Honorable Men from Jabesh

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 31

An Israelite Soldier

The Philistines were too strong for us.


We couldn't match their weapons or their numbers. What would you do if a swam of bees flew toward you. Run? Precisely. 


We hid, far enough away to be safe, but close enough to watch the Philistines do their worst. Those evil men went into our homes, stole our animals, clothes, and anything they could touch. They cooked with our pots, ate from our plates, killed our animals for food. 


That night the Philistines drank their fill of wine and danced around fires, mocking us. My anger boiled because they not only mocked us, they mocked our God.


The next day the Philistines searched the fallen Israelite soldiers, taking whatever pleased them. When they found the bodies of Saul, our beloved king, and his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua they...cut off Saul and his son's heads and stole their armor. 


Word spread like wild fire to all the Philistine cities telling their wicked people to shout from the temple of their idols so that all would know: The Israelite king was dead.


Our spies watched the Philistine lords set Saul's armor inside the temple of the Ashtoreths. Why? My king's armor in the temple of an idol? A temple that does not worship God?


They didn't stop there. 


Oh, no.


The Philistines took Saul and his son's bodies and hooked them to the wall of Beth Shan for all their people to mock, and spit on. 


Enough. No more.


I and the other men from Jabesh Gilead rose up like a mighty stealth army unified to restore the honor of our king. We traveled all night. Absolutely nothing would stop our mission. We sneaked behind enemy lines  to the place where Saul and his son's bodies hung.


The Philistines may think they are mighty, but we had God on our side.


We tenderly took down the bodies of our beloved king and his sons and carried them back to Jabesh Gilead to give them an honorable burial under the tamarisk tree. 


We were so overcome with grief, every man banned together and fasted for seven days to morn and honor the memory of the first king of Israel, a man chosen by God.


The tear stains you find on this journal, were unavoidable...


**********************************
image courtesy of Christianimageresource.com


1. What made the Philistine too strong for this battle?
2. What did the surviving Israelite soldiers do?
3. What did the Philistine soldiers do to the cities?
4. What did the Philistine soldiers do to the slain soldiers?
5. What did the Philistine soldiers do the Saul and his sons?
6. The men of Jabesh were __________ and chose to _________
7. Why did the men of Jabesh fast for seven days?

Death of a King

By Mary Vee

I Samuel 31

Saul's Armor Bearer's Journal

The moment Saul called the army together I knew we didn't stand a chance.

He wanted to get instructions from Samuel, but Samuel had just died. 


Saul wanted to get instructions from God, God didn't answer His prayer like Samuel had warned. 


Saul finally went to a medium for instruction. Apparently he spoke with Samuel somehow while meeting with the medium, and learned he and his sons would die in the battle.

It was too late to change anything. Saul had walked away from God.

The Philistines lined up like fruit flies on rotting fruit. The army grew by the minute. Seemed like soldiers came out of cracks in the earth and hidden caves. We formed our army on Mt. Gilboa, overlooking our enemy. If only Saul had continued to follow the Lord's commands we would have had His protection.

I chose to follow my king into battle, carrying his armor, as I should, even if death strikes me.

The battle started shortly after. The Philistines came strong and sure, wielding their weapons, sharpened and new. We had hardly anything to fight with. A while ago the Philistines had robbed our blacksmiths of their sharpening tools. They could not do their work. If we needed a plow sharpened we had to go to the Philistines and pay them. 

Now in time of battle, what did we have? No blessing, no weapons, and a leader who had chosen not to follow God's commands.

We were doomed.

Israelite troops fled the scene by the thousands. Many still fell to the Philistine sword. The best Philistine soldiers hunted Saul and his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. Despite their warrior skills, they became trapped behind battle lines. I tried to help, but failed.

An arrow hit Saul, wounding him severely. Saul looked up at me and coughed a deathly sound. "Draw your sword and thrust it through me. Don't let a dog of a Philistine come and have the victory of sending me to my death. They will first abuse my body before killing me."

I couldn't stand the pain in his eyes, but I also could not be the one to end his life. He was my king! "I--I can't!" 

Saul mustered the last of his strength, grabbed his sword and thrust it into his own body. "I will not die at the hand of a Philistine."

News traveled to my part of the battlefield stating Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchisua had also been killed by the Philistines.

What a terrible day. A day of disgrace.

I am writing down these events before I do what is honorable. My king, the one whom I have served by carrying his armor, has died in battle, therefore so shall I.

I will end my life in the same way. May God have mercy on all our souls.

