Author: Alfonso Maldonado

1Samuel 28, the witch of Endor!

1Sa 28:5-6, When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, HE WAS AFRAID, AND HIS HEART TREMBLED GREATLY. And when Saul inquired of the LORD, THE LORD DID NOT ANSWER HIM, EITHER BY DREAMS OR BY URIM OR BY THE PROPHETS.

Because of Saul’s disobedience to GOD there was no answer from the LORD! Dead silence!

1Sa 28:7, …”Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her…

Lev 20:6, ‘And the person WHO TURNS TO MEDIUMS and FAMILIAR SPIRITS, to prostitute himself with them, I WILL SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT PERSON AND CUT HIM OFF FROM HIS PEOPLE. 

1Sa 28:12, When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice…

She was most likely a fraud and she didn’t expect to see anyone but she saw Samuel! THE WITCH HAD NO POWER TO CALL SAMUEL, BUT THE LORD ALLOWED IT

1Sa 28:18, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD …THEREFORE THE LORD HAS DONE THIS THING TO YOU THIS DAY. 

IT WAS OVER FOR SAUL, BUT AS CHRISTIAN WE SHOULD STAY COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THIS DEMONIC REALM!  DRAW NEAR TO HIM AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU! SEEK HIS FACE AND BE AT HIS FEAT DAILY!

1Samuel 27, David trusted in his heart!

1Sa 27:1, THEN DAVID SAID IN HIS HEART, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is NOTHING BETTER for me than that I should escape…

Trusting in his heart David said there is NOTHING BETTER? Better would be seeking GOD and HIS wisdom!  The heart is wicked!

Jer 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” 

1Sa 27:5, Then David said to Achish, “IF I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN YOUR EYES, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, that I may dwell there. For why should YOUR SERVANT dwell in the royal city with you?” 

David was seeking favor from the enemies of GOD the philistines? This is what happens when you trust your heart rather than the Word of GOD! 

1Sa 27:11-12, And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, … And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel…

DAVID WAS LIVING A LIE AND HE KILL ANYONE THAT WOULD TELL ACHISH THE TRUTH!  DAVID IS NOW LIVING IN A BACKSLIDEN LIFESTYLES ALL BECAUSE HE TRUSTED IN HIS HEART!

Pro 14:14, The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. 

1Samuel 26, David spares Saul again!

1Samuel 26:8, Then Abishai said to David, “GOD HAS GIVEN YOUR ENEMY INTO YOUR HAND THIS DAY….

This is the second time that David could have taken the life of Saul, yet David would not take the life of the LORD’s Anointed!

1Sa 26:10, And David said, “AS THE LORD LIVES, THE LORD WILL STRIKE HIM, or HIS DAY WILL COME TO DIE, or HE WILL GO DOWN INTO BATTLE AND PERISH. 

David knew that it would be by the hand of GOD that remove Saul as king! Not by his own!

1Sa 26:10, And David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 

Rom 12:19, Beloved, NEVER AVENGE YOURSELVES, BUT LEAVE IT TO THE WRATH OF GOD, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, SAYS THE LORD.” 

1Sa 26:21, Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.”

Mat 10:16, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, SO BE WISE AS SERPENTS AND INNOCENT AS DOVES.

TRUST IS EARNED NEVER GIVEN. SERPENTS CONSTANTLY LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE THE NEXT ATTACK WILL COME FROM, WE MUST DO THE SAME WITH HUMILITY!

1Samuel 25, Wisdom and Folly!

1Sa 25:1, NOW SAMUEL DIED. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. THEN DAVID ROSE …

It’s sad when a man of God dies, but HIS work continues! As Samuel Died David Rose! IT’S NOT ABOUT MAN, BUT ABOUT GOD AND HIS PLAN! WHO IS LIKE HIM!!

Isa 46:10, DECLARING THE END FROM THE BEGINNING and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL MY PURPOSE,’ 

Pro 19:21, MANY ARE THE PLANS IN THE MIND OF A MAN, BUT IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD THAT WILL STAND. 

1Sa 25:36, And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk…

Abigail, was a wise, beautiful woman of GOD who was married to a scoundrel! Nabal had offended David and his men and while he held a feast at home didn’t know that David was on his way to kill him; IF IT WASN’T FOR THE WISDOM OF ABIGIAL! 

