WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday November 1, 2020

 

Over 253,000 readers worldwide

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SERVING LOVE

(JESUS washes HIS Disciples’ feet)

(John 13)

 

   The Gospel of John gives us the most complete details of JESUS’ instructions to HIS disciples on the eve of HIS crucifixion, and Chapters 13-17 represent a concentrated dose of HIS private teachings to HIS select group of men, on the night of HIS, now infamous arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

    JESUS begins the evening with the surprising act of “washing HIS disciple’s feet”, one disciple at a time. It was an endearing and humble effort on JESUS’ part, to express to HIS closest followers, the kind of brotherly love that HE had in HIS heart for each of them.

    JESUS knew that HIS time to depart from this world was drawing ever closer, and, that HIS death on the cross was now imminent. The devil had already entered into the heart of Judas Iscariot and enticed him to go forward with his plan of betrayal against JESUS. And now, the stage was set for the “passion of CHRIST” to begin. But first, there would still be time for some intimate instructions from the MAN WHO had come to mean so much to this unwitting, rag-tagged group of simple and untrained men. And the first of HIS instructions was aimed at teaching them to serve each other in the most menial of ways, which was, in this case, washing each other’s feet.

    After washing their feet, JESUS put HIS robe back on and sat down and asked what they had learned from what HE had just done. HE told HIS faithful that they always called HIM “MASTER” and “LORD”, and that, they were correct in doing so. However, HE wanted them to see that, if HE, as their MASTER, would wash their feet, how much more willing should they be to wash each other’s feet?

    JESUS had given HIS disciples an example, and HE wanted them to follow suit with their treatment toward each other. And, even though “a servant is never greater than his master”, and “a messenger is never more important than the one who sent him”, JESUS, WHO is “MASTER over all mankind”, came “to serve all mankind”, perfectly representing HIS FATHER GOD, WHO sent HIM into the world that HE so loved.

    All the way up until the very hour of Judas’ betrayal of JESUS, he had been, protected by JESUS from being discovered by the other disciples. JESUS knew from the beginning what role Judas would portray in the outcome of HIS ministry, but HE in no way compelled him to play it. Instead, HE exposed Judas to all of the privileges that HE had afforded the other disciples, and yet Judas’ sinful heart remained “unchanged” by JESUS’ presence.

    It is like the professed Christian in the church today, who might attend church every weekend, and go to Sunday school, midweek bible study, participate in church ministries etc., and never really, in their heart, accept CHRIST for WHO HE is, as “our LORD and SAVIOR”.

 

 

JESUS PREDICTS HIS BETRAYAL

John 13:18-30

 

   The “Last Supper” took place on a Thursday night, and the theme of that dinner was a theme of “Love”. After JESUS performed the menial act of foot washing to HIS disciples, HE now decides, with a heavy heart, that it is time to expose the one who would betray HIM. It would be one of those very men whose feet HE had just washed.

    In verse 18 of this passage, JESUS’ allusion to Psalms 41:9, where King David laments his betrayal by his trusted friend, Ahithophel, who like Judas, ultimately committed suicide by hanging (2 Samuel 17:23), clearly identifies this incident as being prophetic. What had happened to David was now happening to David’s greater SON, JESUS CHRIST.

    When JESUS mentioned the fact that one of them would betray HIM, the disciples were stunned, and began to look upon each other, wondering which of them could be capable of doing such a terrible thing. Peter motioned to John, who sat next to JESUS, and asked him to ask JESUS who it would be. JESUS answered, apparently only to John’s hearing, that it would be “the one whom HE gave the bread dipped in sauce to”, which turned out to be Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

    Immediately, upon eating the bread, satan entered into Judas, and he was sent away by JESUS to perform his act of treason. None of the others at the table comprehended what JESUS meant, especially since Judas was treasurer of the group, and, at the time, had been sitting in the position of honor at JESUS’ side. They felt for certain that JESUS was sending him away to do something honorable like purchasing food for the Passover or making a donation to the poor.

    However, Judas had already made his deal with the religious leaders to betray JESUS on that night, and JESUS’ statement to him to “Go and do it quickly” let Judas know that HE knew of his plan. And so, at that point, JESUS was, in effect, giving Judas “a final chance to repent”. Unfortunately, Judas’ heart was all set to go forward with this “final rejection of CHRIST JESUS”, and the rest, is the tragic history of a fallen soul.

