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Chapter 05: The Forgotten Son · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you
• 0:03
  Speaker 1: to join me on this series. Please be sure to
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you
• 0:10
  Speaker 1: get the newest episodes right as they come out. Welcome
• 0:13
  Speaker 1: to The Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
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  Speaker 1: and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
• 0:25
  Speaker 1: few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
• 0:28
  Speaker 1: with me as we mine the depths of this renowned tale.
• 0:31
  Speaker 1: In this episode, the wait is finally over. We finally
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  Speaker 1: get to meet David, the runt of Jesse turned king.
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  Speaker 1: A question may have crossed your mind along the lines of,
• 0:42
  Speaker 1: why is it taking us so long in the story
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  Speaker 1: to finally get to David? This is an important question
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  Speaker 1: that deserves time. The arc of Saul's rise and fall
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  Speaker 1: from grace was a confirmation of everything Samuel warned the
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  Speaker 1: people of. They're clamoring for a king. And Samuel warned
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  Speaker 1: them of how corrupt this king could become. Sure enough,
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  Speaker 1: the king became corrupt. Saul started out with a pure heart,
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  Speaker 1: but quickly descended into pride. His life is supposed to
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  Speaker 1: make us look at David with skeptical eyes, watching to
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  Speaker 1: see if he will walk down a similar path. No doubt,
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  Speaker 1: David is going to have plenty of opportunities in his
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  Speaker 1: life to follow his pride instead of commands of God.
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  Speaker 1: He will have chances to indulge, stray, and sin. Will
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  Speaker 1: he give in the same way Saul did? Is the
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  Speaker 1: crown just too heavy a weight so that any man,
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  Speaker 1: pure or wicked, would fail if they wore it? Watch
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  Speaker 1: David's life carefully and see how he handles the intense
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  Speaker 1: pressures of being God's chosen king. But let's not get
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  Speaker 1: ahead of ourselves. We have a lot to get to
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  Speaker 1: before David is ever given a crown. The prelude of
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  Speaker 1: this episode and the beginning of this episode introduce us
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  Speaker 1: to two different shepherds. One was once a prince, but
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  Speaker 1: became a shepherd. The other was a shepherd, but became
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  Speaker 1: a prince. The parallels in their lives speak to the
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  Speaker 1: heart of God. He isn't looking for a warrior, a scholar,
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  Speaker 1: a noble, or a politician to lead his people. He
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  Speaker 1: is looking for a shepherd. Let's meet God's chosen one
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  Speaker 1: in Episode 5, The Forgotten Son.
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  Speaker 2: Prelude to Chapter 5 The clouds whisked blissfully over the
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  Speaker 2: blue skies. It was as if they were traveling slowly
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  Speaker 2: somewhere unknown and untouched. Moses smiled as he watched them
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  Speaker 2: glide over the skies like sailboats on the open ocean.
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  Speaker 2: He lounged in the grass, occasionally glancing over at the
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  Speaker 2: sheep grazing beside him. The life of a shepherd suited him.
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  Speaker 2: All the cares and troubles of being an Egyptian prince
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  Speaker 2: had been a heavy burden. Now, in the wilderness with
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  Speaker 2: the people of Midian, he felt at peace. He was
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  Speaker 2: content to be a shepherd. He counted and named the
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  Speaker 2: sheep daily, led them to the green fields and gentle streams,
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  Speaker 2: and ensured they were safe from predators. As Moses lounged,
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  Speaker 2: he saw one of the lambs trot away past the
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  Speaker 2: large rocks and up the mountain. Moses stood up and
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  Speaker 2: grabbed his staff. Every lamb was important, and they were
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  Speaker 2: all worth going after. Moses left the other sheep and
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  Speaker 2: began to scale the mountains. The little lamb left Moses'
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  Speaker 2: view as it wandered through the canyons. Moses picked up
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  Speaker 2: the pace, listening to the echoing boss. As Moses reached
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  Speaker 2: the peak, he could see a light emanating from the
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  Speaker 2: dark shadows of the canyons. He gripped his shepherd's staff
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  Speaker 2: tightly and approached slowly. As he turned the corner, a
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  Speaker 2: burst of light danced upwards from the flame. Before Moses
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  Speaker 2: stood a bush ablaze with bright white fire. Although the
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  Speaker 2: fire was burning hot, The bush was untouched and unconsumed.
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  Speaker 2: The ground around him was pulsing with power. Moses could
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  Speaker 2: feel it in his feet. The prince turned shepherd, came closer,
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  Speaker 2: then halted immediately when he heard a voice.
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  Speaker 3: Moses.
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  Speaker 2: It whispered. The voice was like a still and babbling brook.
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  Speaker 2: His eyes widened and he looked behind him. The voice
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  Speaker 2: was not coming from another person in the canyon. The
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  Speaker 2: voice was coming from the bush itself.
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  Speaker 4: Moses.
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  Speaker 5: Moses.
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  Speaker 2: The voice said louder. This time the voice had the
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  Speaker 2: intensity of rushing waters. Here I am, Moses said with
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  Speaker 2: a trembling voice. Moses did not understand that his life
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  Speaker 2: of being a shepherd was about to come to a close.
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  Speaker 2: The simple and endearing days of tending to sheep had ended.
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  Speaker 2: Now Moses was asked to tend to a greater flock,
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  Speaker 2: God's flock. The flock of Israel needed to be led
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  Speaker 2: into greener pastures and stiller waters. God would not choose
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  Speaker 2: a warrior to lead them. He would not appoint a
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  Speaker 2: king to march against the armies of Egypt. No, God
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  Speaker 2: would send a shepherd. The Lord's heart is the heart
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  Speaker 2: of a shepherd. Chapter 5 The Forgotten Son The wildflowers
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  Speaker 2: had tucked in for the night, and the soft breeze
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  Speaker 2: whistled gently to the plucking of the shepherd's harp. The
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  Speaker 2: sheep slept soundly under the stars, and the young shepherd
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  Speaker 2: boy looked up basking in the vastness of their beauty.
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  Speaker 2: He played a melody only he and the Lord knew.
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  Speaker 2: His music was better to God than incense, for it
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  Speaker 2: came straight from the well of the boy's heart. He
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  Speaker 2: worshipped God under the stars and among his sheep. However,
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  Speaker 2: the tender moment was quickly disturbed by a rustling in
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  Speaker 2: the bushes. The shepherd boy put down his harp and
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  Speaker 2: grabbed his staff resting underneath the cypress tree. Slowly, he
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  Speaker 2: approached the bush with his staff gripped tightly. As he
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  Speaker 2: drew closer, he could hear the low-pitched purrs of a lion.
