1 Samuel 31: Saul falls upon his own sword

Synopsis:

Israel is routed by the Philistines. Saul realizes he is about to be killed and asks his armor bearer to kill him. He refuses to Saul falls upon his own sword so he won’t be killed by the uncircumcised. His armor bearer does the same. The Israelis flee their cities and the Philistines dwell in them. When the Philistines go out the next day to take the valuables from the dead, they find Saul and his sons and cut off Saul’s head, which they parade around to let everyone know Saul was vanquished. His armor was put in the house in Ashtaroth. His body was fastened to the wall of Bethshan. When the people in Jabeshgilead hear about this, they go and retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons, cremate them and bury the bones under a tree in Jabesh and fast for 7 days.

In other words:

Saul is killed and Israel is occupied.

Favorite bit:

It’s a bit gruesome but I found the beheading and display of Saul to be rather interesting. (1 Samuel 31:10,11)

Not sure I believe it:

I’m not sure I believe that Saul killed himself. I think that might be a nice story to salvage this man’s reputation among the people of Israel. After all, no one was there to witness it. (1 Samuel 31:4)

Least favorite bit:

That this battle had to happen. Couldn't god just have given Saul a deadly disease instead?

Smartest bit:

When the people of Israel flee their cities and just give them to the Philistines.

Moral Lesson learned:

• Know when to cut your losses and run. (1 Samuel 31)
• There is no shame in admitting defeat. (1 Samuel 31)

What I learned from reading 1 Samuel

As I keep reading, I get more and more and more into the stories.  This one is one of my favorites so far. Partially because it's political.  I'm a Humanist - so the moral politics and what the moral lessons for politics are intrigue me. Especially since the lessons weren't what I thought they would be given what political Christianity looks like and advocates for in the United States.

Anyway - here are the political lessons of 1 Samuel:

• Fair and impartial judges are essential to peace among people. (1 Samuel 7)
• Monarchy’s are against the will of God. (1 Samuel 8)
• Don’t suppress dissent with violence (1 Samuel 11:13)
• If you want peace, don’t appoint a man of war to rule over you. (1 Samuel 14) 
• You get the government you deserve (1 Samuel 12:12)
• God does not support pre-emptive attacks. (1 Samuel 13) 
• Sometimes you win by not fighting. (1 Samuel 26)
• Violence begets violence (1 Samuel 30)
• Plotting to overthrow a government? Even if you have god on your side, you still need to be a bit sneaky. (1 Samuel 16)

The entire story is one of corruption vs. honesty in governance.  The people want a king. God warns them that kings are bad. They demand a king. God chooses one for them, this is Saul. Turns out - Saul doesn't obey God in quite the right anal retentive way God wants him to and so God starts to plot against Saul by choosing and mentoring David through lots of political maneuvering and fighting. Saul becomes increasingly corrupt in his quest to maintain power and it is this corruption that serves as the moral heart of the story.

What surprised me was that god is pro-judges and basically anti organized government. Not sure how you have judges without a way to pay them, but I guess since at the time the priestly class were the judges, they got paid as part of their priestly duties to the people. That's why they got to keep a portion of all the sacrifices.

Regardless, the preference is clearly for a type of theocratic based self rule.  I'd call it libertarian, except that it's clearly theocratic. Rule by priests/judges - when you need them.  But, there were lots of priests and judges and people were free to follow whichever one they thought most "godly" with individuals really only standing out as good from time to time.

This book also makes the case against nepotism and biological succession. Because whenever someone was godly/goodly - his sons were inevitably not.

The final thing that really shocked me about this story is the homosexual love story between Saul's son Jonathon and David - the king in training. Whatever political Christians try to say about what god thinks about gays - is wrong. They just haven't read this book. 

1 Samuel 29: David is sent home

Synopsis:

The king of Gath, of the Philistines, has amassed an army. So has Israel. David and his men are toward the rear of the Philistine army with the king. The princes of the Philistines ask the king to send David home. They are worried that he will side with the Israelites in battle and they don’t want to take that risk. So the king, tells David, I know you have been honest with me, but the lords of the Philistines don’t want you here. So go home. So David returns to the land of the Philistines.

In other words:

The Philistines are worried David will turn coat so they send him back and don’t allow him to fight.

