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Speaker 1: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans jehoasts for heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 1: If you've enjoyed this podcast so far, please share it

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Speaker 1: with your family and friends and help us spread God's word.

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Speaker 1: Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,

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Speaker 1: and murder. While most people know of David the myth,

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Speaker 1: few know about David the man. In this story, our

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Speaker 1: hero's humility is tested. This episode reveals to us the

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Speaker 1: test of a true hero, which is does he still

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Speaker 1: show up even when the praise disappears. David has been

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Speaker 1: beloved by the entire nation for a few years, even

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Speaker 1: though he is an exile from Saul. He would still

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Speaker 1: like to think he is loved by the people. But

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Speaker 1: what does he do when the people turn on him?

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Speaker 1: Does he grow bitter and leave them to their own destruction?

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Speaker 1: Or does he rise above the hatred of fickled men

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Speaker 1: to fulfill the will of God. Thankfully, in the highs

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Speaker 1: and lows of David's life, he is no longer without companionship.

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Speaker 1: His mighty and faithful men are with him till the

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Speaker 1: bitter end. David's Shepherd's heart has inspired the Army of

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Speaker 1: Outcasts to become heroes. It's a beautiful thing to see

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Speaker 1: them fight, laugh, and strategize together in unity with David

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Speaker 1: at the helm. In this episode, you will see glimpses

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Speaker 1: of what it may look like to have David on

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Speaker 1: the throne as King. The first we will begin with

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Speaker 1: the prelude. This story takes us a few generations into

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Speaker 1: the future, when a prophet of God fights for his people,

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Speaker 1: all to be sent running into exile. This episode's epic hive,

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Speaker 1: followed by an isolating low, mirrors the journey David takes

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Speaker 1: in this episode. This episode then ends with sadness, but

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Speaker 1: it is not a sorrow without hope. The warrior poet

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Speaker 1: David sings a new lament and prays to God, touching

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Speaker 1: the hearts of everyone who listens. Let's listen together. In

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Speaker 1: episode eleven, An Army of Outcast, Part.

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Speaker 2: Two prelude to chapter eleven, the heavens swirled in the

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Speaker 2: air above the altars. Storm clouds galloped across the skies

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Speaker 2: like a herd of stallions. Elijah stood in opposition to

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Speaker 2: the prophets of Bale, men who had taken the innocence

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Speaker 2: of Israel and profaned the name of the Lord their child.

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Speaker 2: Sacrifices and blood rituals had gone far enough, and now

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Speaker 2: in front of the whole nation, Elijah would prove the

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Speaker 2: worthiness of God. The whole day had passed, and the

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Speaker 2: prophets of Ball were unable to cause a fire to

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Speaker 2: start on their altar. After their wailings and vein dancing,

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Speaker 2: Elijah knelt before his.

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Speaker 3: God, Lord, God of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob hear me.

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Speaker 2: All were silent as they watched the prophet pray. He

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Speaker 2: did not lift up lofty words or dance with a ritual.

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Speaker 2: He simply knelt before his God. Honestly.

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Speaker 3: Let it be known this day that you are the

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Speaker 3: one true God of Israel. Let it be known to

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Speaker 3: them that I serve you. Hear me, O, Lord, hear me,

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Speaker 3: Act so that these people may know that you are

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Speaker 3: their Lord.

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Speaker 2: As Elijah prayed, the skies began to rumble, the heavens

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Speaker 2: quaked with fury, and the wicked king Ahab stared in awe.

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Speaker 3: Turn their hearts back to you.

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Speaker 2: God, Elijah shouted.

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Speaker 3: Restore them back to you.

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Speaker 2: Then the clouds burst forth a bolt of lightning, and

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Speaker 2: the power of God descended unto the sacrifices. The wood

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Speaker 2: and the stones used to build the altar well reduced

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Speaker 2: to ashes, and the blistering fire licked up the water

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Speaker 2: that was in the trench beside it. Everyone watched with

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Speaker 2: awe as the heavens began to shake and whirl around them,

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Speaker 2: feel the intense heat of the flames on their faces.

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Speaker 2: Their callous hearts were liberated, and the prophets of Baale

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Speaker 2: were executed. However, the prophet of the Lord was soon

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Speaker 2: cast into exile. In fear for his life, Elijah retreated

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Speaker 2: into the wilderness. The wicked king and his wife Jezebel

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Speaker 2: sought to destroy him. So the chosen hero of God

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Speaker 2: fled for his life. In the safety of a cave,

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Speaker 2: Elijah wept. He had restored the people of Israel back

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Speaker 2: to the heart of God. However he remained an outcast.

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Speaker 2: Chapter eleven, An Army of Outcasts, Part two. The midnight

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Speaker 2: air jabbed at a Liam's skin like a dagger. As

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Speaker 2: he ran through the forest. A piercing winter wind blew

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Speaker 2: at the covering above, making the trees rustle violently. Aliam

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Speaker 2: was losing breath with every step. However, he had to

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Speaker 2: keep running. He needed to reach David before it was

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Speaker 2: too late. He flew past with great haste, jumping over

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Speaker 2: every fallen tree and root seeking to trip him up.

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Speaker 2: Piercing through the bustling wind, a Liam could hear wolves

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Speaker 2: howling in the distance. He quickened his already fast pace

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Speaker 2: until he could see the faint glimmering of camp fire.

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Speaker 4: David.

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Speaker 2: He shouted while running.

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Speaker 4: Please, I need to see David.

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Speaker 2: The Liam's heart was beating right out of his chest.

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Speaker 2: The strength in his voice had been captured by the

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Speaker 2: wintry air, and he could no longer stand. He fell

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Speaker 2: onto his knees, gasping for breath.

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Speaker 4: Please, David, are you there.

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Speaker 2: Aliam asked again, with a weakened voice. His face fell

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Speaker 2: into the cold ground with a thud. The world was

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Speaker 2: spinning around him, and the sides of his eyes were

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Speaker 2: growing dim. Two figures appeared above him, one with a

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Speaker 2: torch in his hand and the other reaching down to

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Speaker 2: pick him up. The young man was limp and helpless

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Speaker 2: to carry any part of his own body. One of

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Speaker 2: the men carried him back to the camp in his arms,

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Speaker 2: with the other beside him. The man laid Liam gently

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Speaker 2: by the fire and wrapped bare skins around his shoulders.

