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

Transcript

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

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Be still and know that I am God. I will
• 0:04
  Speaker 1: be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in
• 0:07
  Speaker 1: the earth. Psalm 46.10 Lord, today I acknowledge that you
• 0:15
  Speaker 1: are God and that I am not. I surrender my
• 0:20
  Speaker 1: life to you completely. I give you full control in
• 0:25
  Speaker 1: every aspect, in every area, and in everything that concerns me.
• 0:31
  Speaker 1: I know I can trust you. You are always working
• 0:35
  Speaker 1: everything together for my good and for your glory. As
• 0:41
  Speaker 1: I go about my day, help me to remember what
• 0:45
  Speaker 1: I have prayed. Help me to remember how strong and
• 0:49
  Speaker 1: mighty you are. Help me to remember how wise you
• 0:52
  Speaker 1: are and how loving and kind and faithful and true.
• 0:58
  Speaker 1: Help me to keep bringing everything to you. Today I
• 1:03
  Speaker 1: will be open and honest with you. I will pour
• 1:07
  Speaker 1: out my heart to you. I thank you in advance
• 1:10
  Speaker 1: for the answers that are already on the way, the
• 1:14
  Speaker 1: things you set in motion long ago. I praise you
• 1:19
  Speaker 1: with my whole heart, and not just when things go
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: my way, when I can see.
• 1:24
  Speaker 2: What you are up to.
• 1:26
  Speaker 1: I praise you even when I can't. I trust you
• 1:31
  Speaker 1: even when I don't understand. Today I will be still
• 1:36
  Speaker 1: before you. I will listen for your voice. I will
• 1:41
  Speaker 1: do whatever you tell me. And I will stand on
• 1:46
  Speaker 1: your promises by faith. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you
• 1:57
  Speaker 1: for praying with me today. Stay tuned to immerse yourself
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: in the greatest stories ever told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes
• 2:06
  Speaker 1: in the Bible.
• 2:08
  Speaker 3: Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you
• 2:12
  Speaker 3: to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be
• 2:15
  Speaker 3: sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so
• 2:19
  Speaker 3: that you get the newest episodes right as they come out.
• 2:23
  Speaker 3: Welcome to The Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
• 2:31
  Speaker 3: and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
• 2:35
  Speaker 3: few know about David the man. We discover more about
• 2:38
  Speaker 3: David the man in this episode. Our hero is coming
• 2:41
  Speaker 3: of age in many ways. He has men under his command,
• 2:45
  Speaker 3: rapport with the king, and a budding new romance. By
• 2:49
  Speaker 3: the end of this episode, we begin to see David differently.
• 2:52
  Speaker 3: He is no longer the ruddy and small shepherd boy,
• 2:55
  Speaker 3: but a respected and feared warrior. Saul will begin to
• 2:59
  Speaker 3: look at David differently as well. David did not pose
• 3:02
  Speaker 3: a threat to Saul before, since he was just a
• 3:04
  Speaker 3: bard and servant, but it becomes very apparent in this
• 3:08
  Speaker 3: episode that David is destined for greatness. Israel sees it,
• 3:12
  Speaker 3: Jonathan sees it, but Saul refuses to acknowledge it. This
• 3:17
  Speaker 3: story begins with a prelude. This prelude takes us back
• 3:20
  Speaker 3: in time to Joseph's life. The jealousy of his brothers
• 3:24
  Speaker 3: overcame them and led them to cruel acts. This episode
• 3:28
  Speaker 3: explores just how deadly jealousy can be and how any
• 3:32
  Speaker 3: person's rise to prominence will come with enemies. This episode
• 3:36
  Speaker 3: will also explore the complicated family dynamic of Saul's house.
• 3:41
  Speaker 3: As David becomes closer to Saul's children, the line between
• 3:45
  Speaker 3: friend and enemy becomes even more blurred. How will David
• 3:49
  Speaker 3: navigate the tumultuous waters of fame, love, and jealousy? We
• 3:53
  Speaker 3: will see it in our seventh episode, A Dowry of Blood.
• 4:04
  Speaker 4: Prelude to Chapter 7 Jealousy was the poison that killed
• 4:08
  Speaker 4: the conscience of Judah. Seared by bitterness and contempt, he
• 4:13
  Speaker 4: leaned over his younger.
• 4:14
  Speaker 2: Brother, Joseph. Where are you running off to? Judah scoffed.
• 4:18
  Speaker 2: Are you afraid?
• 4:20
  Speaker 4: Joseph gulped. There was no escaping what was about to come.
• 4:24
  Speaker 4: His eyes darted towards the trail. He sprinted forward only
• 4:28
  Speaker 4: to be stopped by his brothers and shoved back into
• 4:31
  Speaker 4: the middle of the circle. They closed in on him.
• 4:35
  Speaker 4: Simeon lunged forward for the first blow right to the jaw.
• 4:38
  Speaker 4: Joseph recoiled and stumbled back, only to be shoved to
• 4:42
  Speaker 4: the ground by Levi. His brothers pounced on him, tearing
• 4:46
  Speaker 4: the coat right off his body. Their kicks seemed endless.
• 4:50
  Speaker 4: Joseph could feel his ribs cracking under the pressure of
• 4:53
  Speaker 4: their blows.
• 4:54
  Speaker 2: Stop! Someone help me!
• 4:57
  Speaker 4: Joseph cried, but his brothers were too enraged to give mercy.
• 5:02
  Speaker 4: Judah picked Joseph up by his hair and held his
• 5:04
  Speaker 4: face tightly.
• 5:05
  Speaker 2: Tell me, Joseph, in all your dreaming, did you ever
• 5:09
  Speaker 2: see this?
• 5:10
  Speaker 4: Tears streamed down Joseph's face. He could not speak. He
• 5:14
  Speaker 4: could barely breathe. Judah threw him against the rocks. Joseph
• 5:19
  Speaker 4: lay there helplessly. His brothers were filled with spite. They
• 5:24
  Speaker 4: took his limp and mangled body and threw him into
• 5:27
  Speaker 4: an empty pit. Joseph tumbled down fifteen feet, hid in
• 5:32
  Speaker 4: the cold dirt below. A cloud of dust rose in
• 5:36
  Speaker 4: the air as Joseph's body hit the ground. He gasped
• 5:40
  Speaker 4: for breath, coughing up blood. Joseph rolled onto his back.
• 5:45
  Speaker 4: seeing the silhouetted faces of his brothers above. His eyes
• 5:49
  Speaker 4: were growing dim, and the light from above was slipping
• 5:52
  Speaker 4: from his sight. Feeling broken and abandoned, Joseph closed his eyes.
• 5:59
  Speaker 4: All turned dark for Joseph. The cave was wet and
• 6:02
  Speaker 4: the sun's rays could not touch the bottom. However, nothing
• 6:06
  Speaker 4: was as dark as Judah's heart in that moment. Jealousy
• 6:10
  Speaker 4: had given birth to violence. and that violence would send
• 6:14
  Speaker 4: Judah down a path his heart could not handle. All
• 6:17
  Speaker 4: of the brothers stood over the cave in which Joseph lay.
• 6:21
  Speaker 4: They huffed with pride and contempt. They were woefully unaware
• 6:25
  Speaker 4: of the pain they were causing themselves. Jealousy is a
• 6:30
  Speaker 4: poison that kills slowly. Jonathan's legs could not run any faster.
• 6:41
  Speaker 4: His heart was ready to burst out of his chest
• 6:43
  Speaker 4: as he turned the corner past an opening in the
• 6:45
  Speaker 4: rocks by the battlefield. The Philistine chariots were gaining on him,
• 6:50
  Speaker 4: and Jonathan was losing strength quickly. Their spears were lifted high,
• 6:55
  Speaker 4: waiting for the right moment to launch. Jonathan looked back.
• 6:59
  Speaker 4: He had only moments before they caught.
• 7:01
  Speaker 2: Up to him. He looked forward.
• 7:03
  Speaker 4: A dead end met him at the back of the canyon.
• 7:06
  Speaker 4: He had to think quickly. He saw a few crags
• 7:10
  Speaker 4: in the stone wall of the canyon. Perhaps he could
• 7:13
  Speaker 4: jump quick enough to scale the wall and get to safety.