Favorite bit:

That all the kings, and lords and military men have such big egos that they have to tip toe around each other in politeness so as not to insult each other when delivering bad news. (1 Samuel 29:6-9)

Smartest move:

There is every likelihood that David would have sided with the people of Israel – so the princes of the Philistines were right to send him home. (1 Samuel 29:3,4)

Moral lesson learned:

Don’t take unnecessary and obvious risks (1 Samuel 29)

1 Samuel 30: While David was away

Synopsis:

While David was away with the king of Gath, his town was raided and burnt down by the Amalekites who had stolen everything, including the women. When he returned everyone was mad at him. She he asked his priest for the ephod and asked God what to do. God said to pursue the Amalekes and get back everything. David takes 400 men, as 200 were faint with hunger and sick, and they find a sick man in a field. They feed him good food  and nurse him back to health. He agrees to help them find the Amalekites if they don’t kill him and don’t turn him over to his former masters. They find the Amalekites and smote them all and get all their goods back. The 400 men who went with David don’t want to share their spoils with those who didn’t come on the campaign. David says no. Everyone gets their stuff back. They even sent some of the spoils to the elders of all the major towns in Israel as a gift – spoils of the enemies of the Lord.

In other words:

While David was gone, his town was attacked and he has to go and get everything back.

Favorite bit:

How they treated the sick Egyptian slave of an Amalekite. They gave him bread and water and when he started to revive, they gave him cake with figs and raisins. (1 Samuel 30:12)

Least favorite bit:

That this entire chapter reminds me of the women stolen by Boco Haram in Africa. This sort of thing is still happening. I don’t even have much sympathy for David here – because he did the same thing earlier.

Savviest bit:

David knows Saul is about to get slaughtered by the Philistines. So he sends gifts to the elders of all the major Jewish towns. You know, to remind them that he is still around.

Moral Lesson learned:

Violence begets violence (1 Samuel 30)

1 Samuel 27: David flees to the Philistines of Gath

Synopsis:

David realizes that Saul will never stop trying to kill him so he flees to Gath, a Philistine land, and asks the king, Aehish to let him stay. The king gives him Ziklag to rule over. David is there for 1 year 4 months. David goes north and smites the Geshurites and the Amalekites and kills all the men and women and takes their sheep, oxen, asses, camels an clothes and returns and gives all these goods to the king. The king asks who he attacked. David lies and tells him he went south and raided Judah.  This makes the king of Gath trust him, because if the people of Israel hate him, he will be the king of Gath’s servant forever.

In other words:

David flees to Philistine territory to evade Saul.

Favorite bit:

That David's supporters seem to be very multi-cultural. (1 Samuel 27:3 – which is about his new wives being Carmelites and Jezreelites.

Least favorite bit:

For a guy who honors being honest, he sure is lying a lot.(1 Samuel 27:8-11 – David destroys Amalekite towns but lies and says the towns were in Judah)

Moral lesson learned:

It's ok to lie to prevent someone from killing you. (1 Samuel 27)

1 Samuel 28: Saul conducts a séance

Synopsis:

The Philistines raise an army against Israel. Saul is scared and doesn’t know what to do. God won’t talk to him directly or through the prophets.  He has also thrown all the wizards and people with familiar spirits from the land. He asks around and finds out there is a woman in Endor who has a familiar spirit. So he puts on clothes to hide himself and goes to see her. She is skeptical. You aren’t going to turn me over to Saul are you?  No, I promise I won’t. Saul then asks her to bring up Samuel. Which she does. And she is upset because now she realizes, he is Saul.  Saul asks her what she sees. She says she sees gods ascending from the ground. An old man comes, covered in a mantle, it is Samuel. Samuel is pretty upset that Saul called him up from his rest and Samuel tells Saul – God doesn’t like you and you are going to die. Saul throwns himself to the floor distraught. The woman with the familiar comes and tries to get Saul to eat. He refuses. She kills a calf and makes some bread and Saul agrees to eat and then they all leave and go back to his house.

In other words:

God isn’t talking to Saul so Saul holds a séance with a female psychic and asks a cranky dead Samuel for advice.

