This is the Bible Book Club. I'm Heather, and I'm Susan, and we're in the book of First Samuel.

Welcome to the club.

Last episode in Chapter 17, it was the classic story of David and Goliath.

Goliath was daily defying God. David overheard Goliath smack talk and was

infuriated that the Israelites were allowing anyone to talk about God that way. So David took avenging

God into his own hands and defeated Goliath God's way. He stoned Goliath for blasphemy, which was

the prescribed consequence for blasphemy, according to Moses.

In this scene, David's been transformed overnight from a pesky, inquisitive baby brother to a celebrated hero, honored court member, and soon to be, royal family member.

His resume will continue to grow as we read through first and second Samuel.

But as David's story builds, a contrasting subplot is being developed. The demise of Saul,

the king the people wanted, compared to the rise of David, the king God wanted. Saul, the bad shepherd

of the people, is contrasted with David

the good shepherd. Saul became a king like all the other nation's kings while David was a king

with the heart for the Lord. Saul disobeyed the Lord repeatedly without repenting, whereas we're

going to find that David's disobedience will be deeply repentant.

Scene one, David falls in and out of favor, starting in chapter 18, where David finds favor first with Jonathan.

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in the spirit with David and he loved him as himself.

From that day, Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family.

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

Jonathan took off the rope he was wearing and gave it to David along with his tunic and

even his sword, his bow, and his belt.

Whatever missions Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in his army.

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