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Speaker 1: Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in

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Speaker 1: the Bible. If you've been enjoying this series, please write

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Speaker 1: a review and let us know how this podcast has

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Speaker 1: impacted your life. Welcome to the epic Adventure of David,

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Speaker 1: 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. I'm glad you're here

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Speaker 1: with me as we mind the depths of this renowned tale.

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Speaker 1: In this episode, we are introduced to a very important

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Speaker 1: new character, Jonathan, the firstborn of Saul. Jonathan is pure,

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Speaker 1: courageous and has the loyalty of his men. In this episode,

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Speaker 1: Jonathan's righteousness and trust in God is contrasted with Saul's

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Speaker 1: growing pride and self absorption. Like a ruler held up

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Speaker 1: to a jagged line. Looking at Jonathan gives us a

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Speaker 1: better understanding of just how crooked Saul is becoming. Jonathan's

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Speaker 1: humility will reveal just how prideful Saul has become. Jonathan's

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Speaker 1: sober mind will show us just how duraigne Saul's mind

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Speaker 1: has become. And lastly, Jonathan's devotion to God will show

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Speaker 1: us just how far from God Saul has fallen. This

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Speaker 1: episode is filled with vivid scenes of epic battles, but

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Speaker 1: none of them are won by Saul. In fact, he

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Speaker 1: will be more of a hindrance than a help. We

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Speaker 1: will start to see just how much of a weight

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Speaker 1: bad leaders can be. This episode begins with a prelude,

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Speaker 1: a glimpse into another space and time when God proved

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Speaker 1: himself faithful. We are shown that God does not need

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Speaker 1: vast armies or charismatic leaders to carry out his purposes.

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Speaker 1: At the end of this episode, we will be faced

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Speaker 1: with a tense moment between Saul and Jonathan. A sword

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Speaker 1: will be aimed at Jonathan's throat, and Saul will find

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Speaker 1: himself captive to his own pride. Will Jonathan's story end

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Speaker 1: before we even get a chance to know him. Will

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Speaker 1: Saul's quick descent into paranoia proof fatal for the people

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Speaker 1: of Israel? Let's find out together in episode three of

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Speaker 1: our series, through David, the failed King and Warrior Son.

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Speaker 2: Prelude to chapter three, Wake up, Gideon yelled, arise from

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Speaker 2: your beds, for God will give his victory over the Midianites.

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Speaker 2: Tonight Gideon took his three hundred men and divided them

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Speaker 2: into three companies. He armed them not with swords, but

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Speaker 2: with trumpets, empty jars, and torches. He scanned his modest army.

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Speaker 2: They were greatly outnumbered. God had dwindled down their number

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Speaker 2: from thirty two thousand to three hundred in a matter

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Speaker 2: of hours. Gideon was the weakest man, from the weakest tribe,

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Speaker 2: leading an army of three hundred against an army of thousands. However,

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Speaker 2: there was a confidence welling up within Gideon. He knew

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Speaker 2: that the Lord had gone before them. Gideon split the

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Speaker 2: three companies and had them placed on every side of

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Speaker 2: the canyons, overlooking the enemy camp.

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Speaker 1: Look at me into why as I do when I

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Speaker 1: blow my trumpet, you will do the same on every side.

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Speaker 2: He said. The jars above their torches made the light disperse,

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Speaker 2: giving the illusion of thousands instead of hundreds. Gideon looked

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Speaker 2: down at the Midianite horde below. They were vast, like

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Speaker 2: the sea. Gideon gulped and closed his eyes. This is it,

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Speaker 2: he said to himself. He looked across the hills and

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Speaker 2: saw his three hundred men surrounding the camp. All was

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Speaker 2: quiet for a moment. Then Gideon raised his trumpet to

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Speaker 2: his mouth and blew. It echoed across the canyons, and

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Speaker 2: three hundred trumpets.

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Speaker 3: Joined in for the Lord and Gideon.

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Speaker 2: The men shouted the sound of trumpets ballowed and quaked

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Speaker 2: across the canyons. The sounds of war shook the ground,

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Speaker 2: and the midi knighted army awoke in a confused frenzy.

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Speaker 2: The Israelites broke the jars in their hands, and the

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Speaker 2: piercing sounds of broken glass frightened the livestock and king

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Speaker 2: rose and began to knock their tents into fires. The

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Speaker 2: Midianites were flustered and did not know whether to arm

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Speaker 2: themselves or retrieve their animals. The trumpets continued to wail

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Speaker 2: and make it difficult to think. It was dark, but

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Speaker 2: the torchlights from the hill scattered in a million directions

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Speaker 2: over the camp. They had the appearance of fiery arrows,

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Speaker 2: armed and ready to descend on the camp.

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Speaker 3: A sword for the Lord and Gideon.

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Speaker 2: Every man shouted. The Midianites began to flee in every direction.

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Speaker 2: The confusion sent them into a frenzy, and they began

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Speaker 2: to draw their swords out and fight one another. Gideon

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Speaker 2: listened as the cries of dying soldiers filled the canyon.

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Speaker 2: Gideon sent his arm down, and the small number of

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Speaker 2: soldiers picked off the vast army with ease. He sent

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Speaker 2: messengers up to the rest of Israel, saying.

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Speaker 1: The Midianites are fleeing in every direction.

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Speaker 3: Raise up your swords and slaughter them.

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Speaker 2: So the rest of Israel joined in finding scared Midianites

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Speaker 2: and slaying them. God revealed something to Giddy in that night.

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Speaker 2: He revealed he is able to use the weak and

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Speaker 2: small the number to accomplish great things. He does not

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Speaker 2: need a vast army of soldiers in glimmering armor. He

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Speaker 2: desires a willing hand, a humble spirit, and a heart

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Speaker 2: that seeks him. Chapter three, The Failed King and Warrior Son.

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Speaker 2: The iron pulsed with heat as the blacksmith gently took

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Speaker 2: it out of the flame. For hours, he attentively forged

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Speaker 2: the metal into finally crafted scales. Each iron scale was

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Speaker 2: placed on a thick leather armour, then laced with newly

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Speaker 2: molten gold. The breastplate was magnificent, truly a wonder to behold.

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Speaker 2: Its meticulously crafted scales shimmered brightly in the sunlight. It

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Speaker 2: was heavy, bright, and could not be missed on the battlefield.

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Speaker 2: Saul held up his new armor with awe and splendor.

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Speaker 2: Now there will be no mistaking who is king when

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Speaker 2: we march into battle, he whispered to himself. The heavy

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Speaker 2: mail was placed on his back and chest. Then the

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Speaker 2: breastplate was strapped tightly to him. It fit perfectly. Saul

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Speaker 2: puffed out his chest and held his sword firmly at

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Speaker 2: his side. He truly felt like a king, and he

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Speaker 2: awaited the day he could ride into battle as the

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Speaker 2: anointed ruler of Israel. As Saul admired himself in the mirror,

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Speaker 2: a messenger came in through the tent, My.

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Speaker 4: King, the Philistines had formed a garrison in Gabe.

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Speaker 2: Saul turned around in surprise.

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Speaker 3: They were supposed to be headed here to Micmash. Are

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Speaker 3: you sure they have occupied Giba completely?

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Speaker 4: Yes, my lord, they have settled there and fortified. The

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Speaker 4: inhabitants of Gaba were unable to defend themselves. The Philistines

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Speaker 4: marched right in and took it.

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Speaker 2: Saul stormed out of his tent with a messenger behind him.

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Speaker 2: Two thousand soldiers of his newly formed army had marched

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Speaker 2: with him to Micmash. In order to meet the Philistines.

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Speaker 3: Planning to march any further.

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Speaker 2: Saul asked the messenger. The young man shook his head.

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Speaker 4: Even if they were, my lord, I doubt they would

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Speaker 4: get far. Your son, Jonathan has planned to march with

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Speaker 4: a thousand men you put under his command.

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Speaker 2: Saul stopped in his tracks. How did you hear of this,

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Speaker 2: Saul demanded.

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Speaker 4: Jonathan sent me himself, my king. When he got word

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Speaker 4: of the Philistine horde taking the city, he marches men

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Speaker 4: straight to Gaba.

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Speaker 2: Saul was speechless. He took his crown off his head

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Speaker 2: and looked at it. Its weight almost seemed too heavy.

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Speaker 2: For a moment, he brushed his fingers against the engravings.

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Speaker 2: My son is outmatched, he said, We will march to

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Speaker 2: his aid. He thanked the messenger, then gathered his commanders.

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Speaker 3: Brothers, we are marching south to Geba. We leave at dawn.