• 7:16
  Speaker 4: It was his only option. With all the strength he
• 7:20
  Speaker 4: had left, Jonathan threw away the sword in his hand
• 7:23
  Speaker 4: and leapt towards the stone wall. His right hand gripped
• 7:27
  Speaker 4: the crag in the wall, allowing him to swing his
• 7:29
  Speaker 4: left hand up and grab the other. Jonathan gained his
• 7:32
  Speaker 4: footing and began to climb. He heard the Philistines enter
• 7:35
  Speaker 4: the canyon. The wall was only a dozen feet tall.
• 7:39
  Speaker 4: All Jonathan needed was a few more steps to bring
• 7:42
  Speaker 4: himself over. He swung his arm to the top of
• 7:45
  Speaker 4: the wall and began to lift himself up. Then a
• 7:48
  Speaker 4: Philistine spear aimed at his head missed, causing the rocks
• 7:51
  Speaker 4: near his hands to crumble.
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: Jonathan fell to the ground on his back. The little
• 7:56
  Speaker 2: air he had left in his lungs escaped him.
• 7:59
  Speaker 4: Jonathan gasped and looked up to see the Philistine chariots
• 8:02
  Speaker 4: aimed and ready to execute him.
• 8:05
  Speaker 2: With groaning, Jonathan stumbled to his feet.
• 8:09
  Speaker 4: Blood dripped down the side of his temple. He could
• 8:12
  Speaker 4: barely stay standing. Swaying in a dizzy haze, Jonathan lifted
• 8:16
  Speaker 4: his fist to the enemy.
• 8:18
  Speaker 5: Come to me, Philistine dogs.
• 8:22
  Speaker 2: He murmured.
• 8:24
  Speaker 4: One of the Philistines lifted his spear and drew his
• 8:26
  Speaker 4: arm back. Before he could throw, a stone whistled through
• 8:30
  Speaker 4: the air and landed straight into the Philistine's hand. Blood
• 8:34
  Speaker 4: burst forth from the soldier as he fell back over
• 8:36
  Speaker 4: his chariot. The two other soldiers looked up above the canyon.
• 8:41
  Speaker 4: Up above, there was a figure silhouetted in front of
• 8:44
  Speaker 4: the afternoon sun. The men gasped in fear. It is
• 8:48
  Speaker 4: a giant slayer, they shouted.
• 8:50
  Speaker 2: Turn back!
• 8:51
  Speaker 4: However, the canyon was too narrow for them to turn
• 8:54
  Speaker 4: their horses and chariots. Before they had a chance to retreat,
• 8:58
  Speaker 4: David sent another stone from.
• 9:00
  Speaker 2: His sling, landing on the shoulder of one of the men.
• 9:03
  Speaker 4: The man dropped his weapon and writhed in pain, giving
• 9:06
  Speaker 4: David enough time to scale down the wall, pass Jonathan,
• 9:10
  Speaker 4: and launch himself forward at the third soldier. The two
• 9:14
  Speaker 4: of them sparred for a moment until David swiped at
• 9:17
  Speaker 4: the man's calf, then downwards into the back of his neck.
• 9:21
  Speaker 4: He took the Philistine spear, threw his shoulder back, and
• 9:24
  Speaker 4: hurled it at the last remaining soldier, pinning him to
• 9:27
  Speaker 4: the side of his chair. David looked back at Jonathan
• 9:31
  Speaker 4: and gave a sly smile.
• 9:33
  Speaker 2: Perhaps you are too old to be battling, eh? David jested.
• 9:38
  Speaker 4: Jonathan laughed and picked up his sword. He shook his
• 9:41
  Speaker 4: head and hugged David.
• 9:43
  Speaker 5: With you as my guardian angel, I shall be fighting
• 9:46
  Speaker 5: till I'm the age of Noah.
• 9:48
  Speaker 4: David took Jonathan's arm and placed it over his shoulder,
• 9:51
  Speaker 4: helping him limp back to camp. Jonathan sighed and grinned from.
• 9:55
  Speaker 2: Ear to ear.
• 9:56
  Speaker 5: I love you more than a brother, David. Never forget that.
• 10:00
  Speaker 4: David nodded in agreement the two of them stumbled back
• 10:03
  Speaker 4: to camp where the others had returned it was yet
• 10:06
  Speaker 4: another victory over the philistines a victory jonathan would not
• 10:10
  Speaker 4: have enjoyed if it weren't for david the giant slayer
• 10:14
  Speaker 4: the two of them laughed at the nickname the philistines
• 10:17
  Speaker 4: had been telling tales of david how he called down
• 10:20
  Speaker 4: fire from the heavens and his sword was made of lightning. However,
• 10:24
  Speaker 4: David knew that he was still just a shepherd boy,
• 10:27
  Speaker 4: although battle did seem to suit him. Ever since his
• 10:30
  Speaker 4: victory against Goliath, Saul had put him in the command
• 10:34
  Speaker 4: of over a thousand men. Together, he and Jonathan had
• 10:37
  Speaker 4: successfully staved off over a dozen raids by the Philistines.
• 10:42
  Speaker 4: The two men leaned back by the fire, resting their
• 10:45
  Speaker 4: weary legs. It was a warm night, and the stars
• 10:48
  Speaker 4: were laid out on the horizon like a blanket. Jonathan
• 10:51
  Speaker 4: sat opposite David by the fire. Although he was older
• 10:54
  Speaker 4: than David, and the first in line to receive the
• 10:57
  Speaker 4: throne of his father Saul, Jonathan knew in his heart
• 11:00
  Speaker 4: that David was meant to be king. He could feel
• 11:03
  Speaker 4: the presence of God upon him. Jonathan, being a humble man,
• 11:08
  Speaker 4: elevated David above himself. He looked down at the royal
• 11:11
  Speaker 4: robe he wore given by his father. It never did
• 11:15
  Speaker 4: feel like it fit him. The role of king was
• 11:17
  Speaker 4: never something he truly thought about, although his men talked
• 11:21
  Speaker 4: about it often. Jonathan looked over at David, who was
• 11:24
  Speaker 4: poking at the fire. He watched as David took a
• 11:27
  Speaker 4: stick and ensured all the coals were touching one another.
• 11:30
  Speaker 4: He tended to the fire with the same care he
• 11:33
  Speaker 4: tended to sheep. Jonathan stood up and brought a wooden
• 11:36
  Speaker 4: chest out of his tent. He placed it on the
• 11:38
  Speaker 4: floor next to David. Open it, Jonathan said. Confused, David
• 11:44
  Speaker 4: opened the chest and saw Jonathan's royal armor. Light steel
• 11:48
  Speaker 4: scales covered the leather armor. The shoulder plates were formed
• 11:51
  Speaker 4: to perfection and polished perfectly. It reflected the firelight. Underneath
• 11:57
  Speaker 4: the armor was Jonathan's sword wrapped in bearskin. It was
• 12:01
  Speaker 4: lightweight but sturdy. David took it in his hand and
• 12:04
  Speaker 4: held it next to the firelight. It was a magnificent blade,
• 12:09
  Speaker 4: far superior to the blade he had been wielding. Jonathan
• 12:12
  Speaker 4: took off his royal robe and placed it on David's shoulders.
• 12:15
  Speaker 5: These are all yours now, David.
• 12:17
  Speaker 2: Take good care of them. David looked over to Jonathan,
• 12:20
  Speaker 2: who sat back down across from him. Are you going
• 12:22
  Speaker 2: somewhere that you need me to take care of these?
• 12:26
  Speaker 2: He asked.
• 12:27
  Speaker 5: Of course not.
• 12:28
  Speaker 2: Jonathan chuckled.
• 12:29
  Speaker 5: I will be here to fight beside you until my
• 12:31
  Speaker 5: dying breath. A warrior's armor and sword represents his safety
• 12:35
  Speaker 5: and entire life. I give these to you as a
• 12:39
  Speaker 5: symbol of our friendship. I care more about you than
• 12:42
  Speaker 5: my own life.
• 12:44
  Speaker 4: David was dismayed at Jonathan's love and friendship. His own
• 12:48
  Speaker 4: brothers had always mocked him and cast him aside. He
• 12:52
  Speaker 4: had never known the feeling of true brotherhood. David stroked
• 12:56
  Speaker 4: the royal robe that Jonathan had put over his shoulders.
• 12:59
  Speaker 2: Your royal robe is not armor, Jonathan. Why give it
• 13:02
  Speaker 2: to me, along with the rest?
