May 22, 2025 • 30 mins
# 155 - Saul: The Conqueror - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Saul rises from obscurity to lead a fierce rescue—and prove himself as king. But even in victory, questions loom: is this the beginning of God’s deliverance, or the first crack in a crown forged by human desire?
Episode 155 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 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me"
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Show Notes:
(01:12) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:07) Saul: The Conqueror
(23:13) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the Chosen People. And here he stood, Saul
of Kish, bearer of a warrior's frame, yet a stranger
to the kind of battle that would test his soul.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
What do you want with me?
Speaker 3 (00:19):
It's sort about what I want.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
But the people, as it turns out, or the one
whose entire nation.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Has been pining after it, the hope of Israel, look
upon one the Lord has chosen.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of praise. Trumpets blared,
and the voices of the people rose like a storm.
Long live the King, they shouted, Long Live King Saul.
For now Saul said nothing. He stood tall, letting the
moment consume him. But deep within the seeds of pride
(01:01):
had been planted, and Samuel, watching from the corner of
his eye, saw them begin to take root.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Power is a double edged blade wielded poorly, It cuts
its bearer first Shelloh, my friends, from here in the
holy land of Israel, i'm l extein with international fellowship
of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
The people of Israel are on the cusp of something new.
(01:34):
The winds of change swirl through cities and fields whispering
of power and the price it exacts. A story of
leadership is about to unfold. But leadership, true leadership, is
never simple, and we are left to wonder what happens
when human desires and divine plans collide. Can a leader
(01:56):
who begins in humility with stand the seduction of power?
And how does God judge the heart of one? He
raises up.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
The air over j Besh Gilead was heavy with smoke,
thick and choking, like the breath of a dragon. Ash
rained down from the heavens, settling on the ruined fields
and bloodied streets. The red sun burned dimly behind the smoke,
casting a sinister hue over the scene. At the heart
(02:30):
of this devastation stood King Nahash of Ammon, mounted on
a massive war horse, as black as a starless night.
He surveyed the destruction with a predator's satisfaction. His armor,
dark leather reinforced with iron scales, hugged his broad chest,
and his thick mane of unkempt hair framed a face
(02:53):
both cruel and proud. His eyes, cold and predatory, swept
over the trembling village as if they were little more
than chattel. Behind him stood the vast host of his army,
their spears bristling like a deadly forest, their banners snapping
in the foul wind. The men of Jabesh had tried
(03:14):
to resist. Farmers, shepherds, and stable boys had rushed to
defend their homes with scythes and crude blades, but they
were crushed swiftly.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Sheep, all of you, sheep.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Nay Hash rode into the center of the village. No
one dared to meet his gaze. His soldiers marched behind
him in perfect formation, shields gleaming, swords, still wet with
the blood of the brave but foolish defenders. Stopping in
the village square, Nahash banged his sword against his shield.
The king tilted his head back inhaling the acrid smoke
(03:51):
with something close to pleasure. His lips curled into a
crooked smile as he turned to one of.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
His generals, bring me the ell if they've not fled
like cowards. Dragged them here by their beards.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
One by one, the elders of Jbesh were hauled into
the square, their faces pale with fear, their robes smeared
with dirt and blood. The soldiers threw them to the
ground before Nahsh, who dismounted his horse with practiced ease.
He handed his sword and shield to an attendant, then
(04:27):
stood over the cowering men, his shadow long and menacing.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Look at you, a gathering of trembling sheep. Please, King Nahash,
have mercy. I am not the king of mercy. I
am the King of emmin, the pride of the East
and the Iron Army. I have no obligation to you. Please,
(04:56):
my lord, spare us. We were not rasi stew. We
will serve you faithfully and pat trim you to your kingdom.
Only do not destroy us. And what would you give
to me as a tribute? You see what has become
of your village. Your crops are ash, your warriors are dead,
(05:16):
your blood has been spilled, and yet here you gravel.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Nay hashes smile widened a wolf bearing its fangs. He
crouched before one of the elders, seizing the man by
his beard and tilting his head back.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
You want to treaty, you want to be friends.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
His free hand moved to the hilt of the dagger
at his side. The elder quaked as Nahash unsheathed the
blade and pressed its cold edge to his cheek.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
I will grant you untreaty, but on my terms, I
will gouge out the right eye of every man in
this village.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Agree.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
I will spare your lives and leave your women and
children are untouched, and you will be me tribute, and
you will labor in my fields.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Do this and you may live the cruelty of the
demand struck like a blow. They knew what the king's
condition meant. A one eyed man could not aim a
bow nor fight in a line of soldiers. Nahsh was
not content to subjugate them. He would cripple them, rob
them of any future hope of rebellion. It was a
(06:30):
humiliation worse than chains, and the Ammonite king reveled in
their despair. The elder, whose beard Nahsh held began to
sob tears, cutting tracks through the dirt on his face.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Please no spare us.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
The elder's plea was cut short by screams as Nahash
drove the dagger into the man's eye. Blood poured down
his face as he writhed in agony, and the other
elders recoiled in terror. Nahash stood, wiping the blade on
his tunic.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Zend for help.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I thinkin he will come. I will give you seven days,
seven days to summon your saviors. No one comes, I
will return.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Every man was Vilait. The manfore me would burn in
the flames. With that, Nahash remounted his war horse and
signaled to his army. The Ammonites marched out of the village,
leaving the elders scrambling to gather messengers. The people of
j Besh wept and screamed, the wails of the injured
(07:40):
mingling with the cries of the desperate. The elders moved swiftly,
dispatching riders to every corner of Israel. They knew that
salvation would not come from within their walls. Only a
united Israel could stand against Nahash, and Israel was far
from united. The rhythmic scrape of the plow against the
(08:05):
hardened soil gave Saul a moment of peace in the
chaos of his thoughts. His hands gripped the reins of
the oxen, steadying them as they pulled the plow through
the churned up dirt. Saul's mind was consumed by doubts
far larger than farming King of Israel. The people had
(08:27):
shouted for him and cheered his name, but the parthur
head seemed uncertain. He was no ruler. How could he
unify a people who had been splintered for generations? Israel,
a land of twelve tribes with twelve different minds, had
been ruled by no king but God himself. Where could
(08:48):
he even begin? Laws needed to be written, elders convened,
and armies raised. It all seemed strange. The people proclaimed
him as king, they shouted and chanted his name, but
then they departed back to their homes. Saul was alone,
left to depart home and wait for the Lord to speak.