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Speaker 2: Saul prepared his men to march to his son's aid

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Speaker 2: at Giba, but first he made sure his armor was

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Speaker 2: sufficiently finished. The firelight illuminating from the Philistine garrison blocked

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Speaker 2: out the stars. The night watch marched round the encampment

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Speaker 2: every hour. Drunken cackles could be heard from behind the

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Speaker 2: short wooden walls. The Philistines had marched into Giba without resistance,

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Speaker 2: and they were celebrating the ease of their conquest. Fifty

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Speaker 2: yards south of the walls, behind the reeds in the swamp,

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Speaker 2: Jonathan stood with water up to his neck. The mud

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Speaker 2: covered him head to toe as he spied on the

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Speaker 2: Philistine garrison. He counted every guard meticulously and timed every

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Speaker 2: march around the fortress. For hours, he stood completely still

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Speaker 2: in the cold water. Finally, when he had enough of

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Speaker 2: a look, he waited quietly back to his camp. Upstream

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Speaker 2: from the Philistine garrison, tucked behind the stony hills, was

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Speaker 2: Jonathan's army, a thousand men crouched under the moonlight. There

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Speaker 2: was no fire. They did not want to be seen

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Speaker 2: by the Philistine horde a few hundred yards away. Jonathan

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Speaker 2: greeted his men with a smile. Mud dripped from his

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Speaker 2: leg armor. He smelled of swamp and dirt. The men

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Speaker 2: covered their noses as he approached. Although Jonathan was not

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Speaker 2: the king himself, he had the loyalty of his men.

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Speaker 2: They followed Jonathan willingly and joyfully. Wherever he led. Jonathan

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Speaker 2: crouched down on the ground and beckoned for his commanders

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Speaker 2: to kneel as well. He drew a square in the dirt,

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Speaker 2: symbolizing the garrison. He drew an ax on the front

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Speaker 2: of the square and pointed.

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Speaker 5: The southernmost side of the garrison is heavily guarded. That

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Speaker 5: is the side facing the road.

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Speaker 2: Then Jonathan drew a curved line around the square.

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Speaker 5: However, there is a stream that circles around the western

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Speaker 5: side that is unmanned. It ends in a swamp that

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Speaker 5: sits less than fifty yards from the enemy. They will

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Speaker 5: not expect an ambush from that end.

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Speaker 2: The commanders were in agreement, and they assembled their men.

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Speaker 2: Jonathan stood before them. The moon illuminated his muddied face.

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Speaker 2: He raised his sword in the air and said.

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Speaker 5: For too long the Philistines have subjugated our people. They

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Speaker 5: have taken our land, kidnapped our children, and had their

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Speaker 5: way with our women. We shall not meekly surrender to

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Speaker 5: them any longer. We will stand and fight for the Lord.

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Speaker 5: Our God is with us.

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Speaker 2: The men stood firm in silence, ready to follow Jonathan

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Speaker 2: into battle. Jonathan cleaned his sword, sheathed it, and led

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Speaker 2: his men back into the stream. The moon's presence retreated

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Speaker 2: back into the horizon as dawn approached. Still under the

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Speaker 2: cover of darkness, Jonathan led his army through the swamp

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Speaker 2: and close to the enemy garrison. They waited for the

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Speaker 2: precise moment when the knight watch shifted. Then, with the

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Speaker 2: command of Jonathan, the men charged. Jonathan was the first

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Speaker 2: to burst through. Although he did not have his father's size,

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Speaker 2: no one in all of Israel had better sword work.

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Speaker 2: Jonathan swung his sword like a brush to canvas. With

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Speaker 2: every swing, the Philistines grew more afraid to approach him.

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Speaker 2: The thousand men shouted aloud and stormed the fortress, catching

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Speaker 2: nearly every Philistine off guard. It only took a few

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Speaker 2: hours for Jonathan and his men to overpower the Philistine camp.

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Speaker 2: Every man was either killed or fled back west. Jonathan

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Speaker 2: stood at the gates of the garrison, freeing each family

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Speaker 2: that had been taken captive. As he united them and

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Speaker 2: escorted them back to their homes, nobody knew he was

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Speaker 2: the Prince of Israel. Saul and his army of two

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Speaker 2: thousand marched swiftly to Geba. Plumes of smoke rose in

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Speaker 2: the distance, and Saul feared the worst for his son.

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Speaker 2: The men settled at the top of the hills above

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Speaker 2: Giba and camped there. Saul sent out men discout of

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Speaker 2: the battlefield to ensure it was safe. They returned to

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Speaker 2: report Jonathan's victory. Saul smiled, puffed out his chest with pride,

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Speaker 2: and rode with his men down into the fortress. He

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Speaker 2: came in with trumpets sounding and flags waving. His arms

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Speaker 2: were stretched out wide as he entered the garrison with

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Speaker 2: a booming laugh.

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Speaker 3: He shouted, ha ha, ha, ha ha. Let all the Hebrews,

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Speaker 3: who's here of our victory?

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Speaker 2: The men behind him cheered. Jonathan was nursing the wounds

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Speaker 2: of a few men when he saw his father enter.

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Speaker 2: The son reflected his father's shimmering new armor. It was

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Speaker 2: blinding for the men who had had a long night, Father,

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Speaker 2: Jonathan said, with a tired smile. He beckoned Saul to

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Speaker 2: come near. Saul dismounted his horse and greeted his son.

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Speaker 5: He should have seen the men's bravery, Father, They were excellent.

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Speaker 5: The Lord was before us this.

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Speaker 2: Day, Jonathan said, gesturing to his men. Saul embraced his

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Speaker 2: son and laughed.

217
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Speaker 6: All of Israel will know of our victory. Here Saul exclaimed,

218
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Speaker 6: this is the victory we needed to let the Philistines

219
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Speaker 6: know we are not a weak nation that can be

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Speaker 6: trampled upon.

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Speaker 3: This is the victory that will get more men to

222
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Speaker 3: join our army.

223
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Speaker 2: Jonathan bowed humbly as his father left to gather messengers.

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Speaker 2: He pulled them in close and.

225
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Speaker 3: Said, take trumpets into every city of Israel. Tell them

226
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Speaker 3: of my victory here, and have more men gather with

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Speaker 3: me at Gilgal. The Philistines will be looking to retaliate,

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Speaker 3: and we must be riddy. The messengers took trumpets into

229
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Speaker 3: every city, village, and town in Israel, proclaiming Saul's victory

230
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Speaker 3: over the Philistine garrison. Every Israelite heard it said that

231
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Speaker 3: it was Saul who stormed the fortress. No one heard

232
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Speaker 3: of Jonathan's bravery, nor did Jonathan care to have the

233
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Speaker 3: glory in the first place. The name of Israel became

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Speaker 3: a stench to the Philistines. Before Saul's army, the people

235
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Speaker 3: of God were militiamen and farmers with swords. However, Jonathan's

236
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Speaker 3: defeated the garrison had provoked them to anger. Their hatred

237
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Speaker 3: was ignited. In a matter of weeks, the Philistines amassed

238
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Speaker 3: an army of over three thousand chariots and six thousand

239
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Speaker 3: horsemen to press up against the nation of Israel. Their

240
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Speaker 3: foot soldiers were like the sands of the shore, too

241
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Speaker 3: great to count. Their presence was fierce, like a wild

242
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Speaker 3: beast prowling at their door. Panic began to settle into

243
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Speaker 3: the hearts of the people, and the men who followed

244
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Speaker 3: Saul doubted their ability to succeed against such a vast army.

245
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Speaker 3: The Philistines were wise tacticians, not lacking in skill or strategy. Slowly,

246
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Speaker 3: over the weeks they.

247
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Speaker 2: Sent assassins to kill and kidnap the blacksmiths of Israel,

248
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Speaker 2: forcing the armies of Sault to carry farming tools, axes

249
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Speaker 2: and daggers. Victory was within reach, and the Philistines had

250
00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,560
Speaker 2: not even begun the battle. They came up and encamped

251
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Speaker 2: in Micmash to the east of beth Haven. Messengers of

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Speaker 2: Israel gazed upon the vast army. They were like a

253
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Speaker 2: swarm of locusts, prepared to devour everything in their way.

254
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Speaker 2: Israel feared them, and they knew it. Fear was their

255
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Speaker 2: first weapon. Saul called the people to join him at

256
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Speaker 2: Gilgal the same place where he was ordained as king.

257
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Speaker 2: Before them, Samuel would make a sacrifice to God on

258
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Speaker 2: behalf of the people, and then Israel would descend into

259
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Speaker 2: battle against the Philistine Horde. However, Saul's confidence began to

260
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Speaker 2: wane as he saw his army diminish. By the day,

261
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Speaker 2: men hid themselves like dogs in the caves and cisterns.

262
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Speaker 2: Other men had fled into the lands of Gad and

263
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Speaker 2: Gilead with their families. Saul marched up the hill towards Gilgal.

264
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Speaker 2: He could sense the men behind him trembling with fear.

265
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Speaker 2: He knew it was only a matter of time before

266
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Speaker 2: they too left him. When they arrived at Gilgall, Saul

267
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Speaker 2: gathered the people and lifted his arms. The Son's glare

268
00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:39,800
Speaker 2: bounced off his armor, nearly blinding them. Saul stood tall,

269
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Speaker 2: with an air of confidence in his voice. He raised

270
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Speaker 2: his sword high in the air and shouted.

271
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Speaker 3: Men of Israel, do not fear the horde of Philistines

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Speaker 3: lurking at our borders. Samuel is coming to make a

273
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Speaker 3: sacrifice on our behalf. He will lead us in worship

274
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Speaker 3: to our God, and we will descend with the strength

275
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Speaker 3: of the Lord on our side. Believe in me, as

276
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Speaker 3: your king, I shall deliver you.

