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

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Speaker 1: and the Bible podcast. Before we begin, be sure to

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Speaker 1: follow this podcast on Apple or Spotify so that you're

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Speaker 1: updated on the newest episodes as they become available. Welcome

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

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

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Speaker 1: few know about David the Man. 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 continue to follow the rise of Saul,

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Speaker 1: the first King of Israel. We are still waiting with

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Speaker 1: bated breath to see what Saul will become. Is he

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Speaker 1: plotting to be a tyrant? Will he end up being

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Speaker 1: the hero everyone hopes for? What about the inklings of

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Speaker 1: pride we saw slithering into the scene last episode? What

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Speaker 1: we see in this portion of the story that Saul

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Speaker 1: is everything Israel expected and more. He shows integrity, strength,

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Speaker 1: follow through, and a dozen other qualities that anyone would

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Speaker 1: want in a leader. We must not forget what Saul represents.

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Speaker 1: He is man's attempt to appear strong while ignoring the

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Speaker 1: true strength that God offers. So while we may see

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Speaker 1: epic feats of strain and bravery in this chapter, it

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Speaker 1: is drawn from a shallow well, but the heart of

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Speaker 1: God is revealed at the end when Samuel gives Saul

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Speaker 1: a sad and foreboding coronation. We will begin this episode

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Speaker 1: with the prelude a story from another point in time

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Speaker 1: that whispers similar truths. We will meet another group of

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Speaker 1: people who attempt to replace God for something shiny and new.

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Speaker 1: They turn from the faithfulness of God and erect a

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Speaker 1: false idol. Will God remain faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Stay

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Speaker 1: at the end of this episode and listen to me

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Speaker 1: unpacked some of the themes Easter eggs and more. But

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Speaker 1: for now, let's begin Episode two, Long Live the King.

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Speaker 2: Prelude to chapter two. The top of Mount Sinai was

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Speaker 2: shrouded in a mysterious cloud. Lightning burst from its edges

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Speaker 2: but made no sound. The people watched an awe for

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Speaker 2: days as they anxiously awaited the return of Moses. He

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Speaker 2: had gone up to speak to the Lord but had

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Speaker 2: not returned in days. Those days became weeks, and the

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Speaker 2: people were growing unsteady. Finally, they came to Erin. They

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Speaker 2: cornered him with anxious energy and demanded him to do

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Speaker 2: something for them.

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Speaker 3: Make us gods we can see, They said, we do

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Speaker 3: not know.

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Speaker 2: What has become of Moses.

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Speaker 4: He is dead for all we know.

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Speaker 3: We want to worship a god, but we can touch

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Speaker 3: and see.

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Speaker 2: Erin, admittedly doubtful of Moses's return, as well, agreed without question.

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Speaker 2: He nodded and said.

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Speaker 4: Take off your rings of gold, your jewelry, come to me,

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Speaker 4: and we shall melt them down.

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Speaker 2: So the people brought their precious gold to an altar

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Speaker 2: of fire. They tossed them in like offerings and watched

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Speaker 2: as the flames melted down the precious gold with the

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Speaker 2: newly refined gold air in fashion for them a golden calf.

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Speaker 2: They set it on an altar and danced around it

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Speaker 2: with worshipful cheers. They laid down offerings to it and

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Speaker 2: feasted before it. They made it in their minds to

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Speaker 2: be the God who delivered them. Yet God could see

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Speaker 2: what they were doing. They had replaced their true savior

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Speaker 2: with a counterfeit god. The golden calf was a short

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Speaker 2: fix to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts.

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Speaker 2: They wanted something to look upon and justify their pride.

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Speaker 2: If they worshiped a god they could build, touch and manipulate,

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Speaker 2: it did not have power over them. They had power

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Speaker 2: over it in their own way. By making the Golden Calf,

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Speaker 2: they made themselves gods over their own lives. This rejection

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Speaker 2: of the Lord their savior would continue for generations and

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Speaker 2: generations to come. Self worship would cause them to erect statues,

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Speaker 2: elect kings, and worship at the feet of human invention.

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Speaker 2: These counterfeit gods would always fail them. The people of

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Speaker 2: God would always find themselves lacking strength to save themselves,

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Speaker 2: and the Lord of all creation would always bend down

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Speaker 2: to redeem his people, even after they rejected him. Chapter two,

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Speaker 2: Long Live the King. Ash fell like snow over the

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Speaker 2: village of Jabish Gilead. A dark cloud draped the land

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Speaker 2: in darkness, and the sun was made red as the

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Speaker 2: smoke enveloped every inch of the sky. Just outside the

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Speaker 2: village walls, flames raged where a field of barley once stood.

