April 25, 2025 • 40 mins
Chapter 02 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 1 Samuel 11-13.
Long Live the King - The armies of Israel - led by their first King, Saul - ride furiously to the defense of the people of Jabesh. After a glorious victory, the people praise Saul, but will the praise corrupt his vulnerable heart?
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for the Heroes
and the Bible podcast. Before we begin, be sure to
follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you're
updated on the newest episodes as they become available. Welcome
to the epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:24):
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.
In this episode, we continue to follow the rise of Saul,
the first King of Israel. We are still waiting with
bated breath to see what Saul will become. Is he
(00:46):
plotting to be a tyrant? Will he end up being
the hero everyone hopes for? What about the inklings of
pride we saw slithering into the scene last episode? What
we see in this portion of the story that Saul
is everything Israel expected and more. He shows integrity, strength,
follow through, and a dozen other qualities that anyone would
(01:08):
want in a leader. We must not forget what Saul represents.
He is man's attempt to appear strong while ignoring the
true strength that God offers. So while we may see
epic feats of strain and bravery in this chapter, it
is drawn from a shallow well, but the heart of
God is revealed at the end when Samuel gives Saul
(01:29):
a sad and foreboding coronation. We will begin this episode
with the prelude a story from another point in time
that whispers similar truths. We will meet another group of
people who attempt to replace God for something shiny and new.
They turn from the faithfulness of God and erect a
false idol. Will God remain faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Stay
(01:53):
at the end of this episode and listen to me
unpacked some of the themes Easter eggs and more. But
for now, let's begin Episode two, Long Live the King.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Prelude to chapter two. The top of Mount Sinai was
shrouded in a mysterious cloud. Lightning burst from its edges
but made no sound. The people watched an awe for
days as they anxiously awaited the return of Moses. He
had gone up to speak to the Lord but had
not returned in days. Those days became weeks, and the
(02:30):
people were growing unsteady. Finally, they came to Erin. They
cornered him with anxious energy and demanded him to do
something for them.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Make us gods we can see, They said, we do
not know.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
What has become of Moses.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
He is dead for all we know.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
We want to worship a god, but we can touch
and see.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Erin, admittedly doubtful of Moses's return, as well, agreed without question.
He nodded and said.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Take off your rings of gold, your jewelry, come to me,
and we shall melt them down.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
So the people brought their precious gold to an altar
of fire. They tossed them in like offerings and watched
as the flames melted down the precious gold with the
newly refined gold air in fashion for them a golden calf.
They set it on an altar and danced around it
with worshipful cheers. They laid down offerings to it and
feasted before it. They made it in their minds to
(03:24):
be the God who delivered them. Yet God could see
what they were doing. They had replaced their true savior
with a counterfeit god. The golden calf was a short
fix to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts.
They wanted something to look upon and justify their pride.
If they worshiped a god they could build, touch and manipulate,
(03:44):
it did not have power over them. They had power
over it in their own way. By making the Golden Calf,
they made themselves gods over their own lives. This rejection
of the Lord their savior would continue for generations and
generations to come. Self worship would cause them to erect statues,
elect kings, and worship at the feet of human invention.
(04:07):
These counterfeit gods would always fail them. The people of
God would always find themselves lacking strength to save themselves,
and the Lord of all creation would always bend down
to redeem his people, even after they rejected him. Chapter two,
Long Live the King. Ash fell like snow over the
(04:30):
village of Jabish Gilead. A dark cloud draped the land
in darkness, and the sun was made red as the
smoke enveloped every inch of the sky. Just outside the
village walls, flames raged where a field of barley once stood.
Panic villagers drew water from the well and dumped it
onto the flames. However, the field was already lost. The
(04:51):
fire raged and devoured the barley in a matter of minutes.
Watching over the flames was the Ammonite king Nahash. Vast
Ammonite army stood at attention behind him. He was mounted
atop a dark horse. His broad chest and shoulders were
bound tightly together under dark leather armor. His thick hair
fell over his sadistic eyes. The people quivered in fear
(05:14):
as he and his army slowly descended down the hill
and passed the flames. Men gathered whatever weapons or tools
they had to fight and ran outside the village. They
attacked the giant army like mice to cats. The Ammonites
quickly engulfed the villagers. In a matter of minutes. The
flames in the field were made larger with the bodies
of murdered villagers. The vast Ammonite army flooded Jabish Gilead.
(05:37):
The king rode into the heart of the village and
drew out his sword. The sound of the metal being
unsheathed echoed through the silence. No one dared step out
of their home. Still mounted on his dark war horse,
Nahsh banged his sword against his shield and shouted. His
bloodthirsty clamoring sent chills down the people's spines. The Ammonite
king breathed in the smoke and rose his head the
(06:00):
red sun. He soaked it in like a springtime breeze
and gave a crooked smile. He gestured to his general
standing at attention nearby.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Bring me the elders, if they haven't run away.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
By now, he demanded. Swiftly, the elders of j Biskilead
were drug out by their beards and hair onto the dirt.
The Ammonite soldiers surrounded them with swords drawn. Nay Hash
dismounted his horse and stood over the elders. He gave
his sword and shield to his attendant and looked down
at the elders.
Speaker 5 (06:30):
Your frail village is mine, hebrews. Every man here will
be killed. I will take the women and children as
I please.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
He explained. Please know, the elders begged.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
We will make a treaty with you. We will not
struggle or fight. We will serve you and pay homage
to your kingdom. Do not kill us.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Nay Hash gave a rapacious smile. He looked at his men,
and they laughed. The elders shook in fear as the
king knelt down to one of the men and raped
him by the ear.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
Ah, it is a treaty you want, eh.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Tears streamed down the man's face as nae Hash took
out his blade and held it against the man's cheek.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
I will make a treaty with you.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Here is my condition. I get to gouge out the
right eye of every man in this village. If you agree,
I will spare your lives and leave your women and
children alone. You will serve me hay me taxes and
labor in my fields.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
It was a cruel demand. Half blinding the men of
the village ensured they would be weak and unable to
battle effectively if they ever chose to revolt. Gouging out
the right eye was worse than giving them chains, and
far more cruel. As nae Hash lifted the tip of
the dagger near the man's eye, one of the elders
lifted his voice and said.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Give us seven days.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
He was frantic and wanting to save his fellow tribesmen.
Nay Hash looked at him curiously.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Give us seven days, he might send messengers to the
other territories of Israel. If no one rises up to
save us, we will give ourselves to you, and we
will meet your demands.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Nahsh pondered his plea with his dagger still lifted up
to the man's eye. Very well, the king replied. Nay
Hash was confident in the weakness of Israel. They were large,
but disunified. The twelve tribes were unable to help one another.
Na Hash also reveled in the idea of his reputation
being spread throughout the nation. Send your messengers.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
I welcome anyone who dares rise.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Up against me.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
As he said this, he lifted his dagger and drove
it through the man's eye. He writhed in pain. His
screams echoed throughout the village. Na Hash turned his back
to the panic elders and mounted his horse again. He
gestured for his men to turn back and camp outside
the village. He would give them seven days, then he
would descend upon Jabish glead with fury. The elders gathered
(09:00):
messengers and sent them throughout all the twelve tribes of Israel.
They knew that they lacked the strength to save themselves.
They needed salvation, so they cried out for a savior.
The news of the Ammonite army spread throughout the rest
of Israel. The messengers rode swiftly into each city and village,
begging for aid. Each report was met with sorrowful tears
(09:22):
and weeping. However, not one person offered aid. The people
of Israel heard their suffering brothers and sisters wept aloud
in sympathy, yet did nothing in response. No sword was
taken up, no man was thirred to action, and no
elder was moved to mobilized soldiers. Their fear and comfort
was far more powerful than their convictions. Saul drove his
(09:46):
feet into the churned up dirt, directing the giant plow
as his oxen pulled forward. His back was red and
sweating from hours of working in the field. The work
calmed Saul's racing mind. King of Israel, he thought to himself,
how can I lead a people that have been so
disunified and freckle for so long? Where do I even begin?