    After Judas had left the room, JESUS began again, speaking to the eleven disciples that remained. HE tells them that “HIS time has come to enter HIS glory”, and that “GOD would also receive glory through HIM”, because of it. JESUS’ glory was to be revealed in HIS death, and thereby, GOD would also glorify HIMSELF.

 

JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIAL

John 13:31-38

 

   The term, “little children”, that, is expressed by JESUS in verse 38, shows us the deep concern HE had for HIS beloved disciples’ well-being after HIS departure. HE knew that they could survive HIS absence, only if they obeyed HIS teachings and HIS commandment to love. Here, in this passage, is the only time in scripture that JESUS uses this term. Nevertheless, it is a term that seemed to stick with the apostle John over the years, as we see him use it often in his first letter to the Christians who were dear to him.

    JESUS now reiterates a statement HE had earlier made to the Jewish leaders, that, “where HE was about to go, they could not follow”. This statement, of JESUS’ leaving them, perhaps, more than anything else, deeply troubled the hearts of the disciples. Certainly, it must have set off a whirlwind of perplexing questions in their minds and hearts. And right in the midst of their confusion, JESUS delivers to them, the one and only new commandment, that, HE would ever give, during HIS ministry. It is a commandment that also comes to us today, from across the spans of time, in hopes that we too, can perform it also in our lives. It is the commandment to “love each other, just as JESUS has loved us”.

    “Love is the Christian image of the family”, and it was to take on a new meaning and power, because of the death of CHRIST JESUS. And with the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT to aid us, love would have a new power in our lives. It would stand as undeniable evidence as to whether we are true followers of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

    However, still stuck on the statement of JESUS’ leaving, Peter steps forward and insists that wherever JESUS was going, he was fully ready to follow, right then. In fact, Peter not only insisted that he was ready to follow JESUS wherever HE might go, but he was also ready to lay down his life for HIM.

    And just when Peter thought that he could not be hit with a more disturbing statement than the one of JESUS’ leaving them, our LORD and SAVIOR hits him with an, even more, heart-troubling declaration. HE prophecies to HIS bewildered disciple, that, “before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will have already denied knowing ME, three times.”

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday October 25, 2020

 

Over 253,000 readers worldwide

larrydalexander.blogspot.com

 

LOVE NEVER FAILS

(Love is the greatest)

(1 Corinthians 13)

 

   Faith, Hope, and Love are “the three great enduring things”. They are the spiritual elements that must be embodied in every person who desires to be a true follower of CHRIST JESUS, and, who wishes to worship GOD, in spirit, and in truth. However, out of those three elements, “Love” is the greatest.

    The word “love” in this chapter is “charity” or, in the Greek, “agape” and it is “benevolence and affection toward people”, and “adoration and obedience to GOD”. JESUS says that, we show love for HIM by obeying HIM, and by obeying HIM we remain in HIS love, just as HE obeys the FATHER and remains in HIS love (John 15:10). And then HE tells us in Matthew 25:31-46 that HE will “judge” us, when HE returns, and that judgment will be based on how we reacted to “human need”, or, how we showed or didn’t show “agape love” towards one another.

    In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, the segment we now know as chapter 13, is the best-known passage. In fact, with the exception of Psalm 23, it may be the most well-known chapter in all of Scripture. Over time, it has come to be known the world over, as the “Love Chapter”.

    In this, now famous passage, Paul, moves from explaining how to recognize “spiritual gifts” that come from GOD, in the previous chapter, to how one can measure and express, his or her own spirituality, in the “most excellent way”. Here Paul insists that we succeed in exercising our gifts, only by showing “Love”, an element of quality so vital, that without it, not even the greatest of man’s GOD-given abilities can enrich and enhance the lives of those who possess them, nor, the lives of the people that they seek to help with those abilities (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

    Paul clearly understood that “Love” is not just an abstract, philosophical idea, but rather, it is practical, and must be expressed in the everyday actions and attitudes of the believer (verses 4-7). Even the greatest of spiritual gifts are limited and distorted, by their own mortalities and imperfections. In other words, no spiritual gift lasts forever, but rather, they fade and deteriorate in conjunction with the aging process of the human body (verses 8-12). 

    However, through it all, we can rely on our Faith, Hope, and Love, which is, “GOD personified”, to sustain us. And “Love” is the greatest quality because it, quite literally, is the foundation of the Christian Faith, and, of life itself. Understanding that, we can see, quite vividly, why “Love” is the true measure a person’s spirituality, and it also exemplifies the closeness of one’s relationship with GOD.