Pro 31:4, IT IS NOT FOR KINGS, O Lemuel, IT IS NOT FOR KINGS TO DRINK WINE, OR FOR RULERS TO TAKE STRONG DRINK, 

WE CAN BE EITHER FOOLISH OR WISE THE CHOICE IS OURS TO MAKE! FOR WISEMEN STILL SEEK JESUS AND ALWAYS WILL!

1Samuel 24, Walk in wisdom!

1Sa 24:10, Look, this day your eyes have seen THAT THE LORD DELIVERED YOU TODAY INTO MY HAND IN THE CAVE, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand AGAINST MY LORD, FOR HE IS THE LORD’S ANOINTED.’ 

David could have taken Saul’s life because the throne was promised to David. YET, David will not get the throne by killing Saul but by waiting on the LORD! IN HIS TIME!

Psa 27:14, WAIT ON THE LORD; BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART; WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD! 

1Sa 24:16-17, So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul Lifted Up His Voice And Wept. Then he said to David: “YOU ARE MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN I; FOR YOU HAVE REWARDED ME WITH GOOD, WHEREAS I HAVE REWARDED YOU WITH EVIL.

Saul has a change of heart or is it a brief emotional response? Yet in chapter 26 Saul goes out against David again (1Sam 26:1-3)

Isa 55:7, LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY, AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN HIS THOUGHTS; LET HIM RETURN TO THE LORD, AND HE WILL HAVE MERCY ON HIM; AND TO OUR GOD, FOR HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON. 

TRUE REPENTANCE IS ACTION BASED NOT AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE! Scripture says to Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside of the flock! (Col 4:5)!

1Samuel 23, Saul’s selfish pursuit!

1Sa 23:4, Then David inquired of the LORD … And the LORD answered him and said, “ARISE, GO DOWN TO KEILAH. FOR I WILL DELIVER THE PHILISTINES INTO YOUR HAND.” 

It was the job of the king to protect the people, but Saul wasn’t interested in doing his job so David went as the LORD commanded!

1Sa 23:7, And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, “GOD HAS DELIVERED HIM INTO MY HAND, FOR HE HAS SHUT HIMSELF IN BY ENTERING A TOWN THAT HAS GATES AND BARS.” 

SAUL’S ONLY DESIRE WAS TO KILL DAVID!

1Sa 23:8, THEN SAUL CALLED ALL THE PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR WAR, TO GO DOWN TO KEILAH TO BESIEGE DAVID AND HIS MEN. 

Saul wouldn’t defend the city from the Philistines, yet he gathered the people to kill David.  He was selfishly motivated!

1Sa 23:21, And Saul said, “BLESSED ARE YOU OF THE LORD, FOR YOU HAVE COMPASSION ON ME. 

SAUL WAS SPIRITUALLY DEAD TO THINK THE PEOPLE BETRAYING DAVID WERE BLESSED OF  THE LORD! IF SAUL HAD THE SAME DRIVE PURSUING GOD HIS END WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT! YET BITTER ENVY WAS HIS GOD!

Jas 3:14-16, But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

1Samuel 22, The Cave of Adullam!

1Sa 22:1, DAVID THEREFORE DEPARTED FROM THERE AND ESCAPED TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 

David escaped the Philistines and went to the cave of Adullam. This was David’s refuge because there was no place for him to go! ADULLAM MEANS REFUGE THIS IS THE PLACED WHERE HE WROTE PSALM 142!

Psa 142:1-3, …I CRY OUT TO THE LORD WITH MY VOICE; With my voice to the LORD I MAKE MY SUPPLICATION. I POUR OUT MY COMPLAINT BEFORE HIM; I DECLARE BEFORE HIM MY TROUBLE. WHEN MY SPIRIT WAS OVERWHELMED WITHIN ME, …

Psa 62:8, TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES, you people; POUR OUT YOUR HEART BEFORE HIM; GOD IS A REFUGE FOR US. SELAH 

1Sa 22:2, And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. …

WHEN THERE NO WAY OUT, NO WHERE TO GO HE IS OUR REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE! DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU (James 4:8). JESUS WILL DRAW HIS PEOPLE TO HIMSELF! HE KNOWS HIS SHEEP FOR THEY FOLLOW HIM! 