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Speaker 2: The two strangers came into focus and sat beside him.

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Speaker 2: One of them leaned over and held a cup of

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Speaker 2: warm water to Aliam's lips. His hair was lighter than

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Speaker 2: most hebrew men, and a few of his curls fell

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Speaker 2: over his light brown eyes. Here, my friend, drink ree.

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Speaker 2: Then tell me why you have come here. Alam noticed

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Speaker 2: the man's voice. He was gentle and soothing, like those

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Speaker 2: who would sing hymns of old in the temples. Aliam drank,

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Speaker 2: tightened the fur around his shoulders, and raised his hands

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Speaker 2: to the fire. He drew a deep breath. Reinvigorated by

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Speaker 2: the warm water and fire, He looked at the man

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Speaker 2: beside him.

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Speaker 4: I come with an urgent message for David.

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Speaker 2: What is your message? The man asked.

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Speaker 5: It's a matter of life and death. I have no

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Speaker 5: time to explain it to you and to David. Would

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Speaker 5: you get him for.

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Speaker 2: Me, Aliam said, with haste in his voice. The fair

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Speaker 2: haired man looked over to his companion and smirked, very well,

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Speaker 2: then speak, I am listening. Alium realized that he was

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Speaker 2: indeed talking to the giant slayer himself. He somehow imagined

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Speaker 2: he would be taller, rougher, and more magnificent in appearance.

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Speaker 2: He shook his head and went to his knees.

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Speaker 5: I am sorry, my lord, I did not know I

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Speaker 5: was speaking with the man himself. Thank you for your hospitality.

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Speaker 5: Forgive me for invading your camp.

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Speaker 2: He looked up to David and held out his arms.

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Speaker 5: I come from the city of Kila. The Philistines have

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Speaker 5: overtaken the city. They have burnt up the farmland on

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Speaker 5: the outskirts of the city, and have now breached the stronghold.

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Speaker 2: Has the king done anything about this? David asked.

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Speaker 5: Word was sent to him days ago when the Philistines

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Speaker 5: were seen marching towards us, But we have heard nothing

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Speaker 5: from him. We have received no aid and no word.

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Speaker 2: Alium replied, with sorrow in his voice.

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Speaker 5: I was sent by the elders to find you. We

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Speaker 5: know that you would come to rescue us. You are

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Speaker 5: the true savior of Israel.

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Speaker 2: David held up a finger and hustilum. His gaze was

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Speaker 2: stern and resolute. There is no savior but the Lord,

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Speaker 2: my friend. David stood up and gestured to the man

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Speaker 2: next to him. He whispered in his ear. The man

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Speaker 2: nodded and left to wake some others. David knelt down

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Speaker 2: next to Alam and refilled his cup with more hot

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Speaker 2: water from the pot. Tell me everything that has happened,

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Speaker 2: from when the Philistines attacked to now, he said. Aliam

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Speaker 2: recounted the attack. He described to David, the fire surrounding

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Speaker 2: the city so none could escape. He told him of

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Speaker 2: how the Philistine army came through the front gates, completely

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Speaker 2: shattering their defenses. There were over a thousand of them

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Speaker 2: that came to ransack people's homes and take their women.

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Speaker 2: Then they retreated back to their camp on the outskirts

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Speaker 2: of the city.

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Speaker 5: Now there camped only half a mile from the city.

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Speaker 5: They planned to make another raid in just a few days.

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Speaker 2: David pondered the news and stared intently into the fire.

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Speaker 2: He sat there silently, with his gaze fixated on the flames.

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Speaker 2: How many men did you say there were, David asked, silently.

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Speaker 4: Just over a thousand, by my count.

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Speaker 2: Alim replied. David placed a hand on the young man's

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Speaker 2: shoulders and smiled. His grin was warm, men, reassuring he

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Speaker 2: held himself with great confidence, never allowing this swirling doubt

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Speaker 2: in his mind to scare others around him. Alium tucked

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Speaker 2: himself into the fur and rested by the fire. He

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Speaker 2: was asleep in a matter of seconds. David's smile retreated

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Speaker 2: as the young man's eyes closed. He stood to his

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Speaker 2: feet and stepped into the dark of the forest. David

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Speaker 2: walked in the cold, with the moonlight peeking through the

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Speaker 2: top of the trees. There was a secret place David

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Speaker 2: would go to at night to seek the Lord, a

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Speaker 2: place where he would wrestle with doubt, wonder at the

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Speaker 2: majesty of God, and weep in his presence. A large

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Speaker 2: stone sat in a clearing of trees, with the moonlight

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Speaker 2: shining down on it. David sat there and drew a

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Speaker 2: deep breath, allowing the frigid air to phil his lungs.

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Speaker 2: He breathed out a sigh and looked up to the sky. Ah,

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Speaker 2: what shall I do, David asked?

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Speaker 6: Here, I stand with the ability to protect the city

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Speaker 6: of Keelah, but I will not move unless you tell

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Speaker 6: me to. I will not go where you have not

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Speaker 6: sent me.