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Speaker 2: Panic villagers drew water from the well and dumped it

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Speaker 2: onto the flames. However, the field was already lost. The

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Speaker 2: fire raged and devoured the barley in a matter of minutes.

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Speaker 2: Watching over the flames was the Ammonite king Nahash. Vast

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Speaker 2: Ammonite army stood at attention behind him. He was mounted

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Speaker 2: atop a dark horse. His broad chest and shoulders were

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Speaker 2: bound tightly together under dark leather armor. His thick hair

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Speaker 2: fell over his sadistic eyes. The people quivered in fear

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Speaker 2: as he and his army slowly descended down the hill

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Speaker 2: and passed the flames. Men gathered whatever weapons or tools

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Speaker 2: they had to fight and ran outside the village. They

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Speaker 2: attacked the giant army like mice to cats. The Ammonites

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Speaker 2: quickly engulfed the villagers. In a matter of minutes. The

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Speaker 2: flames in the field were made larger with the bodies

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Speaker 2: of murdered villagers. The vast Ammonite army flooded Jabish Gilead.

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Speaker 2: The king rode into the heart of the village and

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Speaker 2: drew out his sword. The sound of the metal being

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Speaker 2: unsheathed echoed through the silence. No one dared step out

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Speaker 2: of their home. Still mounted on his dark war horse,

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Speaker 2: Nahsh banged his sword against his shield and shouted. His

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Speaker 2: bloodthirsty clamoring sent chills down the people's spines. The Ammonite

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Speaker 2: king breathed in the smoke and rose his head the

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Speaker 2: red sun. He soaked it in like a springtime breeze

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Speaker 2: and gave a crooked smile. He gestured to his general

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Speaker 2: standing at attention nearby.

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Speaker 3: Bring me the elders, if they haven't run away.

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Speaker 2: By now, he demanded. Swiftly, the elders of j Biskilead

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Speaker 2: were drug out by their beards and hair onto the dirt.

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Speaker 2: The Ammonite soldiers surrounded them with swords drawn. Nay Hash

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Speaker 2: dismounted his horse and stood over the elders. He gave

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Speaker 2: his sword and shield to his attendant and looked down

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Speaker 2: at the elders.

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Speaker 5: Your frail village is mine, hebrews. Every man here will

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Speaker 5: be killed. I will take the women and children as

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Speaker 5: I please.

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Speaker 2: He explained. Please know, the elders begged.

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Speaker 4: We will make a treaty with you. We will not

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Speaker 4: struggle or fight. We will serve you and pay homage

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Speaker 4: to your kingdom. Do not kill us.

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Speaker 2: Nay Hash gave a rapacious smile. He looked at his men,

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Speaker 2: and they laughed. The elders shook in fear as the

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Speaker 2: king knelt down to one of the men and raped

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Speaker 2: him by the ear.

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Speaker 5: Ah, it is a treaty you want, eh.

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Speaker 2: Tears streamed down the man's face as nae Hash took

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Speaker 2: out his blade and held it against the man's cheek.

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Speaker 4: I will make a treaty with you.

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Speaker 5: Here is my condition. I get to gouge out the

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Speaker 5: right eye of every man in this village. If you agree,

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Speaker 5: I will spare your lives and leave your women and

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Speaker 5: children alone. You will serve me hay me taxes and

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Speaker 5: labor in my fields.

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Speaker 2: It was a cruel demand. Half blinding the men of

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Speaker 2: the village ensured they would be weak and unable to

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Speaker 2: battle effectively if they ever chose to revolt. Gouging out

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Speaker 2: the right eye was worse than giving them chains, and

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Speaker 2: far more cruel. As nae Hash lifted the tip of

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Speaker 2: the dagger near the man's eye, one of the elders

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Speaker 2: lifted his voice and said.

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Speaker 4: Give us seven days.

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Speaker 2: He was frantic and wanting to save his fellow tribesmen.

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Speaker 2: Nay Hash looked at him curiously.

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Speaker 4: Give us seven days, he might send messengers to the

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Speaker 4: other territories of Israel. If no one rises up to

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Speaker 4: save us, we will give ourselves to you, and we

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Speaker 4: will meet your demands.

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Speaker 2: Nahsh pondered his plea with his dagger still lifted up

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Speaker 2: to the man's eye. Very well, the king replied. Nay

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Speaker 2: Hash was confident in the weakness of Israel. They were large,

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Speaker 2: but disunified. The twelve tribes were unable to help one another.

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Speaker 2: Na Hash also reveled in the idea of his reputation

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Speaker 2: being spread throughout the nation. Send your messengers.