******************************

1.  Who attacked the Israelites?

2.  Who was the commander of the Israelites?

3.  What had Samuel warned Saul?

4.  What happened to the Israelite soldiers?

5.  What happened to Saul's sons?

6.  What happened to Saul?

7.  What happened to the armor bearer, and why?

8.  Throughout this story the armor bearer told why these things happened. What was the reason?

Do We HAVE to Share?

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 30

David's Thoughts

We saved the Egyptian slave who had been left in a field to starve. 


A group of Amalekites had taken him as slave, but when he became ill, they tossed him aside like garbage.


This same group of Amalekites waited until we left our city, robbed everything they could, and kidnapped our wives and children. The cowards. They didn't attempt to fight us, the men...the soldiers. No they had to pick on our helpless families. 


After we fed the Egyptian, he agreed to show us where the Amalekites went if we promised not to turn him back over to the Amalekites. No problem. I had plans, directed by God, to conquer the cowards.


He took us to a hill where we could see the invaders camped. My men and I crouched low and watched the Amalekites party. Dancing. Drinking. Eating. They had our animals, and yes I saw our wives and children. Ooooo, I couldn't wait to get them.


I called my men together and discussed our plan of attack. We had to be careful. None of our families could get injured in our rescue. We crept to their camp in the shadows of the evening and attacked.


The battle lasted from twilight to evening of the next day. Not a man among them escaped except four hundred young men who escaped by camel. We chose not to chase them. 


Instead, we searched and found our wives...and our children...huddled in corners. We hugged them, and squeezed them, and held them. We cried. They cried.


Our families were safe in our arms.


We packed the things stolen by the Amalekites, everything. Not even a cooking pot remained missing. 


The older boys helped gather our flocks and herds. With our families, our stolen items, and our herds, we left for home.


As we approached the Brook Besor, the two hundred men who had been left behind to rest and get well came out to meet us. I greeted them as always. All my men deserved to be treated special. They ran to their wives and children weeping and hugging and squeezing them.


It seems there are always a few jealous people in every group. I had a few men who sacrificed their lives in the Amalekite battle bitten by the jealous bug. They banned together and came to me saying, "David, these men who stayed behind with the supplies didn't fight. Because they didn't sacrifice their lives like we did we will not give them anything we recovered except their wives and children."


Okay. I could see why they felt that way, but it was wrong. Those men didn't feel well. Didn't we just help the Egyptian man who had been tossed away? 


This called for a kind understanding voice. "My brothers, these things won't profit you. Isn't the one who stays back and guards our supplies just as important as the man who goes to battle? What good can it be to win a battle but lose our supplies? We will share, and share alike. We need each other."


From that day forward I made it a law that all men involved in a battle share.


**********************************
1. Who did David save?
2. How did this person help David in return?
3. Who did David and his men fight and why?
4. How long did the battle win?
5. Not all of David's men fought in this battle. How did the soldiers treat the men who stayed behind with the supplies? What did they ask David?
6. What did David answer. 
7. What was the new law David made?

David-Hunting The Murderers

Mary Vee
I Samuel 30

David's Thoughts

We escaped the Philistine army, truly by the grace of God. Achish requested we serve with his unit in the Philistine army in the battle against the Israelites. 


We were in a terrible situation. 


Achish believed we wanted to serve the Philistines and seemed truly sad that he had to send us back to his city, Ziklag where we'd made our home.


He didn't know we only hid there, we had no intentions of serving the Philistines. Kill them, yes, help them, no.


We walked for three days back to our city. At the hill overlooking the town we stopped, frozen in our steps. The entire city had been burned.


The men and I ran furiously to the city gate. Did the invaders kill our wives and children? If they did, revenge would be the only solution. We searched through the rubble and found no bodies. That news seemed good, but we didn't know where our families were. Did they escape? Did some invading army capture them?


We lifted our voices and wept as never before. All we loved had been taken. Our homes destroyed. My men turned against me. Their sorrow robbed them of all their senses.They grabbed stones and flung them at me, I'm sure they would have killed me if I hadn't acted right away. 


Oh God my strength, my hope, give me words to say, Your will to be done at this time. Let me, oh blessed Lord, serve you by helping these men in a time of great sadness.


I called for Abiathar the priest. "Please bring the ephod here to me." He returned a few moments later with it. 


With the ephod there, I asked the Lord, "Should I go after the army that attacked our homes and families? Should I overtake them?"


The Lord God answered, "Yes. Go  after the attacking army. You will overtake them and without fail recover all your families."