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Speaker 2: David stretched his arms out and bowed his head. A

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Speaker 2: few small tears fell from his eyes and fell onto

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Speaker 2: the freezing earth below. David's shivering palms were opened to

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Speaker 2: the Lord. He shook his head and said, with a

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Speaker 2: trembling breath, I am afraid, Lord, I'm afraid that Saul

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Speaker 2: will find me. Shall I go and attack these Philistines

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Speaker 2: and risk being taken by the king. David's cries for

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Speaker 2: guidance were whispered into the dark, cold night. He was

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Speaker 2: met with silence. The only sounds were from the gentle

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Speaker 2: rustling of leaves above him. David wiped his eyes and

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Speaker 2: looked up and see, your servant, tell me what I

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Speaker 2: should do. David listened for a voice of reply. He

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Speaker 2: anxiously held his ear to the forest, seeking any whisper

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Speaker 2: from the darkness. Yet there was no voice. David remained

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Speaker 2: in the cold, the biting winter air rested deep in

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Speaker 2: his chest. As he was about to give up and

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Speaker 2: retreat back to camp, he felt the warm presence of

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Speaker 2: a familiar friend. It was not a voice, nor was

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Speaker 2: it a sign written in the stars. Rather, it was

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Speaker 2: a prompting in the deepest parts of his soul, Like

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Speaker 2: a flame being stoked by breath. David's heart began to

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Speaker 2: burn with a clear and resolved answer from God, go

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Speaker 2: and attack the Philistines. David go and save Kayla. The

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Speaker 2: shepherd heart of God was impressed upon David, like a

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Speaker 2: seal stamped on a royal decree. God branded David's heart

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Speaker 2: with a mission to seek out and save his people. Go,

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Speaker 2: Odd said to David, go and save my children. David arose,

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Speaker 2: Determined to obey the spirit within him, David ran back

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Speaker 2: to camp. Most of the men were asleep in their tents,

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Speaker 2: some of them laying beside their wives and children. However,

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Speaker 2: his three faithful were speaking by the fire. Josh Obein

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Speaker 2: and Liaisar and Shama spoke in hush tones, debating whether

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Speaker 2: they should march to Kayla or not. David sat beside

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Speaker 2: them and smiled. What do you say, then, he asked, frankly,

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Speaker 2: do not be shy. Tell me your worries.

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Speaker 3: We are already afraid for our lives here in Judah.

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Speaker 3: Joshubein said, we've put our lives in much more danger

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Speaker 3: marching towards Kayla, not to mention, Saul will find us.

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Speaker 2: And Liaisar said he wants your head, David, we must

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Speaker 2: protect you. David nodded, hearing the words of warning. He

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Speaker 2: gestured to Shama, what say you, Shama? The young man

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Speaker 2: shifted on the log he was sitting on. He stared

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Speaker 2: intently at the fire and shook his head. I am scared, David.

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Speaker 4: The thought of marching up against an army is terrifying.

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Speaker 2: But I will follow you if you choose to lead

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Speaker 2: us there. David smiled at Shama and looked to the

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Speaker 2: other side of the fire. Joshuabin Eliezon. If the Lord

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Speaker 2: commands us to fight, will you fight? The two of

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Speaker 2: them looked at each other, then back at David.

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Speaker 3: Of course, does the Lord lead you, we will follow.

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Speaker 2: David was silent for a long while he watched the

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Speaker 2: fire closely, counting every single coal flickering. Shall we march,

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Speaker 2: David whispered to the Lord. Then, as if it was

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Speaker 2: shouting from the flame straight into his mind, David heard

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Speaker 2: the prompting voice of God's spirit say, Arise, go down

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Speaker 2: to Kayla. I will give the Philistines into your hand.

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Speaker 2: David stood up abruptly and put a hand on Shama's shoulder.

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Speaker 2: Tomorrow we march. The three of them nodded and want

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Speaker 2: their commander retreat back into his tent. Although the three

243
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Speaker 2: men were terrified and knew that the others would be terrified,

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Speaker 2: as well. They trusted David completely, rather, they trusted the

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Speaker 2: lords anointing over him. The next morning, David gathered his

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Speaker 2: men together. Six hundred of them stood before their commander

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Speaker 2: with swords and spears held at their sides. The forest

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Speaker 2: had been their home for months, and this would be

249
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Speaker 2: their first time venturing out of the wilderness and into danger.

250
00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,200
Speaker 2: David stood on a stone overlooking his men. He raised

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Speaker 2: his voice to them, encouraging them in their calling. So

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Speaker 2: the men made their way out of the wilderness and

253
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Speaker 2: marched west towards the city of Calah. David ran ahead

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Speaker 2: with the Liam, Shama, and Joshubin. The three of them

255
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Speaker 2: scaled the hills overlooking the city below. They could see

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Speaker 2: scorched earth surrounding the city walls. Camped just outside the

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Speaker 2: gate or the Philistines. David turned to William and pointed

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Speaker 2: to the city, go and tell your people that we

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Speaker 2: are here to defend them. Have the women and children

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Speaker 2: hide themselves, and tell any of the men to arm

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Speaker 2: themselves at the gate in case any make their way inside.

262
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Speaker 2: Aliam nodded and left David to prepare his people. David

263
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Speaker 2: had Joshabin run ahead and scout out the Philistine camp.

264
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Speaker 2: He remained hidden in the trees south of the camp.

265
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Speaker 2: Behind the brush, he was able to see the small

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Speaker 2: army preparing to raid the city again. Every man had

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Speaker 2: a sword strapped to his waist and a spear in

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Speaker 2: his hand. Although it was daylight, many of the men

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Speaker 2: held torches in their hands. Joshabin counted as many men

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Speaker 2: and weapons as he could, then retreated back north into

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Speaker 2: the hills where the rest of the men waited. He

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Speaker 2: came back to David and pointed to the camp.

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Speaker 3: As far as they know, there is no guard to

274
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Speaker 3: fight against them, yet they are all heavily armed with swords, spears,

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Speaker 3: and torches.

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Speaker 2: Joshabin said. He stroked his beard and furrowed his brow.

277
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Speaker 2: They are planning on killing everyone in the city, he said,

278
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Speaker 2: Why else would they arm themselves so heavily. Joshall be nodded.

279
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Speaker 3: They outnumber us about two to one. However, they do

280
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Speaker 3: not know we are here. If we meet them in

281
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Speaker 3: the middle of the valley between their camp and the city,

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Speaker 3: we can catch them by surprise.

283
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Speaker 2: Then that is what we will do, David said. He

284
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Speaker 2: turned back to the other men. My brothers, he shouted.

285
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Speaker 2: David stood up on the top of the hill, with

286
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Speaker 2: Jonathan's breastplates trapped around his chest and glimmering in the sun.

287
00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:38,160
Speaker 2: Strapped to his back was the sword of Goliath, and

288
00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,120
Speaker 2: on his side was the sling he used to slay him.