• 13:04
  Speaker 4: Jonathan's smile quickly turned into a serious gaze. He leaned
• 13:08
  Speaker 4: over and stared intently at David through the fire. Its
• 13:12
  Speaker 4: flickering flames reflected in his eyes.
• 13:14
  Speaker 5: I have given these to you. Because you will be
• 13:17
  Speaker 5: the next king of Israel. You should be dressed and
• 13:20
  Speaker 5: armed as the prince, not I.
• 13:22
  Speaker 2: You are the firstborn son of the king, Jonathan, David replied.
• 13:26
  Speaker 2: I am the youngest son of a herdsman. There's no
• 13:29
  Speaker 2: place for me on the throne of Israel.
• 13:32
  Speaker 4: God uplifts the humble, David, Jonathan said, leaning his head
• 13:36
  Speaker 4: back and looking up at the stars. David nodded and smiled.
• 13:42
  Speaker 4: He wrapped the robe securely around his back and shoulders.
• 13:44
  Speaker 2: Let us make a covenant with each other. Under the
• 13:48
  Speaker 2: eyes of God, you and I are for each other.
• 13:53
  Speaker 2: Our friendship will prove to be stronger than any jealousy, envy,
• 13:59
  Speaker 2: or ambition.
• 14:00
  Speaker 4: David stood and extended his hand above the fire. Jonathan
• 14:04
  Speaker 4: stood to his feet and linked his arm with David's.
• 14:07
  Speaker 5: A covenant of brotherhood between you and I May God
• 14:11
  Speaker 5: give us favor.
• 14:12
  Speaker 4: The two of them spoke into the night about the
• 14:14
  Speaker 4: future of Israel, God's grace and power, the Philistines, and
• 14:19
  Speaker 4: all their minds could muster into conversation. David did not
• 14:22
  Speaker 4: know it, but God was healing the wounds in his
• 14:25
  Speaker 4: heart formed by his father and brothers. God was giving
• 14:29
  Speaker 4: the forgotten son a sense of family and belonging. David
• 14:37
  Speaker 4: and Jonathan returned to Gibeah with their men. The construction
• 14:41
  Speaker 4: of Saul's palace was nearly complete. Gardens of flowers and
• 14:45
  Speaker 4: olive trees stretched around the perimeter. The springtime breeze caused
• 14:49
  Speaker 4: the blooming petals to dance and sway like children. David
• 14:53
  Speaker 4: enjoyed Gibeah. Since his victory over the giant, David had
• 14:57
  Speaker 4: lived in Gibeah permanently to serve the king, play music,
• 15:01
  Speaker 4: and lead his men into battle. Jonathan left to go
• 15:04
  Speaker 4: inform Saul of their most recent victory. However, David lingered
• 15:08
  Speaker 4: for a moment near the entrance. He leaned over the
• 15:11
  Speaker 4: wooden fence bordering the garden and looked out. Under the
• 15:14
  Speaker 4: spinning leaves of the olive trees, Michal tended to the flowers.
• 15:18
  Speaker 4: The youngest daughter of Saul was breathtaking to David. He
• 15:22
  Speaker 4: leaned over the fence, doing his best to steal just
• 15:25
  Speaker 4: one glance from her. However, she wasn't looking. David took
• 15:29
  Speaker 4: an olive and placed it in the leather strap of
• 15:31
  Speaker 4: a sling. Gently, David shot an olive right above her head,
• 15:35
  Speaker 4: causing the leaves to rustle above her. She looked to
• 15:39
  Speaker 4: see the giant slayer gazing at her. Michal blushed and waved.
• 15:43
  Speaker 4: David smiled ear to ear. He kept his eyes fixed
• 15:46
  Speaker 4: on her, and she fixed her gaze on him. It
• 15:50
  Speaker 4: was all David could ask for. Just a moment.
• 15:54
  Speaker 2: Where is David?
• 15:55
  Speaker 4: Saul's voice shuddered from within the palace. David chuckled. He
• 16:00
  Speaker 4: scratched his head and gave a final wave to Michal.
• 16:03
  Speaker 4: She leaned on the tree, watching him leave into her
• 16:06
  Speaker 4: father's halls. She longed to be with him. The young
• 16:11
  Speaker 4: girl in her loved the attention of the giant slayer. However,
• 16:14
  Speaker 4: she would never quite understand just how much David was
• 16:17
  Speaker 4: destined for.
• 16:19
  Speaker 2: How could she? David himself did not know what was
• 16:22
  Speaker 2: in store either. They are marching dangerously close to Jerusalem.
• 16:29
  Speaker 4: Saul said, pacing back and forth in front of his throne.
• 16:32
  Speaker 4: He did not look down at David. He was too
• 16:34
  Speaker 4: frantic to stay still.
• 16:36
  Speaker 2: Even after your recent victories, they continue to press up
• 16:40
  Speaker 2: against our borders with arrogance. I am sending you to
• 16:44
  Speaker 2: ensure they do not march any further into our land. Understood,
• 16:49
  Speaker 2: my king, David said with a bow. Good. Now go and.
• 16:54
  Speaker 4: Saul paused as he turned his head and looked at David.
• 16:58
  Speaker 4: The king recognized the armor secured to David's chest and
• 17:01
  Speaker 4: the sword strapped to his belt. Jonathan had given him
• 17:05
  Speaker 4: his royal armor.
• 17:06
  Speaker 2: Do you presume to be a prince, shepherd boy? Saul
• 17:10
  Speaker 2: asked coarsely. David lifted his head. Of course not, my king.
• 17:14
  Speaker 2: I am your servant and nothing more. Then why do
• 17:18
  Speaker 2: you wear my son's armor? Has he fallen and you
• 17:22
  Speaker 2: taken his place? Jonathan quickly intervened.
• 17:25
  Speaker 5: It was a token of appreciation, father. David saved my
• 17:29
  Speaker 5: life more than once in our last battle. I owe
• 17:31
  Speaker 5: him my life. Not only that, but there would have
• 17:34
  Speaker 5: been no victory without him.
• 17:36
  Speaker 4: Saul's anger subsided and quickly turned to ambivalence. He dismissed
• 17:40
  Speaker 4: the boy with a wave of his hands.
• 17:43
  Speaker 2: If you are as brave as my son says, then
• 17:46
  Speaker 2: go and halt the Philistines.
• 17:49
  Speaker 4: David said nothing. He bowed his head and left. As
• 17:53
  Speaker 4: David exited Saul's throne room, a familiar voice crept into
• 17:56
  Speaker 4: Saul's mind. The tormenting spirit had returned to him. Paranoia
• 18:01
  Speaker 4: and anger coiled around his heart, latching on like thorns
• 18:05
  Speaker 4: to a garden. Saul sat back and took a sip
• 18:08
  Speaker 4: from his cup. Jealousy had made its home in his heart.
• 18:13
  Speaker 4: David led a small band of men to the border
• 18:15
  Speaker 4: of Jerusalem. A few miles south, the Philistines had sent
• 18:19
  Speaker 4: a small army to raid the nearby villages. Before the
• 18:23
  Speaker 4: enemy had any chance to descend upon the defenseless people,
• 18:26
  Speaker 4: David ran valiantly into battle. His skill in battle was
• 18:30
  Speaker 4: methodical and almost poetic. He ran with the energy of
• 18:34
  Speaker 4: a boy who had spent his whole life chasing down
• 18:36
  Speaker 4: sheep in the hill. He seemed to never grow tired,
• 18:40
  Speaker 4: fueled by the passion of God's heart. He defeated the
• 18:43
  Speaker 4: Philistines with ease, and the remaining survivors were sent running
• 18:47
  Speaker 4: back to their country. David's fame as the giant slayer
• 18:50
  Speaker 4: and deliverer of Israel had spread from the major cities
• 18:54
  Speaker 4: all the way to the small villages. David returned home,
• 18:58
  Speaker 4: eager to tell Saul of his victory. He was sore
• 19:01
  Speaker 4: from battle. His bones ached and he had a few
• 19:04
  Speaker 4: minor wounds to nurse. However, the young shepherd could not
• 19:07
  Speaker 4: have been more joyful. He felt as though he was
• 19:10
  Speaker 4: truly stepping into his calling. All his boyhood dreams of
• 19:14
  Speaker 4: defending the people of Israel were coming true. He was
• 19:18
  Speaker 4: a beloved servant of the king and a commanding officer
• 19:21
  Speaker 4: at a young age. In his mind, nothing could make
• 19:25
  Speaker 4: his life any better. As David and his men marched
• 19:28
  Speaker 4: back to Gibeah, shouting could be heard from within the gates.
