June 16, 2025 • 19 mins
# 172 - David The Madman - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, David flees to enemy territory and escapes death by pretending to lose his mind. As fear and faith collide in 1 Samuel 21:11–15, we explore how God’s presence can remain—quiet but steady—even when survival forces us into the most desperate disguises.
Episode 172 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.
Show Notes:
(0_:__) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(0_:__) David The Madman
(__:__) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the Chosen People.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I will have that boy's head no matter what it takes.
Let me ask you something, David, what will you do
if Saul catches you? Will you slay him as you
did the Giant.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Of course, not Saul is trouble, but he isn't the monster.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
We all have monsters within us. Young David, you'll best
remember that. You'll find it is far easier to slay
the ones of the battlefield than losing your own heart.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Go go find the boy to rest until he has
brought to me. I will have his head mounted over
my throne. The world will know that I prevail over
the Giant. Flare, Come out, David, we know you're there.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
So he rode tod Gath toward the land of his enemies,
praying that God's mercy would find him even in exile.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel.
I'm y l estein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(01:36):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(01:56):
visit IFCJ dot org. Let's begin.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
The market place of Gath swarmed with voices. Merchants bellowed
over one another, shoving fruit and cloth in the faces
of unwilling buyers. Beggars crawled at the feet of the crowd,
their faces hollow with hunger. Smoke from sizzling meat curled
into the sky, mixing with the stench of filth and
(02:26):
live stock. David moved through the chaos, his steps swift
but measured. He kept his head low, his hood pulled
over his curls, his cloak wrapped tightly around the sword
of Goliath strapped to his back. His eyes flicked upward.
Soldiers stood along the roof tops, their gazes scanning the
(02:47):
streets like hawks. David pressed himself against a wall and
exhaled slowly. Gath was a city of giants, not just
in men, but in stone and steel. The buildings loomed
high and uneven. Jagged monoliths of iron and rock, idols
dagone lined the streets, their grotesque faces carved into stone.
(03:12):
Why am I here? David's exile had brought him to
the door step of his enemies. Saul would never think
to look for him here. But perhaps he had miscalculated.
Perhaps in seeking refuge, he had only hastened his doom.
He turned his head, scanning beyond the chaos of the city.
(03:33):
Just past the market, beyond the clustered buildings, the land
sloped into hills. If he could make it beyond the
city's walls, he could find shelter in the countryside. He inhaled,
steadied himself and stepped forward, but he didn't get far.
Two Philistine's soldiers crashed into him, their weight forcing him
(03:56):
to the ground. The impact sent him sprawling. Instinct took over.
David twisted his body, wriggling free, just enough to drive
his elbow into one man's mouth. Blood spattered against the dirt.
The soldier reeled back with a grunt, but the other retaliated,
slamming his boot into David's ribs. Pain flared through his side.
(04:21):
David rolled gasping, but there was no time to wallow.
He launched himself to his feet and ran. The streets
were a maze of bodies and carts. Cries of alarm
rang out behind him. He could hear the soldiers gaining ground.
He leaped onto a cart, using the momentum to propel
himself forward. His hands caught the edge of a roof,
(04:43):
and with a grunt, he pulled himself up below the
soldiers skidded to a stop. Looking up in frustration, David
did not hesitate.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
He ran.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
The rooftops were uneven, but he managed to navigate them.
He bounded across the gaps. The Philistines shouted, scrambling to
keep up. Then trouble. A wide gap stretched ahead of him,
two wide. David's pulse pounded. He had no choice. He
forced himself into a sprint. The ledge neared, then he
(05:17):
jumped for a breath. He was weightless. His ribs hit
the ledge and he began to slide down until his
fingers dug into the stone ridge. His feet kicked against
the wall, straining for a crack to help him up.
With a growl of effort, he pulled himself over, rolling
onto his side before scrambling back to his feet. He
(05:40):
was almost there. Just one more rooftop, one more leap,
and he would be free. Then pain surged through his thigh.
