Latest / Bible in a Year with Jack Graham / Chapter 07: A Dowry of Blood

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Chapter 07: A Dowry of Blood · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you
• 0:03
  Speaker 1: to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so
• 0:10
  Speaker 1: that you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
• 0:14
  Speaker 1: Welcome to The Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
• 0:26
  Speaker 1: few know about David the man. We discover more about
• 0:30
  Speaker 1: David the man in this episode. Our hero is coming
• 0:33
  Speaker 1: of age in many ways. He has men under his command,
• 0:36
  Speaker 1: rapport with the king, and a budding new romance. By
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  Speaker 1: the end of this episode, we begin to see David differently.
• 0:44
  Speaker 1: He is no longer the ruddy and small shepherd boy,
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  Speaker 1: but a respected and feared warrior. Saul will begin to
• 0:50
  Speaker 1: look at David differently as well. David did not pose
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  Speaker 1: a threat to Saul before, since he was just a
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  Speaker 1: bard and servant, but it becomes very apparent in this
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  Speaker 1: episode that David is destined for greatness. Israel sees it,
• 1:03
  Speaker 1: Jonathan sees it, but Saul refuses to acknowledge it. This
• 1:08
  Speaker 1: story begins with a prelude. This prelude takes us back
• 1:12
  Speaker 1: in time to Joseph's life. The jealousy of his brothers
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  Speaker 1: overcame them and led them to cruel acts. This episode
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  Speaker 1: explores just how deadly jealousy can be and how any
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  Speaker 1: person's rise to prominence will come with enemies. This episode
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  Speaker 1: will also explore the complicated family dynamic of Saul's house.
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  Speaker 1: As David becomes closer to Saul's children, the line between
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  Speaker 1: friend and enemy becomes even more blurred. How will David
• 1:40
  Speaker 1: navigate the tumultuous waters of fame, love, and jealousy? We
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  Speaker 1: will see it in our seventh episode, A Dowry of Blood.
• 1:55
  Speaker 2: Prelude to Chapter 7 Jealousy was the poison that killed
• 2:00
  Speaker 2: the conscience of Judah. Seared by bitterness and contempt, he
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  Speaker 2: leaned over his younger brother, Joseph.
• 2:07
  Speaker 3: Where are you running off to? Judah scoffed. Are you afraid?
• 2:11
  Speaker 2: Joseph gulped. There was no escaping what was about to come.
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  Speaker 2: His eyes darted towards the trail. He sprinted forward only
• 2:20
  Speaker 2: to be stopped by his brothers and shoved back into
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  Speaker 2: the middle of the circle. They closed in on him.
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  Speaker 2: Simeon lunged forward for the first blow right to the jaw.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph recoiled and stumbled back, only to be shoved to
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  Speaker 2: the ground by Levi. His brothers pounced on him, tearing
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  Speaker 2: the coat right off his body. Their kicks seemed endless.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph could feel his ribs cracking under the pressure of
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  Speaker 2: their blows.
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  Speaker 3: Stop! Someone help me!
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  Speaker 2: Joseph cried, but his brothers were too enraged to give mercy.
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  Speaker 2: Judah picked Joseph up by his hair and held his
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  Speaker 2: face tightly.
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  Speaker 3: Tell me, Joseph, in all your dreaming, did you ever
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  Speaker 3: see this? Tears streamed down Joseph's face.
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  Speaker 2: He could not speak. He could barely breathe. Judah threw
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  Speaker 2: him against the rocks. Joseph lay there helplessly. His brothers
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  Speaker 2: were filled with spite. They took his limp and mangled
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  Speaker 2: body and threw him into an empty pit. Joseph tumbled
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  Speaker 2: down fifteen feet, hid in the cold dirt below. A
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  Speaker 2: cloud of dust rose in the air as Joseph's body
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  Speaker 2: hit the ground. He gasped for breath, coughing up blood.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph rolled onto his back. seeing the silhouetted faces of
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  Speaker 2: his brothers above. His eyes were growing dim, and the
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  Speaker 2: light from above was slipping from his sight. Feeling broken
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  Speaker 2: and abandoned, Joseph closed his eyes. All turned dark for Joseph.
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  Speaker 2: The cave was wet and the sun's rays could not
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  Speaker 2: touch the bottom. However, nothing was as dark as Judah's
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  Speaker 2: heart in that moment. Jealousy had given birth to violence.
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  Speaker 2: and that violence would send Judah down a path his
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  Speaker 2: heart could not handle. All of the brothers stood over
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  Speaker 2: the cave in which Joseph lay. They huffed with pride
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  Speaker 2: and contempt. They were woefully unaware of the pain they
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  Speaker 2: were causing themselves. Jealousy is a poison that kills slowly.
• 4:22
  Speaker 2: Jonathan's legs could not run any faster. His heart was
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  Speaker 2: ready to burst out of his chest as he turned
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  Speaker 2: the corner past an opening in the rocks by the battlefield.
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  Speaker 2: The Philistine chariots were gaining on him, and Jonathan was
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  Speaker 2: losing strength quickly. Their spears were lifted high, waiting for
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  Speaker 2: the right moment to launch. Jonathan looked back. He had
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  Speaker 2: only moments before they caught up to him. He looked forward.
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  Speaker 2: A dead end met him at the back of the canyon.
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  Speaker 2: He had to think quickly. He saw a few crags
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  Speaker 2: in the stone wall of the canyon. Perhaps he could
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  Speaker 2: jump quick enough to scale the wall and get to safety.
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  Speaker 2: It was his only option. With all the strength he
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  Speaker 2: had left, Jonathan threw away the sword in his hand
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  Speaker 2: and leapt towards the stone wall. His right hand gripped
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  Speaker 2: the crag in the wall, allowing him to swing his
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  Speaker 2: left hand up and grab the other. Jonathan gained his
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  Speaker 2: footing and began to climb. He heard the Philistines enter
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  Speaker 2: the canyon. The wall was only a dozen feet tall.
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  Speaker 2: All Jonathan needed was a few more steps to bring
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  Speaker 2: himself over. He swung his arm to the top of
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  Speaker 2: the wall and began to lift himself up. Then a
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  Speaker 2: Philistine spear aimed at his head missed, causing the rocks
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  Speaker 2: near his hands to crumble. Jonathan fell to the ground
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  Speaker 2: on his back. The little air he had left in
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  Speaker 2: his lungs escaped him. Jonathan gasped and looked up to
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  Speaker 2: see the Philistine chariots aimed and ready to execute him.
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  Speaker 3: With groaning, Jonathan stumbled to his feet.
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  Speaker 2: Blood dripped down the side of his temple. He could
• 6:03
  Speaker 2: barely stay standing. Swaying in a dizzy haze, Jonathan lifted
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  Speaker 2: his fist to the enemy.
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  Speaker 4: Come to me, Philistine dogs.
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  Speaker 3: He murmured.
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  Speaker 2: One of the Philistines lifted his spear and drew his
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  Speaker 2: arm back. Before he could throw, a stone whistled through
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  Speaker 2: the air and landed straight into the Philistine's hand. Blood
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  Speaker 2: burst forth from the soldier as he fell back over
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  Speaker 2: his chariot. The two other soldiers looked up above the canyon.
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  Speaker 2: Up above, there was a figure silhouetted in front of
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  Speaker 2: the afternoon sun. The men gasped in fear.
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  Speaker 3: It is a giant slayer! They shouted. Turn back!
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  Speaker 2: However, the canyon was too narrow for them to turn
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  Speaker 2: their horses and chariots. Before they had a chance to retreat,
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  Speaker 2: David sent another stone from.
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  Speaker 3: His sling, landing on the shoulder of one of the men.
