Latest / truthunedited / KING DAVID (2025) FULL MOVIE _ From Shepard Boy to KING of Israel(M4A_128K)

Transcript

KING DAVID (2025) FULL MOVIE _ From Shepard Boy to KING of Israel(M4A_128K) · truthunedited

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  Speaker 1: It was a time when Israel was irrupting into chaos
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  following the threat of war from the Philistines. God's chosen
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  people had slowly begun to reject him, so God reluctantly
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  gave them Saul as king, the most jealous and prideful
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  leader Israel had ever seen. Saul's rage and bloodshed shook
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  the land, and the people suffered because they had chosen
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  a mere man instead of trusting God. But God had
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  not forgotten his people. In the quiet fields of Bethlehem,
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  he was preparing an answer. From a lonely pasture, came
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  a boy who would change history forever. David. His very
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  name carried the promise of a heart after God's own.
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  This is the story of the mightiest shepherd who faced
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  giants with nothing but a sling and faith, the king
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  who ruled with justice and worshiped with a heart that
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  trust the law. But it is also the story of
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  the man behind the crown, his fears, his failures, and
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  his prayers. Because David was human, and his greatest battles
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  were not only against armies and kings, but against loneliness, temptation,
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  and the crushing weight of being a king. David had
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  lived in silence, hidden amongst the hills of Bethlehem, faithfully
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  protecting his father's sheep. Tending the flock had become his
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  occupation not by passion, but because, in his father, Jesse's eyes,
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  it was the only thing he could do well. David
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  was not expected to do or become much. A simple
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  life without much struggle would be good enough. Jesse showed
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  love and care, but he could never match the kind
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  of love David had received from his mother. David's mother
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  was different. Though the scriptures never tell us her name,
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  and her life is hidden in silence, she left a
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  mark on David that no one could erase. She taught
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  him to love God and worship him the right way.
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  She would often say, God sees the hearts and the
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  reins of men, unlike anyone else. She believed that David
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  would be a man of strength. While others overlooked him,
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  David carried her faith like a torch. The warmth of
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  her attention shaped him, and the lessons she whispered in
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  his youth stayed with him in the quiet of the fields.
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  He was tasked with the hard jobs, but never was resentful.
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  He worked dutifully, carrying the lessons his mother had sown
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  into his heart. As the youngest of Jesse's sons, David
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  watched his older brothers pursue their dreams while he quietly
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  paused his own. He was a warrior in a field,
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  not on a front line. While his brothers were out fighting,
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  David was tending sheep while swords clashed in the distance.
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  He held a sling in silence. While Israel's soldiers lined
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  up to face the enemy. David was guarding lambs from
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  lions and bears. Yet David never grumbled, never fought for recognition.
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  Always at his side was a sling, always on his back,
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  a harp. Small in stature, simple in dress, but remarkable
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  in spirit. He followed his mother's way even when no
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  one else seemed to notice. And one day he would say, truly,
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  I am your servant, Lord. I serve you just as
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  my mother did. You have freed me from my chains
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  Psalm one hundred sixteen sixteen. Sometimes in the stillness of
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  the fields, David would whisper, Lord, do you see me?
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  Am I enough with just this sling and these songs,
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  And somehow peace would little in, as if God himself
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  had answered yes. He was a boy chosen by God
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  for an extraordinary destiny, though he did not yet know it.
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  What David didn't know was that he was already in training.
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  All of it was preparation, not just for battle, but
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  for kingship. His songs of praise echoed through quiet fields.
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  The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need.
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  He gives me strength and leads me along the right paths.
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  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will
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  not be afraid because you are with me, Psalm twenty three.
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  Though overlooked by his father and brothers, God had seen
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  him not just the giant killer inside him, but the
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  quiet shepherd who stayed when no one noticed, who fought
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  when no one watched, who dreamed even when nothing around
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  him made room for those dreams. The boy would one
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  day stand before Goliath, lead a nation, and be remembered
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  forever as a man after God's own heart. He didn't
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  know that one day, a simple errand would carry him
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  to the valley where giants fall and kings rise. Samuel,
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  the prophet who once anointed Saul as king under God's instruction,
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  was in mourning. Saul had disobeyed the Lord, and Samuel
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  knew his time as king was ending. But then the
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  Lord said to him, you have mourned long enough for
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  Saul I have rejected him as king. Take your flask
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  of olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man
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  named Jesse, for I have chosen one of his sons
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  to be king first Samuel sixteen one. Samuel hesitated, how
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  can I do this? If Saul hears of it, he
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  will kill me. But God replied, take a young heifer
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  with you and say you've come to offer a sacrifice
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  to the Lord. Invite Jesse and his sons, and I
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  will show you which of them to anoint first Samuel
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  sixteen two to three. Samuel obeyed. When he arrived in Bethlehem,
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  the people trembled. Why is the prophet here? They whispered anxiously.
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  The elders came out fearful and asked, do you come
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  in peace? In peace, Samuel assured them. He performed the
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  purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them
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  to the sacrifice too. When they arrived, Samuel took one
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  look at Eliab the eldest, and thought, surely this is
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  the Lord's anointed The eldest Eliab looked every inch a king,
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  tall and confident. But the Lord said, do not judge
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  by appearance or height. I have rejected him. People see
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  the outward appearance, but I look at the heart first,
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  Samuel sixteen seven. One by one, Jesse's seven sons were
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  presented to Samuel, and one by one God rejected them.
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  Then Samuel asked, are these all the sons you have?
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  Jesse hesitated there was one more, the boy he hadn't
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  thought to include. There is still the youngest, Jesse said,
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  almost apologetically, he's out in the fields watching the sheep
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  and goats. Send for him. Samuel replied, we will not
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  sit down until he arrives. David had been summoned many
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  times before, but this time was different. This time, the
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  servants told him to clean up before meeting his father's guest.
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  David paused, when as my father ever cared how I
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  appear before his guests, he wondered. He skipped the formalities
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  of the gathering and went straight to his father. The
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  moment David arrived, still smelling of sheep dust on his clothes,
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  God whispered to Samuel, this is the one first Samuel
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  sixteen twelve. Samuel looked over at David, still smelling of
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  sheep dust on his clothes. He looked nothing like his brother's.
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  David's eyes met his, and he realized his eyes were
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  bright and full of life. David stood there in awe.
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  He wanted to speak, but no words came. His gaze
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  met Samuel's, then moved to his brothers, staring back in confusion.
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  What is happening here, he wondered. Then, without hesitation, Samuel
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  took the flask and poured the anointing oil over David's head.
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  The fragrance filled the room, and in that moment, the
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  spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. David wiped
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  the oil dripping down his face. He didn't understand it all,
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  but something inside him stirred await, a quiet whisper that said,
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  you are seen, you are chosen. He looked at his father,
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  then his brothers. No one spoke. For the first time,
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  David felt greater than ever before. From that day on,
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  David knew his life would never be the same. First
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  Samuel sixteen thirteen Eliab clenched his jaw. The oil was
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  meant for a warrior, not a shepherd. Jesse stood still,
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  eyes darting between Samuel and his youngest son. He had
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  never expected a day like this to come, not such honor,
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  not for his family, not even for David. But Jesse
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  said nothing. He simply watched as oil ran down the
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  face of the sun. He had nearly forgotten. Little did
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  he know that the boy anointed with oil would one
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  day write songs that shook generations, slay giants and father kings.
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  David still smelled like sheep. He didn't carry a sword,
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  but the same hands that had cared for lambs would
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  one day take down a giant. The same heart that
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  was once overlooked would one day lead a nation on
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  his way to Rahmah. Samuel's heart and mind was full
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  of thoughts about the boy David, the one not even
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  called to the sacrifice, neglected by his family but not
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  by God. God's choice may have been hidden from men,
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  but to Samuel it was clear this boy would change
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  the course of history. Meanwhile, in Saul's palace, joy had faded.
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  The spirit of the Lord had left the king, and
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  the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with
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  depression and fear. His moods turned quickly, sometimes furious, sometimes
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  deeply sad. His servants worried for him, said, my Lord,
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  let us find someone who plays the harp. When the
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  spirit troubles you, his music will comfort you. One of
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  the servants said to Saul, one of Jesse's sons from
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  Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that he
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  is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has
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  good judgment. He is also a fine looking young man,
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  and the Lord is with him. So Saul sent messengers
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  to Jesse to say, send me your son, David the Shepherd.
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  Jesse held the letter in trembling hands. As a father,
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  Jesse had hoped to hide David, shield him from the
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  weight of his anointing, perhaps even from destiny itself. But
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  ever since the prophet Samuel poured oil upon his youngest
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  son's head, Jesse had known the Lord had chosen David,
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  and who could fight the will of God. He had
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  told himself he was protecting his youngest son, But perhaps
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  in truth he was afraid, afraid of the danger that
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  comes with favour, afraid of what it might cost David
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  to be chosen. Now, with the King calling, Jesse could
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  no longer hide behind silence. He had to choose to
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  step aside or stand in the way of God. Quickly
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  he summoned David and sent him to Saul, along with
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  a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a
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  wine skin full of wine. David, on the other hand,
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  did not hesitate. He was growing familiar with these sudden callings,
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  moments that pulled him out of the fields and into
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  the unknown. Since the day of his anointing, a quiet
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  boldness had begun to settle in him. He walked with
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  a strength not his own. And so not long after
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  David stood within the towering halls of the palace, harp
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  in hand, and began to serve. His fingers danced across
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  the strings, and his music carried the peace of green
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  pastures and still waters. And though the words were not
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  yet written, the song in his spirit declared, the Lord
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  is my Light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?
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  The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom
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  shall I be afraid when the wicked advance against me
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  to devour me. It is my enemies and my foes
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  who will stumble and fall Psalm twenty seven one through two.
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  As the melodies filled the room, the darkness around Saul
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  lifted his breathing, steadied. The heavy weight in the air lightened.
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  What is your name, boy, the king asked, voice hushed
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  by wonder. I am David, son of Jesse, David replied.
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  David looked into the King's eyes, eyes filled with exhaustion,
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  haunted by something broken within. He didn't see a rebel.
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  He saw a man who had once walked with God
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  and now stood outside the light. David studied Saul and
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  only hoped the spirit of the Lord would be given
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  unto him again. To Saul, there was something about this boy,
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  something beyond what he had been told. He had expected
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  a musician, perhaps even a skilled one, but not this presence.
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  David's calm wasn't the arrogance of youth. It was something deeper, weightier,
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  as if the boy carried not just a harp, but
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  the breath of heaven. Saul couldn't name it, but he
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  felt it, this shepherd before him, with the quiet strength
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  of someone already chosen. In time, Saul grew fond of David.
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  He named him his armor bearer, drawing him close in trust,
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  and whenever the dark spirit returned, David would play, and
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  right there Saul found peace again. First Samuel sixteen twenty
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  one to twenty three. And in the stillness of those
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  royal chambers, the shepherd's harp became more than music. It
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  became a vessel of divine mercy, a channel to the
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  presence of God. In David's song, God whispered hope to
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  a crumbling throne, And though no crown rested on his head,
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  already the Lord was placing him in the heart of
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  the kingdom. At the war front, the Philistines had gathered
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  their army for battle against Israel. King Saul responded by
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  gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. So
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  there they stood Philistines on one hill, Israelites on another,
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  with the valley stretched between them. Tension gripped the Israelite camp.
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  Every man waited for the first move, but none dared
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  to make it. Then from the Philistine lines a figure
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  emerged Goliath, a champion from Gath, towering over nine feet tall,
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  his bronze armor glinting in the sunlight. Each step made
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  the ground seem to tremble, and when he spoke, his
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  voice rolled like thunder across the valley. His armor bearer
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  walked before him, carrying a great shield. Goliath stopped and
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  shouted his challenge, Why are you coming out to fight?
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  I am the Philistine champion, and you are only the
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  servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here
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  and fight me. If he kills me, we will be
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  your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be ours.
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  I defy the armies of Israel today. Send me a
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  man to fight me. When Saul and the Israelites heard this,
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  fear gripped them. The Philistine wasn't asking for the whole army,
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  only one man. But for forty days, morning and evening,
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  the challenge was repeated, and for forty days no one
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  stepped forward, not even King Saul. In Bethlehem, Jesse's three
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  oldest sons, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimaya were already with Saul's army. Jesse,
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  now old and slower on his feet, often relied on
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  David to help around the house. David would travel back
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  and forth between tending sheep and carrying our tasks. One day,
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  Jesse called him, take this basket of roasted grain and
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  these ten loaves of bread to your brothers, and take
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  these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how
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  they are, and bring me back a report. David left
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  the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the
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  next morning. When David reached the camp, the Israelites were
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  rushing toward the battle line with shouts and cries. Then,
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  as before, Goliath stepped out from the Philistine ranks, hurling
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  the same insult and the same challenge. The moment the
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  Israelites saw him, they ran back in fear. Quiet whispers
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  rippled through the ranks. Have you seen him? He comes
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  out each day to defy Israel? David felt anger rise
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  in him. What will a man get for killing this
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  philistine and ending his defiance? Who is this pagan philistine
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  anyway that he should be allowed to defy the armies
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  of the living God? The soldiers answered him, The King
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  has promised a great reward. He will give the man
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  one of his daughters in marriage, and the man's family
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  will never pay taxes again. Eliab overheard David speaking. He
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  walked over, his voice hot with anger. What are you
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  doing here? And what about those few sheep you're supposed
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  to be watching? I know your pride and deceit. You
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  just came to see the battle. David had long felt
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  his older brother's rejection, and since the day Samuel anointed him,
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  it had only grown stronger. What have I done now,
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  David shot back, I was only asking a question. But
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  word of David's boldness spread quickly. It reached King Saul,
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  who sent for him in the king's tent, Saul looked
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  him over. You can't fight him, Saul said, You're just
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  a boy, and Goliath has been a warrior all his life.
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  David stood firm. I've cared for my father's sheep. When
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  a lion or bear came and carried off a lamb,
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  I went after it, struck it and rescued it. If
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  it turned on me, I wrestled it by the jaw
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  and killed it. I've done this with lions and bears,
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  and I will do the same to this philistine. The
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  Lord who rescued me from them will rescue me from him.
