Day 9 – Friday-- The Book of First Samuel

Day 9 – Friday

The Book of First Samuel

Enter Hannah, Samuel, Saul, and David. Hannah sings a song of praise in chapter two for the birth of Samuel—a “miraculous” birth. Turn over to the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel (1.46-55) and notice Mary’s song of praise (we call it the Magnificat) which is patterned on Hannah’s song. God raises up the poor…lifts the needy.

Remember the story of Samuel? God speaks to him, but Samuel thinks it is Eli calling him. This is repeated. The third time Samuel says, Speak, your servant is listening. God tells him that something is going to happen that will make everyone’s ears “tingle.” Sometimes it is difficult to know if the voice we hear is God’s voice or one of the many other voices inside us. Becoming familiar with the Gospels and being part of a community of faith are necessary for discerning the divine voice.

Ichabod (ch. 4). The Philistines capture the Ark. (No, not Noah’s ark. This is the Ark of the Covenant; a box that contains the two stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments. You know—“Read two tablets and call me in the morning.” The sacred box represents the presence of God.) In the process, Eli and his son die. Eli’s daughter-in-law is dying in childbirth and names the baby “Ichabod”—because the “the glory has departed from Israel.” Chabod (or Kabod) is the Hebrew word for glory. Ichabod is the negated form: without glory. Is this where Washington Irving got the name for Ichabod Crane? I’ll bet he did. Anyway, St. Paul says that all of us are somewhat Ichabod-ish: we have all “fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3).

“Everyone else has one. Why can’t we have one?” Sounds like a ten year old child, but it is the voice of Israel. They want a king. Why? Because every other nation has one. Their Mother—the Lord—says “Okay.” But she tells Samuel to warn them about what they are getting into. They don’t listen. They want a king. At least that’s the way the Northern storytellers tell it in chapter eight.

The Southern storytellers have a different version in chapter nine. They view the anointing of Saul as king as God’s choice. “See,” says God, “that’s the man who will save my people. Anoint him as king” (9.15-17).

Like other books in the Bible, 1st Samuel weaves together different versions of the same story. (I probably didn’t mention that there are two versions of the story of Noah in Genesis 6-9. One says that Noah was to choose two of each animal. That’s the version we tell the children. But look closely and you will see another version that says Noah shall choose seven of each animal. Then, of course, the first chapter of Genesis tells one story of creation, and chapters two and three tell another version.) These different points of view in the same book of the Bible are not contradictions to be explained away. They are honest presentations of varied perspectives that have been retained to show the subtle and nuanced ways that the world moves forward. The Eternal One’s scheme will not be thwarted. Even through messy political maneuverings if necessary.

Enter David. Anointed as king, but Saul is still on the throne for a while. David played a mean lute. He performed music therapy for King Saul when Saul got down in the dumps. Music is one of the great gifts of God. We should listen to more music; play more music; sing; dance.

Nearly ten feet tall: Goliath from Gath. His armor weighed 126 pounds. The tip of his spear weighed over fifteen pounds. David just had a sling shot. David & Goliath has become a sacred cliché. God roots for the underdog, the little man, the trampled-upon. Whole movies are based on this plot line. And we cheer for the underdog.

For forty days and forty nights Goliath steps forward and challenges the army of the Israelites. David picks up five smooth stones. When Goliath moved toward David, David “ran quickly toward the battle line” (17.48). Then he slung. Right between the eyes! The bigger they are, the harder they fall. (Note: David cut off Goliath’s head. That was the custom. The terrorists of our day did not invent decapitating.) The point is that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s (17.47). But we would be crazy to base our national defense on such a notion!

In chapter 28 Saul goes to a séance. Not a good idea.

In chapter 31 Saul and his sons are killed. Exit Saul.

Finish this sentence: The giant I face right now is….