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  Speaker 2: The man dropped his weapon and writhed in pain, giving
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  Speaker 2: David enough time to scale down the wall, pass Jonathan,
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  Speaker 2: and launch himself forward at the third soldier. The two
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  Speaker 2: of them sparred for a moment until David swiped at
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  Speaker 2: the man's calf, then downwards into the back of his neck.
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  Speaker 2: He took the Philistine spear, threw his shoulder back, and
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  Speaker 2: hurled it at the last remaining soldier, pinning him to
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  Speaker 2: the side of his chair. David looked back at Jonathan
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  Speaker 2: and gave a sly smile.
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  Speaker 3: Perhaps you are too old to be battling, eh? David jested.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan laughed and picked up his sword. He shook his
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  Speaker 2: head and hugged David.
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  Speaker 4: With you as my guardian angel, I shall be fighting
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  Speaker 4: till I'm the age of Noah.
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  Speaker 2: David took Jonathan's arm and placed it over his shoulder,
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  Speaker 2: helping him limp back to camp. Jonathan sighed and grinned
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  Speaker 2: from ear to ear. I love you more than a brother, David.
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  Speaker 2: Never forget that. David nodded in agreement. the two of
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  Speaker 2: them stumbled back to camp where the others had returned.
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  Speaker 2: It was yet another victory over the Philistines, a victory
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan would not have enjoyed if it weren't for David
• 8:03
  Speaker 2: the Giant Slayer. The two of them laughed at the nickname.
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  Speaker 2: The Philistines had been telling tales of David, how he
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  Speaker 2: called down fire from the heavens and his sword was
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  Speaker 2: made of lightning. However, David knew that he was still
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  Speaker 2: just a shepherd boy, although battle did seem to suit him.
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  Speaker 2: Ever since his victory against Goliath, Saul had put him
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  Speaker 2: in the command of over a thousand men. Together, he
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  Speaker 2: and Jonathan had successfully staved off over a dozen raids
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  Speaker 2: by the Philistines. The two men leaned back by the fire,
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  Speaker 2: resting their weary legs. It was a warm night, and
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  Speaker 2: the stars were laid out on the horizon like a blanket.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan sat opposite David by the fire. Although he was
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  Speaker 2: older than David, and the first in line to receive
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  Speaker 2: the throne of his father Saul, Jonathan knew in his
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  Speaker 2: heart that David was meant to be king. He could
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  Speaker 2: feel the presence of God upon him. Jonathan, being a
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  Speaker 2: humble man, elevated David above himself. He looked down at
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  Speaker 2: the royal robe he wore given by his father. It
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  Speaker 2: never did feel like it fit him. The role of
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  Speaker 2: king was never something he truly thought about, although his
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  Speaker 2: men talked about it often. Jonathan looked over at David
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  Speaker 2: who was poking at the fire. He watched as David
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  Speaker 2: took a stick and ensured all the coals were touching
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  Speaker 2: one another. He tended to the fire with the same
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  Speaker 2: care he tended to sheep. Jonathan stood up and brought
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  Speaker 2: a wooden chest out of his tent. He placed it
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  Speaker 2: on the floor next to David. Open it, Jonathan said. Confused,
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  Speaker 2: David opened the chest and saw Jonathan's royal armor. Light
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  Speaker 2: steel scales covered the leather armor. The shoulder plates were
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  Speaker 2: formed to perfection and polished perfectly. It reflected the firelight.
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  Speaker 2: Underneath the armor was Jonathan's sword wrapped in bearskin. It
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  Speaker 2: was lightweight but sturdy. David took it in his hand
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  Speaker 2: and held it next to the firelight. It was a
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  Speaker 2: magnificent blade. far superior to the blade he had been wielding.
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan took off his royal robe and placed it on
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  Speaker 2: David's shoulders.
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  Speaker 3: These are all yours now, David. Take good care of them.
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  Speaker 2: David looked over to Jonathan who sat back down across
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  Speaker 2: from him.
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  Speaker 3: Are you going somewhere that you need me to take
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  Speaker 3: care of these? He asked. Of course not, Jonathan chuckled.
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  Speaker 4: I will be here to fight beside you until my
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  Speaker 4: dying breath. A warrior's armor and sword represents his safety
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  Speaker 4: and entire life. I give these to you as a
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  Speaker 4: symbol of our friendship. I care more about you than
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  Speaker 4: my own life.
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  Speaker 2: David was dismayed at Jonathan's love and friendship. His own
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  Speaker 2: brothers had always mocked him and cast him aside. He
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  Speaker 2: had never known the feeling of true brotherhood. David stroked
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  Speaker 2: the royal robe that Jonathan had put over his shoulders.
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  Speaker 3: Your royal robe is not armor, Jonathan. Why give it
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  Speaker 3: to me along with the rest?
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  Speaker 2: Jonathan's smile quickly turned into a serious gaze. He leaned
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  Speaker 2: over and stared intently at David through the fire. Its
• 11:03
  Speaker 2: flickering flames reflected in his eyes.
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  Speaker 4: I have given these to you because you will be
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  Speaker 4: the next king of Israel. You should be dressed and
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  Speaker 4: armed as the prince, not I.
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  Speaker 3: You are the firstborn son of the king, Jonathan, David replied.
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  Speaker 3: I am the youngest son of a herdsman. There's no
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  Speaker 3: place for me on the throne of Israel.
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  Speaker 2: God uplifts the humble, David, Jonathan said, leaning his head
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  Speaker 2: back and looking up at the stars. David nodded and smiled.
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  Speaker 2: He wrapped the robe securely around his back and shoulders.
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  Speaker 3: Let us make a covenant with each other. Under the
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  Speaker 3: eyes of God, You and I are for each other.
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  Speaker 3: Our friendship will prove to be stronger than any jealousy, envy,
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  Speaker 3: or ambition.
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  Speaker 2: David stood and extended his hand above the fire. Jonathan
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  Speaker 2: stood to his feet and linked his arm with David's.
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  Speaker 4: A covenant of brotherhood between you and I. May God
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  Speaker 4: give us favor.
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  Speaker 2: The two of them spoke into the night about the
• 12:06
  Speaker 2: future of Israel, God's grace and power, the Philistines, and
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  Speaker 2: all their minds could muster into conversation. David did not
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  Speaker 2: know it, but God was healing the wounds in his
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  Speaker 2: heart formed by his father and brothers. God was giving
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  Speaker 2: the forgotten son a sense of family and belonging. David
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  Speaker 2: and Jonathan returned to Gibeah with their men. The construction
• 12:32
  Speaker 2: of Saul's palace was nearly complete. Gardens of flowers and
• 12:36
  Speaker 2: olive trees stretched around the perimeter. The springtime breeze caused
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  Speaker 2: the blooming petals to dance and sway like children. David
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  Speaker 2: enjoyed Gibeah. Since his victory over the giant, David had
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  Speaker 2: lived in Gibeah permanently to serve the king, play music,
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  Speaker 2: and lead his men into battle. Jonathan left to go
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  Speaker 2: inform Saul of their most recent victory. However, David lingered
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  Speaker 2: for a moment near the entrance. He leaned over the
• 13:02
  Speaker 2: wooden fence bordering the garden and looked out. Under the
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  Speaker 2: spinning leaves of the olive trees, Michal tended to the flowers.
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  Speaker 2: The youngest daughter of Saul was breathtaking to David. He
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  Speaker 2: leaned over the fence, doing his best to steal just
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  Speaker 2: one glance from her. However, she wasn't looking. David took
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  Speaker 2: an olive and placed it in the leather strap of
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  Speaker 2: a sling. Gently, David shot an olive right above her head,
• 13:27
  Speaker 2: causing the leaves to rustle above her. She looked to
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  Speaker 2: see the giant slayer gazing at her. Michal blushed and waved.