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  Saul saw the fire in David's eyes. Go, he said,
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  at last, and may the Lord be with you. Saul's
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  armor was brought, but it was heavy and awkward. David
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  tried it, then set it aside. He realized that if
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  this battle would be won, it would be done just
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  as God had trained him with his father's sheep, without armor,
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  without sword. That night a tent was given to him
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  to rest and prepare for the battle ahead. While the
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  camp had settled, David remembered his knights among the sheep,
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  watching with one eye and sleeping with the other. And
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  then a song arose in his spirit as worship and prayer.
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  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.
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  My God is my strength in whom I will trust
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  saw eighteen one through two. The words steadied his heart.
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  These were the moments when lions and bears had come,
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  and they had always met. David prepared just as Goliath would.
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  Still in the spirit of praise, David walked to a
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  near by stream. He knelt and chose five smooth stones,
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  not with might, not with strength, but with the wisdom
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  of God. As his hand touched the first stone, a
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  memory stirred in his heart. The same God who had
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  saved him before would save him again. That stone presented faith.
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  The second stone felt like obedience. He had not chosen
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  this battle, God had chosen him instead. The third stone
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  echoed courage, the fire to run forward when all others
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  ran away. The fourth was preparation, every hidden fight with
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  lions and bears had led to this very moment. The
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  fifth stone was victory, a reminder that the battle belonged
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  to the Lord. Then David rose not just with stones,
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  but with a song burning in his spirit. With his
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  sling in hand, David was ready to face Goliath. The
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  Philistine champion stepped forward. At first, Goliath thought the Israelites
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  had sent someone to deliver a message. He saw the
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  young lad walking toward him and with his shield bearer
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  in front. He waited for the boy to speak, but
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  David said nothing. He didn't carry a message. Then Goliath
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  suddenly realized the truth. This boy had been sent to
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  fight him. He laughed with scorn, a boy still in
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  his youth, small and not even armed. What audacity am
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  I a dog that you come to me with sixth
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  good cloth, and I will give your flesh to the
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  bird and to the beasts of the field, He hissed.
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  The Giant's laughter rolled across the valley, and the Philistines
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  also shouted with him. But on the other side, the
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  Israelites trembled back, their hearts sank. David, however, stood firm.
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  He remembered the lion, he remembered the bear, and he
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  remembered how the Lord had delivered him every time. Now
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  his heart only burned with one thought. This giant must fall.
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  He lifted his voice, strong and steady. You come to
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  me with a sword, and with a spear, and with
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  a shield. But I come to you in the name
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  of the Lord, the God of the armies of Israel,
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  whom you have defied. Today. The Lord will deliver you
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  into my hand, and the whole world will know there
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  is a God in Israel. For the battle is the Lord's,
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  and he will give you into our hands. First Samuel
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  seventeen forty five to forty seven. The valley went silent.
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  Even the Philistines, who had been laughing a moment ago,
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  grew very uneasy. Goliath rose to his full height, fury
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  blazing in his eyes. How could one so fragile without
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  armor or sword dare challenge him. He towered over David,
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  gripping his spear, ready to strike. Then David moved. He
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  didn't wait for Goliath to meet him where he was.
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  With his focus and quickened steps, he ran straight toward Goliath.
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  His feet pounded the earth, and dust rose behind him.
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  The Israelites gasped, some cried, out while others watched in
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  frozen silence. Quickly, he put his hand in his bag,
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  took a stone, and slang it. The sling spun in
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  David's hand very fast, and then the stone flew. It
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  cut through the air with speed, and struck Goliath deep
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  into his forehead. His eyes went wide. The giant's grin
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  vanished immediately. He stumbled and tried to steady himself, but
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  it was too late. In that moment, he knew the
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  god of this shepherd boy had triumph. With a crash,
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  Goliath fell forward to the ground, His armor clanged like thunder,
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  and dust rose in a cloud around his body. For
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  a moment, there was heavy silence and no one moved.
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  Then whispers broke into shouts. The Philistines stepped back in horror.
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  Their champion was gone. The israel lights blinked and roared
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  in triumph. Stunned, but David wasn't finished. He ran to
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  the fallen giant, pulled Goliath's own massive sword from its sheath,
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  and with one stroke, ended the battle. Fear came upon
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  the Philistines. They fled in terror, scattering in every direction.
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  Weapons clattered to the ground as they ran. The Israelites,
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  once filled with fear, now surged forward with a mighty
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  shout and chased them across the valley. David stood tall,
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  lifting the head of Goliath high for all to see.
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  This was no dream. The God who had anointed him
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  in secret, had proven him in public. And from David's
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  lips came a song. The Lord delivered me from my
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  strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were
• 27:18
  too strong for me. By my God, I have run
• 27:22
  through a troop. By my God, I have leapt over
• 27:25
  a wall. It is God who gives me strength and
• 27:29
  makes my way perfect, Psalm eighteen seventeen twenty nine thirty two.
• 27:38
  From his seat, King Saul had watched the entire battle.
• 27:42
  He saw the boy who once played the harp for him,
• 27:45
  now standing as a victorious warrior before all israel Or
• 27:49
  filled his heart, but unease crept in as well. He
• 27:54
  turned to Abner, the captain of his army. Abner Saul asked,
• 28:00
  whose son is this, young man? Abner shook his head.
• 28:05
  As surely as you live, O King, I do not
• 28:08
  know find out, Saul commanded, his eyes still fixed on David.
• 28:15
  When David returned from the battlefield, Abner brought him before
• 28:19
  the king. David still carried the head of Goliath in
• 28:22
  his hand, but he had kept the armor in his
• 28:25
  tent on the battlefield. Tell me about your father, Saul, said, David,
• 28:31
  not surprised, answered, his name is Jesse, and we live
• 28:35
  in Bethlehem. It should have been the beginning of friendship
• 28:39
  between Saul and David, but soon it would turn into
• 28:44
  bitter hatred. But David would not keep Goliath's head with him. Instead,
• 28:51
  he would carry it to Jerusalem. At that time, Jerusalem
• 28:57
  was still in the hands of the Jebucytes, and yet
• 29:01
  he placed the head there. It was more than a
• 29:05
  trophy of war. It was the prophecy in action. The
• 29:10
  very city where he laid Goliath's head would one day
• 29:13
  become his stronghold, the city of David, the place where
• 29:17
  the ark of God's presence would rest. And far beyond
• 29:21
  David's story, another son of David would one day ride
• 29:25
  into Jerusalem, not to place the head of an enemy there,
• 29:30
  but to crush the serpent's head once and for all.
• 29:34
  What David began, Christ would finish. David was heading out
• 29:39
  when he collided with Jonathan, the King's son. Their eyes
• 29:43
  met and there was an immediate bond between them. Jonathan
• 29:48
  recognized something more than courage in David. He saw the
• 29:51
  hand of God upon him, and right there, because he
• 29:55
  loved him as he loved himself, Jonathan made a solemn
• 29:58
  pact with David. He sealed it by taking off his
• 30:02
  robe and giving it to David, along with his tunic, sword, bow,
• 30:07
  and belt. Their hearts were knit together in loyalty and trust,
• 30:12
  bound by covenant to stand with each other for ever
• 30:16
  first Samuel eighteen one through four. For David, that was
• 30:21
  the first bond of genuine friendship. He perceived the love
• 30:25
  Jonathan had for him, and he knew that it could
• 30:28
  only be got. Not long after the Israelite army returned
• 30:33
  home from victory, women from every town poured out into
• 30:37
  the streets, singing and dancing with tambourines and cymbals. Their
• 30:42
  voices rang out Saul has slain his thousands, and David
• 30:46
  his tens of thousands. But King Saul did not share
• 30:50
  their joy. With every verse of the song, pride gave
• 30:54
  way to bitterness. His smile hardened into a jealous glare.
• 31:00
  They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands.
• 31:04
  He muttered, next, they'll be making him their king. From
• 31:09
  that day on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David,
• 31:13
  but Jonathan, Saul's own son, saw no rival in him. Instead,
• 31:19
  he saw a brave and faithful man, a friend who
• 31:22
  would never betray him. Saul, however, had other plans. He
• 31:27
  noticed that David succeeded in everything he was given to do,
• 31:32
  so he decided to use that success against him. He
• 31:35
  promoted David to a commander over the men of war,
• 31:39
  secretly hoping the battles would claim his life. And from
• 31:43
  that day on, Saul kept David with him and no
• 31:47
  longer allowed him to return home to his father's house.
• 31:51
  The plan failed. Everywhere David went, God gave him victory.
• 31:57
  The people of Israel and Judah loved him all the
• 31:59
  more for he led them with wisdom and courage. But
• 32:04
  Saul grew restless. The next day, as a tormenting spirit
• 32:08
  from the Lord came upon him, he raved in his
• 32:12
  house like a madman. David was summoned to play the harp,
• 32:16
  just as he had done before. His music was meant
• 32:19
  to soothe, but Saul's hand reached for a spear without warning.
• 32:24
  Saul hurled it at David, hoping to pin him to
• 32:27
  the wall. David dodged the strike and escaped, but Saul
• 32:32
  tried again and missed. The second time, Fear crept into
• 32:37
  Saul's heart. He knew now that the Lord was with
• 32:41
  David and had turned away from him. Still Saul didn't
• 32:46
  give up. He sent David away and made him commander
• 32:50
  over a thousand men, hoping that greater responsibility might bring
• 32:54
  greater danger. But every battle only brought more success, and
• 32:59
  with every Seclcee says, Saul's fear deepened, while David's favour
• 33:03
  grew Before all Israel, David never stopped praising the name
• 33:08
  of the Lord. Saul's anger only deepened. His schemes didn't
• 33:14
  end there. Seeing that battles and spears had failed, he
• 33:18
  tried another way through marriage. First, Saul promised his oldest
• 33:24
  daughter Morab to David. Only be brave for me and
• 33:29
  fight the Lord's battles, Saul said, But whether marriage or not,
• 33:35
  David's heart was never after rewards, he knew the battle
• 33:39
  was the Lord's and for the Lord, the dream God
• 33:43
  had placed in him was already being fulfilled. The shepherd
• 33:48
  boy who once commanded his father's sheep, hidden and unseen,
• 33:53
  was now commander over the men of war. The same
• 33:57
  faith that guarded sheep in the wilderness was now guarding
• 34:01
  a nation before kings. When the time came, Saul changed
• 34:07
  his mind and gave Merab to another man. But Saul
• 34:11
  discovered something else. His younger daughter, Mihal, loved David. This
• 34:17
  pleased him not because of affection, but because it gave
• 34:21
  him another chance to ensnare David. Saul said to David,
• 34:25
  to day, you have a second chance to become my
• 34:28
  son in law. Then Saul told his men to say
• 34:31
  to David, the king really likes you, and so do we.
• 34:36
  Why don't you accept the king's offer and become his
• 34:39
  son in law. When Saul's men said these things to David,
• 34:43
  he replied, how can a poor man from a humble
• 34:47
  family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king.
• 34:52
  When Saul's men reported this back to the king, he
• 34:55
  set a dangerous price for the marriage. Tell David that
• 34:59
  all I want for the bride price is one hundred
• 35:03
  Philistine four skins. Vengeance on my enemies is all I
• 35:07
  really want. In his heart, Saul thought, surely David will
• 35:13
  fall to the Philistines, but David accepted the challenge gladly.
• 35:18
  Before the time limit expired, he went out with his
• 35:21
  men and struck down not one hundred, but two hundred Philistines.
• 35:27
  He returned and presented the full count before the king.
• 35:31
  So Saul gave his daughter Myhal to David to be
• 35:35
  his wife. When Saul realized that the Lord was with
• 35:39
  David and how much his daughter Mihal loved him, fear
• 35:43
  gripped the king's heart. The very man who at once
• 35:47
  calmed his spirit with music now stood as a living
• 35:51
  reminder that God's hand had moved on. Saul became even
• 35:58
  more afraid of David from that day forward. He remained
• 36:02
  David's enemy for the rest of his life. Yet David
• 36:06
  continued to rise. Every time the Philistine commanders attacked. David
• 36:11
  led Israel to victory. He was more successful than all
• 36:15
  the rest of Saul's officers, and soon David's name was
• 36:19
  spoken across the land, from battlefield to village streets. His
• 36:24
  fame only grew. Saul could no longer hide the darkness
• 36:28
  in his heart. He urged his servants and even his
• 36:31
  own son Jonathan, to assassinate David. But Jonathan, because of
• 36:36
  his deep affection for David, went straight to warn him,
• 36:41
  tomorrow morning, you must find a hiding place out in
• 36:43
  the fields. I'll ask my father to go out there
• 36:46
  with me, and I'll talk to him about you. Then
• 36:49
  I'll tell you everything I can find out first Samuel
• 36:54
  nineteen two to three. The next morning, Jonathan confronted the king.
• 37:01
  He spoke boldly, reminding Saul of all the good David
• 37:05
  had done. The king must not sin against his servant David.
• 37:09
  Jonathan pleaded, He's never done anything to harm you. He
• 37:13
  risked his life to kill the Philistine giant, and the
• 37:16
  Lord brought a great victory to Israel as a result.
• 37:20
  You were glad about it. Then why would you murder
• 37:23
  an innocent man like David. There is no reason for
• 37:27
  it at all. For a moment, Saul's heart softened, he
• 37:32
  listened to Jonathan and swore an oath as surely as
• 37:37
  the Lord lives, David will not be killed. Jonathan rushed
• 37:42
  back to David with the news, bringing him once again
• 37:45
  into the king's court, and for a while it seemed
• 37:49
  like peace had returned. But peace in Saul's heart never lasted.
• 37:55
  Long war broke out again, and David led his troops
• 37:59
  against the Phylisione Dines. His victories were unmatched, and his
• 38:02
  enemies fled before him, But with every triumph, Saul's envy
• 38:07
  grew darker. Saul sat alone in the dimly lit throne room.
• 38:12
  The crown on his head felt heavier than ever, as
• 38:15
  if it carried not just gold, but the weight of
• 38:18
  his fear. Outside the city celebrated David's victory over Goliath.
