Today, we come to the end of 1 Samuel. Chapters 29-30 record the Philistine leaders’ rejection of David as a participant in their battle against Israel. While Achish believed in David’s faithfulness to him, the rest of the leaders saw the battle as the perfect opportunity for him to turn against them and regain the favor of the Israelites. So, Achish sent David and his men home.
When they returned to Ziklag, they found that their wives and children had been taken and their goods stolen. The men were so angry and sad they decided to stone David. Of course, it wasn’t David’s fault, but the men needed someone to blame in their state of anguish. In that moment, we are told “David strengthened himself in the LORD.” I have always loved that verse. David didn’t make excuses. He didn’t attempt to run. He turned to the LORD for strength, and the LORD gave it. He turned to Abiathar, the priest, and asked whether they ought to pursue those who had taken their families and their possessions. The LORD responded to go. Eventually, they found out it had been Amalekites who took their families. They caught up with them and defeated them. As they were traveling to find the Amalekites, 200 of David’s men had become to tired to continue. They stayed behind with the baggage. When the rest returned with their families and the loot from defeating the Amalekites, the men wanted to give the 200 their families, but no share of the spoils. David vetoed that idea, and established a principle that those who stayed with the baggage would receive the same share as those who fought in the battle. This is one more sign of David’s sense of fairness, and one more reason he was a great leader.
In chapter 31, King Saul and the Israelites engaged the Philistines in battle. As the apparition had predicted, Saul was defeated. As he was dying from a mortal wound from a Philistine archer, Saul told his armor bearer to kill him, so the Philistines wouldn’t have the honor of doing so. The armor bearer refused, so Saul fell on his own sword and died. Three of Sauls sons also died in the battle and the troops of Israel scattered. When the Philistines found Saul and his sons, they cut off Saul’s head, and hung his body and the bodies of his sons on display. Some valiant men from Jabesh-gilead went and got the bodies, and burned them to end the desecration of the Philistines. 1 Samuel ends there. The Israelites are in disarray. Their king is dead. The Philistines are pre-eminent in the area. All seems gloomy. But as we will see, this is the beginning of Israel’s golden age, because now David will ascend to the throne, and their future holds great promise. Many times in the history of God’s people, and in our lives as His followers, the present moment seems hopeless. Always remember: hopeless is not a Christian word. As long as God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in control of the universe hope remains.
As we return to Mark 7 once again, Jesus is in another disagreement with the Jewish religious leaders. This time they are upset that Jesus’ disciples didn’t follow the rituals of ceremonial washing. Jesus reminded them and everyone that it isn’t the outside of our bodies that matters, but the inside. Our hearts determine whether we are “clean” or “unclean,” not whether their is dirt on our skin. Jesus made a big deal about this, because the Jewish culture of Israel in that day had become so focused on the external observances of the Jewish faith, rather than their relationship with the LORD. The two other aspects of the chapter demonstrate Jesus’ healing power. As we have seen throughout Mark’s gospel, while Jesus’ teaching is part of the gospel record, Mark is much more concerned with Jesus’ actions. This time He provides healing for the daughter of a Syro-Phonecian woman, which was a rare time when Jesus healed someone who wasn’t an Israelite. He also healed a deaf man, which shows us nothing in the realm of physical healing was too difficult for Him. As we face the various physical challenges that come to us, it is always good to remember to turn to Jesus first. There’s nothing wrong with turning to medicine or other medical solutions, but remember Jesus is the Great Physician, and He cares for our needs.