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  Speaker 2: David smiled ear to ear. He kept his eyes fixed
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  Speaker 2: on her, and she fixed her gaze on him. It
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  Speaker 2: was all David could ask for. Just a moment.
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  Speaker 3: Where is David?
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  Speaker 2: Saul's voice shuddered from within the palace.
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  Speaker 3: David chuckled.
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  Speaker 2: He scratched his head and gave a final wave to
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  Speaker 2: make all. She leaned on the tree, watching him leave
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  Speaker 2: into her father's halls. She longed to be with him.
• 14:01
  Speaker 2: The young girl in her loved the attention of the
• 14:04
  Speaker 2: giant slayer. However, she would never quite understand just how
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  Speaker 2: much David was destined for.
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  Speaker 3: How could she? David himself did not know what was
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  Speaker 3: in store either. They are marching dangerously close to Jerusalem.
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  Speaker 2: Saul said, pacing back and forth in front of his throne.
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  Speaker 2: He did not look down at David. He was too
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  Speaker 2: frantic to stay still.
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  Speaker 3: Even after your recent victories, they continue to press up
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  Speaker 3: against our borders with arrogance. I am sending you to
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  Speaker 3: ensure they do not march any further into our land. Understood,
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  Speaker 3: my king, David said with a bow. Good. Now go and.
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  Speaker 2: Saul paused as he turned his head and looked at David.
• 14:49
  Speaker 2: The king recognized the armor secured to David's chest and
• 14:52
  Speaker 2: the sword strapped to his belt. Jonathan had given him
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  Speaker 2: his royal armor.
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  Speaker 3: Do you presume to be a prince, shepherd boy? Saul
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  Speaker 3: asked coarsely. David lifted his head. Of course not, my king.
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  Speaker 3: I am your servant and nothing more. Then why do
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  Speaker 3: you wear my son's armor? Has he fallen and you
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  Speaker 3: taken his place? Jonathan quickly intervened.
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  Speaker 4: It was a token of appreciation, father. David saved my
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  Speaker 4: life more than once in our last battle. I owe
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  Speaker 4: him my life. Not only that, but there would have
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  Speaker 4: been no victory without him.
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  Speaker 2: Saul's anger subsided and quickly turned to ambivalence. He dismissed
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  Speaker 2: the boy with a wave of his hands.
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  Speaker 3: If you are as brave as my son says, then
• 15:38
  Speaker 3: go and halt the Philistines.
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  Speaker 2: David said nothing. He bowed his head and left. As
• 15:44
  Speaker 2: David exited Saul's throne room, a familiar voice crept into
• 15:48
  Speaker 2: Saul's mind. The tormenting spirit had returned to him. Paranoia
• 15:52
  Speaker 2: and anger coiled around his heart, latching on like thorns
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  Speaker 2: to a garden. Saul sat back and took a sip
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  Speaker 2: from his cup. Jealousy had made its home in his heart.
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  Speaker 2: David led a small band of men to the border
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  Speaker 2: of Jerusalem. A few miles south, the Philistines had sent
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  Speaker 2: a small army to raid the nearby villages. Before the
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  Speaker 2: enemy had any chance to descend upon the defenseless people,
• 16:17
  Speaker 2: David ran valiantly into battle. His skill in battle was
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  Speaker 2: methodical and almost poetic. He ran with the energy of
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  Speaker 2: a boy who had spent his whole life chasing down
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  Speaker 2: sheep in the hills. He seemed to never grow tired,
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  Speaker 2: fueled by the passion of God's heart. He defeated the
• 16:34
  Speaker 2: Philistines with ease, and the remaining survivors were sent running
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  Speaker 2: back to their country. David's fame as the giant slayer
• 16:42
  Speaker 2: and deliverer of Israel had spread from the major cities
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  Speaker 2: all the way to the small villages. David returned home,
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  Speaker 2: eager to tell Saul of his victory. He was sore
• 16:52
  Speaker 2: from battle. His bones ached, and he had a few
• 16:55
  Speaker 2: minor wounds to nurse. However, the young shepherd could not
• 16:59
  Speaker 2: have been more joyful. He felt as though he was
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  Speaker 2: truly stepping into his calling. All his boyhood dreams of
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  Speaker 2: defending the people of Israel were coming true. He was
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  Speaker 2: a beloved servant of the king and a commanding officer
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  Speaker 2: at a young age. In his mind, nothing could make
• 17:16
  Speaker 2: his life any better. As David and his men marched
• 17:20
  Speaker 2: back to Gibeah, shouting could be heard from within the gates.
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  Speaker 2: He perked up and rested his hand on the hilt
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  Speaker 2: of his sword. Surely the city had not been invaded
• 17:29
  Speaker 2: while he was gone. David and his men halted and
• 17:32
  Speaker 2: listened closer to the clamoring coming from the city. They
• 17:36
  Speaker 2: looked at one another confused. They did not hear shouts
• 17:39
  Speaker 2: of fear or war. They were cheers. The men quickened
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  Speaker 2: their pace and came through the gates of the city.
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  Speaker 2: David entered in to see a multitude of people praising
• 17:49
  Speaker 2: and shouting his name. Men, women, and children laced the
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  Speaker 2: city streets singing songs of David's bravery and victory. The
• 17:57
  Speaker 2: sound of their praise was almost too much for the
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  Speaker 2: young boy's humble.
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  Speaker 3: Heart to bear.
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  Speaker 2: The songs from their instruments echoed throughout the city, creating
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  Speaker 2: an anthem to David's favor with the people. The women
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  Speaker 2: of Israel came before the palace of Saul with their
• 18:11
  Speaker 2: tambourines singing and dancing with joy. From their lips poured
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  Speaker 2: out a song that would live on in infamy. Saul
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  Speaker 2: has struck down thousands, but David has struck down ten thousands.
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  Speaker 2: The song passed from person to person, and was sung
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  Speaker 2: from the oldest in the city to the youngest. David
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  Speaker 2: was Israel's new hero, and a beacon of God's love
• 18:33
  Speaker 2: and protection to all those who had been oppressed by
• 18:36
  Speaker 2: the Philistines. Saul emerged from his dimly lit room out
• 18:40
  Speaker 2: onto the balcony overlooking the city streets. A melody had
• 18:44
  Speaker 2: caught his attention. It seeped into his room like an
• 18:48
  Speaker 2: unwelcome odor. Saul stood on his balcony with his hands
• 18:51
  Speaker 2: behind his back. overlooking the parade of people cheering in
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  Speaker 2: the city streets. The entire city of Jerusalem joined in
• 18:59
  Speaker 2: a song of praise to their new champion. However, to Saul,
• 19:04
  Speaker 2: it was a song of despair. He looked down at
• 19:07
  Speaker 2: David being carried on the arms of his soldiers. In
• 19:10
  Speaker 2: that moment, a darkness slithered its way into Saul's heart.
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  Speaker 2: A deep and evil well of jealousy was simmering to
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  Speaker 2: the surface. Saul twitched his head to the side and
• 19:21
  Speaker 2: rolled his neck back. chills slithered down his spine. He
• 19:26
  Speaker 2: looked down at the people. I hate them, he whispered.
• 19:30
  Speaker 2: They have given David the glory that I deserve. Saul
• 19:33
  Speaker 2: leaned over the balcony and gripped its edges tightly. He
• 19:37
  Speaker 2: gritted his teeth and furrowed his brow.
• 19:40
  Speaker 3: He will not take my kingdom away from me, Saul
• 19:42
  Speaker 3: said to himself. I will not let him.