(10:10):
Saul had been anointed and recognized as King of Israel
before the people, yet he was at a loss for
how to begin. He had to establish a royal court
to create laws, gather elders to communicate those laws, and
recruit an army to enforce those laws. There was much
for him to do, but he lacked the knowledge on
how to lay the groundwork for his kingdom. So Saul
(10:32):
remained in his field, awaiting a call from God about
his first steps. He plowed, tilled, and began to plant
seed for next season's harvest. The sun's harsh glare dimmed
as the day drew to a close. The evening breeze
rolled in from the hills, and Saul's sweating face turned
cold with the chill. He led his oxen back to
(10:52):
the stables, fed them, and hauled the yoke back to
his home. As he entered the gate back into his
father's house, he could sense any unrest among the servants
and members of the household. A few of the women
were weeping and holding their children. What is wrong, Saul
asked gently. The woman simply looked up and pointed to
the horizon. Saul looked and saw a plume of smoke
(11:14):
rising in the distance. Is that Jbash Gilead, Saul asked,
it is? One of the women said, wiping away her tears.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Some messengers from the village just passed through.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
It is under siege by the Ammonites.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
They have five more days until they are enslaved and tortured.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Saul said nothing. He ran into the halls of his
father's household. His father, uncle, and Samuel were by the
fire in intense discussion.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Did you hear the messengers? Saul inquired, is Jabash under attack?
The three of them confirmed it was true. Saul met
Samuel's gaze. He said nothing. He only nodded and rushed
out the door to his home. He burst through the
door and opened up the chest at the foot of
his bed. In it was leather armor. It was tattered
(12:04):
and old, but thick and sturdy. Saul strapped it firmly
over his tunic. He grabbed his sword and marched out
of the house. As the sun.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Set, bright red rays spread across the skies. Saul looked
up and could feel a rush of purpose burning in
his veins. His blood boiled with righteous rage. The spirit
of God rushed upon Saul. God had given Saul the
holy fury of a defender. Saul hopped the fence into
the stables where he had fed the oxen. He took
(12:35):
both of them and led them outside under the red sunset.
He held the oxen's rope in one hand and his
sword firmly in the other. Then, with a powerful thrustitus
blade he cut into the ox The blood spilled all
over the floor, matching the red skies above them. Saul
cried out as he tore the oxen limb from limb.
(12:56):
He panted heavily with the torn apart oxen beneath his feet.
Saul yelled. His servant was watching from behind the stables.
Tavy inched forward, slowly avoiding the blood. From below. Saul's
eyes darted at him. Something was different about Saul. His voice,
his eyes, and his demeanor had changed.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Gather some of the other servants and have them take
these pieces of oxen to all the twelve tribes of Israel,
Saul said. Tell them, whoever does not follow Saul and
Sabular to battle to defend Jabesh will be.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Torn apart like these oxen.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
We are Israel, we are united, and we will come
to the aid of our brothers.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Tavy nodded and gathered the other servants to take Saul's
message to the masses. Saul wiped off his sword, sheathed it,
and took some of his men to besick. The messengers
made Saul's demands known to the entire nation of Israel.
It was the first command of their new king, and
the fear of the Lord, rushed upon them, gathered whatever
(14:00):
weapons they had, and marched to meet Saul At Bezick.
The spirit of God was on the move among his people,
and he was using Saul as an instrument of his justice.
Three hundred thousand men from eleven tribes came forward, and
thirty thousand from the tribe of Judah. Saul was there
to greet them. He stood among them with tattered armor
and a dull blade, yet he still looked magnificent before
(14:23):
the people. Saul gathered commanders from each tribe and met
with them in his tent by the fire. They strategized
about their plan of attack. Saul sent his son Jonathan
as a spy to scut out the Ammonite camp. They
were sitting ducks. Nahash had not expected anyone from Israel
to rise up against them, so they kept no watch
(14:44):
and kept no guard. Instead, they ate by the fire
and awaited their inevitable victory. Saul knew that if they
stood a chance against the Ammonites, they would have to
strike swiftly and without notice. Saul gathered a few messengers
to go to Jabish.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Tell them we have come. Tell them tomorrow. By the
time the sun is set firmly above them. They shall
have salvation. Saul looked to his newly appointed commanders and
gave them a resolute grin and tell them to surrender
to Nahsh. Tell them to give themselves up, but not
to worry. We will come before they have a chance
(15:21):
to strike. The messengers brought Saul's encouragement to the elders
of Jebish. They did as they were told and sent
their own messengers to Nahsh. The Yemonites cheered and scoffed
at Israel.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
That night. They danced and celebrated in their camp. As
the skies grew dark. Na Hash and his men plotted
their takeover of Jebish. He was unaware that only a
few miles away, Israel's new king was sharpening his blade.
Saul did not sleep that night. He stared at the
fire blankly while his men rested. His eyes were fixed
(15:55):
on the flame, swaying back and forth with the breeze.
He looked at the heat of the coals, radiating The
red center of each individual coal beat like hearts. Saul
poked them with his sword, ensuring each remained within the flames.
He breathed in deeply and looked forward to the hills.
The Ammonites were on the other side, no doubt, sleeping
(16:16):
without fear. Saul looked over to his son, Jonathan, sleeping
soundly beside the fire. He wanted a better future for
his son. He wanted a better future for all the
children of Israel. He knew that the kingdom would never
last as long as other nations saw them as weak.
He had to make an example of the Ammonites. He
had to show them that God's chosen people were not
(16:38):
to be trifled with. Sunrise was approaching and the morning
mists slivered its way between the forest outside Jabish. The
night watch of the Ammonite camp had gone to sleep
and the morning watch was beginning its post. They lazily
only set a watch on the side of their camp,
facing the village of Jabish. They knew no village of
(16:59):
would dare charge them. However, edging quietly through the other
side of the forest was the United Army of Israel.
Saul had split them into three companies, each responsible for
prowling on the left, right, and back of the Ammonite camp.
Each company approached softly and remained one hundred yards away
from the camp Saul led the company on the right.
(17:21):
The men were crouched low and unseen, they could see
the flickering light coming from the campfires. Saul held his
men in position until the first light of dawn gave
them enough light to see. When the first light appeared,
Saul stood to his feet and drew his sword. He
rose it high in the air and raised his voice loud.
His deep voice bellowed across the camp for the other
(17:43):
companies to hear. Then, before the Amonites could arise to
grab their weapons, the Israelites charged with the fury of God.
Saul's legs burst like a stallion's. He quickly separated himself
from the rest of the group. With his sword grasped
firmly in his hand, he was the first to draw
blood in the Amonite camp, breaking through the trees and
(18:03):
swiping at the neck of a man sitting beside the fire.
The rest of Israel charged from behind and on the
side of the camp, catching the Ammonites off guard. However,
their camp was vast and the Ammonites were great in number.
They quickly drew their weapons and began to defend themselves.
The warriors of Israel drew strength from the passion of
their king and pressed into the enemy with fire. God's
(18:26):
spirit was before Saul as he slashed his way through
the Ammonite camp. Two enemy soldiers ran with spears drawn
at Saul. One thrust forward, grazing Saul's shoulder. He grabbed
the shaft of the spear and broke it with his sword.
He swung around, slashing the soldier's throat. The other Ammonite
jabbed his spear upward. Saul dodged it and cut the
(18:47):
man of the cap. As he fell to his knees,
Saul kicked him in the chest and onto his back.
Saul pressed his knife into the man's throat and bent down.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
Where is your cake?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
He demanded. The amonitess aldier gasped, prepare and pointed out.
Saul looked and saw a tall man clothed in dark
armor swinging his sword through a group of Israelite soldiers.