    Paul sought to make sure that we realize, quite readily, who, among us is truly spiritual. And the only way to do that was, by first, making sure that we understood the true nature of love, and then, by presenting to us, the criteria, by which we can evaluate the spirituality of others. This is so we will not be duped into following the leadership and advice of false teachers.

    Paul, quite simply, shows us in his own brilliant sort of way, the true “behavioral definition” of “Love”. In this passage, Paul is saying that, any person, who is a spiritual representative of GOD, “acts like it”, not just “talks like it”. “GOD is love”, and when JESUS came to earth, HE clearly demonstrated that Love to us, and for us, time and time again. As a result, HE became “LOVE” personified, in the eyes of men, for all times. HE served to show us what “Love” is supposed to look like as an integral part of the human, earthly experience, or, in other words, how we are to incorporate this “Love” into our everyday actions, attitudes, and indeed, into our existence.

    And while it is true that perfection won’t come to the Church until GOD’s   program for it is consummated with the “second coming” of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, and until then, a church is only perfect when no human being is in it, we as Christians can still all reach a high level of maturity, by learning and becoming accustomed to practicing the immortal acts of Love, already exhibited to us, by CHRIST JESUS, during HIS first advent. 

    As for “Faith” and “Hope”, they are merely manifestations of “Love”, but because of it, they too, will endure forever. All, that we know now, is partial and incomplete, because we are yet, mere children in CHRIST. And when we are children, we are expected to act like children, just as when we grow up, we are expected to put away childish things and behavior.

    Before we come to know CHRIST, we have already long become accustomed to looking at ourselves, through an unclean mirror, and, as a result, we do not see ourselves, as we really are. The blood of CHRIST gives us something, by which we can use, to clean that mirror off, and begin seeing ourselves clearly, for the very first time. We are then able to walk into the store of GOD and pick us up “a free bottle of “faith”. And we can take that faith home with us, and use it, to spray some “hope” on that unclean mirror. And with “Love”, we can wipe away the old life, and begin to usher the new. In fact, it is then, and only then, that we will be able to turn ourselves around, and begin heading in the right direction, in the newness of life, that is found, only in CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

 

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

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Clinton Family Portrait - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday October 18, 2020

 

Over 253,000 readers worldwide

larrydalexander.blogspot.com

 

LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS

(showing holiness in our personal conduct)

(Leviticus 19:18, 33-34 and Luke 10:25-37)

 

   In Leviticus 19:18 the LORD GOD introduces HIS people to a new and different concept that would forever contrast their “personal conduct” with that of the world. Here GOD tells HIS present and future followers, through Moses, to “Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I AM the LORD” (NLT).

    As Christians, our responsibility is NOT to hate, hold a grudge, or seek revenge against one another. It is GOD’s responsibility to exact (krino) judgment, not ours. Our responsibility, as GOD’s greatest creation, is to “love one another”, because “we are all people under the mercy and judgment of GOD”, and “we are all made in HIS spiritual image”. Therefore, in essence, when we hate another human being, we are showing that same kind of hatred toward GOD HIMSELF, WHO made us to be like HIM (holy).

    In addition, in Leviticus 19:33-34, GOD speaks again through Moses saying: “Do not exploit the foreigners who live in your land. They should be treated like everyone else, and you must love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (NLT).

    People who are “racially different” from us, do not have to be necessarily opposed to GOD. They are still human beings who are also made in the “spiritual image” of GOD, and therefore, are born with “GOD’s Nature” (Life, personality, truth, love, justice, wisdom, holiness) embodied in them. 

    Our job as Christians is to help all mankind to reconnect with those “communicable attributes” (GOD’s Nature) that already exists deep inside every one of us, regardless of race, creed, or nationality. We (Christians) were all, once “lost” in this world (symbolically “Egypt”) and had to be offered “the gift of salvation”, through “JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice on the cross”, to be “freed” from the bondage of sin.

   In Luke 10:25-29, one of the teachers of religious law, probably a Pharisee, stood up and posed this question to JESUS: “What must I do to receive eternal life”. Ironically, JESUS gave the same answer that HE had given to the religious teacher who had asked “Which is the most important commandment?” in both Matthew (Matthew 22:34-40) and Mark’s Gospels (Mark 12:28-34).

    There (in Matthew and Mark) JESUS began by reciting the opening line, of the first part of the three-part “Shema”, which states: “Hear O Israel; the LORD is our GOD, the LORD alone”. Then JESUS says that we must “love the LORD THY GOD with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength” (JESUS adds the word “mind” to this list, and I’ll explain why in a minute).

