
• 41:53
  Speaker 7: It is the Lord who has taken your kingdom away, father,
• 41:56
  Speaker 7: not David.
• 41:58
  Speaker 2: Saul took his spear and hurled it at Jonathan as
• 42:00
  Speaker 2: he once did with David. He missed, and the spear
• 42:04
  Speaker 2: was driven into the wall behind him. The room was silent.
• 42:09
  Speaker 2: Saul was huffing in anger. He turned to Abner and
• 42:13
  Speaker 2: his guards and yelled.
• 42:14
  Speaker 3: Go and find the boy. Do not rest until he
• 42:17
  Speaker 3: is brought to me. I will have his head on
• 42:21
  Speaker 3: a silver platter. You will not!
• 42:24
  Speaker 2: Jonathan yelled violently. His blood boiled with anger. Saul had
• 42:30
  Speaker 2: crossed the line, and Jonathan would not allow him to
• 42:33
  Speaker 2: continue in his madness without a fight. I will, Saul said.
• 42:39
  Speaker 2: I will have his life, and you will not stop me.
• 42:45
  Speaker 2: You are too weak to kill me. With those words,
• 42:49
  Speaker 2: Saul stormed off to gather his men. The hunt for
• 42:52
  Speaker 2: David was about to begin. Jonathan arose early before the
• 42:58
  Speaker 2: sunrise the next morning. He took his servant out into
• 43:01
  Speaker 2: the field with a bow and arrow. To the servant,
• 43:05
  Speaker 2: it was just Jonathan clearing his mind and practicing. He
• 43:08
  Speaker 2: did not know David was resting in the caves only
• 43:11
  Speaker 2: a few yards away. Jonathan shot three arrows into the
• 43:15
  Speaker 2: distance where he knew David was hiding. He turned to
• 43:18
  Speaker 2: his servant and.
• 43:19
  Speaker 7: Said, Start running. You'll find the arrows as I shoot them.
• 43:23
  Speaker 2: So the boy ran unknowingly in David's direction. The boy
• 43:27
  Speaker 2: was close to where the arrows were, but Jonathan yelled,
• 43:30
  Speaker 2: Keep running!
• 43:32
  Speaker 7: The arrow's still ahead of you!
• 43:33
  Speaker 3: Hurry! Hurry!
• 43:34
  Speaker 7: Do not wait even a moment!
• 43:36
  Speaker 2: David heard the words of warning. His heart ached. David
• 43:41
  Speaker 2: looked over at the armor and sword given to him
• 43:43
  Speaker 2: by Jonathan. He armed himself, girded up his clothes, and
• 43:48
  Speaker 2: began to run. He fled into the wilderness, exiled and alone. However,
• 43:54
  Speaker 2: God was at work in David's heart. He would not
• 43:57
  Speaker 2: abandon his anointed one. Those whom the Lord chooses are
• 44:02
  Speaker 2: never truly left to fend for themselves.
• 44:06
  Speaker 1: We all know this was bound to happen. The small
• 44:09
  Speaker 1: thread of self-control Saul had was bound to snap. Unsurprisingly,
• 44:14
  Speaker 1: he commits himself to David's destruction. The surprising part of
• 44:18
  Speaker 1: this episode was that David refused to fight back. He
• 44:21
  Speaker 1: slew a giant way scarier than the king, so none
• 44:24
  Speaker 1: of us would be surprised if David somehow found a
• 44:27
  Speaker 1: way to defeat Saul in combat. But our hero refused
• 44:31
  Speaker 1: to retaliate against the king despite several attempts at his life.
• 44:35
  Speaker 1: This is going to be a long and somewhat annoying
• 44:38
  Speaker 1: theme in David's life. Sometimes he is honorable to a fault.
• 44:42
  Speaker 1: Jonathan warned David that his loyalty may be his undoing
• 44:46
  Speaker 1: one day. The giant slayer knows Jonathan might be right,
• 44:50
  Speaker 1: but he respects the office of king far too much
• 44:53
  Speaker 1: to overthrow it with violence. He knew that God put
• 44:56
  Speaker 1: Saul on that throne and God would remove him as well.