Saul released his knee and marched forward. Flames engulfed the
tents around him, but his vision was set on nay Hash.
(19:18):
Saul wiped the blood off his brow and quickened his pace.
Nay Hash's blade was large and came down with brutal
force on the shields of the Israelite men. Saul sped
up and ran towards the Ammonite.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
King nay Hash.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
He yelled with vigor. The dark king looked up to
see Saul sprinting forward with his sword ready. Nay Hash
lifted his shield and absorbed Sau's first blow. He stumbled back,
surprised to see a man as large as he was.
Saul met him eye to eye, and the two of
them paced around one another. Nay Hash spat in Saul's direction.
(19:54):
So this is your army, he asked, with a chuckle.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
I presume you are they new king. I hear the
men speak of before I kill them.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Nay Hash goaded. Saul did not reply. He set his
foot back, lifted his sword, and advanced towards Nhsh. The
Ammonite king welcomed the fright. He burst forward with surprising
speed and kicked Saul's shield clean off his arm, and
Saul stumbled back, then dodged the first swing of Nahsh's sword.
(20:24):
Saul rolled to his side and swung his sword at
Nahash's knee. He barely grazed it, but it was enough
to pause the king's advances. Saul burst forward and swung
his sword. The two of them sparred. The sound of
clanging metal pierced Saul's ears as each of them fought
to gain an advantage over the other. Finally, Saul saw
an opening on Nahsh's side. He jabbed his sword forward,
(20:47):
cutting through Mayhsh's armor. Nay Hash recoiled then swung down
at Saul in a fury. As his arms were above
his head, Saul thrust his sword forward into Nahsh's stomach.
The king dropped his sword and stepped back and fell
to his knees. Saul drew his sword out of his stomach.
The Ammonite king said nothing. With blood dripping out of
(21:08):
his mouth. He simply fell forward with his face to
the dirt. Saul stood over Nahsha's lifeless body, panting. His
heart felt as though it was going to beat out
of his chest. His arms were heavy, and his head
began to swell. Behind him, Saul could hear the cheering
of his men. He turned to see the tide of
the battle. Swinging back to Israel. Saul looked up. The
(21:32):
sun was high above the sky. They had been fighting
into the afternoon. The king smiled. He had kept his
promise to the people of Jabish. The sun was set
firmly in the middle of the sky, and the battle
had been won. The surviving Ammonites had fled, and the
scorched dearth outside the village of Jabish was painted red
(21:52):
with the blood of the enemy. Shouts of victory and
praise to God and Saul go through every city in Israel. Men,
women and children sang songs of their king's victory over
the Ammonites. Stories were told of the brave new king's
battle with Nahash and how he saved the village of Jabish.
(22:13):
Samuel heard these shouts. He listened to the songs, and
he pondered the stories. He sat in a room of
elders tolert in their worshipful doting over the young king.
Saul sat in the room as well, humbly listening to
their admiration.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
Who among us doubted Saul.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
One of the elders asked.
Speaker 4 (22:31):
Let them be put to death for such accusations.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Saul's eyes widened and he shook his head.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Please, brothers, let no one be put to death this day. Today,
the Lord has worked out salvation for his children. Let
us rejoice in him and have mercy on one another.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Samuel was surprised to hear these words come from Saul.
Perhaps there was hope for his soul. Perhaps he was
the king Israel had needed. Samuel propped himself up in
front of the elders and settled them down.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
It is time for us to renew our kingdom.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
He said, solemnly.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
We have seen Saul lead, and now it is time
for us to go to Gilgal to establish him as
king before the Lord.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
So Samuel led the people of Israel to the high
place of Gilgal. He made a sacrifice to the Lord,
and the tribes brought peace offerings to God. As worship
was made unto the Lord. Saul was anointed king over Israel.
The people cheered with passion and hope. Samuel overlooked the crowd.
Their songs echoed in his ears as they sang.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Long live the King, Long.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Live the King.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Their shouts saddened him. It was not long ago that
they gave God such reverence. They had replaced their true
savior with the counterfeit God. Saul was a short fix
to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts. Samuel
knew that even if Saul was brave, kind and just,
he would ultimately fail them, as all other kings would.
(24:06):
Samuel stood over the people, lifted up on a stone platform.
The people ceased their cheers as he raised his hands.
His voice resonated among the crowd as he orated his
final address and goodbye to the people.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
Behold, he shouted.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
I have obeyed your voice. You have asked for a king,
and here he stands before you. I am old now,
but I have faithfully walked before you since I was young.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Samuel's voice began to break slightly, and his throat choked
up with sorrow. The old prophet paused and gripped his
staff firmly. A single tear left his eye as he
scanned the children of Israel. He opened up his arms and.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Said, here I am testify against me before God. Whose
ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded
or cheated out of their money? Have I oppressed any
of you? Or taken attacks or bribe? Have I done
anything worthy of you? Rejecting me and the God I serve.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
The people cried out immediately, saying you have done nothing
to oppress us. Samuel, you have been fair, just and
honored us.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
So the Lord is witness against you and the king
that stands before you, that I have not oppressed you
or taken anything from you. I have only given to
you and loved you like children.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Yes, they shouted, the Lord is a witness.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Samuel drove his staff into the stone in front of him.
The sound was intimidating and sent a clear message. Samuel
pointed at them with his staff and shouted.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
The Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and freed your
fathers from Egypt is the witness between you and I.
Now listen to me one final time as I tell
you of the righteousness of God.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
The people were silent and listened like children being scolded.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
When Jacob went into Egypt with his family, the Egyptians,
led by their king, oppressed them. They labored as slaves
and were killed like animals. The blood of children stained
the Nile, and your forefathers cried out to God for deliverance.
So he sent Moses and Aaron together. They brought your
ancestors out of Egypt. Now here you stand as free people.
(26:28):
But your fathers forgot the God who had saved them.
They became oppressed by the Philistines and the Moabites. Then,
after years of disobedience. They cried out to God again
for help. The Lord answered, He sent judges, he sent Jerebal, Barakh, Jephtha,
and myself. Many of us were called by God to
(26:51):
deliver you out of bondage of other nations and your
own sin. Even though there were enemies on every side,
God still fought for you, and you lived in safety.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
The clouds in the sky began to roll in from
the west. As Samuel spoke. The people looked up as
the sun was hidden from sight.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
Yet you still cried out for a king.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
After all these years, Samuel continued.
Speaker 4 (27:15):
You saw Nahesh and the Ammonites, and you did not
so much as whisper for the Lord to give you aid.
You desired a man to save you. Well, here he
stands before you. The Lord has given you the desires
of your heart. If you will fear God and serve him,
if you will obey his voice and refuse to rebel
(27:35):
as your forefathers, if you and your new king follow
him and him alone, all will be well. But take heed,
my children. The pride of the heart is more powerful
than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.
If you go against him, He will be against you
(27:57):
and your king.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
The sky had turned complete the dark, and the wind
began to pick up tremendously. Behind Samuel, the people began
to stir. The weather was unsettling. It seemed to match
the mood of Samuel. His words clearly reflected the heart
of God.
Speaker 4 (28:14):
Stand and see this great thing the Lord will do
before your.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Eyes, Samuel said, with a trumpeting voice.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Thunder and rain shall go before you, and you shall
know truly what you have done has grieved the heart
of God.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
As Samuel said this, the lightning struck down behind him.
The cypress tree behind him irerupted in flames. Then, as
if the flung gates of Heaven were open, rain poured
out from the clouds. Thunders shook the earth, and rain
began to fall down like arrows under the people below.
The people were fearful that the Lord would strike them bound.
(28:50):
They cried out, saying, pray for us, Samuel, we have
added to all the sins of our fathers.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
Samuel shook his head and sighed, You have nothing to fear.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
He said, with the wind at his back.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Continue in the paths of the Lord with all your heart.
Do not cling to the empty things that cannot satisfy you.