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Speaker 5: I welcome anyone who dares rise.

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Speaker 3: Up against me.

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Speaker 2: As he said this, he lifted his dagger and drove

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Speaker 2: it through the man's eye. He writhed in pain. His

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Speaker 2: screams echoed throughout the village. Na Hash turned his back

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Speaker 2: to the panic elders and mounted his horse again. He

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Speaker 2: gestured for his men to turn back and camp outside

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Speaker 2: the village. He would give them seven days, then he

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Speaker 2: would descend upon Jabish glead with fury. The elders gathered

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Speaker 2: messengers and sent them throughout all the twelve tribes of Israel.

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Speaker 2: They knew that they lacked the strength to save themselves.

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Speaker 2: They needed salvation, so they cried out for a savior.

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Speaker 2: The news of the Ammonite army spread throughout the rest

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Speaker 2: of Israel. The messengers rode swiftly into each city and village,

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Speaker 2: begging for aid. Each report was met with sorrowful tears

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Speaker 2: and weeping. However, not one person offered aid. The people

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Speaker 2: of Israel heard their suffering brothers and sisters wept aloud

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Speaker 2: in sympathy, yet did nothing in response. No sword was

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Speaker 2: taken up, no man was thirred to action, and no

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Speaker 2: elder was moved to mobilized soldiers. Their fear and comfort

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Speaker 2: was far more powerful than their convictions. Saul drove his

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Speaker 2: feet into the churned up dirt, directing the giant plow

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Speaker 2: as his oxen pulled forward. His back was red and

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Speaker 2: sweating from hours of working in the field. The work

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Speaker 2: calmed Saul's racing mind. King of Israel, he thought to himself,

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Speaker 2: how can I lead a people that have been so

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Speaker 2: disunified and freckle for so long? Where do I even begin?

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Speaker 2: Saul had been anointed and recognized as King of Israel

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Speaker 2: before the people, yet he was at a loss for

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Speaker 2: how to begin. He had to establish a royal court

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Speaker 2: to create laws, gather elders to communicate those laws, and

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Speaker 2: recruit an army to enforce those laws. There was much

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Speaker 2: for him to do, but he lacked the knowledge on

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Speaker 2: how to lay the groundwork for his kingdom. So Saul

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Speaker 2: remained in his field, awaiting a call from God about

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Speaker 2: his first steps. He plowed, tilled, and began to plant

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Speaker 2: seed for next season's harvest. The sun's harsh glare dimmed

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Speaker 2: as the day drew to a close. The evening breeze

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Speaker 2: rolled in from the hills, and Saul's sweating face turned

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Speaker 2: cold with the chill. He led his oxen back to

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Speaker 2: the stables, fed them, and hauled the yoke back to

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Speaker 2: his home. As he entered the gate back into his

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Speaker 2: father's house, he could sense any unrest among the servants

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Speaker 2: and members of the household. A few of the women

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Speaker 2: were weeping and holding their children. What is wrong, Saul

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Speaker 2: asked gently. The woman simply looked up and pointed to

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Speaker 2: the horizon. Saul looked and saw a plume of smoke

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Speaker 2: rising in the distance. Is that Jbash Gilead, Saul asked,

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Speaker 2: it is? One of the women said, wiping away her tears.

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Speaker 1: Some messengers from the village just passed through.

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Speaker 3: It is under siege by the Ammonites.

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Speaker 1: They have five more days until they are enslaved and tortured.

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Speaker 2: Saul said nothing. He ran into the halls of his

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Speaker 2: father's household. His father, uncle, and Samuel were by the

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Speaker 2: fire in intense discussion.

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Speaker 3: Did you hear the messengers? Saul inquired, is Jabash under attack?

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Speaker 3: The three of them confirmed it was true. Saul met

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Speaker 3: Samuel's gaze. He said nothing. He only nodded and rushed

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Speaker 3: out the door to his home. He burst through the

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Speaker 3: door and opened up the chest at the foot of

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Speaker 3: his bed. In it was leather armor. It was tattered

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Speaker 3: and old, but thick and sturdy. Saul strapped it firmly

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Speaker 3: over his tunic. He grabbed his sword and marched out

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Speaker 3: of the house. As the sun.

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Speaker 2: Set, bright red rays spread across the skies. Saul looked

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Speaker 2: up and could feel a rush of purpose burning in

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Speaker 2: his veins. His blood boiled with righteous rage. The spirit

219
00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:28,720
Speaker 2: of God rushed upon Saul. God had given Saul the

220
00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:32,480
Speaker 2: holy fury of a defender. Saul hopped the fence into

221
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Speaker 2: the stables where he had fed the oxen. He took

222
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Speaker 2: both of them and led them outside under the red sunset.