2Cor 4:8-9, We are hard-pressed on every side, YET NOT CRUSHED; we are perplexed, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; persecuted, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; struck down, but NOT DESTROYED

1Samuel 21, David’s lowest point!

1Sa 21:9, So the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, …And DAVID SAID, “THERE IS NONE LIKE IT; GIVE IT TO ME.” 

David was running for his life and rather than to put his trust in the LORD he sought protection using the sword that he took from Goliath and beheaded him!  HIS FAITH IN GOD WAS STRONGER THAN GOLIATH SWORD, BUT NOW HE IS LOSING HIS FAITH BY RELYING IN A SWORD RATHER THAN GOD!

1Sa 21:13, So he changed his behavior before them, PRETENDED MADNESS in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 

David went to Gath to seek safety from Saul yet, this is Goliath hometown (1Sa 17:4), and he is carrying Goliath’s sword! The Philistines captured David according to Psalm 56!

Psa 56:1, …When the Philistines Captured Him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God..

Psa 34:1, A Psalm of David When He Pretended Madness Before Abimelech, Who Drove Him Away, and He Departed.

WHEN DAVID WAS CAPTURED, HE CAME BACK TO THE LORD IN PRAYER AND PRAISE! AND PRETENDED TO BE MAD TO ESCAPE FROM THE HAND OF THE PHILISTINES!

Psa 56:3-4, WHENEVER I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN YOU. IN GOD (I will praise His word), IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST; I WILL NOT FEAR. What can flesh do to me?

1Samuel 20, The testing of David!

1Sa 20:3, “YOUR FATHER CERTAINLY KNOWS THAT I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN YOUR EYES, …But truly, … THERE IS BUT A STEP BETWEEN ME AND DEATH.” 

David is discouraged That Saul is trying to kill David but doesn’t know why? Ver 1 “WHAT HAVE I DONE? WHAT IS MY INIQUITY”

1Sa 20:15-16, but you (David) SHALL NOT CUT OFF YOUR KINDNESS FROM MY HOUSE FOREVER,…” SO JONATHAN MADE A COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF DAVID, SAYING, “LET THE LORD REQUIRE IT AT THE HAND OF DAVID’S ENEMIES.” 

Jonathan, the current prince of Israel knew that David would be king. So, he made a covenant with David that he would remember his (Jonathan’s) family and show kindness! David kept his promise (2Sam 9:1-8)

1Sa 20:31, For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Now therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.”

DAVID HAD MANY TRIALS AND AT TIMES HE BELIEVED HE WOULD DIE, YET THE LORD WAS MOLDING HIM INTO A MAN THAT COULD GUIDE HIS PEOPLE!  THE LORD KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO PREPARE A MAN FOR THE WORK OF THE LORD!

1Pe 1:7, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, THOUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE, MAY BE FOUND TO PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, 

1Samuel 19, Saul trying to kill David!

1Sa 19:1, Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, THAT THEY SHOULD KILL DAVID; but Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted greatly in David. 

David was a true loyal servant of Saul, but he knew David would be the next king! He wanted him dead! Jonathan was a true friend!

1Sa 19:4, Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king SIN AGAINST HIS SERVANT, against David, because HE HAS NOT SINNED AGAINST YOU, and because HIS WORKS HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD TOWARD YOU. 

Pro 17:13, Whoever rewards evil for good, EVIL WILL NOT DEPART FROM HIS HOUSE. 

1Sa 19:5, FOR HE TOOK HIS LIFE IN HIS HANDS AND KILLED THE PHILISTINE, and the LORD brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. YOU SAW IT AND REJOICED. WHY THEN WILL YOU SIN AGAINST INNOCENT BLOOD, TO KILL DAVID WITHOUT A CAUSE?” 

SAUL WAS ENVIOUS OF DAVID’S VICTORIES AGAINST THE PHILISTINES AND JEALOUS OF HIS FAME IN ISRAEL! ALL THIS WAS IN HIS HEART! HE HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT YET HE PERSISTED IN WANTING TO KILL OFF DAVID! SAUL DEPARTED FROM THE LORD! THE HEART IS DECEITFULL ABOVE ALL THINGS! Jer 17:9!

Heb 3:12, BEWARE, BRETHREN, LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AN EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING GOD;