Favorite bit:

That Samuel is really cranky for having been summoned by a psychic – when God is really clear – you aren’t supposed to use psychics. No wonder God has abandoned you. (1 Samuel 28:15,16)

2nd favorite bit:

That the psychic is from Endor.

3rd favorite bit:

That the psychic - seeing Saul's distress, even though she didn't like him, still offered him food. (1 Samuel 28: 22-25)

Least favorite bit:

That not only will Saul and his sons be killed, but so will the Israelis.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Be nice to people who suffer, even if you don’t like them (1 Samuel 28)

1 Samuel 25: Samuel dies

Synopsis:

Samuel dies. Everyone is sad. In the meantime, David comes to a shepherd who is shearing his sheep. He sends men out to ask for food and supplies. This man, Nabal, refuses. So David and 400 men arm themselves to kill the household and steal what they need. 200 men are to be left behind to guard, the “stuff.” Nabal’s wife Abigail finds out her husband said no to David and goes out to meet him with food, sheep and wine. She asks David to spare her house and to let God take care of Nabal’s wickedness.  David thanks her for her wisdom and after Nabal finds out about his wife’s giving food and supplies to David and his heart is stricken and he dies 10 days later.  David asks Abigail to be his wife and she brings some maids with her and David ends up with 2 wives. We are told this is ok because his other wife Michel (Saul’s daughter) has been given to someone else anyway.

In other words:

Samuel dies and David gets another 2 wives.

Favorite bit:

Abigail pleading with David. (1 Samuel 25:18-31)

2nd favorite bit:

1 Samuel 25:13 – 400 men gird for battle. 200  “abode by the stuff.”  It just tickles me that this is the wording. Stay by the stuff and guard it.

Rather anti-climactic bit:

Samuel dying. This chapter is named for him, but it’s really the story of Saul and David. Samuel’s death only takes up 1 verse out of 44 and it’s pretty matter of fact. Samuel died and the people of Israel lamented him. (1 Samuel 25:1)

Most interesting bit: 

1 Samuel 25:37,38 – when Nabal finds out what Abigail has done, “his heart died within him and he became as a stone.” 10 days later, he is dead.  Sounds like a heart attack to me.

Least favorite bit:

1 Samuel 25:44 – that Michal, David’s first wife was given away to someone else.  I understand that Saul didn’t like David, but … it’s still not giving women a say in who they are married to.  And, David doesn’t seem to care.

Moral lesson learned:

Don’t be a jerk (1 Samuel 25)

1 Samuel 26: David once again does not kill Saul

Synopsis:

Saul musters 3,000 men to seek out David and kill him. They camp in a ditch. David goes to the camp and steals Sauls spear and water while he is sleeping. Then goes to a hill out of reach of the army. He wakes everyone up and tells Saul – again, I could have killed you but did not. I am not a sinner, do not try to kill me. Saul apologizes yet again, I won’t try to kill you anymore and Saul returns home.

In other words:

David once again is given a chance to kill Saul and once again does not. Saul once again promises to stop trying to kill David.

Favorite bit:

That David’s army isn’t all Israeli’s, he has Hittites and others serving with him. 1 Samuel 26:6

Least favorite bit:

1 Samuel 26:21 – When Saul once again promises not to kill David. How many times are we going to have to listen to his empty promises.

2nd favorite bit:

That David basically wins this stand off by guilting Saul into admitting that David has done nothing wrong.

Moral Lessons Learned:

• Sometimes you win by not fighting. (1 Samuel 26)
• When fighting someone immoral – take the moral high ground and keep it (1 Samuel 26)

1 Samuel 23: Saul fails once again to kill David

Synopsis:

David is called to Keilah to defend the town from an attack by the Philistines. His army now numbers 600. Saul tries to attack him there, but David escapes. Jonathon comes to David and tells him, you will be king and I will be right beside you. Saul’s army pursues David all over and when Saul has David cornered in the wilderness of Maon, Saul is called back to defend Israel from yet another attack by the Philistines.

In other words: 

Saul still wants to kill David and David and Jonathon are still in love.