An arrow struck his leg with a searing bite. David
gasped and faltered. He collapsed down onto the dirt below
his hands. Clutching his thigh, he forced himself up, blinking
(06:02):
against the pane. Shouts echoed behind him. A dozen Philistine
soldiers rushed toward him, blades drawn. David's vision blurred with exhaustion,
but he would not go down. Like a dog with
a roar, he unsheathed Goliath's sword and charged, Come.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
At me, Philistine dogs.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Ah, they advanced. David swung with reckless fury, each strike,
fueled by hunger, pain and desperation, Steel met steel. The
clang of weapons rang through the air as he fought
like a man with nothing left to loose. But even
David could not fight them all. They overwhelmed him, knocking
(06:46):
him off his feet. He lashed out, but a heel
caught his wrist, forcing his arm down. He snarled, thrashing,
but a blade pommel cracked against his temple. Darkness swallowed
him whole. The last thing he heard was the laughter
of his enemies as they bound his hands in ropes.
(07:13):
David awoke to the slow drip of water echoing against stone.
His body was racked with shivers, his tunic damp from
the cold, slick floor beneath him. The air carried the
stench of mildew and rot. His head pounded a dull,
persistent ache where the Philistine had struck him. His leg throbbed,
(07:37):
though when he glanced down he saw it had been
wrapped in rough linen. It was a shallow wound. It
would heal. The walls around him were narrow and jagged,
pressing in on him like jaws. He traced his fingers
along the damp stone, his breath coming out in shallow puffs.
He was in a prison, dug beneath the palace, most
(08:01):
likely above him through the cracks of a wooden door
set into the ceiling. Flickering torchlight cast trembling shadows along
the walls. Footsteps echoed beyond. Then he heard Philistine voices,
we have him. David's breath caught. He inched forward, straining
(08:21):
to hear more.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
King David the giant Slayer took ten of us to
wrestle him down.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
David's heart pounded. King David, the title sent ice through
his veins. Another voice joined in, skeptical, is the.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Giant slayer also the king of Israel?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
He must be. You heard the songs, haven't you? Saul
A struck down thousands, but David his ten thousands. There
is a song for a king, the Laws of Katarim
the man he would be made king.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
David clenched his fists. This was worse than he thought.
If they believed he was also the rightful King of Israel,
they would not hesitate to execute him. He had to
think quickly. He needed to make himself appear small, broken,
no threat at all. I can't be the giant Slayer.
(09:17):
I had to be someone else, something else. His eyes
darted around the cell, scanning for anything he could use.
The walls to his left were rough, jagged, but on
the right, a smoother section caught his eye. Faded carvings
etched into the stone, letters of a language he did
(09:37):
not recognize. To him, it was nonsense, babbel. That was
when the idea struck him. David reached down his fingers
searching the damp floor until they found a small, jagged stone.
He broke it against another rock, splintering it into three
(09:58):
uneven pieces sharpen to carve, he moved swiftly, inscribing more
erratic markings alongside the faded symbols, deepening the illusion. If
they believed he had lost his mind, if they thought
the mighty Giant Slayer had been reduced to a raving,
(10:18):
broken fool, perhaps they would release him. David gritted his
teeth and carved faster. The throne room of Gath was
dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of sweat,
fire and old wood. Akish sat upon his heavy seat,
(10:40):
carved from the trunk of a mighty cedar, its dark
surface worn smooth by time and war. The pelts of
bears draped over the back above his head. Swords taken
from slain kings and warlords lined the walls, a brutal
testament to his victies. The firelight made them gleam like
(11:03):
the eyes of hungry beasts.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
We have him, your majesty, David, the graphic, the Giant Slayer,
The scorge of our people rats in your dungeons.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Even now, Akish leaned forward, his wide frame stretching the
seams of his tunic. His lips curled into a cruel smile.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Gorthak, the Hebrew king is mine, The Hebrew king is mine.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
The hall erupted in cheers. His men stumped their feet
and pounded their fists against their chests. David, David, the
giant slayer, the man who had humiliated their champion, slaughtered
their raiders and turned their victories to ash was his.