(09:12):
The evening breeze rolled in, cooling Sauls sweat soaked back
and shoulders. He tied off the oxen in the stable
and hauled the heavy yoke over his broad shoulders, carrying
it toward his father's house. But as he entered through
the gate, a strange tension filled the air. The servants
were gathered, their faces pale, their whispers. Frantic women clutched
(09:35):
their children, some openly weeping.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
What's wrong.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
One of the women turned to him, her eyes red
rimmed from tears. She pointed toward the horizon, where a
column of smoke rose into the darkening sky.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Is that jabishkilliath the messenger skin through?
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Not long ago? Jepashians under siege by the ambone the
Hash and his army have.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Surrounded the village, and they've given the people only a
few days, seven days.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
And then they'll go juke their eyes.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
And then slave them poor worse.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Saul's chest tightened. He said nothing and strode past her
into the halls of his father's house. Inside his father
Kish sat by the fire with Samuel and Saul's uncle,
their faces grim with the weight of the news.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Did you hear the messengers? Is Jabis truly under attack?
Nay Hush and his host have come.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
The elders of Jabesh sent messengers.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
But no one has answered.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
People of Israel tremble in their homes.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Saul held Samuel's gaze.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
What are you looking at me? For?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
This seemed to be the job of keep.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Saul turned back to his home. He burst into his
room and flung open the chest at the foot of
his bed. Within lay his armor, old and battered, but
still sturdy. He strapped the leather tightly over his tunic,
securing the buckles. His sword was dull, its edge worn,
but his hand was steady as he belted it at
(11:16):
his side. Saul stepped out of his house and into
the gathering dusk. He could feel something stirring within him,
a fire burning in his chest. The spirit of the
Lord surged through his veins like a storm, filling him
with a holy rage. Saul climbed over the fence into
the stables, where the oxen he had worked with earlier
(11:37):
now stood quietly. He seized their reins and led them outside,
their hooves thudding against the dirt. In one hand, he
held the rope, in the other his sword. With a
mighty thrust, he drove the blade into the oxen, blood
spraying onto the ground. The animals fell, their bodies lifeless
beneath him. Saul panted, his chest heaving as he tore
(12:01):
the oxen apart, limb by limb. Blood cooled at his feet,
matching the crimson streaks in the sky above. Tavy, come
up here, Tave crept forward from behind the stables.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Gather the servants. Take these pieces of oxen to the
tribes of Israel. Tell them this. Whoever does not follow
Saul and Samuel into battle will be torn apart. Like
these oxen.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Are threats to the way you want to give your
first call to arms.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
The call has been sent already, yet nobody.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Has risen up.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
If courage doesn't rouse them, then fear must.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
The servants gathered the bloody remains, bundling them into sacks.
The messengers rode hard, carrying Sauls words to every corner
of Israel. Town after town heard the proclamation, and with
it came the fear of the Lord. The spirit moved
among the people, stirring them to action. Men who had
cowered behind their walls now took up their swords. From
(13:03):
eleven tribes, three hundred thousand men came forward from Judah
thirty thousand. They gathered at Bezek, where Saul awaited them.
When the men arrived, they found their king standing at
the head of the camp. His armor was scarred and weathered,
his sword dulled with age, yet he stood like a
figure from legend. His presence commanded respect, and the men
(13:28):
who saw him knew this was a man they could follow.
That night, Saul convened his commanders in his tent by
the fire. They laid out their strategy. Abner, Saul's cousin
and lifelong friend had been appointed as his commander. He
leaned over a crudely drawn map and traced his finger
(13:50):
on a circle drawn in charcoal.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Our scouts have returned with reports. Nahasha's men already celebrating
their victory. They posted no sense trees and established no garrisons.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
They'll never see us coming. Send messengers to Javish with
a promise. By the time the sun is high tomorrow
you will have salvation. And to the elders, give them
these commands. Tell Nahsh you surrender, give yourselves up, but
hold fast. We will come before he can strike.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
The people of jay Besh did as Saul instructed. Their
messengers rode to Nahash's camp, proclaiming their surrender. The Ammonites
laughed and jeered, their spirits, buoyed by what they saw
as an inevitable victory. That night, they feasted their fires,
blazing against the dark sky, but in the hills beyond
(14:44):
Saul stood watch. He did not sleep. He sat by
the fire, staring into the flames, his eyes reflecting the
burning coals. His men rested around him, their bodies weary
but their spirits ready. Saul's thoughts were heavy. He thought
of the people of jay Beesh trembling behind their walls.