Favorite bit:

That just when Saul has David cornered, he has to leave and fight the Philistines instead. And David lives to fight another day. (1 Samuel 23:26-28)

2nd favorite bit:

Jonathon pledges his support to David (1 Samuel 23:16,17)

Least favorite bit:

That after saving the town of Keilah – they are willing to turn him over to Saul anyway, so David has to flee.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Don’t leave work unfinished (1 Samuel 23)

1 Samuel 24: David Spares Saul

Synopsis:

Saul follows David to the wilderness of Engedi. Saul wanders into a cave where David and his men are hiding. While Saul is asleep David cuts off the hem of Saul’s robes. His men tell him to kill Saul, but David refuses – because God doesn’t want him to.  When Saul wakes up and leaves, David follows him and tells him – I could have killed you, but I didn’t. Saul weeps and admits, he is evil and David is innocent and that eventually David will be king. Saul asks David to not destroy Saul’s house or his seed.

In other words:

Saul walks into a cave alone where David is hiding and David doesn’t kill him.

Favorite bit:

That Saul is alone and just wanders into a cave. Alone. Isn’t he the king of Israel?  Why on earth would he just walk into a cave. (1 Samuel 24:3)

2nd favorite bit:

This cave is in the Engedi wilderness on the rock of the wild goats near the sheepcotes. (1 Samuel 24:1,2)

What’s Noble:

That David, really didn’t want to kill the king who was trying to kill him.

Least favorite bit:

That David really didn’t want to kill the king. I understand it’s noble and all, but Saul is not a very good king and basically, he needs to go.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Don’t stoop to other people’s level (1 Samuel 24)

1 Samuel 21: David starts life on the run

Synopsis:

David goes to the priest Ahimelech and asks for help. The priest is wary, but David tells him he is on secret business for king Saul. So the priest gives him the show bread from the altar and the sword of Goliath. But because a shepherd of Saul was there, David has to move on. He goes to the king of Gath, but he is recognized, so he pretends to be mad, by scrabbling on the door and letting spittle dribble down his beard. The King of Gath says, why have you brought me this madman? David escapes once again.

In other words:

David starts life as fugitive by securing food and Goliath’s sword.

Favorite bit:

That David is able to get Goliath’s sword and some bread by lying and telling a priest – don’t tell anyone – I’m on a secret mission. (1 Samuel 21:2)

2nd favorite bit:

That there are spies working for Saul everywhere (1 Samuel 21:7)

3rd favorite bit:

That David pretends to be a crazy guy – complete with spittle dribbling everywhere to avoid being identified as David (1 Samuel 21:13)

Least favorite bit:

Nothing – I totally love this chapter

Moral Lesson Learned: 

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do (1 Samuel 21)

1 Samuel 22: Saul kills a bunch of priests

Synopsis: 

David escapes to a cave and 400 men come to join him. His family also comes to join him. He approaches the king of Moab and asks him to keep his family safe. Gad, the prophet tells David to go to Judah, so he does. Saul becomes super paranoid and accuses everyone of conspiring with David. The shepherd who had seen David with Ahimelech the priest tells Saul of it. So Saul sends for Ahimelech and accuses him of treason for helping David. The priest Ahimelech professes ignorance. How was he supposed to know the king wanted David killed. Saul tells Ahimelech that ignorance is no excuse and orders Ahimelech and all of his family killed. The soldiers refuse to follow orders so the shepherd/spy, who is called Doeg goes and kills all the priest except for Abiathar escapes to David who offers him protection.

In other words:

David gathers supporters and Saul goes on a killing rampage to purge the country of David’s supporter’s.

In other other words:

The war between David and Saul is now on!

Favorite bit:

David is living in a cave. With 400 supporters. (1 Samuel 22:1)

Least favorite bit:

1 Samuel 22:8  - that all of you have conspired against me. Saul basically goes crazy with paranoia and jealousy.

2nd Least Favorite bit:

Obviously, it’s the killing of the priests because Saul didn’t believe them that they really didn’t know (1 Samuel 22:13-15)

Moral Lesson Learned:

Paranoia will destroy ya (1 Samuel 22)

1 Samuel 19: Saul orders David killed

Synopsis:

Saul orders his servant and his son to kill David. Jonathon argues on behalf of David and Saul agrees not to kill him. But then another war with the Philistines occurs and once again David slaughtered the Philistines and once again Saul was jealous and ordered David to be killed. Saul tried to kill David with a Javelin while David played the lute. David got away. His wife Michal helped David escape by sending him out the back window and then put a bunch of pillows in David’s bed so that when the soldiers come they think he is sick in bed. David escapes to Ramah with Samuel. Saul sends messengers but all 3 groups end up prophesizing with Samuel. So Saul goes himself and ends up prophesizing naked on the ground for days, which is why people say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

In other words:

Saul wants to kill David but his son and daughter stop him.