• 19:32
  Speaker 4: He perked up and rested his hand on the hilt
• 19:35
  Speaker 4: of his sword. Surely the city had not been invaded
• 19:38
  Speaker 4: while he was gone. David and his men halted and
• 19:41
  Speaker 4: listened closer to the clamoring coming from the city. They
• 19:44
  Speaker 4: looked at one another confused. They did not hear shouts
• 19:48
  Speaker 4: of fear or war. They were cheers. The men quickened
• 19:52
  Speaker 4: their pace and came through the gates of the city.
• 19:55
  Speaker 4: David entered in to see a multitude of people praising
• 19:58
  Speaker 4: and shouting his name. Men, women, and children laced the
• 20:01
  Speaker 4: city streets singing songs of David's bravery and victory. The
• 20:05
  Speaker 4: sound of their praise was almost too much for the
• 20:08
  Speaker 4: young boy's humble heart to bear. The songs from their
• 20:11
  Speaker 4: instruments echoed throughout the city, creating an anthem to David's
• 20:15
  Speaker 4: favor with the people. The women of Israel came before
• 20:18
  Speaker 4: the palace of Saul with their tambourines singing and dancing
• 20:21
  Speaker 4: with joy. From their lips poured out a song that
• 20:24
  Speaker 4: would live on in infamy. Saul has struck down thousands,
• 20:29
  Speaker 4: but David has struck down ten thousands. The song passed
• 20:33
  Speaker 4: from person to person and was sung from the oldest
• 20:36
  Speaker 4: in the city to the youngest. David was Israel's new
• 20:40
  Speaker 4: hero and a beacon of God's love and protection to
• 20:43
  Speaker 4: all those who had been oppressed by the Philistines. Saul
• 20:47
  Speaker 4: emerged from his dimly lit room out onto the balcony
• 20:50
  Speaker 4: overlooking the city streets. A melody had caught his attention.
• 20:55
  Speaker 4: It seeped into his room like an unwelcome odor. Saul
• 20:58
  Speaker 4: stood on his balcony with his hands behind his back,
• 21:01
  Speaker 4: overlooking the parade of people cheering in the city streets.
• 21:05
  Speaker 4: The entire city of Jerusalem joined in a song of
• 21:08
  Speaker 4: praise to their new champion, However, to Saul, it was
• 21:13
  Speaker 4: a song of despair. He looked down at David being
• 21:17
  Speaker 4: carried on the arms of his soldiers. In that moment,
• 21:20
  Speaker 4: a darkness slithered its way into Saul's heart. A deep
• 21:24
  Speaker 4: and evil well of jealousy was simmering to the surface.
• 21:28
  Speaker 4: Saul twitched his head to the side and rolled his
• 21:30
  Speaker 4: neck back. Chills slithered down his spine. He looked down
• 21:35
  Speaker 4: at the people. I hate them, he whispered. They have
• 21:39
  Speaker 4: given David the glory that I deserve. Saul leaned over
• 21:42
  Speaker 4: the balcony and gripped its edges tightly. He gritted his
• 21:46
  Speaker 4: teeth and furrowed his brow. You will not take my
• 21:49
  Speaker 4: kingdom away from me, Saul said to himself. I will
• 21:53
  Speaker 4: not let him. Saul retreated back into the darkness of
• 21:56
  Speaker 4: his room. There he allowed his mind to stir in paranoia.
• 22:00
  Speaker 4: He paced back and forth, creating more and more reasons
• 22:03
  Speaker 4: to hate David for his success. The tormenting spirit had
• 22:07
  Speaker 4: made a permanent residence in his heart. Saul turned to
• 22:11
  Speaker 4: the back wall of his room. A large spear hung
• 22:15
  Speaker 4: over his bed. He grabbed it and held it firmly
• 22:18
  Speaker 4: in his hand. The dreaded song could be heard even
• 22:21
  Speaker 4: from his closed doors. Saul roared and threw the spear
• 22:25
  Speaker 4: at the door. It pierced through the wood, splitting it
• 22:29
  Speaker 4: in two. Saul flared with anger, jealous fire reflecting through
• 22:34
  Speaker 4: his eyes. The next day, Saul rose and went to
• 22:39
  Speaker 4: his throne room. It was warm, and the fire in
• 22:42
  Speaker 4: the center had been tended to by David all morning.
• 22:45
  Speaker 4: He sat beside it with his harp. The shepherd bowed
• 22:48
  Speaker 4: to the king as he entered. Saul sneered at the
• 22:51
  Speaker 4: gesture and sat on his throne with his spear gripped
• 22:54
  Speaker 4: firmly in his hand. David could sense the tension in
• 22:57
  Speaker 4: the room. Good morning, my king, he said softly. Saul
• 23:01
  Speaker 4: tilted his head to the side.
• 23:03
  Speaker 2: And what makes it good, boy? I trust you have
• 23:07
  Speaker 2: good news for me. David nodded. Yes, my lord. Your
• 23:12
  Speaker 2: servant has done as you asked. We marched against the
• 23:15
  Speaker 2: Philistine raiders and vanquished them. It was by your wisdom
• 23:19
  Speaker 2: and foresight we were able to get there quickly before
• 23:22
  Speaker 2: they attacked. Don't patronize me, Saul thought to himself.
• 23:28
  Speaker 4: Instead, he said nothing. He simply stared at David in silence,
• 23:33
  Speaker 4: allowing his piercing gaze to make him sweat. After enough pause,
• 23:38
  Speaker 4: Saul broke the silence.
• 23:39
  Speaker 2: Although you, and others, see yourself as a hero, I
• 23:44
  Speaker 2: would like to remind you that you are still my
• 23:47
  Speaker 2: servant and musician. Is that clear? Of course, David said nervously.
• 23:54
  Speaker 2: Is there a hymn you would like played?
• 23:56
  Speaker 4: Saul simply waved for him to play anything. So David
• 24:00
  Speaker 4: began to strum his harp. The notes rose and fell gracefully.
• 24:04
  Speaker 4: tugging at the parts of Saul's heart that were not
• 24:06
  Speaker 4: completely shrouded in darkness. The music was intensely spiritual. As
• 24:11
  Speaker 4: David sang, it was as if angels were joining in
• 24:15
  Speaker 4: with him to sing the chorus. Saul's bottom lip began
• 24:18
  Speaker 4: to quiver. His mind struggled to stay in control. The
• 24:22
  Speaker 4: beautiful music filled the room like the scent of fresh roses.
• 24:27
  Speaker 4: Yet all Saul could hear was that one song. David
• 24:31
  Speaker 4: has killed his ten thousands. Saul brooded on his throne
• 24:36
  Speaker 4: looking at the fire. The flickering flame was mesmerizing. His
• 24:41
  Speaker 4: mind wandered to days past, days of hope for a
• 24:44
  Speaker 4: new kingdom, days when Samuel had guided him into truth
• 24:48
  Speaker 4: and God's favor was upon him. The voice of the
• 24:51
  Speaker 4: Lord had been absent from Saul for so long that
• 24:54
  Speaker 4: he could barely remember what it was like to be
• 24:56
  Speaker 4: truly led by God. If he simply repented and turned
• 25:00
  Speaker 4: from his arrogance, God would embrace him. However, his pride,
• 25:04
  Speaker 4: tethered him to darkness. The king's mind turned from contemplation
• 25:08
  Speaker 4: to anger. Saul hated God for sending him David. He
• 25:13
  Speaker 4: hated David for his faithfulness to God. Looking into David's
• 25:17
  Speaker 4: eyes was like staring into the soul of what could
• 25:20
  Speaker 4: have been. Saul's pride was shown to be ugly when
• 25:23
  Speaker 4: standing beside David's humility. Saul's knuckles turned white as he
• 25:28
  Speaker 4: gripped the spear beside him. He stood to his feet
• 25:31
  Speaker 4: as David was lost in the music. Saul teemed with
• 25:35
  Speaker 4: anger towards the boy. I will pin you to the wall,
• 25:41
  Speaker 4: he whispered under his breath. Saul drew his spear back
• 25:45
  Speaker 4: and stepped forward to launch the spear. David opened his
• 25:49
  Speaker 4: eyes just in time to see Saul hurl the spear
• 25:51
  Speaker 4: right towards him. David reacted quickly, leaping to his right
• 25:55
  Speaker 4: and crashing into the table beside him. Saul screamed as
• 25:59
  Speaker 4: a man possessed and grabbed another spear beside his throne.