At last, I will break him, I will make him
(11:58):
a servant of gas. I will send him crawling back.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
To his people as a beaten dog.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
And they will know that Ashish is greater than their
greatest champion, sagaras ah Dagon.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
He stood, his heavy steps echoing as he strolled toward
the dungeon. His men followed, their torches, flickering against the
damp stone walls. The further they descended, the colder it became,
the walls tripped with moisture, the air thick with rot.
Akish relished the thought of David weeping in the dark,
(12:39):
of the man who had once stood so tall, reduced
to nothing but shivering bones. Then a sound reached them. Low,
at first a murmur, carried through the tounuels like the
whispers of spirits lost in the deep. Then a moan,
long and keen bounced off the stone walls. Growing louder
(13:03):
and more erratic, Akish slowed his stride. His men exchanged
wary glances. What is that sound?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Is there a hound loose in the dungeons?
Speaker 1 (13:15):
No, my King, that's coming from a howl split the air,
shrill and wild. The soldiers flinched.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
That sound is coming from Graft's dungeon.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Akish stepped forward and wrenched open the heavy wooden door.
Torchlight flooded the cell. David was crouched in the corner, naked,
his body shivering with feverish tremors. His fingernails scraped against
the stone, carving meaningless symbols into the walls. His lips
(13:48):
moved ceaselessly, muttering a string of nonsense, his voice rising
and falling like the chance of a mad prophet. At
the sight of the torchlight, David recoiled, shielding his face.
He howled like a wounded animal, spittle running down his beard.
His head jerked, his body convulsted. Akish wrinkled his nose
(14:12):
in disgust.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
This is the champion of Israel.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
The scoorge on our people.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
He soiled himself.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
David shrieked again, flailing backward, his eyes wild and unseeing. Akish,
turned sharply, grabbing one of his soldiers by the collar
and shoving him against the wall. You didn't tell me
he'd gone.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Mad by king. He fought like a lion when we
took him. He was not like this before.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
If I wanted a raving fool in my hallways, I
would have plucked one from the alleyways.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Git rid of him. He's not worth the trouble.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
There'll be no glory in keeping him or killing him.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Behind the closed door, David listened as the footsteps were treated.
His chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths. Then
slowly he smiled. The rules had worked. There would be
no glory in keeping him now, no satisfaction in slaying
(15:16):
a man who had already lost his mind. A short
time later, the cell door swung open. Rough hands grabbed
him and bound his wrists. A sack was pulled over
his head. The sack was torn from his head, and
the bindings loosened. A boot struck him in the back,
sending him sprawling into a shallow stream. The soldiers left
(15:40):
without a word. David remained where he had fallen, his
hands pressing into the slick riverstones, his breath ragged. After
a moment, he pushed himself up and waded to the shore.
His clothes lay in a heap nearby. He dressed, ran
a hand through his tangled curls, and turned toward the hills.
(16:08):
The night was still, the stars cold and distant. David
set up camp and built a fire, feeding it carefully
and making sure every coal touched another. He sat before it,
watching the flames rise and fall, his fingers twitching as
if plucking a harp. For all his cunning, for all
(16:32):
his victories, he had done things he never thought he would.
He had stolen, lied, played the fool. What other compromises
would he make to survive? David exhaled and lifted his
eyes to the heavens.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Lord, sustain me.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
He had eaten bread, but bread alone would not be enough.
He needed something more. He needed a purpose.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life, we'd love it if you
left her review. We read them, and me personally, I
cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I
leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six IV.
Hashem vishmerechra yeah Heir, hashempanave ele y sa hashempanavelera shaloon.
(17:40):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the
Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be
gracious to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards
you and give you peace.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Amen. You can listen to the Chosen People with You
isl Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the
pray dot Com today. This prey dog com production is
only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents.
Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are
(18:11):
the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yiele Eckstein,
edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are
voiced by Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and
(18:31):
the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by
Andrew Morgan Smith written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and
Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin,
Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot
(18:52):
com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on
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enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Tagstein, please rate and
leave a review.
Previously on the Chosen People.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I will have that boy's head no matter what it takes.
Let me ask you something, David, what will you do
if Saul catches you? Will you slay him as you
did the Giant.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Of course, not Saul is trouble, but he isn't the monster.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
We all have monsters within us. Young David, you'll best
remember that. You'll find it is far easier to slay
the ones of the battlefield than losing your own heart.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Go go find the boy to rest until he has
brought to me. I will have his head mounted over
my throne. The world will know that I prevail over
the Giant. Flare, Come out, David, we know you're there.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
So he rode tod Gath toward the land of his enemies,
praying that God's mercy would find him even in exile.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel.
I'm y l estein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(01:36):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(01:56):
visit IFCJ dot org. Let's begin.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
The market place of Gath swarmed with voices. Merchants bellowed
over one another, shoving fruit and cloth in the faces
of unwilling buyers. Beggars crawled at the feet of the crowd,
their faces hollow with hunger. Smoke from sizzling meat curled
into the sky, mixing with the stench of filth and
(02:26):
live stock. David moved through the chaos, his steps swift
but measured. He kept his head low, his hood pulled
over his curls, his cloak wrapped tightly around the sword
of Goliath strapped to his back. His eyes flicked upward.
Soldiers stood along the roof tops, their gazes scanning the
(02:47):
streets like hawks. David pressed himself against a wall and
exhaled slowly. Gath was a city of giants, not just
in men, but in stone and steel. The buildings loomed
high and uneven. Jagged monoliths of iron and rock, idols
dagone lined the streets, their grotesque faces carved into stone.
(03:12):
Why am I here? David's exile had brought him to
the door step of his enemies. Saul would never think
to look for him here. But perhaps he had miscalculated.
Perhaps in seeking refuge, he had only hastened his doom.
He turned his head, scanning beyond the chaos of the city.
(03:33):
Just past the market, beyond the clustered buildings, the land
sloped into hills. If he could make it beyond the
city's walls, he could find shelter in the countryside. He inhaled,
steadied himself and stepped forward, but he didn't get far.
Two Philistine's soldiers crashed into him, their weight forcing him
(03:56):
to the ground. The impact sent him sprawling. Instinct took over.
David twisted his body, wriggling free, just enough to drive
his elbow into one man's mouth. Blood spattered against the dirt.
The soldier reeled back with a grunt, but the other retaliated,
slamming his boot into David's ribs. Pain flared through his side.
(04:21):
David rolled gasping, but there was no time to wallow.
He launched himself to his feet and ran. The streets
were a maze of bodies and carts. Cries of alarm
rang out behind him. He could hear the soldiers gaining ground.
He leaped onto a cart, using the momentum to propel
himself forward. His hands caught the edge of a roof,
(04:43):
and with a grunt, he pulled himself up below the
soldiers skidded to a stop. Looking up in frustration, David
did not hesitate.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
He ran.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
The rooftops were uneven, but he managed to navigate them.
He bounded across the gaps. The Philistines shouted, scrambling to
keep up. Then trouble. A wide gap stretched ahead of him,
two wide. David's pulse pounded. He had no choice. He
forced himself into a sprint. The ledge neared, then he
(05:17):
jumped for a breath. He was weightless. His ribs hit
the ledge and he began to slide down until his
fingers dug into the stone ridge. His feet kicked against
the wall, straining for a crack to help him up.
With a growl of effort, he pulled himself over, rolling
onto his side before scrambling back to his feet. He
(05:40):
was almost there. Just one more rooftop, one more leap,
and he would be free. Then pain surged through his thigh.