(15:05):
He thought of the tribes of Israel, scattered and broken,
in need of strength and unity. He thought of his
son Jonathan, sleeping soundly by the fire. Saul gripped his
sword tightly. The kingdom would not last if their enemies
saw them as weak. Tomorrow the Ammonites would learn what
it meant to cross the people of God. The mist
(15:30):
hung thick and low over the forest outside Jabesh, twisting
and curling between the trees. In that forest, hidden by
the mist and shadows, the army of Israel crouched three
companies of men. Over three hundred thousand warriors from the
tribes of Israel and Judah lay in wait. They had
(15:51):
moved into position under cover of darkness. Each company stationed
at their left, right and rear of the enemy encampment
the right flank, while Abner led the left and Jonathan
led the rear. They waited in silence, crouched low beneath
the trees. The faint glow of the Ammonite campfires flickered ahead,
(16:12):
their light just enough to show the outlines of tents
and the figures of soldiers lounging lazily. Saul stood motionless
at the head of his company, his eyes fixed on
the horizon. As the first rays of dawn pierced through
the mist, bathing the tree tops in golden light. He
rose to his feet and drew his sword. The sound
(16:34):
of steel rang out in the still air, sharp and clear,
cutting through the morning. Saul lifted his blade high and bellowed,
his voice, rolling across the forest and into the camp.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Beyond white mighty men on as froll quite does one
nation under that.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
The Israeli surged forward, their battle cries splitting the quiet
the Ammonite camp ero in chaos. Saul led the charge,
his legs churning like a stallion's as he broke from
the trees. The first Anonnit he encountered was seated by
a fire that barely awakened. His eyes wide with shot.
(17:14):
As Saul's blades sliced clean through his neck, blood sprayed
across the ground as the man slumped forward, lifeless, be
hind saw the rest of his company charged into the
camp from the left and rear. The other two companies
stormed forward, enclosing the Anonites in a deadly pacer fris
(17:35):
alarm rose from the end the soldiers as they scrambled
the weapons in honor and their fires were picked over.
Tents collapsed in the ray, and the earth trembled beneath
the fumbler of Israelite marching. Saul's sword moved like an
extension of his arm, each swing guided by the fury
of the spirit of God. He cut down one soldier
(17:56):
after another, his blade cleaving full flesh and blow. Two
Ammonites charged him, spears raised to the first thrusted grave
Saul's shoulder, tearing through his armor, but Saul grabbed the
shaft of the spear and snapped it in two with
its blade. He spun, slashing the man's throat, and turned
(18:17):
to face the second. The soldier lunged, but Saul sidestepped
the strike, being his sword down the man's scarf. The
Anonite fell to his knees and Saul kicked him into
his back. Saul pressed his knee into the man's throat,
his bloody blade hovering.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Over him where he is lord.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
The Ammonite choked on his own breath, his eyes wide
with terror. He lifted a trembling hand and pointed across
the chaos of the battlefield. Saul followed the man's gaze
and saw him Mayhash, the King of Annie, a dark
figure clad in thick armor. Wielding a massive sword with
(18:59):
boot precision, Nahsh cut down an Israelite soldier with a
single sweep. Saul released the man beneath him and rose
to his feet, his grip tightening his sword. His heart
pounded in his chest and the blood in his veins
burned like fire. The Amonite king turned his dark eyes,
(19:23):
locking onto Saw as the Israelite king strode toward him.
For a moment, the battlefield seemed to shrink, the cries
of men and the clash of steel fading into the distance.
The two kings stood only a dozen yards away from
each other, face to face, circling each other like animals.
His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. As he raised his sword.
(19:48):
Nahsh surged forward and swinging his massive blade in a
powerful arc. Saul barely had time to lift his shield,
and the force of the blow sent him stumbling backward.
The shield was torn from his arm, splintering against the ground.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
Come, king of Sheep, Let's see what you're made of.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Nahsh advanced, swinging again with brutal speed, Saul stepped forward
with an upward swing to meet his advance, Nahsh recoiled.
He wasn't accustomed to fighting men his size. Nahsh swung
from his right to his left. Saul surged forward with
his shoulder, halting the swing. The Ammonite King faltered, and
(20:31):
Saul pressed his advantage, charging forward. The two clashed in
a flurry of strikes, their blades ringing out like hammers
on an anvil. Sparks flew as steel made steel, each
man fighting with the desperation of one who knows the
cost of defeat. Nay Hash's strength was monstrous, his blows
(20:53):
heavy enough to shatter shields, but Saul stood eye to
eye with him, willing to go the distance. Finally, Saul
saw his opening. Nahsh over extended his blade, swinging wide,
and Saul jabbed his sword into the Ammonite King's side,
piercing through his armor. Nahsh staggered, but with a roar
(21:16):
of fury, he swung downward Saul with all his might.
Saul sidestepped to strike and thrust his sword forward, driving
it deep into Nahash's stomach. The Ammonite King's weapon fell
from his hands, clattering to the ground. He staggered back,
blood pouring from the wound as he sank to his knees.
(21:37):
Nahsh looked up at Saul, his face pale and streaked
with blood. He said nothing, his lips moving soundlessly as
his strength failed him. Saul leaned in closer to the king,
removed a dager from his side, and drove it into
Nahsh's right eye. There was a final, blood curdling scream, then,
(21:59):
said Elements. The king fell forward, its body hitting the
dirt with a dull thud. Saul stood over the lifeless
body of Nahash, his chest heaving, his arms trembling with exhaustion.
