If you are following The Plan  you should have completed 1 Samuel and several of the Davidic Psalms.

The reading plan that we are following works through the Bible chronologically.   (Most people are surprised when they learn that the Bible isn't organized chronologically in the first place!).  This causes some confusion as we follow the plan - because we jump around in different books to preserve the chronology of the stories.  But one of the really interesting things to me about reading through the Bible chronologically is that the reading plan attempts to place the various Psalms in the context of the events in which they were written.  Granted this isn't a perfect science, but for me reading the Psalms in this way is a much richer experience. 

Hopefully this is true for you as well!

So where are we?

The Israelites, having been freed from slavery in Egypt, led through the Wilderness, and occupied the Promised Land (rather poorly I might add), asks for a King to rule over them.  Despite warnings from Samuel, they were granted a King - and Saul was anointed.   But Saul was unfaithful to God's commands.  And since God was one of the only things Saul had going for him, his kingship and life quickly spin out of control. 

As this is happening, David is becoming more and more powerful, and loses favor with Saul.  Why?

Maybe it was pride:

    “Saul has slain his thousands,
      And David his ten thousands.”

But probably this explains it all - "Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him." 

Saul goes about attempting to Kill David - first through a dowry for his Daughter ("one hundred foreskins of the Philistines"), but that doesn't work, so Saul does a lot of spear throwing and hunting David down.  He even has those that help David killed - like the Priests of the temple after Doeg the Edomite rats out Ahimelech for giving David Goliath's sword (yes, that Goliath).   Of course, the King's servants won't kill the priests, so Doeg does it for him.     

So Saul has some serious issues.   He is afraid of those that are blessed by God.  (If you are in this situation, some serious soul-searching and repentant prayer is in order).   He deals with anger by throwing his spear - at David as well as his own son - Jonathan.   And he slaughters God's servants.  Then when the climactic battle looms, he does not seek God's counsel, but the counsel of a "medium" - the Witch of Endor (Ch 28).  

Now this raises some interesting questions.  Is it really possible for humans to summon spirits using magic?  Does the Witch actually posses this power?   Good questions that I can't answer - here is one commentary.  But Saul shows complete contempt for God with this act.   Complete contempt.

David, for his part, spends his time running from Saul and trying to stay alive.  We read of this great relationship between David and Jonathan.  We read of David on the run - among the Philistines no less.  And while under the protection of the King of Gath he raids neighboring villages and tracking down the Amelikites that burned Ziklag.  And despite two opportunities David does not kill Saul.  "I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed." 

The book ends with the death of Saul and his three sons, including Jonathan.

No wonder David's psalms plea for deliverance so often.   Like in Psalm 59:

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
         Defend me from those who rise up against me.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
         And save me from bloodthirsty men

But mostly, these psalms sing of David's complete trust and dependence on God - a righteous and merciful God.  For his safety, for his deliverance, for his whole life.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
         His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Blessings!

Keep Reading!

Pray!