Posts by Josh Moody

1 Samuel 29-31,  Psalm 106:24-48,  Mark 13:14-31,  2 Corinthians 11:16-33 1 Samuel 29-31: It makes sad reading—but at least by contrast God’s king is being exemplified as the right man for the job. Meanwhile, as Saul is leading an army that is about to suffer a heavy defeat, David is dismissed from the army of…

1 Samuel 26-28,  Psalm 106:1-23,  Mark 13:1-13,  2 Corinthians 11:1-15  1 Samuel 26-28: The great denouement is coming—and it will not be a pretty sight. First, David again spares Saul’s life (26:5-12). When he has the chance to kill him, he does not, and Saul once more blesses David and says that David will be…

1 Samuel 24-25,  Psalm 105,  Mark 12:35-44,  2 Corinthians 10 1 Samuel 24-25: Saul, back from his pursuit of the Philistines (he has run them off from their raid we presume), starts out again in pursuit of David (24:1-2). It is exhausting work running from God’s purpose—first one way, then another, each equally futile. Saul,…

1 Samuel 21-23,  Psalm 104,  Mark 12:28-34,  2 Corinthians 9 1 Samuel 21-23: David is now on the run, and remarkable stories of God’s rescue of David are told. First of all, David takes the bread of the Presence, the special consecrated bread (21:3-6)—an event referenced by Jesus in support of his disciples (Mt. 12:1-8;…

1 Samuel 19-20,  Psalm 103,  Mark 12:13-27,  2 Corinthians 8 1 Samuel 19-20: Saul is determined to kill David (19:1)—jealous of him, and suspecting that God had called David to be king in his place. Jonathan, however, is best of friends with David, and has made a covenant of support for David. This situation set…

1 Samuel 17-18,  Psalm 102,  Mark 12:1-12,  2 Corinthians 7 1 Samuel 17-18: One of the most famous stories in the Bible—David and Goliath—is about to ensue (1 Samuel 17). The basics of the narrative are familiar enough to many: a young sheep boy stands up against the enemy of God’s people, a giant of…

1 Samuel 15-16,  Psalm 101,  Mark 11:27-33,  2 Corinthians 6 1 Samuel 15-16: Samuel gives Saul fresh instructions from God (15:1-3). Saul performs these instructions—to a point. But then he and the people keep back the best of the spoil along with Agag, the king (15:7-9). Was Agag spared because he cut some kind of…

1 Samuel 14,  Psalm 100,  Mark 11:12-26,  2 Corinthians 5 1 Samuel 14: Jonathan, Saul’s son, decides to take matters into his own hands (v. 1). He is a man of initiative and of faith, and decides that the right policy at this time, where it appears that Saul and the other leaders are being…

1 Samuel 11-13, Psalm 99,  Mark 11:1-11,  2 Corinthians 4  1 Samuel 11-13: Saul’s first steps now as king begin to go better. When he hears the threats coming from the Ammonites (11:5), the Spirit of God comes upon Saul (11:6), and he rallies Israel to his standard, marches against the Ammonites and defeats them (11:7-11). Having…

1 Samuel 9-10,  Psalm 98,  Mark 10:35-52,  2 Corinthians 3  1 Samuel 9-10: We now meet Saul (9:1-2). His father is rich, and he is handsome and taller than anyone else (9:2). What could possibly go wrong? From the beginning we get the sense that externally he was the “obvious” king type. But was his…