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1 Samuel 14:24 - Thoughts on contrast between David and Saul - Day 234

Good evening friends,

The Bible is full of stories showing how people react differently in difficult times.  Today we see Saul going off the rails for the first time.  We can contrast this with David's psalm

Blessings

Jeff

The contrast between David's psalm that we looked at yesterday and Saul's impetuosity.

Saul - "until I am avenged on my enemies" - all about him, Philistines are really the enemy of all the people of Israel and ultimately God.  He sees himself as the one who brings victory, not the Lord.

"laid an oath on the people" unilateral binding of other's conscience.  The reality is that an army travels on its stomach was true then as it is today.  Expecting solders not to eat is never a good idea.  Jonathan understood that the time saved by not eating was not as valuable as having strength for the battle.

"Cursed be the man who eats food this day"  Curse comes from moral failure, not from physical needs.  If we think back to Moses giving blessings and curses, they were all about obedience of  disobedience to God's commands.  Saul was essentially putting himself in God's place

David - focused on the glory and strength of the Lord and appealed to people to serve Him.


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