Behind him, the Israelites surged forward, their battle cries echoing
(22:19):
across the battlefield. The tide of the fight had turned
and the Ammonites were in full retreat, and Saul turned
to face his men, his gaze sweeping across the blood
soaked field. The sun was high in the sky now,
its light piercing through the glowing smoke, and the earth
beneath him was painted red. The bodies of the enemy
(22:42):
scattered at fallen nives. A cheer rose from the Israeli
like ranks, A deafening roar of triumph. They had fought
with the fury of God, and they had begrailed. Saul's
heart swelled as he lifted his sword high, the blade
glinting in the sunlight. He had promised the people of
(23:03):
j Besh salvation, and he had delivered. The battle was over.
The day belonged to Israel.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
What a tale of triumph and warning. The story is raw,
human and hauntingly familiar. We saw leader rise to answer
the call of his people, bearing their hope on his shoulders.
The stakes are high, life and death, freedom and oppression.
But as the smoke clears, were left with questions. What
(23:38):
starts with such promise can turn dark when pride begins
to creep in. What begins as deliverance can lead to
destruction when trust shifts from God's strength to man's. Israel's
demand for a king was both a rejection and an opportunity.
A rejection of God as their ultimate authority, yes, but
(23:58):
also an opportunity for God to teach, to guide, and
to show them the cost of misplaced trust. Samuel's words
cut to the heart. He accounts their history not to
shame them, but to remind them. Do not be afraid.
He says, even after all their rebellion. You have done
all this evil, Yet do not turn away from the Lord,
(24:20):
but serve the Lord with all your heart. This is
a story of God's grace. Sauls rise and fall, Samuel's warnings,
and Israel's plea. They all point us to a greater truth.
Human leaders will fail, human systems will crumble, but God
he does not. The story sets the stage for something
(24:42):
far greater. It points us towards the need for a
leader who wouldn't succumb to power, who wouldn't be swayed
by fear, who is there not to take, but to give.
Some people might think that the military victory and spiritual
victory don't always go together. For the chosen people, they do.
(25:03):
Samuel was a beloved prophet and an extremely successful spiritual leader,
and when people demanded a king, Samuel chose Saul. But
at the beginning, much of Israel was unsure about Saul's
qualifications for successful leadership. But then Saul is victorious over
the Amanites and their wicked king Nahash, and it was
(25:25):
this military victory that united the nation to accept Saul
as king. As Samuel kept repeating, Saul's task was a
double responsibility defeating the enemies of Israel militarily and also
continually reminding and inspiring the people of Israel that every
(25:46):
victory is because of God, so every victory should reinforce
their allegiance to God. This is still a challenge for
the Chosen People in the Promised Land. Here in Israel today,
we have a very strong and effective army in the IDEF,
but we understand that every victory of the IDEF the
(26:07):
Israel Defense Forces is because of God's help. We pray
to God to bless the IDEF. We pray to God
for success, and each victory inspires us to follow him
to know that He is blessing us and heard our prayers,
as the Bible keeps telling us, if we do this,
(26:28):
then the Promised Land it will be ours forever. Before
we leave today, I want to say something about Samuel.
The story finds this Holy Prophet's time coming to an end,
and Samuel felt this, so he asked the Chosen People
if he had ever done anything wrong as their leader.
He asked them, who have I cheated? Who have I oppressed?
(26:50):
If I have done any of these things, I want
to make it right. Samuel had a desire to right
any wrongs he'd ever done, to pass in peace and
with a clear conscience. The Israelites responded that Samuel had
never done.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Anything wrong to them.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
He had been an excellent leader and a servant of
the people through and through. Think back to an earlier episode,
as Moses had also passed on the leadership of Israel.
Moses had also had the people's interest at heart. He
never took a single thing that didn't belong to him,
and he was not motivated by personal gain. Moses too
(27:30):
had a clear conscience. Wouldn't it be nice to have
the same kind of peace of mind that Moses and
Samuel had. They knew that when their time came, they
would be judged, and they made it their business to
keep themselves free from sin. And as the Jewish ages teach,
reflect on three things that you will never come to sin.
(27:52):
Know what is above you, a seeing eye, a hearing year,
and all your deeds are recorded in a book. So
what does this story teach us? Here? And now? It's
easy to shake our heads at Israel's plea for a king,
but don't we do the same. We long for visible solutions,
(28:13):
for human leaders to save us, for systems or ideologies
to fix what's broken. But as Samuel warned, these kings
will take more than they give. It's not wrong to
desire leadership or structure. God didn't condemn Israel for wanting
a king outright. What he warned against was the heart
(28:35):
behind the request, a heart that forgot his faithfulness and
sought security elsewhere. What do we want so badly that
we're willing to trade trust in God for it. We
all have things that we need to assess and be
conscious of, but God doesn't abandon us even when we
choose poorly, and that's the most important thing to remember.
(28:59):
So let's focus on stopping to chase our kings and
start focusing on fixing our lives. Let's fix our eyes
and the one who never fails. When fear tempts you
to grasp for control, remember Samuel's words, fear the Lord
and serve him faithfully with all your heart. The road
(29:22):
won't be easy, my friends, but it will always be
worth it. And when you stumble, remember this God is
still there walking right beside you.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Exstein
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(30:00):
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(30:25):
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Previously on the Chosen People. And here he stood, Saul
of Kish, bearer of a warrior's frame, yet a stranger
to the kind of battle that would test his soul.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
What do you want with me?