289
00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:43,920
Speaker 2: He raised his arms to the warriors standing at attention

290
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Speaker 2: before him.

291
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Speaker 6: Not many of you have reason to fight in defense

292
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Speaker 6: of your country, he said, Like me, many of you

293
00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:54,520
Speaker 6: have been cast aside and treated like a stranger in

294
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Speaker 6: your own home. Yet today God chooses you to be

295
00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:03,240
Speaker 6: the defender of those who once persecuted you. He calls

296
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Speaker 6: you to rise and fight for those who would not

297
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Speaker 6: do the same for you.

298
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Speaker 2: We serve a God of mercy.

299
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Speaker 6: We serve a God who is a refuge to all

300
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Speaker 6: who would cry out to him.

301
00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:21,240
Speaker 2: Therefore we will do the same. We will come to

302
00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:23,080
Speaker 2: the aid of those who cry out.

303
00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:29,040
Speaker 6: We will defend the helpless and provide judgment to those

304
00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:32,359
Speaker 6: who would oppress our brothers and sisters. God is a

305
00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,480
Speaker 6: god of mercy to those who seek him, But to

306
00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:40,359
Speaker 6: the Philistines, he is a god of judgment, and we

307
00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:44,040
Speaker 6: will bring that judgment with our swords and spears.

308
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Speaker 2: A booming cheer rushed from the crowd like crushing waves.

309
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Speaker 2: David yelled with his sword held high, and the mighty

310
00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:55,160
Speaker 2: men shouted to their God. The Philistine army had made

311
00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:58,639
Speaker 2: its move. Slowly, they assembled and marched from their camp

312
00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:01,879
Speaker 2: towards the city. David took a smooth stone out of

313
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Speaker 2: his pouch and began to swing it behind him. He

314
00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:08,040
Speaker 2: threw his hips back, cocked his elbow, then let the

315
00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,040
Speaker 2: stone fly from the sling towards the Philistines. The stone

316
00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:15,040
Speaker 2: traveled over fifty yards, hitting one of the commanders in

317
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Speaker 2: the saw. He stumbled back and looked up. With the

318
00:18:19,160 --> 00:18:22,760
Speaker 2: sun fixed behind him, David rose the sword of Goliath

319
00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:25,520
Speaker 2: high in the air for all the Philistines to see.

320
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Speaker 2: They knew immediately who had come out against them. It

321
00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:33,240
Speaker 2: was David, the giant slayer. David did not call to

322
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Speaker 2: his men to charge. He did not release archers or

323
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Speaker 2: send out people in front of him. He ran in first,

324
00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:42,080
Speaker 2: and he did not care who would follow him. He

325
00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:46,359
Speaker 2: simply burst forward with the passion come God. David ballowed

326
00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:49,199
Speaker 2: out of battle cry that sent chills down the enemy's spine.

327
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Speaker 2: Then right behind him descended the army of outcasts. The

328
00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:56,160
Speaker 2: men who had been cast out by their country now

329
00:18:56,280 --> 00:19:00,600
Speaker 2: ran to its defense. David and Joshubine the first to

330
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Speaker 2: throw themselves into the throng of Philistines. David delivered the

331
00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:07,040
Speaker 2: first blow to one of the genders, slashing him at

332
00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:10,360
Speaker 2: the legs, then removing his head from his shoulders. Four

333
00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:14,399
Speaker 2: Philistines charged David, but were quickly met with Eliezar sword.

334
00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:19,280
Speaker 2: He furiously defended his commander Beside josh Olby, Together they

335
00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,560
Speaker 2: protected David's back as he marked forward through the fray

336
00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:26,879
Speaker 2: of Philistines and David's command, the six hundred men created

337
00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,840
Speaker 2: a barrier between the Philistines and Kayla. With all their might,

338
00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,720
Speaker 2: they protected this small city from the enemy. Three hundred

339
00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,800
Speaker 2: of them formed a wall. Of them all, a man

340
00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:41,119
Speaker 2: named Benia stood out from all the rest. His broad

341
00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:45,240
Speaker 2: frame and protective spirit was unleashed against the enemy. None

342
00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:48,760
Speaker 2: made it by him alive, but within Denia was the

343
00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:51,879
Speaker 2: heart to protect his people and honor his commander, David.

344
00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,240
Speaker 2: The other three hundred advanced on the perimeters of the

345
00:19:55,320 --> 00:20:00,560
Speaker 2: Philistine army. Led by David and his mighty three three hundred,

346
00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:04,200
Speaker 2: A young warrior named Abishai showed himself to be faithful.

347
00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:08,199
Speaker 2: Two Philistines pursued David on horseback, with swords drawn and

348
00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:12,080
Speaker 2: aimed at his head. He dodged the first advance, slashing

349
00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:14,959
Speaker 2: the horse's ankles with the side of his sword. However,

350
00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:18,200
Speaker 2: the other had David's blind spot and nearly killed him

351
00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:21,320
Speaker 2: if it weren't for Abishai's spear being delivered straight through

352
00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:25,680
Speaker 2: his side. From that moment forward, Abishai stood at David's

353
00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:30,400
Speaker 2: side with Joshubi at Liezar and Shama, pressing forward into

354
00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:34,119
Speaker 2: the enemy lines. Do not move, heart, David shouted to

355
00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:37,359
Speaker 2: his men. God has given us this victory. You need

356
00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:42,080
Speaker 2: only to remain faithful. The men shouted in agreement, pressing

357
00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:47,960
Speaker 2: through the struggle. Meanwhile, within the gates of Kayla, Alam

358
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:51,520
Speaker 2: helped the women and children find safety, while also arming

359
00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,479
Speaker 2: himself with the other men. At the gates, the sounds

360
00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:56,760
Speaker 2: of war could be heard over one hundred yards from

361
00:20:56,800 --> 00:21:00,600
Speaker 2: where they stood. Many of the elders hid themsel else behind,

362
00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:02,359
Speaker 2: the young men trembling with fear.

363
00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:06,480
Speaker 4: Elia, how many men did you say David came with?