The six hundred men with me returned to the Brook Besor where we'd left some of our army guarding supplies. Two hundred of them had become too weary to move. I allowed them to stay with the supplies as well. The remaining four hundred went with me to overtake our enemy and rescue our families. 


After we traveled a ways we found an Egyptian man in the field. The poor man had not eaten in three days. We gave him bread, figs, raisins, and drink. I sat by him. "Who do you belong to and where are you from?"


"I am an Egyptian taken as a slave for the Amalekites. When I became sick, my master left me in this field. We invaded the southern area of Judah, and Caleb, and we burned Ziklag to the ground."


I handed him more to drink. "Do you feel well enough to take us to this army?"


"If you promise not to hurt me or to hand me over to my former master, I will take you to them."


I handed him more fruit. "I agree."


I waited for him to gain his strength then prepared for our journey.


Come back next time read what happens.


**************************************


1.  What did David and his men discover when they returned to their homes at Ziklag?
2.  What was their greatest concern?
3.  Who blamed David and why?
4.  David left some of his men to rest, how many men did he take with him?
5.  Who did David meet in a field.
6. What did the man's owner do to him?
7.  What did David do for him?
8. What did David need from the man?
9.  What did David promise the man?

Saul Hears Terrible News

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 28

Saul's Thoughts

Yes. I told the soldiers to remove all mediums, people who talk to dead people. 


Yes. I tried to speak with the Lord and received no answer. The prophet Samuel told me this would happen because I didn't obey the Lord's commands. Still. I needed answers.


I had hoped a prophet would come to me and say he heard a message sent by God in a dream. Even that didn't work.


I needed to know what to do. A zillion Philistine soldiers camped in the valley over the hill. My spies confirm the Philistines planned to take out our army.


I chose to disguise myself and visit one of the mediums in hiding. She refused to help, because of my law. I rubbed my hands over her fire and said, "I promise, as the Lord lives, you won't be punished. I need your help...tonight."


She squinted her eyes as if looking close to see who I was. She didn't act like she recognized me. "All right, pay me my money and tell me who you want bought up."


I nodded to my guard to give her the money. "I want to see Samuel."


"Samuel?, the prophet Samuel? All right."  She said her mysterious words and moved her hands in a form of a dance. Her movements and sayings must not normally bring any real dead people, but this time it worked. She fell backwards when Samuel appeared. She sure looked angry. She pointed her finger and screamed, "Liar! You are Saul!"


I held my hands palm up to reassure her. "Don't be afraid. What did you see?"


She backed away from us again. Her hands trembled and her voice quivered. "I--I saw a spirit coming up out of the earth." 


"It's okay. What did the spirit look like?"


"It...looked like an old man and he is wearing a coat."


I knew the spirit must be Samuel. I lowered my face to the ground and bowed low.


A voice came from the spirit saying, "Why have you disturbed me by bring me up?"


"Samuel," I said, "I am deeply upset for the Philistines have come to war against me, and God left me. He doesn't answer me anymore. I haven't heard from any prophets or received any dreams. How else will I know what to do. I had to call you to find out what to do."


Samuel said, "Why do yo ask me? The Lord departed from you and became your enemy. He did this on His own as He told me He would. The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hands, Saul, and gave it to your neighbor, David. 


"Had you obeyed the Lord's commands with Amalek things might have been different. Instead you will be punished. You and the Israelite army with you will be given to the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me."


I fell flat on my face unable to move. Samuel's message repeated over and over in my mind. I had lost everything.


The woman offered me a piece of bread, and a meal to strengthen me before I left. I refused at first, but my servants and the woman convinced me I needed to eat something before traveling back to my army.


We left late that night. I thought about Samuel's words and shook. He said tomorrow I would be with him. No! What have I done?


************************************
1.  Why did Saul go to a medium for help?
2.  Who did he want to talk to?
3.  Did that person come?
4.  Why was the medium afraid?
5.  What did Saul ask?
6.  What did the person answer?
7.  What will happen to Saul and his sons tomorrow?


picture courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Saul Looks for Help in all the Wrong Places

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 28

From Saul's Journal

I had never seen such a vast army. The Philistines must have called every available soldier alive and a few more. From on top the mountain they looked like an invasion of insects, numerous, endless, ready to conquer our land. We didn't stand a chance.


I ordered every Israelite soldier to prepare for battle. We gathered at Mt.Gilboa and looked down at our enemy. We may have had the height advantage, but they had unbelievable numbers and superior weapons. 