• 38:25
  The cheers of the people pierced the quiet of the palace,
• 38:29
  and Saul's eyes darted to the doors, restless, suspicious. Who
• 38:35
  is this boy, he muttered, his voice barely controlled. This shepherd.
• 38:40
  He defeats giants and the people love him. My throne,
• 38:45
  my kingdom. Could it slip from my hands? He began
• 38:49
  pacing hands, trembling thoughts, racing. Everyone conspires, everyone wants the crown,
• 38:56
  even David. The prophecy. It says he will be king
• 39:00
  me replaced by a boy. I cannot allow it. He
• 39:05
  summoned his guards and advisers, his voice sharp and trembling
• 39:08
  with paranoia. Watch him, Watch all of Israel. If any
• 39:12
  one plots, if any one whispers, I will know, I
• 39:16
  will protect my throne. The guards exchanged nervous glances, a
• 39:22
  Saul sank back into his throne, consumed by fear. Every
• 39:27
  laugh in the streets, every cheer for David felt like
• 39:31
  a dagger in his heart. His mind spun with suspicion,
• 39:35
  and the weight of his paranoia grew heavier with each
• 39:38
  passing moment. One evening, as David played his harp in
• 39:42
  the royal house, Saul sat watching with a spear in
• 39:46
  his hand. Suddenly, the tormenting spirit from the Lord came
• 39:51
  upon him again. Saul, with a sudden rage, hurled the
• 39:56
  spear straight at David. The weapon whistled past David, slamming
• 40:00
  into the wall. David barely escaped with his life. He
• 40:04
  fled into the night, while Saul's spear remained trembling in
• 40:09
  the stone. That night, Saul's rage burned hotter than ever.
• 40:14
  He sent troops to surround David's house with one clear
• 40:18
  order to kill him in the morning. But David's wife, Michal,
• 40:23
  heard of the plan and warned him, if you don't
• 40:27
  escape to night, you will be dead by morning. David froze,
• 40:32
  shock washed over him. Could it be true the same
• 40:37
  soul he had fought for played music for honored as king,
• 40:43
  now sought his life. What offense have I done? His
• 40:47
  heart cried, but there was no time to search for answers.
• 40:52
  Mechel rushed him toward the window with a heavy heart.
• 40:55
  David climbed out into the night, and as his feet
• 40:59
  hit the ground, one resolve burned within him. Before thinking
• 41:04
  of anything, he would find safety first, So David fled
• 41:09
  into the darkness just as Saul's soldiers closed in on
• 41:13
  the house. But Mihal wasn't finished. She quickly grabbed an idol,
• 41:18
  laid it in the bed, and covered it with blankets.
• 41:22
  At the head, she placed a cushion of goat's hair,
• 41:25
  making it look as though David was still sleeping. When
• 41:29
  Saul's men stormed in, Mihal told them he was sick
• 41:33
  and cannot get out of bed. The soldiers returned to
• 41:36
  Saul with the news, but Saul growled with fury and
• 41:40
  gave a heavy order bring him to me in his
• 41:43
  bed so I can kill him. The men rushed back,
• 41:46
  only to discover the deceit. Pulling away the blankets, they
• 41:50
  found nothing but an idol and goat's hair. Saul turned
• 41:54
  his anger on Mihal, why have you betrayed me like
• 41:58
  this and let my enemy escape? Mihal answered in fear
• 42:03
  she loved David enough to deceive her father. I had to.
• 42:08
  He threatened to kill me if I didn't help him. Meanwhile,
• 42:12
  David ran to Rama and found refuge with the prophet Samuel.
• 42:17
  There in Naioth, David poured out everything Saul had done.
• 42:22
  Samuel took him in, giving him shelter among the prophets.
• 42:26
  But word soon reached Saul David is at Naioth in Rama,
• 42:32
  so Saul sent men to capture him. Yet when they arrived,
• 42:36
  they saw Samuel leading a company of prophets in worship.
• 42:40
  The spirit of God fell upon them, and instead of
• 42:43
  seizing David, they began to prophesy. Saul sent a second group.
• 42:49
  The same thing happened a third group, and again the
• 42:52
  spirit overtook them, and they too prophesied. Angry, Saul himself
• 42:58
  went to Rama. Where are Samuel and David? He demanded?
• 43:04
  The people lingering around answered him they were at Naioth
• 43:08
  in Ramah, But just before Saul could reach them, the
• 43:12
  spirit of God came upon him as well. He began
• 43:15
  to prophesy all the way until he tore off his
• 43:19
  royal garments and lay bare on the ground. Saul prophesied
• 43:24
  all day and night, naked in Samuel's presence. The people
• 43:28
  who saw it exclaimed in shock, what is even Saul
• 43:32
  a prophet? This was God's clear sign that his hand
• 43:36
  was on David, and no one, not even the king,
• 43:39
  could stop his plan. David heard that Saul himself came
• 43:44
  to Rama, and he wondered what he had done for
• 43:46
  Saul to seek his life so desperately. In desperation, he
• 43:51
  fled to Jonathan. His voice trembled as he asked, what
• 43:55
  have I done? How have I offended your father that
• 43:58
  he is so determined to kill me? But Jonathan, unaware
• 44:02
  of what was happening, shook his head. That's not true.
• 44:06
  You're not going to die. My father tells me everything
• 44:09
  great or small. He wouldn't hide this from me, But
• 44:13
  David pressed harder. Your father knows about our friendship. He
• 44:18
  has said to himself. I won't tell Jonathan, but I
• 44:22
  swear to you I am only a step away from death.
• 44:25
  Believing Jonathan's eyes filled with concern, tell me what I
• 44:30
  can do to help you, David explained his plan tomorrow
• 44:35
  was the festival, and his seat at the king's table
• 44:38
  would be empty. If your father is calm, i'll know
• 44:42
  I'm safe. But if he burns with anger, then you'll
• 44:46
  know he is determined to kill me. Jonathan swore before
• 44:50
  the Lord. If my father wants you dead, may the
• 44:53
  Lord strike me. If I don't warn you, so you
• 44:56
  can escape and live. May the Lord be with you
• 45:00
  as he once was with my father. The two renewed
• 45:05
  their covenant of friendship, sealing it with tears and loyalty.
• 45:10
  The festival came, Saul sat at the table, but David's
• 45:14
  seat was empty. The first day, he said nothing, But
• 45:18
  when David was missing the second day, Saul demanded, why
• 45:22
  hasn't the son of Jesse been here for the meal?
• 45:25
  Jonathan answered carefully. David asked permission to go to Bethlehem
• 45:30
  for a family sacrifice. Saul's face twisted with rage. He roared, you,
• 45:36
  stupid son of a hare. Don't you see as long
• 45:39
  as David lives, you'll never be king. Now go and
• 45:42
  bring him here. He must die. Jonathan rose to his
• 45:46
  feet in fury. But why should he be put to death?
• 45:50
  What has he done? Saul hurled his spear at his
• 45:54
  own son. Jonathan knew then it was true his father
• 45:58
  was determined to kill David. The next morning, Jonathan went
• 46:02
  into the field. He shot an arrow beyond the boy
• 46:05
  who was with him, and shouted, the arrow is still
• 46:08
  ahead of you. Hurry. David understood the signal. When the
• 46:12
  boy was gone, David came out of hiding. He bowed
• 46:16
  low three times, then embraced Jonathan. Both wept, but David's
• 46:22
  grief was greater. At last, Jonathan said, go in peace,
• 46:27
  for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the
• 46:29
  Lord's name. The Lord is the witness of the bond
• 46:33
  between us and our children forever. And so, with hearts
• 46:38
  broken but covenant unshaken, they parted ways, friends bound by God,
• 46:45
  though enemies surrounded them. David fled from Saul and came
• 46:49
  to the town of Noob, seeking refuge with a Himelech,
• 46:52
  the priest. But when a Himelech saw him, the priest trembled,
• 46:57
  why are you alone? Why is no one with you?
• 47:01
  David hadn't planned on answering questions. He was still finding
• 47:05
  answers too, but he answered quickly, the King has sent
• 47:09
  me on a private mission. My men are waiting elsewhere.
• 47:13
  But tell me what do you have to eat? Give
• 47:16
  me five loaves or whatever you can spare. Ahimelech shook
• 47:21
  his head. There is no ordinary bread here, only the
• 47:25
  Holy bread. If your men have kept themselves pure, David
• 47:29
  reassured him. Don't worry. My men always stay pure, even
• 47:35
  in ordinary times. They remain clean. How much more now?
• 47:40
  And so the priest gave him the consecrated bread, the
• 47:44
  bread of the presence just replaced that very day. But
• 47:49
  someone else was watching. Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief herdsman,
• 47:54
  was in knob. His eyes followed David. David saw dock,
• 47:59
  and he knew he had to escape quickly. David asked,
• 48:03
  do you have a spear or a sword? The king's
• 48:06
  business was so urgent, I didn't bring mine a Himelek
• 48:11
  hesitated at first, then replied, the only weapon here is
• 48:15
  the sword of Goliath, the Philistine, whom you struck down
• 48:19
  in the valley of Elah. It is wrapped in a
• 48:22
  cloth behind the effort. Take it if you wish. David's
• 48:25
  eyes lit up. If there was any weapon suitable for
• 48:28
  that moment, that was it. There is nothing like it.
• 48:32
  Give it to me, he said, Now armed with Goliath's blade,
• 48:36
  David fled again, this time to the Philistine city of Gath,
• 48:40
  into the hands of King Akish. But the king's officers
• 48:44
  whispered among themselves, isn't this David, the king of the land,
• 48:49
  the one they sing about. Saul has slain his thousands
• 48:53
  and David his tens of thousands. David's heart sank, fear
• 48:58
  gripped him. He knew he was in danger, so he
• 49:02
  resorted to a desperate plan. He scratched at the doors
• 49:06
  like a madman. He let drool run down into his beard.
• 49:11
  The mighty warrior of Israel, the slayer of giants, pretended
• 49:16
  to be insane, just to stay alive. David left Gath,
• 49:21
  fleeing for his life. He reached the cave of Adullam,
• 49:25
  and soon his brothers and relatives found him there. They
• 49:29
  could have ignored him, or even sided with Saul to
• 49:33
  end him, but instead they joined him in a place
• 49:36
  not of luxury, in a place of distress. Relief and
• 49:40
  awe swelled in David's heart. He realized that, after all
• 49:44
  concerning his family, God had not forgotten him amidst the struggles.
• 49:49
  This was God answering the question he asked during his
• 49:53
  days as a shepherd. From his heart came a prayer.
• 49:56
  The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart
• 50:00
  art trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart
• 50:03
  leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
• 50:06
  The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress
• 50:10
  of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and
• 50:14
  bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd and carry them forever,
• 50:20
  Psalm twenty eight seven through nine. Other men began arriving too,
• 50:25
  men who were troubled in debt or just discontented, some exhausted,
• 50:30
  some broken. Yet they all looked to David for safety
• 50:33
  and purpose. Before long he led about four hundred men,
• 50:38
  not a formal army, but a band united by hope
• 50:42
  and destiny. David knew his life had always been beyond luxury.
• 50:46
  He just never knew that when royalty came calling for him,
• 50:50
  trouble would arise. From shepherd boy to warrior to hunted man,
• 50:55
  David's path had not been easy, but God, who had
• 50:58
  anointed him and filled him with his spirit, watched over
• 51:02
  him in every danger. His brothers would stay, but David's
• 51:06
  heart ached for his parents. They needed protection for them.
• 51:11
  He traveled to King Misbeh in Moab. Please, he said,
• 51:16
  bowing low, allow my father and mother to live here
• 51:20
  until I know what God has planned for me. The
• 51:24
  king agreed. Fulfilled that his parents were safe, he returned
• 51:28
  to his stronghold, the cave of a dullam shaped David.
• 51:32
  Once again, even in danger, he found clarity. He guided
• 51:37
  his men with care, just as he had with his sheep,
• 51:41
  and he knew this moment was only a season, a
• 51:44
  time to learn, to grow and to prepare for what
• 51:48
  God had ahead. One day, a prophet called God came
• 51:52
  to him. Leave the stronghold. God said, return to Judah.
• 51:57
  David had been waiting for this whisper in the sun silence.
• 52:01
  He knew the next move had come, and he called
• 52:03
  his men together. We go to the forest of Herith.
• 52:07
  He commanded trust God to guide us. Where Saul saw danger,
• 52:13
  David saw a chance to trust God. While fear and
• 52:17
  doubt filled Saul's palace, David stayed calm. He knew the
• 52:22
  throne would come by God's promise and not by force.
• 52:26
  The prophecy that scared Saul was instead a hope to David,
• 52:31
  a sign that God's timing would decide the future. Even
• 52:35
  as Saul's fear turned to anger, David stayed patient and brave.
• 52:40
  His life showed that real power comes from trusting God,
• 52:44
  not from fear. The news of David's arrival in Judah
• 52:48
  reached Saul. The King sat beneath the tamarisk tree on
• 52:51
  the hill at Gibeah, his spear in hand, surrounded by
• 52:54
  his officers. Rage burned in him. Men of Benjamin, Saul shouted,
• 53:00
  Has Jesse's son promised you fields and vineyards? Has he
• 53:03
  made you captains? Even my own son helps him to
• 53:05
  kill me? Doeg the Adamite stepped forward. I saw David
• 53:10
  in noob. He spoke with a Himelech, the priest. The
• 53:13
  priest gave him food, the sword of Goliath, and even
• 53:17
  consulted God on his behalf. Saul's face twisted with fury.
• 53:21
  Bring a Himelech and all the priests of nob A
• 53:25
  Himelech entered, trembling, What is it, my king? Why have
• 53:30
  you conspired with David? Saul thundered, Why give him bread
• 53:34
  and a sword? Why consult God for him? You encourage
• 53:37
  him to kill me? My king? A Himelech answered, voice
• 53:41
  shaking David is loyal. He is your son in law,
• 53:44
  the captain of your guard, honored in your house. I
• 53:48
  knew nothing of any plot. You will die. Saul roared
• 53:52
  you and your family. The gods froze, unwilling to strike
• 53:57
  the priests of the Lord. Saul turned sharp, Doegg you
• 54:01
  do it. Doeg obeyed. That day, eighty five priests fell
• 54:07
  by his sword, still clothed in holy garments. He destroyed knob, men, women, children,
• 54:13
  even livestock. Later, Abiatha stumbled into David's camp, breathless. David Saul,
• 54:20
  he has killed the priests of the Lord, my family,
• 54:23
  all of them. David's face fell in grief. I knew
• 54:27
  it when I saw Doick, I knew he would tell
• 54:31
  Saul my actions they caused this. He took Abathar's hand firmly.