277
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Speaker 2: The men listening perked up with hope. They were comforted

278
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Speaker 2: by their king's words and eagerly awaited Samuel's arrival to

279
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Speaker 2: make the sacrifice. Every hour spent away from battle was

280
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Speaker 2: more time for the Philistines to gather strength and for

281
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Speaker 2: Israel to grow more fearful. Saul needed Samuel to come quickly.

282
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Speaker 2: He cared less for the sacrifice unto God. He cared

283
00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:32,800
Speaker 2: more about what it would do for moral However, Samuel's

284
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Speaker 2: donkey was nowhere on the horizon. Seven days was the

285
00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,040
Speaker 2: anointed time for Samuel to arrive, but it had been

286
00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:41,000
Speaker 2: a week and there was still no side of him

287
00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:44,120
Speaker 2: on the road. Saul paced the camp of his soldiers,

288
00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:48,120
Speaker 2: growing concerned about their lack of passion. Men began to

289
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Speaker 2: scatter and leave camp. Saul felt his control waning time

290
00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:57,760
Speaker 2: not the Philistines was becoming his true enemy. Each night,

291
00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:01,560
Speaker 2: Saul gathered his men to strategize. However, he had lost

292
00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:05,480
Speaker 2: their ears. More reports had come in of the Philistine army.

293
00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:08,520
Speaker 2: More men were being added to their numbers by the day,

294
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Speaker 2: and Saul was losing control of his men's hearts. The

295
00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:15,399
Speaker 2: sun had begun its descent over the horizon on the

296
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Speaker 2: seventh day, and Saul sat at the stone where he

297
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Speaker 2: was ordained as king. He remembered the lightning falling from

298
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Speaker 2: the sky and the people scattering in fear. From the

299
00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,760
Speaker 2: very beginning, Saul felt out of control. Even his own

300
00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:32,280
Speaker 2: coronation had been interrupted. Now on the eve of his

301
00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:37,119
Speaker 2: greatest battle, yet Samuel was absent. Saul felt the surge

302
00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,160
Speaker 2: of paranoia well up from within him. The people will

303
00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:42,000
Speaker 2: leave me, he thought to himself.

304
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Speaker 3: They need to know that the Lord is on my side.

305
00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,960
Speaker 3: They need to know that I am just as anointed

306
00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,000
Speaker 3: and blessed as Samuel.

307
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Speaker 2: Saul measured the sun's distance from the horizon. He only

308
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Speaker 2: had an hour left before nightfall. Saul stood to his feet.

309
00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:01,040
Speaker 2: His heart was racing and his hands were sweating. His

310
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Speaker 2: eyes darted over to the altar, where Samuel would make

311
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Speaker 2: sacrifices to God. Samuel was the appointed priest of Israel

312
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Speaker 2: and chosen by God to represent them. However, he was

313
00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:15,440
Speaker 2: not there, and Saul needed his men to trust him, so,

314
00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:19,280
Speaker 2: out of paranoia and distrust in God's providence, Saul sent

315
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Speaker 2: for an animal bring me the burnt offerings and the

316
00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:27,000
Speaker 2: peace offerings, he said to his servants. The servants were perplexed,

317
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Speaker 2: but did as they were told. Saul gathered the people

318
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Speaker 2: together at the altar. He cleaned, prepared, and made the

319
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Speaker 2: sacrifice before them. He had the violent and savage touch

320
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Speaker 2: of a soldier. He butchered the animal without delicacy or grace.

321
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Speaker 2: The beautiful and honorable practice of burnt offerings was reduced

322
00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:51,359
Speaker 2: to a frantic act of paranoia. Saul's voice lifted up

323
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Speaker 2: to the heavens with vain and repetitious platitudes. As the

324
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Speaker 2: burnt offerings ascended and smoked to the sky, Saul could

325
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Speaker 2: feel the people's anxiety lifting as they saw their king worship.

326
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Speaker 2: All he wanted was for their approval. For years, he

327
00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:08,400
Speaker 2: had been seeking the praise they gave him during his coronation.

328
00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:14,320
Speaker 2: He longed for their worship. He craved their approval. Samuel

329
00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,560
Speaker 2: ascended the hill at Gilgall. He looked to the horizon.

330
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Speaker 2: He was pleased that he had arrived before the seventh

331
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Speaker 2: day was over. Samuel's old legs slowly made their way

332
00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:28,439
Speaker 2: up the hills. He meticulously moved forward, avoiding the holes

333
00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:32,000
Speaker 2: and rocks along the way. He reached the encampment of Gilgall.

334
00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:36,119
Speaker 2: Winded from his long journey, Samuel paused and scanned the area.

335
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Speaker 2: Most of the men had left their sights and gathered

336
00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:41,679
Speaker 2: at the camp's edge near the altar. He heard chants

337
00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:45,560
Speaker 2: and prayers being lifted to the Lord. Samuel walked closer,

338
00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:49,480
Speaker 2: afraid of what he was going to find. Smoke rose

339
00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:52,240
Speaker 2: to the heavens in the center of the crowd. As

340
00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:55,320
Speaker 2: he approached the group, Samuel saw Saul at the altar

341
00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:59,360
Speaker 2: amidst the sacrifice. He was smiling ear to ear, basking

342
00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:04,480
Speaker 2: in the praise the people. Samuel's blood boiled with righteous anger.

343
00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:07,679
Speaker 2: It was not Saul's place to make a sacrifice on

344
00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:11,240
Speaker 2: behalf of the people. He had overstepped and disgraced the

345
00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:16,080
Speaker 2: practices of the priesthood with his vain worship. The people

346
00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,840
Speaker 2: made their way back to their tents. They left with

347
00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:21,600
Speaker 2: smiles on their faces, reassured that the Lord was on

348
00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:25,399
Speaker 2: Saul's side. However, Samuel knew the real heart of God.

349
00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:29,640
Speaker 2: He leaned underneath the cypress tree, waiting for Saul to approach.

350
00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:35,359
Speaker 2: Saul watched the people retreat for the night. He was

351
00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:39,760
Speaker 2: pleased with his ability to comfort them. The flames continued

352
00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,760
Speaker 2: to rise on the altar. He wiped the blood off

353
00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:45,119
Speaker 2: his hands and rested the filthy rag on the altar,

354
00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:49,919
Speaker 2: knocking over some coals onto the floor. The rag burned immediately,

355
00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:54,000
Speaker 2: and the burning red coals turned cool. He turned and

356
00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:58,000
Speaker 2: saw Samuel leaning against the tree with his arms folded. Saul,

357
00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,280
Speaker 2: being caught up in the delusion that he was a

358
00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,560
Speaker 2: priest of the Lord, approached Samuel with a priestly greeting.

359
00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,320
Speaker 3: Samuel, the Lord bless you and keep you.

360
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:11,359
Speaker 2: His blessing was a counterfeit greeting. It was as empty

361
00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:13,760
Speaker 2: and meaningless as the sacrifice he had just made on

362
00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:18,720
Speaker 2: the altar. Samuel peered at him silently. God warned them,

363
00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:22,280
Speaker 2: he thought to himself, a prideful king for a prideful nation.

364
00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:26,040
Speaker 2: Saul began to place his hand on Samuel's shoulder, but

365
00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:30,399
Speaker 2: it was quickly batted away. Samuel stood up straight. Although

366
00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:33,600
Speaker 2: Saul was a head taller than Samuel, the priest's presence

367
00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:36,480
Speaker 2: seemed to be looming over the king. What have you done,

368
00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:40,639
Speaker 2: Samuel asked. Saul feigned confusion for a moment, then looked

369
00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:43,600
Speaker 2: back at the altar. Oh, you mean the sacrifice he

370
00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:47,400
Speaker 2: asked ignorantly. The people were losing heart, Samuel. They were

371
00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:50,400
Speaker 2: scattering from me and retreating to the hills for safety,

372
00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:52,920
Speaker 2: and you had not come when you said you would,

373
00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,600
Speaker 2: so I took action. Saul paused to look for validation

374
00:21:56,680 --> 00:22:01,560
Speaker 2: from Samuel, yet he received none. Growing nervous, Saul continued

375
00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:02,040
Speaker 2: to ramble.

376
00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:05,840
Speaker 3: The Philistines have mustered a large army at Mickmash. A

377
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,879
Speaker 3: choice was sent before me as king. I could march

378
00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:12,880
Speaker 3: down without the favor of God, or I could lead

379
00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:15,800
Speaker 3: the people to the altar of the Lord and make

380
00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:21,720
Speaker 3: an offering. Naturally, I chose to honor God. I forced

381
00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,639
Speaker 3: myself to take on the role of priest.

382
00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:26,760
Speaker 2: Forced yourself, Samuel asked.

383
00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:31,840
Speaker 3: Saul nodded and shroud Yes, Samuel, I would have preferred

384
00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:36,320
Speaker 3: you arrived sooner so you could perform the sacrifice. However,

385
00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:39,640
Speaker 3: I had to do what I had to do.