They are empty and weak. The Lord will not forsake
his people. He is great, and it pleases him to
make you his people. It gives him joy to protect you.
(29:24):
As for me, far be it from me that I
should sin by ceasing to pray for you. I will
still be here to instruct and guide you. I will
give counsel, offer prayers, and make sacrifices on behalf of
the people and God's armies.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
The wind began to subside for a moment, and the
rain had drowned out the flames caused by the lightning.
All that remained were wet coals, barely flickering. Samuel's voice
was soft now and weary. He looked down at them
and said.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
Fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.
Consider and remember the great things he has done for you.
Yet the warning remains. If wickedness prevails in your hearts,
you and your king shall be swept away.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
The people left, wet and contemplative. It was not the
coronation Saul had in mind. As the people left, Saul
remained there silently, looking at Samuel from a distance. A
small part of him was angry at the interruption. He
did not know whether Samuel supported him as king reluctantly
or if he was actively praying against him. A spark
(30:40):
of spight simmered deeply in Saul's heart. He ignored it
and put on a smile as he approached Samuel. The
two of them left Gilgall to prepare and establish the kingdom.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Long live the King for now always. This episode had
the action that we were all waiting for.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
Saul rose up.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
As the hero king everyone hoped he would be. He
was able to inspire an army, rely on the spirit
of God, and bravely charge head first in the danger
to save the people of Jadish Skilad. At the end
of it all, he receives honor and praise from the people.
Saul is this shiny new toy that Israel can't wait
(31:23):
to keep playing with. For them, he is a more
tangible thing to worship, just like the golden calf was
for Israel in the prelude. The prelude highlighted mankind's proclivity
to erect idols that they can see to replace the
God they can't see. When things are uncertain and patience
is required, our doubt can get the best of us.
(31:46):
Instead of relying on the timing and movement of God,
we try to control things by making our own decisions.
The golden calf represents many things, and one of them
is the harsh reality that we are always looking to
make God gods of things and people that shouldn't be worshiped.
Saul is this shiny golden calf, ready to receive the
(32:06):
praise of the people in place of God. After the prelude,
we are placed in the middle of desolation. Nahsh, king
of Amirites, has made a move on the small city
of Jabish Gilead. Here is one of the several classic
villains we see in this series. He's hawking with dark
armor and riding atop a horse with sword and shield.
(32:30):
He is an embodiment of evil, just begging to be vanquished.
The opening scene with Nash and the Elders is a
very real glimpse into the vulnerability of Israel during this time.
They have no unified army to protect their borders or
respond to crisis. The bordering nations know this and are
ego to pounce on Israel like wolves to scatter prey.
(32:53):
It's important for us to take a step back and
have a bit of empathy for Israel. They want a
king so desperately because on the surface it seems like
they need one badly. However, if we do a deeper
dive into their history, we see that God has always
been faithful to save them. He used strong people like Samson,
weak people like Gideon, wise people like Deborah, and foolish
(33:16):
people like Jephtha, and in every instance it was God
who raised people up. Because the people cried out to
him to bring in a king was cutting off a
direct line of trust between them and God. Israel, given
the history with God, had no good reason to beg
for a king. Yet Saul is now king, and it's irreversible.
(33:37):
Saul is new and still uncertain about his place, but
Nash provides a perfect opportunity for him to unite a
disunified people. This is a common theme in the Bible,
but also with humanity in general. People tend to unite
over a common enemy. When you have an obviously evil
presence in Nash, it is easy for whoever fights against
(33:59):
that evil to appear like a white knight. But just
because someone fights against evil does not automatically make them good. Nevertheless,
Saul appears to have all the right answers. What we
witness from Saul in this episode is epic and borderlines supernatural.
He has a rise and unprecedented victory over the Ammonites.
(34:21):
Saul amasses his army, leads them into battle, and meets
the evil king face to face. The fight scene between
Saul and a Ash makes one thing very clear. Saul
is not an underdog. He was nas is superior from
the beginning, quickly gaining the upper hand. Israel wanted the
king the slay of the kings, and it seemed like
they found their man. Saul's nobility and character is an
(34:44):
important element of this episode. He is righteous, makes the
right decisions, and risk his life to save a small
city from being enslaved. As of right now, Saul seems
to be keeping his pride in check and relying on
the strength of God. He is keeping the coals in
the fire, exemplified in the scene at the camp before
(35:06):
marching off to battle. So what could possibly go wrong?
Saul seems to have everything it takes to be a
great king, so what could cause him to fall? We
have Samuel to answer that question for us. At the
end of the episode, we are at Gilgal for Saul's coronation.
The people are praising him endlessly and worshiping at his feet.
(35:28):
Samuel knows that this is the exact thing that will
undo Saul. Nobody but God can bear the weight of
people's worship. Saul, out of no fault of his own,
has been enslaved like a golden calf. He is the
people's replacement for God. That is a great burden to carry,
a burden that will eventually crush him. Samuel, at the
(35:50):
end of the episode reminded the people that they didn't
need a king, rather, they wanted a king. Their desire
to replace God is going to be the downfall of
Israel and Saul. Samuel also reminded them that this is
the same sin committed by their forefathers in the desert.
Their ancestors forsook God and suffered the consequences. Samuel warned
(36:12):
them that the pride of the heart is more powerful
than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.
The fascinating part of this is that the pride of
the people is going to be ultimately projected onto Saul.
He will embody their pride. This is a theme for
all of us to notice the people we raise up
(36:32):
to rule us become mirrors, reflecting back our own imperfections.
The heart of a culture is reflected in the leaders
they choose. Saul's eventual sin will be a mirror image
of Israel's. Samuel knew this and mourned their fall. He
is definitely volatile in this episode, teetering between righteous anger
(36:53):
and fatherly concerned, but he ultimately reminded them that God
would be faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Let's pause for a
moment and appreciate how powerful Samuel is at this age.
He has a fire in his bones and still preaches
with ferocious strength. It's a rather jarring scene. Toward the end,
the people come expecting a huge celebration, but leave wet
(37:17):
and afraid. The wind raged Samuel yelled and lightning struck
a tree, making it burst into flames. It is an
apocalyptic scene meant to hearken us back to the prelude,
where the winds shift and lightning cracks open the skies.
The heart of mankind hasn't changed, and neither has the
grief of God when mankind sinds against him, But the
(37:40):
mercy of God is also enduring, and that is something
all of us can take comfort in. The episode ends
with the winds dying down, the rain leaving, and a
steaming pile of wet coals losing their heat beside the altar.
Saul has maintained his innocence thus far, but this scene
has left the mark on him. There is no question
(38:02):
that the people are for Saul. The question that remains
is if God is for Saul or not. Put yourself
in Saul's shoes for a moment. You just rallied a
historical disunified army against a formidable foe and single handedly
slayd that king. Now, as you are about to be
crowned a king with pomp and circumstance, God interrupts and
(38:23):
literally reigns on your parade. Who wouldn't be at least
a little perturbed by this? There is a vicious cycle
to pride that Saul must be careful of. The cycle
is this We have a pride for heart. God resists
us because of our pride. We grow bitter because God
is against us. We continue down the wrong path despite God,
(38:44):
God resists us more. The way to get out of
this cycle is by submitting to God and humbling ourselves
when he resists us. When we are corrected, we need
to pay attention and take correction with humility. That is
a sign of a pure heart. Later on in this series,
David is going to be caught after committing some egregious crimes.
(39:07):
After getting caught in his own cycle of pride, he
will go on to write the sacrifice you desire is
a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and
repentant heart of God. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The story is about to get more complex, gory, and
fast paced. We're gonna Watchaul carefully to see if he
(39:28):
can keep the cold in the fire. We're also going
to meet a new character, Jonathan. His heart will provide
us with a contrast to judge Saul's heart. If you're
not sure if Saul was on the right path or not,
you will absolutely be certain by the end of this
next episode. Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories,
(39:48):
daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to
prey dot com. Remember to follow the podcast on Apple
or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as they
come out. God Bless
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for the Heroes
and the Bible podcast. Before we begin, be sure to
follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you're
updated on the newest episodes as they become available. Welcome
to the epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:24):
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here
with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.