• 54:37
  Stay with me. Don't be afraid. The man who seeks
• 54:41
  my life seeks yours. Also with me, you will be safe.
• 54:48
  One day word reached David the Philistines were raiding Kayla
• 54:53
  and stealing grain from the threshing floors. David turned to
• 54:57
  God for direction. I go and fight them. The Lord answered,
• 55:03
  go save Keayla. But his men hesitated. They were already
• 55:07
  afraid in Judah, and the thought of facing an entire
• 55:10
  Philistine army terrified them. So David prayed again and God
• 55:15
  confirmed his word, go, I will give you victory. With
• 55:20
  that assurance, David led his men to Keyla. They struck
• 55:23
  down the Philistines, seized their live stock, and rescued the people.
• 55:28
  But news traveled quickly. When Saul heard David was in
• 55:32
  a walled city, he thought he had finally trapped him.
• 55:36
  He prepared his army to march. David learned of Saul's
• 55:39
  plan and again sought God. He asked, will Saul come here?
• 55:44
  The Lord said yes, he will. Then David asked, will
• 55:48
  the leaders of Keela hand me over again? The Lord
• 55:51
  said yes, So David and his six hundred men fled
• 55:56
  from Keayla before Saul could arrive. From that day on,
• 56:00
  David hid in the wilderness and the hills of Ziph.
• 56:04
  Saul hunted him relentlessly, but God never let Saul find him.
• 56:09
  Jonathan found David and strengthened his faith. Jonathan reminded him
• 56:13
  of God's promise, you will be king. My father knows this,
• 56:19
  and I will stand beside you. The two renewed their
• 56:22
  covenant before the Lord and Jonathan returned home, but others
• 56:27
  were not as loyal. The men of Ziph went to
• 56:30
  Saul and betrayed David's location. Saul blessed them for their
• 56:35
  report and ordered them to spy more carefully. Meanwhile, David
• 56:41
  moved deeper into the wilderness of Maon. There, Saul nearly
• 56:45
  trapped him on a mountain. David and his men were
• 56:48
  on one side, Saul's army closing in on the other.
• 56:52
  But just as capture seemed certain, a messenger rushed to Saul.
• 56:57
  The Philistines had attacked Israel again. Saul broke off his
• 57:01
  pursuit to defend his land. From then on, that place
• 57:06
  became known as the Rock of Escape. David moved on,
• 57:11
  finding refuge in the strongholds of Engeddy. Saul returned from
• 57:16
  fighting the Philistines and was told David had gone into
• 57:20
  the wilderness of Engeddy. He chose three thousand of Israel's
• 57:24
  elite troops and set out toward the direction of David.
• 57:28
  Along the way, Saul entered a cave to relieve himself,
• 57:32
  unaware that David and his men were hidden deeper inside.
• 57:36
  David's men whispered urgently, now's your chance. To Day, the
• 57:40
  Lord is saying, he has delivered your enemy into your hands.
• 57:45
  David crept forward in silence. His blade sliced the edge
• 57:49
  of Saul's robe, but his heart struck him. He turned
• 57:53
  back to his men. The Lord forbid that I should
• 57:56
  do this to my Lord the King. He whispered, I
• 58:00
  will not lift my hand against the lords Anointed. He
• 58:04
  held them back and they left, not aware of anything.
• 58:09
  Saul rose and left the cave. He went on his way.
• 58:14
  Moments later, David stepped out into the sunlight. His voice
• 58:19
  carried across the valley. My Lord the King. Saul turned
• 58:24
  at the voice of David. David bowed low to the ground.
• 58:28
  Why do you listen to those who say I seek
• 58:30
  to harm you, David cried to Day. The Lord placed
• 58:34
  you in my hands. My men urged me to kill you,
• 58:38
  but I spared you. I said, I will not lift
• 58:41
  my hand against the lords Anointed. Look, my father. David
• 58:47
  held up the torn piece of cloth. Here is the
• 58:50
  hem of your robe. I cut it, yet I didn't
• 58:53
  kill you. This proves I am no traitor. I haven't
• 58:58
  sinned against you, though you hunt me to take my life.
• 59:02
  May the Lord judge between us. May he punish you
• 59:06
  if he wills, But I will never harm you. Who
• 59:10
  is the king of Israel chasing a dead dog a
• 59:14
  single flea. Let the Lord be my judge. He will
• 59:19
  plead my case and rescue me from your hand. David's
• 59:24
  words echoed against the rocks. Saul's voice trembled in reply.
• 59:29
  Is that really you, my son? David? Tears streamed down
• 59:33
  his face. You are more righteous than I. You have
• 59:38
  repaid me good for evil. The Lord placed me in
• 59:41
  your hands, and you did not kill me. Who let
• 59:45
  his enemy go free like this? May the Lord reward
• 59:49
  you for the kindness you've shown me. I know now
• 59:52
  that you will surely be king. The Kingdom of Israel
• 59:56
  will be established in your hands. But swear to me
• 59:59
  by the Lord that you will not kill my descendants
• 1:00:03
  or wipe out my family name. David lifted his hand,
• 1:00:07
  I swear it. Saul turned back toward home, while David
• 1:00:12
  and his men withdrew once more into their stronghold. David
• 1:00:17
  and his men had protected shepherds in the wilderness. When
• 1:00:20
  harvest time came, David sent a message kindly asking for
• 1:00:25
  some food from one of them, but Nabel, who was
• 1:00:28
  known for his harshness, mocked David and refused. One of
• 1:00:33
  Nabel's servants rushed to Abigail, his wise and gentle wife.
• 1:00:37
  He explained how good David's men had been to them
• 1:00:40
  and how Nabel's insult had put everyone in danger. Abigail
• 1:00:44
  quickly acted without telling her husband. She gathered bread, wine,
• 1:00:49
  roasted grain, raisins, and fig cakes, and set out with
• 1:00:53
  her servants. As she rode toward David, she met him
• 1:00:57
  and his angry men on their way to take revenge.
• 1:01:00
  Abigail hurried to the ground and bowed before David. Please,
• 1:01:04
  my Lord, let the blame fall on me. Pay no
• 1:01:07
  attention to Mabel, for he is foolish. As his name suggests.
• 1:01:12
  The Lord has kept you from bloodshed to day. May
• 1:01:15
  your enemies be like Mabel. Accept this gift, and when
• 1:01:19
  God makes you king, you will not have the burden
• 1:01:23
  of needless blood on your hands. David's anger softened. He
• 1:01:28
  blessed Abigail for her wisdom and praised God for sending her.
• 1:01:33
  He accepted her gifts and turned back, sparing Mabel's household. Later,
• 1:01:38
  when Abigail told Nabel what happened, his heart failed him.
• 1:01:42
  About ten days later, the Lord struck Mabel and he died.
• 1:01:48
  When David heard the news, he praised God for upholding justice.
• 1:01:52
  Soon after, he sent for Abigail, and she became his wife.
• 1:01:58
  The men of Ziph once again betrayed David, informing Saul
• 1:02:01
  that he was hiding on the hill of Hekilah. Saul
• 1:02:04
  gathered three thousand of his best troops and set out
• 1:02:08
  into the wilderness to capture him. When David learned of
• 1:02:12
  Saul's approach, he sent spies to confirm the report. Then
• 1:02:17
  one night, David and Abishi quietly entered Saul's camp. The
• 1:02:22
  king lay asleep, surrounded by his soldiers, with his spear
• 1:02:26
  stuck in the ground by his head. Abishi urged David
• 1:02:30
  to let him strike Saul down in one blow, but
• 1:02:34
  David refused. He declared that no one could lift a
• 1:02:38
  hand against the lords anointed and remain innocent. Instead, he
• 1:02:43
  took Saul's spear and water jug, and the two slipped
• 1:02:47
  away unseen for the Lord had caused a deep sleep
• 1:02:52
  to fall upon Saul's men. From a safe distance on
• 1:02:56
  a nearby hill, David called out to abner Saul's commander,
• 1:03:00
  exposing how poorly he had guarded his king. He held
• 1:03:04
  up the spear and the jug as proof that Saul's
• 1:03:07
  life had been in his hands. Hearing David's voice, Saul
• 1:03:11
  recognized him. Is that you, my son, David. David pleaded
• 1:03:16
  with him, asking why the king continued to pursue him
• 1:03:20
  as though hunting a flea in the mountains. Convicted, Saul
• 1:03:25
  admitted his sin and promised not to harm David again.
• 1:03:31
  Then David said to the king, here is your spear.
• 1:03:34
  May the Lord value my life as I have valued yours. Today,
• 1:03:39
  Saul blessed David, saying he was sure David would succeed
• 1:03:44
  and do great things. After that, David returned to the wilderness,
• 1:03:49
  while Saul went back home again. David grew tired of
• 1:03:54
  running from Saul. He decided the safest place to hide
• 1:03:58
  was among the Philistine so he took his men along
• 1:04:02
  with their families, and went to Gath, where King Akish ruled.
• 1:04:07
  His wives Iinoam and Abigail were also with him. When
• 1:04:12
  Saul heard David had fled to Gath, he stopped the chase.
• 1:04:16
  Before long, David asked Aikish if he could live in
• 1:04:20
  the countryside instead of the royal city. Akish agreed and
• 1:04:24
  gave him the town of Ziklag. From then on, Ziklag
• 1:04:29
  belonged to the Kings of Judah. During that time, David
• 1:04:33
  and his men went on raids against nearby towns. They
• 1:04:36
  took live stock and supplies, leaving no one behind who
• 1:04:39
  could report what happened. Whenever Akish asked, where did you
• 1:04:43
  raid to day, David would answer in a way that
• 1:04:47
  made it sound like he had attacked his own people
• 1:04:50
  in Judah. Because of this, Akish trusted David completely. He
• 1:04:55
  thought the Israelites must hate him now, sure he will
• 1:05:00
  stay and serve me forever. David and his men stayed
• 1:05:05
  there for a year and four months. The Philistines gathered
• 1:05:08
  their army at Affek, while Israel camped near the spring
• 1:05:12
  of Jezreel. As the Philistine rulers reviewed their troops, David
• 1:05:17
  and his men marched at the rear with King Akish.
• 1:05:20
  But the commanders were alarmed. Why are these Hebrews here,
• 1:05:24
  they demanded. Akish replied, David has been loyal. I've found
• 1:05:30
  no fault in him. Still, the commanders objected, send him back,
• 1:05:35
  he might turn against us in battle. Isn't this the
• 1:05:38
  same David. The Israelites sing about Saul killed thousands, but
• 1:05:43
  David tens of thousands. So Akish called David aside, you
• 1:05:49
  have been faithful, like an angel of God. I would
• 1:05:53
  gladly take you, but the other rulers fear you. Adawn
• 1:05:58
  return quietly. David asked, what have I done wrong? Why
• 1:06:03
  can't I fight your enemies? Akish answered gently, you have
• 1:06:09
  done no wrong, yet, for their sake, go back. But
• 1:06:14
  in David's heart he knew he could never raise a
• 1:06:17
  sword against Israel, his own people, God's chosen nation. At daybreak,
• 1:06:25
  David and his men returned to Philistine territory, while the
• 1:06:28
  Philistine army marched on toward Jezreel. Three days later, David
• 1:06:33
  and his men returned to Ziklag and found it burned
• 1:06:36
  to the ground. The Amalekites had raided the town and
• 1:06:40
  carried off their wives and children. The men wept until
• 1:06:44
  they had no strength left. Even David's two wives, Iinoem
• 1:06:49
  and Abigail were gone. The grief was so deep that
• 1:06:53
  some of the men even talked about stoning David. But
• 1:06:57
  David turned to the Lord for strength. He asked, shall
• 1:07:01
  I chase them? Will I catch them, the Lord said, go,
• 1:07:06
  you will recover everything. David set out with six hundred men.
• 1:07:12
  When they reached the brook Besore, two hundred were too
• 1:07:15
  exhausted to continue. The remaining four hundred pressed on. Along
• 1:07:20
  the way, they found an abandoned Egyptian slave, weak and starving.
• 1:07:25
  After feeding him, he revealed the Amalekite's location. He agreed
• 1:07:30
  to guide them if David promised not to harm him.
• 1:07:33
  That night, David and his men attacked. The Amalekites were scattered,
• 1:07:38
  celebrating their plunder. By the next evening, all were defeated
• 1:07:43
  except four hundred who escaped on camels. David recovered everything,
• 1:07:49
  his wives, children, and all the stolen goods. Nothing was missing.
• 1:07:55
  Even the flocks and herds were returned. When they reunited
• 1:07:59
  with the exhausted men left behind, some grumbled they didn't fight,
• 1:08:04
  so why share the plunder. David replied, no, the Lord
• 1:08:10
  gave us this victory. Everyone shares those who fought and
• 1:08:15
  those who guarded the supplies. From that day this became
• 1:08:19
  a law in Israel. David also sent gifts from the
• 1:08:23
  recovered plunder to the elders and towns of Judah, saying,
• 1:08:28
  here is a gift from the lord's enemies. The Philistines
• 1:08:31
  attacked Israel, and the Israelite army fled. Many were killed
• 1:08:36
  on Mount Gilboa. Saul's sons, Abinadab and Malkishwa were among
• 1:08:42
  those who died, including Jonathan. Saul fought bravely, but the
• 1:08:47
  Philistine archers wounded him badly. Terrified of being captured, Saul
• 1:08:52
  asked his armor bearer to kill him. When he refused,
• 1:08:55
  Saul took his own sword and killed himself. Seeing their
• 1:08:59
  king dead, the armor bearer did the same. That day, Saul,
• 1:09:04
  his sons, and his army were all gone. The Israelites fled,
• 1:09:09
  and the Philistines occupied their towns. The next day, the
• 1:09:13
  Philistines displayed Saul's body and his armor in their cities,
• 1:09:17
  proclaiming his death, but the people of Jabeshkiliad acted with courage.