An arrow struck his leg with a searing bite. David
gasped and faltered. He collapsed down onto the dirt below
his hands. Clutching his thigh, he forced himself up, blinking
(06:02):
against the pane. Shouts echoed behind him. A dozen Philistine
soldiers rushed toward him, blades drawn. David's vision blurred with exhaustion,
but he would not go down. Like a dog with
a roar, he unsheathed Goliath's sword and charged, Come.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
At me, Philistine dogs.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Ah, they advanced. David swung with reckless fury, each strike,
fueled by hunger, pain and desperation, Steel met steel. The
clang of weapons rang through the air as he fought
like a man with nothing left to loose. But even
David could not fight them all. They overwhelmed him, knocking
(06:46):
him off his feet. He lashed out, but a heel
caught his wrist, forcing his arm down. He snarled, thrashing,
but a blade pommel cracked against his temple. Darkness swallowed
him whole. The last thing he heard was the laughter
of his enemies as they bound his hands in ropes.
(07:13):
David awoke to the slow drip of water echoing against stone.
His body was racked with shivers, his tunic damp from
the cold, slick floor beneath him. The air carried the
stench of mildew and rot. His head pounded a dull,
persistent ache where the Philistine had struck him. His leg throbbed,
(07:37):
though when he glanced down he saw it had been
wrapped in rough linen. It was a shallow wound. It
would heal. The walls around him were narrow and jagged,
pressing in on him like jaws. He traced his fingers
along the damp stone, his breath coming out in shallow puffs.
He was in a prison, dug beneath the palace, most
(08:01):
likely above him through the cracks of a wooden door
set into the ceiling. Flickering torchlight cast trembling shadows along
the walls. Footsteps echoed beyond. Then he heard Philistine voices,
we have him. David's breath caught. He inched forward, straining
(08:21):
to hear more.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
King David the giant Slayer took ten of us to
wrestle him down.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
David's heart pounded. King David, the title sent ice through
his veins. Another voice joined in, skeptical, is the.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Giant slayer also the king of Israel?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
He must be. You heard the songs, haven't you? Saul
A struck down thousands, but David his ten thousands. There
is a song for a king, the Laws of Katarim
the man he would be made king.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
David clenched his fists. This was worse than he thought.
If they believed he was also the rightful King of Israel,
they would not hesitate to execute him. He had to
think quickly. He needed to make himself appear small, broken,
no threat at all. I can't be the giant Slayer.
(09:17):
I had to be someone else, something else. His eyes
darted around the cell, scanning for anything he could use.
The walls to his left were rough, jagged, but on
the right, a smoother section caught his eye. Faded carvings
etched into the stone, letters of a language he did
(09:37):
not recognize. To him, it was nonsense, babbel. That was
when the idea struck him. David reached down his fingers
searching the damp floor until they found a small, jagged stone.
He broke it against another rock, splintering it into three
(09:58):
uneven pieces sharpen to carve, he moved swiftly, inscribing more
erratic markings alongside the faded symbols, deepening the illusion. If
they believed he had lost his mind, if they thought
the mighty Giant Slayer had been reduced to a raving,
(10:18):
broken fool, perhaps they would release him. David gritted his
teeth and carved faster. The throne room of Gath was
dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of sweat,
fire and old wood. Akish sat upon his heavy seat,
(10:40):
carved from the trunk of a mighty cedar, its dark
surface worn smooth by time and war. The pelts of
bears draped over the back above his head. Swords taken
from slain kings and warlords lined the walls, a brutal
testament to his victies. The firelight made them gleam like
(11:03):
the eyes of hungry beasts.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
We have him, your majesty, David, the graphic, the Giant Slayer,
The scorge of our people rats in your dungeons.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Even now, Akish leaned forward, his wide frame stretching the
seams of his tunic. His lips curled into a cruel smile.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Gorthak, the Hebrew king is mine, The Hebrew king is mine.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
The hall erupted in cheers. His men stumped their feet
and pounded their fists against their chests. David, David, the
giant slayer, the man who had humiliated their champion, slaughtered
their raiders and turned their victories to ash was his.
