In 1 Samuel, we find the story of David and Goliath. David, against all odds, took down the massive champion of the Philistines. After that, Saul took David for his own purposes, to lead his armies and grant him political success. God was clearly with David.

As David was returning with Saul from defeating the Philistines, the women of the city chanted a song that struck the wrong chord with Saul. They pit David’s success against Saul’s (1 Samuel 18:7). By this time, Saul already knew that God’s spirit had left him. In previous chapters he had sinned and Samuel pronounced a prophetic curse upon him that his throne would be taken from him and given to one “after God’s own heart”.

So when the women of the city chanted a their antagonistic words, Saul’s jealousy of David kicked in. He started looking for an opportunity to kill David.

Working in Saul’s court, David was in his presence often. And at times, Saul would have especially heated bouts with a ‘harmful spirit’ from the Lord and his violence would boil.

1 Samuel 18:10-11:

The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.

Amongst Saul’s schemes to kill David secretly, there were also a number of times where Saul literally took a spear in his hand and attempted to kill him. Each time David escaped. Yet still, did not flee from Saul—in fact, he even marries Saul’s daughter.

I found this interesting. Maybe even convicting. I haven’t decided yet.

David was anointed by God, through Samuel, to become king. To take the throne from Saul. Yet, Saul remained in power and David in his employ. David sought to serve the Lord within his calling, even when those also anointed sought his harm.

In the Church of relationships, things get messy and often painful. The people who are called to serve with us are often the hands that deliver the most painful blows. Most of us respond by moving onto other ministries. Or moving out of ministry altogether. But I think we could glean from David’s story here that maybe we’re acting too hastily when we do that.

I know that I move quickly when I’m hurt. Usually in the name of ‘guarding’ myself. But perhaps that’s not right. Maybe, like David, we should ask whether we are called to be where we are, and if so, seek the Lord’s help to endure what may, at times, be difficult and hurtful relationships.

Psalm 69:19:

You know my reproach,
   and my shame and my dishonor;
   my foes are all known to you.

David is speaking to God about his enemies. In essence, he’s saying that God knows what they do to him and the pain he undergoes at their hands. He is affirming back to God (and to us) that God’s eyes are on us and he knows what he’s doing.

As I read it tonight though I couldn’t help but read the words a little differently.

The Gospel is thorough, but the comforts of it when not dwelled upon very, very regularly can seem to get lost under the anxiety of life. But I read this passage in a personal manner. God knows not only my circumstances and challenges, but also knows me and all of my deepest, most difficult issues. And yet still, the Gospel is applied to me.

What worldly anxiety can stand up against that?

With good reason David reckons God to be his comfort. Looking to the higher promises of God to carry him through trying times. Psalm 61:1-3:

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
   when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
   that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
   a strong tower against the enemy.

God’s promises to, and covenants, with his people are rocks which are higher than we are. Greater than our own best promises to God. Like David, when we are in trouble from the world and from ourselves we can seek those and find confidence. This appears to be the classic interpretation of this passage. And it is an encouragement, to say the least.

But for me, when I read this passage, I couldn’t help be see Christ as the “Rock that is higher than I”.

When I am weak and lonely, struggling to live a life worthy of the Gospel (as fantastic a feat as that is), I can pray to God that he would lead me to a Rock that sits far above me. Christ is an immovable rock whose footing is far beyond anyone’s natural reach. But by God’s power and Christ’s sacrifice, it is a place we will (and in one sense have already) ascend.

It is sanctification. A conforming to Christ’s image which cannot happen except if we cry out to God. Incidentally, something we rarely do before our hearts grow “faint”.

Psalm 30:4-5:

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
   and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
   and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
   but joy comes with the morning.

I love this passage because it hits on at least three important points which I often fail to observe.

1. Regardless of our experience, we the church have cause to praise God and take comfort in his holiness always.

2. No matter what hardships we are experiencing we can remember, and count on them being not even a fraction of the goodness we’ll enjoy when our life in him comes to real completion. And,

3. While it is tempting to give in and succumb to absolute despair in the face of God’s chastisements, we should hold fast, in a practical way, to the very real emotion of Joy that is God’s alone and awaits us when He sees that we are ready for it.

In Psalm 9, David is praising God for protecting his people and overcoming his enemies. After Christ, however, we find that we are often our own enemies. So as I read, the final verse struck me in my own context. The verse reads like this:

“Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail;
   let the nations be judged before you!
Put them in fear, O LORD!
   Let the nations know that they are but men! “

We live in a country of unprecedented privilege. Unprecedented resources. Unprecedented safety. And even us in the church struggle to remember that God is behind this. Not government, not family, not self—but God.

So, in my own mind, David’s prayer reads more like this.

“Arise, O LORD! Let us not prevail ourselves;
   thank you that Christ has taken the wrath of your judgment for me!
Put fear in me, O LORD!
  Let me know that I am but a man, and you are my God!”

In the details, it’s fairly original. But zoom out and see the bigger picture, and the new NBC show Kings is clearly none other than the biblical story of Saul and David found in the books my the same name: Kings.

I know this isn’t an entertainment blog, but after watching the first few episodes tonight, I’ve got to say it’s one of the most entertaining dramas I’ve seen on TV since Lost or Heroes. And as a Christian I find it compelling to watch corporate America’s take on the biblical events.

The story is about literal Kings—like in the political sense. But, with the twist that its set in the 21st century as we know it today. It makes for some interesting story telling. And like I said, it’s only really in the big picture and major story threads is it the story of David and Saul. In the details and interactions (and in some cases, Characters) the story is totally original.

The acting is interesting. The casting is good. The actors really are the people you might picture when thinking about the biblical story. Especially the actor behind Silas (Saul).

The writing is good too. And, while it’s not necessarily always accurate they often work dialogue into the script directly out of scripture. Most notably when Reverend “Samuels” tells Silas that God is no longer working for him. Yeah, they’re overt about God’s direct involvement in the plot. Also adding an interesting flavor.

Anyway, it’s good TV and you should check it out. It comes on Saturdays at 8:00pm. Or just do it now and watch it on Hulu.

In 1 Samuel, after Saul resolves to kill David, David runs away and hides in a cave. His brothers catch wind of where he is hiding and soon, something strange happens. 1 Samuel 22:2

“And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.”

I mean, I know that misery loves company, but this sounds nuts. David’s fairly comfortable life has just fallen apart and he has to run for his life from the king of Israel and his army. He finds refuge in a cave and soon there are all kinds of heavily burdened people joining him in the cave.

There are most likely some clarifying details to be found or inferred somewhere. But I just thought it was funny. Well, fitting actually.

About 900 years after David’s stay in the cave, the “Son of David”, would undergo a more profound catastrophe that David’s flight from Saul. He would be killed at the hands of his own people—the people to whom he said this:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Sounds familiar. Fitting. Quite fitting.