In this episode, we continue to follow the rise of Saul,
the first King of Israel. We are still waiting with
bated breath to see what Saul will become. Is he
(00:46):
plotting to be a tyrant? Will he end up being
the hero everyone hopes for? What about the inklings of
pride we saw slithering into the scene last episode? What
we see in this portion of the story that Saul
is everything Israel expected and more. He shows integrity, strength,
follow through, and a dozen other qualities that anyone would
(01:08):
want in a leader. We must not forget what Saul represents.
He is man's attempt to appear strong while ignoring the
true strength that God offers. So while we may see
epic feats of strain and bravery in this chapter, it
is drawn from a shallow well, but the heart of
God is revealed at the end when Samuel gives Saul
(01:29):
a sad and foreboding coronation. We will begin this episode
with the prelude a story from another point in time
that whispers similar truths. We will meet another group of
people who attempt to replace God for something shiny and new.
They turn from the faithfulness of God and erect a
false idol. Will God remain faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Stay
(01:53):
at the end of this episode and listen to me
unpacked some of the themes Easter eggs and more. But
for now, let's begin Episode two, Long Live the King.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Prelude to chapter two. The top of Mount Sinai was
shrouded in a mysterious cloud. Lightning burst from its edges
but made no sound. The people watched an awe for
days as they anxiously awaited the return of Moses. He
had gone up to speak to the Lord but had
not returned in days. Those days became weeks, and the
(02:30):
people were growing unsteady. Finally, they came to Erin. They
cornered him with anxious energy and demanded him to do
something for them.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Make us gods we can see, They said, we do
not know.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
What has become of Moses.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
He is dead for all we know.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
We want to worship a god, but we can touch
and see.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Erin, admittedly doubtful of Moses's return, as well, agreed without question.
He nodded and said.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Take off your rings of gold, your jewelry, come to me,
and we shall melt them down.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
So the people brought their precious gold to an altar
of fire. They tossed them in like offerings and watched
as the flames melted down the precious gold with the
newly refined gold air in fashion for them a golden calf.
They set it on an altar and danced around it
with worshipful cheers. They laid down offerings to it and
feasted before it. They made it in their minds to
(03:24):
be the God who delivered them. Yet God could see
what they were doing. They had replaced their true savior
with a counterfeit god. The golden calf was a short
fix to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts.
They wanted something to look upon and justify their pride.
If they worshiped a god they could build, touch and manipulate,
(03:44):
it did not have power over them. They had power
over it in their own way. By making the Golden Calf,
they made themselves gods over their own lives. This rejection
of the Lord their savior would continue for generations and
generations to come. Self worship would cause them to erect statues,
elect kings, and worship at the feet of human invention.
(04:07):
These counterfeit gods would always fail them. The people of
God would always find themselves lacking strength to save themselves,
and the Lord of all creation would always bend down
to redeem his people, even after they rejected him. Chapter two,
Long Live the King. Ash fell like snow over the
(04:30):
village of Jabish Gilead. A dark cloud draped the land
in darkness, and the sun was made red as the
smoke enveloped every inch of the sky. Just outside the
village walls, flames raged where a field of barley once stood.
Panic villagers drew water from the well and dumped it
onto the flames. However, the field was already lost. The
(04:51):
fire raged and devoured the barley in a matter of minutes.
Watching over the flames was the Ammonite king Nahash. Vast
Ammonite army stood at attention behind him. He was mounted
atop a dark horse. His broad chest and shoulders were
bound tightly together under dark leather armor. His thick hair
fell over his sadistic eyes. The people quivered in fear
(05:14):
as he and his army slowly descended down the hill
and passed the flames. Men gathered whatever weapons or tools
they had to fight and ran outside the village. They
attacked the giant army like mice to cats. The Ammonites
quickly engulfed the villagers. In a matter of minutes. The
flames in the field were made larger with the bodies
of murdered villagers. The vast Ammonite army flooded Jabish Gilead.
(05:37):
The king rode into the heart of the village and
drew out his sword. The sound of the metal being
unsheathed echoed through the silence. No one dared step out
of their home. Still mounted on his dark war horse,
Nahsh banged his sword against his shield and shouted. His
bloodthirsty clamoring sent chills down the people's spines. The Ammonite
king breathed in the smoke and rose his head the
(06:00):
red sun. He soaked it in like a springtime breeze
and gave a crooked smile. He gestured to his general
standing at attention nearby.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Bring me the elders, if they haven't run away.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
By now, he demanded. Swiftly, the elders of j Biskilead
were drug out by their beards and hair onto the dirt.
The Ammonite soldiers surrounded them with swords drawn. Nay Hash
dismounted his horse and stood over the elders. He gave
his sword and shield to his attendant and looked down
at the elders.
Speaker 5 (06:30):
Your frail village is mine, hebrews. Every man here will
be killed. I will take the women and children as
I please.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
He explained. Please know, the elders begged.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
We will make a treaty with you. We will not
struggle or fight. We will serve you and pay homage
to your kingdom. Do not kill us.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Nay Hash gave a rapacious smile. He looked at his men,
and they laughed. The elders shook in fear as the
king knelt down to one of the men and raped
him by the ear.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
Ah, it is a treaty you want, eh.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Tears streamed down the man's face as nae Hash took
out his blade and held it against the man's cheek.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
I will make a treaty with you.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Here is my condition. I get to gouge out the
right eye of every man in this village. If you agree,
I will spare your lives and leave your women and
children alone. You will serve me hay me taxes and
labor in my fields.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
It was a cruel demand. Half blinding the men of
the village ensured they would be weak and unable to
battle effectively if they ever chose to revolt. Gouging out
the right eye was worse than giving them chains, and
far more cruel. As nae Hash lifted the tip of
the dagger near the man's eye, one of the elders
lifted his voice and said.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Give us seven days.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
He was frantic and wanting to save his fellow tribesmen.
Nay Hash looked at him curiously.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Give us seven days, he might send messengers to the
other territories of Israel. If no one rises up to
save us, we will give ourselves to you, and we
will meet your demands.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Nahsh pondered his plea with his dagger still lifted up
to the man's eye. Very well, the king replied. Nay
Hash was confident in the weakness of Israel. They were large,
but disunified. The twelve tribes were unable to help one another.
Na Hash also reveled in the idea of his reputation
being spread throughout the nation. Send your messengers.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
I welcome anyone who dares rise.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Up against me.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
As he said this, he lifted his dagger and drove
it through the man's eye. He writhed in pain. His
screams echoed throughout the village. Na Hash turned his back
to the panic elders and mounted his horse again. He
gestured for his men to turn back and camp outside
the village. He would give them seven days, then he
would descend upon Jabish glead with fury. The elders gathered
(09:00):
messengers and sent them throughout all the twelve tribes of Israel.
They knew that they lacked the strength to save themselves.
They needed salvation, so they cried out for a savior.
The news of the Ammonite army spread throughout the rest
of Israel. The messengers rode swiftly into each city and village,
begging for aid. Each report was met with sorrowful tears
(09:22):
and weeping. However, not one person offered aid. The people
of Israel heard their suffering brothers and sisters wept aloud
in sympathy, yet did nothing in response. No sword was
taken up, no man was thirred to action, and no
elder was moved to mobilized soldiers. Their fear and comfort
was far more powerful than their convictions. Saul drove his
(09:46):
feet into the churned up dirt, directing the giant plow
as his oxen pulled forward. His back was red and
sweating from hours of working in the field. The work
calmed Saul's racing mind. King of Israel, he thought to himself,
how can I lead a people that have been so
disunified and freckle for so long? Where do I even begin?