223
00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,000
Speaker 2: He held the oxen's rope in one hand and his

224
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Speaker 2: sword firmly in the other. Then, with a powerful thrustitus

225
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Speaker 2: blade he cut into the ox The blood spilled all

226
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Speaker 2: over the floor, matching the red skies above them. Saul

227
00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,360
Speaker 2: cried out as he tore the oxen limb from limb.

228
00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,240
Speaker 2: He panted heavily with the torn apart oxen beneath his feet.

229
00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:04,319
Speaker 2: Saul yelled. His servant was watching from behind the stables.

230
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Speaker 2: Tavy inched forward, slowly avoiding the blood. From below. Saul's

231
00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:14,400
Speaker 2: eyes darted at him. Something was different about Saul. His voice,

232
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Speaker 2: his eyes, and his demeanor had changed.

233
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Speaker 3: Gather some of the other servants and have them take

234
00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:23,240
Speaker 3: these pieces of oxen to all the twelve tribes of Israel,

235
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Speaker 3: Saul said. Tell them, whoever does not follow Saul and

236
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Speaker 3: Sabular to battle to defend Jabesh will be.

237
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Speaker 4: Torn apart like these oxen.

238
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Speaker 3: We are Israel, we are united, and we will come

239
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Speaker 3: to the aid of our brothers.

240
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Speaker 2: Tavy nodded and gathered the other servants to take Saul's

241
00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:47,120
Speaker 2: message to the masses. Saul wiped off his sword, sheathed it,

242
00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:50,920
Speaker 2: and took some of his men to besick. The messengers

243
00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,920
Speaker 2: made Saul's demands known to the entire nation of Israel.

244
00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,920
Speaker 2: It was the first command of their new king, and

245
00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,600
Speaker 2: the fear of the Lord, rushed upon them, gathered whatever

246
00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,120
Speaker 2: weapons they had, and marched to meet Saul At Bezick.

247
00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:06,280
Speaker 2: The spirit of God was on the move among his people,

248
00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,600
Speaker 2: and he was using Saul as an instrument of his justice.

249
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Speaker 2: Three hundred thousand men from eleven tribes came forward, and

250
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Speaker 2: thirty thousand from the tribe of Judah. Saul was there

251
00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,600
Speaker 2: to greet them. He stood among them with tattered armor

252
00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:23,880
Speaker 2: and a dull blade, yet he still looked magnificent before

253
00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:27,480
Speaker 2: the people. Saul gathered commanders from each tribe and met

254
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Speaker 2: with them in his tent by the fire. They strategized

255
00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:34,640
Speaker 2: about their plan of attack. Saul sent his son Jonathan

256
00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,480
Speaker 2: as a spy to scut out the Ammonite camp. They

257
00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:41,240
Speaker 2: were sitting ducks. Nahash had not expected anyone from Israel

258
00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:44,040
Speaker 2: to rise up against them, so they kept no watch

259
00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:47,440
Speaker 2: and kept no guard. Instead, they ate by the fire

260
00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:51,080
Speaker 2: and awaited their inevitable victory. Saul knew that if they

261
00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,720
Speaker 2: stood a chance against the Ammonites, they would have to

262
00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,640
Speaker 2: strike swiftly and without notice. Saul gathered a few messengers

263
00:14:57,680 --> 00:14:58,480
Speaker 2: to go to Jabish.

264
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Speaker 3: Tell them we have come. Tell them tomorrow. By the

265
00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:06,480
Speaker 3: time the sun is set firmly above them. They shall

266
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Speaker 3: have salvation. Saul looked to his newly appointed commanders and

267
00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:13,960
Speaker 3: gave them a resolute grin and tell them to surrender

268
00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:18,320
Speaker 3: to Nahsh. Tell them to give themselves up, but not

269
00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,480
Speaker 3: to worry. We will come before they have a chance

270
00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:25,160
Speaker 3: to strike. The messengers brought Saul's encouragement to the elders

271
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Speaker 3: of Jebish. They did as they were told and sent

272
00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:32,360
Speaker 3: their own messengers to Nahsh. The Yemonites cheered and scoffed

273
00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:32,840
Speaker 3: at Israel.

274
00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,000
Speaker 2: That night. They danced and celebrated in their camp. As

275
00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,000
Speaker 2: the skies grew dark. Na Hash and his men plotted

276
00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,400
Speaker 2: their takeover of Jebish. He was unaware that only a

277
00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:48,520
Speaker 2: few miles away, Israel's new king was sharpening his blade.