• 1:09:23
  Under cover of night. They retrieved the bodies, burned them,
• 1:09:27
  and buried the bones beneath a tamarisk tree. They mourned
• 1:09:32
  for seven days. After Saul's death, David returned from defeating
• 1:09:37
  the Amalekites. On the third day, a man came from
• 1:09:41
  Saul's camp, clothes torn and dust on his head. Mourning deeply.
• 1:09:47
  He told David that Israel's army had fled and Saul
• 1:09:50
  and his son Jonathan were dead. The man had brought
• 1:09:54
  his crown and armband to David. David and his men
• 1:09:58
  tore their clothes and mourned all day for Saul, Jonathan,
• 1:10:02
  and the army of Israel. Then David commanded justice. The
• 1:10:07
  Amalekite was put to death for killing the lords anointed.
• 1:10:12
  David composed the Song of the Bow to honor Saul
• 1:10:15
  and Jonathan, calling them mighty heroes, but his heart lingered
• 1:10:19
  on Jonathan, his dear friend. He remembered Jonathan's loyalty, his courage,
• 1:10:26
  and how he had protected and supported David through every danger.
• 1:10:31
  With a heavy heart, David mourned aloud, how the mighty
• 1:10:36
  have fallen, stripped of their weapons, lying dead on the hills.
• 1:10:42
  At that moment, he grieved deeply, not just a friend lost,
• 1:10:48
  but the love and loyalty that had carried him through
• 1:10:51
  dark times. After years of running, hiding, and constant danger,
• 1:10:57
  David finally breathed a sigh of relief. Saul, the king
• 1:11:02
  who had relentlessly pursued him, was gone. David took a
• 1:11:07
  moment to lift his heart to God, thanking him for
• 1:11:10
  protection and guidance. He whispered a prayer of praise. I
• 1:11:15
  will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall
• 1:11:18
  continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast
• 1:11:22
  in the Lord. Let the humble hear and be glad
• 1:11:27
  Psalm thirty four. He sought the Lord again, should I
• 1:11:31
  return to Judah. The answer came clearly yes, go to Hebron.
• 1:11:37
  David gathered his wives along with his men and their families,
• 1:11:41
  and they moved to the villages near Hebron. The men
• 1:11:44
  of Judah came and anointed David as their king, and
• 1:11:48
  once again David felt a surge of relief. He reflected
• 1:11:52
  on the loyalty of the people who had cared for
• 1:11:54
  Saul even in his death. David sent word to the
• 1:11:58
  people of jabeshkilli Yad expressing his gratitude. He praised them
• 1:12:03
  for honoring Saul with a proper burial and for their faithfulness.
• 1:12:09
  Then he spoke to all of Judah as he stepped
• 1:12:11
  into leadership. He asked them to stand with him, united
• 1:12:15
  and loyal, ready to move forward together. Though Saul's sons
• 1:12:21
  had fallen in battle, one remained his name was Ishbosheth. Abner,
• 1:12:27
  the commander of Saul's army, brought him to Mahanaim and
• 1:12:31
  crowned him king over Israel. Meanwhile, David ruled in Hebron,
• 1:12:37
  and the people of Judah stayed loyal to him. One day,
• 1:12:42
  Abner led Ishbosheth's troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon, while at
• 1:12:46
  the same time Joab led David's men to meet them.
• 1:12:50
  The two armies faced each other across the pool of Gibeon.
• 1:12:53
  Tense and ready to test their strength. Abner suggested twelve
• 1:13:00
  of warriors from Ishbusheth's side and twelve from David's side
• 1:13:04
  should step forward and fight. Joan agreed. Faces set with determination,
• 1:13:10
  they clashed fiercely, gripping each other in hand to hand combat.
• 1:13:15
  All twenty four died in the fight. This spot would
• 1:13:18
  forever be known as the Field of Swords. But the
• 1:13:22
  battle didn't end there. A fierce battle followed that day,
• 1:13:26
  and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by
• 1:13:29
  the forces of David. Among David's warriors were the three
• 1:13:33
  sons of Zioyah, Joab, Abishai and Assahel Asahel Swift and
• 1:13:40
  relentless like a gazelle, began chasing Abner. Abner looked back
• 1:13:47
  and tried to warn him to turn aside, fearing for
• 1:13:50
  Assahel's life and not wanting to face Joab afterward. But
• 1:13:54
  Asahel would not stop. Seeing no other choice, Abner thrust
• 1:13:59
  the butt of his spear through Assahel, and the young
• 1:14:02
  man fell lifeless on to the battlefield. Everyone froze at
• 1:14:07
  the tragic sight. When Joab and Abishi learned what had happened,
• 1:14:12
  they set out in pursuit of Abner. They caught up
• 1:14:15
  to him as the sun was setting near the hill
• 1:14:18
  of Amah, by the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.
• 1:14:22
  Abner's men regrouped on the hill ready for a stand.
• 1:14:26
  Abner called down, urging an end to the chasing, warning
• 1:14:30
  that bitterness would only grow between them. Joab agreed, realizing
• 1:14:35
  that had Abner not spoken, they might have chased him
• 1:14:38
  all night. Joab blew the ram's horn, signaling his men
• 1:14:42
  to stop, and Abner and his troops retreated through the
• 1:14:45
  Jordan Valley, crossing the river and continuing until they reached Mahanaim.
• 1:14:50
  By morning, Joab and his men returned home as well,
• 1:14:54
  counting their losses, nineteen men missing in addition to Asahel.
• 1:15:00
  On the other side, three hundred sixty of Abner's men,
• 1:15:04
  all from Benjamin, had fallen. David's men carried Asahel's body
• 1:15:09
  back to Bethlehem and laid him to rest in his
• 1:15:12
  father's tomb. Afterward, they traveled through the night and arrived
• 1:15:17
  in Hebron at daybreak. That was the beginning of a
• 1:15:20
  long war between those who were loyal to Saul and
• 1:15:24
  those loyal to David. As time passed, David became stronger
• 1:15:31
  and stronger, while Saul's dynasty became weaker and weaker. During
• 1:15:38
  the long struggle between Saul's house and David's house, Abner
• 1:15:42
  grew strong and respected, but one day a serious accusation
• 1:15:48
  from Ishbosheth, Saul's son, angered him deeply. He had accused
• 1:15:53
  him of sleeping with one of his father's concubines, a
• 1:15:57
  direct act of treason. For frustrated and determined, Abner made
• 1:16:02
  a bold choice. He would support David and help bring
• 1:16:06
  the people together. Abner sent messengers to David, promising to
• 1:16:10
  unite the nation. David agreed, asking only that his wife
• 1:16:15
  Mikhalbi returned. She was taken from her husband, Palti, who
• 1:16:20
  followed her in sorrow weeping until Abner gently sent him home.
• 1:16:25
  Abner then spoke with the elders and leaders of Israel.
• 1:16:29
  He reminded them that they had long hoped for change
• 1:16:32
  and encouraged them to support David. Slowly the people agreed,
• 1:16:37
  and a plan for unity began to take shape. Abner
• 1:16:41
  traveled to Hebron to meet David. David welcomed him and
• 1:16:45
  his men with a warm feast, honoring their courage and loyalty.
• 1:16:49
  With Abner leading the way, the people were called together,
• 1:16:53
  paving the way for a new chapter of hope and
• 1:16:56
  unity for all of Israel. Just after David had sent
• 1:17:01
  Abner away safely, Joab returned from a raid with his soldiers,
• 1:17:05
  bringing back a great amount of plunder. When he heard
• 1:17:09
  that Abner had been with the king and left unharmed,
• 1:17:12
  anger flared. Joab believed Abner had come to spy without
• 1:17:18
  David's knowledge. He sent messengers to catch up with Abner,
• 1:17:21
  and they brought him back to Hebron. When Abner arrived
• 1:17:25
  at the city gate, Joab called him aside. He pretended
• 1:17:28
  to speak privately, but instead of a conversation, Joab struck
• 1:17:32
  him down. Joab killed Abner in revenge for the death
• 1:17:37
  of his brother Assahl. David was heartbroken when he heard
• 1:17:41
  the news. He declared that he and his kingdom were
• 1:17:44
  innocent of Abner's death. He laid the guilt squarely on
• 1:17:48
  Job and his family. Then, David ordered proper mourning for Abner.
• 1:17:53
  Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner,
• 1:17:57
  he instructed. David himself walked behind the procession to the grave,
• 1:18:02
  and the people wept deeply. At the burial, David sang,
• 1:18:06
  should Abner have died as fools die? Your hands were
• 1:18:10
  not bound, your feet were not chained. No, you were murdered,
• 1:18:15
  the victim of a wicked plot. David fasted throughout the day,
• 1:18:20
  refusing food until sundown, and the people understood that he
• 1:18:24
  had no part in the murder. Though a great commander
• 1:18:28
  had fallen, David trusted that the Lord would repay the
• 1:18:31
  evil done by Joab and Abishi, who were too powerful
• 1:18:35
  for him to control. The nation grieved, justice remained in
• 1:18:40
  God's hands, and Abner's life was honored with sorrow and dignity.
• 1:18:46
  When ishbosheth Saul's son heard that Abner had been killed
• 1:18:50
  at Hebron, he lost all courage. Fear spread through Israel.
• 1:18:56
  People were paralyzed and unsure what to do. Two brothers,
• 1:19:00
  Bayana and Rekhab, were captains of Ishbushev's raiding parties. They
• 1:19:05
  lived in Beiroth, a town in Benjamin's territory. One hot noon,
• 1:19:10
  they went to Ishbushev's house. He was resting and the doorkeeper,
• 1:19:15
  tired from sifting wheat, had fallen asleep. The brothers slipped
• 1:19:19
  inside unnoticed. They found Ishbusheth asleep. They struck him down
• 1:19:24
  and cut off his head. Then they carried it and
• 1:19:28
  fled across the Jordan valley. During the night, at Hebron,
• 1:19:32
  they presented the head to David. They claimed they had
• 1:19:35
  avenged him and punished Saul's family. David was shocked and grieved.
• 1:19:41
  He declared the Lord was his witness. He could never
• 1:19:45
  reward murder, especially the killing of an innocent man in
• 1:19:48
  his own home. David commanded his young men to carry
• 1:19:52
  out justice. Barner and Rekhab were killed. Their hands and
• 1:19:57
  feet were cut off. Their bodies were displayed by the
• 1:20:00
  pool in Hebron. Ishbosheth's head was buried in Abner's tomb.
• 1:20:05
  His memory was honored with care. All the tribes of
• 1:20:09
  Israel went to David at Hebron. They reminded him of
• 1:20:12
  his leadership. They spoke of how he had guided Israel's
• 1:20:15
  forces while Saul was king. They remembered God's promise that
• 1:20:20
  David would shepherd his people. At Hebron, David made a
• 1:20:24
  covenant before the Lord with the elders of Israel. They
• 1:20:28
  anointed him king over all Israel. David was thirty years
• 1:20:32
  old when he began to reign. He ruled for forty
• 1:20:36
  years in total. David led his men to Jerusalem to
• 1:20:40
  fight the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land. The
• 1:20:45
  people thought they were safe and mocked him. Long before,
• 1:20:49
  David had brought Goliath's head to Jerusalem. After defeating the giant,
• 1:20:53
  showing that God was with him now, he returned with
• 1:20:57
  his men to take the city. Captured the fortress of Zion,
• 1:21:02
  this stronghold became known as the City of David. He
• 1:21:06
  made it his home and expanded the city, starting at
• 1:21:09
  the supporting terraces and working inward. David grew stronger and
• 1:21:14
  more respected as the Lord, God of Heaven's armies was
• 1:21:17
  with him. King Hiram of Tire sent cedar, timber carpenters,
• 1:21:22
  and stonemasons to build him a palace. David knew the
• 1:21:26
  Lord had blessed his kingdom for the sake of Israel.
• 1:21:30
  After moving from Hebron, he took more wives and concubines,
• 1:21:34
  and they had more sons and daughters. When the Philistines
• 1:21:38
  heard that David had been made king, they gathered their
• 1:21:41
  armies to capture him. David was warned and took shelter
• 1:21:45
  in a stronghold. The Philistines spread out across the valley
• 1:21:50
  of Rephaim. David asked the Lord for guidance, and God
• 1:21:54
  promised victory. David attacked at Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines.
• 1:22:00
  The Lord did it. He burst through my enemies like
• 1:22:03
  a raging flood. He exclaimed. That place was named Bahal Perazim,
• 1:22:08
  meaning the Lord who bursts through. Later, the Philistines returned,
• 1:22:14
  spreading across the valley again. David sought God's direction. This
• 1:22:19
  time God told him to circle around and strike near
• 1:22:22
  the poplar trees. When David heard a sound like marching
• 1:22:26
  in the tree tops, he knew God was leading the attack.
• 1:22:30
  He obeyed and defeated the Philistines completely, from Gibeon to Gazer.
• 1:22:35
  Victory came not by strength alone, but because David followed
• 1:22:39
  God's plan. David called Israel's best warriors of thirty thousand.
• 1:22:44
  He led the troops to Judah to bring back the
• 1:22:47
  Ark of God. The Ark, the very presence of the Lord.
• 1:22:51
  Rode on a new cart. Uza and Ohio led the way.
• 1:22:55
  David and the people followed, singing and playing instruments, wires, harps, tambourines,
• 1:23:01
  and cymbals. Joy filled the air. Then disaster struck At
• 1:23:06
  the threshing floor. The oxen stumbled. Uza reached out to
• 1:23:10
  steady the Ark. In a flash, God's anger struck. Uza
• 1:23:15
  fell lifeless beside the ark. Shock and fear rippled through
• 1:23:19
  the crowd. David named the place Perezuza frightened, David paused.