(10:10):
Saul had been anointed and recognized as King of Israel
before the people, yet he was at a loss for
how to begin. He had to establish a royal court
to create laws, gather elders to communicate those laws, and
recruit an army to enforce those laws. There was much
for him to do, but he lacked the knowledge on
how to lay the groundwork for his kingdom. So Saul
(10:32):
remained in his field, awaiting a call from God about
his first steps. He plowed, tilled, and began to plant
seed for next season's harvest. The sun's harsh glare dimmed
as the day drew to a close. The evening breeze
rolled in from the hills, and Saul's sweating face turned
cold with the chill. He led his oxen back to
(10:52):
the stables, fed them, and hauled the yoke back to
his home. As he entered the gate back into his
father's house, he could sense any unrest among the servants
and members of the household. A few of the women
were weeping and holding their children. What is wrong, Saul
asked gently. The woman simply looked up and pointed to
the horizon. Saul looked and saw a plume of smoke
(11:14):
rising in the distance. Is that Jbash Gilead, Saul asked,
it is? One of the women said, wiping away her tears.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Some messengers from the village just passed through.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
It is under siege by the Ammonites.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
They have five more days until they are enslaved and tortured.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Saul said nothing. He ran into the halls of his
father's household. His father, uncle, and Samuel were by the
fire in intense discussion.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Did you hear the messengers? Saul inquired, is Jabash under attack?
The three of them confirmed it was true. Saul met
Samuel's gaze. He said nothing. He only nodded and rushed
out the door to his home. He burst through the
door and opened up the chest at the foot of
his bed. In it was leather armor. It was tattered
(12:04):
and old, but thick and sturdy. Saul strapped it firmly
over his tunic. He grabbed his sword and marched out
of the house. As the sun.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Set, bright red rays spread across the skies. Saul looked
up and could feel a rush of purpose burning in
his veins. His blood boiled with righteous rage. The spirit
of God rushed upon Saul. God had given Saul the
holy fury of a defender. Saul hopped the fence into
the stables where he had fed the oxen. He took
(12:35):
both of them and led them outside under the red sunset.
He held the oxen's rope in one hand and his
sword firmly in the other. Then, with a powerful thrustitus
blade he cut into the ox The blood spilled all
over the floor, matching the red skies above them. Saul
cried out as he tore the oxen limb from limb.
(12:56):
He panted heavily with the torn apart oxen beneath his feet.
Saul yelled. His servant was watching from behind the stables.
Tavy inched forward, slowly avoiding the blood. From below. Saul's
eyes darted at him. Something was different about Saul. His voice,
his eyes, and his demeanor had changed.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Gather some of the other servants and have them take
these pieces of oxen to all the twelve tribes of Israel,
Saul said. Tell them, whoever does not follow Saul and
Sabular to battle to defend Jabesh will be.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Torn apart like these oxen.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
We are Israel, we are united, and we will come
to the aid of our brothers.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Tavy nodded and gathered the other servants to take Saul's
message to the masses. Saul wiped off his sword, sheathed it,
and took some of his men to besick. The messengers
made Saul's demands known to the entire nation of Israel.
It was the first command of their new king, and
the fear of the Lord, rushed upon them, gathered whatever
(14:00):
weapons they had, and marched to meet Saul At Bezick.
The spirit of God was on the move among his people,
and he was using Saul as an instrument of his justice.
Three hundred thousand men from eleven tribes came forward, and
thirty thousand from the tribe of Judah. Saul was there
to greet them. He stood among them with tattered armor
and a dull blade, yet he still looked magnificent before
(14:23):
the people. Saul gathered commanders from each tribe and met
with them in his tent by the fire. They strategized
about their plan of attack. Saul sent his son Jonathan
as a spy to scut out the Ammonite camp. They
were sitting ducks. Nahash had not expected anyone from Israel
to rise up against them, so they kept no watch
(14:44):
and kept no guard. Instead, they ate by the fire
and awaited their inevitable victory. Saul knew that if they
stood a chance against the Ammonites, they would have to
strike swiftly and without notice. Saul gathered a few messengers
to go to Jabish.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Tell them we have come. Tell them tomorrow. By the
time the sun is set firmly above them. They shall
have salvation. Saul looked to his newly appointed commanders and
gave them a resolute grin and tell them to surrender
to Nahsh. Tell them to give themselves up, but not
to worry. We will come before they have a chance
(15:21):
to strike. The messengers brought Saul's encouragement to the elders
of Jebish. They did as they were told and sent
their own messengers to Nahsh. The Yemonites cheered and scoffed
at Israel.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
That night. They danced and celebrated in their camp. As
the skies grew dark. Na Hash and his men plotted
their takeover of Jebish. He was unaware that only a
few miles away, Israel's new king was sharpening his blade.
Saul did not sleep that night. He stared at the
fire blankly while his men rested. His eyes were fixed
(15:55):
on the flame, swaying back and forth with the breeze.
He looked at the heat of the coals, radiating The
red center of each individual coal beat like hearts. Saul
poked them with his sword, ensuring each remained within the flames.
He breathed in deeply and looked forward to the hills.
The Ammonites were on the other side, no doubt, sleeping
(16:16):
without fear. Saul looked over to his son, Jonathan, sleeping
soundly beside the fire. He wanted a better future for
his son. He wanted a better future for all the
children of Israel. He knew that the kingdom would never
last as long as other nations saw them as weak.
He had to make an example of the Ammonites. He
had to show them that God's chosen people were not
(16:38):
to be trifled with. Sunrise was approaching and the morning
mists slivered its way between the forest outside Jabish. The
night watch of the Ammonite camp had gone to sleep
and the morning watch was beginning its post. They lazily
only set a watch on the side of their camp,
facing the village of Jabish. They knew no village of
(16:59):
would dare charge them. However, edging quietly through the other
side of the forest was the United Army of Israel.
Saul had split them into three companies, each responsible for
prowling on the left, right, and back of the Ammonite camp.
Each company approached softly and remained one hundred yards away
from the camp Saul led the company on the right.
(17:21):
The men were crouched low and unseen, they could see
the flickering light coming from the campfires. Saul held his
men in position until the first light of dawn gave
them enough light to see. When the first light appeared,
Saul stood to his feet and drew his sword. He
rose it high in the air and raised his voice loud.
His deep voice bellowed across the camp for the other
(17:43):
companies to hear. Then, before the Amonites could arise to
grab their weapons, the Israelites charged with the fury of God.
Saul's legs burst like a stallion's. He quickly separated himself
from the rest of the group. With his sword grasped
firmly in his hand, he was the first to draw
blood in the Amonite camp, breaking through the trees and
(18:03):
swiping at the neck of a man sitting beside the fire.
The rest of Israel charged from behind and on the
side of the camp, catching the Ammonites off guard. However,
their camp was vast and the Ammonites were great in number.
They quickly drew their weapons and began to defend themselves.
The warriors of Israel drew strength from the passion of
their king and pressed into the enemy with fire. God's
(18:26):
spirit was before Saul as he slashed his way through
the Ammonite camp. Two enemy soldiers ran with spears drawn
at Saul. One thrust forward, grazing Saul's shoulder. He grabbed
the shaft of the spear and broke it with his sword.
He swung around, slashing the soldier's throat. The other Ammonite
jabbed his spear upward. Saul dodged it and cut the
(18:47):
man of the cap. As he fell to his knees,
Saul kicked him in the chest and onto his back.
Saul pressed his knife into the man's throat and bent down.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
Where is your cake?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
He demanded. The amonitess aldier gasped, prepare and pointed out.
Saul looked and saw a tall man clothed in dark
armor swinging his sword through a group of Israelite soldiers.
Saul released his knee and marched forward. Flames engulfed the
tents around him, but his vision was set on nay Hash.
(19:18):
Saul wiped the blood off his brow and quickened his pace.