364
00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:11,119
Speaker 2: They asked. Aliam turned with a look of disgust. It

365
00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,320
Speaker 2: matters not how many, Alam responded.

366
00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:16,600
Speaker 4: I have seen the fire in their eyes. God has

367
00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:18,440
Speaker 4: chosen them to protect us.

368
00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,520
Speaker 2: Screams of agony, internets with plain metal to be heard

369
00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:26,560
Speaker 2: from behind the gates. Alim gripped his sword tightly, prepared

370
00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:30,119
Speaker 2: for whatever might come. A large wooden age began to

371
00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:33,760
Speaker 2: laud the battle had made its way to them. The

372
00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:38,000
Speaker 2: men stepped back and lifted their swords. The gates shook violently,

373
00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,000
Speaker 2: and Liam could hear the pounding of fists and swords

374
00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,040
Speaker 2: against the wood. Then, with a final scream of pain,

375
00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:48,560
Speaker 2: the pounding ceased. All was silent for what seemed like

376
00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:52,680
Speaker 2: an eternity. Then a loud cheer bellowed into the skies.

377
00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:57,320
Speaker 2: Shouts of victory and praise lifted into the heavens. Trumpets sounded,

378
00:21:57,520 --> 00:22:00,480
Speaker 2: and the men let out a sigh of relief. Aliam

379
00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:02,560
Speaker 2: went to the gates and slowly opened it with a

380
00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:06,760
Speaker 2: few others. On the other side was David, panting over

381
00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:11,080
Speaker 2: dozens of fallen Philistines. Blood and dirt caked his smiling face.

382
00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:14,520
Speaker 2: All the men of Caleb lifted their hands in praise.

383
00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:18,600
Speaker 2: The Redeemer of Israel had come to their aid, even

384
00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:22,400
Speaker 2: when their own king had forsaken them. Yet the redeemer

385
00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:25,800
Speaker 2: was not David. It was the Lord God who fought

386
00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,600
Speaker 2: for them. They shouted God's name throughout the city streets,

387
00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:34,000
Speaker 2: proclaiming liberation and freedom from fear. David and his men

388
00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:37,439
Speaker 2: beamed with gladness. They held each other up and enjoyed

389
00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:40,920
Speaker 2: a brief moment of victory. They were dancing in the streets.

390
00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:44,080
Speaker 2: The women and children emerged from their places of hiding

391
00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:47,439
Speaker 2: to greet the heroic men who had delivered them. For

392
00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:50,240
Speaker 2: the first time in a long while, David and his

393
00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:53,320
Speaker 2: men finally felt like they were accepted by their people.

394
00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:57,680
Speaker 2: No longer simple outcasts running from the law, they were

395
00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:02,200
Speaker 2: true heroes who were loved for their selfless deeds. That night,

396
00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:05,240
Speaker 2: David and his men joined a banquet in their honor.

397
00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:09,199
Speaker 2: The people of Keela lavished them with wine, fresh bread,

398
00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:12,640
Speaker 2: and broth. It was a welcome change to the simplicity

399
00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:16,240
Speaker 2: of the forest. They gladly accepted the gifts and laughed

400
00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:20,760
Speaker 2: amongst themselves. The courtyard was filled with music and dancing,

401
00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:24,320
Speaker 2: and David leaned back against the wall, overlooking his men.

402
00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:27,639
Speaker 2: He was proud to be their leader and relished in

403
00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,720
Speaker 2: their success. He found great satisfaction getting the best out

404
00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,800
Speaker 2: of them and calling them to a higher purpose. He

405
00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:38,280
Speaker 2: sipped his wine and joyfully sat back, taking in the

406
00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:43,560
Speaker 2: sounds of victory. However, something caught David's eye. Standing in

407
00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:48,000
Speaker 2: the dark corner, barely illuminated by firelight, four elders of

408
00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:51,640
Speaker 2: the city stood speaking quietly to one another. They were

409
00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:56,520
Speaker 2: in intense discussion, looking over their shoulders and whispering. David

410
00:23:56,560 --> 00:24:00,400
Speaker 2: peered at them, wondering what they might be saying. As

411
00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:03,760
Speaker 2: he was observing the odd encounter. Beniah leaned against the

412
00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:07,160
Speaker 2: wall beside David, with his arms folded. He leaned over

413
00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:10,080
Speaker 2: to David. I have been watching them as well, he

414
00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:14,200
Speaker 2: said quietly. They have clearly been reeling over something. David

415
00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:15,000
Speaker 2: looked at Beniah.

416
00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:19,000
Speaker 6: You have a good eye, Baniah, he said, I fear

417
00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:22,159
Speaker 6: they may not have the best intentions for us, or

418
00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:24,639
Speaker 6: else they would be celebrating as well.

419
00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:28,080
Speaker 2: Benyah nodded. Shall we gather the men and leave?

420
00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:32,120
Speaker 6: He asked, not yet, David said, we do not want

421
00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,160
Speaker 6: to leave warm beds and good food unnecessarily.

422
00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:39,760
Speaker 2: The men need what Kayla has been offering. I want

423
00:24:39,800 --> 00:24:43,000
Speaker 2: to be sure we are in danger before leaving. As

424
00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:45,800
Speaker 2: David said this, he and Beniah watched one of the

425
00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:49,200
Speaker 2: elders leave the group whisper to his servant and send

426
00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:53,200
Speaker 2: him on a colt outside the city. David leaned over

427
00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:57,760
Speaker 2: to Baniah and whispered, someone find me Abbiathar. He is

428
00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:01,399
Speaker 2: among us somewhere. I am in need of a priest.

429
00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:09,480
Speaker 2: Beniah left, and David retreated back to pray. Ah yelled

430
00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:13,280
Speaker 2: the king, drawing his sword and slashing it through the air.

431
00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:18,280
Speaker 2: He laughed from his belly and drew a sigh of relief. Ah,

432
00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:22,000
Speaker 2: at last, I will have the dog in my hands.

433
00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:26,920
Speaker 2: David is in Kayla, a fortified city with one way

434
00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:32,479
Speaker 2: in and one way out. Yes, the king was violently happy.