• 19:45
  Speaker 2: Saul retreated back into the darkness of his room. There
• 19:48
  Speaker 2: he allowed his mind to stir in paranoia. He paced
• 19:52
  Speaker 2: back and forth, creating more and more reasons to hate
• 19:55
  Speaker 2: David for his success. The tormenting spirit had made a
• 19:59
  Speaker 2: permanent residence in his heart. Saul turned to the back
• 20:03
  Speaker 2: wall of his room. A large spear hung over his bed.
• 20:07
  Speaker 2: He grabbed it and held it firmly in his hand.
• 20:11
  Speaker 2: The dreaded song could be heard even from his closed doors.
• 20:14
  Speaker 2: Saul roared and threw the spear at the door. It
• 20:18
  Speaker 2: pierced through the wood, splitting it in two. Saul flared
• 20:22
  Speaker 2: with anger, jealous fire reflecting through his eyes. The next day,
• 20:30
  Speaker 2: Saul rose and went to his throne room. It was
• 20:32
  Speaker 2: warm and the fire in the center had been tended
• 20:35
  Speaker 2: to by David all morning. He sat beside it with
• 20:38
  Speaker 2: his harp. The shepherd bowed to the king as he entered.
• 20:41
  Speaker 2: Saul sneered at the gesture and sat on his throne
• 20:44
  Speaker 2: with his spear gripped firmly in his hand. David could
• 20:47
  Speaker 2: sense the tension in the room. Good morning, my king,
• 20:50
  Speaker 2: he said softly. Saul tilted his head to the side.
• 20:54
  Speaker 3: And what makes it good, boy? I trust you have
• 20:58
  Speaker 3: good news for me. David nodded. Yes, my lord. Your
• 21:03
  Speaker 3: servant has done as you asked. We marched against the
• 21:07
  Speaker 3: Philistine raiders and vanquished them. It was by your wisdom
• 21:10
  Speaker 3: and foresight we were able to get there quickly before
• 21:14
  Speaker 3: they attacked. Don't patronize me, Saul thought to himself.
• 21:19
  Speaker 2: Instead, he said nothing. He simply stared at David in silence,
• 21:24
  Speaker 2: allowing his piercing gaze to make him sweat. After enough pause,
• 21:29
  Speaker 2: Saul broke the silence. Although you, and others, see yourself
• 21:34
  Speaker 2: as a hero... I would like to remind you that
• 21:37
  Speaker 2: you are still my servant and musician.
• 21:41
  Speaker 3: Is that clear? Of course, David said nervously. Is there
• 21:45
  Speaker 3: a hymn you would like played?
• 21:47
  Speaker 2: Saul simply waved for him to play anything. So David
• 21:51
  Speaker 2: began to strum his harp. The notes rose and fell gracefully,
• 21:55
  Speaker 2: tugging at the parts of Saul's heart that were not
• 21:57
  Speaker 2: completely shrouded in darkness. The music was intensely spiritual. As
• 22:03
  Speaker 2: David sang, It was as if angels were joining in
• 22:06
  Speaker 2: with him to sing the chorus. Saul's bottom lip began
• 22:09
  Speaker 2: to quiver. His mind struggled to stay in control. The
• 22:14
  Speaker 2: beautiful music filled the room like the scent of fresh roses.
• 22:18
  Speaker 2: Yet all Saul could hear was that one song. David
• 22:23
  Speaker 2: has killed his ten thousands. Saul brooded on his throne
• 22:28
  Speaker 2: looking at the fire. The flickering flame was mesmerizing. His
• 22:32
  Speaker 2: mind wandered to days past. Days of hope for a
• 22:35
  Speaker 2: new kingdom. Days when Samuel had guided him into truth,
• 22:39
  Speaker 2: and God's favor was upon him. The voice of the
• 22:42
  Speaker 2: Lord had been absent from Saul for so long that
• 22:45
  Speaker 2: he could barely remember what it was like to be
• 22:47
  Speaker 2: truly led by God. If he simply repented and turned
• 22:51
  Speaker 2: from his arrogance, God would embrace him. However, his pride
• 22:56
  Speaker 2: tethered him to darkness. The king's mind turned from contemplation
• 23:00
  Speaker 2: to anger. Saul hated God for sending him David. He
• 23:04
  Speaker 2: hated David for his faithfulness to God. Looking into David's
• 23:08
  Speaker 2: eyes was like staring into the soul of what could
• 23:11
  Speaker 2: have been. Saul's pride was shown to be ugly when
• 23:15
  Speaker 2: standing beside David's humility. Saul's knuckles turned white as he
• 23:19
  Speaker 2: gripped the spear beside him. He stood to his feet
• 23:23
  Speaker 2: as David was lost in the music. Saul teemed with
• 23:26
  Speaker 2: anger towards the boy. I will pin you to the wall,
• 23:33
  Speaker 2: he whispered under his breath. Saul drew his spear back
• 23:36
  Speaker 2: and stepped forward to launch the spear. David opened his
• 23:40
  Speaker 2: eyes just in time to see Saul hurl the spear
• 23:42
  Speaker 2: right towards him. David reacted quickly, leaping to his right
• 23:47
  Speaker 2: and crashing into the table beside him. Saul screamed as
• 23:50
  Speaker 2: a man possessed and grabbed another spear beside his throne.
• 23:54
  Speaker 3: Come here, you worthless boy! They will see singing your
• 23:58
  Speaker 3: name once you are dead!
• 24:00
  Speaker 2: Saul threw the spear at David who was on the ground.
• 24:03
  Speaker 2: This time, David had less options. He ducked to his left,
• 24:07
  Speaker 2: but the spear grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. As Saul
• 24:11
  Speaker 2: reached for a third spear, David leapt out the window
• 24:13
  Speaker 2: and fell a few feet into the grass. He ran
• 24:16
  Speaker 2: and did not look back. Saul's chest rose up and
• 24:20
  Speaker 2: down with fury. However, as David left, his anger turned
• 24:26
  Speaker 2: quickly into regret. The king dropped the spear in his hands,
• 24:29
  Speaker 2: fell to his knees, and wept. David had eluded him,
• 24:36
  Speaker 2: just as Samuel's approval and just as God's favor. David
• 24:41
  Speaker 2: ran to the stables outside the palace and caught his breath.
• 24:45
  Speaker 2: Leaning against the back of the stable doors, he looked
• 24:48
  Speaker 2: at his shoulder. Only a minor wound. It would heal
• 24:51
  Speaker 2: given the right bandages. He patched himself up and remained
• 24:54
  Speaker 2: in his quarters until sundown. When the sun descended, David
• 24:58
  Speaker 2: snuck out of his room and crept near Saul's window.
• 25:02
  Speaker 2: He peeked his head in to see Saul hunched over
• 25:04
  Speaker 2: by the fire. His shoulders were shaking up and down
• 25:07
  Speaker 2: and his hands were placed over his face. The mighty
• 25:11
  Speaker 2: king David loved so dearly was weeping. Clearly the man
• 25:15
  Speaker 2: had a tortured soul. Although he had attempted to take
• 25:18
  Speaker 2: David's life, he would not waver in his devotion to him.
• 25:23
  Speaker 2: David left and went back to his room. He resolved
• 25:26
  Speaker 2: in his heart to stand before Saul the next morning
• 25:29
  Speaker 2: and play music. The king needed him now more than ever.