Speaker 3 (00:19):
It's sort about what I want.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
But the people, as it turns out, or the one
whose entire nation.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Has been pining after it, the hope of Israel, look
upon one the Lord has chosen.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of praise. Trumpets blared,
and the voices of the people rose like a storm.
Long live the King, they shouted, Long Live King Saul.
For now Saul said nothing. He stood tall, letting the
moment consume him. But deep within the seeds of pride
(01:01):
had been planted, and Samuel, watching from the corner of
his eye, saw them begin to take root.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Power is a double edged blade wielded poorly, It cuts
its bearer first Shelloh, my friends, from here in the
holy land of Israel, i'm l extein with international fellowship
of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
The people of Israel are on the cusp of something new.
(01:34):
The winds of change swirl through cities and fields whispering
of power and the price it exacts. A story of
leadership is about to unfold. But leadership, true leadership, is
never simple, and we are left to wonder what happens
when human desires and divine plans collide. Can a leader
(01:56):
who begins in humility with stand the seduction of power?
And how does God judge the heart of one? He
raises up.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
The air over j Besh Gilead was heavy with smoke,
thick and choking, like the breath of a dragon. Ash
rained down from the heavens, settling on the ruined fields
and bloodied streets. The red sun burned dimly behind the smoke,
casting a sinister hue over the scene. At the heart
(02:30):
of this devastation stood King Nahash of Ammon, mounted on
a massive war horse, as black as a starless night.
He surveyed the destruction with a predator's satisfaction. His armor,
dark leather reinforced with iron scales, hugged his broad chest,
and his thick mane of unkempt hair framed a face
(02:53):
both cruel and proud. His eyes, cold and predatory, swept
over the trembling village as if they were little more
than chattel. Behind him stood the vast host of his army,
their spears bristling like a deadly forest, their banners snapping
in the foul wind. The men of Jabesh had tried
(03:14):
to resist. Farmers, shepherds, and stable boys had rushed to
defend their homes with scythes and crude blades, but they
were crushed swiftly.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Sheep, all of you, sheep.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Nay Hash rode into the center of the village. No
one dared to meet his gaze. His soldiers marched behind
him in perfect formation, shields gleaming, swords, still wet with
the blood of the brave but foolish defenders. Stopping in
the village square, Nahash banged his sword against his shield.
The king tilted his head back inhaling the acrid smoke
(03:51):
with something close to pleasure. His lips curled into a
crooked smile as he turned to one of.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
His generals, bring me the ell if they've not fled
like cowards. Dragged them here by their beards.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
One by one, the elders of Jbesh were hauled into
the square, their faces pale with fear, their robes smeared
with dirt and blood. The soldiers threw them to the
ground before Nahsh, who dismounted his horse with practiced ease.
He handed his sword and shield to an attendant, then
(04:27):
stood over the cowering men, his shadow long and menacing.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Look at you, a gathering of trembling sheep. Please, King Nahash,
have mercy. I am not the king of mercy. I
am the King of emmin, the pride of the East
and the Iron Army. I have no obligation to you. Please,
(04:56):
my lord, spare us. We were not rasi stew. We
will serve you faithfully and pat trim you to your kingdom.
Only do not destroy us. And what would you give
to me as a tribute? You see what has become
of your village. Your crops are ash, your warriors are dead,
(05:16):
your blood has been spilled, and yet here you gravel.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Nay hashes smile widened a wolf bearing its fangs. He
crouched before one of the elders, seizing the man by
his beard and tilting his head back.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
You want to treaty, you want to be friends.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
His free hand moved to the hilt of the dagger
at his side. The elder quaked as Nahash unsheathed the
blade and pressed its cold edge to his cheek.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
I will grant you untreaty, but on my terms, I
will gouge out the right eye of every man in
this village.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Agree.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
I will spare your lives and leave your women and
children are untouched, and you will be me tribute, and
you will labor in my fields.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Do this and you may live the cruelty of the
demand struck like a blow. They knew what the king's
condition meant. A one eyed man could not aim a
bow nor fight in a line of soldiers. Nahsh was
not content to subjugate them. He would cripple them, rob
them of any future hope of rebellion. It was a
(06:30):
humiliation worse than chains, and the Ammonite king reveled in
their despair. The elder, whose beard Nahsh held began to
sob tears, cutting tracks through the dirt on his face.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Please no spare us.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
The elder's plea was cut short by screams as Nahash
drove the dagger into the man's eye. Blood poured down
his face as he writhed in agony, and the other
elders recoiled in terror. Nahash stood, wiping the blade on
his tunic.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Zend for help.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I thinkin he will come. I will give you seven days,
seven days to summon your saviors. No one comes, I
will return.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Every man was Vilait. The manfore me would burn in
the flames. With that, Nahash remounted his war horse and
signaled to his army. The Ammonites marched out of the village,
leaving the elders scrambling to gather messengers. The people of
j Besh wept and screamed, the wails of the injured
(07:40):
mingling with the cries of the desperate. The elders moved swiftly,
dispatching riders to every corner of Israel. They knew that
salvation would not come from within their walls. Only a
united Israel could stand against Nahash, and Israel was far
from united. The rhythmic scrape of the plow against the
(08:05):
hardened soil gave Saul a moment of peace in the
chaos of his thoughts. His hands gripped the reins of
the oxen, steadying them as they pulled the plow through
the churned up dirt. Saul's mind was consumed by doubts
far larger than farming King of Israel. The people had
(08:27):
shouted for him and cheered his name, but the parthur
head seemed uncertain. He was no ruler. How could he
unify a people who had been splintered for generations? Israel,
a land of twelve tribes with twelve different minds, had
been ruled by no king but God himself. Where could
(08:48):
he even begin? Laws needed to be written, elders convened,
and armies raised. It all seemed strange. The people proclaimed
him as king, they shouted and chanted his name, but
then they departed back to their homes. Saul was alone,
left to depart home and wait for the Lord to speak.