My hands shook and my heart beat hard enough to burst from my chest. I had no idea what to do. The prophet Samuel had recently died. I couldn't go to him. I forced all the spiritists out of the land a while ago. I couldn't go to any of them. Who could I ask for help?


I wore a rut pacing and still couldn't decide what to do.


I even tried asking the Lord. I went off by myself and asked God what to do. Did He have a battle plan or instructions to save us? But I received no answer from Him. Neither did anyone come forward to report receiving word from God in a dream. He didn't even send a prophet to speak to me. 


What could I do? We were as good as dead.


Then I had an idea. I called one of my servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium. One who is known for her work in speaking with dead people. There must be at least one hiding in the country. Find her. I want to ask her a few questions."


The servant said, "I happen to know of a woman who is a medium. She lives in En Dor."


"Good, good." 


I ordered two soldiers to go with me. We traveled along the base of Mt. Gilboa past the Philistine camp and turned towards the Hill of Moreh, careful to remain out of the sight of the Philistines. En Dor was on the other side of the hill.


I had changed my clothes and wore a disguise to prevent anyone from recognizing me as the king. That night we entered the city and found the woman's home.


"Come in weary travelers," she said. 


Her home looked like any other home. Nothing special like I'd expect to find in a medium's home. "Please conduct a seance for me. I will tell you which dead person I want to speak to."


"I can't do that, sir. You know what Saul did. All mediums and spiritist have been banned from the country. Are you trying to get me in trouble. Maybe you're laying a trap to get me killed. No way. I won't do it." She folded her arms and pointed to the door.


Now what should I do? Maybe I can get her to change her mind.


Come back next week to read what happened.


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1. Why was Saul worried?
2. Who had the better position for a battle?
3.  Who had more men?
4. Saul was mad because who was dead and therefore couldn't help him?
5. Saul asked God for directions, why didn't God answer (email me if you get stuck with this question. The answer isn't in this story. mimary_vee@yahoo.com)
6. Saul risked his life to visit someone. Who did he want to see? 
7. What did he want her to do?


Author's note: Once again Saul tries to solve problems his own way. If only he chose to obey God he'd find the answers he needed.


picture courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

David Fight With the Philistines? NOT

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 28

David's Thoughts

Saul thought my men and I hid from him in the Philistines city of Ziklag. Achish, a Philistine king thought I raided Israelite cities for revenge. Both men wrong, both men mislead by my men and I that we might protect the Promised Land.


One day the Philistines gathered a huge army to fight the Israelites. Achish called me into his royal chambers and said, "Good to see you this morning, David. I've seen the work of you and your men. I'm planning on you going with us to battle against the Israelites."


This was not an invitation I expected from him. He didn't threaten me or force my men to fight with his army. No. For some strange reason, he believed I wanted to avenge myself and kill the Israelite king. He came up with the idea on his own. 


I bowed and answered, "My lord, you know what your servant can do."


He clapped his hands together, quite pleased with himself. As far as he knew, an Israelite warrior agreed to fight for his side. "Perfect. I will make you one of my chief guardians forever."


All the Philistine armies gathered for the battle and made camp in Shunem. The next morning, Philistine princes inspected each army. My men and I stood in the last group with king Achish, guarding him as he asked. 


The soldiers lined up at attention, proud, prepared for battle. The princes grunted or nodded as they walked past each man. Even though several princes did the inspection it took a long time before they reached Achish's army due to the large number of soldiers. 


My men and I copied the stance of the Philistines around us. Still, no mater what we did, we didn't look like Philistines. Anyone could figure that out. The prince inspected the men before us then stopped. He came close to my eyes and grumbled. "What are these Hebrews doing here?"


"Don't worry, David, I'll handle this." Achish pushed his way toward the prince and bowed. "Can't you see this is David, the servant of Saul king of Israel? You know he's been with me for years. To this very day I have found no fault in him. You do know he defected to me." Achish laughed. "Their best fighter came over to our side."


The prince scowled. "How can you allow a Hebrew in this battle? I don't care if he defected. Get him and his men out of here and make them go back to the homes you gave them. The last thing we need is a Hebrew spy."


Achish scowled, practically moved his hands into a begging position. "No, he has proven himself. This a powerful warrior. We need him."


The prince lunged toward Achish, screaming. "And what will you do if David turns against us and takes our very heads back to Saul to restore his place in Israel? Isn't this the David the people sang:


'Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands?'


"No. I stand firm. He may not be a part of this battle."


