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Speaker 1: But you will receive power. When the Holy Spirit has

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Speaker 1: come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem,

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Speaker 1: in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts

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Speaker 1: of the earth. Acts one eight. Dear God, I thank

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Speaker 1: you for the power of the Holy Spirit working through

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Speaker 1: me to day. Thank you for the privilege of being

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Speaker 1: your witness, of testifying to your love and your light

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Speaker 1: and your life transforming power. Thank you for enabling me

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Speaker 1: to walk in your good and perfect will and to

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Speaker 1: fulfill every one of the plans you have for me.

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Speaker 1: I thank you that you promised you would never leave

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Speaker 1: me or forsake me. I know that no matter where

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Speaker 1: I am, or where I go, or what I get

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Speaker 1: myself into, I'm never alone. When I am facing a trial,

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Speaker 1: when I'm walking through a dark valley, your spirit is there,

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Speaker 1: protecting me and defending me. You comfort me, you strengthen me.

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Speaker 1: I can rest in your love for me. I will

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Speaker 1: not be defeated by the enemy. I will be victorious.

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Speaker 1: I will triumph over every attack, every temptation or distraction

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Speaker 1: he can throw at me. The heat that I will

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Speaker 1: take and the pressure that I face ends up serving me,

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Speaker 1: shaping me into a diamond that shines brilliantly for your

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Speaker 1: glory in all I say and do today, help me

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Speaker 1: point others to you. In the name of Jesus, I

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Speaker 1: pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. Stay

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Speaker 1: tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told

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Speaker 1: from Pray dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.

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Speaker 2: Hello.

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Speaker 3: My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey dot Com,

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Speaker 3: and before we start today's episode of Heroes in the Bible,

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Speaker 3: I wanted to ask do you know what your bank

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Speaker 3: does with your money? At America's Christian Credit Union, your

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Speaker 3: everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the reach of missions agencies,

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Speaker 3: and supports fellow believers across the country. Learn more about

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Speaker 3: specials for switching to ACCU and their nationwide banking capabilities

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Speaker 3: at America's christiancu dot Com Forward slash Prey plus the

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Speaker 3: peace of mind knowing that this credit Union is federally

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Speaker 3: insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

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Speaker 4: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for the Heroes

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Speaker 4: in the Bible podcast. Before we begin, be sure to

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Speaker 4: follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you're

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Speaker 4: updated on the newest episodes as they become available. Welcome

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Speaker 4: to the epic adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,

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Speaker 4: and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,

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Speaker 4: few know about David the Man. I'm glad you're here

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Speaker 4: with me. As we mind the depths of this renowned tale.

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Speaker 4: In this episode, we continue to follow the rise of Saul,

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Speaker 4: the first King of Israel. We are still waiting with

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Speaker 4: bated breath to see what Saul will become. Is he

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Speaker 4: plotting to be a tyrant? Will he end up being

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Speaker 4: the hero everyone hopes for? What about the inklings of

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Speaker 4: pride we saw slithering into the scene last episode? What

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Speaker 4: we see in this portion of the story that Saul

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Speaker 4: is everything Israel expected and more. He shows integrity, strength,

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Speaker 4: follow through, and a dozen other qualities that anyone would

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Speaker 4: want in a leader. We must not forget what Saul represents.

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Speaker 4: He is man's attempt to appear strong while ignoring the

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Speaker 4: true string that God offers. So while we may see

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Speaker 4: epic feats of strain and bravery in this chapter, it

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Speaker 4: is drawn from a shallow well, but the heart of

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Speaker 4: God is revealed at the end when Samuel gives Saul

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Speaker 4: a sad and foreboding coronation. We will begin this episode

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Speaker 4: with the prelude, a story from another point in time

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Speaker 4: that whispers similar truths. We will meet another group of

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Speaker 4: people who attempt to replace God for something shiny and new.

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Speaker 4: They turn from the faithfulness of God and erect a

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Speaker 4: false idol. Will God remain faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Stay

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Speaker 4: at the end of this episode and listen to me

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Speaker 4: unpacked some of the themes Easter eggs and more. But

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Speaker 4: for now, let's begin Episode two, Long Live the King.

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Speaker 5: Prelude to chapter two. The top of Mount Sinai was

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Speaker 5: shrouded in a mysterious cloud. Lightning burst from its edges

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Speaker 5: but made no sound. The people watched an awe for

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Speaker 5: days as they anxiously awaited.

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Speaker 2: The return of Moses.

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Speaker 5: He had gone up to speak to the Lord but

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Speaker 5: had not returned in days. Those days became weeks, and

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Speaker 5: the people were growing unsteady. Finally they came to Erin.

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Speaker 5: They cornered him with anxious energy and demanded him to

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Speaker 5: do something for them.

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Speaker 2: Make us gods, we can see, they said, we do

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Speaker 2: not know what has become of Moses.

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Speaker 6: He is dead.

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Speaker 2: For all we know.

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Speaker 6: We want to worship a god, but we can touch and.

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Speaker 5: See Erin admittedly doubtful of Moses's return as well, agreed

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Speaker 5: without question. He nodded and said.

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Speaker 6: Take off your rings of gold.

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Speaker 3: Have your jewelry come to me, and we shall melt

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Speaker 3: them down.

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Speaker 5: So the people brought their precious gold to an altar

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Speaker 5: of fire. They tossed them in like offerings, and watched

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Speaker 5: as the flames melted down the precious gold. With the

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Speaker 5: newly refined gold, aaron fashioned for them a golden calf.

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Speaker 5: They said it on an altar and danced around it

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Speaker 5: with worshipful cheers. They laid down offerings to it and

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Speaker 5: feasted before it. They made it in their minds to

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Speaker 5: be the God who delivered them. Yet God could see

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Speaker 5: what they were doing. They had replaced their true savior

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Speaker 5: with a counterfeit god. The golden calf was a short

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Speaker 5: fix to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts.

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Speaker 5: They wanted something to look upon and justify their pride.

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Speaker 5: If they worshiped a god they could build, touch and manipulate.

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Speaker 5: It did not have power over them. They had power

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Speaker 5: over it in their own way by making the Golden Calf.

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Speaker 5: They made themselves gods over their own lives. This rejection

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Speaker 5: of the Lord their savior would continue for generations and

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Speaker 5: generations to come. Self worship would cause them to erect statues,

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Speaker 5: elect kings, and worship at the feet of human invention.

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Speaker 5: These counterfeit gods would always fail them. The people of

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Speaker 5: God would always find themselves lacking strength to save themselves,

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Speaker 5: and the Lord of all creations would always bend down

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Speaker 5: to redeem his people, even after they rejected him. Chapter two,

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Speaker 5: Long Live the King Ash fell like snow over the

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Speaker 5: village of Jabish Gilead. A dark cloud draped the land

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Speaker 5: in darkness, and the sun was made red as the

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Speaker 5: smoke enveloped every inch of the sky. Just outside the

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Speaker 5: village walls, flames raged where a field of barley once stood.

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Speaker 5: Panic villagers drew water from the well and dumped it

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Speaker 5: onto the flames. However, the field was already lost. The

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Speaker 5: fire raged and devoured the barley in a matter of minutes.