• 26:03
  Speaker 2: Come here, you worthless boy! They will see singing your
• 26:06
  Speaker 2: name once you are dead!
• 26:09
  Speaker 4: Saul threw the spear at David, who was on the ground.
• 26:12
  Speaker 4: This time, David had less options. He ducked to his left,
• 26:15
  Speaker 4: but the spear grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. As Saul
• 26:19
  Speaker 4: reached for a third spear, David leapt out the window
• 26:22
  Speaker 4: and fell a few feet into the grass. He ran
• 26:25
  Speaker 4: and did not look back. Saul's chest rose up and
• 26:29
  Speaker 4: down with fury. However, as David left... His anger turned
• 26:34
  Speaker 4: quickly into regret. The king dropped the spear in his hands,
• 26:38
  Speaker 4: fell to his knees, and wept. David had eluded him,
• 26:44
  Speaker 4: just as Samuel's approval and just as God's favor. David
• 26:50
  Speaker 4: ran to the stables outside the palace and caught his breath.
• 26:54
  Speaker 4: Leaning against the back of the stable doors, he looked
• 26:56
  Speaker 4: at his shoulder. Only a minor wound. It would heal
• 27:00
  Speaker 4: given the right bandages. He patched himself up and remained
• 27:03
  Speaker 4: in his quarters until sundown. When the sun descended, David
• 27:07
  Speaker 4: snuck out of his room and crept near Saul's window.
• 27:10
  Speaker 4: He peeked his head in to see Saul hunched over
• 27:13
  Speaker 4: by the fire. His shoulders were shaking up and down
• 27:16
  Speaker 4: and his hands were placed over his face. The mighty
• 27:19
  Speaker 4: king David loved so dearly was weeping. Clearly the man
• 27:24
  Speaker 4: had a tortured soul. Although he had attempted to take
• 27:27
  Speaker 4: David's life, he would not waver in his devotion to him.
• 27:32
  Speaker 4: David left and went back to his room. He resolved
• 27:35
  Speaker 4: in his heart to stand before Saul the next morning
• 27:37
  Speaker 4: and play music. The king needed him now more than ever.
• 27:43
  Speaker 4: Saul woke up the next morning with the same self-hatred
• 27:46
  Speaker 4: he fell asleep with. However, it did not take long
• 27:49
  Speaker 4: for him to bury his shame and redirect his hatred
• 27:52
  Speaker 4: towards David again. Saul entered the halls to have breakfast
• 27:56
  Speaker 4: with his wife and children. David was also in attendance.
• 28:00
  Speaker 4: sitting beside Jonathan and his family. Saul looked at David
• 28:04
  Speaker 4: with contempt, sat himself down, and began to eat. He
• 28:08
  Speaker 4: looked across the table at his oldest daughter Merab. She
• 28:12
  Speaker 4: was a regal young woman. Her hair was tightly braided
• 28:15
  Speaker 4: back behind her head covering. She ate with her shoulders
• 28:18
  Speaker 4: set firmly back. Seeing her at the same table as
• 28:21
  Speaker 4: David gave him an idea. He realized he could not
• 28:25
  Speaker 4: kill David himself. He wanted his hands clean of the
• 28:28
  Speaker 4: young man's blood. If he killed him with his own sword,
• 28:31
  Speaker 4: the people would revolt against him. He needed to make
• 28:35
  Speaker 4: David a martyr. He needed to ensure David died in battle.
• 28:39
  Speaker 4: Saul leaned back and smiled.
• 28:41
  Speaker 2: David, I hope we can put our disagreement yesterday behind us. Jonathan, Merab,
• 28:51
  Speaker 2: and Michal all looked over to David. No one had
• 28:55
  Speaker 2: known what had happened between them. David smiled and bowed
• 28:58
  Speaker 2: his head. You are a humble man, my king, considerate forgotten.
• 29:04
  Speaker 2: Forgive me if I had done anything to provoke you.
• 29:08
  Speaker 2: Saul waved his hand. It is merely the weight of
• 29:11
  Speaker 2: the crown. You are a good man and a good warrior.
• 29:16
  Speaker 2: It is for this reason I desire to give you
• 29:19
  Speaker 2: the hand of my daughter, Merab. Merab coughed, nearly choking
• 29:23
  Speaker 2: on her food.
• 29:25
  Speaker 3: Father, but I am engaged to marry Adriel. He had
• 29:29
  Speaker 3: paid the dowry already.
• 29:31
  Speaker 4: Merab was slightly panicked, having already developed feelings for her betrothed.
• 29:35
  Speaker 4: McCall's heart also sank. She loved David dearly, and it
• 29:39
  Speaker 4: would pain her to see him marry her sister nonsense
• 29:43
  Speaker 4: saul said with a chuckle this is the giant slayer
• 29:47
  Speaker 4: did i not promise that whoever defeated goliath would have
• 29:51
  Speaker 4: your hand in marriage the two of you must be
• 29:55
  Speaker 4: wed david was speechless Merab was beautiful and virtuous, but
• 30:00
  Speaker 4: he had grown fond of Michal, the youngest, and knew
• 30:04
  Speaker 4: that the marriage would break her heart as it did his.
• 30:07
  Speaker 4: He bowed his head to Saul and said.
• 30:10
  Speaker 2: My king, who am I to marry your firstborn daughter?
• 30:14
  Speaker 2: I am a descendant of farmers and herders. What place
• 30:18
  Speaker 2: do I have to become the son-in-law to the king?
• 30:21
  Speaker 2: How could I ever be worthy? By being valiant in battle.
• 30:26
  Speaker 2: Saul responded eagerly. You will march at the front lines
• 30:30
  Speaker 2: with a thousand men behind you. I will have you
• 30:33
  Speaker 2: march on my behalf as my finest warrior. May your
• 30:37
  Speaker 2: victories grow and your worthiness of my daughter's hand. David
• 30:42
  Speaker 2: humbly accepted. Saul joyfully raised his cup. To the betrothal
• 30:48
  Speaker 2: of David and Merab, to the gaining of a new son,
• 30:52
  Speaker 2: and to the prosperity of Israel.
• 30:55
  Speaker 4: The family toasted to the betrothal. Merab's perfect posture broke
• 31:00
  Speaker 4: as she slumped down. David smiled nervously. Just how many
• 31:04
  Speaker 4: battles would he have to endure to be worthy? What
• 31:08
  Speaker 4: came after was an onslaught of Philistine raids that nearly
• 31:12
  Speaker 4: took his life on several occasions. David ran valiantly into battle,
• 31:16
  Speaker 4: proving to Saul that he was worthy to be called
• 31:19
  Speaker 4: a Prince of Israel. With every victory, his confidence as
• 31:22
  Speaker 4: a warrior increased. His hands became calloused from gripping his sword,
• 31:27
  Speaker 4: and his body grew larger and framed. Battle hardened his body,
• 31:31
  Speaker 4: but his heart was still tender and attentive to the
• 31:34
  Speaker 4: Spirit of God. The thousand men behind him became bonded
• 31:37
  Speaker 4: to him like brothers. David's courage emboldened the men of
• 31:41
  Speaker 4: Israel and sent fear down the spines of the Philistines.
• 31:46
  Speaker 4: As David's victories tallied, Saul became more and more furious.
• 31:51
  Speaker 4: He had sent David into impossible situations. Yet God was
• 31:54
  Speaker 4: with him. Saul came to understand that the only way
• 31:58
  Speaker 4: to make David fall in battle would be to break
• 32:00
  Speaker 4: his spirit and confidence. One morning, David was walking in
• 32:05
  Speaker 4: the cool of the morning. It was the eve of
• 32:08
  Speaker 4: his wedding, and it had been a long time since
• 32:11
  Speaker 4: he'd walked among the olive trees. The morning mist was
• 32:14
  Speaker 4: refreshing to him. The heat of battle had cluttered his mind.
