Week 14 1 Samuel
The subtitle of Psalm 59 says that it’s “a psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him”.
Saul’s murderous hatred of David developed pretty much overnight. Chapter 17 is the great David-and-Goliath story where David becomes a national hero. Even though the chapter ends with Saul wondering about David he doesn’t hate David – so far. But by the end of the very next chapter everything has changed. A lot: Saul sent troops to watch David’s house. They were told to kill David when he came out the next morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead by morning.” So she helped him climb out through a window, and he fled and escaped.
And so now David is on-the-run.
Mostly I’m wondering about David’s Psalm 59 reaction to the attempt on his life. To being almost literally under-the-gun. I notice two things:
First: you are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.
And second (near the end): as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when & I am in distress.
David’s confidence & assurance are what stand out as being the most impressive & unexpected responses.
So I’m wondering what-all else will show up in the other on-the-run psalms.
Note: quotes from 1 Samuel 19:11-12 Psalm 59:1 9 16 (NLT)