386
00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:42,120
Speaker 2: You are a fool, Samuel snapped.

387
00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:46,119
Speaker 7: You have disregarded the command of the Lord, your God.

388
00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:50,280
Speaker 2: He shook his head at Saul and sighed, Saul.

389
00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:53,760
Speaker 7: Your kingdom would have been established forever you had the

390
00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,840
Speaker 7: opportunity to see the glory and mercy of God. Bless

391
00:22:56,880 --> 00:23:00,600
Speaker 7: your hands, but now your kingdom shall not continue.

392
00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:03,679
Speaker 2: Saul's eyes widened as he listened to the old priest speak.

393
00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:06,600
Speaker 3: But Samuel, these are my people.

394
00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,240
Speaker 7: They are God's people, Saul.

395
00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:14,560
Speaker 2: Not yours, Samuel yelled. His voice was booming like the

396
00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:18,120
Speaker 2: very wrath of God. Samuel took his staff and pointed

397
00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:19,800
Speaker 2: it at Saul, saying, the.

398
00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:23,520
Speaker 7: Lord has sought out another to replace you. He has

399
00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:25,520
Speaker 7: sought out a man who is after his own heart.

400
00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,320
Speaker 7: He has sought out a man who cares more about

401
00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:31,480
Speaker 7: pleasing the heart of God than looking for the approval

402
00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:35,960
Speaker 7: of man. This king shall be prince over the Lord's people.

403
00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:40,040
Speaker 7: He shall steward God's people well, and it will be

404
00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:42,600
Speaker 7: his kingdom that continues into eternity.

405
00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:47,800
Speaker 2: Saul stood silently, looking down at Samuel. His words rang

406
00:23:47,880 --> 00:23:51,159
Speaker 2: in his ears. He looked back at the altar. The

407
00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:54,320
Speaker 2: flames had dissipated and the wood had split and fallen

408
00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,960
Speaker 2: off the edge. Before Saul could ask forgiveness or give

409
00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:02,600
Speaker 2: a defense for himself, Samuel departed. All the empty words

410
00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,080
Speaker 2: Saul desired to give him would remain in his mouth.

411
00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:09,080
Speaker 2: The priest had left. The people were ignorant of Samuel's

412
00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:11,680
Speaker 2: words to Saul. They did not know that the Lord

413
00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:15,320
Speaker 2: had turned his face from him. However, Saul knew he

414
00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:18,359
Speaker 2: knew his days as king were numbered, yet he would

415
00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:20,199
Speaker 2: hold on to the throne for as long as he

416
00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:25,280
Speaker 2: possibly could. The next day, Saul and Jonathan mobilized what

417
00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:28,200
Speaker 2: was left of the men. The army of three thousand

418
00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:32,120
Speaker 2: men had dwindled down to a measly six hundred. Saul's

419
00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:36,159
Speaker 2: inability to inspire left his army and nemek. They marched

420
00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:39,439
Speaker 2: to the borders of mcmash and camp there. The Philistine

421
00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,720
Speaker 2: horde was only a few miles over the other side

422
00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:45,199
Speaker 2: of a small mountain. That night, Saul paced by the

423
00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:48,359
Speaker 2: fire restlessly. He did not want to go into battle.

424
00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:52,359
Speaker 2: The Philistines outnumbered them six to one. He knew that

425
00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:55,280
Speaker 2: they were no match for them without more men. He

426
00:24:55,359 --> 00:24:58,720
Speaker 2: did not call for reinforcements, nor did he strategize on

427
00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:02,080
Speaker 2: how to use his men. He simply paced around the fire,

428
00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:09,080
Speaker 2: paralyzed by fear and faithlessness. Jonathan arose early in the

429
00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:11,920
Speaker 2: morning to be with the Lord. He scaled the tall

430
00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:15,919
Speaker 2: mountains swiftly, seeking to beat the sunrise. He raised the

431
00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:18,480
Speaker 2: sun up the summit and placed himself on a stone

432
00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:22,200
Speaker 2: resting at the very top. The sun's rays spread across

433
00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:25,560
Speaker 2: the valley below, splashing the land with different shades of

434
00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,640
Speaker 2: orange and yellow. Jonathan basked in the glory of God.

435
00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:32,840
Speaker 2: He closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh morning air.

436
00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:36,879
Speaker 2: He knelt down, seeking God's strength for the coming battle.

437
00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:41,080
Speaker 2: Jonathan knew that the battle would come sooner or later. However,

438
00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:44,000
Speaker 2: he feared that it would be the Philistines to attack first.

439
00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:47,000
Speaker 2: His father had been paralyzed by fear for weeks.

440
00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:47,280
Speaker 6: Now.

441
00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:52,040
Speaker 2: Instead of strategizing or gathering more men, he lounged underneath

442
00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:56,480
Speaker 2: the pomegranite tree. God's presence brought solace to Jonathan's mind.

443
00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,240
Speaker 2: He scanned the land below with the sober eye to

444
00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:02,200
Speaker 2: take in the terrain that led down to the camp

445
00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:05,720
Speaker 2: of the Philistines. Their numbers were growing by the day.

446
00:26:06,440 --> 00:26:09,720
Speaker 2: With each passing moment, the strength of the Philistines grew,

447
00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:13,480
Speaker 2: and the hope of Israel waned. As he scanned the land,

448
00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,000
Speaker 2: Jonathan saw a narrow path through the pass with large

449
00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:20,439
Speaker 2: sharp rocks on either side. The path led all the

450
00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:22,520
Speaker 2: way up to the northern side of camp, where the

451
00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:25,639
Speaker 2: enemy set a watch. The path was wide near the

452
00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:30,720
Speaker 2: Philistine garrison then bottleneck closer to the mountain. Jonathan studied

453
00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:31,320
Speaker 2: it closely.

454
00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:34,840
Speaker 5: A few men could easily fight a much larger number.

455
00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,560
Speaker 2: Here, Jonathan thought to himself. He drew the path from

456
00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:42,720
Speaker 2: the sand and pondered. Jonathan felt the surge of prompting

457
00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:45,880
Speaker 2: from God. He knew that the Lord would not abandon

458
00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:49,119
Speaker 2: his people. He had faith that if he marched forward,

459
00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:54,200
Speaker 2: it didn't matter how outnumbered he was. Jonathan descended down

460
00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:57,040
Speaker 2: the mountain back to camp. Many of the men were

461
00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:02,040
Speaker 2: still sleeping below, including his young armor Barresbys. Jonathan stuck

462
00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:04,560
Speaker 2: into his tent and woke him. He placed his finger

463
00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:06,480
Speaker 2: over his mouth and whispered.

464
00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:09,000
Speaker 5: Quick, put on your armor and gather your weapons.

465
00:27:09,320 --> 00:27:12,119
Speaker 2: Are remarching, Cobys asked, rubbing his eyes.

466
00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,720
Speaker 5: You and I are going over the Philistine garrison on

467
00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:15,520
Speaker 5: the other side of the.

468
00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:19,159
Speaker 2: Mountain, Jonathan said intensely. There was a joy in his

469
00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:23,440
Speaker 2: voice that Cobos had heard before. Cobys chuckled and scratched

470
00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:27,000
Speaker 2: his head At your word, Jonathan smiled, and the two

471
00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:30,160
Speaker 2: began their ascent up the hill. They reached the top

472
00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:33,359
Speaker 2: of the mountain and crouched down. Jonathan pointed out the

473
00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,040
Speaker 2: sharp rocks and the path between them. One of the

474
00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:39,760
Speaker 2: rocks faced northward opposite of Micmash, and the other southward

475
00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:44,119
Speaker 2: opposite of Gibea. The large jagged rocks crossed one another.

476
00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:47,639
Speaker 2: Arching over the path, Jonathan and Cobys could approach the

477
00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:51,640
Speaker 2: garrison unseen. Then, when they were ready, they could lure

478
00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:53,960
Speaker 2: the enemy in and fight them in a smaller number.

479
00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:57,200
Speaker 2: The two of them descended the mountain and hid under

480
00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:00,159
Speaker 2: the arch of the two rocks. They remained there for

481
00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:03,200
Speaker 2: the day, watching the guard of the Philistines march around

482
00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:07,480
Speaker 2: the perimeter of the camp. Jonathan smirked. They had learned

483
00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,840
Speaker 2: their lesson from before. No sight of camp was left unmanned.

484
00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:14,119
Speaker 2: The warrior's spirit in Jonathan was pleased that he had

485
00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:17,679
Speaker 2: left such an impression on them. Noon had passed, and

486
00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:19,800
Speaker 2: the later hours of the day took away the heat.

487
00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:23,600
Speaker 4: Shall we report back to Saul and tell him what

488
00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:23,920
Speaker 4: we have.

489
00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:28,399
Speaker 2: Found, Cobys asked. Jonathan did not respond right away. His

490
00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:31,480
Speaker 2: eyes were locked on the camp. He was lost in thought,

491
00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:34,479
Speaker 2: wrestling in his heart about what the next step should be.

492
00:28:35,320 --> 00:28:37,840
Speaker 2: Jonathan turned to his servant with an intense gaze.