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  Speaker 2: Its groaning was so deep the boy could feel it
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  Speaker 2: in his chest. He paused and reached back for his sling.
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  Speaker 2: It was a humble weapon, but effective. His aim had
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  Speaker 2: become precise, and the speed of the stone made it
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  Speaker 2: so he could send the stone flying straight through the
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  Speaker 2: skull of a wolf. As he was arming himself with
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  Speaker 2: the stone, the lion burst forth from the bushes right
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  Speaker 2: over the shepherd. Its hind legs were massive, allowing it
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  Speaker 2: to soar over the boy with ease.
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  Speaker 6: It leapt forward into.
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  Speaker 2: The flock of sheep. They scattered, but not before the
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  Speaker 2: lion took one of the lambs in its mouth. The
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  Speaker 2: dark covering of night made it hard for the shepherd
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  Speaker 2: to see. However, he could hear the painful cries of
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  Speaker 2: his lamb. The lion made a run for it with
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  Speaker 2: the lamb alive in his jaws. The boy did not think.
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  Speaker 2: He acted upon his shepherdly instincts and ran after the lion.
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  Speaker 2: He ran with vigor and tenacity. He followed the cries
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  Speaker 2: of the sheep all the way to the canyons outside
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  Speaker 2: the city. The darkness of night was beginning to melt
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  Speaker 2: as the sun began its ascent. The dim light allowed
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  Speaker 2: the shepherd to see the lion scaling a cliff. The
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  Speaker 2: lion scaled the mountain with ease, with the lamb still
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  Speaker 2: crying out for help. The shepherd scaled up the mountain
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  Speaker 2: on all fours until finally reaching the mouth of the
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  Speaker 2: lion's den. He paused anxiously. listening to the echoing shrieks
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  Speaker 2: of his sheep intermixed with.
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  Speaker 3: The low roars of the lion.
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  Speaker 2: His heart was beating furiously fast. His breathing was heavy
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  Speaker 2: and weak. Now that the lamb had been taken to
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  Speaker 2: the den, time was running out. The boy stepped forward
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  Speaker 2: at the mouth of the den, right in the eyeline
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  Speaker 2: of the lion. The beast rose and crouched into an
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  Speaker 2: attack position. The shepherd steadied his breathing and reached back
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  Speaker 2: for his sling. He placed the smooth stone in the
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  Speaker 2: leather hold and began to swing the sling behind him.
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  Speaker 2: He had one shot at the lion, only one. He
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  Speaker 2: pivoted his foot back, bent his front knee and prepared
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  Speaker 2: for the first strike. If the lion attacked first, it
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  Speaker 2: was over. He must be the first one to act.
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  Speaker 2: The boy burst forward with the sling still swinging behind him.
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  Speaker 2: The lion took the bait and pounced forward exposing its underbelly.
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  Speaker 2: The shepherd released the sling, sending the stone whistling through
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  Speaker 2: the air. The stone landed directly into the beast's ribs,
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  Speaker 2: cracking them instantly. The lion's momentum was halted as it
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  Speaker 2: crumbled to the ground. The boy took action immediately, pouncing
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  Speaker 2: on the lion fearlessly. He wrapped his legs around its
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  Speaker 2: neck and took his hands on either side of its jaw.
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  Speaker 2: The young shepherd roared as he pulled the jaws open
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  Speaker 2: and freed himself. Once he was free, The boy scooped
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  Speaker 2: up the lamb and burst out of the cave, not
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  Speaker 2: before being slashed in the back by the lion's paws.
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  Speaker 2: He kept moving without looking back. He ran as the
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  Speaker 2: roaring of the lion bellowed in the distance. Although his
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  Speaker 2: back was dripping with blood, all he cared about was
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  Speaker 2: the safety of his little lamb. The lion leapt forward
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  Speaker 2: out of the cave and cornered the shepherd and his
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  Speaker 2: little lamb. Hobbling with a broken rib, the lion made
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  Speaker 2: the first move, slashing its paws at the boy. With
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  Speaker 2: the heart of a protector, the boy dropped his lamb
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  Speaker 2: and leapt forward, wrapping his arms around the lion's neck.
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  Speaker 2: It raged against the boy, trying desperately to free itself. However,
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  Speaker 2: the shepherd would not let go. He arched his back
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  Speaker 2: and screamed into the canyons. The lion roared before falling
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  Speaker 2: to the ground and losing its breath. The shepherd did
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  Speaker 2: not loosen his grip until the lion's life was taken.
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  Speaker 2: It would never harm his sheep again. He made sure
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  Speaker 2: of it. The sun made its way over the horizon,
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  Speaker 2: spraying light over the hills. The wildflowers stretched out their
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  Speaker 2: petals and yawned. The boy limped his way up the
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  Speaker 2: hill where the rest of his flock was. His sheep
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  Speaker 2: were grazing on the grass, enjoying the morning dew on
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  Speaker 2: each blade. He set the little lamb down beside her mother.
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  Speaker 2: He inspected the lamb's body for gashes or teeth marks. Luckily,
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  Speaker 2: her wounds were not deep. She would heal just fine.
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  Speaker 2: The boy was pleased with himself. However, he was very
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  Speaker 2: much in pain. He reached over his shoulder and placed
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  Speaker 2: his hand on the wound. The lion had slashed at
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  Speaker 2: his left shoulder blade, creating a nasty scratch. His hand
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  Speaker 2: was covered in blood. He didn't mind. It was a
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  Speaker 2: small price to pay for his lamb's freedom. He was
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  Speaker 2: a good shepherd, and a good shepherd always lays down
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  Speaker 2: his life for his sheep. The boy made his way
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  Speaker 2: back home. His light hair was dusty and ragged, and
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  Speaker 2: his face was covered in dirt. He limped into his
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  Speaker 2: father's house and washed his face and feet with a
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  Speaker 2: basin of water. The home was warm from the fire
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  Speaker 2: and the smell of rosemary filled the air from the
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  Speaker 2: stew cooking over it. He took a cloth and began
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  Speaker 2: to tend to his wound. He dabbed it gently, wincing
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  Speaker 2: with every touch.
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  Speaker 5: What did you do now?
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  Speaker 2: A voice asked from the other side of the room.