• 32:19
  Speaker 4: It was a relief to be in the quiet. David
• 32:22
  Speaker 4: took a deep breath and sighed to the Lord. My shepherd,
• 32:27
  Speaker 4: he whispered silently. Who am I to be the son-in-law
• 32:31
  Speaker 4: to the king? Who am I to deserve any of this?
• 32:37
  Speaker 4: As David spoke quietly to the Lord, he could hear
• 32:39
  Speaker 4: footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Saul.
• 32:43
  Speaker 2: Good morning, my king. I did not expect you to
• 32:47
  Speaker 2: be up this early. Is there something that you need?
• 32:50
  Speaker 4: Saul plucked a flower from the garden and held it
• 32:52
  Speaker 4: up to the morning light.
• 32:53
  Speaker 2: I have decided that your victories in battle, as valiant
• 32:59
  Speaker 2: as they were, still do not make you worthy of
• 33:02
  Speaker 2: my oldest daughter. David's heart sank when he heard Saul's words. However,
• 33:07
  Speaker 2: he said nothing in response. He allowed the king to
• 33:11
  Speaker 2: walk past him and continue speaking. I have decided to
• 33:14
  Speaker 2: go through with the marriage between her and Adriel the Meholithite.
• 33:19
  Speaker 2: He is of noble birth, and his family's resources could
• 33:23
  Speaker 2: prove useful to us.
• 33:24
  Speaker 4: Saul peered over to David looking for a response. He
• 33:28
  Speaker 4: hoped for a crushed spirit and downcast frown. However, David
• 33:33
  Speaker 4: smiled and bowed to his knees before him. With his
• 33:36
  Speaker 4: face close to the ground, David responded, saying.
• 33:40
  Speaker 2: It was an honor to be considered to begin with,
• 33:43
  Speaker 2: my king. You are kind, to allow me to even
• 33:47
  Speaker 2: be in your presence. I will continue to serve you
• 33:51
  Speaker 2: however you see fit.
• 33:52
  Speaker 4: David's humility vexed Saul. He flared his nostrils and turned away.
• 33:58
  Speaker 4: Storming off past the trees, he caught a glimpse of
• 34:00
  Speaker 4: his youngest daughter, Michal. The king looked back at David,
• 34:04
  Speaker 4: then at Michal. She was watching him. She had been
• 34:09
  Speaker 4: watching him all morning. Saul gave a fiendish smile and
• 34:13
  Speaker 4: walked toward Michal. My dear daughter, what brings you out
• 34:18
  Speaker 4: here in the gardens at this hour? He asked gently.
• 34:23
  Speaker 4: Maycall was startled and embarrassed. She placed her hands behind
• 34:27
  Speaker 4: her back and looked down.
• 34:28
  Speaker 1: Just enjoying the cool morning, father.
• 34:31
  Speaker 4: Saul nodded and gestured towards David. No doubt enjoying the
• 34:36
  Speaker 4: view as well. Maycall blushed and said nothing. Saul put
• 34:40
  Speaker 4: his arm around her.
• 34:41
  Speaker 2: I just finished telling the young man. that he will
• 34:44
  Speaker 2: not be marrying Merab. Her betrothal to Edriel is too important.
• 34:51
  Speaker 2: Makal looked up and smiled. Her response gave everything away.
• 34:56
  Speaker 2: Sol knew that she had fallen in love with the
• 34:58
  Speaker 2: shepherd boy. No doubt he had probably grown fond of
• 35:02
  Speaker 2: her as well. He had seen them exchanging glances before,
• 35:06
  Speaker 2: stealing small moments away to talk and walk beside each other.
• 35:09
  Speaker 2: No doubt David would move land and sea. To have
• 35:13
  Speaker 2: Michal as his bride, Saul thought to himself. Perhaps this
• 35:18
  Speaker 2: is the motivation he needs to put himself in greater danger.
• 35:23
  Speaker 2: Saul put his arm around his daughter and began walking
• 35:26
  Speaker 2: back to David. Young David!
• 35:28
  Speaker 4: Saul shouted. David turned back and faced the two of them.
• 35:33
  Speaker 4: Saul was beaming ear to ear with joy. Finally, he
• 35:37
  Speaker 4: found a chink in the virtuous armor of David.
• 35:40
  Speaker 2: You shall be my son-in-law after all, he said jovially.
• 35:44
  Speaker 2: You and my youngest, Michal, shall be wed before God.
• 35:49
  Speaker 2: You will be made to be my son, and all
• 35:53
  Speaker 2: the privileges of the kingdom will be yours.
• 35:57
  Speaker 4: David looked into Michal's eyes. She was beautiful, and David
• 36:01
  Speaker 4: found himself giddy with excitement. If it pleases you, my king,
• 36:06
  Speaker 4: he said. Saul smirked. Victory was within reach. He had
• 36:11
  Speaker 4: only a few more steps to rid himself of David.
• 36:14
  Speaker 2: Very well, then. It is done. We shall plan the wedding.
• 36:19
  Speaker 2: All that is needed is for you to provide a dowry.
• 36:23
  Speaker 2: David looked up with concern. My king, you know that
• 36:26
  Speaker 2: I am but a humble shepherd. I have no land
• 36:29
  Speaker 2: or treasures to offer, no gold or silver. What can
• 36:34
  Speaker 2: I possibly give the king that is worth the fair
• 36:38
  Speaker 2: hand of your daughter? I shall require no gold or
• 36:42
  Speaker 2: silver from you, giant slayer. However, I require something far
• 36:48
  Speaker 2: more valuable.
• 36:50
  Speaker 4: Saul sent his daughter away. David and Saul spoke in private.
• 36:54
  Speaker 4: The cool morning began to give way to the heat
• 36:56
  Speaker 4: of day. Saul put his arm around David and sighed.
• 37:00
  Speaker 2: Saving us from the threat of the Philistines continues to
• 37:04
  Speaker 2: be my first priority. God's kingdom. cannot thrive until our
• 37:09
  Speaker 2: oppressors are dealt with. That is why, for the price
• 37:14
  Speaker 2: of my daughter's hand in marriage, I ask that you
• 37:18
  Speaker 2: bring me the foreskins of a hundred dead Philistine soldiers.
• 37:22
  Speaker 2: I want them to know that they cannot continue to
• 37:25
  Speaker 2: mock our God and kill our people.
• 37:29
  Speaker 4: Saul placed both hands on David's shoulders and looked at him.
• 37:33
  Speaker 2: David, will you do this for me? Will you bring
• 37:37
  Speaker 2: honor to this family? David's heart welled up with pride.
• 37:42
  Speaker 2: He bowed his head to the king. I will fight
• 37:45
  Speaker 2: for the Lord, this nation, and the right to be
• 37:48
  Speaker 2: called your son.
• 37:50
  Speaker 4: So David left immediately. He gathered a few of his
• 37:53
  Speaker 4: men to plan for a raid on the Philistines. This
• 37:56
  Speaker 4: battle would be unlike any other. Not all of his
• 38:01
  Speaker 4: men were available to him. They had to march up
• 38:03
  Speaker 4: against a Philistine garrison far away. David packed his belongings
• 38:08
  Speaker 4: and assembled his men. Together, they marched past the hill
• 38:12
  Speaker 4: country into the land of the Philistines. They camped outside
• 38:15
  Speaker 4: the city of Gath, strategizing and planning into the night.
• 38:19
  Speaker 4: If they invaded the city gates, they will be crushed
• 38:22
  Speaker 4: in a matter of minutes. David needed to draw them
• 38:25
  Speaker 4: out somehow. He had a few of his spies scanning
• 38:28
  Speaker 4: the land surrounding Gath. On the north side of the
• 38:31
  Speaker 4: walls were heavy woods. David had his men lay in
• 38:34
  Speaker 4: wait there. When the morning broke, David approached the gate.
• 38:38
  Speaker 4: He banged his sword against his shield and shouted, Philistines!
• 38:43
  Speaker 2: Which one of you is brave enough to fight me?
• 38:46
  Speaker 4: David shouted for all to hear. It was not long
• 38:50
  Speaker 4: before soldiers began pouring out of the gates to pursue David.
• 38:53
  Speaker 4: He underestimated just how many soldiers would assemble that quickly.