493
00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:39,920
Speaker 5: Does anything restrain God?

494
00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:44,240
Speaker 2: He asked, Cobys did not answer. He knew the point

495
00:28:44,320 --> 00:28:47,560
Speaker 2: Jonathan was making. Jonathan gestured to the garrison.

496
00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:51,440
Speaker 5: Let us go over these uncircumcised Philistines. The Lord may

497
00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:53,920
Speaker 5: work for us. If the Lord is for us, it

498
00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:57,160
Speaker 5: does not matter whether two or two thousand men charge

499
00:28:57,200 --> 00:28:57,720
Speaker 5: against them.

500
00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:00,360
Speaker 2: The armor bear placed his hand on his men master's

501
00:29:00,400 --> 00:29:01,960
Speaker 2: shoulder and nodded, Do.

502
00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:04,400
Speaker 4: What is in your heart, my lord, he said, reassuringly,

503
00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:06,440
Speaker 4: I and my hammer are with you.

504
00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:12,080
Speaker 2: Jonathan slapped his servant's shoulder and laughed. Very well, he exclaimed.

505
00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:14,800
Speaker 2: He pointed forward and said.

506
00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:16,920
Speaker 5: Let us cross over to these men that are on

507
00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:19,840
Speaker 5: the Northern Guard. We will reveal ourselves to them and

508
00:29:19,880 --> 00:29:22,560
Speaker 5: make ourselves known. If they tell us to wait where

509
00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:25,960
Speaker 5: we are, we will know to retreat. However, if they

510
00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,200
Speaker 5: tell us to come to them, we will take that

511
00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:30,680
Speaker 5: as a sign from God and charge forward.

512
00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:35,440
Speaker 2: Jonathan felt the confidence in his decision. He was prompted

513
00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,680
Speaker 2: by faith. He did not demand to know the entire

514
00:29:38,680 --> 00:29:41,880
Speaker 2: strategy of God in advance. He was willing to take

515
00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:44,360
Speaker 2: it one step at a time and let the Lord

516
00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:48,120
Speaker 2: unveil his will with each passing moment. Jonathan did not

517
00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:51,400
Speaker 2: need the whole plan. He only needed one more step.

518
00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:55,600
Speaker 2: The two of them stood up and marched forward. Jonathan

519
00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:59,040
Speaker 2: wore his leather armor with bronze strappings. His sword was

520
00:29:59,040 --> 00:30:02,280
Speaker 2: securely sheathed on his left side. He did not look

521
00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:06,480
Speaker 2: like a prince or carry himself like royalty. Cobis marched

522
00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:09,320
Speaker 2: in pace behind him. His armor was lighter and more

523
00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:12,480
Speaker 2: afraid of the edges since the blacksmiths had been taken

524
00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:15,000
Speaker 2: away from them. He wore a hammer strapped to his

525
00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:18,160
Speaker 2: side and three cooking knives strapped to his ankles in waist.

526
00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:22,960
Speaker 2: They carried themselves like simple messengers. The Philistines might even

527
00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:26,080
Speaker 2: believe they had abandoned Saul and gone to them. Many

528
00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:30,800
Speaker 2: others had already done that very thing. The Philistine camp

529
00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:32,680
Speaker 2: was resting on a small hill at the mouth of

530
00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:36,640
Speaker 2: the trail. The watch saw them immediately. One of the

531
00:30:36,680 --> 00:30:38,120
Speaker 2: men shouted to the others.

532
00:30:38,320 --> 00:30:40,720
Speaker 3: Two Hebrews approaching the north side.

533
00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:43,520
Speaker 2: Few of them chuckled look at them.

534
00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:45,880
Speaker 3: Like rats emerging from their holes.

535
00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:50,200
Speaker 2: They leaned against one another, unthreatened by their presence.

536
00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:53,080
Speaker 3: Have you come to seek refuge, Hebrews?

537
00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:56,680
Speaker 6: They chided, Come here to us, and we'll show you

538
00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:57,320
Speaker 6: our camp.

539
00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:00,720
Speaker 2: Their invitation was out of jest, but it was the

540
00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:04,680
Speaker 2: exact sign Jonathan was looking for. He turned to his

541
00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:06,920
Speaker 2: armor bare and nodded, follow me.

542
00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:09,640
Speaker 5: The Lord has already given us victory.

543
00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:12,440
Speaker 2: The two of them climbed up the hill on all fours.

544
00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:16,440
Speaker 2: Once they reached the garrison, the Philistine guards were chuckling

545
00:31:16,480 --> 00:31:19,680
Speaker 2: at them. One of them came close to mock Jonathan more,

546
00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:23,280
Speaker 2: but before he could say a word, Jonathan's sword was

547
00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:25,400
Speaker 2: taken out of its sheath and swung upwards of the

548
00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:29,320
Speaker 2: man's head. With a quick swipe of his sword, Jonathan

549
00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:32,680
Speaker 2: cut the Philistine's head clean off his body. The other

550
00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:36,680
Speaker 2: guards stumbled back in surprise. Jonathan gave them no time

551
00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:39,760
Speaker 2: to compose themselves. He ran forward, like a lion to

552
00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:43,320
Speaker 2: its prey. He launched himself into the men, swinging into

553
00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:47,520
Speaker 2: their flesh with poracity. You Hobus was close behind him,

554
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:51,680
Speaker 2: swinging his hammer with momentum. The Philistines drew their swords

555
00:31:51,680 --> 00:31:55,400
Speaker 2: and attacked, but Jonathan was too quick for them. With

556
00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:57,680
Speaker 2: each advance, he was able to cut them at their

557
00:31:57,760 --> 00:32:02,360
Speaker 2: legs and rips. Cobis then came from behind and smashed

558
00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:05,880
Speaker 2: their heads at Jonathan's speed was unlike anything they had

559
00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:09,160
Speaker 2: ever seen before. One of the Philistines swung down to

560
00:32:09,240 --> 00:32:12,560
Speaker 2: Jonathan with an axe. Jonathan pivoted to his left and

561
00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:15,000
Speaker 2: shabbed the man with a hilt of his sword, cracking

562
00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:18,840
Speaker 2: two of his ribs. Jonathan pushed him forward, throwing him

563
00:32:18,840 --> 00:32:21,880
Speaker 2: bright into the swing of Cobus's hand. The two of

564
00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:26,200
Speaker 2: them were in tandem, frustrating every new Philistine that approached them.

565
00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:29,959
Speaker 2: Jonathan and Kobis slowly backed into the bottlenecked trail outside

566
00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:34,120
Speaker 2: the camp. The Philistines took the bank. Men were only

567
00:32:34,160 --> 00:32:36,960
Speaker 2: able to enter three at a time. Each time, the

568
00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:40,480
Speaker 2: two Hebrews were able to handle them with ease. One

569
00:32:40,520 --> 00:32:43,719
Speaker 2: Philistine was able to gain an advantage over Cobis, pressing

570
00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:47,240
Speaker 2: the shaft of his spear against his throat. Cobis gasped prayer,

571
00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:49,880
Speaker 2: drew the knife from his side, and thrust it into

572
00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:53,800
Speaker 2: the man's ribs. Jonathan gained an advantage over men twice

573
00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:57,200
Speaker 2: in size. Over twenty men were killed before panic began

574
00:32:57,320 --> 00:33:00,800
Speaker 2: to set into camp. The garrison of the Philistines could

575
00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:04,080
Speaker 2: hear the slaughter coming from the outside. Judging by the

576
00:33:04,120 --> 00:33:06,719
Speaker 2: sounds of the screams, they were convinced that they had

577
00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:10,920
Speaker 2: been attacked with over one thousand men. The two men

578
00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:15,240
Speaker 2: of God held their ground. Jonathan dodged every attack and

579
00:33:15,320 --> 00:33:19,200
Speaker 2: blocked every advance. No Philistine could quench the fire of

580
00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:22,960
Speaker 2: God's spirit within him. The Philistines gathered hundreds of men

581
00:33:23,000 --> 00:33:26,160
Speaker 2: to run outside the garrison. The two men saw a

582
00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:30,120
Speaker 2: large group running towards them. At that moment, the Lord

583
00:33:30,200 --> 00:33:33,440
Speaker 2: of all creation joined in the battle. As if the

584
00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:36,480
Speaker 2: fists of God itself had slammed against the earth, the

585
00:33:36,560 --> 00:33:40,240
Speaker 2: ground began to shake. A mighty earthquake shook the garrison,

586
00:33:40,520 --> 00:33:44,000
Speaker 2: causing a panic to errupt among the Philistines. The earth

587
00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:50,360
Speaker 2: itself was God's Hannah. The watchmen of Saul's army peered

588
00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:53,800
Speaker 2: closely at the Philistine garrison below. He could see that

589
00:33:53,880 --> 00:33:56,560
Speaker 2: there was a commotion in the enemy camp. He could

590
00:33:56,560 --> 00:33:59,040
Speaker 2: hear the battle raging, but could not make out which

591
00:33:59,080 --> 00:34:03,120
Speaker 2: warriors had charged. He saw a multitude of Philistines retreating.