Achish called me to his side. He had a fatherly sadness. "I'm sorry. You've been upright in your service to me. All you do is good in my sight. Since the day you came I haven't found evil in you. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve. You must return to your homes in peace. I can't afford to displease the lords of the Philistines."


I had no intention of getting my men or I killed fighting for the Philistines but I needed Achish to think I had been offended. I bowed my head. "What have I done? What have you found wrong in your servant that has prevented me from fighting against your enemies today?"


Achish paced a few steps. He seemed torn between the Philistine lord and me. "In my eyes you're as good as an angel of God, but I don't have the power to allow you to fight in this battle. The princes of the Philistines have said you can't go. Here, stay the night in the camp then pack and return to your homes in the morning."

God sent the Philistine lords to reject my men and I, and I'm glad. His order safely removed us from fighting with the Philistine army. Come back to read what happened next with this battle. 


************************************
1.  What did Saul think? Why had Saul tried to kill David?
2.  What did Achish think? Who did Achish think David and his men raided?
3.  What did Achish ask David to do?
4.  Why did the prince get angry?
5.  Why did Achish defend David?


Even in the eyes of the enemy, David showed his loyalty to God.

David Follows a Higher King

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 27

David's Thoughts

I heard it in his voice. 


Saul had no intentions of calling an end to his death ordered against me. How many times had he promised? How many times had he lied?


Do I regret not killing him when I had the chance? No. My devotion was to God first above any feelings I may have had. God appointed Saul king, which meant I had no right to change it. 


Still...I had a responsibility to my men and their safety. And so, to honor the king who wished to kill me, yet keep my men safe, I chose to leave my home. My beloved city.


And live with the Philistines, where we'd find safety.


We broke camp and left for Gath, Goliath's home country. King Achish agreed to let me speak with him. "Thank you for allowing us to make homes in the royal city, but who are we but your humble servant? If I have found favor in your eyes, give us a place to live in some town in your country." 


Achish seemed pleased with my idea and granted us the city of Ziklag to set up housing. We no longer had to hide in caves or brush. The 600 men who had traveled with me built homes for their families and I built a home for my wives, Abigail and Ahinoam. I had a feeling we would live there for a long time.


After settling in Ziklag, I sent a scout to check on Saul's whereabouts. "David, I have learned Saul's plans," the scout said when he returned. "Once he heard you were living in the  land of the Philistines he called off the search."


At last. Maybe now he'll focus more on protecting the country than chasing me.


This doesn't mean I sat around and did nothing in Ziklag. I was a warrior, and my men soldiers. We had a duty to protect the land God gave our people. Once our families had homes we moved about the Promised Land raiding the inhabitants of the land from old. We struck any foreign people from north to south. 


We raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites leaving no man or woman alive to tell the story. After each raid I showed king Achish the sheep, oxen, donkeys, camels, and clothing we brought back. 


He seemed impressed and always asked, "So where did you raid today, David?"


I would answer: against the southern area of Judah or against the southern area of the Jerahmeelites, or against the southern area of the Kenites.  Since we spared no one from the cities we raided, Achish never found out what we really did. He thought we attacked Israelite cities to pay Saul back for attempting to kill me. 


I heard Achish once say, "David has made his people, Israel, utterly hate him; therefore he will be my servant forever." In all that time he never figured out we fought all foreign nations in the Promised Land.


For one year and four months we followed the orders of a higher king than Achish, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, to protect and rid the Promised Land of their enemies.


****************************************


1.  Did David believe Saul's promise?
2.  What did David do.
3.  What did David ask of king Achish?
4.  After settling in the city of Ziklag, what did David and his men set out to do?
5.  What did king Achish believe?
6.  Whose orders did David follow?


photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

David Honors But Doesn't Trust Saul

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 26

David's Thoughts

Abishai slid like a shadow between the soldier's laying fast asleep and handed me the spear and jug of water. "As you asked, Commander, David. I would rather have killed your enemy."


I respected him for obeying my orders despite his desires. We moved outside the camp to a safe distance on the top of a hill, far from Saul and his army. I found a place where we could look down on Saul's camp. What a sight.


The sleeping mats spanned the valley before us, each with a man laying still in sleep. Had the Philistines come to this valley our king and his best men would be killed. Not one stayed awake to guard the camp...or the king of Israel.


I cupped my hands around my mouth and called out "Abner. Are you there?"


Abner scrambled to his feet and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He turned to my position, scanning the countryside to see who spoke. He raised his spear and puffed his chest out. "Who are you calling out to the king?"