• 1:23:26
  He placed the Ark in Obadidom's house. Three months passed,
• 1:23:30
  God blessed Obadidom's household for the Ark's presence. David heard
• 1:23:35
  the news and acted with courage and joy. He brought
• 1:23:40
  the Ark to the city of David. Bulls and calves
• 1:23:43
  were sacrificed. David danced with all his strength, wearing a
• 1:23:48
  priestly garment. Israel shouted and blew rams horns. The Ark
• 1:23:54
  was home finally, and celebration filled the city. As the
• 1:23:58
  Ark of the Lord entered the city of David, Mikhail,
• 1:24:01
  Saul's daughter watched from her window. She saw David leaping
• 1:24:05
  and dancing before the Lord and felt contempt for him.
• 1:24:09
  He removed his royal robes so that he could dance
• 1:24:12
  more freely. Without them, he looked just like a regular
• 1:24:16
  citizen in his kingdom. Despite his countless victories, David wasn't
• 1:24:21
  prideful and considered himself one of the people. The ark
• 1:24:25
  was placed inside the special tent David had prepared. David
• 1:24:29
  offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. When
• 1:24:32
  he finished, he blessed the people in the name of
• 1:24:35
  the Lord of Heaven's armies. David gave every man and
• 1:24:40
  woman a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and
• 1:24:42
  a cake of raisins. Then the people went home. When
• 1:24:46
  David returned to bless his family, Mihial met him. Her
• 1:24:50
  face twisted in a snarl. She quickly began to dig
• 1:24:54
  into him criticizing him for removing his royal garments before
• 1:24:58
  the servant girls. David replied, I celebrate before the Lord
• 1:25:03
  who chose me over your father and his family. I
• 1:25:06
  will celebrate before him, even if it makes me look foolish.
• 1:25:11
  My joy is in the Lord, not in human opinion.
• 1:25:15
  Because of her contempt, Michal remained childless all her life.
• 1:25:20
  David had finally settled in his palace. The Lord had
• 1:25:24
  given him rest from all his enemies. He looked around
• 1:25:28
  and realized something. He lived in a beautiful cedar house,
• 1:25:33
  but the ark of God was still in a tent.
• 1:25:36
  David wanted to do something about it. He called the
• 1:25:39
  prophet Nathan to share his thoughts. That night, God spoke
• 1:25:44
  to Nathan. He reminded him that he had never needed
• 1:25:47
  a house. From the time he brought Israel out of Egypt.
• 1:25:51
  God had moved in tents with his people. God had
• 1:25:54
  chosen David from being a shepherd. He had been with
• 1:25:57
  David in every battle and had defeated all his enemies.
• 1:26:01
  God promised that David's name would be famous, Israel would
• 1:26:05
  have a safe homeland free from harm. God also promised
• 1:26:10
  David a lasting dynasty. One of his descendants would build
• 1:26:14
  a temple for God. His throne would be secure forever.
• 1:26:18
  God would guide him like a father, but his favor
• 1:26:22
  would never be taken away. Nathan told David everything God
• 1:26:26
  had said. David sat before the Lord and prayed, who
• 1:26:31
  am i, O Lord? And what is my family that
• 1:26:34
  you have brought me this far? You promise my family
• 1:26:38
  a lasting kingdom. May the house of David last before
• 1:26:43
  you forever? Let your blessing continue, O Lord. It is
• 1:26:48
  an eternal blessing. David defeated the Philistines and took their
• 1:26:54
  city Gath. Moab also surrendered and paid tribute. Next, he
• 1:27:00
  fought Hadadezer, king of Zoba, and crushed his army. He
• 1:27:04
  captured thousands of soldiers and hundreds of chariots. The Aramians
• 1:27:08
  came to help, but David defeated them too and made
• 1:27:12
  them pay tribute. God gave David victory everywhere. He brought gold, bronze,
• 1:27:18
  and treasures to Jerusalem and dedicated them to God. Even
• 1:27:22
  King toy of Hamath sent gifts. David also defeated eighteen
• 1:27:27
  thousand Edemites and stationed soldiers across Edom. All Edomites became
• 1:27:33
  his subjects. God made David victorious everywhere. He ruled Israel
• 1:27:38
  fairly and wisely, joab led the army. Jehoshafat recorded history,
• 1:27:43
  Zadok and a Himelek served as priests, and Benaiah led
• 1:27:47
  David's bodyguard. After David became king, he asked a question.
• 1:27:52
  Was anyone from Saul's family still alive? He wanted to
• 1:27:56
  show kindness for Jonathan's sake. He called Zeba, a servant
• 1:28:01
  of Saul. Zebra spoke, one of Jonathan's sons was alive.
• 1:28:05
  His name was Mephibushev. He was crippled in both feet.
• 1:28:09
  He lived in Lodabar, in the house of Makir. David
• 1:28:13
  sent for him. When Mephibushev arrived, he bowed low. David
• 1:28:18
  welcomed him. He promised to show kindness for Jonathan. He
• 1:28:23
  gave him all Sauls land, and Mephibushev would eat at
• 1:28:26
  the King's table like one of his sons. Mephibushev was stunned.
• 1:28:32
  He called himself unworthy, like a dead dog. David turned
• 1:28:37
  to Zebra. All the land belonged to Mephibushev. Zeba, with
• 1:28:42
  his fifteen sons and twenty servants would farm it for him,
• 1:28:46
  but Mephiboshev would eat at the king's table. Zebra agreed.
• 1:28:50
  From that day, Mephibushev shared meals with the king. He
• 1:28:54
  had a young son named Micah. All of Zeba's household
• 1:28:58
  served him. Even crippled in both feet, Mephibusheth lived in
• 1:29:02
  Jerusalem and ate at the king's table. King Nahush of
• 1:29:06
  the Ammonites died and his son Hanoun took the throne.
• 1:29:11
  David sent men to show kindness, but Hanun was tricked.
• 1:29:15
  His commanders said David's men were spies. Hanun shamed them.
• 1:29:20
  He shaved half their beards, cut their robes, and sent
• 1:29:23
  them home. David told them to wait in Jericho until
• 1:29:26
  their beards grew back. The Ammonites got angry and hired
• 1:29:30
  twenty thousand Aramians plus more allies. David sent Joab to fight.
• 1:29:36
  Joab attacked the Aramians. His brother Abeshi attacked the Ammonites.
• 1:29:41
  The Aramians ran, the Ammonites fled back into the city.
• 1:29:46
  The Aramians tried again under Shobak. David gathered all Israel.
• 1:29:51
  They defeated them, killing thousands, and Shobak too. The enemy
• 1:29:56
  kings surrendered, and the Aramians never helped the Ab knights again.
• 1:30:01
  It was spring, the time when kings usually went to war.
• 1:30:05
  David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites.
• 1:30:09
  They defeated the army and laid siege to Rabbah, but
• 1:30:12
  David stayed behind in Jerusalem. One afternoon, after resting, David
• 1:30:18
  walked on the roof of the palace. From there he
• 1:30:21
  saw a woman bathing. She was very beautiful. David had
• 1:30:26
  resisted temptation many times, from the halls of Saul to
• 1:30:30
  the rewards of war. He had walked in integrity when
• 1:30:33
  no one was watching. Yet, now, at the height of power,
• 1:30:38
  with more victories than ever before, something in his heart shifted.
• 1:30:43
  Something wicked began to rise inside of him. In that moment,
• 1:30:48
  he forgot the king who really rules. He asked who
• 1:30:51
  she was and learned her name, Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah,
• 1:30:56
  the Hittite. David sent messengers to bring her to thee
• 1:31:01
  That night, David slept with her, and she returned home. Later.
• 1:31:06
  Bathsheba sent a message to David. She was pregnant. David
• 1:31:11
  called for Uriah and asked him how the war was
• 1:31:14
  going then. He told Uriah to go home and rest.
• 1:31:19
  He even sent a gift with him, but Euriah refused
• 1:31:23
  to go home. He slept at the palace entrance with
• 1:31:26
  the king's guards. David asked him why. Uriah said, the
• 1:31:31
  soldiers are out in the field. How could I go
• 1:31:34
  home and enjoy comforts while they are intense. David was
• 1:31:38
  amazed by Uriah's loyalty. He saw the man's honor and
• 1:31:42
  devotion to his comrades. David let him stay another day.
• 1:31:47
  The next evening, David invited Uriah to dinner and gave
• 1:31:51
  him wine, but Uriah still would not go home. He
• 1:31:55
  slept at the palace entrance, again faithful to his fellow soldiers.
• 1:32:00
  David's plan was fooled. He began to panic. Euria and
• 1:32:03
  everyone else in the kingdom would know that this child
• 1:32:07
  was not his own, and all eyes would begin to
• 1:32:10
  turn to David. Deep cracks were beginning to set in
• 1:32:13
  to David's once flawless reputation. His heart, however, had already
• 1:32:18
  turned black and hardened. The next morning, David wrote a
• 1:32:22
  letter to Joab. He gave it to Uriah to deliver.
• 1:32:26
  The letter instructed Joab to place Uria at the front lines,
• 1:32:30
  where the fighting was fiercest. Then David told him to
• 1:32:33
  pull back so Euriah would be killed. David's heart had
• 1:32:37
  become so sick that he'd made this innocent man deliver
• 1:32:40
  his own death warrant. Joab followed the instructions. He put
• 1:32:45
  Uriah near the city wall, where the enemy soldiers were strongest.
• 1:32:49
  When the enemy came out to fight, Euriah was killed,
• 1:32:52
  along with several other Israelite soldiers. Joab sent a messenger
• 1:32:56
  to report the battle to David. He warned the messenger
• 1:32:59
  that the king might ask why the soldiers had gone
• 1:33:02
  so close to the city walls. The messenger told David
• 1:33:06
  that Euriah, the Hittite, had also died. David responded calmly,
• 1:33:11
  telling the messenger to encourage Joab. The sword devours one
• 1:33:15
  to day and another tomorrow, fight harder next time, and
• 1:33:20
  conquer the city. When Uriah's wife heard the news, she
• 1:33:25
  mourned deeply for her husband. After the morning period, David
• 1:33:29
  sent for her and brought her to the palace. She
• 1:33:32
  became one of his wives, and she later gave birth
• 1:33:35
  to a son. But deep in his heart, David knew
• 1:33:39
  that Uria's honor had shone brighter than his own desires,
• 1:33:43
  and the Lord was displeased with what David had done.
• 1:33:46
  The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to speak to David.
• 1:33:50
  Nathan told him a story. There were two men in
• 1:33:53
  a town. One was rich and one was poor. The
• 1:33:57
  rich man owned many sheep and cattle. The poor man
• 1:34:01
  owned only one little lamb. He raised it like a child.
• 1:34:05
  It ate from his plate and drank from his cup.
• 1:34:09
  He loved it dearly. One day a guest came to
• 1:34:13
  the rich man's house. Instead of taking one of his
• 1:34:15
  own animals, the rich man took the poor man's lamb.
• 1:34:19
  He killed it and prepared it for the guest. David
• 1:34:23
  became furious. He said the man deserved to die. He
• 1:34:27
  said the man must repay four lambs for taking the one.
• 1:34:31
  Then Nathan looked at David and said, you are that man.
• 1:34:36
  The Lord, the God of Israel, reminded David of all
• 1:34:39
  he had done for him. He had made David king,
• 1:34:43
  saved him from Saul, given him Saul's house and wives,
• 1:34:47
  and promised even more. Yet David had despised the Lord's word.
• 1:34:53
  He had done a terrible thing. He had murdered Uriah
• 1:34:56
  the Hittite and taken his wife. Nathan told David the consequences.
• 1:35:01
  His family would now live by the sword, his household
• 1:35:04
  would rebel against him, his wives would be taken by
• 1:35:08
  another man, and it would happen in full view of Israel.
• 1:35:12
  What David had done in secret, God would make public.
• 1:35:16
  David broke down and told everything to Nathan. He cried,
• 1:35:21
  I have sinned against the Lord. Nathan told him, David,
• 1:35:26
  the Lord has forgiven you. You will not die for
• 1:35:29
  this sin, but because of what you did, your child will.
• 1:35:34
  After Nathan left, the Lord sent an incurable illness to
• 1:35:38
  David's child. David begged God to spare him. He went
• 1:35:42
  without food and lay on the ground all night wailing.
• 1:35:47
  The elders of his household pleaded with him to eat,
• 1:35:50
  but he refused. On the seventh day, the child died.
• 1:35:55
  David's advisers were afraid to tell him. They worried about
• 1:35:58
  how he would react. When David saw them whispering, he asked,
• 1:36:03
  is the child dead? They answered yes. David got up,
• 1:36:09
  washed himself, put on lotion, and changed his clothes. He
• 1:36:14
  went to the tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. Then he
• 1:36:17
  returned to the palace and ate. His advisers were amazed.
• 1:36:21
  They said, we don't understand. While the child was alive,
• 1:36:25
  you wept and refuse to eat. Now that he is dead,
• 1:36:29
  you eat. David explained, while he was alive, I fasted
• 1:36:34
  and prayed, hoping the Lord would be gracious and let
• 1:36:37
  him live. But now that he is dead, why should
• 1:36:41
  I fast? I cannot bring him back. I will go
• 1:36:45
  to him one day, but he cannot return to me.
• 1:36:49
  David had accepted God's judgment. It was an heavy price
• 1:36:53
  to pay for the heavy sin that he had committed
• 1:36:56
  in that season. David poured out his heart to God.
• 1:37:00
  Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love,
• 1:37:05
  Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
• 1:37:09
  Create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew
• 1:37:12
  a steadfast spirit within me, Psalm fifty one. David had
• 1:37:18
  finally seen the weight of his sin. He learned that
• 1:37:21
  God does not despise a broken and contrite heart Psalm
• 1:37:25
  fifty one seventeen. Even in his failure, he discovered that
• 1:37:30
  mercy was greater than judgment. David comforted Bathsheba, and they
• 1:37:34
  were together. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
• 1:37:40
  David named him Solomon. The Lord loved him. Nathan the
• 1:37:45
  Prophet told them to also name him Jedediah, meaning beloved
• 1:37:50
  of the Lord. David's son, Absalom, had a sister named Tamar.
• 1:37:55
  She was very beautiful. Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately
• 1:38:00
  in love with her. He became so obsessed that he
• 1:38:03
  became sick. Amnon had a cousin named Jonadab, a clever man.