592
00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:06,280
Speaker 2: The watchmen brought news to Saul that a platoon of

593
00:34:06,320 --> 00:34:09,960
Speaker 2: men must have attacked the Philistines. Saul numbered his men.

594
00:34:10,640 --> 00:34:13,439
Speaker 2: All were accounted for except Jonathan and his armor.

595
00:34:13,440 --> 00:34:13,640
Speaker 6: Bear.

596
00:34:14,640 --> 00:34:17,680
Speaker 2: Panic began to set in for Saul. Jonathan had set

597
00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:20,320
Speaker 2: an attack in motion, forcing Saul to attack.

598
00:34:20,640 --> 00:34:21,800
Speaker 3: Bring the ark of God.

599
00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,160
Speaker 2: Saul said to one of the priests.

600
00:34:23,880 --> 00:34:26,840
Speaker 3: Pray to God and cast lots to see if we

601
00:34:26,920 --> 00:34:28,040
Speaker 3: should into the battle.

602
00:34:28,360 --> 00:34:30,640
Speaker 2: As the priest began to pray with the Urim and

603
00:34:30,680 --> 00:34:34,240
Speaker 2: the Thumbim, the noise of the battle below grew deafeningly loud,

604
00:34:34,880 --> 00:34:37,920
Speaker 2: So loud it was impossible for Saul to wait any longer.

605
00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:41,000
Speaker 2: Saul drew his sword and led his men around the mountain.

606
00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:43,640
Speaker 2: It was at that moment when Saul and his army

607
00:34:43,680 --> 00:34:46,959
Speaker 2: could feel the trembling of the ground beneath them. God

608
00:34:47,120 --> 00:34:50,600
Speaker 2: was already in the battle. The Philistines had been tossed

609
00:34:50,600 --> 00:34:53,440
Speaker 2: into such a confusion that they were attacking one another.

610
00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:57,400
Speaker 2: Jonathan and his servant were nowhere to be seen. However,

611
00:34:57,480 --> 00:35:01,200
Speaker 2: it was apparent that the battle could be won. Saul

612
00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:04,600
Speaker 2: wasted no more time. He charged into battle with his men,

613
00:35:04,840 --> 00:35:09,000
Speaker 2: taking advantage of the Philistines confused frenzy. Saul rode atop

614
00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:11,480
Speaker 2: a white horse, with his armor glivering in the sun.

615
00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:15,000
Speaker 2: Even the Hebrew slaves who were captive under the Philistines

616
00:35:15,120 --> 00:35:18,640
Speaker 2: joined in the battle. It was a glorious slaughter, and

617
00:35:18,719 --> 00:35:22,359
Speaker 2: the drums of war echoed across the valley. Men who

618
00:35:22,360 --> 00:35:24,640
Speaker 2: had hidden in the mountains heard the battle prize of

619
00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:28,760
Speaker 2: their brethren. Inspired by the sound of victory, they grabbed

620
00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:33,280
Speaker 2: their weapons and joined Saul. The Philistines outnumbered the Hebrews,

621
00:35:33,560 --> 00:35:37,000
Speaker 2: but they were severely outmatched by the God of all creation.

622
00:35:37,960 --> 00:35:40,440
Speaker 2: The god who had split the seas so long ago,

623
00:35:41,120 --> 00:35:43,400
Speaker 2: was able to split the enemy in half with the

624
00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:47,560
Speaker 2: power of a few faithful men. Victory belonged to Israel

625
00:35:47,600 --> 00:35:51,160
Speaker 2: that day, and the battle shifted across the valley to Bethaven.

626
00:35:53,640 --> 00:35:57,799
Speaker 2: Saul became bloodthirsty in battle. His frustration over what had

627
00:35:57,800 --> 00:36:01,719
Speaker 2: happened in Gilgal fueled him in battle. He wanted vengeance.

628
00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:06,160
Speaker 2: He wanted to feel powerful. Although his men were beginning

629
00:36:06,160 --> 00:36:09,080
Speaker 2: to grow faint and in need of food, Saul ordered

630
00:36:09,080 --> 00:36:10,360
Speaker 2: them to press in further.

631
00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:14,080
Speaker 3: Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening

632
00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:19,160
Speaker 3: before I have had my vengeance on the Philistines, He shouted.

633
00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:22,800
Speaker 2: Saul withheld food from his men and led them further

634
00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:25,759
Speaker 2: into the battle. He placed them under an oath that

635
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:29,439
Speaker 2: would doom them to fatigue. Saul's forced oath came from

636
00:36:29,440 --> 00:36:32,920
Speaker 2: a deep insecurity. He felt powerless and as if his

637
00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:36,920
Speaker 2: authority was weakened by Samuel's words, so he imposed his

638
00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:40,480
Speaker 2: will on the soldiers. Their strength was waning and they

639
00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:45,439
Speaker 2: became more discouraged by the minute. Jonathan had not heard

640
00:36:45,480 --> 00:36:48,000
Speaker 2: his father's orders. He was far ahead of the rest

641
00:36:48,200 --> 00:36:52,239
Speaker 2: sabotaging the Philistines who had retreated in the forest. Jonathan

642
00:36:52,280 --> 00:36:54,480
Speaker 2: had been fighting longer and harder than the rest of

643
00:36:54,520 --> 00:36:57,239
Speaker 2: the men, so when he saw honey dripping from the

644
00:36:57,280 --> 00:37:00,200
Speaker 2: trees in the forest, he took it and ate. He

645
00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:03,920
Speaker 2: filled his belly with honey, and his countenance brightened. One

646
00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:07,440
Speaker 2: of the men following him saw Jonathan eating and said, your.

647
00:37:07,320 --> 00:37:11,640
Speaker 3: Father, the king has ordered us not to eat. What

648
00:37:11,840 --> 00:37:12,600
Speaker 3: have you done.

649
00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:17,239
Speaker 2: Jonathan continued to eat the honey and march forward. He

650
00:37:17,280 --> 00:37:19,360
Speaker 2: turned to the man and responded, saying.

651
00:37:19,520 --> 00:37:22,960
Speaker 5: My father has burdened you. I have eaten and now

652
00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:25,280
Speaker 5: feel like I have the strength to press in further.

653
00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:27,840
Speaker 5: If my father had allowed you to eat from the

654
00:37:27,840 --> 00:37:31,280
Speaker 5: Philistine rations we raided, we would have victory much quicker.

655
00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:34,080
Speaker 2: Jonathan did not spend too much time on the matter.

656
00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:37,839
Speaker 2: He was determined to press further into enemy territory. He

657
00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:41,960
Speaker 2: could see victory was close. He ran forward with renewed vigor,

658
00:37:42,360 --> 00:37:46,040
Speaker 2: jabbing his sword into the heart of the enemy. Resisting

659
00:37:46,120 --> 00:37:48,840
Speaker 2: food became a battle in itself for the army of Israel.

660
00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:51,839
Speaker 2: The men had grown so hungry that when the day

661
00:37:51,880 --> 00:37:54,440
Speaker 2: had ended, they rushed on the spoil of war and

662
00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:58,320
Speaker 2: took sheep, oxen, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground,

663
00:37:58,480 --> 00:38:02,279
Speaker 2: eating the meat raw like animals. It was a ghastly sight,

664
00:38:02,840 --> 00:38:05,239
Speaker 2: and the eating of the blood was directly against the

665
00:38:05,360 --> 00:38:09,560
Speaker 2: law of Moses. Saul's rash vow had led his men

666
00:38:09,640 --> 00:38:14,000
Speaker 2: to desperation. Out of that desperation, he caused them to sin.

667
00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:17,880
Speaker 2: Saul's insecurity as a leader had caused his people to

668
00:38:17,920 --> 00:38:22,399
Speaker 2: disobey the law of God. Instead of repenting, Saul duck

669
00:38:22,480 --> 00:38:24,839
Speaker 2: his heels in deeper, saying, you.

670
00:38:25,320 --> 00:38:30,520
Speaker 3: Treacherous people, compose yourselves and handle the meat correctly.

671
00:38:31,160 --> 00:38:33,360
Speaker 2: So he led them to make an altar to the Lord,

672
00:38:33,680 --> 00:38:37,360
Speaker 2: sacrifice the animals, and eat the meat correctly. The entire

673
00:38:37,480 --> 00:38:40,839
Speaker 2: army rested that night before advancing further against the Philistines.

674
00:38:41,960 --> 00:38:45,239
Speaker 2: That night, Saul brooded in his tent. They had the

675
00:38:45,280 --> 00:38:48,000
Speaker 2: Philistines on the run, and the king was anxious to

676
00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:51,400
Speaker 2: finish the battle Saul sat beside the priest who was

677
00:38:51,440 --> 00:38:52,680
Speaker 2: with him, and asked.

678
00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:56,959
Speaker 3: Shall we continue to go down after the Philistines? Will

679
00:38:57,040 --> 00:38:59,279
Speaker 3: God bless me if I continue?

680
00:38:59,840 --> 00:39:02,920
Speaker 2: The priest inquired of God, but there was no answer.