    This kind of love calls for a thorough commitment to GOD that is both “personal”, and, “whole of heart”. In fact, it speaks to “the whole of the make-up of the human being”, which is as follows:

 

·         “The heart”, which is the center of human life,

·         “The soul”, which is the “self-conscience” life of all men,

·         “The mind”, which is the entire thought process of man,

·         “The strength”, which is the entire physical power of man.

 

    In other words, we should “love GOD with every fiber of our being”, and it is no accident that this is also what is covered in the first four commandments (see Exodus 20:3-11), where GOD tells us, in effect, that our love for HIM must be;

 

·         Totally loyal (verse 3),

·         Totally faithful (verse 6),

·         Totally trusting (verse 7),

·         And we must always show total reverence for HIM (verse 8).

 

Next, JESUS states that we should “love our neighbor as we love ourselves”. This calls for a commitment of “the mind”. As only JESUS can, HE quite literally adds this command to the Shema and brings into focus, the fourth part of “the fiber of the human being”. It is not a coincidence that HIS commandment also represents the summation of the remaining six commandments of GOD that are found in Exodus 20, verses 12-17:

 

·         If we love each other, we can certainly begin with honoring our own parents.

·         If we love each other, we are not likely to take “another’s life” intentionally, or maliciously, a life “made in the image of GOD”.

·         If we love each other, we will not commit adultery against our spouse with another person.

·         If we love each other, we won’t steal from each other.

·         If we love each other, we won’t lie on each other, or falsely accuse each other.

·         And finally, if we love each other, we won’t jealously desire anything that belongs to someone else.

 

    And so, here in this passage JESUS is saying, that, “everything GOD commands us to do is of the utmost importance to HIM”, and that, “the Ten Commandments can really be viewed as being only two”. And both of them, or, all ten of them, are of equal importance to GOD. 

    JESUS concludes by saying, “If we do them, we will live”. Here HE means that, “we will live eternally with GOD in Heaven”. And over in Deuteronomy 6, verse 2b, Moses tells the people of Israel the same thing about this life right now, “If you obey all HIS laws and commands, you will enjoy a long life” here on earth. Amen.

    In verse 29, the religious teacher sought to justify himself by posing yet another question to JESUS, asking HIM, “Who is my neighbor?” And in verses 30-37, JESUS gives him, and future generations (us), a clear example of how we can serve GOD by serving our neighbor, as HE relates the, now famous, story of “the good Samaritan”. Here JESUS defines “neighbor” in a very rigorous, all-inclusive way, as being “anybody who is in need”, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin.

    JESUS’ answer to the religious teacher’s second question has to be viewed on two different levels if we are to grasp the totality of HIS message. First of all JESUS HIMSELF tells us that when HE returns to judge the peoples’ of the world, HE will base HIS decision on how each individual “reacted to human need” over the span of his or her lifetime (Matthew 25:31-46).

    Secondly, it must be viewed in the context of HIS OWN rejection by Israel here on earth. Likewise, in this parable, the Jewish religious leaders rejected the man who had fell victim to bandits along the perilous Jericho road, and needed their help after being robbed. When JESUS lived here on earth, the Jewish people, particularly the religious leaders, became the worst of HIS rejecters by announcing HIM as being “not from GOD”.

    In the parable of the good Samaritan, only the despised, mixed-race Samaritan stopped to render aid to the fallen man of Jewish descent, and out of the three who came upon the man’s injured body (two of them were men of the Church), only the outcast Samaritan was willing to stop and help keep the man from perishing by the wayside.

    In fact, not only did the man render aid to fallen Jewish man by soothing his wounds with medicine and bandages, he also loaded him up on his donkey and took him to a place of shelter in a nearby inn, where he administered further medical assistance to him.

    And furthermore, the next day, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper two pieces of silver and instructed him to take care of the man, and also told HIM, that, if he needed more money, he would square up with him the next time he passed through.

    After JESUS finished relating this parable, HE asked the religious teacher which of the three men who encountered the wounded victim on the Jericho road acted as a good neighbor to him. The religious teacher wisely replied in the only way that he could, by answering, “The one who showed him mercy”. Then JESUS replied to the teacher, “Yes, now go and do the same”. 