• 25:34
  Speaker 2: Saul woke up the next morning with the same self-hatred
• 25:37
  Speaker 2: he fell asleep with. However, it did not take long
• 25:40
  Speaker 2: for him to bury his shame and redirect his hatred
• 25:43
  Speaker 2: towards David again. Saul entered the halls to have breakfast
• 25:47
  Speaker 2: with his wife and children. David was also in attendance,
• 25:51
  Speaker 2: sitting beside Jonathan and his family. Saul looked at David
• 25:55
  Speaker 2: with contempt, sat himself down, and began to eat. He
• 26:00
  Speaker 2: looked across the table at his oldest daughter, Merab. She
• 26:04
  Speaker 2: was a regal young woman. Her hair was tightly braided
• 26:07
  Speaker 2: back behind her head covering. She ate with her shoulders
• 26:10
  Speaker 2: set firmly back. Seeing her at the same table as
• 26:13
  Speaker 2: David gave him an idea. He realized he could not
• 26:16
  Speaker 2: kill David himself. He wanted his hands clean of the
• 26:19
  Speaker 2: young man's blood. If he killed him with his own sword,
• 26:23
  Speaker 2: the people would revolt against him. He needed to make
• 26:26
  Speaker 2: David a martyr. He needed to ensure David died in battle.
• 26:30
  Speaker 2: Saul leaned back and smiled.
• 26:33
  Speaker 3: David, I hope we can put our disagreement yesterday behind us.
• 26:41
  Speaker 2: Jonathan, Merab, and Michal all looked over to David. No
• 26:46
  Speaker 2: one had known what had happened between them. David smiled
• 26:49
  Speaker 2: and bowed his head.
• 26:51
  Speaker 3: You are a humble man, my king, considerate forgotten. Forgive
• 26:56
  Speaker 3: me if I had done anything to provoke you. Saul
• 27:00
  Speaker 3: waved his hand. It is merely the weight of the crown.
• 27:04
  Speaker 3: You are a good man and a good warrior. It
• 27:07
  Speaker 3: is for this reason I desire to give you the
• 27:10
  Speaker 3: hand of my daughter, Merab. Merab coughed, nearly choking on
• 27:14
  Speaker 3: her food.
• 27:16
  Speaker 1: Father, but I am engaged to marry Adriel.
• 27:20
  Speaker 3: He had paid the dowry already.
• 27:22
  Speaker 2: Merab was slightly panicked, having already developed feelings for her
• 27:25
  Speaker 2: betrothed McCall's heart also sank. She loved David dearly, and
• 27:30
  Speaker 2: it would pain her to see him marry her sister. Nonsense,
• 27:34
  Speaker 2: Saul said with a chuckle. This is the giant slayer.
• 27:38
  Speaker 2: Did I not promise that whoever defeated Goliath would have
• 27:42
  Speaker 2: your hand in marriage? The two of you must be wed.
• 27:47
  Speaker 2: David was speechless. Merab was beautiful and virtuous, but he
• 27:52
  Speaker 2: had grown fond of McCall, the youngest. and knew that
• 27:56
  Speaker 2: the marriage would break her heart as it did his.
• 27:59
  Speaker 2: He bowed his head to Saul and said.
• 28:01
  Speaker 3: My king, who am I to marry your firstborn daughter?
• 28:06
  Speaker 3: I am a descendant of farmers and herders. What place
• 28:09
  Speaker 3: do I have to become the son-in-law to the king?
• 28:13
  Speaker 3: How could I ever be worthy? By being valiant in battle,
• 28:17
  Speaker 3: Saul responded eagerly, you will march at the front lines
• 28:21
  Speaker 3: with a thousand men behind you. I will have you
• 28:24
  Speaker 3: march on my behalf as my finest warrior. May your
• 28:29
  Speaker 3: victories grow and your worthiness of my daughter's hand. David
• 28:34
  Speaker 3: humbly accepted. Saul joyfully raised his cup. To the betrothal
• 28:39
  Speaker 3: of David and Merab, to the gaining of a new son,
• 28:43
  Speaker 3: and to the prosperity of Israel.
• 28:47
  Speaker 2: The family toasted to the betrothal. Merab's perfect posture broke
• 28:51
  Speaker 2: as she slumped down. David smiled nervously. Just how many
• 28:55
  Speaker 2: battles would he have to endure to be worthy? What
• 29:00
  Speaker 2: came after was an onslaught of Philistine raids that nearly
• 29:03
  Speaker 2: took his life on several occasions. David ran valiantly into battle,
• 29:08
  Speaker 2: proving to Saul that he was worthy to be called
• 29:10
  Speaker 2: a prince of Israel. With every victory, his confidence as
• 29:14
  Speaker 2: a warrior increased. His hands became calloused from gripping his sword,
• 29:18
  Speaker 2: and his body grew larger and framed. Battle hardened his body,
• 29:22
  Speaker 2: but his heart was still tender and attentive to the
• 29:25
  Speaker 2: Spirit of God. The thousand men behind him became bonded
• 29:29
  Speaker 2: to him like brothers. David's courage emboldened the men of
• 29:32
  Speaker 2: Israel and sent fear down the spines of the Philistines.
• 29:37
  Speaker 2: As David's victories tallied, Saul became more and more furious
• 29:42
  Speaker 2: He had sent David into impossible situations yet God was
• 29:46
  Speaker 2: with him Saul came to understand that the only way
• 29:49
  Speaker 2: to make David fall in battle would be to break
• 29:52
  Speaker 2: his spirit and confidence One morning David was walking in
• 29:57
  Speaker 2: the cool of the morning It was the eve of
• 29:59
  Speaker 2: his wedding, and it had been a long time since
• 30:02
  Speaker 2: he'd walked among the olive trees. The morning mist was
• 30:06
  Speaker 2: refreshing to him. The heat of battle had cluttered his mind.
• 30:10
  Speaker 2: It was a relief to be in the quiet. David
• 30:13
  Speaker 2: took a deep breath and sighed to the Lord. My shepherd,
• 30:18
  Speaker 2: he whispered silently. Who am I to be the son-in-law
• 30:23
  Speaker 2: to the king? Who am I to deserve any of this?
• 30:28
  Speaker 2: As David spoke quietly to the Lord, he could hear
• 30:31
  Speaker 2: footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Saul.
• 30:35
  Speaker 3: Good morning, my king. I did not expect you to
• 30:38
  Speaker 3: be up this early. Is there something that you need?
• 30:41
  Speaker 2: Saul plucked a flower from the garden and held it
• 30:43
  Speaker 2: up to the morning light.
• 30:45
  Speaker 3: I have decided that your victories in battle, as valiant
• 30:50
  Speaker 3: as they were, still do not make you worthy of
• 30:53
  Speaker 3: my oldest daughter.
• 30:55
  Speaker 2: David's heart sank when he heard Saul's words. However, he
• 30:59
  Speaker 2: said nothing in response. He allowed the king to walk
• 31:02
  Speaker 2: past him and continue speaking.
• 31:04
  Speaker 3: I have decided to go through with the marriage between
• 31:07
  Speaker 3: her and Adriel the Maholothite. He is of noble birth,
• 31:12
  Speaker 3: and his family's resources could prove useful to us.
• 31:16
  Speaker 2: Saul peered over to David looking for a response. He
• 31:20
  Speaker 2: hoped for a crushed spirit and downcast frown. However, David
• 31:24
  Speaker 2: smiled and bowed to his knees before him. With his
• 31:28
  Speaker 2: face close to the ground, David responded, saying.
• 31:32
  Speaker 3: It was an honor to be considered to begin with,
• 31:34
  Speaker 3: my king. You are kind to allow me to even
• 31:38
  Speaker 3: be in your presence. I will continue to serve you
• 31:42
  Speaker 3: however you see fit.
• 31:44
  Speaker 2: David's humility vexed Saul. He flared his nostrils and turned away.