At last, I will break him, I will make him
(11:58):
a servant of gas. I will send him crawling back.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
To his people as a beaten dog.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
And they will know that Ashish is greater than their
greatest champion, sagaras ah Dagon.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
He stood, his heavy steps echoing as he strolled toward
the dungeon. His men followed, their torches, flickering against the
damp stone walls. The further they descended, the colder it became,
the walls tripped with moisture, the air thick with rot.
Akish relished the thought of David weeping in the dark,
(12:39):
of the man who had once stood so tall, reduced
to nothing but shivering bones. Then a sound reached them. Low,
at first a murmur, carried through the tounuels like the
whispers of spirits lost in the deep. Then a moan,
long and keen bounced off the stone walls. Growing louder
(13:03):
and more erratic, Akish slowed his stride. His men exchanged
wary glances. What is that sound?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Is there a hound loose in the dungeons?
Speaker 1 (13:15):
No, my King, that's coming from a howl split the air,
shrill and wild. The soldiers flinched.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
That sound is coming from Graft's dungeon.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Akish stepped forward and wrenched open the heavy wooden door.
Torchlight flooded the cell. David was crouched in the corner, naked,
his body shivering with feverish tremors. His fingernails scraped against
the stone, carving meaningless symbols into the walls. His lips
(13:48):
moved ceaselessly, muttering a string of nonsense, his voice rising
and falling like the chance of a mad prophet. At
the sight of the torchlight, David recoiled, shielding his face.
He howled like a wounded animal, spittle running down his beard.
His head jerked, his body convulsted. Akish wrinkled his nose
(14:12):
in disgust.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
This is the champion of Israel.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
The scoorge on our people.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
He soiled himself.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
David shrieked again, flailing backward, his eyes wild and unseeing. Akish,
turned sharply, grabbing one of his soldiers by the collar
and shoving him against the wall. You didn't tell me
he'd gone.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Mad by king. He fought like a lion when we
took him. He was not like this before.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
If I wanted a raving fool in my hallways, I
would have plucked one from the alleyways.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Git rid of him. He's not worth the trouble.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
There'll be no glory in keeping him or killing him.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Behind the closed door, David listened as the footsteps were treated.
His chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths. Then
slowly he smiled. The rules had worked. There would be
no glory in keeping him now, no satisfaction in slaying
(15:16):
a man who had already lost his mind. A short
time later, the cell door swung open. Rough hands grabbed
him and bound his wrists. A sack was pulled over
his head. The sack was torn from his head, and
the bindings loosened. A boot struck him in the back,
sending him sprawling into a shallow stream. The soldiers left
(15:40):
without a word. David remained where he had fallen, his
hands pressing into the slick riverstones, his breath ragged. After
a moment, he pushed himself up and waded to the shore.
His clothes lay in a heap nearby. He dressed, ran
a hand through his tangled curls, and turned toward the hills.
(16:08):
The night was still, the stars cold and distant. David
set up camp and built a fire, feeding it carefully
and making sure every coal touched another. He sat before it,
watching the flames rise and fall, his fingers twitching as
if plucking a harp. For all his cunning, for all
(16:32):
his victories, he had done things he never thought he would.
He had stolen, lied, played the fool. What other compromises
would he make to survive? David exhaled and lifted his
eyes to the heavens.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Lord, sustain me.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
He had eaten bread, but bread alone would not be enough.
He needed something more. He needed a purpose.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life, we'd love it if you
left her review. We read them, and me personally, I
cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I
leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six IV.
Hashem vishmerechra yeah Heir, hashempanave ele y sa hashempanavelera shaloon.
(17:40):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the
Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be
gracious to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards
you and give you peace.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Amen. You can listen to the Chosen People with You
isl Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the
pray dot Com today. This prey dog com production is
only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents.
Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are
(18:11):
the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yiele Eckstein,
edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are
voiced by Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and
(18:31):
the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by
Andrew Morgan Smith written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and
Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin,
Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship
of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot
(18:52):
com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on
the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you
enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Tagstein, please rate and
leave a review.
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