435
00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:35,720
Speaker 2: He raised his sword in the air, then slashed it

436
00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:39,280
Speaker 2: downward with a powerful swing. The Lord has done this.

437
00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:43,760
Speaker 2: He has given David into my hand. He is practically

438
00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:47,800
Speaker 2: behind bars for me to come in and slit his throat.

439
00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:51,600
Speaker 2: King Saul looked down at the servant from Kayla who

440
00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,080
Speaker 2: had delivered him the news. He stepped forward and grabbed

441
00:25:55,119 --> 00:26:00,399
Speaker 2: him by the face. Thank you, my child, you've done well.

442
00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:04,560
Speaker 2: Now go and tell the elders that I am coming

443
00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:08,879
Speaker 2: to march against the city. The young servant's eyes widened.

444
00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:12,760
Speaker 7: Pardon, my king, did you just say you were going

445
00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:14,119
Speaker 7: to march against the city.

446
00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:16,679
Speaker 2: King Saul sat back on his throne and took a

447
00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:22,080
Speaker 2: sip of wine. Of course, you are currently hosting my

448
00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:27,480
Speaker 2: greatest enemy within your walls. Him and the army of

449
00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:31,080
Speaker 2: rebels he is a mast, are eating your food and

450
00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:35,600
Speaker 2: sleeping in your beds. The servant trembled in fear.

451
00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:40,040
Speaker 7: Please, my King, have mercy on us. They defended us

452
00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:43,280
Speaker 7: from the Philistines. But we are loyal to you. That

453
00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,320
Speaker 7: is why I'm here, so that you may retrieve David yourself.

454
00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:52,359
Speaker 2: Do you find me foolish, child, Saul exclaimed David in

455
00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:56,280
Speaker 2: six hundred armed men are within your walls, and you

456
00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,399
Speaker 2: expect me to simply walk in there without an army

457
00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:03,600
Speaker 2: to get him. If he is within your walls, I

458
00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:08,760
Speaker 2: must storm it with my entire army, or else he

459
00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:11,879
Speaker 2: will escape. The king stood to his feet and pointed

460
00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:15,040
Speaker 2: his sword at the boy. Go and tell the elders

461
00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:18,760
Speaker 2: of Kaylah that the king is coming with his army.

462
00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:22,320
Speaker 2: I suggest they find a way to deliver David to

463
00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,320
Speaker 2: me on a silver platter, or else I will destroy

464
00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:30,240
Speaker 2: the city. Go. The boy wasted no time. He mounted

465
00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:35,800
Speaker 2: his colt and trotted back to Kaylah to warn them.

466
00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:39,040
Speaker 2: The sun had tucked itself into the horizon, giving way

467
00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:43,200
Speaker 2: to the cold night. To settle in, David and Abiathar

468
00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:47,720
Speaker 2: hid themselves in an alleyway, dimly lit by torchlight. Do

469
00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:52,640
Speaker 2: you have an aphad, Abiathar? I must seek an answer

470
00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:56,200
Speaker 2: from the Lord. Abiathar nodded and took off his coat.

471
00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,879
Speaker 2: Underneath was an elaborately designed garment. On it were the

472
00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:05,080
Speaker 2: Urim and Thummim, two stones, one light and one dark.

473
00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,320
Speaker 2: David needed a yes or no answer from the Lord,

474
00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:11,440
Speaker 2: and the priestly Efod was the best way to inquire

475
00:28:11,440 --> 00:28:16,720
Speaker 2: of his will. David bowed a knee before God and prayed, O, Lord,

476
00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:21,320
Speaker 2: the God of Israel, is Saul coming to seek my

477
00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:25,680
Speaker 2: head and destroy the city on my account? Abiathar used

478
00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:29,000
Speaker 2: the effort to ask of God. His answer was clear

479
00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:34,840
Speaker 2: and bone chilling. Yes, Saul is coming. David's fist clenched

480
00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:39,200
Speaker 2: and his jaw tightened. His instincts were correct. The men

481
00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:43,160
Speaker 2: of Caelah had told Saul of his location. He asked

482
00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:46,520
Speaker 2: the Lord again, are they planning to surrender me and

483
00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:51,200
Speaker 2: my men into his hand before the attack. Yes, they

484
00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:56,640
Speaker 2: will surrender you, the Lord said. David's heart sank. The

485
00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:59,480
Speaker 2: people he had just saved were now planning to give

486
00:28:59,560 --> 00:29:02,840
Speaker 2: him up. It took everything in him not to lash

487
00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:07,120
Speaker 2: out in frustration. However, he had no time. He grabbed

488
00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:10,080
Speaker 2: a torch and stepped into the courtyard. His men were

489
00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:15,160
Speaker 2: asleep with full bellies. Horis. David shouted, Saul is marching

490
00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:18,160
Speaker 2: up against us. There's no time to waste. We must

491
00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:21,400
Speaker 2: leave now. The men woke up in a panic. David

492
00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:23,960
Speaker 2: helped them up and told them to gather their belongs.

493
00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:28,719
Speaker 2: Each man armed himself and fell in line behind David Elieza.

494
00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:31,959
Speaker 6: David shouted, I need you to scale the tower and

495
00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:34,280
Speaker 6: see if there are torch lights in the distance.

496
00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:39,640
Speaker 2: We must know how close Saul's army is. Elizar nodded

497
00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:42,240
Speaker 2: and scaled the highest building in the city he could find.

498
00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:46,520
Speaker 2: He reached the top and looked out. The horizon was dark,

499
00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:51,720
Speaker 2: barely illuminated by the stars above. However, coming in from

500
00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:56,200
Speaker 2: the north was a caravan of torches, and Liaisar's eyes widened.

