Saul was trying to find out what sin had been committed. Finally it was Jonathan's turn to confess. He admitted that he had tasted a little honey with the end of his staff, but that he didn't think it was worth dying over. Saul believed the Lord would deal with him severely if Jonathan didn't die. But the men wouldn't let Saul harm a hair on his head, since Jonathan was the one who had saved the day with the Philistines. So Jonathan was not put to death.
They went back to their own land. During his rule, Saul fought Israel's enemies on all sides. He fought valiantly and conquered many foes. Saul's family including his wife and mother-in-law are mentioned.
Samuel went to Saul and told him what the Lord wanted him to do next. God wanted the Amalekites and all their animals completely destroyed. So Saul gathered an army and did as he was commanded, except that he left the king and some of the animals alive. Then the Lord told Samuel he was grieved because Saul had not obeyed him. Samuel was troubled and prayed all night. In the morning Samuel went to find Saul, but he had gone to Carmel to set up a monument to himself. When Samuel found Saul, he was none the wiser, because he thought he'd done a great job. Samuel asked why he could hear sheep and cattle. Saul said the soldiers had brought them. Samuel told him that he needed to tell him what the Lord told him the night before. Of course, Saul wanted to hear since he still thought what he'd done was so great. Samuel told him that he'd had very specific instructions and he'd blown it. Saul argued that he'd done everything the Lord asked, that he'd even had the bright idea to bring the best of the livestock for offerings! But Samuel told him that the Lord doesn't want offerings, he wants obedience. Doing what he asks is better than sacrifice. Samuel also said that rebellion is like witchcraft, and arrogance is like worshiping idols. Then he told Saul he couldn't be king anymore. Saul admitted he had been afraid to tell the men not to bring the animals. Saul begged Samuel to come back with him to worship God. Then Samuel had Agag the king executed. Saul went home and never saw Samuel again. Samuel was sorry about Saul. The Lord was sorry he made Saul king over Israel.
The Lord told Samuel to go to Jesse with oil because he had chosen one of his sons to be king. Samuel sacrificed a heiffer with Jesse and met all of the sons of Jesse. God told him David was the one, so Samuel anointed him with oil. The spirit of the Lord came to David powerfully and stayed with him. Samuel went back home.
The Spirit of the Lord left Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. I thought this seemed very strange, since all 5 versions I refer to said the same thing. But my son reminds me that God controls everything! Anyway, to soothe the savage breast, music was needed and who played the lovely soothing harp? David. Saul liked David and made him one of his armor bearers.
The Philistines were camped nearby to fight the Israelites. Everyday for 40 days a nine foot tall guy named Goliath stepped out and challenged the Israelites to send out someone to fight him. That whoever won would control the other. David split his time between the army and tending his sheep. His father sent him back to the army with some food. When he got there the armies were lining up against each other and he heard Goliath for the first time. He overheard the men saying that the king would reward the man who could defeat Goliath with his daughter in marriage and never having to pay taxes.
Tomorrow read 1Samuel 17:26-ch19
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