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  Speaker 2: His oldest brother Eliab was eating casually in the corner.
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  Speaker 2: The boy smirked.
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  Speaker 3: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
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  Speaker 2: He said, still tending to the wound. Another brother named
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  Speaker 2: Abinadab entered in. barely noticing him as he took the
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  Speaker 2: ladle and filled his bowl with stew. He glanced over
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  Speaker 2: and smiled.
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  Speaker 6: Did the little mouse lose a fight with one of
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  Speaker 6: his sheep again?
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  Speaker 2: He scoffed. Eliab laughed. The two of them ate at
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  Speaker 2: the table, chuckling at their youngest brother's pain.
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  Speaker 3: If you must know, it was a lion.
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  Speaker 2: The boy mumbled quietly.
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  Speaker 3: He tried to take one of our lambs, but I
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  Speaker 3: was able to wrestle it out of his jaws and
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  Speaker 3: save it.
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  Speaker 2: As he was saying this, The boy's father entered in
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  Speaker 2: with the rest of his brothers. His name was Jesse,
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  Speaker 2: and he was an influential man in the city. He
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  Speaker 2: had accumulated a small amount of wealth from his farm
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  Speaker 2: in Bethlehem. He was tall, strong, and calloused.
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  Speaker 6: What did I tell you about telling lies?
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  Speaker 2: He scolded. His deep and resonating voice shook the room
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  Speaker 2: when he entered.
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  Speaker 6: I will not have you parading yourself around like a
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  Speaker 6: hero when you and I both know you did nothing
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  Speaker 6: of the sort.
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  Speaker 3: It did happen, father. Go and see the teeth marks
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  Speaker 3: and the lamb for yourself.
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  Speaker 2: The boy replied. However, his words fell on deaf ears.
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  Speaker 2: His father sat down with his brothers. Together, they discussed
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  Speaker 2: Eliab's promotion in the ranks of Saul. The boy stood
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  Speaker 2: to his feet and walked outside. His back was sore,
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  Speaker 2: but he knew it would heal. He grabbed his shepherd's
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  Speaker 2: staff and walked up the hill into the sheep's pasture.
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  Speaker 2: He turned his face towards the sun and closed his eyes.
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  Speaker 3: Oh, Lord, you have searched me. and you know me.
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  Speaker 2: He whispered. The soft breeze caressed his cheek. The boy
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  Speaker 2: smiled and looked down at his flock. He knew them
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  Speaker 2: each by name. He knew their quirks, their personalities, and
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  Speaker 2: who they got along with. He knew his sheep, and
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  Speaker 2: they knew him.
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  Speaker 3: What a joy it is to be known.
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  Speaker 2: He whispered to himself. That night, the shepherd picked up
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  Speaker 2: his harp that was still resting under the cypress tree.
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  Speaker 2: He plucked it joyfully singing songs of praise to God.
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  Speaker 2: As he played, he looked up again at the vast
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  Speaker 2: heavens and rejoiced.
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  Speaker 3: Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all you shining stars.
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  Speaker 2: He sang. His voice was filled with emotion. Tears fell
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  Speaker 2: down his smiling face. The Lord was his shepherd, and
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  Speaker 2: he nestled in closely to him like a little lamb
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  Speaker 2: sleeping under the stars. Under the same stars, Samuel bowed
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  Speaker 2: before God. His heart ached over the fallen state of
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  Speaker 2: Saul's heart. The people had cried out for a king,
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  Speaker 2: and what had been set in motion could not be undone.
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  Speaker 2: In the dead of night under the twinkling lights, Samuel
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  Speaker 2: sought wisdom from the Lord. The gentle voice of God
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  Speaker 2: spoke to the heart of Samuel, saying.
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  Speaker 4: How long will you lament over Saul? I have rejected him.
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  Speaker 4: And now it is time to meet my chosen king.
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  Speaker 4: Fill your horn with oil and go to Jesse the Bethlehemite.
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  Speaker 4: Among his sons, you will meet the new king of Israel.
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  Speaker 2: For the first time in a long time, Samuel was afraid.
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  Speaker 2: Since their last meeting, Saul's mind and heart had grown
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  Speaker 2: increasingly more paranoid and harsh. He would send small platoons
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  Speaker 2: of his men to march around the perimeter of Samuel's
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  Speaker 2: home to keep track of him. He feared if he
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  Speaker 2: went and anointed a new king, that Saul would find
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  Speaker 2: out and kill him. Samuel dug his hands into the
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  Speaker 2: dirt and lifted his eyes to heaven.
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  Speaker 6: How can I move without Saul flinching? If I depart
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  Speaker 6: from here and make it known that I am searching
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  Speaker 6: for a new king, surely Saul will kill me.
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  Speaker 2: The Lord spoke softly to his chosen prophet. His voice
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  Speaker 2: was like fresh water trickling in from a stream. Samuel
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  Speaker 2: listened like he would a song. Fear not, Samuel. Take
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  Speaker 2: a heifer with you to Bethlehem and say that you
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  Speaker 2: have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Invite
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  Speaker 2: Jesse to the sacrifice. When you arrive, I will guide
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  Speaker 2: you and show you what to do. When the time
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  Speaker 2: is right, You shall anoint the one I have declared
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  Speaker 2: to be king. Samuel nodded. A resolute peace filled his heart.
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  Speaker 2: When he first anointed Saul as king, it was because
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  Speaker 2: the people demanded it. However, now he was searching for
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  Speaker 2: a king that God had already chosen from the beginning.
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  Speaker 2: Samuel took a heifer and made his way to Bethlehem.
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  Speaker 2: Samuel led the heifer in on a rope through the
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  Speaker 2: marketplace of Bethlehem. people whispered to each other as he
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  Speaker 2: passed by. They knew who he was, and they were afraid.
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  Speaker 2: Word of what Samuel had done to King Agad spread,
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  Speaker 2: and they feared the prophet was now on a campaign
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  Speaker 2: of justice. The elders approached Samuel trepidatiously.
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  Speaker 6: Do you come in peace?
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  Speaker 2: They asked with trembling brows. Samuel paused for a moment.
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  Speaker 2: Among the elders of the city was Jesse. The prophet smirked,
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  Speaker 2: amused at God's perfect timing. Yes, my sons, I come
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  Speaker 2: in peace, he said with a grin. I have come
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  Speaker 2: here to make a peace offering to the Lord and
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  Speaker 2: hold a feast. Consecrate yourselves and join me as I worship.