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Speaker 5: Watching over the flames was the Ammonite king Nahash. The

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Speaker 5: vast Ammonite army stood at attention behind him. He was

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Speaker 5: mounted atop a dark horse, his broad chest and shoulders

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Speaker 5: were bound tightly together under dark leather armor. His thick

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Speaker 5: hair fell over his sadistic eyes. The people quivered in

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Speaker 5: fear as he and his army slowly descended down the

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Speaker 5: hill and passed the flames. Men gathered whatever weapons or

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Speaker 5: tools they had to fight and ran outside the village.

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Speaker 5: They attacked the giant army like mice to cats. The

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Speaker 5: Ammonites quickly engulfed the villagers in a matter of minutes.

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Speaker 5: The flames in the field were made larger with the

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Speaker 5: bodies of murdered villagers. The vast Ammonite army flooded Jabish Gilead.

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Speaker 5: The king rode into the heart of the village and

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Speaker 5: drew out his sword. The sound of the metal being

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Speaker 5: unsheathed echoed through the silence. No one dared step out

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Speaker 5: of their home. Still mounted on his dark war horse,

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Speaker 5: Nahsh banged his sword against his shield and shattered. His

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Speaker 5: bloodthirsty clamoring sent chills down the people's spines. The Ammonite

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Speaker 5: king breathed in the smoke and rose his head to

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Speaker 5: the red sun. He soaked it in like a springtime breeze,

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Speaker 5: and gave a crooked smile. He gestured to his general

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Speaker 5: standing at attention nearby.

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Speaker 7: Bring me the elders, if they haven't run away by now.

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Speaker 5: He demanded. Swiftly, the elders of Jabish Gilead were drug

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Speaker 5: out by their beards and hair onto the dirt. The

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Speaker 5: Ammonite soldiers surrounded them with swords drawn. Nay Hash dismounted

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Speaker 5: his horse and stood over the elders. He gave his

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Speaker 5: sword and shield to his attendant and looked down at

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Speaker 5: the elders.

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Speaker 7: Your frail village is mine, Hebrews. Every man here will

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Speaker 7: be killed. I will take the women and children as

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Speaker 7: I please.

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Speaker 5: He explained. Please know, the elders begged.

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Speaker 6: We will make a treaty with you. We will not

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Speaker 6: struggle or fight. We will serve you and pay homage

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Speaker 6: to your kingdom. Do not kill us.

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Speaker 5: Na Hash gave a rapacious smile. He looked at his

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Speaker 5: men and they laughed. The elder shook in fear as

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Speaker 5: the king knelt down to one of the men and

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Speaker 5: grabbed him by the ear.

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Speaker 7: Ah, it is a treaty you want, eh.

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Speaker 5: Tears streamed down the man's face as na Hash took

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Speaker 5: out his blade and held it against the man's cheek.

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Speaker 5: I will make a treaty with you. Here is my condition.

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Speaker 7: I get to gouge out the right eye of man

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Speaker 7: in this village. If you agree, I will spare your

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Speaker 7: lives and leave your women and children alone. You will

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Speaker 7: serve me hay me taxes and labor in my fields.

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Speaker 5: It was a cruel demand, half blinding. The men of

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Speaker 5: the village ensured they would be weak and unable to

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Speaker 5: battle effectively if they ever chose to revolt. Gouging out

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Speaker 5: the right eye was worse than giving them chains, and

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Speaker 5: far more cruel.

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Speaker 2: As nae Hash.

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Speaker 5: Lifted the tip of the dagger near the man's eye,

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Speaker 5: one of the elders lifted his voice.

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Speaker 6: And said, give us seven days.

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Speaker 5: He was frantic and wanting to save his fellow tribesmen.

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Speaker 5: Na Hash looked at him curiously.

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Speaker 6: Give us seven days so we might send messengers to

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Speaker 6: the other territories of Israel. If no one rises up

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Speaker 6: to save us, we will give ourselves to you, and

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Speaker 6: we will meet your demands.

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Speaker 5: Na Hash pondered his plea with his dagger still lifted

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Speaker 5: up to the man's eye. Very well, the king replied.

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Speaker 5: Nay Hash was confident in the weakness of Israel. They

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Speaker 5: were large but disunified, the twelve tribes were unable to

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Speaker 5: help one another. Nay Hash also reveled in the idea

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Speaker 5: of his reputation being spread throughout the nation.

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Speaker 7: Send your messengers. I welcome anyone who dares rise up

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Speaker 7: against me.

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Speaker 5: As he said this, he lifted his dagger and drove

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Speaker 5: it through the men's eye.

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Speaker 2: He writhed in pain.

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Speaker 5: His screams echoed throughout the village. Na Hash turned his

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Speaker 5: back to the paniced elders and mounted his horse again.

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Speaker 5: He gestured for his men to turn back and camp

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Speaker 5: outside the village. He would give them seven days, then

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Speaker 5: he would descend upon Jabish glead with fury. The elders

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Speaker 5: gathered messengers and sent them throughout all the twelve tribes

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Speaker 5: of Israel. They knew that they lacked the strength to

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Speaker 5: save themselves. They needed salvation, so they cried out for

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Speaker 5: a savior. The news of the Ammonite army spread throughout

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Speaker 5: the rest of Israel. The messengers rode swiftly into each

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Speaker 5: city and village, begging for aid. Each report was met

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Speaker 5: with sorrowful tears and weeping. However, not one person offered aid.

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Speaker 5: The people of Israel heard their suffering brothers and sisters

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Speaker 5: wept aloud in sympathy, yet did nothing in response. No

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Speaker 5: sword was taken up, no man was thirred to action,

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Speaker 5: and no elder was moved to mobilized soldiers. Their fear

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Speaker 5: and comfort was far more powerful than their convictions. Saul

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Speaker 5: drove his feet into the churned up dirt, directing the

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Speaker 5: giant plow as his oxen pulled forward. His back was

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Speaker 5: red and sweating from hours of working in the field.

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Speaker 5: The work calmed Saul's racing mind. King of Israel, he

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Speaker 5: thought to himself, how can I lead a people that

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Speaker 5: have been so disunified and fickle for so long? Where

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Speaker 5: do I even begin? Saul had been anointed and recognized

220
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Speaker 5: as King of Israel before the people, yet he was

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Speaker 5: at a loss for how to begin. He had to

222
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Speaker 5: establish a royal court to create laws, gather elders to

223
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Speaker 5: communicate those laws, and recruit an army to enforce those laws.

224
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Speaker 5: There was much for him to do, but he lacked

225
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Speaker 5: the knowledge on how to lay the groundwork for his kingdom.

226
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Speaker 5: So Saul remained in this field, awaiting a call from

227
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Speaker 5: God about his first steps. He plowed, tilled, and began

228
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Speaker 5: to plant seed. For next season's harvest. The sun's harsh

229
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Speaker 5: glare dimmed as the day drew to a close. The

230
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Speaker 5: evening breeze rolled in from the hills, and Saul's sweating

231
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Speaker 5: face turned cold with the chill. He led his oxen

232
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Speaker 5: back to the stables, fed them, and hauled the yoke

233
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Speaker 5: back to his home. As he entered the gate back

234
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Speaker 5: into his father's house, he could sense an unrest among

235
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Speaker 5: the servants and members of the household. A few of

236
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Speaker 5: the women were weeping and holding their children. What is wrong,

237
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Speaker 5: Saul asked gently. The woman simply looked up and pointed

238
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Speaker 5: to the horizon. Saul looked and saw a plume of

239
00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:59,280
Speaker 5: smoke rising in the distance.