• 38:58
  Speaker 4: David's eyes widened as he saw an entire horde of
• 39:00
  Speaker 4: Philistines burst out of their hives. the shepherd boy had
• 39:05
  Speaker 4: never run so fast in his life. With chariots close behind,
• 39:09
  Speaker 4: David retreated back into the woods, where his men were
• 39:12
  Speaker 4: laying in wait. As soon as he passed the threshold
• 39:15
  Speaker 4: of the forest, David's archers released their arrows towards the Philistines.
• 39:20
  Speaker 4: A dozen of them fell, but two hundred more were
• 39:23
  Speaker 4: able to break through the forest to fight. They outnumbered
• 39:26
  Speaker 4: his men nearly two to one. David expected the archers
• 39:30
  Speaker 4: to do more damage. Nevertheless, they had nowhere left to run.
• 39:34
  Speaker 4: The shepherd did not panic. He scanned the forest for
• 39:38
  Speaker 4: another advantage. Deeper into the forest, the space between the
• 39:42
  Speaker 4: trees narrowed. The Philistine chariots and horses wouldn't be able
• 39:45
  Speaker 4: to fit. David blew his horn and called for his
• 39:48
  Speaker 4: men to retreat deeper into the narrows. Philistine spears flew
• 39:52
  Speaker 4: past David and his men with great speed.
• 39:55
  Speaker 2: Keep running! David shouted to his men as he led
• 39:58
  Speaker 2: them deeper. Roots sprung up from the dirt, making the
• 40:01
  Speaker 2: terrain more difficult to run.
• 40:03
  Speaker 4: David smirked, hearing the sound of horses behind him falling
• 40:07
  Speaker 4: to the ground and wheels from the chariots falling off.
• 40:11
  Speaker 4: David let his men go through the trees first, then
• 40:14
  Speaker 4: just as he stood when battling the giant, David planted
• 40:17
  Speaker 4: his feet and faced Henry. Over two hundred soldiers drew
• 40:22
  Speaker 4: their swords and came after him, but the shepherd of
• 40:25
  Speaker 4: Israel did not waver. He stood his ground and drew
• 40:29
  Speaker 4: a deep breath. Since the clearing was narrow, only two
• 40:33
  Speaker 4: Philistines could attack him at a time. The first two
• 40:36
  Speaker 4: burst through. David cut them at their heels first, then
• 40:39
  Speaker 4: the throats. More spilled in, but were quickly slashed by
• 40:43
  Speaker 4: David's legs. Four more leapt over the bodies and advanced
• 40:47
  Speaker 4: towards him, but they were met with swift swings and
• 40:50
  Speaker 4: decisive blows. The men behind him watched as David single-handedly
• 40:54
  Speaker 4: took on an entire army. They watched his sore swing
• 40:58
  Speaker 4: through flesh and bone. His cries shook their hearts. Emboldened
• 41:03
  Speaker 4: by his courage, they went around the openings in the
• 41:05
  Speaker 4: trees and hit the Philistines on the side. The battle
• 41:08
  Speaker 4: was over in a matter of minutes. Philistine blood soaked
• 41:12
  Speaker 4: the forest soil. Saul had asked for a hundred Philistine
• 41:17
  Speaker 4: foreskins as proof of his conquest. David walked among the
• 41:21
  Speaker 4: bodies slain by him and his men, cutting each and
• 41:23
  Speaker 4: every one of them with his blade. The number was
• 41:27
  Speaker 4: two hundred, double what the king demanded as dowry for
• 41:30
  Speaker 4: his daughter. It was a gruesome and bone-chilling sight. Most
• 41:35
  Speaker 4: noble princes gave a dowry of gold, silver, and cattle
• 41:38
  Speaker 4: to be given honor, but not David. No, he would
• 41:42
  Speaker 4: give a dowry of blood. a symbol of his devotion
• 41:46
  Speaker 4: to his king, his future bride, and his nation. David
• 41:50
  Speaker 4: returned the next day with all his men behind him.
• 41:53
  Speaker 4: They entered the gates once again, met with praise and celebration. However,
• 41:58
  Speaker 4: David was less enthused by their cheers. His hands were
• 42:02
  Speaker 4: still stained red with the blood of his enemies. His
• 42:05
  Speaker 4: legs were sore from the battle, and his head throbbed
• 42:07
  Speaker 4: from dehydration. He wondered if the king had expected him
• 42:11
  Speaker 4: to die out there on the battlefield. The task seemed
• 42:14
  Speaker 4: to be so perilous that no man would have accepted
• 42:17
  Speaker 4: except him. He knew that he had to be wary
• 42:20
  Speaker 4: of the king, or else he would pay for it
• 42:22
  Speaker 4: with his life. David dismounted his horse and walked up
• 42:26
  Speaker 4: the steps leading to Saul's throne room. Without a word,
• 42:29
  Speaker 4: he entered in with the bag in his hands. Blood
• 42:32
  Speaker 4: seeped through the burlap, staining the stone floor. Still covered
• 42:36
  Speaker 4: in the filth of war, David stood before the king expressionless.
• 42:40
  Speaker 4: He held out his hand and dropped the sack in
• 42:42
  Speaker 4: front of the king. The entire council of elders stood
• 42:46
  Speaker 4: in the presence of their king and the shepherd silently.
• 42:50
  Speaker 4: Saul stood from his throne and looked at the bag.
• 42:52
  Speaker 4: He winced and then looked at David. Saul looked up
• 42:56
  Speaker 4: at David's eyes. Something had changed. The boy he had
• 43:00
  Speaker 4: set out to die had come back a man. Although
• 43:04
  Speaker 4: Saul stood a head taller than David, he had never
• 43:07
  Speaker 4: felt so small. From David's very presence emanated a humble
• 43:11
  Speaker 4: power similar to that of Samuel's. It sent chills down
• 43:16
  Speaker 4: Saul's spine. He no longer hated David out of jealousy.
• 43:20
  Speaker 4: He now hated David out of fear. Spring had come,
• 43:26
  Speaker 4: and the blooming flowers filled the air with a sweet aroma.
• 43:30
  Speaker 4: Flower petals were at David's feet as he stood face
• 43:33
  Speaker 4: to face with Michal outside in the gardens. David gazed
• 43:37
  Speaker 4: into her hazel eye staring back at him. He gently
• 43:40
  Speaker 4: stroked her cheek and smiled. She blushed and held his
• 43:44
  Speaker 4: hand close to her face. The king, the priest, and
• 43:47
  Speaker 4: a multitude of people stood before them. Before God and man,
• 43:51
  Speaker 4: the two of them were joined together in marriage. David,
• 43:55
  Speaker 4: the forgotten son of a herdsman from Bethlehem, was now
• 43:58
  Speaker 4: a prince of Israel. Not by noble birth or royal stock,
• 44:03
  Speaker 4: but by courage and a dedication to the Lord. His
• 44:07
  Speaker 4: courageous and humble spirit testified to the heart of God,
• 44:11
  Speaker 4: a defender of the weak a judge of the oppressor,
• 44:14
  Speaker 4: and a shepherd to the flock of Israel. It was
• 44:17
  Speaker 4: David's heart that continued to point towards the greater plan
• 44:20
  Speaker 4: of God, a plan to rid the world of the
• 44:22
  Speaker 4: oppression of evil forever. The people cheered as David kissed
• 44:27
  Speaker 4: his bride. A great festival was held in their honor.
• 44:31
  Speaker 4: And for two weeks, the people of Israel danced and
• 44:33
  Speaker 4: sang about the king's daughter and the giant slayer. Saul
• 44:37
  Speaker 4: knew that it was only a matter of time. before
• 44:40
  Speaker 4: the people would turn on him and elevate David to
• 44:42
  Speaker 4: take his place. His own children had turned from him
• 44:46
  Speaker 4: to take David's side. Time was of the essence. Saul
• 44:50
  Speaker 4: knew that he had to kill David or live to
• 44:53
  Speaker 4: see his throne stripped from him.