The army soldiers leaped to their feet with their weapons poised. Those around Saul knitted a wall of protection with their bodies. A little too late, fellas. 


They had no clue we stood next to the king only a few moments before. "Abner, Are you a man? And who is your equal in Israel? Why haven't you guarded your lord the king? While you slept someone came in to kill your lord the king. You have failed at your job.


"As the lord lives, Abner, you deserve to die because you didn't guard your master, the Lord's anointed. Go, search by the king's bed for his spear and water jug."


Saul pushed the soldiers guarding him to the side and stepped forward. He shaded his eyes and looked up at the hill where I stood. "Is that your voice, my son David?"


"Yes, my lord, O king." I bowed. "Why does my king chase after me? What evil have I done? If the Lord has stirred your spirit to come after me, let him accept a sacrifice. If however, the people have sent you, let them be cursed before the Lord for they have driven me away from the Lord's inheritance. 


"Don't take my life, for you have come out to seek a flea, as when one huts a small bird in the mountains."


Saul stood there, not saying or doing anything. The morning birds fluttered to the sky gathering in clusters and swirling. He rubbed the back of his neck then looked my way. "David, I have sinned. Please come back with me. I promise not to harm you any more, for my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly."


I don't know if he spoke the truth this time, but i needed to forgive him, yet again. "Send one of the young men to get your spear. May the Lord reward the righteousness and faithfulness of every man, for He delivered you into my hand today, but I chose not to kill the Lord's anointed. 


"And since your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued in your eyes and deliver me from this tribulation."


"May you be blessed, my son David. You will do great things and prevail in our land." Saul held his arms up toward me. 


Maybe he meant his words, I don't know. I chose not go back with him to find out.


*************************************


1. What did Abishai take?
2. Where did David and Abishai go after they left the camp?
3. Who is Abner?
4. What did David say to Abner?
5. Who stepped forward to speak?
6. What did Saul decide to do?
7. What should Saul have been doing?
8. What did David ask of Saul? 

Wait-Don't Kill Saul

By Mary Vee

I Samuel 26

David’s Thoughts

The Ziphites caused trouble again. Apparently their spies reported my hiding place in the Wilderness of Ziph to Saul. That was the second time they did this to me. Saul must be paying a high reward for information.

I sent a couple of my own spies to confirm the report. Sure enough, Saul went back on his promise to stop hunting me.  He and three thousand men were camped nearby.

I led my men to an area overlooking his camp. It was later in the evening but a few sunrays let us watch the army settle down for the night. Saul slept in the middle surrounded by his three thousand-manned army and guarded by Abner, the commander.

I signaled two of my men, Ahimilech a Hitite, and Abishai to come near. “I’m going down to Saul’s camp. Who will go with me?”

Abishai spoke up right away. “I’ll go.”

I didn’t have a plan. I know, a commander should always have a plan. The problem was I had refused to kill Saul, God’s anointed first king of Israel, yet I felt the urge to sneak into his camp.

Abishai and I crept passed the first set of guards and found Saul snoring in the center of the group with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and all the army snored loud enough to not hear a lion's roar.

Unbelievable. Not one soldier awake to guard the king.

Abishai rolled his eyes. “This is going to be easier than I thought. God delivered your enemy into your hand. Please let me take the spear next to his head and ram it right through him into the ground. I won’t need to strike a second time.”

“No. Don’t kill him. Who can reach out and kill God’s anointed and remain guiltless in the sight of God?”

Abishai didn’t like it. 

I had a good army; they were trained to protect our land from the enemy. Not one was afraid. Still, it was my duty to lead them to wise and right choices as God directed. 

“This isn't what God wants us to do. Be patient, Abishai, the Lord will strike him with some disease, or his day to die will come, or he will die in battle. But I will not be the one to take his life."

Abishai’s frustration covered his face. He needed something to do. “I have an idea. Get the spear and the jug of water that are near his head. We’ll carry them outside of his camp.”

Abishai acted like a little kids with a new toy. He moved between the sleeping soldiers as a shadow, yanked the spear out of the ground, and grabbed the jug. We escaped outside the camp, totally unnoticed by any soldier.

Saul had surrounded himself with an army he trusted. What would have happened if someone other than me had come into his camp?

If only He had kept his trust in God. The Lord protects his own, and his guard is never down.

Come back next week to read what Saul did.

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Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Who had tattled.