278
00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:52,040
Speaker 2: Saul did not sleep that night. He stared at the

279
00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:55,640
Speaker 2: fire blankly while his men rested. His eyes were fixed

280
00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:58,040
Speaker 2: on the flame, swaying back and forth with the breeze.

281
00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,440
Speaker 2: He looked at the heat of the coals, radiating The

282
00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:05,720
Speaker 2: red center of each individual coal beat like hearts. Saul

283
00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:09,200
Speaker 2: poked them with his sword, ensuring each remained within the flames.

284
00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:12,920
Speaker 2: He breathed in deeply and looked forward to the hills.

285
00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,400
Speaker 2: The Ammonites were on the other side, no doubt, sleeping

286
00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:20,720
Speaker 2: without fear. Saul looked over to his son, Jonathan, sleeping

287
00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:24,080
Speaker 2: soundly beside the fire. He wanted a better future for

288
00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:27,120
Speaker 2: his son. He wanted a better future for all the

289
00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:30,360
Speaker 2: children of Israel. He knew that the kingdom would never

290
00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:32,720
Speaker 2: last as long as other nations saw them as weak.

291
00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:36,280
Speaker 2: He had to make an example of the Ammonites. He

292
00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,800
Speaker 2: had to show them that God's chosen people were not

293
00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:45,080
Speaker 2: to be trifled with. Sunrise was approaching and the morning

294
00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:48,920
Speaker 2: mists slivered its way between the forest outside Jabish. The

295
00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:51,280
Speaker 2: night watch of the Ammonite camp had gone to sleep

296
00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:55,120
Speaker 2: and the morning watch was beginning its post. They lazily

297
00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:57,040
Speaker 2: only set a watch on the side of their camp,

298
00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,880
Speaker 2: facing the village of Jabish. They knew no village of

299
00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:03,720
Speaker 2: would dare charge them. However, edging quietly through the other

300
00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:06,680
Speaker 2: side of the forest was the United Army of Israel.

301
00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:10,399
Speaker 2: Saul had split them into three companies, each responsible for

302
00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,760
Speaker 2: prowling on the left, right, and back of the Ammonite camp.

303
00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:17,800
Speaker 2: Each company approached softly and remained one hundred yards away

304
00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,520
Speaker 2: from the camp Saul led the company on the right.

305
00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:24,520
Speaker 2: The men were crouched low and unseen, they could see

306
00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:28,159
Speaker 2: the flickering light coming from the campfires. Saul held his

307
00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,760
Speaker 2: men in position until the first light of dawn gave

308
00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:33,920
Speaker 2: them enough light to see. When the first light appeared,

309
00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:36,960
Speaker 2: Saul stood to his feet and drew his sword. He

310
00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:39,680
Speaker 2: rose it high in the air and raised his voice loud.

311
00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,200
Speaker 2: His deep voice bellowed across the camp for the other

312
00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:47,159
Speaker 2: companies to hear. Then, before the Amonites could arise to

313
00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,879
Speaker 2: grab their weapons, the Israelites charged with the fury of God.

314
00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:55,879
Speaker 2: Saul's legs burst like a stallion's. He quickly separated himself

315
00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:57,960
Speaker 2: from the rest of the group. With his sword grasped

316
00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,680
Speaker 2: firmly in his hand, he was the first to draw

317
00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,560
Speaker 2: blood in the Amonite camp, breaking through the trees and

318
00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,119
Speaker 2: swiping at the neck of a man sitting beside the fire.

319
00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:09,080
Speaker 2: The rest of Israel charged from behind and on the

320
00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,639
Speaker 2: side of the camp, catching the Ammonites off guard. However,

321
00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,080
Speaker 2: their camp was vast and the Ammonites were great in number.

322
00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:19,840
Speaker 2: They quickly drew their weapons and began to defend themselves.

323
00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:22,960
Speaker 2: The warriors of Israel drew strength from the passion of

324
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,719
Speaker 2: their king and pressed into the enemy with fire. God's

325
00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:29,600
Speaker 2: spirit was before Saul as he slashed his way through

326
00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:33,480
Speaker 2: the Ammonite camp. Two enemy soldiers ran with spears drawn

327
00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:37,800
Speaker 2: at Saul. One thrust forward, grazing Saul's shoulder. He grabbed

328
00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,000
Speaker 2: the shaft of the spear and broke it with his sword.

329
00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:44,320
Speaker 2: He swung around, slashing the soldier's throat. The other Ammonite

330
00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,199
Speaker 2: jabbed his spear upward. Saul dodged it and cut the

331
00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,719
Speaker 2: man of the cap. As he fell to his knees,

332
00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,320
Speaker 2: Saul kicked him in the chest and onto his back.