• 31:49
  Speaker 2: Storming off past the trees, he caught a glimpse of
• 31:52
  Speaker 2: his youngest daughter, Michal. The king looked back at David,
• 31:55
  Speaker 2: then at Michal. She was watching him. She had been
• 32:00
  Speaker 2: watching him all morning. Saul gave a fiendish smile and
• 32:04
  Speaker 2: walked toward Makal. My dear daughter, what brings you out
• 32:09
  Speaker 2: here in the gardens at this hour? He asked gently.
• 32:14
  Speaker 2: Makal was startled and embarrassed. She placed her hands behind
• 32:18
  Speaker 2: her back and looked down.
• 32:20
  Speaker 1: Just enjoying the cool morning, father.
• 32:22
  Speaker 3: Saul nodded and gestured towards David. No doubt enjoying the
• 32:27
  Speaker 3: view as well.
• 32:29
  Speaker 2: Mekhal blushed and said nothing. Sol put his arm around her.
• 32:33
  Speaker 3: I just finished telling the young man that he will
• 32:36
  Speaker 3: not be marrying Merab. Her betrothal to Edriel is too important.
• 32:42
  Speaker 3: Mekhal looked up and smiled. Her response gave everything away.
• 32:47
  Speaker 3: Sol knew that she had fallen in love with the
• 32:49
  Speaker 3: shepherd boy. No doubt, he had probably grown fond of
• 32:53
  Speaker 3: her as well. He had seen them exchanging glances before.
• 32:57
  Speaker 3: stealing small moments away to talk and walk beside each other.
• 33:01
  Speaker 3: No doubt David would move land and sea to have
• 33:04
  Speaker 3: Michalis his bride, Saul thought to himself. Perhaps this is
• 33:09
  Speaker 3: the motivation he needs to put himself in greater danger.
• 33:14
  Speaker 3: Saul put his arm around his daughter and began walking
• 33:17
  Speaker 3: back to David. Young David! Saul shouted.
• 33:21
  Speaker 2: David turned back and faced the two of them. Saul
• 33:24
  Speaker 2: was beaming ear to ear with joy. Finally, he found
• 33:28
  Speaker 2: a chink in the virtuous armor of David.
• 33:31
  Speaker 3: You shall be my son-in-law after all, he said jovially.
• 33:36
  Speaker 3: You and my youngest, Michal, shall be wed before God.
• 33:41
  Speaker 3: You will be made to be my son, and all
• 33:44
  Speaker 3: the privileges of the kingdom will be yours.
• 33:48
  Speaker 2: David looked into Michal's eyes. She was beautiful, and David
• 33:53
  Speaker 2: found himself giddy with excitement.
• 33:55
  Speaker 3: If it pleases you, my king, he said.
• 33:58
  Speaker 2: Saul smirked. Victory was within reach. He had only a
• 34:02
  Speaker 2: few more steps to rid himself of David. Very well, then.
• 34:07
  Speaker 2: It is done.
• 34:08
  Speaker 3: We shall plan the wedding. All that is needed is
• 34:11
  Speaker 3: for you to provide a dowry. David looked up with concern.
• 34:16
  Speaker 3: My king, you know that I am but a humble shepherd.
• 34:20
  Speaker 3: I have no land or treasures to offer, no gold
• 34:23
  Speaker 3: or silver. What can I possibly give the king without
• 34:27
  Speaker 3: that is worth the fair hand of your daughter. I
• 34:31
  Speaker 3: shall require no gold or silver from you, giant slayer. However,
• 34:37
  Speaker 3: I require something far more valuable.
• 34:41
  Speaker 2: Saul sent his daughter away. David and Saul spoke in private.
• 34:45
  Speaker 2: The cool morning began to give way to the heat
• 34:48
  Speaker 2: of day. Saul put his arm around David and sighed.
• 34:52
  Speaker 3: Saving us from the threat of the Philistines continues to
• 34:55
  Speaker 3: be my first priority. God's kingdom cannot thrive until our
• 35:01
  Speaker 3: oppressors are dealt with that is why for the price
• 35:06
  Speaker 3: of my daughter's hand in marriage I ask that you
• 35:10
  Speaker 3: bring me the foreskins of a hundred dead Philistine soldiers
• 35:14
  Speaker 3: I want them to know that they cannot continue to
• 35:17
  Speaker 3: mock our God and kill our people.
• 35:20
  Speaker 2: Saul placed both hands on David's shoulders and looked at
• 35:23
  Speaker 2: him David will you do this for me Will you
• 35:29
  Speaker 2: bring honor to this family? David's heart welled up with pride.
• 35:33
  Speaker 2: He bowed his head to the king.
• 35:35
  Speaker 3: I will fight for the Lord, this nation, and the
• 35:39
  Speaker 3: right to be called your son.
• 35:41
  Speaker 2: So David left immediately. He gathered a few of his
• 35:45
  Speaker 2: men to plan for a raid on the Philistines. This
• 35:48
  Speaker 2: battle would be unlike any other. Not all of his
• 35:52
  Speaker 2: men were available to him. They had to march up
• 35:55
  Speaker 2: against a Philistine garrison far away. David packed his belongings
• 35:59
  Speaker 2: and assembled his men. Together, they marched past the hill
• 36:03
  Speaker 2: country into the land of the Philistines. They camped outside
• 36:06
  Speaker 2: the city of Gath, strategizing and planning into the night.
• 36:10
  Speaker 2: If they invaded the city gates, they will be crushed
• 36:13
  Speaker 2: in a matter of minutes. David needed to draw them
• 36:16
  Speaker 2: out somehow. He had a few of his spies scanning
• 36:20
  Speaker 2: the land surrounding Gath. On the north side of the
• 36:22
  Speaker 2: walls were heavy woods. David had his men lay in
• 36:26
  Speaker 2: wait there. When the morning broke, David approached the gate.
• 36:30
  Speaker 2: He banged his sword against his shield and shouted, Philistines!
• 36:34
  Speaker 3: Which one of you is brave enough to fight me?
• 36:37
  Speaker 2: David shouted for all to hear. It was not long
• 36:41
  Speaker 2: before soldiers began pouring out of the gates to pursue David.
• 36:45
  Speaker 2: He underestimated just how many soldiers would assemble that quickly.
• 36:49
  Speaker 2: David's eyes widened as he saw an entire horde of
• 36:52
  Speaker 2: Philistines burst out of their hives. The shepherd boy had
• 36:56
  Speaker 2: never run so fast in his life. With chariots close behind,
• 37:00
  Speaker 2: David retreated back into the woods, where his men were
• 37:03
  Speaker 2: laying in wait. As soon as he passed the threshold
• 37:06
  Speaker 2: of the forest, David's archers released their arrows towards the Philistines.
• 37:11
  Speaker 2: A dozen of them fell, but 200 more were able
• 37:14
  Speaker 2: to break through the forest to fight. They outnumbered his
• 37:17
  Speaker 2: men nearly two to one. David expected the archers to
• 37:21
  Speaker 2: do more damage.
• 37:22
  Speaker 3: Nevertheless.
• 37:23
  Speaker 2: They had nowhere left to run. The shepherd did not panic.
• 37:28
  Speaker 2: He scanned the forest for another advantage. Deeper into the forest,
• 37:32
  Speaker 2: the space between the trees narrowed. The Philistine chariots and
• 37:35
  Speaker 2: horses wouldn't be able to fit. David blew his horn
• 37:39
  Speaker 2: and called for his men to retreat deeper into the narrows.
• 37:42
  Speaker 2: Philistine spears flew past David and his men with great speed.
• 37:46
  Speaker 3: Keep running!
• 37:48
  Speaker 2: David shouted to his men as he led them deeper.