681
00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:07,040
Speaker 2: All of Saul's prayers were met with silence. The lord

682
00:39:07,080 --> 00:39:10,279
Speaker 2: had turned his face from the king. Saul buried his

683
00:39:10,320 --> 00:39:13,160
Speaker 2: face in his hands and shook his head. Instead of

684
00:39:13,160 --> 00:39:17,280
Speaker 2: looking inward, he lifted his head and looked outward. Someone

685
00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:21,280
Speaker 2: here must have sinned for God to meet us with silence,

686
00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:24,799
Speaker 2: Saul said to himself. He stood to his feet and

687
00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:27,960
Speaker 2: gathered the elders and chiefs who were with him. Saul's

688
00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:30,840
Speaker 2: eyes were tired, his hair was disheveled, and his beard

689
00:39:30,920 --> 00:39:33,640
Speaker 2: was haggard. The king drew out his sword.

690
00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:35,640
Speaker 3: And yelled, who among you has sinned?

691
00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:39,440
Speaker 2: The paranoia of Saul was leaking out. He swung his

692
00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:42,960
Speaker 2: sword violently. The elder stepped back in fear as the

693
00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:45,040
Speaker 2: flustered king raged in front of them.

694
00:39:45,080 --> 00:39:48,200
Speaker 3: Who broke my oath? Who among you was the traitor?

695
00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:52,400
Speaker 3: I will slaughter him where he stands. I will kill

696
00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:54,879
Speaker 3: even my own son if I have to.

697
00:39:55,560 --> 00:39:59,040
Speaker 2: The people were silent. They all knew that Jonathan had

698
00:39:59,080 --> 00:40:02,520
Speaker 2: broken the oath to sad. However, they were more loyal

699
00:40:02,600 --> 00:40:05,880
Speaker 2: to him than they were to their king. They said nothing,

700
00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:09,719
Speaker 2: even if it meant enduring the wrath of Saul. The

701
00:40:09,800 --> 00:40:12,600
Speaker 2: king cast lots to see who was responsible for breaking

702
00:40:12,600 --> 00:40:16,279
Speaker 2: the oath first, and the lots fell on Jonathan. The

703
00:40:16,280 --> 00:40:18,920
Speaker 2: rest of the men stepped back, and Jonathan stood in

704
00:40:18,920 --> 00:40:23,160
Speaker 2: front of his father. Saul's jaw quivered and his nostrils flared.

705
00:40:23,719 --> 00:40:25,839
Speaker 2: He marched up to his son and looked down at him.

706
00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:30,480
Speaker 2: What have you done, he snarled. Jonathan looked up at

707
00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:34,280
Speaker 2: his father unashamed. I ate, honey, he said, plainly.

708
00:40:34,560 --> 00:40:37,880
Speaker 5: If that means death, then so be it. Kill me

709
00:40:37,920 --> 00:40:40,160
Speaker 5: where I stand, father, make an example of me.

710
00:40:40,520 --> 00:40:45,359
Speaker 2: Jonathan's calm demeanor was contrasted to Saul's frantic raves. Saul

711
00:40:45,480 --> 00:40:49,000
Speaker 2: lifted his sword to Jonathan's neck anger filled his heart

712
00:40:49,400 --> 00:40:54,000
Speaker 2: very well, Saul said, harshly, it shall be done. Saul

713
00:40:54,080 --> 00:40:57,080
Speaker 2: drew his shoulders back, prepared to kill his own son.

714
00:40:58,040 --> 00:41:00,680
Speaker 2: As the sword came closer to his son's dead the

715
00:41:00,760 --> 00:41:02,000
Speaker 2: men interrupted.

716
00:41:01,680 --> 00:41:05,320
Speaker 3: Shall Jonathan die? After all he did for us? They yelled,

717
00:41:05,719 --> 00:41:08,560
Speaker 3: the Lord is used to give us victory today.

718
00:41:08,840 --> 00:41:11,760
Speaker 2: The men stepped forward and placed themselves in front of Jonathan.

719
00:41:12,480 --> 00:41:15,960
Speaker 2: Saul stepped back in dismay. The men protected him and

720
00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:20,800
Speaker 2: put themselves in danger for him. Jonathan held the loyalty

721
00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:25,440
Speaker 2: and praise he so desperately craved. Saul put his sword

722
00:41:25,480 --> 00:41:28,840
Speaker 2: back in the sheath without a word. He retreated to

723
00:41:28,880 --> 00:41:29,319
Speaker 2: his tams.

724
00:41:36,480 --> 00:41:40,040
Speaker 1: A new hero has risen through the ranks. Jonathan has

725
00:41:40,080 --> 00:41:42,640
Speaker 1: come onto the scene and proves himself to be a

726
00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:47,080
Speaker 1: man worth fighting for. He is brave, humble, and close

727
00:41:47,120 --> 00:41:51,799
Speaker 1: to God. In the prelude, we were reminded through Gideon's

728
00:41:51,840 --> 00:41:55,560
Speaker 1: life that God doesn't need flash elitas and huge armies

729
00:41:55,600 --> 00:42:00,080
Speaker 1: to accomplish his will. He needs willing hands, humble spirits,

730
00:42:00,120 --> 00:42:04,759
Speaker 1: and hearts that seek him. Jonathan embidies these qualities excellently,

731
00:42:04,880 --> 00:42:08,719
Speaker 1: while Saul strays further away from them. This episode is

732
00:42:08,760 --> 00:42:13,480
Speaker 1: all about contrast. The disjointed army of Israel is contrasted

733
00:42:13,600 --> 00:42:18,040
Speaker 1: with the organized army of the Philistines. The undying loyalty

734
00:42:18,040 --> 00:42:21,840
Speaker 1: of Jonathan's men are contrasted with the flighty followers of Saul.

735
00:42:22,480 --> 00:42:26,160
Speaker 1: Even the humble leather armor of Jonathan is supposed to

736
00:42:26,200 --> 00:42:30,480
Speaker 1: be contrasted with Saul's flashy golden armor. It is clear

737
00:42:30,520 --> 00:42:33,280
Speaker 1: by the end of this episode that Jonathan is everything

738
00:42:33,480 --> 00:42:36,759
Speaker 1: Saul was supposed to be, but sadly is it. The

739
00:42:36,800 --> 00:42:39,840
Speaker 1: beginning of the episode shows us how Saul has crumbled

740
00:42:39,880 --> 00:42:43,239
Speaker 1: under the pressure. With a few years as king under

741
00:42:43,239 --> 00:42:46,840
Speaker 1: his belt, Saul has become more vain and image obsessed.

742
00:42:47,360 --> 00:42:50,719
Speaker 1: Remember what we talked about last episode. Saul is like

743
00:42:50,760 --> 00:42:54,680
Speaker 1: a golden calf, a replacement for God. The people worshiped him,

744
00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:58,520
Speaker 1: therefore putting undue pressure on him. It is only fitting

745
00:42:58,560 --> 00:43:02,480
Speaker 1: that he paraded himself a rond in gold scaled Almah.

746
00:43:03,120 --> 00:43:06,040
Speaker 1: Saul's armor is going to be an important icon in

747
00:43:06,080 --> 00:43:09,520
Speaker 1: this series. It will weave into the story in later episodes,

748
00:43:09,719 --> 00:43:12,400
Speaker 1: so be sure to look for it. After getting a

749
00:43:12,520 --> 00:43:16,880
Speaker 1: glimpse at the growing pride of Saul, we're introduced to Jonathan,

750
00:43:17,040 --> 00:43:21,399
Speaker 1: the Prince of Israel. He storms a Philistine garrison out

751
00:43:21,480 --> 00:43:24,760
Speaker 1: number two to one. It is clear through Jonathan's words

752
00:43:24,760 --> 00:43:27,560
Speaker 1: and actions that he is a simple man whose only

753
00:43:27,600 --> 00:43:31,080
Speaker 1: ambition is to honor God and protect his country. Jonathan

754
00:43:31,120 --> 00:43:34,480
Speaker 1: has no clear ambition for the throne, glory, or praise.

755
00:43:35,080 --> 00:43:37,719
Speaker 1: This is exemplified in the way he allows Saul to

756
00:43:37,760 --> 00:43:40,839
Speaker 1: take credit for his victory. Saul takes credit for an

757
00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:44,839
Speaker 1: achievement he did not earn, but Jonathan doesn't care. All

758
00:43:44,920 --> 00:43:48,000
Speaker 1: Jonathan cared about was the battle God set before him.

759
00:43:48,760 --> 00:43:51,960
Speaker 1: Saul and Jonathan are placed before us as two completely

760
00:43:51,960 --> 00:43:55,919
Speaker 1: different leaders. Jonathan has the undying loyalty of his men.

761
00:43:56,360 --> 00:44:00,400
Speaker 1: He has no fear and no sense of self importance. Saul, however,

762
00:44:00,719 --> 00:44:03,840
Speaker 1: feels the need to be seen and validated by everyone

763
00:44:03,880 --> 00:44:08,279
Speaker 1: around him, even for acts he did not commit. Ironically,

764
00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:12,800
Speaker 1: he finds himself continually battling for people's attention, where soldiers

765
00:44:13,040 --> 00:44:16,800
Speaker 1: naturally gravitate toward Jonathan. This is a theme in scripture

766
00:44:17,120 --> 00:44:20,280
Speaker 1: and will be a theme further explored when we meet David.