240
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Speaker 2: Is that Jbash Gilliad?

241
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Speaker 5: Saul asked, it is, one of the women said, wiping

242
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Speaker 5: away her tears.

243
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Speaker 4: Some messengers from the village just passed through.

244
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Speaker 1: It is under siege by the Ammonites.

245
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Speaker 4: They have five more days until they are enslaved and tortured.

246
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Speaker 5: Saul said nothing. He ran into the halls of his

247
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Speaker 5: father's household. His father, uncle, and Samuel were by the

248
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Speaker 5: fire in intense discussion.

249
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Speaker 2: Did you hear the messengers, Saul inquired, is Jabash under attack.

250
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Speaker 5: The three of them confirmed it was true. Saul met

251
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Speaker 5: Samuel's gaze. He said nothing. He only nodded and rushed

252
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Speaker 5: out the door to his home. He burst through the

253
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Speaker 5: door and opened up the chest at the foot of

254
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Speaker 5: his bed. In it was leather armor. It was tattered

255
00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:51,560
Speaker 5: and old, but thick and sturdy. Saul strapped it firmly

256
00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:54,240
Speaker 5: over his tunic. He grabbed his sword and marched out

257
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Speaker 5: of the house. As the sun set, bright red rays

258
00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,320
Speaker 5: spread across the skies. Saul looked up and could feel

259
00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,640
Speaker 5: a rush of purpose burning in his veins. His blood

260
00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:10,000
Speaker 5: boiled with righteous rage. The spirit of God rushed upon Saul.

261
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Speaker 5: God had given Saul the holy fury of a defender.

262
00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,040
Speaker 5: Saul hopped the fence into the stables where he had

263
00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,840
Speaker 5: fed the oxen. He took both of them and led

264
00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,080
Speaker 5: them outside under the red sunset. He held the oxen's

265
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Speaker 5: rope in one hand and his sword firmly in the other. Then,

266
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Speaker 5: with a powerful flastus blade, he cut into the oxen.

267
00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:34,200
Speaker 5: The blood spilled all over the floor, matching the red

268
00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,600
Speaker 5: skies above them. Saul cried out as he tore the

269
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Speaker 5: oxen limb from limb. He panted heavily, with the torn

270
00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:46,240
Speaker 5: apart oxen beneath his feet. Tavvy, Saul yelled. His servant

271
00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,920
Speaker 5: was watching from behind the stables. Tavvy inched forward, slowly

272
00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,960
Speaker 5: avoiding the blood. From below. Saul's eyes darted at him.

273
00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:59,000
Speaker 5: Something was different about Saul. His voice, his eyes, and

274
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Speaker 5: his demeanor changed.

275
00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:03,480
Speaker 2: Gather some of the other servants and have them take

276
00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:06,800
Speaker 2: these pieces of oxen to all the twelve tribes of Israel,

277
00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:11,080
Speaker 2: Saul said. Tell them, whoever does not follow Saul and

278
00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:15,320
Speaker 2: Sabular to battle to defend Jabesh will be torn apart

279
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Speaker 2: like these oxen. We are Israel, we are united, and

280
00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:23,560
Speaker 2: we will come to the aid of our brothers.

281
00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:26,920
Speaker 5: Tavin nodded and gathered the other servants to take Saul's

282
00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:30,640
Speaker 5: message to the masses. Saul wiped off his sword, sheathed it,

283
00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,479
Speaker 5: and took some of his men to Bezick. The messengers

284
00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,480
Speaker 5: made Saul's demands known to the entire nation of Israel.

285
00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,480
Speaker 5: It was the first command of their new king, and

286
00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:43,840
Speaker 5: the fear of the Lord rushed upon them. Men gathered

287
00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,680
Speaker 5: whatever weapons they had and marched to meet Saul at Bezick.

288
00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,840
Speaker 5: The spirit of God was on the move among his people,

289
00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:54,160
Speaker 5: and he was using Saul as an instrument of his justice.

290
00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,800
Speaker 5: Three hundred thousand men from eleven tribes came forward, and

291
00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:01,280
Speaker 5: thirty thousand from the tribe of Judah. Saul was there

292
00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,159
Speaker 5: to greet them. He stood among them with tattered armor

293
00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,440
Speaker 5: and a dull blade, yet he still looked magnificent before

294
00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:11,040
Speaker 5: the people. Saul gathered commanders from each tribe and met

295
00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,680
Speaker 5: with them in his tent by the fire. They strategized

296
00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:18,200
Speaker 5: about their plan of attack. Saul sent his son Jonathan

297
00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,040
Speaker 5: as a spy to scut out the Ammonite camp. They

298
00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:24,400
Speaker 5: were sitting ducks. Na Hash had not expected anyone from

299
00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:27,159
Speaker 5: Israel to rise up against them, so they kept no

300
00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:30,679
Speaker 5: watch and kept no guard. Instead, they ate by the

301
00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:34,479
Speaker 5: fire and awaited their inevitable victory. Saul knew that if

302
00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:37,119
Speaker 5: they stood a chance against the Ammonites, they would have

303
00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:40,680
Speaker 5: to strike swiftly and without notice. Saul gathered a few

304
00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,480
Speaker 5: messengers to go to Jabish. Tell them we have come.

305
00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,440
Speaker 5: Tell them tomorrow, by the time the sun is set

306
00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:52,399
Speaker 5: firmly above them, they shall have salvation. Saul looked to

307
00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,680
Speaker 5: his newly appointed commanders and gave them a resolute.

308
00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:59,840
Speaker 2: Grin and tell them to surrender to Nahsh. Tell them

309
00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:03,480
Speaker 2: to give themselves up, but not to worry. We will

310
00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:06,919
Speaker 2: come before they have a chance to strike. The messengers

311
00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,399
Speaker 2: brought Saul's encouragement to the elders of Jebish. They did

312
00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,879
Speaker 2: as they were told and sent their own messengers to Nahsh.

313
00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:17,920
Speaker 2: The Ammonites cheered and scoffed at Israel. That night, they

314
00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,639
Speaker 2: danced and celebrated in their camp. As the skies grew dark,

315
00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:25,120
Speaker 2: nay Hash and his men plotted their takeover of Jebish.

316
00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:28,879
Speaker 2: He was unaware that only a few miles away, Israel's

317
00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:33,840
Speaker 2: new king was sharpening his blade. Saul did not sleep

318
00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,760
Speaker 2: that night. He stared at the fire blankly while his

319
00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:40,240
Speaker 2: men rested. His eyes were fixed on the flame, swaying

320
00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:42,800
Speaker 2: back and forth with the breeze. He looked at the

321
00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,960
Speaker 2: heat of the coals, radiating the red center of each

322
00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:50,600
Speaker 2: individual coal beat like hearts. Saul poked them with his sword,

323
00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:54,640
Speaker 2: ensuring each remained within the flames. He breathed in deeply

324
00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,760
Speaker 2: and looked forward to the hills. The Ammonites were on

325
00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:02,080
Speaker 2: the other side, no doubt, sleeping without fear. Saul looked

326
00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:05,520
Speaker 2: over to his son Jonathan, sleeping soundly beside the fire.

327
00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,480
Speaker 2: He wanted a better future for his son. He wanted

328
00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:12,440
Speaker 2: a better future for all the children of Israel. He

329
00:19:12,520 --> 00:19:14,879
Speaker 2: knew that the kingdom would never last as long as

330
00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,600
Speaker 2: other nations saw them as weak. He had to make

331
00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:20,680
Speaker 2: an example of the Ammonites. He had to show them

332
00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:23,240
Speaker 2: that God's chosen people were not to be trifled with.