Favorite bit:

1 Samuel 19:23,24  where Saul strips naked and lies on the ground, basically in a trance.

2nd favorite bit:

That stuffing a bed with pillows to fake a person being sick in it –is apparently a very old trick (1 Samuel 19:13)

Least favorite bit:

That Saul is really obsessed with killing David.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Jealousy makes people do stupid things. Don’t be jealous. (1 Samuel 19)

1 Samuel 20: Jonathon sides with David

Synopsis:

David escapes back to Jonathon and tells Jonathon – you dad wants to kill me. Jonathon says nonsense. So David and Jonathon hatch a plan to see if Saul really does want to kill David. David hides for 3 days and if Saul gets mad that David is not at dinner, they will know Saul hates David. When Saul asks Jonathon where David is and Jonathon tells him – he has gone with his family to Bethlehem Saul goes into a rage. I know you have chosen David out of your confusion. As long as David lives, Jonathon cannot be king. So Jonathon meets David at the appointed time. It is clear David has to leave. So David and Jonathon cry and kiss and recommit their souls to each other and their seed through eternity. Then David leaves.

In other words:

Saul wants to kill David, but Jonathon helps him escape.

Favorite bit:

The love affair between David and Jonathon is really beautiful.

Least Favorite bit:

That Saul basically calls his son out as a homosexual during their argument – thus confirming my suspicions in the previous chapter. (1 Samuel 20:30) And yes, it’s kind of sad that young gay men have been facing this sort of anger and violence from their dads for millennia now.

2nd least favorite bit:

There seems to be no purpose to the kid carrying the arrows if Jonathon was going to talk to David directly anyway. (1 Samuel 20:35-40)

Moral Lesson Learned:

• Stand by the people you love (1 Samuel 20:41)
• Do what is right, even if it means going against your family’s wishes (1 Samuel 20)

1 Samuel 17: David kills Goliath

Synopsis: 

Saul and his armies pitched for battle at Elah and the Philistines sent out their champion, Goliath of Gath, who was six cuibts and a span tall. He had a helmet of brass and chain mail. His spear was huge. He challenged Israel to a fight man to man. If a man of Israel could beat him the Philistines would be their servants. No man of Israel wanted to fight him. David was told by his father to take food to his brothers who were in Saul’s army. When he went there, he was talking with them when Goliath once again came out to issue his challenge. David was told that whoever killed Goliath, the king would give riches and his daughter in marriage.  So David said, I’ll do it. This made his brother’s mad.  Saul was told and he asked David, why do you think you can do this. David said, I’ve slain a lion and a bear that tried to attack our sheep. I can kill Goliath. So Saul gives him a helmet and mail and a sword. These David rejects as they were not his won in battle. So he takes some rocks and confronts Goliath. Goliath is rather insulted that David is so young. Goliath and David trash talk each other for a bit and as Goliath charges at him, David slings a stone and hits Goliath in the forhead and he drops to the ground dead. David gets Goliath’s sword and cuts off his head. The rest of the Israeli troops run after the Philistines and slaughter them.  Saul asks who this person was who slew Goliath and is told it is David.

In other words: 

A large Philistine named Goliath challenges Saul and everyone is too scared to fight him. Everyone except David, who throws a stone at the giant (even though he's not really a giant) and kills him.

Favorite bit:

That even though David is apparently Saul’s favorite, he didn’t have a clue who he was when he went to fight Goliath.

2nd favorite bit:

That Goliath and David trash talk each other (1 Samuel 17:44,45)

Other cool bit:

That Saul can’t defeat the Philistines because God doesn’t like him anymore. Only God’s chosen ruler David – who is a boy – who no one thinks much of can do it.