• 37:51
  Speaker 2: Roots sprung up from the dirt, making the terrain more
• 37:53
  Speaker 2: difficult to run. David smirked, hearing the sound of horses
• 37:57
  Speaker 2: behind him falling to the ground and wheels from the
• 38:00
  Speaker 2: chariots falling off. David let his men go through the
• 38:03
  Speaker 2: trees first. Then, just as he stood when battling the giant,
• 38:08
  Speaker 2: David planted his feet and faced Henry. Over 200 soldiers
• 38:13
  Speaker 2: drew their swords and came after him, but the shepherd
• 38:16
  Speaker 2: of Israel did not waver.
• 38:19
  Speaker 3: He stood his ground and drew a deep breath.
• 38:22
  Speaker 2: Since the clearing was narrow, only two Philistines could attack
• 38:25
  Speaker 2: him at a time. The first two burst through. David
• 38:29
  Speaker 2: cut them at their heels first, then the throats. More
• 38:32
  Speaker 2: spilled in, but were quickly slashed by David's leg. Four
• 38:36
  Speaker 2: more leapt over the bodies and advanced towards him, but
• 38:39
  Speaker 2: they were met with swift swings and decisive blows. The
• 38:43
  Speaker 2: men behind him watched as David single-handedly took on an
• 38:46
  Speaker 2: entire army. They watched his sword swing through flesh and bone.
• 38:51
  Speaker 2: His cries shook their hearts. Emboldened by his courage, they
• 38:55
  Speaker 2: went around the openings in the trees and hit the
• 38:57
  Speaker 2: Philistines on the side. The battle was over in a
• 39:01
  Speaker 2: matter of minutes. Philistine blood soaked the forest soil. Saul
• 39:07
  Speaker 2: had asked for a hundred Philistine foreskins as proof of
• 39:09
  Speaker 2: his conquest. David walked among the bodies slain by him
• 39:13
  Speaker 2: and his men, cutting each and every one of them
• 39:16
  Speaker 2: with his blade. The numbers was 200, double what the
• 39:20
  Speaker 2: king demanded as dowry from his daughter. It was a
• 39:23
  Speaker 2: gruesome and bone-chilling sight. Most noble princes gave a dowry
• 39:28
  Speaker 2: of gold, silver, and cattle. to be given honor, but
• 39:31
  Speaker 2: not David. No, he would give a dowry of blood,
• 39:36
  Speaker 2: a symbol of his devotion to his king, his future bride,
• 39:39
  Speaker 2: and his nation. David returned the next day with all
• 39:43
  Speaker 2: his men behind him. They entered the gates once again,
• 39:46
  Speaker 2: met with praise and celebrations. However, David was less enthused
• 39:51
  Speaker 2: by their cheers. His hands were still stained red with
• 39:54
  Speaker 2: the blood of his enemies. His legs were sore from
• 39:57
  Speaker 2: the battle and his head throbbed from dehydration. He wondered
• 40:01
  Speaker 2: if the king had expected him to die out there
• 40:03
  Speaker 2: on the battlefield. The task seemed to be so perilous
• 40:07
  Speaker 2: that no man would have accepted except him. He knew
• 40:10
  Speaker 2: that he had to be wary of the king or
• 40:12
  Speaker 2: else he would pay for it with his life. David
• 40:15
  Speaker 2: dismounted his horse and walked up the steps leading to
• 40:18
  Speaker 2: Saul's throne room Without a word, he entered in with
• 40:21
  Speaker 2: the bag in his hands. Blood seeped through the burlap,
• 40:25
  Speaker 2: staining the stone floor. Still covered in the filth of war,
• 40:29
  Speaker 2: David stood before the king expressionless. He held out his
• 40:32
  Speaker 2: hand and dropped the sack in front of the king.
• 40:36
  Speaker 2: The entire council of elders stood in the presence of
• 40:38
  Speaker 2: their king and the shepherd silently. Saul stood from his
• 40:42
  Speaker 2: throne and looked at the bag. He winced and then
• 40:45
  Speaker 2: looked at David. Saul looked up at David's eyes. Something
• 40:49
  Speaker 2: had changed. The boy he had set out to die
• 40:53
  Speaker 2: had come back a man. Although Saul stood a head
• 40:56
  Speaker 2: taller than David, he had never felt so small. From
• 41:00
  Speaker 2: David's very presence emanated a humble power similar to that
• 41:04
  Speaker 2: of Samuel's. It sent chills down Saul's spine. He no
• 41:09
  Speaker 2: longer hated David out of jealousy. He now hated David
• 41:13
  Speaker 2: out of fear. Spring had come. and the blooming flowers
• 41:19
  Speaker 2: filled the air with a sweet aroma. Flower petals were
• 41:22
  Speaker 2: at David's feet as he stood face to face with
• 41:25
  Speaker 2: Michal outside of the gardens. David gazed into her hazel
• 41:29
  Speaker 2: eye staring back at him. He gently stroked her cheek
• 41:33
  Speaker 2: and smiled. She blushed and held his hand close to
• 41:36
  Speaker 2: her face. The king, the priest, and a multitude of
• 41:39
  Speaker 2: people stood before them. Before God and man, the two
• 41:43
  Speaker 2: of them were joined together in marriage. David the forgotten
• 41:47
  Speaker 2: son of a herdsman from Bethlehem, was now a prince
• 41:50
  Speaker 2: of Israel. Not by noble birth or royal stock, but
• 41:55
  Speaker 2: by courage and a dedication to the Lord. His courageous
• 41:59
  Speaker 2: and humble spirit testified to the heart of God, a
• 42:02
  Speaker 2: defender of the weak, a judge of the oppressor, and
• 42:05
  Speaker 2: a shepherd to the flock of Israel. It was David's
• 42:09
  Speaker 2: heart that continued to point towards the greater plan of God,
• 42:12
  Speaker 2: a plan to rid the world of the oppression of
• 42:15
  Speaker 2: evil forever. The people cheered as David kissed his bride.
• 42:19
  Speaker 2: A great festival was held in their honor. And for
• 42:22
  Speaker 2: two weeks, the people of Israel danced and sang about
• 42:25
  Speaker 2: the king's daughter and the giant slayer. Saul knew that
• 42:29
  Speaker 2: it was only a matter of time before the people
• 42:32
  Speaker 2: would turn on him and elevate David to take his place.
• 42:36
  Speaker 2: His own children had turned from him to take David's side.
• 42:39
  Speaker 2: Time was of the essence. Saul knew that he had
• 42:42
  Speaker 2: to kill David or live to see his throne stripped
• 42:45
  Speaker 2: from him.
• 42:50
  Speaker 1: Jealousy is truly a poison that kills the conscience. It
• 42:53
  Speaker 1: was true of Joseph's brothers when they sold him into slavery,
• 42:56
  Speaker 1: and it was true of Saul when he tried to
• 42:58
  Speaker 1: kill David. Jealousy drives us to contempt, and contempt leads
• 43:03
  Speaker 1: us down a destructive path. When somebody has something we
• 43:06
  Speaker 1: feel we deserve, it can cause us to seek out
• 43:09
  Speaker 1: their destruction or at least revel when they fall on
• 43:13
  Speaker 1: hard times. This episode is only the beginning of the
• 43:16
  Speaker 1: long journey Saul and David will go on together. Joseph's
• 43:20
  Speaker 1: brothers eventually begged for his forgiveness. At this point, we
• 43:24
  Speaker 1: aren't sure the same thing will happen with Saul. We
• 43:27
  Speaker 1: will have to follow the story further to find out.
