Not A Series Of Unfortunate Events

The best person to advocate for us is not ourselves, but Christ.   ~~~   There are several recurring themes and phrases in 1 Samuel 18, that are meant to grab our attention. Themes such as those who “loved” David, and the success of David, and the presence of the Lord upon David, but also the growing fear and jealousy of Saul. And the original audience would have noticed all of those features of the text, but most importantly they would have seen the decline of Saul (in leadership, mental stability) and the rising up of David. However, they would not have said, “That’s an unfortunate turn of events for Saul, and surprisingly good fortune and fate for David.” This has nothing to do with fortune or a bad turn of events, but everything to do with Saul’s rebellious unrepentant heart, and God keeping his promise of ripping the kingdom from Saul and giving it to someone better than Saul in order to protect his people for his own glory. We read in 1 Samuel 15: 26 “For you have rejected the word of LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.” As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you his day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.” So we are watching this promise come alive before our eyes, and we need to realize that the someone better for us is not ourselves, but Christ. He is the King who protects his people today.