Least favorite bit

1 Samuel 17:52 – seriously – they had agreed to surrender if someone defeated Goliath, but the Israelites have to kill them all anyway.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Never mess with a kid who can kill a bear and a lion with his bare hands (1 Samuel 17)

1 Samuel 18: Saul is scared of David

Synopsis:

Saul brings David into his house. His son Jonathan falls in love with David and gives him his clothes and they made a covenant together. The trouble starts when women singing songs sing about how Saul only killed thousands but David killed ten thousand. Saul was upset by this and started conspiring against David. He tries to kill him with a spear when he is playing the lute and fails. David always behaved wisely and Saul’s plans fail. Saul promises his daughter to David, but ends up giving her to another man. When he finds out his daughter Michal loves David, he tells David – you can be my son in law and have Michal, if you bring me the foreskins of 100 Philistines.  Saul was secretly hoping the Philistines would kill David. David and his pals went out and brought back the foreskins of 200 Philistines. David marries Michal and gains Saul as an enemy forever because now Saul knows, God is with David and that makes him a  threat to Saul.

In other words:

Saul recognizes that David is a threat to his power, so he tries to get him killed and it doesn’t work.

Favorite bit:

That David accepts the challenge and just goes out and kills 200 Philistines as if it’s no big deal.

Weirdest bit:

Seriously – what is it with this foreskin obsession? (1 Samuel 18:25-27)

Did it really say that?

Saul’s son Jonathan was knit with the soul of David and they made a covenant because Jonathon loved David as his own soul. Jonathon stripped himself of the robe that was on him (meaning David saw him naked) and gave it to David, including his sword, bow and girdle.   (1 Samuel 18: 1-4) The way I read this – this is a homosexual love affair between David and Saul’s son Jonathon – which makes David even more dangerous to Saul because his own son is in the thrall of this boy. Which by the way- if this was God’s doing – was part of God’s plan to dethrone Saul – so homosexual love and sex – naked disrobed sex – ok.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Jealousy makes people do stupid things. Don’t be jealous. (1 Samuel 18)

1 Samuel 15: Saul doesn’t kill Agag and God gets mad

Synopsis:

Samuel tells Saul – God wants you to kill the Amaleks – all of them, including their sheep. Leave nothing alive. So Saul musters an army, defeats the Amaleks and takes their king Agag prisoner. The people take the best of the sheep to offer as sacrifice to God. God has a word with Samuel and tells him, I’m not happy. I told them to kill everything. So Samuel goes to Saul and asks – why do I hear bleating sheep?  Saul says – well, we were going to sacrifice them to God.  Samuel reminds Saul – God told you to kill everything. He would rather you obey him then offer sacrifice, even though he REALLY likes the smell of burning flesh.  Saul says – well – yeah, but the people REALLY wanted the sheep and I was afraid to go against them. Please help me repent. So Samuel prays with Saul. The next day Agag is brought to Samuel who hews Agag into peices. He leaves, never to see Saul again, since the Lord repented in making Saul king.

In other words:

God orders Saul to kill all the Amaleks, but because Saul leaves the king and the best sheep alive, God repents having named Saul king.

Favorite bit:

1 Samuel 15:14: What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

2nd favorite bit:

1 Samuel 15:22,23 – And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delighyt in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou has rejected the word of the Lod, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Least favorite bit:

1 Samuel 15:33 – where Samuel hews Agag with a sword. On the one hand – Samuel was not to be messed with. On the other, was it really necessary?

My impression:

Samuel didn’t like the fact that Saul wasn’t doing what he told him to. God had nothing to do with it.  He just didn’t like sharing power.

Moral Lesson Learned:

You can’t control the actions of other people. (1 Samuel 15)

1 Samuel 16: Samuel & God plot against Saul

Synopsis:

Samuel looks for someone to replace Saul as king. God tells him to go to Jesse and choose one of his sons. Samuel says – Saul will have me killed if I do that. So God tells him, well – pretend you are going to make sacrifice. Samuel then looks at all the sons and annoints the youngest, David. At this point, the spirit of the Lord leaves Saul and an evil spirit starts to annoy him. So his aids say – get someone to play some music for you, and you will feel better. So Saul sends for David, who was known as a good lute player. When he sees David, he likes him at once. As soon as David started playing, Saul felt at ease.