333
00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:56,000
Speaker 2: Saul pressed his knife into the man's throat and bent down.

334
00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:57,480
Speaker 3: Where is your cake?

335
00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:02,920
Speaker 2: He demanded. The amonitess aldier gasped, prepare and pointed out.

336
00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:05,800
Speaker 2: Saul looked and saw a tall man clothed in dark

337
00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,840
Speaker 2: armor swinging his sword through a group of Israelite soldiers.

338
00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:13,720
Speaker 2: Saul released his knee and marched forward. Flames engulfed the

339
00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:18,200
Speaker 2: tents around him, but his vision was set on nay Hash.

340
00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:20,840
Speaker 2: Saul wiped the blood off his brow and quickened his pace.

341
00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,280
Speaker 2: Nay Hash's blade was large and came down with brutal

342
00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:27,440
Speaker 2: force on the shields of the Israelite men. Saul sped

343
00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:29,720
Speaker 2: up and ran towards the Ammonite.

344
00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:31,200
Speaker 3: King nay Hash.

345
00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:35,320
Speaker 2: He yelled with vigor. The dark king looked up to

346
00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:39,080
Speaker 2: see Saul sprinting forward with his sword ready. Nay Hash

347
00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:43,120
Speaker 2: lifted his shield and absorbed Sau's first blow. He stumbled back,

348
00:19:43,440 --> 00:19:45,840
Speaker 2: surprised to see a man as large as he was.

349
00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,159
Speaker 2: Saul met him eye to eye, and the two of

350
00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:53,760
Speaker 2: them paced around one another. Nay Hash spat in Saul's direction.

351
00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:58,000
Speaker 2: So this is your army, he asked, with a chuckle.

352
00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,679
Speaker 5: I presume you are they new king. I hear the

353
00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:04,200
Speaker 5: men speak of before I kill them.

354
00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:09,080
Speaker 2: Nay Hash goaded. Saul did not reply. He set his

355
00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:13,439
Speaker 2: foot back, lifted his sword, and advanced towards Nhsh. The

356
00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:17,320
Speaker 2: Ammonite king welcomed the fright. He burst forward with surprising

357
00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:20,159
Speaker 2: speed and kicked Saul's shield clean off his arm, and

358
00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:24,040
Speaker 2: Saul stumbled back, then dodged the first swing of Nahsh's sword.

359
00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:26,879
Speaker 2: Saul rolled to his side and swung his sword at

360
00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,320
Speaker 2: Nahash's knee. He barely grazed it, but it was enough

361
00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:34,040
Speaker 2: to pause the king's advances. Saul burst forward and swung

362
00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:37,560
Speaker 2: his sword. The two of them sparred. The sound of

363
00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:40,399
Speaker 2: clanging metal pierced Saul's ears as each of them fought

364
00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:43,880
Speaker 2: to gain an advantage over the other. Finally, Saul saw

365
00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:47,520
Speaker 2: an opening on Nahsh's side. He jabbed his sword forward,

366
00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:52,000
Speaker 2: cutting through Mayhsh's armor. Nay Hash recoiled then swung down

367
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,800
Speaker 2: at Saul in a fury. As his arms were above

368
00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,560
Speaker 2: his head, Saul thrust his sword forward into Nahsh's stomach.

369
00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:01,640
Speaker 2: The king dropped his sword and stepped back and fell

370
00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:04,760
Speaker 2: to his knees. Saul drew his sword out of his stomach.

371
00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:08,760
Speaker 2: The Ammonite king said nothing. With blood dripping out of

372
00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:11,760
Speaker 2: his mouth. He simply fell forward with his face to

373
00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:16,639
Speaker 2: the dirt. Saul stood over Nahsha's lifeless body, panting. His

374
00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,840
Speaker 2: heart felt as though it was going to beat out

375
00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,640
Speaker 2: of his chest. His arms were heavy, and his head

376
00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:25,439
Speaker 2: began to swell. Behind him, Saul could hear the cheering

377
00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:28,119
Speaker 2: of his men. He turned to see the tide of

378
00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:32,199
Speaker 2: the battle. Swinging back to Israel. Saul looked up. The

379
00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:35,399
Speaker 2: sun was high above the sky. They had been fighting

380
00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:39,520
Speaker 2: into the afternoon. The king smiled. He had kept his

381
00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,920
Speaker 2: promise to the people of Jabish. The sun was set

382
00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:45,520
Speaker 2: firmly in the middle of the sky, and the battle

383
00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:49,399
Speaker 2: had been won. The surviving Ammonites had fled, and the

384
00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:52,639
Speaker 2: scorched dearth outside the village of Jabish was painted red

385
00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:58,359
Speaker 2: with the blood of the enemy. Shouts of victory and

386
00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:02,640
Speaker 2: praise to God and Saul go through every city in Israel. Men,

387
00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:05,680
Speaker 2: women and children sang songs of their king's victory over

388
00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:09,000
Speaker 2: the Ammonites. Stories were told of the brave new king's

389
00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:12,360
Speaker 2: battle with Nahash and how he saved the village of Jabish.