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  Speaker 2: Then we will hold a feast in Jesse's home and
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  Speaker 2: enjoy the remainder of the sacrifice. Jesse's eyes widened. It
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  Speaker 2: was a great honor to be asked by the prophet
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  Speaker 2: to share a ceremonial meal. He had heard that King
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  Speaker 2: Saul once joined Samuel for such an event before he
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  Speaker 2: was anointed as king. Jesse pondered the prophet's reasons for
• 17:02
  Speaker 2: holding the feast in his home. His home was not
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  Speaker 2: the largest, nor was he the most prominent elder in Bethlehem.
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  Speaker 2: Jesse hurried home and prepared everything for Samuel and the
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  Speaker 2: other elders. An altar was consecrated for Samuel to make
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  Speaker 2: a sacrifice, and the kitchens were made ready for the feast.
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  Speaker 2: Jesse and his wife busied themselves for hours, ensuring everything
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  Speaker 2: was perfect for the night. Jesse gathered his sons and
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  Speaker 2: daughters and spoke with them. His sons, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, Nethanel, Radai,
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  Speaker 2: and Ozzam, stood at attention silently. His daughters, Zeruiah and Abigail,
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  Speaker 2: sat at his feet. However, the youngest son was not
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  Speaker 2: in attendance. All must be perfect for the prophet, Jesse demanded.
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  Speaker 2: This home will be like a temple to the holiest
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  Speaker 2: man in Israel. You are all to attend him and
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  Speaker 2: hold yourselves with honor. Jesse then turned to Eliab and
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  Speaker 2: grabbed his shoulders.
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  Speaker 6: Eliab, my son, you are the pride and honor of
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  Speaker 6: this family. You are my eldest and a true warrior.
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  Speaker 6: You shall sit beside the prophet tonight. Hold yourself with dignity,
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  Speaker 6: for I perceive the prophet is here for more reasons
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  Speaker 6: than making a sacrifice.
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  Speaker 2: Eliab nodded regally, and the rest of the children nodded
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  Speaker 2: in agreement. The sacrifice had been made with the elders
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  Speaker 2: and Jesse's sons in attendance. Samuel stood over the flames
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  Speaker 2: on the altar and lifted his voice to the Lord.
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  Speaker 2: He made himself attentive to the voice of God, for
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  Speaker 2: he knew that it was now time to meet the
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  Speaker 2: new king of Israel. He turned and gestured for them
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  Speaker 2: to make their way to the home of Jesse. He
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  Speaker 2: walked behind them, observing each son that marched beside Jesse.
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  Speaker 2: They were impressive young men. They walked with confidence in
• 18:50
  Speaker 2: their steps. As they all sat down to eat, Samuel
• 18:54
  Speaker 2: noticed Jesse's oldest son Eliab sitting beside him. As the
• 18:58
  Speaker 2: day drew on, the old prophet observed every word that
• 19:01
  Speaker 2: came out of Eliab's mouth. He spoke like a noble,
• 19:04
  Speaker 2: yet had the strong back of a warrior. He stood
• 19:07
  Speaker 2: taller than the rest of his brothers, and his personality
• 19:10
  Speaker 2: seemed to be even taller. He laughed with the elders,
• 19:13
  Speaker 2: making relatable jokes and jabs at them. However, he was
• 19:17
  Speaker 2: also able to speak of politics, war, and the strategy
• 19:21
  Speaker 2: of King Saul.
• 19:22
  Speaker 6: Surely he must be the one God has.
• 19:24
  Speaker 2: Chosen, Samuel thought to himself.
• 19:27
  Speaker 6: He has all the makings of a young king.
• 19:30
  Speaker 2: Among the clanging of dishes and laughs of the guests,
• 19:33
  Speaker 2: Samuel heard a still and quiet voice. Like a whisper
• 19:36
  Speaker 2: beckoning him away from the feast, he heard God speak, saying,
• 19:41
  Speaker 2: Look past his height and appearance, Samuel. I have rejected
• 19:47
  Speaker 2: the man you see before you. for man sees the
• 19:51
  Speaker 2: outward appearance. They see the strength of the man's arms
• 19:57
  Speaker 2: and the way he carries a sword, but the Lord
• 20:01
  Speaker 2: looks into the heart. Samuel bowed his head for a moment,
• 20:05
  Speaker 2: closing his eyes and recentering his mind on the heart
• 20:08
  Speaker 2: of God. He desperately desired to see what God saw.
• 20:12
  Speaker 2: He did not want to see yet another Saul darken
• 20:15
  Speaker 2: the palace halls. He could not bear it. Jesse, Samuel said,
• 20:20
  Speaker 2: beckoning him over. Jesse quickly made his way over to
• 20:23
  Speaker 2: Samuel's side of the table.
• 20:25
  Speaker 6: Bring all your sons to me. I wish to see them.
• 20:28
  Speaker 2: Jesse smiled brightly. Samuel could tell that his sons were
• 20:32
  Speaker 2: his pride and joy. He was pleased to bring them
• 20:35
  Speaker 2: before the prophet. Samuel looked at them closely. Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah, Nethanel, Radai,
• 20:44
  Speaker 2: and Ozzam all stood at attention before the sitting prophet.
• 20:48
  Speaker 2: Samuel stood to his feet and walked up to them.
• 20:51
  Speaker 2: Since the Lord had rejected Eliab, he moved on to Abinadab.
• 20:55
  Speaker 2: He grabbed his hand and peered into his eyes. Samuel's
• 20:59
  Speaker 2: brow furrowed with concentration. He looked with the eyes of God,
• 21:03
  Speaker 2: trying to peer into the heart and soul of the
• 21:05
  Speaker 2: man standing before him.
• 21:07
  Speaker 6: Neither has the Lord chosen this one.
• 21:09
  Speaker 2: Samuel whispered to himself. Abinadab looked at his father in confusion.
• 21:14
  Speaker 2: Jesse simply shrugged. None of them knew what Samuel was
• 21:17
  Speaker 2: up to. The old prophet stood before Shammah. Although he
• 21:22
  Speaker 2: was shorter than Eliab, he was clearly more built than
• 21:25
  Speaker 2: the rest of his brothers. His hands were rugged from
• 21:28
  Speaker 2: his recent admission into the ranks of Saul. Samuel scanned
• 21:31
  Speaker 2: him up and down, then looked closely into his eyes.