• 45:00
  Speaker 1: David felt no need to rush the hand of God,
• 45:02
  Speaker 1: even if it meant his life would remain in jeopardy.
• 45:05
  Speaker 1: This is an important lesson for all of us to
• 45:08
  Speaker 1: learn from David. Many wrong paths are taken because we
• 45:12
  Speaker 1: think they are shortcuts. We can get restless and feel
• 45:15
  Speaker 1: pressure to rush God's will. Abraham and Sarah did this
• 45:18
  Speaker 1: when they weren't getting pregnant, and that is how Ishmael
• 45:22
  Speaker 1: was conceived. Little good comes from forcing God's promises through.
• 45:27
  Speaker 1: It takes a lot of peace and trust to let
• 45:29
  Speaker 1: events unfold the way David did. Waiting on God's timing
• 45:33
  Speaker 1: does not mean we do nothing. David, when sensing a threat,
• 45:37
  Speaker 1: is proactive and measured his actions. He does the right
• 45:41
  Speaker 1: thing in this episode. He shows the king grace, all
• 45:45
  Speaker 1: the while ensuring his own protection and leaning on those
• 45:49
  Speaker 1: he trusts most. David receives the most help from his
• 45:53
  Speaker 1: close friend Jonathan. The prince of Israel revealed where his
• 45:57
  Speaker 1: loyalties truly lie in this episode. When the pressure mounts
• 46:01
  Speaker 1: and the stakes were high, he came through for David.
• 46:04
  Speaker 1: I wish I could say the same about Michal. She
• 46:07
  Speaker 1: was initially supportive of her husband and helped him escape,
• 46:10
  Speaker 1: but when she was faced with her father, she wavered
• 46:14
  Speaker 1: and lied. This is a theme in Scripture, but particularly
• 46:17
  Speaker 1: in the story of David. Who we truly are is
• 46:20
  Speaker 1: revealed when circumstances are at their toughest. Jonathan showed strength
• 46:25
  Speaker 1: of his devotion to David by standing up to his father.
• 46:29
  Speaker 1: Michal showed the weakness of her devotion to David by
• 46:32
  Speaker 1: lying to her father. When life gets difficult, lies are
• 46:36
  Speaker 1: easy shortcuts to make things easier on us. Once again,
• 46:40
  Speaker 1: many wrong paths are taken because we think they are shortcuts.
• 46:44
  Speaker 1: This episode shows us those who are willing to march
• 46:46
  Speaker 1: up the uncomfortable path of righteousness and those who would
• 46:50
  Speaker 1: rather take the easy way out. Saul, instead of facing
• 46:54
  Speaker 1: his own demons and insecurities, wants to end David's life. Mikkel,
• 46:58
  Speaker 1: instead of remaining loyal to her husband, gives David up.
• 47:02
  Speaker 1: Doing the right thing is rarely easy, but it's always
• 47:06
  Speaker 1: worth it. Lying, cheating, and taking the easy way out
• 47:09
  Speaker 1: may seem better in the short run, but always presents
• 47:12
  Speaker 1: us with more chaos. Brotherhood and loyalty are big themes
• 47:16
  Speaker 1: in this episode as well. David, thankful for his friends, says,
• 47:21
  Speaker 1: People with unreliable friends meet early deaths, but there are
• 47:25
  Speaker 1: friends who stay closer than brothers. This lie was not
• 47:28
  Speaker 1: taken from 1 Samuel, rather from Proverbs 18. It was
• 47:32
  Speaker 1: spoken by Solomon, David's son. Many years were added to
• 47:36
  Speaker 1: David's life because of his friendship with Jonathan. He would
• 47:39
  Speaker 1: have most certainly been wiped out by Saul without him.
• 47:42
  Speaker 1: Friendship is not just a luxury, it is a necessity.
• 47:46
  Speaker 1: People without loyal friends are doomed to wander through life
• 47:49
  Speaker 1: in fear. They have nobody to watch their backs, give
• 47:53
  Speaker 1: them corrections, provide aid when needed, and celebrate their victories.