• 1:38:08
  Jonadab asked Amnon why he looked so sad every morning.
• 1:38:14
  Amnon told him he loved Tamar. Jonadab gave him a
• 1:38:18
  wicked plan. He said, pretend to be sick when your
• 1:38:22
  father comes, ask him to let Tamar prepare food for you.
• 1:38:26
  Tell her to feed you herself. Amnon followed the plan.
• 1:38:31
  David sent Tamar to his house to prepare his favorite dish.
• 1:38:35
  She baked it and brought it to him, but when
• 1:38:38
  she set the tray down, Amnon refused to eat. He
• 1:38:42
  told every one to leave. Then he demanded that Tamar
• 1:38:45
  feed him in his bedroom. As she fed him, Amnon
• 1:38:49
  grabbed her. He tried to force her. Tamar cried out, no,
• 1:38:53
  my brother, don't do this such wicked. Things are not
• 1:38:56
  done in Israel. Please ask the king to let me
• 1:38:58
  marry you. Amnon ignored her. He was stronger than she was.
• 1:39:04
  He raped her. Then Amnon hated her. He sent her
• 1:39:08
  out and locked the door behind her. Tamar's beautiful robe
• 1:39:12
  was torn. She put ashes on her head and wept,
• 1:39:16
  covering her face with her hands. Her brother Absalom saw her.
• 1:39:20
  He asked what had happened. Tamar told him. Absalom told
• 1:39:25
  her be quiet for now, don't worry. He is your brother.
• 1:39:30
  Tamar lived as a desolate woman in Absalom's house. Absalom
• 1:39:35
  never spoke to Amnon about it, but he hated him
• 1:39:37
  deeply for what he had done to Tamar. When King
• 1:39:40
  David heard what happened, he was very angry, but he
• 1:39:44
  did nothing. This was a tragedy. David, once known for justice,
• 1:39:49
  stayed silent. Sin had entered his own house, murder, adultery,
• 1:39:55
  even rape, and the people saw it. The silence spoke
• 1:39:59
  loudly and the kingdom was starting to crack. Justice was
• 1:40:03
  not carried out, pain was left unanswered, and the cracks
• 1:40:08
  in David's household grew deeper. And because of this one event,
• 1:40:13
  Absalom would rise in revenge and rebel. As for David,
• 1:40:18
  it's another time to hide. Two years passed after Tamar's tragedy,
• 1:40:24
  Absalom's sheep were being sheared at Bay al Harzor near Iphraim.
• 1:40:29
  Absalom invited all the king's sons to a feast. He
• 1:40:33
  went to King David and said, my sheep shearers are working.
• 1:40:37
  Please come celebrate with me. David replied, no, my son,
• 1:40:41
  we would be too much for you. Absalom pressed him,
• 1:40:45
  but the king would not come. He gave Absalom his
• 1:40:48
  blessing instead. Absalom then asked, what about my brother Amnon.
• 1:40:55
  David hesitated, but Absalom kept pressing. Finally, the king agreed
• 1:41:00
  to let all his sons attend, including Amnon. Absalom prepared
• 1:41:05
  a grand feast. He told his men, wait until Amnon
• 1:41:08
  gets drunk, then, at my signal, kill him. Do not
• 1:41:13
  fear I command it. At Absalom's signal, Amnon was murdered.
• 1:41:21
  The other sons of the king fled on their mules.
• 1:41:24
  On the way back to Jerusalem. News reached David. Absalom
• 1:41:29
  has killed all the king's sons. Not one is alive.
• 1:41:33
  David tore his robe and fell to the ground in grief.
• 1:41:36
  His advisers also tore their clothes in horror. Then John Adab,
• 1:41:41
  son of David's brother Shimeah, arrived. He said, do not
• 1:41:45
  believe all your sons are dead. Only Amnon has been killed.
• 1:41:49
  Absalom has planned this ever since Amnon harmed Tamar. Meanwhile,
• 1:41:54
  Absalom escaped. A watchman saw a great crowd coming down
• 1:41:58
  the hill. He ran to tell the king. Jonadab said,
• 1:42:02
  there they are. The king's sons are coming. Just as
• 1:42:07
  I said. The sons arrived weeping. David and all his
• 1:42:11
  servants wept with them. David mourned many days for Amnon.
• 1:42:16
  Absalom fled to his grandfather Talmai, king of Geshore, and
• 1:42:20
  stayed there three years. David, now reconciled to Amnon's death,
• 1:42:26
  longed to be reunited with Absalom. Joab realized how much
• 1:42:30
  the king longed to see Absalom. He sent for a
• 1:42:33
  wise woman from Toccoah. She was known for her wisdom.
• 1:42:37
  Joab instructed her to pretend she was in mourning. She
• 1:42:41
  wore mourning clothes and acted like she had been grieving
• 1:42:45
  a long time. She was to tell the king a
• 1:42:48
  story he could not ignore. The woman went to the king.
• 1:42:52
  She bowed deeply and cried out for help. She told
• 1:42:56
  a story about a widow whose two sons had fought.
• 1:43:00
  One son had been killed. The rest of the family
• 1:43:03
  demanded that the other son be executed. She feared her
• 1:43:06
  family line would disappear. The king listened and promised to
• 1:43:11
  protect her son. The woman pleaded further, urging the king
• 1:43:16
  to act as he had promised for the people of God.
• 1:43:19
  She spoke of justice, mercy, and God's ways. The king
• 1:43:23
  asked if Joab had sent her. She admitted it. Joab
• 1:43:28
  confessed that he wanted the matter presented in a new
• 1:43:31
  light so the king could act. The king agreed. Joab
• 1:43:35
  went to gesture and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. However,
• 1:43:40
  the king commanded that Absalom must not enter his presence.
• 1:43:45
  Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not
• 1:43:48
  see the king. Absalom was the most handsome man in
• 1:43:52
  all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot. His
• 1:43:56
  hair grew very long, and he cut it only once
• 1:43:58
  a year because it was so heavy. When waded, it
• 1:44:02
  came to five pounds. He had three sons, and a
• 1:44:05
  daughter named Tamar, who was very beautiful. Absalom lived in
• 1:44:10
  Jerusalem for two years, but he never saw the king.
• 1:44:14
  He sent for Joab to intercede for him, but Joab refused.
• 1:44:18
  He sent again, and still Joab did not come. Frustrated,
• 1:44:23
  Absalom told his servants to set fire to Joab's barley
• 1:44:27
  field next to his own. The servants obeyed. Joab came
• 1:44:31
  to Absalom and demanded an explanation. Absalom said he wanted
• 1:44:35
  Joab to ask the king why he had been brought
• 1:44:38
  back from Gesha. If he could not see him, he
• 1:44:41
  was ready to face the king and accept any punishment.
• 1:44:45
  Joab reported Absalom's words to the king. Finally, David summoned Absalom.
• 1:44:51
  Absalom came, bowed low, and the king kissed him. Absalom
• 1:44:57
  bought a chariot and horses, and hired fe fty men
• 1:45:00
  to run ahead of him. Every morning he went to
• 1:45:03
  the city gate. When people came with cases for the king,
• 1:45:08
  he asked where they were from. He praised their cases
• 1:45:12
  and said how he wished he could judge them. People
• 1:45:15
  began to bring their disputes to him, and he treated
• 1:45:18
  them kindly, taking them by the hand and kissing them.
• 1:45:21
  He did not allow them to bow. Through this, Absalom
• 1:45:26
  won the hearts of all Israel. After four years, he
• 1:45:30
  told the king he wanted to go to Hebron to
• 1:45:32
  offer a sacrifice and fulfill a vow he had made
• 1:45:36
  while in Geshore. David allowed him to go. While in Hebron,
• 1:45:41
  Absalom secretly sent messengers to stir up rebellion. He instructed
• 1:45:46
  them that when they heard the Ram's horn, they should
• 1:45:49
  proclaim him king. He took two hundred men from Jerusalem
• 1:45:53
  with him. Unaware of his plan while offering sacrifices, he
• 1:45:57
  sent for a Hithefael, one of David's counselors, and soon
• 1:46:01
  many others joined him. The conspiracy grew stronger. A messenger
• 1:46:06
  came to Jerusalem with bad news All Israel had joined
• 1:46:10
  Absalom in a plot against David. David knew they had
• 1:46:14
  to leave quickly to save themselves and the city. His
• 1:46:17
  advisers agreed. The king and his household left at once,
• 1:46:21
  leaving only ten concubines to take care of the palace.
• 1:46:25
  They walked on foot. David's men led the way. Six
• 1:46:29
  hundred men from Garth were with him along with his bodyguard.
• 1:46:33
  David told Itai, the leader of the men from Garth,
• 1:46:37
  to go back home. He was a foreigner and should
• 1:46:40
  not be forced to wander with them. But it I
• 1:46:43
  swore he would follow the king wherever he went, even
• 1:46:46
  if it meant death. David let him stay, and Ittai
• 1:46:51
  and his men went with them. The people cried loudly
• 1:46:54
  as they left. They crossed the Kidron Valley and went
• 1:46:58
  toward the wilderness. Zadok and the Levites carried the Ark
• 1:47:02
  of the Covenant. Abithar offered sacrifices until everyone had left
• 1:47:07
  the city. David told Zadok to return the Ark to Jerusalem.
• 1:47:11
  If God willed, he would see it again. David also
• 1:47:15
  sent Zadok, Abiathar and their sons to watch and report
• 1:47:19
  back to him. David climbed the Mount of Olives weeping.
• 1:47:24
  His head was covered and his feet bare. The people
• 1:47:28
  with him also mourned. Then he heard that a Hitherefel,
• 1:47:32
  his trusted adviser, had joined Absalom. David prayed that God
• 1:47:36
  would make a Hitherefel's advice fail. At the top of
• 1:47:40
  the hill, Hushai, the Arkite, met David. He also mourned
• 1:47:45
  with torn clothes and dirt on his head. David told
• 1:47:49
  him to return to Jerusalem. Hushai would pretend to be
• 1:47:52
  Absalom's adviser. He would oppose a Hitherefel and help David.
• 1:47:56
  Zadok and Abiathar would send their sons to give David
• 1:48:00
  news from the palace. Hushei went back, arriving just as
• 1:48:04
  Absalom came to Jerusalem. After crossing the summit of the
• 1:48:07
  Mount of Olives, David met Zebra, the servant of Mephibosheth.
• 1:48:12
  Zeba had brought two donkeys carrying two hundred loaves of bread,
• 1:48:17
  one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit,
• 1:48:21
  and a wine skin of wine. The bread and fruit
• 1:48:25
  were for the young men, and the wine was for
• 1:48:27
  those who grew tired in the wilderness. The donkeys were
• 1:48:31
  for the people to ride. David asked about Mephibosheth Saul's grandson.
• 1:48:37
  Ziba said he had stayed in Jerusalem, hoping to reclaim
• 1:48:40
  his grandfather's kingdom. David then gave all of Mephiboshev's possessions
• 1:48:45
  to Zebra. Zeba bowed and promised to serve the king faithfully.
• 1:48:50
  As David reached Bahurim, a man from the village shime
• 1:48:54
  son of Khera, came out, cursing him. Shimee was from
• 1:48:58
  Saul's family. He threw stones at David and his men,
• 1:49:02
  shouting that David was being punished for Saul's blood and
• 1:49:06
  that the Lord had given the kingdom to Absalom. Abeshi,
• 1:49:10
  one of David's warriors wanted to kill Shimeh, but David
• 1:49:14
  stopped him. He said that if the Lord had told
• 1:49:16
  him to curse him, no one should interfere. David explained
• 1:49:21
  that his own son was trying to take his life,
• 1:49:24
  so a relative of Saul had even more reason to
• 1:49:27
  be angry. He decided to leave Shimah alone, hoping the
• 1:49:31
  Lord would see his suffering and bless him. Shimee followed
• 1:49:36
  David along the hillside, continuing to curse and throw stones. Finally,
• 1:49:41
  David and his men grew weary and rested. When they
• 1:49:44
  reached the Jordan River. Absalom and the Army of Israel
• 1:49:48
  reached Jerusalem, a Hitherfel came with them. Hushai, David's friend,
• 1:49:54
  also arrived. He went straight to Absalom. He greeted him respectfully.
• 1:49:59
  Absalom asked why he was not with David. Hush I
• 1:50:03
  said he served the man chosen by the Lord and
• 1:50:06
  all Israel. He added that he could serve Absalom too,
• 1:50:10
  like he had served his father. Absalom asked a Hitherefel
• 1:50:14
  for advice. A Hithefel told him to sleep with his
• 1:50:17
  father's concubines. They had been left to watch the palace.
• 1:50:21
  He said this would show Absalom had broken from David.
• 1:50:25
  It would make Israel support him. Absalom obeyed. He went
• 1:50:30
  to the palace roof, where all could see him. He
• 1:50:32
  slept with the concubines. Every word from a Hithephel seemed
• 1:50:37
  as wise as if it came from God. Absalom followed
• 1:50:41
  him completely. A Hitherfel gave Absalom advice. He planned to
• 1:50:45
  take twelve thousand men that night to pursue David. He
• 1:50:49
  would catch David while he was tired and discouraged. The
• 1:50:52
  King's troops would panic and scatter. Only David would be killed.
• 1:50:57
  Then the people would return to Absalom. Every one would
• 1:51:01
  be at peace. Absalom and the elders of Israel thought
• 1:51:05
  the plan was very good. Absalom called for Hushai, the Archite,
• 1:51:09
  and asked for his advice. Hushi warned that David and
• 1:51:13
  his men were mighty warriors. They were alert, experienced, and
• 1:51:18
  ready for battle. A quick attack could fail and cause
• 1:51:22
  panic among Absalom's troops. Hushai suggested gathering the entire army
• 1:51:27
  of Israel from Dan to Beersheba. He advised Absalom to
• 1:51:31
  lead them personally. The army would then overwhelm David completely.
• 1:51:36
  If David escaped to a town, they could destroy it
• 1:51:39
  and capture him. Absalom and all Israel chose Hushai's plan.