• 21:35
  Speaker 2: He shook his head.
• 21:36
  Speaker 6: Nor this one, he whispered.
• 21:39
  Speaker 2: The Lord had clearly rejected all the sons of Jesse
• 21:41
  Speaker 2: that were before him. Samuel sighed and scratched his head
• 21:45
  Speaker 2: in confusion.
• 21:47
  Speaker 6: Jesse, are these all your sons?
• 21:49
  Speaker 2: He asked.
• 21:50
  Speaker 6: Ah, there is still the youngest. However, he is keeping
• 21:53
  Speaker 6: the sheep in the pasture. You would not want to
• 21:55
  Speaker 6: meet him anyway.
• 21:57
  Speaker 2: Jesse and the rest of his sons chuckled.
• 21:59
  Speaker 6: Where is your pasture?
• 22:00
  Speaker 2: Samuel asked calmly.
• 22:03
  Speaker 6: Over the hill, just beyond the stables. The boy takes
• 22:06
  Speaker 6: the sheep all throughout the hills and valleys beyond our property. However,
• 22:10
  Speaker 6: today I would imagine he is plucking his silly harp
• 22:13
  Speaker 6: under the cypress tree. I would not bother with him.
• 22:17
  Speaker 2: Jesse's ambivalence toward his youngest son surprised Samuel. He had
• 22:21
  Speaker 2: such pride in his other sons. It was odd that
• 22:24
  Speaker 2: he would forget one of them. Samuel bowed his head
• 22:27
  Speaker 2: to Jesse and the other sons.
• 22:29
  Speaker 6: I shall be on my way. Thank you for your hospitality.
• 22:33
  Speaker 6: May the Lord bless you and keep you.
• 22:35
  Speaker 2: Jesse and his sons bowed before Samuel and thanked him.
• 22:39
  Speaker 2: Samuel picked up his staff and wandered past the stables
• 22:41
  Speaker 2: and up the grassy hill. The wildflowers were in full bloom,
• 22:46
  Speaker 2: arraying the grassy hills in splendor. Soft music could be
• 22:50
  Speaker 2: heard from a distance. Samuel smiled as he looked at
• 22:53
  Speaker 2: the flowers swaying back and forth in the breeze. It
• 22:56
  Speaker 2: was as if they were dancing to the music. Samuel
• 23:00
  Speaker 2: made his way up the hill. Sheep were grazing lazily
• 23:03
  Speaker 2: in the mild sun. The music seemed to soothe them.
• 23:07
  Speaker 2: Samuel looked around for the source of the melodies. Underneath
• 23:11
  Speaker 2: the cypress tree in the shade was the shepherd boy
• 23:13
  Speaker 2: Jesse spoke of. He leaned his back against the trunk
• 23:16
  Speaker 2: of the tree, strumming his harp to the same tempo
• 23:19
  Speaker 2: of the wind. Samuel approached the tree, trying not to
• 23:24
  Speaker 2: interrupt the boy's playing. He sat on the stone only
• 23:27
  Speaker 2: a few yards away from where the boy lounged. The
• 23:30
  Speaker 2: old prophet leaned back and observed him. He could not
• 23:33
  Speaker 2: have been any older than 16. His long hair was
• 23:37
  Speaker 2: lighter than his brother's. He was not as looming as
• 23:40
  Speaker 2: his oldest brother Eliab. However, he was very handsome and
• 23:43
  Speaker 2: ruddy in appearance. Samuel was content to be silent for
• 23:47
  Speaker 2: a while and listen to the music. The song was
• 23:50
  Speaker 2: a balm to his weary and downcast soul. The boy's
• 23:54
  Speaker 2: music was emotional and somber, yet filled with an unwavering joy. Clearly,
• 23:59
  Speaker 2: it was a song written from the heart. As the
• 24:02
  Speaker 2: song gently came to a close, Samuel leaned over as
• 24:06
  Speaker 2: he sat and cleared his throat. The boy jumped back
• 24:09
  Speaker 2: and grabbed his staff.
• 24:10
  Speaker 4: Who are you?
• 24:12
  Speaker 2: The young shepherd said quickly. Samuel laughed and waved his hands.
• 24:17
  Speaker 6: I'm sorry if I startled you, my son. Please do
• 24:20
  Speaker 6: not be alarmed. I come in peace.
• 24:23
  Speaker 2: The boy lowered his staff and looked at the man
• 24:25
  Speaker 2: up and down.
• 24:26
  Speaker 3: You must be the prophet I heard about. I could
• 24:29
  Speaker 3: hear my father clamoring to my family about you from here.
• 24:33
  Speaker 2: The boy bowed a knee in respect. Samuel peered at
• 24:37
  Speaker 2: the boy for a long while before speaking again.
• 24:41
  Speaker 6: Tell me, why were you not in attendance at the feast?
• 24:45
  Speaker 2: He asked. The boy shrugged.
• 24:48
  Speaker 3: I am only a shepherd.
• 24:49
  Speaker 2: He replied.
• 24:50
  Speaker 3: I suppose my place is among my sheep.
• 24:53
  Speaker 2: In that moment, Samuel felt a surge of God's joy
• 24:57
  Speaker 2: well up from within him. As if the voice of
• 24:59
  Speaker 2: God was striking like lightning in his mind, he could
• 25:02
  Speaker 2: hear the Lord.
• 25:03
  Speaker 4: Say, Arise, anoint him, for this is the one I
• 25:09
  Speaker 4: have chosen.
• 25:10
  Speaker 2: Samuel stood in front of the boy.
• 25:12
  Speaker 6: Surely you are not only a shepherd.
• 25:15
  Speaker 2: What is your name?
• 25:17
  Speaker 4: David.
• 25:17
  Speaker 6: He replied, Kneel before the Lord, David, for the Lord
• 25:22
  Speaker 6: desires to bless you.
• 25:24
  Speaker 2: Samuel took his horn of oil and anointed David's head.
• 25:27
  Speaker 2: and the Spirit of God rushed upon the shepherd boy
• 25:30
  Speaker 2: like a mighty tempest. A surge of courageous fire burned
• 25:34
  Speaker 2: within David's belly. Although David hadn't the slightest clue why
• 25:38
  Speaker 2: Samuel had anointed him, he knew that from that day forward,
• 25:41
  Speaker 2: the Lord had destined him for great things. Samuel departed
• 25:46
  Speaker 2: and went to Ramah, pleased about who God had chosen.