333
00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:29,920
Speaker 2: Sunrise was approaching and the morning mists slithered its way

334
00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,320
Speaker 2: between the forest outside Jabish. The night watch of the

335
00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,119
Speaker 2: Ammonite camp had gone to sleep and the morning watch

336
00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:39,560
Speaker 2: was beginning its post. They lazily only set a watch

337
00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:42,159
Speaker 2: on the side of their camp, facing the village of Jabish.

338
00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:46,320
Speaker 2: They knew no villager would dare charge them. However, edging

339
00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,720
Speaker 2: quietly through the other side of the forest was the

340
00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:52,560
Speaker 2: United Army of Israel. Saul had split them into three companies,

341
00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:56,359
Speaker 2: each responsible for prowling on the left, right, and back

342
00:19:56,359 --> 00:20:00,359
Speaker 2: of the Ammonite camp. Each company approached softly and remained

343
00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:03,240
Speaker 2: one hundred yards away from the camp. Saul led the

344
00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:06,760
Speaker 2: company on the right. The men were crouched low and unseen.

345
00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:09,720
Speaker 2: They could see the flickering light coming.

346
00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,920
Speaker 5: From the campfires. Saul held his men in position until

347
00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:15,640
Speaker 5: the first light of dawn gave them enough light to see.

348
00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:19,000
Speaker 5: When the first light appeared, Saul stood to his feet

349
00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:21,399
Speaker 5: and drew his sword. He rose it high in the

350
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,520
Speaker 5: air and raised his voice loud. His deep voice bellowed

351
00:20:25,520 --> 00:20:28,920
Speaker 5: across the camp for the other companies to hear. Then,

352
00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:32,160
Speaker 5: before the Ammonites could arise to grab their weapons, the

353
00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:36,600
Speaker 5: Israelites charged with the fury of God. Saul's legs burst

354
00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,920
Speaker 5: like a stallion's. He quickly separated himself from the rest

355
00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,520
Speaker 5: of the group. With his sword grasped firmly in his hand,

356
00:20:43,119 --> 00:20:45,520
Speaker 5: he was the first to draw blood in the Amonite camp,

357
00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:48,159
Speaker 5: breaking through the trees and swiping at the neck of

358
00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:51,240
Speaker 5: a man sitting beside the fire. The rest of Israel

359
00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:53,320
Speaker 5: charged from behind and on the side of the camp,

360
00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,639
Speaker 5: catching the Ammonites off guard. However, their camp was vast

361
00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:01,200
Speaker 5: and the Ammonites were great in number. They quickly drew

362
00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:04,600
Speaker 5: their weapons and began to defend themselves. The warriors at

363
00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:07,280
Speaker 5: Israel drew strength from the passion of their king and

364
00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:11,400
Speaker 5: pressed into the enemy with fire. God's spirit was before

365
00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:14,040
Speaker 5: Saul as he slashed his way through the Eemonite camp.

366
00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:18,360
Speaker 5: Two enemy soldiers ran with spears drawn at Saul. One

367
00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:21,879
Speaker 5: thrust forward, grazing Saul's shoulder. He grabbed the shaft of

368
00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:24,840
Speaker 5: the spear and broke it with his sword. He swung around,

369
00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:29,119
Speaker 5: slashing the soldier's throat. The other Ammonite jabbed his spear upward.

370
00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:31,600
Speaker 5: Saul dodged it and cut the man of the can

371
00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:34,560
Speaker 5: As he fell to his knees, Saul kicked him in

372
00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:37,879
Speaker 5: the chest and onto his back. Saul pressed his knife

373
00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:39,560
Speaker 5: into the man's throat and bent down.

374
00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:41,280
Speaker 2: Where is your cake.

375
00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:46,480
Speaker 5: He demanded. The Aemonite soldier gasped for hair and pointed out.

376
00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:49,359
Speaker 5: Saul looked and saw a tall man clothed in dark

377
00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:52,400
Speaker 5: armor swinging his sword through a group of Israelite soldiers.

378
00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:57,199
Speaker 5: Saul released his knee and marched forward. Flames in gulfed

379
00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:00,159
Speaker 5: the tents around him, but his vision was set on

380
00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:03,560
Speaker 5: nay Hash. Saul wiped the blood off his brow and

381
00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,920
Speaker 5: quickened his pace. Nay Hash's blade was large and came

382
00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,800
Speaker 5: down with brutal force on the shields of the Israelite men.

383
00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:14,760
Speaker 5: Saul sped up and ran towards the Ammonite king nay Hash.

384
00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:18,879
Speaker 5: He yelled with vigor the dark King looked up to

385
00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:22,679
Speaker 5: see Saul sprinting forward with his sword ready. Na Hash

386
00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:26,680
Speaker 5: lifted his shield and absorbed Sauh's first blow. He stumbled back,

387
00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,399
Speaker 5: surprised to see a man as large as he was.

388
00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,720
Speaker 5: Saul met him eye to eye, and the two of

389
00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:37,320
Speaker 5: them paced around one another. Nay Hash spat in Saul's direction.

390
00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:41,560
Speaker 5: So this is your army, he asked with a chuckle.

391
00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,240
Speaker 5: I presume you are this new king. I hear the

392
00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:50,320
Speaker 5: men speak of before I kill them. Nay Hash goated.

393
00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:53,840
Speaker 5: Saul did not reply. He set his foot back, lifted

394
00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:58,280
Speaker 5: his sword, and advanced towards Nahsh. The Ammonite king welcomed

395
00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:01,359
Speaker 5: the flight. He burst forward ward with surprising speed and

396
00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:04,960
Speaker 5: kicked Saul's shield clean off his arm and Saul stumbled back,

397
00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:08,880
Speaker 5: then dodged the first swing of Nahsh's sword. Saul rolled

398
00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:11,440
Speaker 5: to his side and swung his sword at Nahash's knee.

399
00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,320
Speaker 5: He barely grazed it, but it was enough to pause

400
00:23:14,359 --> 00:23:18,159
Speaker 5: the king's advances. Saul burst forward and swung his sword.

401
00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:21,879
Speaker 5: The two of them sparred. The sound of clanging metal

402
00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,280
Speaker 5: pierced Saul's ears as each of them fought to gain

403
00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,960
Speaker 5: an advantage over the other. Finally, Saul saw an opening

404
00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:31,640
Speaker 5: on Nahsh's side. He jabbed his sword forward, cutting through

405
00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:36,080
Speaker 5: Mayhsh's armor. Nahsh recoiled, then swung down at Saul in

406
00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,520
Speaker 5: a fury. As his arms were above his head, Saul

407
00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:43,480
Speaker 5: thrust his sword forward into Nahsh's stomach. The king dropped

408
00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:45,879
Speaker 5: his sword and stepped back and fell to his knees.

409
00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:49,520
Speaker 5: Saul drew his sword out of his stomach. The Ammonite

410
00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,800
Speaker 5: king said nothing, with blood dripping out of his mouth.

411
00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,760
Speaker 5: He simply fell forward with his face to the dirt.

412
00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,960
Speaker 5: Saul stood over Nahsh's lifeless body, panting. His heart felt

413
00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:03,000
Speaker 5: as though it was going to beat out of his chest.