2. Where did David lead his men after he heard the report.

3. Who went with David to spy in Saul's camp?

4. What did David and the spy see?

5.  What did the spy want to do?

6. Who stopped him and why?

7. What could Saul have done to prevent the problem?

Abigail Marries David

By  Mary Vee
I Samuel 25

Abigail's Thoughts

My husband has brought terror upon our household. I am tormented with what could happen to our home, our servants, our lives. 


David, the man we all knew to be anointed as future king of Israel, protected, shared his food, and included our shepherds in his group. I didn't know it at the time, but I do now. Yesterday, one of those shepherds came to me and reported Nabal, that wicked husband of mine, refused to give David and his men food when they asked. 


Unbelievable!


I gathered what I could, my blessed servants ran with me from one storehouse to another stuffing food into satchels and loading them on the donkeys. To buy me needed time to finish packing enough food for all of David's men, I sent servants ahead with a message for David to please wait for me.


We hurried the donkeys, yet taking care to not spill any food. I'd hope Nabal couldn't see me, if he did, he'd start a fight and get us all killed. I prayed I wasn't too late to undo the evil he has done. To prevent Nabal from discovering us, we travelled along the shadows of a hill. 


As I expected, David was furious. I slid off my donkey and feel to the ground before him and begged his mercy for our household. My words seemed to appease his spirit. Once he calmed, I showed him the gift of food. The idea worked. He allowed his men to accept the food, each one thanked me as though I saved their lives. I asked David to remember my deed.


Our lives may have been spared that time, but would they be spared the next moment Nabal refused to help someone? David assured me our household would be left in peace and then granted me permission to leave.


I didn't go home. I couldn't. 


I needed to speak with Nabal.


I found him hosting a big feast with many guest, the man and all those with him were drunk. I would be a fool to speak to him when he couldn't think clearly. I spent time with others at the festival and waited until morning to speak with that scoundrel, Nabal.


After the sun rose and my husband awoke, I told him about my errand and David's forgiveness. My husband stared at me as if in shock. He pressed his hand to his chest, his eyes widened as if in pain. He couldn't seem to speak.


I used every remedies I'd learned from my mother to help Nabal get well, but nothing worked. He died ten days later. 


A messenger came to me when my mourning time had ended. "My lady, I have a message for you from David."


"Yes?"


"He has heard the news of Nabal's death and thinks of your safety. He asks me to bring you to him. He...wishes to marry you."


My heart was blessed. The Almighty took care of my needs even before I asked. I felt humbled and wanted to sing and dance before the Lord. I bowed to the messenger. "Here I am, the maidservant to your master, ready to wash the feet of his servants." 


I hurried to pack a few things, called five maidservants to go with me, and left what use to be my home. The messenger took me to David's camp. 


I didn't have to wait, David walked toward me from his tent and greeted me with such a caring tenderness. "Abigail, you are a woman who has proven her love for God by caring for your household when your husband would not,  I am happy to see you here."


"Thank you, my lord."


"Abigail, because of your faithfulness and act of kindness, will you join us and let me care for your needs. Will you...marry me?"


I bowed my head. "Yes, my lord. I would be honored."


That day I became David's wife. He was quit a different husband from Nabal. 


God has blessed me far more than I could have ever asked.


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1.  What did Nabal do?
2.  How did Abigail save her household?
3.  After David forgave them what did Abigail to?
4.  What was Nabal doing?
5.  What happened to Nabal?
6.  Who punished Nabal?
7.  How did God reward Abigail for her faithfulness to her household?


photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

Abigail Saves Her Household

By Mary Vee

I Samuel

The Shepherd/Servant's Thoughts

Abigail ordered me to run ahead and tell David she would come speak to him. She needed me to buy her time.


I chose two servants known to be fast runners and led them in the direction I last saw him. We hid in the shadow of a hill where wicked Nabal would not see us and waited for David and his men to arrive. 

He stopped his march after recognizing me. "Yes. What news have you, servant of Nabal."

"I am also a servant for his wife, Abigail, my lord. She is coming to speak with you. She sent me ahead to beg you, please hold your attack until she arrives."

David looked behind me then back at my eyes. "You gained my trust while we worked side by side with the sheep." He signaled his men to hold back. "All right. She may have a short time to get here. If she does not come soon, we will attack Nabal's household."

"Thank you, my lord." I had no concerns. I knew she would come. Abigail had proven her kindness and willingness to protect her family many times.


I watched the fields and after a short time, saw her in the distance. She kept under the shadow of the hill. If Nabal saw her, he might attack. She and the servants with her pulled donkeys ladened with food supplies chosen for David and his men.