• 43:31
  Speaker 1: After the prelude, we are brought into the middle of
• 43:33
  Speaker 1: a battle and Jonathan is running for his life. An
• 43:37
  Speaker 1: epic scene is set out before us. Jonathan is backed
• 43:40
  Speaker 1: into a corner with no escape and silhouetted on the
• 43:43
  Speaker 1: hill is his rescuer. David leaps into the scene and
• 43:48
  Speaker 1: defeats the Philistines. rescuing his friend from certain death. Afterwards,
• 43:53
  Speaker 1: Jonathan and David rest by the fire, and we're given
• 43:56
  Speaker 1: a glimpse into their friendship. David tends to the fire,
• 44:00
  Speaker 1: ensuring all the coals burn brightly. Always remember the symbolism
• 44:05
  Speaker 1: of the flame. It is clear that Jonathan and David
• 44:08
  Speaker 1: love each other deeply. The Prince of Israel gifts his
• 44:11
  Speaker 1: young companion with his royal robes, armor, and sword. Unlike
• 44:16
  Speaker 1: Saul's armor, Jonathan's fits perfectly. although David is not sure
• 44:21
  Speaker 1: if he deserves the gesture. Back in those days, giving
• 44:24
  Speaker 1: someone your armor was a gesture of complete trust. Jonathan
• 44:28
  Speaker 1: was communicating to David that his life was more important
• 44:32
  Speaker 1: than his own. This is a gesture of true friendship
• 44:35
  Speaker 1: and loyalty. Jonathan had everything to lose by acknowledging David.
• 44:40
  Speaker 1: He was next in line for the throne and more
• 44:43
  Speaker 1: beloved than his father. No doubt Jonathan would make an
• 44:46
  Speaker 1: excellent king if given the opportunity. but Jonathan is humble
• 44:50
  Speaker 1: enough to acknowledge God's hand on David. This brings us
• 44:54
  Speaker 1: to a question for ourselves. Are we this humble in
• 44:57
  Speaker 1: our own friendships? Do we elevate our companions above ourselves?
• 45:02
  Speaker 1: The temptation is to desire our friends to do well,
• 45:05
  Speaker 1: but not better than us. We would cheer them on
• 45:07
  Speaker 1: if they got a promotion, but not if they got
• 45:10
  Speaker 1: a promotion over us. Jonathan would consider it a great
• 45:13
  Speaker 1: success if David went on to be greater than him.
• 45:18
  Speaker 1: In this episode, Jonathan's character is once again given to
• 45:22
  Speaker 1: us as a contrast against Saul's. Jonathan acknowledges that David
• 45:27
  Speaker 1: is special and wants to help him. Saul acknowledges that
• 45:31
  Speaker 1: David is special and wants to kill him. Oh, how
• 45:34
  Speaker 1: treacherous the path of jealousy becomes. It certainly becomes treacherous
• 45:40
  Speaker 1: for Saul. The sins he commits in this episode begin
• 45:43
  Speaker 1: a domino effect that cannot be undone. Joseph's brothers gave
• 45:48
  Speaker 1: into the temptation of jealousy, and so did Saul. This
• 45:52
  Speaker 1: has been a cycle in humanity ever since Cain killed Abel.
• 45:55
  Speaker 1: When we see somebody with favor, talent, or privilege, they
• 46:00
  Speaker 1: can become the embodiment of our own discontent. We project
• 46:03
  Speaker 1: our insecurities, fears, and shame onto them. We are mad
• 46:08
  Speaker 1: at our own lot in life, or perhaps mad even
• 46:11
  Speaker 1: at God. So we lash out at those we perceive
• 46:14
  Speaker 1: to be more favored than us. Saul wanted the praise
• 46:18
  Speaker 1: of the people and the favor of God, and David
• 46:20
  Speaker 1: had both. Instead of being introspective and asking himself why
• 46:24
  Speaker 1: he didn't have those things, he lashes out at David.
• 46:27
  Speaker 1: It's easier to be bitter than to change. Whether Saul
• 46:32
  Speaker 1: likes it or not, David is being interwoven into the
• 46:34
  Speaker 1: fabric of his family. Jonathan and he are like brothers,
• 46:38
  Speaker 1: and Michal, Saul's youngest daughter, has grown very fond of him.
• 46:42
  Speaker 1: There is a budding romance between David and Michal that
• 46:45
  Speaker 1: gives us some good feelings. Every hero needs a lover, right?
• 46:49
  Speaker 1: We aren't given much details about their relationship in this episode,
• 46:53
  Speaker 1: and that is for a good reason. There isn't much there.
• 46:56
  Speaker 1: The love between David and Mikkel is not deep or
• 46:59
  Speaker 1: rooted in anything stronger than themselves. Mikkel loves David, the legend,
• 47:04
  Speaker 1: not David, the man. This will show itself to be
• 47:08
  Speaker 1: true later on in the series. Mikkel and David will
• 47:11
  Speaker 1: have a complicated relationship that somewhat mirrors the relationship David
• 47:15
  Speaker 1: has with Saul. Saul attempts to murder David in a
• 47:19
  Speaker 1: few different ways. First, he tries to pin him to
• 47:22
  Speaker 1: the wall with his spear. This was a sloppy outburst
• 47:25
  Speaker 1: by Saul and ultimately ends with David escaping and forgiving
• 47:29
  Speaker 1: him afterward. After this, Saul knows he needs to be
• 47:32
  Speaker 1: a bit more tactful. He throws David into the front lines,
• 47:36
  Speaker 1: hoping he will die at the hands of the Philistines.
• 47:39
  Speaker 1: Unfortunately for Saul, David stacks even more victories. The king
• 47:42
  Speaker 1: then gives David the nearly impossible task of retrieving 100
• 47:46
  Speaker 1: Philistine foreskins to prove his worth. He does this and
• 47:49
  Speaker 1: goes above and beyond to please the king. The irony is,
• 47:53
  Speaker 1: with each victory David wins, the more Saul hates him.
• 47:57
  Speaker 1: The giant slayer is caught in a losing battle for
• 48:01
  Speaker 1: the king's affection. However, David doesn't necessarily do any of
• 48:05
  Speaker 1: these things solely for Saul's approval. He is called to
• 48:08
  Speaker 1: be a protector of God's people and the hero of Israel.
• 48:12
  Speaker 1: David certainly enjoys the approval of Saul, but does not
• 48:15
  Speaker 1: need it for his own self-worth. This is a key
• 48:18
  Speaker 1: difference between the king and the shepherd. The king desperately
• 48:21
  Speaker 1: wants the praise and recognition of the people and fights
• 48:24
  Speaker 1: for his own glory. The shepherd wants the protection and
• 48:27
  Speaker 1: redemption of the people and fights for the glory of God.
• 48:31
  Speaker 1: David's humility and character make Saul feel small and petty.
• 48:35
  Speaker 1: This is often the case when we come face to
• 48:37
  Speaker 1: face with truly remarkable people. People who love God and
• 48:42
  Speaker 1: are devoted to their families and humbly serve can rub
• 48:45
  Speaker 1: up against our egos. May we all seek to grow
• 48:48
  Speaker 1: in such a way. In our next episode, Saul will
• 48:51
  Speaker 1: continue down the path of jealousy. David will be forced
• 48:55
  Speaker 1: to make hard decisions that test his character. How will
• 48:58
  Speaker 1: he fare under intense persecution? Find out in our next episode, Exiled.
• 49:04
  Speaker 1: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers,
• 49:08
  Speaker 1: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. Follow
• 49:12
  Speaker 1: the podcast on Apple or Spotify to get the new
• 49:16
  Speaker 1: episodes right as they come out and always be inspired
• 49:19
  Speaker 1: by the Bible. God bless.