Read | 1 Samuel 13:1–14
Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel. He chose three thousand men from Israel for himself: two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent.
Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison in Gibeah, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” And all Israel heard the news, “Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison, and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.” Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.
Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering.
Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him, and Samuel asked, “What have you done?”
Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”
Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. It was at this time that the LORD would have permanently established your reign over Israel, but now your reign will not endure. The LORD has found a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the LORD commanded.”
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
Focus
View this work of art, titled David, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, connected to Sunday’s sermon passage.
As you look at this piece, take a few quiet moments to go through a three-step process. First, observe what you see in the image, from colors to composition to recognizable elements, without trying to understand what it is supposed to mean. Then read about the work, using these details to help you interpret the work of art. Ask God what he might be saying through the image, and listen for his insight in your thoughts, feelings, or prayers.
Commentary:
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was a master of many art forms. He was a painter and sculptor, playwright, director, city planner, and architect, but his primary art form was sculpture. Like many sculptors of the era, he distilled the David and Goliath story into a single figure. Michelangelo’s David may be more famous, but Bernini’s David is dramatic and gives more clues about David’s character than many other depictions of Israel’s most beloved king.
While many other statues of David show him striking a pose, proud and triumphant, this statue shows David in the process of slinging the stone that will kill the giant. David is youthful, vigorous, and confident. The dynamic composition places the viewer between David and Goliath, right in the thick of the drama. At the young David’s feet, Saul’s armor rests, useless to him. We see an embodied representation of David’s faith in this magnificent sculpture: the young shepherd needs only the instruments of his faith and humble profession; he knows God will handle the rest.
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him. Today, the Lord will hand you over to me.
–1 Samuel 17:45–46
Art Source: David, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1623-24. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pray
The image of David preparing to battle Goliath is in sharp contrast to the unraveling of Saul’s kingship as found in today’s Scripture passage. Spend time in prayer considering if there are areas of your life that you are tempted to go your own way, instead of where God is leading.
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.