Nay Hash's blade was large and came down with brutal
force on the shields of the Israelite men. Saul sped
up and ran towards the Ammonite.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
King nay Hash.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
He yelled with vigor. The dark king looked up to
see Saul sprinting forward with his sword ready. Nay Hash
lifted his shield and absorbed Sau's first blow. He stumbled back,
surprised to see a man as large as he was.
Saul met him eye to eye, and the two of
them paced around one another. Nay Hash spat in Saul's direction.
(19:54):
So this is your army, he asked, with a chuckle.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
I presume you are they new king. I hear the
men speak of before I kill them.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Nay Hash goaded. Saul did not reply. He set his
foot back, lifted his sword, and advanced towards Nhsh. The
Ammonite king welcomed the fright. He burst forward with surprising
speed and kicked Saul's shield clean off his arm, and
Saul stumbled back, then dodged the first swing of Nahsh's sword.
(20:24):
Saul rolled to his side and swung his sword at
Nahash's knee. He barely grazed it, but it was enough
to pause the king's advances. Saul burst forward and swung
his sword. The two of them sparred. The sound of
clanging metal pierced Saul's ears as each of them fought
to gain an advantage over the other. Finally, Saul saw
an opening on Nahsh's side. He jabbed his sword forward,
(20:47):
cutting through Mayhsh's armor. Nay Hash recoiled then swung down
at Saul in a fury. As his arms were above
his head, Saul thrust his sword forward into Nahsh's stomach.
The king dropped his sword and stepped back and fell
to his knees. Saul drew his sword out of his stomach.
The Ammonite king said nothing. With blood dripping out of
(21:08):
his mouth. He simply fell forward with his face to
the dirt. Saul stood over Nahsha's lifeless body, panting. His
heart felt as though it was going to beat out
of his chest. His arms were heavy, and his head
began to swell. Behind him, Saul could hear the cheering
of his men. He turned to see the tide of
the battle. Swinging back to Israel. Saul looked up. The
(21:32):
sun was high above the sky. They had been fighting
into the afternoon. The king smiled. He had kept his
promise to the people of Jabish. The sun was set
firmly in the middle of the sky, and the battle
had been won. The surviving Ammonites had fled, and the
scorched dearth outside the village of Jabish was painted red
(21:52):
with the blood of the enemy. Shouts of victory and
praise to God and Saul go through every city in Israel. Men,
women and children sang songs of their king's victory over
the Ammonites. Stories were told of the brave new king's
battle with Nahash and how he saved the village of Jabish.
(22:13):
Samuel heard these shouts. He listened to the songs, and
he pondered the stories. He sat in a room of
elders tolert in their worshipful doting over the young king.
Saul sat in the room as well, humbly listening to
their admiration.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
Who among us doubted Saul.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
One of the elders asked.
Speaker 4 (22:31):
Let them be put to death for such accusations.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Saul's eyes widened and he shook his head.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Please, brothers, let no one be put to death this day. Today,
the Lord has worked out salvation for his children. Let
us rejoice in him and have mercy on one another.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Samuel was surprised to hear these words come from Saul.
Perhaps there was hope for his soul. Perhaps he was
the king Israel had needed. Samuel propped himself up in
front of the elders and settled them down.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
It is time for us to renew our kingdom.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
He said, solemnly.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
We have seen Saul lead, and now it is time
for us to go to Gilgal to establish him as
king before the Lord.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
So Samuel led the people of Israel to the high
place of Gilgal. He made a sacrifice to the Lord,
and the tribes brought peace offerings to God. As worship
was made unto the Lord. Saul was anointed king over Israel.
The people cheered with passion and hope. Samuel overlooked the crowd.
Their songs echoed in his ears as they sang.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
Long live the King, Long.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Live the King.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Their shouts saddened him. It was not long ago that
they gave God such reverence. They had replaced their true
savior with the counterfeit God. Saul was a short fix
to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts. Samuel
knew that even if Saul was brave, kind and just,
he would ultimately fail them, as all other kings would.
(24:06):
Samuel stood over the people, lifted up on a stone platform.
The people ceased their cheers as he raised his hands.
His voice resonated among the crowd as he orated his
final address and goodbye to the people.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
Behold, he shouted.
Speaker 4 (24:20):
I have obeyed your voice. You have asked for a king,
and here he stands before you. I am old now,
but I have faithfully walked before you since I was young.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Samuel's voice began to break slightly, and his throat choked
up with sorrow. The old prophet paused and gripped his
staff firmly. A single tear left his eye as he
scanned the children of Israel. He opened up his arms and.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Said, here I am testify against me before God. Whose
ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded
or cheated out of their money? Have I oppressed any
of you? Or taken attacks or bribe? Have I done
anything worthy of you? Rejecting me and the God I serve.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
The people cried out immediately, saying you have done nothing
to oppress us. Samuel, you have been fair, just and
honored us.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
So the Lord is witness against you and the king
that stands before you, that I have not oppressed you
or taken anything from you. I have only given to
you and loved you like children.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Yes, they shouted, the Lord is a witness.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Samuel drove his staff into the stone in front of him.
The sound was intimidating and sent a clear message. Samuel
pointed at them with his staff and shouted.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
The Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and freed your
fathers from Egypt is the witness between you and I.
Now listen to me one final time as I tell
you of the righteousness of God.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
The people were silent and listened like children being scolded.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
When Jacob went into Egypt with his family, the Egyptians,
led by their king, oppressed them. They labored as slaves
and were killed like animals. The blood of children stained
the Nile, and your forefathers cried out to God for deliverance.
So he sent Moses and Aaron together. They brought your
ancestors out of Egypt. Now here you stand as free people.
(26:28):
But your fathers forgot the God who had saved them.
They became oppressed by the Philistines and the Moabites. Then,
after years of disobedience. They cried out to God again
for help. The Lord answered, He sent judges, he sent Jerebal, Barakh, Jephtha,
and myself. Many of us were called by God to
(26:51):
deliver you out of bondage of other nations and your
own sin. Even though there were enemies on every side,
God still fought for you, and you lived in safety.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
The clouds in the sky began to roll in from
the west. As Samuel spoke. The people looked up as
the sun was hidden from sight.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
Yet you still cried out for a king.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
After all these years, Samuel continued.
Speaker 4 (27:15):
You saw Nahesh and the Ammonites, and you did not
so much as whisper for the Lord to give you aid.
You desired a man to save you. Well, here he
stands before you. The Lord has given you the desires
of your heart. If you will fear God and serve him,
if you will obey his voice and refuse to rebel
(27:35):
as your forefathers, if you and your new king follow
him and him alone, all will be well. But take heed,
my children. The pride of the heart is more powerful
than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.
If you go against him, He will be against you
(27:57):
and your king.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
The sky had turned complete the dark, and the wind
began to pick up tremendously. Behind Samuel, the people began
to stir. The weather was unsettling. It seemed to match
the mood of Samuel. His words clearly reflected the heart
of God.
Speaker 4 (28:14):
Stand and see this great thing the Lord will do
before your.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Eyes, Samuel said, with a trumpeting voice.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Thunder and rain shall go before you, and you shall
know truly what you have done has grieved the heart
of God.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
As Samuel said this, the lightning struck down behind him.
The cypress tree behind him irerupted in flames. Then, as
if the flung gates of Heaven were open, rain poured
out from the clouds. Thunders shook the earth, and rain
began to fall down like arrows under the people below.
The people were fearful that the Lord would strike them bound.
(28:50):
They cried out, saying, pray for us, Samuel, we have
added to all the sins of our fathers.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
Samuel shook his head and sighed, You have nothing to fear.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
He said, with the wind at his back.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Continue in the paths of the Lord with all your heart.
Do not cling to the empty things that cannot satisfy you.
They are empty and weak. The Lord will not forsake
his people. He is great, and it pleases him to
make you his people. It gives him joy to protect you.
