1 Samuel Pt. 4 | Don’t Eat The Honey! – David Defeats Golitath (Ch.14-17)

We have learned from our last summary that Saul was chosen as king and he didn’t obey what he was supposed to do as a king. What we see in today’s summary is Saul’s rejection as the king, and Samuel looking for a new king.

Ch. 14 -Saul’s Rash Oath

Jonathan defeats the Philistines, and God protected Israel.

Saul puts an oath in place that the people cannot eat until he has vengeance on the Philistines.

The people are walking in the forest, and they come across some honey. However, fearing Saul’s oath. They avoid it.

Jonathan, Saul’s son, comes across and eats the honey, not knowing about the oath.

It causes an uproar. People return and slaughter animals because they are hungry, but they eat the meat improperly. Saul hears about this and tells the people to slaughter their animals, but eat the meat properly.

Saul then requests of the Lord if God will deliver the Philistines into the hand of Israel. But God does not answer him.

Saul assumes because Jonathan made the people sin, that this is his fault. Therefore, he plans to kill Jonathan. But the people are against it, and ultimately save Jonathan.

Ch. 15-  Saul Rejected  

Saul is told by Samuel to attack the Amalekites. Destroying everything and everyone, nothing is to be taken or spared.

But Saul spares the king, and he and his men take the best of cattle and goods.

The Lord lets Samuel know that He regrets having Saul be king. Samuel grieves all night.

The next morning he meets Saul. He rebukes Saul for what he did. Saul pleads that he can be pardoned and then they both can sacrifice together.

Samuel refuses.

He can’t return with Saul because Saul has been rejected. Saul was rejected as king because Saul rejected the word of the Lord. 

Saul begs, even tearing a piece of Samuel’s robe. Samuel reminds him that as he is rejected as king, the kingdom has been torn away from him as well.

Samuel kills the king of Amalekites, as Saul didn’t.

Samuel never again visits Saul, but he did mourn for Saul.

Ch. 16- David Anointed

Samuel is told by God to stop mourning and go anoint the one God has chosen. Samuel fears Saul will try to kill him, but God encourages him.

He is told to find Jesse the Bethlehemite.

Samuel consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited to the sacrifice he was preparing. Samuel saw Eliab, and thought, “He must be it.” But God said, “No,” leaving Samuel with this powerful response.

(NIV) 1 Samuel 16:07, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Seven sons of Jesse are presented to Samuel and each son is not the chosen one.

Samuel eventually askes Jesse, “Are these your only sons?”

Jesse answers, “Well, the youngest is tending the sheep.”

Samuel has them send for David, and when David appeared, who is described as being ruddy with bright eyes, the Lord announces, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”

Samuel anoints David in the midst of David’s brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

The Spirit of the Lord had departed Saul by this point, and a distressing spirit from the Lord is replaced. Saul was troubled. Under the suggestion of his servants, Saul sends out an order to find someone who is skillful with the harp. When the harp player plays the spirit will leave and Saul will be well.

Lo and behold, David is heard of as a great harp player. David appears, and Saul cared for him. David became Saul’s armor-bearer. Saul sends word to Jesse that David has found favor in Saul’s sight.

Ch. 17 – David and Goliath 

A champion, known as Goliath, arises from the Philistines and challenges the Hebrews. “If I am killed,” he says, “we will be your servants. But if I win, then you will be our servants.”

Everyone who heard this became afraid, including Saul and his men.

David mainly stayed with Saul, but he did occasionally travel back home and tended his sheep. His three oldest brothers were part of Saul’s army.

Jesse sends David with food to his brothers and others. He requests David come back with news of what was happening.

When David learns from his brothers the declaration Goliath made, David began speaking against Goliath to them. “Who is this man that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

Now, David, like other teens who can relate, was instantly rebuked by not only his brothers, but everyone around him. His oldest brother began saying David was insolent and prideful. Leaving his sheep, and wanting to see the battle. Everyone said the same to him.

But David was not phased. In fact, his words were reported to Saul, and Saul calls for him. Saul tells him, “You can’t defeat him.”

David answers, “I protected my father’s flock from bears and lions. I’ve killed both lion and bear, and this guy is no different because he has defied the armies of the living God. God delivered me from the paws of lions and bears. He will deliver me from the hand of this man.”

Saul tells him to go and God be with him. He gives David armor, but David could not comfortably move in them.

Instead, he takes his staff and he takes five round smooth stones. Placing the stones in his shepherd’s bag, he held a sling in his hand.

He approached Goliath and I’m sure Goliath gave him quite a look.

“Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks,” was his insult to David.

David responds, “While you come at me with a sword, I come at you in the name of the Lord. He will deliver you into my hand, today.”

The battle begins, and David quickly slings his stone straight toward the giant’s head. The stone sinks in his forehead, killing Goliath.

There is shouting and joy. The army of Israel proceeds to take over the rest of the Philistine army.

Saul asks who is the father of David, and he learns it is Jesse.

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From this part forward, we will see Saul’s care for David turn into hatred.

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What did you think about today’s summary?