Reading the Bible Through

1 Samuel 18 - 22   Saul become jealous of David because the people sang of David having killed more people. Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David but had left Saul. Still, Saul tries to kill David with a spear while David is playing the lyre to soothe Saul. This sounds like it belongs on a seedy talk show.  Today, when I read of Saul naming 100 Philistine foreskins as the bride price for Michal in the hopes that David would be killed, I think of David sending Uriah to the front of the battle to get Uriah killed. That way David would have Bathsheba for a wife and David's adultery might be covered up.  I am curious as to the exact covenant between David and Jonathan. As I read 20:31, it seems to me that Jonathan was next in line for the throne after Saul. However, it also seems clear that Jonathan was content for the throne to go to David.  It always interests me that David choses to act as a madman at a time he was afraid.  Suddenly, we hear of...

1 Samuel 15 - 17   Saul did not follow the Lord wholeheartedly. He sacrificed the lesser things. (As I understand it, this was also what was 'wrong' with Cain's sacrifice. It was not the best for the Lord.) Then Saul lies about what he did to Samuel's face while Samuel could hear the captured animals that were to have been sacrificed. Did Saul's power corrupt him or was it from fear? This was the same man who hid among the baggage. In 15:24, Saul owns that he was afraid of the people.  The Lord regretted making Saul king over Israel. What does it mean to have a God who had regrets, yet is always good and perfect. It is hard to see this God in the old testament being full of love for all people when he keeps telling the Israelites to devote them to destruction/kill them all.  In chapter 16, the elders of Bethlehem ask Samuel if he comes peaceably. What would the other answer be? A quick google search indicates Samuel may have come to rebuke or judge them in some mann...

1 Samuel 12 - 14   Saul appears to have been very influenced by those around him. When Samuel doesn't come when expected, Saul sacrificed because the people were scattering. I find myself wondering if this was from insecurity? I also wonder if I am putting modern day ideas on an ancient culture. Actually, I'm sure that I am, but am I doing it here specifically?  14:21. Does this mean that some of the Israelites had defected to the Philistines previously? 

1 Samuel 9 - 11   The story of Saul going to ask Samuel where to find the donkeys sounds a lot like going to a psychic in my opinion.  When Samuel meets Saul at the gate, it reminds me of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings.  In 10:9, it says that God gave Saul "a new heart." I am struck by that phrase today. I reminds me of Jesus saying that you must be born again.