(09:12):
The evening breeze rolled in, cooling Sauls sweat soaked back
and shoulders. He tied off the oxen in the stable
and hauled the heavy yoke over his broad shoulders, carrying
it toward his father's house. But as he entered through
the gate, a strange tension filled the air. The servants
were gathered, their faces pale, their whispers. Frantic women clutched
(09:35):
their children, some openly weeping.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
What's wrong.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
One of the women turned to him, her eyes red
rimmed from tears. She pointed toward the horizon, where a
column of smoke rose into the darkening sky.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Is that jabishkilliath the messenger skin through?
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Not long ago? Jepashians under siege by the ambone the
Hash and his army have.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Surrounded the village, and they've given the people only a
few days, seven days.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
And then they'll go juke their eyes.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
And then slave them poor worse.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Saul's chest tightened. He said nothing and strode past her
into the halls of his father's house. Inside his father
Kish sat by the fire with Samuel and Saul's uncle,
their faces grim with the weight of the news.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Did you hear the messengers? Is Jabis truly under attack?
Nay Hush and his host have come.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
The elders of Jabesh sent messengers.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
But no one has answered.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
People of Israel tremble in their homes.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Saul held Samuel's gaze.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
What are you looking at me? For?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
This seemed to be the job of keep.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Saul turned back to his home. He burst into his
room and flung open the chest at the foot of
his bed. Within lay his armor, old and battered, but
still sturdy. He strapped the leather tightly over his tunic,
securing the buckles. His sword was dull, its edge worn,
but his hand was steady as he belted it at
(11:16):
his side. Saul stepped out of his house and into
the gathering dusk. He could feel something stirring within him,
a fire burning in his chest. The spirit of the
Lord surged through his veins like a storm, filling him
with a holy rage. Saul climbed over the fence into
the stables, where the oxen he had worked with earlier
(11:37):
now stood quietly. He seized their reins and led them outside,
their hooves thudding against the dirt. In one hand, he
held the rope, in the other his sword. With a
mighty thrust, he drove the blade into the oxen, blood
spraying onto the ground. The animals fell, their bodies lifeless
beneath him. Saul panted, his chest heaving as he tore
(12:01):
the oxen apart, limb by limb. Blood cooled at his feet,
matching the crimson streaks in the sky above. Tavy, come
up here, Tave crept forward from behind the stables.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
Gather the servants. Take these pieces of oxen to the
tribes of Israel. Tell them this. Whoever does not follow
Saul and Samuel into battle will be torn apart. Like
these oxen.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Are threats to the way you want to give your
first call to arms.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
The call has been sent already, yet nobody.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Has risen up.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
If courage doesn't rouse them, then fear must.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
The servants gathered the bloody remains, bundling them into sacks.
The messengers rode hard, carrying Sauls words to every corner
of Israel. Town after town heard the proclamation, and with
it came the fear of the Lord. The spirit moved
among the people, stirring them to action. Men who had
cowered behind their walls now took up their swords. From
(13:03):
eleven tribes, three hundred thousand men came forward from Judah
thirty thousand. They gathered at Bezek, where Saul awaited them.
When the men arrived, they found their king standing at
the head of the camp. His armor was scarred and weathered,
his sword dulled with age, yet he stood like a
figure from legend. His presence commanded respect, and the men
(13:28):
who saw him knew this was a man they could follow.
That night, Saul convened his commanders in his tent by
the fire. They laid out their strategy. Abner, Saul's cousin
and lifelong friend had been appointed as his commander. He
leaned over a crudely drawn map and traced his finger
(13:50):
on a circle drawn in charcoal.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Our scouts have returned with reports. Nahasha's men already celebrating
their victory. They posted no sense trees and established no garrisons.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
They'll never see us coming. Send messengers to Javish with
a promise. By the time the sun is high tomorrow
you will have salvation. And to the elders, give them
these commands. Tell Nahsh you surrender, give yourselves up, but
hold fast. We will come before he can strike.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
The people of jay Besh did as Saul instructed. Their
messengers rode to Nahash's camp, proclaiming their surrender. The Ammonites
laughed and jeered, their spirits, buoyed by what they saw
as an inevitable victory. That night, they feasted their fires,
blazing against the dark sky, but in the hills beyond
(14:44):
Saul stood watch. He did not sleep. He sat by
the fire, staring into the flames, his eyes reflecting the
burning coals. His men rested around him, their bodies weary
but their spirits ready. Saul's thoughts were heavy. He thought
of the people of jay Beesh trembling behind their walls.