414
00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,040
Speaker 5: His arms were heavy, and his head began to swell.

415
00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:09,560
Speaker 5: Behind him, Saul could hear the cheering of his men.

416
00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:12,560
Speaker 5: He turned to see the tide of the battle swinging

417
00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:16,600
Speaker 5: back to Israel. Saul looked up. The sun was high

418
00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,919
Speaker 5: above the sky. They had been fighting into the afternoon.

419
00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:23,840
Speaker 5: The king smiled. He had kept his promise to the

420
00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:27,119
Speaker 5: people of Jabish. The sun was set firmly in the

421
00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,800
Speaker 5: middle of the sky, and the battle had been won.

422
00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:34,040
Speaker 5: The surviving Ammonites had fled and the scorched dearth outside

423
00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:36,760
Speaker 5: the village of Jabish was painted red with the blood

424
00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:42,800
Speaker 5: of the enemy. Shouts of victory and praise to God

425
00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,600
Speaker 5: and Saul echoed through every city in Israel. Men, women

426
00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,919
Speaker 5: and children sang songs of their king's victory over the Ammonites.

427
00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:52,960
Speaker 5: Stories were told of the brave new king's battle with

428
00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:57,560
Speaker 5: Nahash and how he saved the village of Jabish. Samuel

429
00:24:57,640 --> 00:25:00,359
Speaker 5: heard these shouts. He listened to the song, and he

430
00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:03,760
Speaker 5: pondered the stories. He sat in a room of elders,

431
00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:07,560
Speaker 5: tolerated in their worshipful doting over the young king. Saul

432
00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:10,639
Speaker 5: sat in the room as well, humbly listening to their admiration.

433
00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:13,480
Speaker 6: Who among us doubted Saul.

434
00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:15,200
Speaker 5: One of the elders asked.

435
00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:18,280
Speaker 6: Let them be put to death for such accusations.

436
00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:21,000
Speaker 5: Saul's eyes widened and he shook his head.

437
00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:26,200
Speaker 2: Please, brothers, let no one be put to death this day. Today,

438
00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:30,560
Speaker 2: the Lord has worked out salvation for his children. Let

439
00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:33,840
Speaker 2: us rejoice in him and have mercy on one another.

440
00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:37,439
Speaker 5: Samuel was surprised to hear these words come from Saul.

441
00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:41,600
Speaker 5: Perhaps there was hope for his soul. Perhaps he was

442
00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:45,600
Speaker 5: the king Israel had needed Samuel propped himself up in

443
00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:47,200
Speaker 5: front of the elders and settled them down.

444
00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:50,480
Speaker 6: It is time for us to renew our kingdom.

445
00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:51,360
Speaker 5: He said solemnly.

446
00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:54,960
Speaker 6: We have seen Saul lead, and now it is time

447
00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,280
Speaker 6: for us to go to Gilgold to establish him as

448
00:25:57,359 --> 00:25:58,480
Speaker 6: king before the Lord.

449
00:25:58,920 --> 00:26:01,080
Speaker 5: So Samuel led the pe people of Israel to the

450
00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:05,280
Speaker 5: high place of Gilgal. He made a sacrifice to the Lord,

451
00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:09,320
Speaker 5: and the tribes brought peace offerings to God. As worship

452
00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:12,840
Speaker 5: was made unto the Lord. Saul was anointed king over Israel.

453
00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:17,719
Speaker 5: The people cheered with passion and hope. Samuel overlooked the crowd.

454
00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:21,040
Speaker 5: Their songs echoed in his ears as they sang.

455
00:26:21,119 --> 00:26:24,960
Speaker 2: Long live the King, Long.

456
00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:25,960
Speaker 6: Live the King.

457
00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:30,320
Speaker 5: Their shouts saddened him. It was not long ago that

458
00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:33,920
Speaker 5: they gave God such reverence. They had replaced their true

459
00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:37,760
Speaker 5: savior with the counterfeit God. Saul was a short fix

460
00:26:37,840 --> 00:26:41,160
Speaker 5: to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts. Samuel

461
00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:44,320
Speaker 5: knew that even if Saul was brave, kind and just,

462
00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:48,280
Speaker 5: he would ultimately fail them, as all other kings would.

463
00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:53,359
Speaker 5: Samuel stood over the people, lifted up on a stone platform.

464
00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:56,320
Speaker 5: The people ceased their cheers as he raised his hands.

465
00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,240
Speaker 5: His voice resonated among the crowd as he rated his

466
00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:02,359
Speaker 5: final address and goodbye to the people.

467
00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:04,440
Speaker 2: Behold, he shouted.

468
00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:08,040
Speaker 6: I have obeyed your voice. You have asked for a king,

469
00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,920
Speaker 6: and here he stands before you. I am old now,

470
00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:15,600
Speaker 6: but I have faithfully walked before you since I was young.

471
00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:19,480
Speaker 5: Samuel's voice began to break slightly, and his throat choked

472
00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:23,159
Speaker 5: up with sorrow. The old prophet paused and gripped his

473
00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:26,920
Speaker 5: staff firmly. A single tear left his eye as he

474
00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:31,240
Speaker 5: scanned the children of Israel. He opened up his arms and.

475
00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:37,240
Speaker 6: Said, here I am testify against me before God. Whose

476
00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:41,640
Speaker 6: ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded

477
00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:44,680
Speaker 6: or cheated out of their money? Have I oppressed any

478
00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,879
Speaker 6: of you? Or taken at tax or bribe? Have I

479
00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:51,920
Speaker 6: done anything worthy of you? Rejecting me and the God

480
00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:52,919
Speaker 6: I serve.

481
00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:56,760
Speaker 5: The people cried out immediately, saying you have done nothing

482
00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:01,280
Speaker 5: to oppress us. Samuel, you have been fair, just and

483
00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:02,240
Speaker 5: honored us.

484
00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:05,880
Speaker 6: So the Lord is witness against you and the king

485
00:28:05,960 --> 00:28:08,679
Speaker 6: that stands before you, that I have not oppressed you

486
00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:12,679
Speaker 6: or taken anything from you. I have only given to

487
00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:15,119
Speaker 6: you and loved you like children.

488
00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:20,960
Speaker 5: Yes, they shouted, the Lord is a witness. Samuel drove

489
00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:23,359
Speaker 5: his staff into the stone in front of him. The

490
00:28:23,480 --> 00:28:27,600
Speaker 5: sound was intimidating and sent a clear message. Samuel pointed

491
00:28:27,640 --> 00:28:29,760
Speaker 5: at them with his staff and shouted.

492
00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:32,760
Speaker 6: The Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and freed your

493
00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:36,000
Speaker 6: fathers from Egypt, is the witness between you and I.

494
00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:39,520
Speaker 6: Now listen to me one final time as I tell

495
00:28:39,560 --> 00:28:41,760
Speaker 6: you of the righteousness of God.

496
00:28:42,360 --> 00:28:45,800
Speaker 5: The people were silent and listened like children being scolded.

497
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:49,480
Speaker 6: When Jacob went into Egypt with his family, the Egyptians,

498
00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:54,000
Speaker 6: led by their king, oppressed them. They labored as slaves

499
00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:58,120
Speaker 6: and were killed like animals. The blood of children stained

500
00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:01,640
Speaker 6: the Nile, and your forefathers out to God for deliverance.