• 25:50
  Speaker 2: He knew that he did not have to bring David
• 25:52
  Speaker 2: before the people as he once did with Saul. He
• 25:55
  Speaker 2: knew that in God's timing, David would be more than
• 25:58
  Speaker 2: just a shepherd to his sheep, but a shepherd over
• 26:00
  Speaker 2: the flock of Israel. Samuel chuckled to himself as he
• 26:04
  Speaker 2: departed Bethlehem. God chose an unremarkable city and an unremarkable
• 26:09
  Speaker 2: young man to accomplish his purposes. He truly did choose
• 26:13
  Speaker 2: the unexpected things of this world to display his power.
• 26:20
  Speaker 2: A cry of frustration could be heard from the dark
• 26:23
  Speaker 2: halls of the king's palace. The clanging of thrown lampstands
• 26:27
  Speaker 2: and broken pots echoed throughout the property. All the servants
• 26:30
  Speaker 2: knew that it was Saul again. His outbursts of anger
• 26:34
  Speaker 2: in the night had been regular occurrences. They listened as
• 26:37
  Speaker 2: the king raged in his throne room. An evil and
• 26:40
  Speaker 2: dark spirit had overcome him. Since the spirit of the
• 26:44
  Speaker 2: Lord had departed from Saul's presence, a brooding and harmful
• 26:48
  Speaker 2: tormentor had taken residence in his mind. Piers ran down
• 26:51
  Speaker 2: Saul's frustrated face as he leaned against the wall, banging
• 26:54
  Speaker 2: his fists against them. The king fell to his knees
• 26:58
  Speaker 2: and sobbed. He was ashamed of his anger, and angry
• 27:03
  Speaker 2: at his shame. Saul ceased his wailing when he heard
• 27:06
  Speaker 2: the door slowly creak open.
• 27:08
  Speaker 4: Samuel?
• 27:09
  Speaker 2: The king asked frantically. Saul's servant poked his head in.
• 27:14
  Speaker 6: No, my lord.
• 27:15
  Speaker 5: It is I, Tavi.
• 27:17
  Speaker 2: Saul wiped his eyes and stood to his feet. Sweat
• 27:20
  Speaker 2: dripped down his back and brow. He was a haggard sight.
• 27:24
  Speaker 2: What is it, Tavi? Saul said with a tired voice.
• 27:28
  Speaker 5: It is clear that a harmful spirit is tormenting you.
• 27:33
  Speaker 5: I know a young man from Bethlehem who is able
• 27:35
  Speaker 5: to play the lyre and harp. He is very skilled
• 27:38
  Speaker 5: and of good reputation for his music. He's a smart
• 27:41
  Speaker 5: young man, and I hear he's courageous as well. When
• 27:45
  Speaker 5: you feel out of control and frustrated, he can play
• 27:47
  Speaker 5: for you, and you can receive peace.
• 27:49
  Speaker 2: Saul sighed and leaned back in his throne. Very well,
• 27:53
  Speaker 2: the king said while rubbing his eyes. Send him to me.
• 27:58
  Speaker 2: Perhaps music will give me peace. Tavi rode into Bethlehem,
• 28:04
  Speaker 2: into the home of Jesse. Jesse was pleased to see
• 28:08
  Speaker 2: a servant of the king present.
• 28:10
  Speaker 6: First a prophet and now a servant to the king?
• 28:13
  Speaker 2: Jesse thought to himself.
• 28:14
  Speaker 6: The Lord must favor me greatly.
• 28:17
  Speaker 5: Good morning, Jesse.
• 28:19
  Speaker 6: How are you and your sons?
• 28:20
  Speaker 2: Tavi asked graciously.
• 28:22
  Speaker 6: They are well, my lord. To what do I owe
• 28:25
  Speaker 6: the presence of the king's servant?
• 28:27
  Speaker 5: The king requires your son's presence. What if his skill
• 28:31
  Speaker 5: has traveled far?
• 28:32
  Speaker 2: Jesse puffed his chest up with pride. With his hands
• 28:36
  Speaker 2: on his waist and a smile on his face, he.
• 28:38
  Speaker 6: Said, Eliab is truly skilled, isn't he? I'm sure the
• 28:41
  Speaker 6: king would benefit from having a strong right hand such
• 28:44
  Speaker 6: as his.
• 28:45
  Speaker 2: Tavi shook his head.
• 28:47
  Speaker 5: No, sir, the youngest of yours. David is his name,
• 28:50
  Speaker 5: if I'm not mistaken. The king is in need of
• 28:53
  Speaker 5: his skills as a musician.
• 28:55
  Speaker 2: Jesse looked over his shoulder. David was shearing a few
• 28:58
  Speaker 2: of the sheep under the stables. A slight snarl left
• 29:02
  Speaker 2: his upper lip. David, the runt of the litter, was
• 29:06
  Speaker 2: going to receive the highest honor anyone in his family
• 29:09
  Speaker 2: ever received. Jesse turned around. His snarl was replaced with
• 29:14
  Speaker 2: a fraudulent smile. He bowed and.
• 29:17
  Speaker 6: Said, David will be in the presence of the king
• 29:20
  Speaker 6: with his lyre in two days' time.
• 29:23
  Speaker 2: Tabby bowed his head and rode off. David creaked open
• 29:28
  Speaker 2: the large wooden doors into the throne room. None of
• 29:31
  Speaker 2: the lampstands were lit, and the fire in the center
• 29:34
  Speaker 2: of the room was flickering dimly. The shepherd boy approached
• 29:38
  Speaker 2: the throne softly with the lyre in his hand.
• 29:40
  Speaker 6: Hands.
• 29:41
  Speaker 2: Laying back in the shadows was the king. Even with
• 29:44
  Speaker 2: his tired and tormented demeanor, his presence was larger than
• 29:48
  Speaker 2: life to David. He noticed the king's massive armor and
• 29:52
  Speaker 2: sword mounted above his throne. They reflected the flickering firelight,
• 29:56
  Speaker 2: bouncing right back into David's eyes. The glow was magnificent.
• 30:02
  Speaker 2: The echoes of David's footsteps came to a halt as
• 30:05
  Speaker 2: he bowed before the king. Saul's eyes scanned David up
• 30:08
  Speaker 2: and down.
• 30:09
  Speaker 4: I hear your music calms the soul, shepherd boy.
• 30:15
  Speaker 2: Saul slurred.