(29:24):
As for me, far be it from me that I
should sin by ceasing to pray for you. I will
still be here to instruct and guide you. I will
give counsel, offer prayers, and make sacrifices on behalf of
the people and God's armies.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
The wind began to subside for a moment, and the
rain had drowned out the flames caused by the lightning.
All that remained were wet coals, barely flickering. Samuel's voice
was soft now and weary. He looked down at them
and said.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
Fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.
Consider and remember the great things he has done for you.
Yet the warning remains. If wickedness prevails in your hearts,
you and your king shall be swept away.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
The people left, wet and contemplative. It was not the
coronation Saul had in mind. As the people left, Saul
remained there silently, looking at Samuel from a distance. A
small part of him was angry at the interruption. He
did not know whether Samuel supported him as king reluctantly
or if he was actively praying against him. A spark
(30:40):
of spight simmered deeply in Saul's heart. He ignored it
and put on a smile as he approached Samuel. The
two of them left Gilgall to prepare and establish the kingdom.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Long live the King for now always. This episode had
the action that we were all waiting for.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
Saul rose up.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
As the hero king everyone hoped he would be. He
was able to inspire an army, rely on the spirit
of God, and bravely charge head first in the danger
to save the people of Jadish Skilad. At the end
of it all, he receives honor and praise from the people.
Saul is this shiny new toy that Israel can't wait
(31:23):
to keep playing with. For them, he is a more
tangible thing to worship, just like the golden calf was
for Israel in the prelude. The prelude highlighted mankind's proclivity
to erect idols that they can see to replace the
God they can't see. When things are uncertain and patience
is required, our doubt can get the best of us.
(31:46):
Instead of relying on the timing and movement of God,
we try to control things by making our own decisions.
The golden calf represents many things, and one of them
is the harsh reality that we are always looking to
make God gods of things and people that shouldn't be worshiped.
Saul is this shiny golden calf, ready to receive the
(32:06):
praise of the people in place of God. After the prelude,
we are placed in the middle of desolation. Nahsh, king
of Amirites, has made a move on the small city
of Jabish Gilead. Here is one of the several classic
villains we see in this series. He's hawking with dark
armor and riding atop a horse with sword and shield.
(32:30):
He is an embodiment of evil, just begging to be vanquished.
The opening scene with Nash and the Elders is a
very real glimpse into the vulnerability of Israel during this time.
They have no unified army to protect their borders or
respond to crisis. The bordering nations know this and are
ego to pounce on Israel like wolves to scatter prey.
(32:53):
It's important for us to take a step back and
have a bit of empathy for Israel. They want a
king so desperately because on the surface it seems like
they need one badly. However, if we do a deeper
dive into their history, we see that God has always
been faithful to save them. He used strong people like Samson,
weak people like Gideon, wise people like Deborah, and foolish
(33:16):
people like Jephtha, and in every instance it was God
who raised people up. Because the people cried out to
him to bring in a king was cutting off a
direct line of trust between them and God. Israel, given
the history with God, had no good reason to beg
for a king. Yet Saul is now king, and it's irreversible.
(33:37):
Saul is new and still uncertain about his place, but
Nash provides a perfect opportunity for him to unite a
disunified people. This is a common theme in the Bible,
but also with humanity in general. People tend to unite
over a common enemy. When you have an obviously evil
presence in Nash, it is easy for whoever fights against
(33:59):
that evil to appear like a white knight. But just
because someone fights against evil does not automatically make them good. Nevertheless,
Saul appears to have all the right answers. What we
witness from Saul in this episode is epic and borderlines supernatural.
He has a rise and unprecedented victory over the Ammonites.
(34:21):
Saul amasses his army, leads them into battle, and meets
the evil king face to face. The fight scene between
Saul and a Ash makes one thing very clear. Saul
is not an underdog. He was nas is superior from
the beginning, quickly gaining the upper hand. Israel wanted the
king the slay of the kings, and it seemed like
they found their man. Saul's nobility and character is an
(34:44):
important element of this episode. He is righteous, makes the
right decisions, and risk his life to save a small
city from being enslaved. As of right now, Saul seems
to be keeping his pride in check and relying on
the strength of God. He is keeping the coals in
the fire, exemplified in the scene at the camp before
(35:06):
marching off to battle. So what could possibly go wrong?
Saul seems to have everything it takes to be a
great king, so what could cause him to fall? We
have Samuel to answer that question for us. At the
end of the episode, we are at Gilgal for Saul's coronation.
The people are praising him endlessly and worshiping at his feet.
(35:28):
Samuel knows that this is the exact thing that will
undo Saul. Nobody but God can bear the weight of
people's worship. Saul, out of no fault of his own,
has been enslaved like a golden calf. He is the
people's replacement for God. That is a great burden to carry,
a burden that will eventually crush him. Samuel, at the
(35:50):
end of the episode reminded the people that they didn't
need a king, rather, they wanted a king. Their desire
to replace God is going to be the downfall of
Israel and Saul. Samuel also reminded them that this is
the same sin committed by their forefathers in the desert.
Their ancestors forsook God and suffered the consequences. Samuel warned
(36:12):
them that the pride of the heart is more powerful
than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.
The fascinating part of this is that the pride of
the people is going to be ultimately projected onto Saul.
He will embody their pride. This is a theme for
all of us to notice the people we raise up
(36:32):
to rule us become mirrors, reflecting back our own imperfections.
The heart of a culture is reflected in the leaders
they choose. Saul's eventual sin will be a mirror image
of Israel's. Samuel knew this and mourned their fall. He
is definitely volatile in this episode, teetering between righteous anger
(36:53):
and fatherly concerned, but he ultimately reminded them that God
would be faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Let's pause for a
moment and appreciate how powerful Samuel is at this age.
He has a fire in his bones and still preaches
with ferocious strength. It's a rather jarring scene. Toward the end,
the people come expecting a huge celebration, but leave wet
(37:17):
and afraid. The wind raged Samuel yelled and lightning struck
a tree, making it burst into flames. It is an
apocalyptic scene meant to hearken us back to the prelude,
where the winds shift and lightning cracks open the skies.
The heart of mankind hasn't changed, and neither has the
grief of God when mankind sinds against him, But the
(37:40):
mercy of God is also enduring, and that is something
all of us can take comfort in. The episode ends
with the winds dying down, the rain leaving, and a
steaming pile of wet coals losing their heat beside the altar.
Saul has maintained his innocence thus far, but this scene
has left the mark on him. There is no question
(38:02):
that the people are for Saul. The question that remains
is if God is for Saul or not. Put yourself
in Saul's shoes for a moment. You just rallied a
historical disunified army against a formidable foe and single handedly
slayd that king. Now, as you are about to be
crowned a king with pomp and circumstance, God interrupts and
(38:23):
literally reigns on your parade. Who wouldn't be at least
a little perturbed by this? There is a vicious cycle
to pride that Saul must be careful of. The cycle
is this We have a pride for heart. God resists
us because of our pride. We grow bitter because God
is against us. We continue down the wrong path despite God,
(38:44):
God resists us more. The way to get out of
this cycle is by submitting to God and humbling ourselves
when he resists us. When we are corrected, we need
to pay attention and take correction with humility. That is
a sign of a pure heart. Later on in this series,
David is going to be caught after committing some egregious crimes.
(39:07):
After getting caught in his own cycle of pride, he
will go on to write the sacrifice you desire is
a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and
repentant heart of God. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
The story is about to get more complex, gory, and
fast paced. We're gonna Watchaul carefully to see if he
(39:28):
can keep the cold in the fire. We're also going
to meet a new character, Jonathan. His heart will provide
us with a contrast to judge Saul's heart. If you're
not sure if Saul was on the right path or not,
you will absolutely be certain by the end of this
next episode. Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories,
(39:48):
daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to
prey dot com. Remember to follow the podcast on Apple
or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as they
come out. God Bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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