(15:05):
He thought of the tribes of Israel, scattered and broken,
in need of strength and unity. He thought of his
son Jonathan, sleeping soundly by the fire. Saul gripped his
sword tightly. The kingdom would not last if their enemies
saw them as weak. Tomorrow the Ammonites would learn what
it meant to cross the people of God. The mist
(15:30):
hung thick and low over the forest outside Jabesh, twisting
and curling between the trees. In that forest, hidden by
the mist and shadows, the army of Israel crouched three
companies of men. Over three hundred thousand warriors from the
tribes of Israel and Judah lay in wait. They had
(15:51):
moved into position under cover of darkness. Each company stationed
at their left, right and rear of the enemy encampment
the right flank, while Abner led the left and Jonathan
led the rear. They waited in silence, crouched low beneath
the trees. The faint glow of the Ammonite campfires flickered ahead,
(16:12):
their light just enough to show the outlines of tents
and the figures of soldiers lounging lazily. Saul stood motionless
at the head of his company, his eyes fixed on
the horizon. As the first rays of dawn pierced through
the mist, bathing the tree tops in golden light. He
rose to his feet and drew his sword. The sound
(16:34):
of steel rang out in the still air, sharp and clear,
cutting through the morning. Saul lifted his blade high and bellowed,
his voice, rolling across the forest and into the camp.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Beyond white mighty men on as froll quite does one
nation under that.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
The Israeli surged forward, their battle cries splitting the quiet
the Ammonite camp ero in chaos. Saul led the charge,
his legs churning like a stallion's as he broke from
the trees. The first Anonnit he encountered was seated by
a fire that barely awakened. His eyes wide with shot.
(17:14):
As Saul's blades sliced clean through his neck, blood sprayed
across the ground as the man slumped forward, lifeless, be
hind saw the rest of his company charged into the
camp from the left and rear. The other two companies
stormed forward, enclosing the Anonites in a deadly pacer fris
(17:35):
alarm rose from the end the soldiers as they scrambled
the weapons in honor and their fires were picked over.
Tents collapsed in the ray, and the earth trembled beneath
the fumbler of Israelite marching. Saul's sword moved like an
extension of his arm, each swing guided by the fury
of the spirit of God. He cut down one soldier
(17:56):
after another, his blade cleaving full flesh and blow. Two
Ammonites charged him, spears raised to the first thrusted grave
Saul's shoulder, tearing through his armor, but Saul grabbed the
shaft of the spear and snapped it in two with
its blade. He spun, slashing the man's throat, and turned
(18:17):
to face the second. The soldier lunged, but Saul sidestepped
the strike, being his sword down the man's scarf. The
Anonite fell to his knees and Saul kicked him into
his back. Saul pressed his knee into the man's throat,
his bloody blade hovering.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Over him where he is lord.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
The Ammonite choked on his own breath, his eyes wide
with terror. He lifted a trembling hand and pointed across
the chaos of the battlefield. Saul followed the man's gaze
and saw him Mayhash, the King of Annie, a dark
figure clad in thick armor. Wielding a massive sword with
(18:59):
boot precision, Nahsh cut down an Israelite soldier with a
single sweep. Saul released the man beneath him and rose
to his feet, his grip tightening his sword. His heart
pounded in his chest and the blood in his veins
burned like fire. The Amonite king turned his dark eyes,
(19:23):
locking onto Saw as the Israelite king strode toward him.
For a moment, the battlefield seemed to shrink, the cries
of men and the clash of steel fading into the distance.
The two kings stood only a dozen yards away from
each other, face to face, circling each other like animals.
His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. As he raised his sword.
(19:48):
Nahsh surged forward and swinging his massive blade in a
powerful arc. Saul barely had time to lift his shield,
and the force of the blow sent him stumbling backward.
The shield was torn from his arm, splintering against the ground.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
Come, king of Sheep, Let's see what you're made of.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Nahsh advanced, swinging again with brutal speed, Saul stepped forward
with an upward swing to meet his advance, Nahsh recoiled.
He wasn't accustomed to fighting men his size. Nahsh swung
from his right to his left. Saul surged forward with
his shoulder, halting the swing. The Ammonite King faltered, and
(20:31):
Saul pressed his advantage, charging forward. The two clashed in
a flurry of strikes, their blades ringing out like hammers
on an anvil. Sparks flew as steel made steel, each
man fighting with the desperation of one who knows the
cost of defeat. Nay Hash's strength was monstrous, his blows
(20:53):
heavy enough to shatter shields, but Saul stood eye to
eye with him, willing to go the distance. Finally, Saul
saw his opening. Nahsh over extended his blade, swinging wide,
and Saul jabbed his sword into the Ammonite King's side,
piercing through his armor. Nahsh staggered, but with a roar
(21:16):
of fury, he swung downward Saul with all his might.
Saul sidestepped to strike and thrust his sword forward, driving
it deep into Nahash's stomach. The Ammonite King's weapon fell
from his hands, clattering to the ground. He staggered back,
blood pouring from the wound as he sank to his knees.
(21:37):
Nahsh looked up at Saul, his face pale and streaked
with blood. He said nothing, his lips moving soundlessly as
his strength failed him. Saul leaned in closer to the king,
removed a dager from his side, and drove it into
Nahsh's right eye. There was a final, blood curdling scream, then,
(21:59):
said Elements. The king fell forward, its body hitting the
dirt with a dull thud. Saul stood over the lifeless
body of Nahash, his chest heaving, his arms trembling with exhaustion.