390
00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:16,719
Speaker 2: Samuel heard these shouts. He listened to the songs, and

391
00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,760
Speaker 2: he pondered the stories. He sat in a room of

392
00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,960
Speaker 2: elders tolert in their worshipful doting over the young king.

393
00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:26,359
Speaker 2: Saul sat in the room as well, humbly listening to

394
00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:27,080
Speaker 2: their admiration.

395
00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:29,919
Speaker 4: Who among us doubted Saul.

396
00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:31,640
Speaker 2: One of the elders asked.

397
00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,720
Speaker 4: Let them be put to death for such accusations.

398
00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:37,440
Speaker 2: Saul's eyes widened and he shook his head.

399
00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:42,640
Speaker 3: Please, brothers, let no one be put to death this day. Today,

400
00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:47,040
Speaker 3: the Lord has worked out salvation for his children. Let

401
00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:50,280
Speaker 3: us rejoice in him and have mercy on one another.

402
00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,800
Speaker 2: Samuel was surprised to hear these words come from Saul.

403
00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:58,040
Speaker 2: Perhaps there was hope for his soul. Perhaps he was

404
00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:02,000
Speaker 2: the king Israel had needed. Samuel propped himself up in

405
00:23:02,040 --> 00:23:03,640
Speaker 2: front of the elders and settled them down.

406
00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:06,920
Speaker 4: It is time for us to renew our kingdom.

407
00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:07,800
Speaker 2: He said, solemnly.

408
00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:11,400
Speaker 4: We have seen Saul lead, and now it is time

409
00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:13,719
Speaker 4: for us to go to Gilgal to establish him as

410
00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:14,919
Speaker 4: king before the Lord.

411
00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:17,760
Speaker 2: So Samuel led the people of Israel to the high

412
00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:21,720
Speaker 2: place of Gilgal. He made a sacrifice to the Lord,

413
00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:25,719
Speaker 2: and the tribes brought peace offerings to God. As worship

414
00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,280
Speaker 2: was made unto the Lord. Saul was anointed king over Israel.

415
00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:34,119
Speaker 2: The people cheered with passion and hope. Samuel overlooked the crowd.

416
00:23:34,840 --> 00:23:37,480
Speaker 2: Their songs echoed in his ears as they sang.

417
00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:41,320
Speaker 4: Long live the King, Long.

418
00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:42,399
Speaker 3: Live the King.

419
00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:46,720
Speaker 2: Their shouts saddened him. It was not long ago that

420
00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:50,359
Speaker 2: they gave God such reverence. They had replaced their true

421
00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:54,200
Speaker 2: savior with the counterfeit God. Saul was a short fix

422
00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,600
Speaker 2: to the deep problems that lurked within their hearts. Samuel

423
00:23:57,680 --> 00:24:00,760
Speaker 2: knew that even if Saul was brave, kind and just,

424
00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:05,000
Speaker 2: he would ultimately fail them, as all other kings would.

425
00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,560
Speaker 2: Samuel stood over the people, lifted up on a stone platform.

426
00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:12,760
Speaker 2: The people ceased their cheers as he raised his hands.

427
00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:16,639
Speaker 2: His voice resonated among the crowd as he orated his

428
00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:18,800
Speaker 2: final address and goodbye to the people.

429
00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:20,880
Speaker 3: Behold, he shouted.

430
00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:24,480
Speaker 4: I have obeyed your voice. You have asked for a king,

431
00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:28,359
Speaker 4: and here he stands before you. I am old now,

432
00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:32,040
Speaker 4: but I have faithfully walked before you since I was young.

433
00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:35,920
Speaker 2: Samuel's voice began to break slightly, and his throat choked

434
00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:39,560
Speaker 2: up with sorrow. The old prophet paused and gripped his

435
00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:43,359
Speaker 2: staff firmly. A single tear left his eye as he

436
00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:47,680
Speaker 2: scanned the children of Israel. He opened up his arms and.