• 44:58
  Speaker 3: Jealousy is truly a poison that kills the conscience. It
• 45:02
  Speaker 3: was true of Joseph's brothers when they sold him into slavery,
• 45:05
  Speaker 3: and it was true of Saul when he tried to
• 45:07
  Speaker 3: kill David. Jealousy drives us to contempt, and contempt leads
• 45:11
  Speaker 3: us down a destructive path. When somebody has something we
• 45:15
  Speaker 3: feel we deserve, it can cause us to seek out
• 45:18
  Speaker 3: their destruction or at least revel when they fall on
• 45:21
  Speaker 3: hard times. This episode is only the beginning of the
• 45:25
  Speaker 3: long journey Saul and David will go on together. Joseph's
• 45:29
  Speaker 3: brothers eventually begged for his forgiveness. At this point, we
• 45:33
  Speaker 3: aren't sure the same thing will happen with Saul. We
• 45:36
  Speaker 3: will have to follow the story further to find out.
• 45:39
  Speaker 3: After the prelude, we are brought into the middle of
• 45:42
  Speaker 3: a battle, and Jonathan is running for his life. An
• 45:46
  Speaker 3: epic scene is set out before us. Jonathan is backed
• 45:49
  Speaker 3: into a corner with no escape, and silhouetted on the
• 45:52
  Speaker 3: hill is his rescuer. David leaps into the scene and
• 45:57
  Speaker 3: defeats the Philistines, rescuing his friend from certain death. Afterwards,
• 46:02
  Speaker 3: Jonathan and David rest by the fire, and we're given
• 46:05
  Speaker 3: a glimpse into their friendship. David tends to the fire,
• 46:09
  Speaker 3: ensuring all the coals burn brightly. Always remember the symbolism
• 46:13
  Speaker 3: of the flame. It is clear that Jonathan and David
• 46:16
  Speaker 3: love each other deeply. The prince of Israel gifts his
• 46:20
  Speaker 3: young companion with his royal robes, armor, and sword. Unlike
• 46:25
  Speaker 3: Saul's armor, Jonathan's fits perfectly. although David is not sure
• 46:30
  Speaker 3: if he deserves the gesture. Back in those days, giving
• 46:33
  Speaker 3: someone your armor was a gesture of complete trust. Jonathan
• 46:37
  Speaker 3: was communicating to David that his life was more important
• 46:40
  Speaker 3: than his own. This is a gesture of true friendship
• 46:44
  Speaker 3: and loyalty. Jonathan had everything to lose by acknowledging David.
• 46:49
  Speaker 3: He was next in line for the throne and more
• 46:51
  Speaker 3: beloved than his father. No doubt Jonathan would make an
• 46:55
  Speaker 3: excellent king if given the opportunity. but Jonathan is humble
• 46:59
  Speaker 3: enough to acknowledge God's hand on David. This brings us
• 47:03
  Speaker 3: to a question for ourselves. Are we this humble in
• 47:06
  Speaker 3: our own friendships? Do we elevate our companions above ourselves?
• 47:11
  Speaker 3: The temptation is to desire our friends to do well,
• 47:13
  Speaker 3: but not better than us. We would cheer them on
• 47:16
  Speaker 3: if they got a promotion, but not if they got
• 47:18
  Speaker 3: a promotion over us. Jonathan would consider it a great
• 47:22
  Speaker 3: success if David went on to be greater than him.
• 47:27
  Speaker 3: In this episode, Jonathan's character is once again given to
• 47:31
  Speaker 3: us as a contrast against Saul's. Jonathan acknowledges that David
• 47:36
  Speaker 3: is special and wants to help him. Saul acknowledges that
• 47:40
  Speaker 3: David is special and wants to kill him. Oh, how
• 47:43
  Speaker 3: treacherous the path of jealousy becomes. It certainly becomes treacherous
• 47:48
  Speaker 3: for Saul. The sins he commits in this episode begin
• 47:52
  Speaker 3: a domino effect that cannot be undone. Joseph's brothers gave
• 47:57
  Speaker 3: into the temptation of jealousy, and so did Saul. This
• 48:00
  Speaker 3: has been a cycle in humanity ever since Cain killed Abel.
• 48:04
  Speaker 3: When we see somebody with favor, talent, or privilege, they
• 48:08
  Speaker 3: can become the embodiment of our own discontent. We project
• 48:12
  Speaker 3: our insecurities, fears, and shame onto them. We are mad
• 48:17
  Speaker 3: at our own lot in life, or perhaps mad even
• 48:20
  Speaker 3: at God. So we lash out at those we perceive
• 48:23
  Speaker 3: to be more favored than us. Saul wanted the praise
• 48:26
  Speaker 3: of the people and the favor of God, and David
• 48:29
  Speaker 3: had both. Instead of being introspective and asking himself why
• 48:33
  Speaker 3: he didn't have those things, he lashes out at David.
• 48:36
  Speaker 3: It's easier to be bitter than to change. Whether Saul
• 48:40
  Speaker 3: likes it or not, David is being interwoven into the
• 48:43
  Speaker 3: fabric of his family. Jonathan and he are like brothers,
• 48:47
  Speaker 3: and Michal, Saul's youngest daughter, has grown very fond of him.
• 48:50
  Speaker 3: There is a budding romance between David and Michal that
• 48:54
  Speaker 3: gives us some good feelings. Every hero needs a lover, right?
• 48:58
  Speaker 3: We aren't given much details about their relationship in this episode,
• 49:01
  Speaker 3: and that is for a good reason. There isn't much there.
• 49:05
  Speaker 3: The love between David and Mikkel is not deep or
• 49:08
  Speaker 3: rooted in anything stronger than themselves. Mikkel loves David, the legend,
• 49:13
  Speaker 3: not David, the man. This will show itself to be
• 49:16
  Speaker 3: true later on in the series. Mikkel and Dave will
• 49:20
  Speaker 3: have a complicated relationship that somewhat mirrors the relationship David
• 49:24
  Speaker 3: has with Saul. Saul attempts to murder David in a
• 49:28
  Speaker 3: few different ways. First, he tries to pin him to
• 49:30
  Speaker 3: the wall with his spear. This was a sloppy outburst
• 49:34
  Speaker 3: by Saul and ultimately ends with David escaping and forgiving
• 49:37
  Speaker 3: him afterward. After this, Saul knows he needs to be
• 49:41
  Speaker 3: a bit more tactful. He throws David into the front lines,
• 49:45
  Speaker 3: hoping he will die at the hands of the Philistines.
• 49:47
  Speaker 3: Unfortunately for Saul, David stacks even more victories. The king
• 49:51
  Speaker 3: then gives David the nearly impossible task of retrieving 100
• 49:55
  Speaker 3: Philistine foreskins to prove his worth. He does this and
• 49:58
  Speaker 3: goes above and beyond to please the king. The irony is,
• 50:02
  Speaker 3: with each victory David wins, the more Saul hates him.
• 50:06
  Speaker 3: The giant slayer is caught in a losing battle for
• 50:10
  Speaker 3: the king's affection. However, David doesn't necessarily do any of
• 50:14
  Speaker 3: these things solely for Saul's approval. He is called to
• 50:17
  Speaker 3: be a protector of God's people and the hero of Israel.
• 50:21
  Speaker 3: David certainly enjoys the approval of Saul, but does not
• 50:24
  Speaker 3: need it for his own self-worth. This is a key
• 50:27
  Speaker 3: difference between the king and the shepherds. The king desperately
• 50:30
  Speaker 3: wants the praise and recognition of the people and fights
• 50:33
  Speaker 3: for his own glory. The shepherd wants the protection and
• 50:36
  Speaker 3: redemption of the people and fights for the glory of God.
• 50:39
  Speaker 3: David's humility and character make Saul feel small and petty.
• 50:44
  Speaker 3: This is often the case when we come face to
• 50:46
  Speaker 3: face with truly remarkable people. People who love God and
• 50:51
  Speaker 3: are devoted to their families and humbly serve can rub
• 50:54
  Speaker 3: up against our egos. May we all seek to grow
• 50:57
  Speaker 3: in such a way. In our next episode, Saul will
• 51:00
  Speaker 3: continue down the path of jealousy. David will be forced
• 51:03
  Speaker 3: to make hard decisions that test his character. How will
• 51:07
  Speaker 3: he fare under intense persecution? Find out in our next episode, Exiled.
• 51:13
  Speaker 3: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers,
• 51:17
  Speaker 3: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to Pray.com. Follow
• 51:21
  Speaker 3: the podcast on Apple or Spotify, to get the new
• 51:25
  Speaker 3: episodes right as they come out and always be inspired
• 51:28
  Speaker 3: by the Bible. God bless.