• 30:16
  Speaker 3: Only the Lord can calm the soul, my king.
• 30:19
  Speaker 2: David replied respectfully.
• 30:21
  Speaker 3: The music I play is unto him, and in his
• 30:25
  Speaker 3: delight the peace pours forth.
• 30:28
  Speaker 4: So you were a poet as well, Saul scoffed. The
• 30:31
  Speaker 4: Lord's delight is fickle, boy. One day you have it,
• 30:37
  Speaker 4: the other you don't.
• 30:40
  Speaker 2: David did not reply to Saul's outburst. He simply sat
• 30:44
  Speaker 2: on the stool beside the fire and began to strum.
• 30:48
  Speaker 2: The anthem coming from David's lyre was pure and heartfelt.
• 30:52
  Speaker 2: The song seemed to touch Saul's heart like a warm fire.
• 30:56
  Speaker 2: The highs and lows of the song, took the king
• 30:58
  Speaker 2: on an emotional journey, finally finishing in a place of rest.
• 31:03
  Speaker 2: When David was finished playing, Saul felt as if he
• 31:06
  Speaker 2: was resting in the fields of green by quiet streams.
• 31:10
  Speaker 2: He breathed in deeply and fell asleep. David smiled, pleased
• 31:15
  Speaker 2: that his music was able to bring peace to Saul.
• 31:19
  Speaker 2: He stood up and put another log in the fire.
• 31:22
  Speaker 2: Its small flame increased, filling the room with warmth. David
• 31:26
  Speaker 2: set himself again and continued to play. The king was
• 31:30
  Speaker 2: pleased with him and loved him like his own son.
• 31:34
  Speaker 2: Saul sent word to Jesse, asking for him to remain
• 31:37
  Speaker 2: in his service as his armor-bearer. So whenever Saul felt
• 31:41
  Speaker 2: tormented by the evil spirit within, he would call on
• 31:44
  Speaker 2: David to quiet the beast. David was pleased to serve
• 31:48
  Speaker 2: his king. He found in him the recognition he had
• 31:51
  Speaker 2: always longed for in his own father. Nothing was sweeter
• 31:55
  Speaker 2: than sitting in the presence of the king, playing his
• 31:58
  Speaker 2: music unto the Lord. He prayed it would never cease.
• 32:04
  Speaker 1: Just how far would a shepherd go for his lamb?
• 32:08
  Speaker 1: For David, it was into the mouth of the lion's den.
• 32:12
  Speaker 1: In the episode leading up to this one, we're told
• 32:15
  Speaker 1: that God has chosen someone who is after his own heart.
• 32:19
  Speaker 1: Not only is God seeking a man who pursues the
• 32:22
  Speaker 1: heart of God, but also someone who models his heart
• 32:26
  Speaker 1: after God's. The scene of David's pursuing the lion gives
• 32:30
  Speaker 1: us a brilliant glimpse into his heart. He is brave, tender,
• 32:34
  Speaker 1: fierce when needed, and humble. But we must not glaze
• 32:39
  Speaker 1: over the most important quality of David. He is willing
• 32:41
  Speaker 1: to die for his sheep. The story tells us that
• 32:45
  Speaker 1: the scratch on his back was a small price to
• 32:48
  Speaker 1: pay for his lamb's freedom. He was a good shepherd,
• 32:51
  Speaker 1: and a good shepherd always lays down his life for
• 32:54
  Speaker 1: his sheep. This is our first of many allusions to Jesus,
• 32:58
  Speaker 1: who calls himself the Good Shepherd. David's story is going
• 33:02
  Speaker 1: to continually point forward to the ultimate chosen hero of God,
• 33:06
  Speaker 1: Jesus Christ. We're going to spend a lot of time
• 33:09
  Speaker 1: getting to know David in this series. In many ways,
• 33:12
  Speaker 1: I hope we grow with him, falling deeper in love
• 33:15
  Speaker 1: with God in the process. He is going to have triumphs, tragedies,
• 33:19
  Speaker 1: and many adventures. As we witness the highs and lows
• 33:23
  Speaker 1: of David's life, we must always remember our first impression
• 33:26
  Speaker 1: of him with the lion. This episode depicts him as
• 33:30
  Speaker 1: a warrior poet. One moment he is writing music under
• 33:33
  Speaker 1: the stars, the next he is strangling a lion with
• 33:36
  Speaker 1: his bare hands. David is simultaneously fierce and inspired. We
• 33:42
  Speaker 1: should keep this dichotomy in mind when we follow David
• 33:45
  Speaker 1: on his escapades. He is a sensitive soul, but it
• 33:48
  Speaker 1: does not mean he isn't dangerous. David is clearly capable
• 33:52
  Speaker 1: of great things, like taking down a wild beast, but
• 33:55
  Speaker 1: he would much rather be singing to the Lord among
• 33:57
  Speaker 1: the sheep. David has no ambition for the throne. He
• 34:01
  Speaker 1: simply wants to be near to God and protect his flock.
• 34:05
  Speaker 1: David's balance of faithfulness and fierceness are what make him
• 34:08
  Speaker 1: an excellent shepherd, and it will make him an excellent
• 34:11
  Speaker 1: king as well. After a long day, David leans back
• 34:15
  Speaker 1: and sings to God. Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him,
• 34:20
  Speaker 1: all you shining stars. This song is taken from Psalm 148.
• 34:25
  Speaker 1: In this series, we will get to hear a few
• 34:27
  Speaker 1: psalms of David. He wrote 73 psalms that we know of,
• 34:31
  Speaker 1: and they are all beautiful, raw, and profound songs from
• 34:35
  Speaker 1: his heart to God's. It is important for us to
• 34:37
  Speaker 1: remember that David was first and foremost a shepherd and poet.
• 34:42
  Speaker 1: He was also a worship leader before the congregation of Israel.
• 34:46
  Speaker 1: The multiple layers of David make him a unique character
• 34:49
  Speaker 1: in Scripture. Many of the figures in the Bible before
• 34:52
  Speaker 1: David were singularly focused. Their stories were more focused and
• 34:57
  Speaker 1: less nuanced than David's. David is our first deep dive
• 35:01
  Speaker 1: into a man with diverse interests. He is the Bible's
• 35:04
  Speaker 1: first Renaissance man. David may be interesting to us, but
• 35:07
  Speaker 1: his family doesn't seem to think so. One of the
• 35:10
  Speaker 1: more perplexing mysteries of David's story is why his father
• 35:14
  Speaker 1: and brothers seem to have so much contempt for him.