501
00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:05,720
Speaker 6: So he sent Moses and Aaron together. They brought your

502
00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:10,360
Speaker 6: ancestors out of Egypt. Now here you stand as free people.

503
00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:15,040
Speaker 6: But your fathers forgot the God who had saved them.

504
00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:19,400
Speaker 6: They became oppressed by the Philistines and the Moabites. Then,

505
00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:22,800
Speaker 6: after years of disobedience, they cried out to God again

506
00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:31,400
Speaker 6: for help. The Lord answered. He sent judges. He sent Jerebal, Barakh, Jephtha,

507
00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:35,120
Speaker 6: and myself, many of us were called by God to

508
00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:38,200
Speaker 6: deliver you out of bondage of other nations and your

509
00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:42,000
Speaker 6: own sin. Even though there were enemies on every side,

510
00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:45,520
Speaker 6: God still fought for you, and you lived in safety.

511
00:29:46,080 --> 00:29:48,360
Speaker 5: The clouds in the sky began to roll in from

512
00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:51,840
Speaker 5: the west. As Samuel spoke. The people looked up as

513
00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:53,280
Speaker 5: the sun was hidden from sight.

514
00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:55,400
Speaker 6: Yet you still cried out for a king.

515
00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:58,719
Speaker 5: After all these years, Samuel continued.

516
00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:01,440
Speaker 6: You saw Nahesh and the and you did not so

517
00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,080
Speaker 6: much as whisper for the Lord to give you aid.

518
00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:08,120
Speaker 6: You desired a man to save you. Well, here he

519
00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:12,000
Speaker 6: stands before you. The Lord has given you the desires

520
00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:16,040
Speaker 6: of your heart. If you will fear God and serve him,

521
00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:19,000
Speaker 6: if you will obey his voice and refuse to rebel

522
00:30:19,080 --> 00:30:22,760
Speaker 6: as your forefathers, if you and your new king follow

523
00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:28,320
Speaker 6: him and him alone, all will be well. But take heed,

524
00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,200
Speaker 6: my children. The pride of the heart is more powerful

525
00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:36,320
Speaker 6: than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.

526
00:30:37,240 --> 00:30:40,520
Speaker 6: If you go against him, he will be against you

527
00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:41,640
Speaker 6: and your king.

528
00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:45,440
Speaker 5: The sky had turned completely dark, and the wind began

529
00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:49,320
Speaker 5: to pick up tremendously. Behind Samuel. The people began to

530
00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:53,400
Speaker 5: stir the weather was unsettling. It seemed to match the

531
00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:57,959
Speaker 5: mood of Samuel. His words clearly reflected the heart of God.

532
00:30:58,000 --> 00:31:01,560
Speaker 6: Stand and see that this great thing the Lord will

533
00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:02,600
Speaker 6: do before your.

534
00:31:02,480 --> 00:31:05,160
Speaker 5: Eyes, Samuel said, with a trumpeting voice.

535
00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:08,320
Speaker 6: Thunder and rain shall go before you, and you shall

536
00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:11,320
Speaker 6: know truly what you have done has grieved the heart

537
00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:11,800
Speaker 6: of God.

538
00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:16,280
Speaker 5: As Samuel said, this lightning struck down behind him. The

539
00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:20,320
Speaker 5: cypress tree behind him erupted in flames them as if

540
00:31:20,360 --> 00:31:23,360
Speaker 5: the thung gates of Heaven were open. Rain poured out

541
00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:27,120
Speaker 5: from the clouds. Thunders shook the earth, and rain began

542
00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:31,080
Speaker 5: to fall down like arrows under the people below. The

543
00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:33,640
Speaker 5: people were fearful that the Lord would strike him bound.

544
00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:35,960
Speaker 5: They cried out, saying.

545
00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:37,440
Speaker 2: Pray for us, Samuel.

546
00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:40,880
Speaker 5: We have added to all the sins of our fathers.

547
00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:45,400
Speaker 5: Samuel shook his head and sighed, You have nothing to fear,

548
00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:47,280
Speaker 5: he said, with the wind at his back.

549
00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,640
Speaker 6: Continue in the paths of the Lord with all your hearts.

550
00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:54,320
Speaker 6: Do not cling to the empty things that cannot satisfy you.

551
00:31:55,160 --> 00:31:59,080
Speaker 6: They are empty and weak. The Lord will not forsake

552
00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:03,160
Speaker 6: his people. He is great, and it pleases him to

553
00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:06,880
Speaker 6: make you his people. It gives him joy to protect you.

554
00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:11,040
Speaker 6: As for me, far be it from me that I

555
00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:14,640
Speaker 6: should sin by ceasing to pray for you. I will

556
00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:16,920
Speaker 6: still be here to instruct and guide you.

557
00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:17,960
Speaker 2: I will give.

558
00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:21,960
Speaker 6: Counsel, offer prayers, and make sacrifices on behalf of the

559
00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:23,400
Speaker 6: people and God's armies.

560
00:32:24,120 --> 00:32:26,840
Speaker 5: The wind began to subside for a moment, and the

561
00:32:26,960 --> 00:32:29,520
Speaker 5: rain had drowned out the flames caused by the lightning.

562
00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:34,560
Speaker 5: All that remained were wet coals, barely flickering. Samuel's voice

563
00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:37,760
Speaker 5: was soft now and weary. He looked down at them

564
00:32:37,840 --> 00:32:38,600
Speaker 5: and said.

565
00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:42,880
Speaker 6: Fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.

566
00:32:44,200 --> 00:32:48,000
Speaker 6: Consider and remember the great things he has done for you.

567
00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:54,200
Speaker 6: Yet the warning remains. If wickedness prevails in your hearts,

568
00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,720
Speaker 6: you and your king shall be swept away.

569
00:33:00,760 --> 00:33:04,560
Speaker 5: The people left, wet and contemplative. It was not the

570
00:33:04,560 --> 00:33:08,760
Speaker 5: coronation Saul had in mind. As the people left, Saul

571
00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:12,600
Speaker 5: remained there, silently, looking at Samuel from a distance. A

572
00:33:12,600 --> 00:33:15,960
Speaker 5: small part of him was angry at the interruption. He

573
00:33:16,040 --> 00:33:19,440
Speaker 5: did not know whether Samuel supported him as king reluctantly,

574
00:33:20,040 --> 00:33:23,520
Speaker 5: or if he was actively praying against him. A spark

575
00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:27,280
Speaker 5: of spight simmered deeply in Saul's heart. He ignored it

576
00:33:27,520 --> 00:33:30,400
Speaker 5: and put on a smile as he approached Samuel. The

577
00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:36,720
Speaker 5: two of them left Gilgall to prepare and establish the kingdom.

578
00:33:37,040 --> 00:33:41,440
Speaker 4: Long live the King for now always. This episode had

579
00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:45,040
Speaker 4: the action that we were all waiting for. Saul rose

580
00:33:45,120 --> 00:33:47,720
Speaker 4: up as the hero king everyone hoped he would be.