501
00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:00,840
Speaker 2: The night is our ally, David said, Saul is coming

502
00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:03,920
Speaker 2: from Gibeah, which is north of here. We shall head

503
00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:08,080
Speaker 2: south towards the wilderness of Zif. Pray to the Lord

504
00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:11,800
Speaker 2: for refuge, So David and his six hundred men arose

505
00:30:11,840 --> 00:30:15,200
Speaker 2: and departed from Kayla under the covering of night. The

506
00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:18,239
Speaker 2: joy of saving the village was replaced with fear of

507
00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:21,800
Speaker 2: being captured once again. David anguished over the loss of

508
00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:25,680
Speaker 2: freedom for him and his men. After hours of stumbling

509
00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:28,440
Speaker 2: in the dark, they finally found a safe place in

510
00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:31,720
Speaker 2: the caves of Zif. The men felt safe enough to

511
00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:35,760
Speaker 2: light fires once again, and josh obem A, Liaeizar, Shama,

512
00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:39,120
Speaker 2: and Benaiah helped them settle in for the night. Once

513
00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:41,880
Speaker 2: the men were settled in, David walked to the back

514
00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:45,960
Speaker 2: of the cave and knelt before God. He wept in silence,

515
00:30:46,880 --> 00:30:49,080
Speaker 2: but the echoes of his sobbing traveled to the men,

516
00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:53,720
Speaker 2: breaking their hearts For their despondent leader. David leaned against

517
00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:56,160
Speaker 2: the jagged walls of the cave and closed his eyes.

518
00:30:57,040 --> 00:31:01,120
Speaker 2: He breathed in deeply and remembered the faithness of the Lord.

519
00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:05,320
Speaker 2: In the cold and dark chasm of their exile. The

520
00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:09,640
Speaker 2: anointed One of God began to sing. David's poetry and

521
00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:14,760
Speaker 2: music was honest, raw and filled with praise. In the

522
00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:18,240
Speaker 2: stillness of the evening, the men lay down and listened

523
00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:21,640
Speaker 2: to David's voice echo throughout the caves as he sung

524
00:31:23,120 --> 00:31:29,080
Speaker 2: the Lord is my life. Who shall I hear? He

525
00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:32,320
Speaker 2: is my fortress? Who shall I fear?

526
00:31:33,640 --> 00:31:38,040
Speaker 8: When the wicked seek to du Vabi it is lay fall,

527
00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:43,840
Speaker 8: the army seek my life, my heart shall hear.

528
00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:49,080
Speaker 2: The war comes to me. I will be confident.

529
00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:55,960
Speaker 6: Just one thing I answer is that I made well

530
00:31:56,640 --> 00:32:00,360
Speaker 6: in the presence of the Lord.

531
00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:07,560
Speaker 8: All the days of my life, high days, on the

532
00:32:07,680 --> 00:32:08,600
Speaker 8: beauty of.

533
00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:16,080
Speaker 2: My four of the day of trouble, he will keep these.

534
00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:22,800
Speaker 2: He is my shelter forever.

535
00:32:27,040 --> 00:32:30,240
Speaker 1: Let's track the journey of David. So far. He began

536
00:32:30,280 --> 00:32:33,920
Speaker 1: as the shepherd, then the king's musician, the young commander,

537
00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:39,160
Speaker 1: the exile, and now the vigilante. Despite being hunted by

538
00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:42,280
Speaker 1: the king and his men, David comes to the aid

539
00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:46,640
Speaker 1: of a small Israelite city. A messenger boy named Ilium

540
00:32:46,920 --> 00:32:51,080
Speaker 1: sought David out and called him the Savior of Israel. David,

541
00:32:51,480 --> 00:32:54,680
Speaker 1: true to character, tells him that there is no savior

542
00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:58,320
Speaker 1: but the Lord. This is an important lesson of true faithfulness.

543
00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:02,440
Speaker 1: If David is overly concerned about people's perception of him,

544
00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:06,080
Speaker 1: then he will eventually become beholden to their opinion that

545
00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:09,640
Speaker 1: was a downfall of Saul. David, however, is only concerned

546
00:33:09,640 --> 00:33:12,520
Speaker 1: about the name of God and the safety of his people.

547
00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:16,240
Speaker 1: If he were a people pleaser, he would immediately ride

548
00:33:16,320 --> 00:33:20,040
Speaker 1: to their aid, but he isn't. David's primary aim is

549
00:33:20,080 --> 00:33:23,280
Speaker 1: to please God. He seeks the Lord's counsel in the

550
00:33:23,280 --> 00:33:26,440
Speaker 1: cool of night, earnestly asking if it is the right

551
00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:29,400
Speaker 1: thing to do. There is a tender moment under the

552
00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:33,160
Speaker 1: moonlight that gives us a more intimate understanding of his

553
00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:36,480
Speaker 1: relationship with God. He gets the go ahead from God

554
00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:40,360
Speaker 1: as well as the counsel of his companions, then decides

555
00:33:40,440 --> 00:33:44,120
Speaker 1: to make a move against the Philistines. Before the battle,

556
00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:47,720
Speaker 1: David raises his sword and shouts to his men. He says,

557
00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:50,680
Speaker 1: not many of you have reason to fight in defense

558
00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:53,480
Speaker 1: of your country. Like me, Many of you have been

559
00:33:53,600 --> 00:33:56,560
Speaker 1: cast aside and treated like a stranger in your own home.

560
00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:00,800
Speaker 1: Yet today God chooses you to be the of those

561
00:34:00,840 --> 00:34:04,479
Speaker 1: who once persecuted you. He calls you to rise and

562
00:34:04,560 --> 00:34:07,040
Speaker 1: fight for those who would not do the same for you.

563
00:34:07,920 --> 00:34:10,439
Speaker 1: We serve a God of mercy. We serve a God

564
00:34:10,440 --> 00:34:12,960
Speaker 1: who is a refuge to all who would cry out

565
00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:16,439
Speaker 1: to him. Therefore we will do the same. We will

566
00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:19,040
Speaker 1: come to the aid of those who cry out. This

567
00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:23,640
Speaker 1: is a profound statement and resonating image of Christ. Jesus

568
00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:26,920
Speaker 1: died for those who rejected him and openly mocked him.