Behind him, the Israelites surged forward, their battle cries echoing
(22:19):
across the battlefield. The tide of the fight had turned
and the Ammonites were in full retreat, and Saul turned
to face his men, his gaze sweeping across the blood
soaked field. The sun was high in the sky now,
its light piercing through the glowing smoke, and the earth
beneath him was painted red. The bodies of the enemy
(22:42):
scattered at fallen nives. A cheer rose from the Israeli
like ranks, A deafening roar of triumph. They had fought
with the fury of God, and they had begrailed. Saul's
heart swelled as he lifted his sword high, the blade
glinting in the sunlight. He had promised the people of
(23:03):
j Besh salvation, and he had delivered. The battle was over.
The day belonged to Israel.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
What a tale of triumph and warning. The story is raw,
human and hauntingly familiar. We saw leader rise to answer
the call of his people, bearing their hope on his shoulders.
The stakes are high, life and death, freedom and oppression.
But as the smoke clears, were left with questions. What
(23:38):
starts with such promise can turn dark when pride begins
to creep in. What begins as deliverance can lead to
destruction when trust shifts from God's strength to man's. Israel's
demand for a king was both a rejection and an opportunity.
A rejection of God as their ultimate authority, yes, but
(23:58):
also an opportunity for God to teach, to guide, and
to show them the cost of misplaced trust. Samuel's words
cut to the heart. He accounts their history not to
shame them, but to remind them. Do not be afraid.
He says, even after all their rebellion. You have done
all this evil, Yet do not turn away from the Lord,
(24:20):
but serve the Lord with all your heart. This is
a story of God's grace. Sauls rise and fall, Samuel's warnings,
and Israel's plea. They all point us to a greater truth.
Human leaders will fail, human systems will crumble, but God
he does not. The story sets the stage for something
(24:42):
far greater. It points us towards the need for a
leader who wouldn't succumb to power, who wouldn't be swayed
by fear, who is there not to take, but to give.
Some people might think that the military victory and spiritual
victory don't always go together. For the chosen people, they do.
(25:03):
Samuel was a beloved prophet and an extremely successful spiritual leader,
and when people demanded a king, Samuel chose Saul. But
at the beginning, much of Israel was unsure about Saul's
qualifications for successful leadership. But then Saul is victorious over
the Amanites and their wicked king Nahash, and it was
(25:25):
this military victory that united the nation to accept Saul
as king. As Samuel kept repeating, Saul's task was a
double responsibility defeating the enemies of Israel militarily and also
continually reminding and inspiring the people of Israel that every
(25:46):
victory is because of God, so every victory should reinforce
their allegiance to God. This is still a challenge for
the Chosen People in the Promised Land. Here in Israel today,
we have a very strong and effective army in the IDEF,
but we understand that every victory of the IDEF the
(26:07):
Israel Defense Forces is because of God's help. We pray
to God to bless the IDEF. We pray to God
for success, and each victory inspires us to follow him
to know that He is blessing us and heard our prayers,
as the Bible keeps telling us, if we do this,
(26:28):
then the Promised Land it will be ours forever. Before
we leave today, I want to say something about Samuel.
The story finds this Holy Prophet's time coming to an end,
and Samuel felt this, so he asked the Chosen People
if he had ever done anything wrong as their leader.
He asked them, who have I cheated? Who have I oppressed?
(26:50):
If I have done any of these things, I want
to make it right. Samuel had a desire to right
any wrongs he'd ever done, to pass in peace and
with a clear conscience. The Israelites responded that Samuel had
never done.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Anything wrong to them.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
He had been an excellent leader and a servant of
the people through and through. Think back to an earlier episode,
as Moses had also passed on the leadership of Israel.
Moses had also had the people's interest at heart. He
never took a single thing that didn't belong to him,
and he was not motivated by personal gain. Moses too
(27:30):
had a clear conscience. Wouldn't it be nice to have
the same kind of peace of mind that Moses and
Samuel had. They knew that when their time came, they
would be judged, and they made it their business to
keep themselves free from sin. And as the Jewish ages teach,
reflect on three things that you will never come to sin.
(27:52):
Know what is above you, a seeing eye, a hearing year,
and all your deeds are recorded in a book. So
what does this story teach us? Here? And now? It's
easy to shake our heads at Israel's plea for a king,
but don't we do the same. We long for visible solutions,
(28:13):
for human leaders to save us, for systems or ideologies
to fix what's broken. But as Samuel warned, these kings
will take more than they give. It's not wrong to
desire leadership or structure. God didn't condemn Israel for wanting
a king outright. What he warned against was the heart
(28:35):
behind the request, a heart that forgot his faithfulness and
sought security elsewhere. What do we want so badly that
we're willing to trade trust in God for it. We
all have things that we need to assess and be
conscious of, but God doesn't abandon us even when we
choose poorly, and that's the most important thing to remember.
(28:59):
So let's focus on stopping to chase our kings and
start focusing on fixing our lives. Let's fix our eyes
and the one who never fails. When fear tempts you
to grasp for control, remember Samuel's words, fear the Lord
and serve him faithfully with all your heart. The road
(29:22):
won't be easy, my friends, but it will always be
worth it. And when you stumble, remember this God is
still there walking right beside you.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Exstein
add free by downloading and subscribing to the Pray Dot
com app today. This Prey dot Com production is only
made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yile Estein, edited by ALBERTA. Avilla,
(30:00):
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 the opening prayer is
voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written
by Aaron Salvato, Bree Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks
(30:25):
to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller,
and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
You can hear more Prey dot 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 Yeile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.
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