• 1:51:44
  The lord had planned to frustrate a Hitherefel's council. This
• 1:51:48
  would bring disaster on Absalom. Hushi told Zadok and Abiathar
• 1:51:52
  what a Hithefel had advised and what he himself had suggested.
• 1:51:57
  He urged them to warn David not to say stay
• 1:52:00
  at the Jordan's shallows that night. David needed to cross
• 1:52:04
  into the wilderness immediately to survive. Jonathan and Ahimayas were
• 1:52:08
  hiding at Enrogel ready to deliver the message. A boy
• 1:52:11
  spotted them and reported them to Absalom. They fled to Bahurim,
• 1:52:16
  where a man hid them in a well. His wife
• 1:52:19
  covered the well with a cloth and scattered grain on
• 1:52:22
  top to avoid suspicion. Absalom's men searched for them but
• 1:52:26
  found nothing. The two messengers escaped and reached David, warning
• 1:52:32
  him of a Hitherfel's plan. David and his people crossed
• 1:52:35
  the Jordan River that night and were safe by dawn.
• 1:52:39
  A Hitherefel realized his council had been ignored. He returned home,
• 1:52:44
  arranged his affairs, and hanged himself. David reached Mahanaim, where
• 1:52:50
  Absalom had gathered the Israelite army, and appointed a Massa
• 1:52:54
  as commander. Absalom and his troops camped in Gilead. David
• 1:52:59
  was warmly welcome and by Shobi Makir and Bazilai. They
• 1:53:03
  brought food, supplies and provisions for him and his people.
• 1:53:07
  Knowing they were exhausted and hungry from the long march
• 1:53:10
  through the wilderness, David organized the men with him and
• 1:53:14
  appointed generals and captains. He divided the troops into three groups,
• 1:53:18
  placing one under Joab, one under Abishai, and one under Ittai.
• 1:53:23
  From Gath. David told the troops he would go with them,
• 1:53:27
  but they strongly objected. They warned him that if he went,
• 1:53:31
  Absalom's forces would target him, and his life was worth
• 1:53:34
  more than thousands of soldiers. David agreed and stayed by
• 1:53:39
  the town gate. As the troops marched out in organized groups.
• 1:53:43
  He commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai to treat Absalom gently
• 1:53:48
  for his sake. The battle began in the forest of Ephraim.
• 1:53:53
  David's men defeated the Israelite troops, killing twenty thousand. Many
• 1:53:58
  more died in the forest than by the sword. During
• 1:54:02
  the fight, Absalom rode into thick branches on his mule.
• 1:54:07
  His hair became caught, leaving him hanging. One of David's
• 1:54:11
  men saw him and reported it to Joab. The soldier
• 1:54:14
  refused to kill Absalom. Remembering the king's order, Joab ignored him.
• 1:54:20
  He drove three daggers into Absalom's heart. While he hung there,
• 1:54:24
  Ten of Joab's young men finished him off. Joab blew
• 1:54:27
  the ram's horn to signal the end of the chase.
• 1:54:30
  They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit and piled
• 1:54:33
  stones over it, all Israel fled to their homes. Absalom
• 1:54:38
  had built a monument for himself in the king's valley,
• 1:54:42
  saying he had no son to carry on his name.
• 1:54:45
  The monument still bears his name today. Ahima's son of Zadok,
• 1:54:50
  wanted to run to David with the news that God
• 1:54:52
  had rescued him. Joab refused, saying it would not be
• 1:54:56
  good news because Absalom was dead. Instead, said Joab sent
• 1:55:01
  a man from Ethiopia to report what had happened. Ahimas
• 1:55:06
  kept pleading, and Joab finally allowed him to go. Ahimas
• 1:55:11
  took the easier route across the plain and ran ahead
• 1:55:14
  of the Ethiopian. David sat between the inner and outer gates.
• 1:55:18
  When the watchman climbed to the roof, he saw a
• 1:55:22
  man running and called down to David. Another man appeared
• 1:55:26
  soon after, and David guessed they both brought news. Ahimas
• 1:55:30
  arrived first. He bowed and praised God, saying the rebels
• 1:55:34
  had been defeated. David asked about Absalom. Ahimas admitted he
• 1:55:39
  did not know. Then the Ethiopian arrived and reported that
• 1:55:44
  the Lord had rescued the king from all his enemies.
• 1:55:48
  When asked about Absalom, he said that the young man
• 1:55:51
  was dead, wishing the same fate on David's enemies. David
• 1:55:55
  was overcome with grief. He went to the room above
• 1:55:58
  the gateway and wept loudly, crying, O, my son, Absalom,
• 1:56:03
  my son, my son, if only I had died instead
• 1:56:07
  of you. Words soon reached Joab that the king was
• 1:56:11
  weeping for Absalom. David's deep grief for his son spread
• 1:56:15
  among the people, and the joy of the day's victory
• 1:56:18
  turned into sorrow. The people crept back into the town quietly, ashamed,
• 1:56:24
  as if they had deserted in battle. The king covered
• 1:56:27
  his face and mourned for Absalom without ceasing. Joab went
• 1:56:32
  to him and reminded him of the lives they had
• 1:56:34
  saved that day, his own and those of his family.
• 1:56:38
  He urged the king to honor the troops and not
• 1:56:42
  let his grief dishonor their efforts. Finally, David went out
• 1:56:46
  and sat at the town gate. Words spread quickly and
• 1:56:50
  the people came to him. Those who had supported Absalom
• 1:56:53
  had already fled to their homes throughout Israel. There was
• 1:56:57
  much discussion. The people remembered how David had saved them
• 1:57:01
  from their enemies and the Philistines while Absalom had chased
• 1:57:05
  him out. Now that Absalom was dead, the people wanted
• 1:57:09
  David to return as their king. David sent Zadok and
• 1:57:13
  Abiathar to the elders of Judah, reminding them that they
• 1:57:16
  were his relatives and his own tribe. He also sent
• 1:57:20
  a message to Amasa, appointing him commander of the army
• 1:57:23
  in place of Joab. Amasa convinced the men of Judah
• 1:57:27
  to support David. They responded unanimously and sent word for
• 1:57:31
  the king to return along with all who were with him.
• 1:57:36
  King David began his journey back to Jerusalem. When he
• 1:57:39
  reached the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to
• 1:57:42
  meet him at Gilgal. They helped him and his household
• 1:57:46
  cross the river safely. Shimei, the man who had cursed David,
• 1:57:52
  came quickly with a thousand men from Benjamin, including Zeba,
• 1:57:56
  his sons and servants. They bowed and asked forgiveness for
• 1:58:00
  their past wrongs. David spared Shimei's life, showing mercy instead
• 1:58:06
  of punishing him. Mephibushev Saul's grandson also came down to
• 1:58:11
  meet David. He had not cared for himself since the
• 1:58:15
  king left Jerusalem. He explained that Zebra had deceived him,
• 1:58:19
  but he was grateful that David still honored him. David
• 1:58:23
  decided to divide the land between Mephibushev and Zebra, but
• 1:58:26
  Mefhibushev insisted David's safety was enough. Basili of Gilead, an
• 1:58:32
  elderly and wealthy man who had helped David during his exile,
• 1:58:35
  came to escort him. David invited him to live in Jerusalem,
• 1:58:39
  but Basili declined, saying he was too old. He allowed
• 1:58:43
  his son Kimham, to go with the king instead. David
• 1:58:47
  blessed Basilai and continued across the Jordan with Kimham and
• 1:58:51
  the people. All the troops of Judah and half of
• 1:58:55
  Israel escorted David. Tension arose when the men of Israel
• 1:58:59
  complained that Judah had taken the honor of helping to
• 1:59:02
  the king. The men of Judah argued back, insisting the
• 1:59:05
  king was one of their own. The dispute between the
• 1:59:08
  tribes continued fiercely as David moved forward. Once again, the
• 1:59:13
  Philistines fought against Israel, David grew weak and tired. In
• 1:59:17
  the battle Ishbi Benob, a giant cornered David. His bronze
• 1:59:22
  spearhead was very heavy, and he carried a new sword.
• 1:59:26
  He was about to kill David. Abeshi, son of Zeruiah,
• 1:59:30
  rushed to help. He struck down the giant and saved David.
• 1:59:34
  David's men warned him not to fight in the front
• 1:59:37
  lines again, saying he was the light of Israel. In
• 1:59:40
  another battle at gob Sibekai from Hushah killed Saf another giant. Later,
• 1:59:47
  el Hanan from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath. His
• 1:59:51
  spear handle was as thick as a weaver's beam. In Gath,
• 1:59:55
  they met a huge man with six fingers on each
• 1:59:58
  hand and six toes on each foot, twenty four in all.
• 2:00:03
  He mocked Israel, but Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimeaa,
• 2:00:08
  killed him. These four giants from Garth were all defeated
• 2:00:12
  by David and his warriors. David sang songs of praises
• 2:00:16
  unto God, the god that had rescued him from all
• 2:00:18
  his enemies. My God is my rock in whom I
• 2:00:22
  find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves
• 2:00:26
  me and my place of safety. He is my refuge,
• 2:00:30
  my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I
• 2:00:34
  called on the Lord who is worthy of praise, and
• 2:00:37
  he saved me from my enemies. Second Samuel twenty two
• 2:00:41
  three through four. These are the last words of King David,
• 2:00:45
  the sweet Psalmist of Israel. God spoke through him. He said,
• 2:00:50
  those who lead with justice and honor God are like
• 2:00:53
  the bright morning sun, clear, shining, full of life. God
• 2:01:00
  promised his protection and blessings for David's family forever. But
• 2:01:05
  the wicked they are like sharp thorns, dangerous. They must
• 2:01:11
  be cut down. They will be completely destroyed. David's final
• 2:01:16
  words remind us follow God and be victorious. Reject him,
• 2:01:21
  and destruction follows. These are the mightiest warriors of King David.
• 2:01:27
  First was Jashabeim, the Hakmanite. He once killed eight hundred
• 2:01:32
  enemies with a single spear in one battle. Next was
• 2:01:36
  eliasa son of Dodai. One day, he and David stood
• 2:01:40
  alone against the Philistines. The rest of the army ran away.
• 2:01:45
  Eliazar fought until his hand grew tired. God gave him
• 2:01:49
  a great victory that day. Then there was Shamma, son
• 2:01:53
  of Aiji. The Philistines attacked the Israelites in a field
• 2:01:57
  of lentils. Every one else ran. Shama stood his ground.
• 2:02:02
  He fought back, and God brought a great victory. Once
• 2:02:06
  during the harvest, David was in the Cave of Adlam.
• 2:02:10
  The Philistines were camped in the valley of Rephaem. Bethlehem
• 2:02:14
  was occupied by the enemy. David longed for water from
• 2:02:18
  the well at the gate of Bethlehem. The three warriors
• 2:02:22
  broke through the Philistine lines. They drew the water and
• 2:02:26
  brought it to David, but David refused to drink it.
• 2:02:30
  He poured it out as an offering to God. He said,
• 2:02:33
  I cannot drink this. It is as precious as the
• 2:02:36
  lives of the men who risked everything to bring it.
• 2:02:40
  These were the heroic deeds of David's Three Mighty Warriors.
• 2:02:45
  King David was old. His son ad Nija thought he
• 2:02:48
  could take the throne. He gathered chariots, soldiers, and invited guests.
• 2:02:53
  He declared himself king, but he left out Solomon, David's
• 2:02:57
  chosen son, and some key leaders. Nathan the Prophet and
• 2:03:02
  Solomon's mother Bathsheba, acted quickly. They went to King David.
• 2:03:08
  They reminded him of his promise. David declared Solomon king.
• 2:03:12
  That very day, Solomon was anointed at Gihon Spring. The
• 2:03:17
  people shouted long Live King Solomon. Joy and celebration shook
• 2:03:21
  the city. Adonijah and his guests panicked. Adonijah ran to
• 2:03:26
  the altar, asking for mercy. Solomon spared him because he
• 2:03:30
  stayed loyal. David saw the promise fulfilled and praised God.
• 2:03:36
  Solomon became king and peace returned. As King David neared
• 2:03:42
  the end of his life, he called his son Solomon
• 2:03:45
  to him. He gave him final instructions. David told Solomon
• 2:03:49
  to be strong and courageous. He urged him to follow
• 2:03:53
  God's laws and ways. If Solomon obeyed God's promise to
• 2:03:57
  David would continue. David also gave Solomon advice about people
• 2:04:02
  to punish and people to honor. Joab, who had killed
• 2:04:06
  David's army commanders, needed justice. Basilai's sons, who had cared
• 2:04:11
  for David in hard times should be honored. Shimeah, who
• 2:04:16
  had cursed David, should also face consequences, even though David
• 2:04:20
  had spared him before. Then David died, he was buried
• 2:04:25
  with his ancestors in Jerusalem, Solomon became king, His kingdom
• 2:04:30
  was firmly established, and God's plan for Israel continued through him.
• 2:04:35
  David's story didn't end in the tomb. God had made
• 2:04:39
  promise to him. When your days are over and you
• 2:04:42
  rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring
• 2:04:46
  to succeed you, and I will establish the throne of
• 2:04:49
  his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he
• 2:04:53
  will be my son. Your house and your kingdom will
• 2:04:57
  endure forever. Own will be established forever. Second Samuel seven
• 2:05:04
  twelve to sixteen. Generations passed, kings rose and fell, the
• 2:05:10
  kingdom split and was conquered, Yet the promise stayed. One
• 2:05:15
  quiet night in Bethlehem, shepherds watching their flocks saw angels
• 2:05:20
  and heard a message of hope. The promise to King
• 2:05:23
  David was fulfilled. From David's line came the Messiah, the
• 2:05:28
  True Son of David. Like David, at first it seemed
• 2:05:32
  like nothing would come of him. Yet his life would
• 2:05:36
  change the world, and as the promise said, his throne
• 2:05:40
  will also reign forever. David's life inspires us and shows
• 2:05:45
  what God can do when someone trusts him fully, from
• 2:05:49
  little beginnings to a legacy that lasts forever. When your
• 2:05:53
  story is told, will it show faith that held on
• 2:05:56
  to God in hard times. We'd love to hear from
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  you in the comments below. May the Lord's peace and
• 2:06:03
  blessings be with you and your family. Amen.