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

 

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

 

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

 

Clinton Family Portrait - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday October 11, 2020

 

Over 252,000 readers worldwide

larrydalexander.blogspot.com

 

LOVE FOR ENEMIES

(Do not try to condemn others)

(Luke 6:27-42)

 

   In Luke chapter 6, taking up at verse 27, JESUS begins to teach about “the seven aspects” of “agape”, or “unconditional love”, in HIS, now famous, “Sermon on the Mount”. Because of our acquired and accepted “sin nature” (our desire to want to do wrong) from satan, these seven aspects are not automatically pursued by man, even though all of us are born with “GOD’s Nature” in us from the beginning. The pursuit of these holy aspects still requires a “supernatural interceding” from GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT, to enable us to achieve such a state of required righteousness. These seven aspects include:

 

·         Loving our enemies

·         Doing good to those who hate us

·         Blessing those who curse us

·         Praying for those who mistreat us

·         Resisting the urge for revenge against those who we feel wronged us

·         Giving freely without expectation of being paid back

·         Always treating others, the way, we ourselves, want to be treated (“The Golden Rule”)  

 

    In order for us to successfully, and consistently do these things, especially to people that we don’t know or like , one has to be “inspired to love”, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD. JESUS wants us to show the same attitude towards each other that GOD HIMSELF displays towards us.

    This kind of love will set us apart from the world and allow us to emulate the ways of GOD in Heaven, while living here on earth. Then our reward from Heaven will be great, because we will truly be behaving like children of GOD, WHO is kind to the “unthankful”, and, to those who are “wicked” (v.35b) (which at one time or the other, is all of us).

    In verses 37-38, JESUS outlines five areas that stand as proof of the “sowing and reaping” theme that so prominently permeates the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Here HE tells us that:

 

·         Mercy leads to mercy

·         Judgment leads to judgment

·         Condemnation leads to condemnation

·         Pardon will lead to pardon

·         Giving will lead to giving

 

    Our “actions and attitudes” always reflect back on us, and “true righteousness” is always revealed in our actions and attitudes towards each other. And just as a blind person can not lead another blind person to safety, and indeed, can not even hide the fact that they themselves are blind, so it is with the “unrighteous”.

    Our “unrighteousness” is also revealed in our actions and attitudes. And because the  “unrighteous” can only lead a person into “the dangers and pitfalls of unrighteousness”, we must first rid ourselves of our own “sin” (“unrighteousness”) before we can help someone else rid themselves of theirs.

    JESUS points out that, the person who criticizes another person, often has a greater sinful behavior pattern than the person that they are criticizing (Vs.41-42). The greatest reason why a person cannot “judge” (“krino”) another person, is because we are all under the “judgment” (“krino”) of GOD. Because we have all lived a sinful life under GOD, we are thereby not qualified to condemn another person for living the same kind of lifestyle that we have. We are all “equal in sin” with each other. Only CHRIST JESUS has qualified HIMSELF, as a 100% human being here on earth, to judge mankind. Amen.

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

    Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

 

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

 

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

 

Clinton Family Portrait - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday October 4, 2020

 

Over 251,000 readers worldwide

larrydalexander.blogspot.com

 

LOVE THAT INTERCEDES

(GOD’s mercy can overcome HIS judgment against us)

(1 Samuel 19:1-7, 23:1-18 and 2 Samuel 9)

 

   Over in the New Testament Scriptures, in the letter written by James, the half-brother of JESUS, he tells us that, “For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then GOD’s mercy toward you will “win out” over HIS judgment against you” (James 2:13) (NLT).

    In the biblical Greek “katakauchatai” (kat-ak-ow-chat-ahee) is the spirit in which that statement is made. It describes the attitude that GOD has toward mankind, and the attitude that GOD expects mankind to reflect from HIM toward our fellowman. And so, even when we speak, and in whatever we do, we must remember that we will be “judged” (krino) by “the law of love”, the law that sets us free.

    In first Samuel 19, after becoming jealous of David, because of his many military successes, King Saul, Israel’s current king, makes the first of several attempts to assassinate David, who would become Israel’s next king, by decree from GOD. Here Saul urges his servants and his son, Jonathan, to kill David, who had now become the most popular man in all of Israel. However, Jonathan, who was now very close friends with David, instead, told David of his father’s plot against him (Vs.1-3).

    The next morning Jonathan met with his father to try and sway him away from his assassination plot, by reminding him of the many good things that David had done for him, and his kingdom. After much persuasion from Jonathan, Saul falsely vowed before the LORD that he would not kill David (v.6). Jonathan told David of his seemingly successful defense of him before his father, and then he brought David to see Saul and everything seemed peaceful, as it was before (v.7).