David signaled his men to move toward her. Abigail slid off her donkey and bowed low to the ground. "My lord, please forgive my husband."


David shoved his hands on his hips. "I have protected all this." He pointed to the land around him. "All our work, now done in vain. We took nothing belonging to Nabal and yet he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so and more to my enemy if I let one male servant of his survive the night."


Abigail groaned. "Oh, my lord, please put the sin on me. And please let you maidservant speak to you and may you hear my words."


She waited for his permission to speak then continued. "Please pay no attention to the scoundrel, Nabal. His name, meaning folly, fits him. But I did not see the young men whom you sent. Since the Lord has held you back from bloodshed to avenge yourselves until I could speak with you, please reconsider your plan. 


"And now, accept this present which your maidservant has brought you. Give it to the young men who follow you, my lord. Please forgive the sins of your maidservant for surely the Lord will reward your house since you fight His battles and evil is not found in you.


"Even though a man seeks your life, yet God protects you. The Lord shall reward you for all the good you've done, for you will rule Israel. And now, please spare yourself grief for shedding blood without cause. When the Lord deals well with you, then remember me."


David looked at her for a few minutes. His face soften and resumed normal color. He reached out to her and helped her stand. "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel who sent you this day to meet me. And blessed is your advice, and blessed are you, because you have kept me from shedding blood and from avenging myself with my own hand.


"Truly the Lord has kept me back from hurting your household to give you opportunity to rush out to meet me. You have saved the lives of your servants, Nabal's servants. Thank you for this gift of food. 


"And now, please, go in peace to your house. I will respect you, your family, and your servants."


I walked with Abigail and the others back to her house. Truly this woman has won the blessings of the Almighty God.


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1. Who did the servant rush to meet?
2. What message did he give?
3. What did David say?
4. Who came next and what did the person bring?
5. What message did she give David. 
6. Who took the blame for the sin? Who actually sinned?
7. What did David decide?


photo courtesy of Biblevisualimages.com

Abigail, Kind Sweet Abigail

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 25

The Shepherd/Servant's Thoughts

After David heard the news about Nabal, he became angrier than a lion who had his food stolen. Everyone knew Nabal deserved any wrath David spilled on him, especially those of us who are Nabal's servants. The problems is, his wife didn't deserve the trouble. 


Abigail was a woman of good understanding and she was beautiful. She had worked hard to please her husband and kept their house clean. She took care of all chores at the house while Nabal was off shearing the sheep and she never stirred trouble. The whole countryside knew what a lovely woman Abigail was both inside and out.


David's temper flashed when he heard what Nabal said. Even though I knew him only a short time, I could tell David would gather his men, their weapons, and punish Nabal for the evil words he said. 


I needed to warn Abigail. I took the short cut which ran through open fields, taking my life in my hands. If Nabal saw me, he'd find something to punish me for. It didn't matter. Abigail needed time to solve the problem.


When I arrived, Abigail had a basket of laundry in her arms. I ran to her and caught my breath. "I have terrible news for you."


"Here, sit down, and catch your breath then tell me your news."


"Forgive me, it can't wait." 


She handed me a cup of water, anyway while keeping her eyes on me. Her soft heart showed even in trouble times. I gulped the water then told her the news. "Abigail, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but Nabal treated them harshly. 


"David and his men were very good to us. They never took anything of ours, and they protected us as long as we stayed near them in the fields. They were a wall to us both night and day keeping any enemy away...all the time we took care of the sheep. Please, think about what you will do because David has determined  to fight our master and his household. Nabal is such a scoundrel to bring this trouble on us."


"Oh, dear." She grabbed the fabric from her dress which dragged against the ground  and ran to the servants. 


I followed to help where I could. She called out orders to servants as she ran. " I need two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep dressed to eat, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raising, and two hundred cakes of figs. Quickly."


While the servants ran to pack the food she hurried to the donkeys. "Help me get them ready." We untied the stubborn beasts and coaxed them out to the yard. She wiped sweat from her brown and kept working. "I'll stay here and load the donkeys. Take two servants with you and go before me. When you meet David tell him I am coming behind you. Breathe no word to Nabal."


"Yes, my lady." 


I waved to two other servants known to be fast runners and led them in the direction David would probably come.


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Picture courtesy of christianimageresource.com  


1.  How did the servant describe Abigail?
2.  Why did the servant leave David and the other shepherds?
3.  What did he tell Abigail?
4.  What did she do?
5.  What job did the servant have?
6.  Why did she want someone to do that job?
7.  Why, do you think, did God include this story in the Bible?