• 47:58
  Speaker 1: we would be wise to look at Jonathan and ask
• 48:00
  Speaker 1: ourselves if we are as loyal and trustworthy as he
• 48:03
  Speaker 1: is to our friends. Let's talk about two particular events
• 48:07
  Speaker 1: that happen in this episode. They connect everything back to
• 48:11
  Speaker 1: the prelude. First, Samuel returns to the story, and not
• 48:15
  Speaker 1: a moment too late. He protects David from harm and
• 48:18
  Speaker 1: provides a safe haven from the wrath of Saul. God's
• 48:21
  Speaker 1: Spirit is hedges Samuel's property like a force field. When
• 48:26
  Speaker 1: Abner and his men come to kill David, they are
• 48:28
  Speaker 1: compelled to worship instead. God doesn't allow a single hair
• 48:32
  Speaker 1: on David's head to be touched. The same happens when
• 48:35
  Speaker 1: Saul attacks. The king comes with a sword ready, but
• 48:38
  Speaker 1: instead falls to his knees in praise. This seems like
• 48:42
  Speaker 1: an odd tactic for God to employ. Why not shoot
• 48:46
  Speaker 1: Saul down with lightning or set his chariot on fire?
• 48:50
  Speaker 1: The answer is compelling. God is committed to thwarting Saul
• 48:54
  Speaker 1: through mercy. Romans 12, 21 says, do not be overcome
• 48:59
  Speaker 1: by evil, but overcome evil with good. There will be
• 49:03
  Speaker 1: several times in the next dozen episodes when Saul should
• 49:06
  Speaker 1: be utterly destroyed, but instead shown mercy. God through David
• 49:11
  Speaker 1: is committing to overcome the evil in Saul's heart with good.
• 49:15
  Speaker 1: If David is to take the throne, it will not
• 49:17
  Speaker 1: be because David defeated him in battle. All that shows
• 49:21
  Speaker 1: is that anyone can become king by slaying whoever is
• 49:24
  Speaker 1: on the throne. This is a surefire way to destroy
• 49:28
  Speaker 1: a nation. God will raise up David, but not before
• 49:31
  Speaker 1: an intense testing. This episode ends with David running away
• 49:35
  Speaker 1: into exile. His rise to prominence is halted, and the
• 49:39
  Speaker 1: giant slayer is brought to his lowest point. Why would
• 49:43
  Speaker 1: God allow this to happen? Why would God allow David
• 49:46
  Speaker 1: to wander in the wilderness away from his calling? As
• 49:50
  Speaker 1: it turns out, God does this sort of thing all
• 49:52
  Speaker 1: the time. In our prelude, Jacob is forced into exile
• 49:55
  Speaker 1: because he is afraid of his brother for good reason.
• 49:59
  Speaker 1: Joseph is exiled by his brothers and taken to a
• 50:02
  Speaker 1: foreign land. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness away
• 50:06
  Speaker 1: from his country bench. David is one of the many
• 50:08
  Speaker 1: heroes that needed to be exiled. God does some of
• 50:12
  Speaker 1: his most remarkable work when we are at our lowest points.
• 50:16
  Speaker 1: In the prelude to our next episode, we will hear
• 50:19
  Speaker 1: a story about another hero who spent time in the
• 50:21
  Speaker 1: wilderness alone. He, like David, had a great destiny. Our
• 50:26
  Speaker 1: destinies are not halted when we are put through intense trials. Rather,
• 50:30
  Speaker 1: our destinies are confirmed through the refining of our character.
• 50:35
  Speaker 1: In our next episode, David's character will indeed be tested.
• 50:39
  Speaker 1: Our strong and mighty hero will show weakness in ways
• 50:42
  Speaker 1: we haven't seen yet. We will question whether he is
• 50:45
  Speaker 1: truly fit to be a king. David's failure will give
• 50:48
  Speaker 1: us a sobering reminder that nobody but God is perfect.
• 50:52
  Speaker 1: Join us for Episode 9, David the Madman. Thanks again
• 50:57
  Speaker 1: for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and wisdom
• 51:01
  Speaker 1: to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. Share this podcast
• 51:05
  Speaker 1: with a family member or friend and help us spread
• 51:08
  Speaker 1: God's Word. God bless.