    However, over in first Samuel 23, we see King Saul’s jealousy and envy toward David still kindling, and in his heart, he never had any intentions of letting David live. And so, we see here in this chapter, that, after another attempt at taking David’s life by Saul, David has fled into the wilderness of Judah and hid from the king.

    We also see here in this passage that, David was still concerned about the welfare of Israel. In verses 1-6, David, after first inquiring of the LORD, went after the Philistines who were raiding and stealing the temple grain at Keilah, a small fortress town in lowlands of Judah, about 8 ½ north of Hebron.

    Here David bravely comes out of hiding and goes to Keilah and slays the Philistines and rescued the people. When word got back to Saul, his envy toward David burned at an even higher degree. Saul quickly mobilized his army and went after David, somehow believing that the LORD had now handed David over to him by trapping David in the “walled city” of Keilah.

    However, David learned of Saul’s plan ahead of time, and he called for, and inquired of the priest, Abiathar, the son of the priest, Ahimelech, who had fled to David after Saul had exterminated the entire priestly community in Jerusalem. Abiathar also went with David to Keilah and he carried the “sacred ephod” (the breastplate of judgment – Exodus 28:12, 29) with him, which contained the sacred lots, “Urim” and “Thummim”, that were used by the priests to receive answers from GOD.

    David prayed to the LORD and asked HIM “if Saul would come to take siege of the city of Keilah”, and, “would the people of Keilah betray him to Saul” (Vs.11-12). The LORD’s reply to David, to both questions, was “yes”. And so, to show mercy to the city that he had rescued from the oppression of the Philistines, David and his 600-man army left Keilah and began roaming the countryside (v.13). When word reached Saul, that David had left Keilah, he decided not to go there, and the people were spared of incurring his wrath against David.

    Eventually, David ended up in the strongholds of the wilderness of the hill country outside the city Ziph in southern Judah, just to the southeast of Hebron. Saul continued to hunt for David, but the LORD would not let him find him (v.14).

    One day while David was near Horesh, he received news that Saul was coming to search for him in Ziph. However, Jonathan went and found David and encouraged him to “not be afraid” and to “stay strong in the LORD”. He also reminded David that the LORD had already anointed him to be Israel’s next king. That day David and Jonathan renewed their “covenant of friendship” before the LORD, and Jonathan then returned home, leaving David at Horesh (v.18) in the hill country of southern Judah.

    In Second Samuel 9, long after the death of Saul and Jonathan, David begins to reflect, and he wonders if there were any relatives of Saul that were still alive. Second Samuel 9 is the beginning of what is sometimes called by scholars, “the succession narratives”. It is that stretch of biblical passages that encompasses chapters 9-20 of this book. The purpose of these chapters is to show the steps that David took to succeed Saul and establish the permanence of his own dynasty.

    These passages chronicle events surrounding David’s solicitation of the northern kingdom of Israel for support, by showing kindness to the descendants of Saul, their once beloved king. Then too, David had also made a covenant with Jonathan, Saul’s son, and promised to always show faithful love to his family, even after his death (1 Samuel 20:14-17).

    And so, David summons a man named “Ziba” (Zie-bah), who had been one of Saul’s servants, and asked him if there was anyone in Saul’s family that was still alive. Ziba informed David that one of Jonathan’s sons named “Mephibosheth” (Meh-FIB-oh-shehth) was still alive. He was a cripple who resided in the home of a man named Makir, in the town of Lo-debar (also called Debir), east of the Jordan River, on the border of Gad, near Mahanaim (May-huh-NAY-im).

    Mephibosheth was only 5 years old when his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, Saul, died on Mount Gilboa in the battle of Jezreel (2 Samuel 4:4). When his nurse heard the outcome of the battle, she feared for Mephibosheth’s life. When she grabbed the young lad however, to flee for his protection, she fell and dropped him, causing his permanent cripple condition.

   After hearing this from Ziba, King David sent for the, now lamed, prince of northern Israel, and restored to him, his grandfather Saul’s entire estate. He also gave Mephibosheth a place at his royal table, and he allowed him to live in his palace, and he treated him as if he were his own son (2 Samuel 9:7-13).

    And so, we see, just as GOD, through Jonathan, had faithfully interceded for David down through the years, with HIS love and protection, so David faithfully interceded for Saul and his family, with his love and protection. In fact, he showed mercy toward Saul and his family, even in the years when Saul was actively seeking to kill him.

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

       

      

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