In other words:

Samuel anoints David as the new king. In the meantime Saul decides he really likes David’s lute playing and asks him to be his armor bearer, not knowing that David is chosen by Samuel to replace him.

Favorite bit:

1 Samuel 16:18-23 – that unbeknownst to Saul – he takes Samuel’s chosen replacement for him into his inner circle.

Least favorite bit:

That Samuel understood that crossing Saul would be bad. (1 Samuel 16:1-5) I don’t like this because Saul starts out so good and he turns into a typical despot pretty quickly.

Moral Lesson Learned: 

Plotting to overthrow a government? Even if you have god on your side, you need to be a bit sneaky. (1 Samuel 16)

1 Samuel 13: Saul and Samuel don’t get along

Synopsis:

Saul rules for a couple of years and then his son Jonathon smote a garrison of Philistines in Geba. So the Philistines gather 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horseman to fight back. The Israelis panic. Saul is in Gilgal 7 days, but Samuel never comes.  So Saul prepares a burnt offering and Samuel is upset and shows up – what are you doing?!?  Saul says – trying to rally the troops. Where were you?  Samuel lectures Saul on how he has not done what God wants and his kingdom will not stand. So Saul and his son Jonathon go with 600 men who remained with them to Michmash to meet the philistines and since there were no smiths to be found to help them, they had to sharpen farming implements to fight with.

In other words:

Saul’s son Jonathon picks a fight with the Philistines who outnumber them 36,000 to 600. Samuel does not support this campaign.

Favorite bit:

1 Samuel 13:11 – And Samuel said, What hast thou done?   I love that Samuel doesn’t support Saul and then blames him for trying to put together an offering to God on his own.

2nd favorite bit:

1 Samuel 13:20 – All the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe and his mattox. Basically – they are going to fight a well armed army – with farming tools. Awesome!

Least favorite bit:

The entire chapter. Apparently god is not a very good judge of character. He chooses this guy to be king and then doesn’t support him when he goes about his kingly business- which is to protect the people of Israel from attack.  Though, in God’s defense – Saul and his son Jonathon did attack first – so ... yeah.

Moral Lesson Learned:

Pre-emptive attacks are stupid and immoral and god doesn't like them. (1 Samuel 13)

1 Samuel 14: Jonathon causes trouble but also saves everyone

Synopsis:

They are at Michmash waiting for the fight with the Philistines. Jonathon and his armor bearer go and sneak up on a Philistine garrison. They enter it and slay 20 men in a ½ acre of land. And this caused the Philistines to freak out and retreat in a rather disorderly fashion.  Saul took the opportunity to press the fight. And even those Israelis who had supported the Philistines came to his aid. Saul commanded that no one eat until all their enemies had been defeated, but Jonathon didn’t hear the order. So when he came upon some honey – he ate it. At the end of the day the people flew upon the spoil and started eating all the sheep and oxen in sight, WITH the blood. Saul was horrified. At least come to the alter I build so we can slaughter and drain them properly. Saul considered going after the Philistines. He tried to ask God, but god didn’t answer him. Assuming someone had sinned, they drew lots and it was clear it was either Saul or Jonathon who had sinned. The next lot – it was clear it was Jonathon. Saul was prepared to kill his son but the people intervened, how can you kill the man who saved us all?  Jonathon is spared. Saul goes on to fight with pretty much everyone around them and his entire reign was one big ongoing battle.

In other words:

Saul and his son go to battle against everyone.

Favorite bit:

1 Samuel 14:6-14 – Jonathon and his armor bearer sneak off and start a war. It doesn’t sound cool – but it kind of is because in 8 -11 – they decide to show themselves to the Philistine garrison and depending on how they are received, dictates what their response will be.

2nd favorite bit:

1 Samuel 14:45 – Don’t kill Jonathon!! He saved us all!!!

Least favorite bit:

That Saul declares war on pretty much everybody. (1 Samuel 14:47&52)

Overall impression:

Saul is originally a pretty upstanding guy – but give him a little power and he goes crazy. Constant pre-emptive war against HIS enemies. Not the enemies of Israel – his enemies. Clearly the power went to his head. This guy literally becomes the worst sort of king ever.

Moral Lesson Learned:

If you want peace, don’t appoint a man of war to rule over you. (1 Samuel 14)