581
00:33:48,680 --> 00:33:52,000
Speaker 4: He was able to inspire an army, rely on the

582
00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:55,440
Speaker 4: spirit of God, and bravely charge head first in the

583
00:33:55,560 --> 00:33:59,800
Speaker 4: danger to save the people of Jadish Gilead. At the

584
00:34:00,200 --> 00:34:02,920
Speaker 4: end of it all, he receives honor and praise from

585
00:34:02,920 --> 00:34:06,840
Speaker 4: the people. Saul is this shiny new toy that Israel

586
00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:10,000
Speaker 4: can't wait to keep playing with. For them, he is

587
00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:13,600
Speaker 4: a more tangible thing to worship, just like the Golden

588
00:34:13,640 --> 00:34:17,680
Speaker 4: Calf was for Israel in the prelude. The prelude highlighted

589
00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:21,719
Speaker 4: mankind's proclivity to erect idols that they can see to

590
00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:25,520
Speaker 4: replace the God they can't see. When things are uncertain

591
00:34:25,640 --> 00:34:29,319
Speaker 4: and patience is required, our doubt can get the best

592
00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,440
Speaker 4: of us. Instead of relying on the timing and movement

593
00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:35,319
Speaker 4: of God, we try to control things by making our

594
00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:39,279
Speaker 4: own decisions. The Golden Calf represents many things, and one

595
00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:42,560
Speaker 4: of them is the harsh reality that we are always

596
00:34:42,600 --> 00:34:46,000
Speaker 4: looking to make gods of things and people that shouldn't

597
00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:49,719
Speaker 4: be worshiped. Saul is this shiny golden calf, ready to

598
00:34:49,760 --> 00:34:52,600
Speaker 4: receive the praise of the people in place of God.

599
00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:57,880
Speaker 4: After the prelude, we are placed in the middle of desolation. Nahesh,

600
00:34:58,239 --> 00:35:01,440
Speaker 4: king of Amriits, has made to move on the small

601
00:35:01,520 --> 00:35:04,920
Speaker 4: city of Jabish Gilead. Here is one of the several

602
00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:08,920
Speaker 4: classic villains we see in this series. He's hawking with

603
00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:13,320
Speaker 4: dark armor and riding atop a horse with sword and shield.

604
00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:18,239
Speaker 4: He is an embodiment of evil, just begging to be vanquished.

605
00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:21,799
Speaker 4: The opening scene with Nash and the elders is a

606
00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:25,760
Speaker 4: very real glimpse into the vulnerability of Israel during this time.

607
00:35:26,440 --> 00:35:29,520
Speaker 4: They have no unified army to protect their borders or

608
00:35:29,560 --> 00:35:33,560
Speaker 4: respond to crisis. The bordering nations know this and are

609
00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:36,640
Speaker 4: ego to pounce on Israel like wolves to scatter prey.

610
00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:39,520
Speaker 4: It's important for us to take a step back and

611
00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:42,120
Speaker 4: have a bit of empathy for Israel. They want to

612
00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:45,239
Speaker 4: king so desperately, because on the surface it seems like

613
00:35:45,320 --> 00:35:49,000
Speaker 4: they need one badly. However, if we do a deeper

614
00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:52,640
Speaker 4: dive into their history. We see that God has always

615
00:35:52,680 --> 00:35:56,360
Speaker 4: been faithful to save them. He used strong people like Samson,

616
00:35:56,480 --> 00:36:00,400
Speaker 4: weak people like Gideon, wise people like Deborah, and foolish

617
00:36:00,440 --> 00:36:04,080
Speaker 4: people like Jephtha, And in every instance it was God

618
00:36:04,080 --> 00:36:06,719
Speaker 4: who raised people up. Because the people cried out to

619
00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,680
Speaker 4: him to bring in a king was cutting off a

620
00:36:09,719 --> 00:36:13,600
Speaker 4: direct line of trust between them and God. Israel, given

621
00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:16,239
Speaker 4: the history with God, had no good reason to beg

622
00:36:16,320 --> 00:36:20,120
Speaker 4: for a king. Yet Saul is now king and it's irreversible.

623
00:36:20,640 --> 00:36:24,120
Speaker 4: Saul is new and still uncertain about his place, but

624
00:36:24,239 --> 00:36:28,080
Speaker 4: Nash provides a perfect opportunity for him to unite a

625
00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:31,720
Speaker 4: disunified people. This is a common theme in the Bible,

626
00:36:32,040 --> 00:36:35,720
Speaker 4: but also with humanity in general. People tend to unite

627
00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:39,400
Speaker 4: over a common enemy. When you have an obviously evil

628
00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:43,200
Speaker 4: presence in Nash, it is easy for whoever fights against

629
00:36:43,200 --> 00:36:46,319
Speaker 4: that evil to appear like a white knight. But just

630
00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:51,799
Speaker 4: because someone fights against evil does not automatically make them good. Nevertheless,

631
00:36:52,200 --> 00:36:55,279
Speaker 4: Saul appears to have all the right answers. What we

632
00:36:55,400 --> 00:36:59,680
Speaker 4: witness from Saul in this episode is epic and borderlines supernatural.

633
00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:04,080
Speaker 4: He has a rise and unprecedented victory over the Ammonites,

634
00:37:04,719 --> 00:37:08,240
Speaker 4: Saul amasses his army, leads them into battle, and meets

635
00:37:08,239 --> 00:37:11,640
Speaker 4: the evil king face to face. The fight scene between

636
00:37:11,680 --> 00:37:15,480
Speaker 4: Saul and ahsh makes one thing very clear. Saul is

637
00:37:15,520 --> 00:37:18,800
Speaker 4: not an underdog. He was nas is superior from the beginning,

638
00:37:18,880 --> 00:37:22,080
Speaker 4: quickly gaining the upper hand. Israel wanted the king the

639
00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:25,239
Speaker 4: slay other kings, and it seemed like they found their man.

640
00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:30,120
Speaker 4: Saul's nobility and character is an important element of this episode.

641
00:37:30,200 --> 00:37:33,680
Speaker 4: He is righteous, makes the right decisions, and risk his

642
00:37:33,840 --> 00:37:37,480
Speaker 4: life to save a small city from being enslaved. As

643
00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:40,400
Speaker 4: of right now, Saul seems to be keeping his pride

644
00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:44,040
Speaker 4: in check and relying on the strength of God. He

645
00:37:44,160 --> 00:37:48,640
Speaker 4: is keeping the coals in the fire, exemplified in the

646
00:37:48,680 --> 00:37:52,080
Speaker 4: scene at the camp before marching off to battle. So

647
00:37:52,239 --> 00:37:55,720
Speaker 4: what could possibly go wrong? Saul seems to have everything

648
00:37:55,800 --> 00:37:58,600
Speaker 4: it takes to be a great king, so what could

649
00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:01,759
Speaker 4: cause him to fall? We have Samuel to answer that

650
00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:05,080
Speaker 4: question for us. At the end of the episode, we

651
00:38:05,120 --> 00:38:09,040
Speaker 4: are at Gilgal for Saul's coronation. The people are praising

652
00:38:09,120 --> 00:38:12,960
Speaker 4: him endlessly and worshiping at his feet. Samuel knows that

653
00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:16,719
Speaker 4: this is the exact thing that will undo Saul. Nobody

654
00:38:16,760 --> 00:38:20,320
Speaker 4: but God can bear the weight of people's worship. Saul,

655
00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:23,719
Speaker 4: out of no fault of his own, has been enslaved

656
00:38:23,840 --> 00:38:27,640
Speaker 4: like a golden calf. He is the people's replacement for God.

