Today is the 21st day of May. Welcome. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian.

It is truly wonderful to be here with you today.

Grateful, deeply to be here with you today to take the next step forward on this adventure that we began.

Well, back at the beginning of the year, we continue to wind our way forward today.

We will conclude the book of First Samuel, which will bring us to a conclusion of King Saul's reign

as king. And then we will move forward in the story with 2nd Samuel beginning tomorrow. But today,

1 Samuel 29, 30, and 31.

The Philistines gathered all their forces at Afeck, and Israel camped by the spring in Jesrael.

As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Aikish.

The commanders of the Philistines asked, What about these Hebrews?

Akish replied, is this not David, who was an officer of Saul, king of Israel. He has already been with me for over a year,

and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him. But the Philistine commanders

were angry with Akish and said, Send the man back that he may return to the place you assigned him.

He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting.

How better could he regain his master's favor than by taking the heads of our own men?

Isn't this the David they sang about and their dances?

Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands?

So Eichish called David and said to him,

As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army.

From the day you came to me until today,

I have found no fault in you.

But the rulers don't approve of you.

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