“Do not I hate them, O Yahweh, that hate thee?
and do not I loathe them that rise up against thee?
I hate them with unfeigned hatred:
I count them mine enemies.”

Ps 139

Thought for Today: Monday March 13:

There is not a human being on this earth, who does not long for tenderness or compassion. Thus, start today and do what you can to show you care about other people. We cannot change the world but when we follow Yeshua’s Words to Love our neighbours as we love ourselves, then we can make a difference. And always remember, faith has to be exercised in the midst of ordinary, down-to-earth living.

SERIES J --- THE WARRIOR KING --- LESSON 08

WAR COMES

THE PHILISTINE COMMANDERS REJECT DAVID

From 1 Samuel 28:1-2; 29:1 11; 1 Chronicles 12:19-22

While David and his people were living at Ziklag, the Philistines gathered their armies together for another war against Israel. King Achish wanted David to join with them in this campaign. ‘You and your men will go with me as we march,’ said the king. ‘You will fight with me against Israel.’ ‘Then you will learn how much we can help you,’ said David. King Achish was pleased. ‘If you help me, I will make you my personal bodyguard for the rest of my life,’ he told David. The Philistines gathered their army at Aphek. When the Israelites heard about this, they gathered their army at the springs of Jezreel. But the Philistine commanders noticed David bringing up the rear with King Achish. ‘What are these Israelites doing here?’ they demanded. ‘This is David, Saul’s servant, who ran away and came to live with me,’ King Achish replied. ‘During all the time he has been here with me, I have found nothing wrong with him.’ But the Philistine commanders were suspicious. ‘Tell that man and his followers to go back home to Ziklag,’ they argued. ‘We don’t want them on the battlefield with us, for they may suddenly turn on us to help their fellow Israelites. What would be a better way for them to win favour with King Saul? Remember! This is the man the women of Israel sang about when they danced, saying, ‘Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousand.’ King Achish told David what the other commanders had said. ‘As surely as Adonai lives, you have been an honest man and I would like to have you march with me to battle,’ he continued. ‘Since you came to live with me, I have found no fault in you. But you must go home now so that you don’t anger the other commanders.’ ‘What have I done?’ David protested. ‘What fault have you found in me to make you send me home like this? I have done absolutely nothing wrong to keep me from going into battle with you against your enemies.’ ‘I know you’ve done nothing wrong,’ Achish agreed. ‘You have been like an angel to me. But the commanders have insisted that you not go into battle with them. You must get up early tomorrow morning and go home with your men.’ Early the next morning David and his men arose and headed back toward Ziklag. The Philistine army however, moved on to Jezreel. About the time David marched to war with the Philistines, some men from the tribe of Manasseh deserted the army of Israel, intending to join David in his fight against Saul. As it turned out of course, David did not go into this battle, for the Philistine commanders refused to let him go, afraid that he would turn against them in the thick of the battle and fight for King Saul. These men of Manasseh, all high-ranking officers, caught up with David’s forces as they were on their way back to Ziklag. Here is a list of their names: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zilthai. In Saul’s army, they had been captains of thousands from the tribe of Manasseh.

COMMENTARY

DESERT RAIDS

David was living in Philistine territory. When war came between the Philistines and the Israelites, King Achish of Gath said to David, [You and your men will go with me as we march!] Would David be forced to fight against Israel, the people YHVH had chosen David to lead? How would Adonai deliver David from this dilemma? Secrecy and surprise were the essential tactics of the desert raider. When the surprise attack was still in the planning stage, he sent out spies to determine the enemy’s weakest spot. The victim of the raid might be a caravan or a small village on the edge of the desert. Ancient raiders were attracted to these victims by the prospect of taking valuable slaves along with the spoil. At other times the purpose of the raid was revenge. If another tribe had raided their village, the attackers would descend on their rivals without mercy. They were determined to recover their wives and children as well as to claim the wealth of the other tribe. This constant cycle of revenge did not end unless one or the other tribe completely destroyed its enemies. When the strategy of the attack had been laid, the warriors armed themselves with bows and swords. They mounted their camels and carefully crept up on their enemies. At a prearranged signal the raiders swooped down on their victims. Loud war cries and flashing weapons threw the camp into confusion. The attack’s suddenness caught the enemy off guard, giving the small band of raiders an easy victory. In modern times a strict code of honour governs the treatment of women and the confiscation of booty. Neither woman nor any of her personal possessions may be touched by the victorious raiders. They may kill her husband and sons and take the tribal property, but they are honour-bound not to harm her. They cannot take her tent or seize her food supply. A careful code of conduct was enforced in Bible times as well. The Israelites required all booty to be ritually purified for a period of seven days. At the end of the week, it was distributed among all the people. Half went to the warriors and the remaining half was divided among those who stayed at home. Both groups gave part of their share as a thank offering to YHVH.

"Whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband, commiteth adultery."

Lk 16

Q&A: Web site

To the moderator:

I have been trying to accept friend requests today, but the site will not allow me to click the button. I can make friend requests to those who have made requests to me, however.

And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre.
1 Kings 7:13

Apparently Hiram was a popular name among the Phoenicians of Tyre. This man wasn't the same as King Hiram of Tyre, but the son of another Tyrian man and an Israelite woman from Naphtali. Despite not being an Israelite himself (in God's plan, nationality is determined by the father, not the mother), God gave Hiram a phenomenal level of talent in bronzeworking, perhaps even to the level of prophecy, like Bezalel who built the furnishings of the Tabernacle. God chooses whomever he wills without regard to our expectations or preferences.

Shalom everyone. Just finished working on this song with a sister in the faith.



Enjoy!