569
00:34:27,239 --> 00:34:30,880
Speaker 1: The prophet Isaiah said this about the Messiah. He was

570
00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:33,759
Speaker 1: despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and

571
00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:36,920
Speaker 1: acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide

572
00:34:36,920 --> 00:34:40,279
Speaker 1: their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not

573
00:34:41,160 --> 00:34:43,960
Speaker 1: surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

574
00:34:44,239 --> 00:34:47,840
Speaker 1: Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

575
00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:51,800
Speaker 1: But he was peers for our transgressions. He was crushed

576
00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:56,080
Speaker 1: for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought

577
00:34:56,160 --> 00:34:59,879
Speaker 1: us peace. And with his wounds we are healed. This

578
00:35:00,160 --> 00:35:04,080
Speaker 1: is a famous passage that depicts Jesus as a suffering servant,

579
00:35:04,440 --> 00:35:09,480
Speaker 1: mocked by men, but chosen by God to redeem mankind. David,

580
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:13,080
Speaker 1: in this episode rallies his men have the same heart.

581
00:35:13,680 --> 00:35:16,839
Speaker 1: They have all in some way been rejected by their nation,

582
00:35:17,320 --> 00:35:20,560
Speaker 1: but now they march to save it. The heart of

583
00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:24,080
Speaker 1: a hero is revealed when the applause ceases and cheers

584
00:35:24,160 --> 00:35:28,399
Speaker 1: fall silent. The men marched and the battle ensues. This

585
00:35:28,440 --> 00:35:32,080
Speaker 1: is our first glance at David's army of outcast. As

586
00:35:32,080 --> 00:35:36,160
Speaker 1: it turns out they're pretty skilled warriors and tacticians. They

587
00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:40,440
Speaker 1: fight valiantly and passionately, moving the Philistines back to the

588
00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:43,920
Speaker 1: city gates. In the throng of battle, we meet a

589
00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:48,960
Speaker 1: few new characters, the brothers Abeshi and Ashiel. We will

590
00:35:48,960 --> 00:35:53,080
Speaker 1: meet their other brother later, and Benanaya. These three men

591
00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:56,000
Speaker 1: prove themselves in battle and will continue to be important

592
00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:59,920
Speaker 1: figures moving forward. The battle is won, the men get

593
00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:02,880
Speaker 1: to celebrate with comforts they have been deprived of in

594
00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:07,279
Speaker 1: the wilderness. The men celebrate, but David is uneasy. He

595
00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:10,319
Speaker 1: and Ben and Aiah have the same suspicion that they

596
00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:13,480
Speaker 1: are about to be given up to Saul. Now that

597
00:36:13,520 --> 00:36:16,600
Speaker 1: the city has been saved, the elders seek to stack

598
00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:20,520
Speaker 1: their fortune by giving David up to the king. Saul

599
00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:23,680
Speaker 1: is in hot pursuit, and the army of outcasts are

600
00:36:23,760 --> 00:36:27,440
Speaker 1: forced back into the wilderness once again. This was an

601
00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:30,319
Speaker 1: emotional blow for David and his men. It is a

602
00:36:30,440 --> 00:36:33,479
Speaker 1: raw and vulnerable thing to help those who have hurt

603
00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:37,360
Speaker 1: you all to be hurt again if left unchecked. A

604
00:36:37,400 --> 00:36:40,920
Speaker 1: moment like this can make you extremely bitter. Think about

605
00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:43,160
Speaker 1: times you have been hurt in your life by someone.

606
00:36:43,640 --> 00:36:46,680
Speaker 1: Think about mustering up the carriage to finally help them

607
00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:50,040
Speaker 1: all for them to hurt you again. Who knows this

608
00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:53,280
Speaker 1: feeling better than God? Time and time again, he saves

609
00:36:53,840 --> 00:36:57,480
Speaker 1: all to be rejected and cast aside again. This episode

610
00:36:57,600 --> 00:37:01,160
Speaker 1: is a picture of Israel's relationship with God. They call

611
00:37:01,280 --> 00:37:04,320
Speaker 1: out to him when they need him, receive his blessing

612
00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:08,880
Speaker 1: and celebrate, then betray him again. Elijah feels this pain

613
00:37:08,920 --> 00:37:12,200
Speaker 1: in the prelude. He delivers Israel from the clutches of

614
00:37:12,239 --> 00:37:15,080
Speaker 1: the prophets of Bail, then is forced to run for

615
00:37:15,200 --> 00:37:18,520
Speaker 1: his life to the wilderness. Elijah will come back, as

616
00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:22,360
Speaker 1: will David, because God will always come back. He always

617
00:37:22,440 --> 00:37:25,759
Speaker 1: runs to the aid of his beloved children. There is

618
00:37:25,840 --> 00:37:30,200
Speaker 1: no amount of rejection, sin or idolatry that will keep

619
00:37:30,239 --> 00:37:33,080
Speaker 1: our God from loving us and coming to our defense.

620
00:37:34,120 --> 00:37:37,440
Speaker 1: True strength is shown when an opportunity for vengeance is

621
00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:41,080
Speaker 1: met with mercy. This is the heart of Christ. In

622
00:37:41,120 --> 00:37:44,560
Speaker 1: our next episode, David will have an opportunity to enact

623
00:37:44,640 --> 00:37:48,000
Speaker 1: his revenge on Saul, the throne, the glory, and the

624
00:37:48,040 --> 00:37:52,040
Speaker 1: comfort of Israel can all be his once again? With

625
00:37:52,200 --> 00:37:56,160
Speaker 1: one small swipe of a blade. Does our hero take debate?

626
00:37:56,760 --> 00:38:00,279
Speaker 1: Does he see the opportunity for power and fame? We

627
00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:03,680
Speaker 1: will find out in our next episode titled Slit His Throat.

628
00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:08,120
Speaker 1: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers

629
00:38:08,120 --> 00:38:11,640
Speaker 1: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.

630
00:38:11,680 --> 00:38:14,920
Speaker 1: And to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download

631
00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:18,640
Speaker 1: the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.

632
00:38:18,719 --> 00:38:22,759
Speaker 1: Forward Slash Heroes. Share this podcast with a family member

633
00:38:22,880 --> 00:38:26,480
Speaker 1: or friend and help us spread God's word. God bless