657
00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:30,640
Speaker 4: That is a great burden to carry, a burden that

658
00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:33,960
Speaker 4: will eventually crush him. Samuel, at the end of the

659
00:38:34,040 --> 00:38:37,760
Speaker 4: episode reminded the people that they didn't need a king, rather,

660
00:38:37,800 --> 00:38:41,120
Speaker 4: they wanted a king. Their desire to replace God is

661
00:38:41,160 --> 00:38:45,080
Speaker 4: going to be the downfall of Israel and Saul. Samuel

662
00:38:45,080 --> 00:38:48,240
Speaker 4: also reminded them that this is the same sin committed

663
00:38:48,239 --> 00:38:52,399
Speaker 4: by their forefathers in the desert. Their ancestors forsook God

664
00:38:52,640 --> 00:38:56,920
Speaker 4: and suffered the consequences. Samuel warned them that the pride

665
00:38:57,040 --> 00:38:59,879
Speaker 4: of the heart is more powerful than you know. God

666
00:39:00,080 --> 00:39:04,200
Speaker 4: will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart. The fascinating part

667
00:39:04,280 --> 00:39:06,799
Speaker 4: of this is that the pride of the people is

668
00:39:06,840 --> 00:39:10,759
Speaker 4: going to be ultimately projected onto Saul. He will embody

669
00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:13,920
Speaker 4: their pride. This is a theme for all of us

670
00:39:13,960 --> 00:39:17,160
Speaker 4: to notice. The people we raise up to rule us

671
00:39:17,480 --> 00:39:21,840
Speaker 4: become mirrors reflecting back our own imperfections. The heart of

672
00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:25,160
Speaker 4: a culture is reflected in the leaders they choose. Saul's

673
00:39:25,160 --> 00:39:29,280
Speaker 4: eventual sin will be a mirror image of Israel's. Samuel

674
00:39:29,360 --> 00:39:33,239
Speaker 4: knew this and mourn their fall. He is definitely volatile

675
00:39:33,480 --> 00:39:38,560
Speaker 4: in this episode, teetering between righteous anger and fatherly concerned,

676
00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:41,920
Speaker 4: but he ultimately reminded him that God would be faithful

677
00:39:41,960 --> 00:39:45,920
Speaker 4: despite their unfaithfulness. Let's pause for a moment and appreciate

678
00:39:45,960 --> 00:39:49,480
Speaker 4: how powerful Samuel is at this age. He has a

679
00:39:49,520 --> 00:39:53,480
Speaker 4: fire in his bones and still preaches with ferocious strength.

680
00:39:54,080 --> 00:39:57,600
Speaker 4: It's a rather jarring scene. Toward the end, the people

681
00:39:57,640 --> 00:40:01,560
Speaker 4: come expecting a huge celebration, but leave wet and afraid.

682
00:40:02,160 --> 00:40:05,800
Speaker 4: The wind raged Samuel yelled and lightning struck a tree,

683
00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:10,120
Speaker 4: making it burst into flames. It is an apocalyptic scene

684
00:40:10,200 --> 00:40:13,160
Speaker 4: meant to hearken us back to the prelude, where the

685
00:40:13,239 --> 00:40:17,360
Speaker 4: winds shift and lightning cracks open the skies. The heart

686
00:40:17,400 --> 00:40:20,719
Speaker 4: of mankind hasn't changed, and neither has the grief of

687
00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:24,440
Speaker 4: God when mankind sinds against him. But the mercy of

688
00:40:24,480 --> 00:40:27,840
Speaker 4: God is also enduring, and that is something all of

689
00:40:27,920 --> 00:40:31,319
Speaker 4: us can take comfort in. The episode ends with the

690
00:40:31,360 --> 00:40:35,440
Speaker 4: winds dying down, the rain leaving, and a steaming pile

691
00:40:35,560 --> 00:40:39,920
Speaker 4: of wet coals losing their heat beside the altar. Saul

692
00:40:39,960 --> 00:40:43,359
Speaker 4: has maintained his innocence thus far, but this scene has

693
00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:46,160
Speaker 4: left a mark on him. There is no question that

694
00:40:46,239 --> 00:40:49,600
Speaker 4: the people are for Salt. The question that remains is

695
00:40:49,640 --> 00:40:52,799
Speaker 4: if God is for Saul or not. Put yourself in

696
00:40:52,880 --> 00:40:57,520
Speaker 4: Salt's shoes for a moment, you just rallied historical, disunified

697
00:40:57,640 --> 00:41:02,839
Speaker 4: army against a formidable foe and single handedly slaved that king. Now,

698
00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:04,640
Speaker 4: as you are about to be crowned a king with

699
00:41:04,719 --> 00:41:09,080
Speaker 4: pomp and circumstance, God interrupts and literally reigns on your parade.

700
00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:11,719
Speaker 4: Who wouldn't be at least a little perturbed by this?

701
00:41:12,360 --> 00:41:15,120
Speaker 4: There is a vicious cycle to pride that Saul must

702
00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:18,200
Speaker 4: be careful of the cycle is this we have a

703
00:41:18,200 --> 00:41:22,279
Speaker 4: prideful heart. God resists us because of our pride. We

704
00:41:22,360 --> 00:41:25,879
Speaker 4: grow bitter because God is against us. We continue down

705
00:41:25,880 --> 00:41:29,600
Speaker 4: the wrong path to spite God. God resists us more.

706
00:41:30,560 --> 00:41:32,600
Speaker 4: The way to get out of this cycle is by

707
00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:36,200
Speaker 4: submitting to God and humbling ourselves when He resists us.

708
00:41:37,200 --> 00:41:40,279
Speaker 4: When we are corrected, we need to pay attention and

709
00:41:40,320 --> 00:41:43,839
Speaker 4: take correction with humility. That is a sign of a

710
00:41:43,880 --> 00:41:47,080
Speaker 4: pure heart. Later on in this series, David is going

711
00:41:47,120 --> 00:41:51,200
Speaker 4: to be caught after committing some egregious crimes. After getting

712
00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:53,840
Speaker 4: caught in his own cycle of pride, he will go

713
00:41:53,920 --> 00:41:57,800
Speaker 4: on to write the sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

714
00:41:58,360 --> 00:42:01,160
Speaker 4: You will not reject and repenting heart.

715
00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:01,600
Speaker 2: O God.

716
00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:05,600
Speaker 4: But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The story is

717
00:42:05,640 --> 00:42:09,520
Speaker 4: about to get more complex, gory, and fast paced. We're

718
00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:12,319
Speaker 4: gonna Watchaul carefully to see if he can keep the

719
00:42:12,440 --> 00:42:15,560
Speaker 4: cold in the fire. We're also going to meet a

720
00:42:15,600 --> 00:42:19,040
Speaker 4: new character, Jonathan. His heart will provide us with a

721
00:42:19,120 --> 00:42:23,160
Speaker 4: contrast to judge Saul's heart. If you're not sure if

722
00:42:23,200 --> 00:42:25,319
Speaker 4: Saul was on the right path or not, you will

723
00:42:25,360 --> 00:42:28,399
Speaker 4: absolutely be certain by the end of this next episode.

724
00:42:29,000 --> 00:42:33,120
Speaker 4: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers

725
00:42:33,160 --> 00:42:36,880
Speaker 4: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.

726
00:42:37,360 --> 00:42:40,840
Speaker 4: Remember to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify to

727
00:42:40,880 --> 00:42:43,799
Speaker 4: get the newest episodes right as they come out. God

728
00:42:43,840 --> 00:42:44,120
Speaker 4: bless