• 35:16
  Speaker 1: One of the reasons that David may have been forgotten
• 35:20
  Speaker 1: and ridiculed is that he was illegitimate, that is, born
• 35:24
  Speaker 1: out of wedlock, since he himself says, in sin my
• 35:28
  Speaker 1: mother conceived me. At the end of the episode, David
• 35:31
  Speaker 1: is grafted into the household of Saul as his armor-bearer
• 35:35
  Speaker 1: and personal musician. David finds a great deal of purpose
• 35:39
  Speaker 1: and comfort in the house of Saul and eventually becomes
• 35:42
  Speaker 1: his literal son through marriage. Father wounds are a clear
• 35:46
  Speaker 1: theme in David's life. At first, he finds the fatherly
• 35:50
  Speaker 1: attention from Saul that he lacked from his own father.
• 35:53
  Speaker 1: This causes him to be loyal to a fault. Later
• 35:56
  Speaker 1: on in the story, we will see David forgiving Saul endlessly.
• 36:00
  Speaker 1: David is a great man, but we will occasionally see
• 36:03
  Speaker 1: glimpses of his inner child who was neglected by his father.
• 36:08
  Speaker 1: But the loving embrace of God will fill the gaps
• 36:11
  Speaker 1: in David's life better than any father could. An obvious
• 36:15
  Speaker 1: example of this neglect is when Samuel comes to Jesse's house.
• 36:19
  Speaker 1: I want you to imagine the most important person in
• 36:22
  Speaker 1: your country coming to your home, and you purposefully send
• 36:26
  Speaker 1: one of your kids away. This should give you a
• 36:29
  Speaker 1: good idea of where David stood with his family. God
• 36:33
  Speaker 1: had sights on him, though, and Samuel eventually found him.
• 36:37
  Speaker 1: David's brothers had similar qualities to Saul. They were large, charismatic,
• 36:42
  Speaker 1: and outwardly had the qualities of a king. When people
• 36:45
  Speaker 1: look for leaders, they can look for the wrong things,
• 36:48
  Speaker 1: but God looks at the heart. God tells Samuel, look
• 36:51
  Speaker 1: past the height and appearance, for man sees the outward appearance.
• 36:55
  Speaker 1: They see the strength of the man's arms and the
• 36:58
  Speaker 1: way he carries a sword. But the Lord looks into
• 37:01
  Speaker 1: his heart. David is not a perfect person. He, like Saul,
• 37:06
  Speaker 1: will make many mistakes in his life. The difference that
• 37:09
  Speaker 1: God sees between David and Saul is the heart. We
• 37:11
  Speaker 1: would be wise to take personal inventory.
• 37:14
  Speaker 6: Of our own hearts.
• 37:15
  Speaker 1: Do we do all the right things for God, all
• 37:18
  Speaker 1: the while neglecting our own inner hearts? This is part
• 37:22
  Speaker 1: of why Pray.com is such an invaluable resource. There are
• 37:26
  Speaker 1: hours of content that seeks to tend to your hearts
• 37:29
  Speaker 1: like a garden so they might thrive and grow. Samuel
• 37:33
  Speaker 1: bids Jesse and the other brothers farewell and turns his
• 37:38
  Speaker 1: gaze upward to the hills. Do you remember how beautiful
• 37:41
  Speaker 1: the description of the hill was? The wildflowers were in
• 37:45
  Speaker 1: full bloom, arraying the grassy hills in splendor. Soft music
• 37:50
  Speaker 1: could be heard from a distance. Samuel smiled as he
• 37:53
  Speaker 1: looked at the flowers swaying back and forth in the breeze.
• 37:56
  Speaker 1: It was as if they were dancing to the music.
• 38:00
  Speaker 1: Samuel made his way up the hill. Sheep were grazing
• 38:03
  Speaker 1: lazily in the mild sun. The music seemed to soothe them.
• 38:07
  Speaker 1: This description is supposed to elicit feelings of Eden in us.
• 38:13
  Speaker 1: Samuel steps into this harmonious space where heaven and earth
• 38:17
  Speaker 1: seem to converge. David is a picture of Jesus among
• 38:21
  Speaker 1: the people of God, leading them with a soothing melody
• 38:24
  Speaker 1: of peace. It is a heavenly image, followed by a
• 38:28
  Speaker 1: heavenly blessing that is given to David. Samuel anoints his
• 38:32
  Speaker 1: head with oil, which is a symbol of God's Spirit.
• 38:35
  Speaker 1: David was changed from that moment. We are immediately taken
• 38:39
  Speaker 1: away from the scene of heaven and brought into hell.
• 38:43
  Speaker 1: Saul's chambers are dark, chaotic, and tormenting. The scene with
• 38:47
  Speaker 1: David jumping to the scene of Saul is supposed to
• 38:50
  Speaker 1: be jarring for us and a reminder that the veil
• 38:53
  Speaker 1: between peace and chaos is thin. Saul is tormented by
• 38:56
  Speaker 1: an evil spirit without comfort. Everyone around him feels his pain.
• 39:01
  Speaker 1: and Tevah seeks to give him ease. David is brought
• 39:04
  Speaker 1: into the darkness to bring the peace and light of God.
• 39:07
  Speaker 1: This is an image of what Jesus does to us.
• 39:10
  Speaker 1: He steps into our darkness and brings comfort. He sings
• 39:13
  Speaker 1: a song of grace over us and soothes our anxious minds.
• 39:17
  Speaker 1: The relationship between Saul and David will be a complicated one.
• 39:21
  Speaker 1: As I mentioned before, Saul will be like a father
• 39:23
  Speaker 1: to David, but that closeness will come at a cost.
• 39:28
  Speaker 1: Everyone close to Saul ends up by him, and David
• 39:31
  Speaker 1: will be no different. In the next three episodes, we
• 39:34
  Speaker 1: will see the ups and downs of their relationship. We
• 39:37
  Speaker 1: will also get to witness David fall in love, make bonds,
• 39:42
  Speaker 1: and vanquish enemies. But first, we will watch him slay
• 39:45
  Speaker 1: a giant. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify to
• 39:50
  Speaker 1: get the newest episodes right as they come out and
• 39:53
  Speaker 1: always be inspired by the Bible. Join us next time
• 39:58
  Speaker 1: for the episode we have all been waiting for, David
• 40:01
  Speaker 1: and Goliath.