767
00:44:20,880 --> 00:44:23,840
Speaker 1: Those who are primarily concerned with the approval of people

768
00:44:23,920 --> 00:44:27,720
Speaker 1: rather than the approval of God will find themselves without either.

769
00:44:27,960 --> 00:44:30,960
Speaker 1: In the end, Saul desperately wants the people to worship

770
00:44:31,040 --> 00:44:34,319
Speaker 1: him again, so when he feels their support waning, he

771
00:44:34,400 --> 00:44:38,040
Speaker 1: makes a grave mistake. Samuel is late to bless the army,

772
00:44:38,400 --> 00:44:41,200
Speaker 1: so the men become unsure if Saul even has the

773
00:44:41,239 --> 00:44:44,520
Speaker 1: favor of God. Saul, in an attempt to gain their trust,

774
00:44:44,600 --> 00:44:48,200
Speaker 1: makes the sacrifice himself. This is an egregious error and

775
00:44:48,320 --> 00:44:51,439
Speaker 1: proof that Saul doesn't truly respect God's law at all.

776
00:44:52,000 --> 00:44:55,280
Speaker 1: Saul cares more about the appearance of holiness than being holy.

777
00:44:55,800 --> 00:45:00,000
Speaker 1: He cares more about the image of righteousness than being righteous,

778
00:45:00,200 --> 00:45:02,760
Speaker 1: the role of priests, and tricks his men into thinking

779
00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:05,960
Speaker 1: he is a conduit for God. He gained the people's

780
00:45:06,000 --> 00:45:10,080
Speaker 1: trust at the expense of God's favor. Samuel finally enters

781
00:45:10,080 --> 00:45:14,480
Speaker 1: the scene, rightfully enraged when he sees Saul's sloppy sacrifice

782
00:45:14,560 --> 00:45:17,960
Speaker 1: filled on the altar, all his nightmares of a prideful

783
00:45:17,960 --> 00:45:22,080
Speaker 1: and manipulative king are coming true before his eyes. Saul

784
00:45:22,120 --> 00:45:25,480
Speaker 1: has sullied the name of God for cheap applause, and

785
00:45:25,520 --> 00:45:27,839
Speaker 1: he will not let him get away with it. And

786
00:45:28,040 --> 00:45:29,720
Speaker 1: did you notice the coals?

787
00:45:30,440 --> 00:45:30,840
Speaker 2: Saul?

788
00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:34,520
Speaker 1: When he sees Samuel knock some coals away from the fire,

789
00:45:35,120 --> 00:45:39,040
Speaker 1: he is oblivious to them and they fizzle out behind him.

790
00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:43,640
Speaker 1: Saul is deep in his own delusion, but Samuel cuts

791
00:45:43,680 --> 00:45:46,400
Speaker 1: through with a warning. He looks at Saul with his

792
00:45:46,480 --> 00:45:49,879
Speaker 1: staff in his hand and says, Saul, your kingdom would

793
00:45:49,920 --> 00:45:53,200
Speaker 1: have been established forever you have the opportunity to see

794
00:45:53,200 --> 00:45:55,680
Speaker 1: the glory and mercy of God. Bless your hands. But

795
00:45:55,800 --> 00:45:59,640
Speaker 1: now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought

796
00:45:59,680 --> 00:46:02,600
Speaker 1: out another to replace you. He has sought out a

797
00:46:02,600 --> 00:46:05,359
Speaker 1: man who is after his own heart. He has sought

798
00:46:05,360 --> 00:46:07,960
Speaker 1: out a man who cares more about pleasing the heart

799
00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:11,279
Speaker 1: of God than looking for the approval of man. This

800
00:46:11,400 --> 00:46:14,160
Speaker 1: king shall be a prince over the Lord's people. He

801
00:46:14,239 --> 00:46:16,880
Speaker 1: shall steward God's people well, and it will be his

802
00:46:17,000 --> 00:46:21,439
Speaker 1: kingdom that continues into eternity. Who is this mysterious king

803
00:46:21,640 --> 00:46:25,080
Speaker 1: Samuel is speaking of. There is another rising hero who

804
00:46:25,120 --> 00:46:28,239
Speaker 1: hasn't made his appearance yet, but we won't speak of

805
00:46:28,320 --> 00:46:32,400
Speaker 1: him quite yet. Episode three ends with a great battle.

806
00:46:32,880 --> 00:46:36,319
Speaker 1: Jonathan and his armor bear takes on a horde of

807
00:46:36,400 --> 00:46:39,480
Speaker 1: Philistines on their own, proving that God does not need

808
00:46:39,560 --> 00:46:43,600
Speaker 1: flashy leaders and large armies to accomplish his purposes. Two

809
00:46:43,600 --> 00:46:46,839
Speaker 1: faithful men who were able to stir up an entire army, huh,

810
00:46:46,880 --> 00:46:50,920
Speaker 1: which is pretty incredible. We didn't need more reasons to

811
00:46:51,000 --> 00:46:53,839
Speaker 1: root for Jonathan, but he certainly gives us plenty more

812
00:46:53,880 --> 00:46:57,479
Speaker 1: reasons when we hear about his fighting skills. But more

813
00:46:57,520 --> 00:47:00,640
Speaker 1: than that, his sensitivity to God's spirit is put in

814
00:47:00,760 --> 00:47:04,880
Speaker 1: contrast to Saul's ignorance. Jonathan is very attuned to the

815
00:47:04,920 --> 00:47:08,520
Speaker 1: will of God, but Saul seems oblivious to it. This

816
00:47:08,680 --> 00:47:11,640
Speaker 1: is further exemplified by the way Samuel acts when he

817
00:47:11,800 --> 00:47:16,360
Speaker 1: enters the battle. Drunk with power. Saul makes a rash oath, saying,

818
00:47:16,520 --> 00:47:19,760
Speaker 1: cursed is the man who eats any food until evening

819
00:47:19,840 --> 00:47:23,319
Speaker 1: before I have made my vengeance on the Philistines. It

820
00:47:23,400 --> 00:47:27,600
Speaker 1: is a preposterous oath and completely unnecessary. In fact, it

821
00:47:27,719 --> 00:47:31,120
Speaker 1: causes way more harm than good. Saul is seeking control

822
00:47:31,480 --> 00:47:34,200
Speaker 1: because he was late to the battle. At the end

823
00:47:34,200 --> 00:47:37,800
Speaker 1: of the episode, Jonathan goes against Saul's warning and eats

824
00:47:38,400 --> 00:47:41,600
Speaker 1: Saul in a mad frenzy to maintain the respect of

825
00:47:41,640 --> 00:47:45,560
Speaker 1: his men, draws a sword to Jonathan's throat. This is

826
00:47:45,600 --> 00:47:49,840
Speaker 1: the most intense image we have explored yet. Saul, in

827
00:47:49,960 --> 00:47:53,080
Speaker 1: this moment, is prepared to kill his own son for

828
00:47:53,120 --> 00:47:55,680
Speaker 1: the sake of his pride. But Saul is not just

829
00:47:55,760 --> 00:47:58,520
Speaker 1: pointing a sword at his son. He is pointing a

830
00:47:58,600 --> 00:48:02,920
Speaker 1: sword at the small sliver of righteousness that remains in

831
00:48:02,960 --> 00:48:07,360
Speaker 1: his heart. Jonathan represents Saul's last remaining connection to God.

832
00:48:07,760 --> 00:48:09,960
Speaker 1: If he kills him, that will be the end of

833
00:48:10,000 --> 00:48:15,280
Speaker 1: it all, Jonathan's men come to his defense, Saul, embarrassed, leaves.

834
00:48:15,840 --> 00:48:18,120
Speaker 1: We're all left at the end of this episode with

835
00:48:18,200 --> 00:48:20,800
Speaker 1: a bad taste in our mouths and a growing sense

836
00:48:21,120 --> 00:48:24,240
Speaker 1: that Saul's prideful heart is bound to get the best

837
00:48:24,239 --> 00:48:27,520
Speaker 1: of him. He has darker moments ahead of him. In

838
00:48:27,600 --> 00:48:30,280
Speaker 1: the next episode, we will see him at his lowest

839
00:48:30,320 --> 00:48:33,960
Speaker 1: and we will witness God's patience wearing thin. When is

840
00:48:34,000 --> 00:48:37,960
Speaker 1: this promised king going to show up? Hopefully soon? Thanks

841
00:48:37,960 --> 00:48:41,799
Speaker 1: again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, and

842
00:48:41,840 --> 00:48:45,120
Speaker 1: wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.

843
00:48:45,480 --> 00:48:48,520
Speaker 1: If you've been enjoying this series, please write a review

844
00:48:48,640 --> 00:48:52,040
Speaker 1: and let me know how this podcast has impacted your life.

845
00:48:52,280 --> 00:48:52,840
Speaker 1: God bless