Scripture:
1 Samuel 26:7-12, 15-16, 21-22
Thu, 21 October 2021

A Theology of Saul’s Spear

Observation:

What is the significance of Saul’s “spear” being mentioned six times in 1 Samuel 26 (vv.7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 22)?

Deeper Reflection
THE RECURRING MENTION of Saul’s “spear” in 1 Samuel 18 to 26 is not without significance. Saul’s “spear” is mentioned 13 times, with six times in 1 Samuel 26. Like a sceptre, Saul’s “spear” symbolises royal presence and power,33 and “that spear…is a hall-mark of Saul”34. This is portrayed in Saul “sitting…on the height” at Gibeah “with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing in front of him” during his pursuit after David’s life (1 Sam 22:6). God’s intention for Saul’s “spear” was to deliver His people from the Philistines (1 Sam 9:16). But out of selfish ambition, jealousy, insecurity and anger, Saul used his “spear” twice to try to kill David (1 Sam 18:10-11; 19:9-10) and even on his own son for defending David (1 Sam 20:33). Saul’s spear “always seemed to be in his hand”35 (1 Sam 18:10; 19:9), except in 1 Samuel 26: Saul was sleeping “with his spear stuck in the ground at his head” (v.7). Saul was now totally defenceless, despite “the omnipresent symbol of his power”36 in his spear and protection of Abner and 3,000 men (vv.7-8). The irony is, Saul was almost assassinated by Abishai with his own spear (v.8). Saul was effortlessly disarmed by David when he took his spear (vv.7-8) – a symbol of Saul’s power was gone. Saul’s spear was now in David’s hand and David had the power to return it to Saul (vv.21-22). But ultimately, “the spear in Saul’s hand” (1 Sam 18:10; 19:9) was in God’s sovereign hand.
33 Ronald F. Youngblood, 768; Robert D. Bergen, 256
34 Ronald F. Youngblood, 768 – citing David M. Gunn
35 Dale Ralph Davis, 198
36 Dale Ralph Davis, 273
Application:

How will I face “the spear(s) in Saul’s hand” situations that make life challenging for me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise:
  • Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To rest in God’s sovereignty in working under difficult, powerful people.
  • Pray for significant people:
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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