437
00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:53,679
Speaker 4: Said, here I am testify against me before God. Whose

438
00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:58,080
Speaker 4: ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded

439
00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:01,119
Speaker 4: or cheated out of their money? Have I oppressed any

440
00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,640
Speaker 4: of you? Or taken attacks or bribe? Have I done

441
00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:09,280
Speaker 4: anything worthy of you? Rejecting me and the God I serve.

442
00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:13,199
Speaker 2: The people cried out immediately, saying you have done nothing

443
00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:17,720
Speaker 2: to oppress us. Samuel, you have been fair, just and

444
00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:18,680
Speaker 2: honored us.

445
00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:22,320
Speaker 4: So the Lord is witness against you and the king

446
00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:25,119
Speaker 4: that stands before you, that I have not oppressed you

447
00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:29,119
Speaker 4: or taken anything from you. I have only given to

448
00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:31,360
Speaker 4: you and loved you like children.

449
00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:35,879
Speaker 3: Yes, they shouted, the Lord is a witness.

450
00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:39,440
Speaker 2: Samuel drove his staff into the stone in front of him.

451
00:25:39,720 --> 00:25:43,639
Speaker 2: The sound was intimidating and sent a clear message. Samuel

452
00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:46,200
Speaker 2: pointed at them with his staff and shouted.

453
00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:49,200
Speaker 4: The Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and freed your

454
00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:52,439
Speaker 4: fathers from Egypt is the witness between you and I.

455
00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:55,960
Speaker 4: Now listen to me one final time as I tell

456
00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:58,200
Speaker 4: you of the righteousness of God.

457
00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:02,240
Speaker 2: The people were silent and listened like children being scolded.

458
00:26:02,440 --> 00:26:05,920
Speaker 4: When Jacob went into Egypt with his family, the Egyptians,

459
00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:10,440
Speaker 4: led by their king, oppressed them. They labored as slaves

460
00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:14,560
Speaker 4: and were killed like animals. The blood of children stained

461
00:26:14,560 --> 00:26:18,040
Speaker 4: the Nile, and your forefathers cried out to God for deliverance.

462
00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:22,160
Speaker 4: So he sent Moses and Aaron together. They brought your

463
00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:26,760
Speaker 4: ancestors out of Egypt. Now here you stand as free people.

464
00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:31,480
Speaker 4: But your fathers forgot the God who had saved them.

465
00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:35,840
Speaker 4: They became oppressed by the Philistines and the Moabites. Then,

466
00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:39,240
Speaker 4: after years of disobedience. They cried out to God again

467
00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:47,840
Speaker 4: for help. The Lord answered, He sent judges, he sent Jerebal, Barakh, Jephtha,

468
00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:51,560
Speaker 4: and myself. Many of us were called by God to

469
00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:54,600
Speaker 4: deliver you out of bondage of other nations and your

470
00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:58,440
Speaker 4: own sin. Even though there were enemies on every side,

471
00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:01,960
Speaker 4: God still fought for you, and you lived in safety.

472
00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:04,840
Speaker 2: The clouds in the sky began to roll in from

473
00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:08,280
Speaker 2: the west. As Samuel spoke. The people looked up as

474
00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:09,720
Speaker 2: the sun was hidden from sight.

475
00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:11,840
Speaker 4: Yet you still cried out for a king.

476
00:27:11,920 --> 00:27:15,119
Speaker 2: After all these years, Samuel continued.

477
00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:17,639
Speaker 4: You saw Nahesh and the Ammonites, and you did not

478
00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:20,480
Speaker 4: so much as whisper for the Lord to give you aid.

479
00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,560
Speaker 4: You desired a man to save you. Well, here he

480
00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:28,439
Speaker 4: stands before you. The Lord has given you the desires

481
00:27:28,480 --> 00:27:32,400
Speaker 4: of your heart. If you will fear God and serve him,

482
00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:35,440
Speaker 4: if you will obey his voice and refuse to rebel

483
00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:39,159
Speaker 4: as your forefathers, if you and your new king follow

484
00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:44,760
Speaker 4: him and him alone, all will be well. But take heed,

485
00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:47,639
Speaker 4: my children. The pride of the heart is more powerful

486
00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:52,760
Speaker 4: than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.

487
00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:57,080
Speaker 4: If you go against him, He will be against you

488
00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:58,080
Speaker 4: and your king.

489
00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:01,560
Speaker 2: The sky had turned complete the dark, and the wind

490
00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:05,600
Speaker 2: began to pick up tremendously. Behind Samuel, the people began

491
00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:09,680
Speaker 2: to stir. The weather was unsettling. It seemed to match

492
00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:13,640
Speaker 2: the mood of Samuel. His words clearly reflected the heart

493
00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:14,119
Speaker 2: of God.

494
00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:18,080
Speaker 4: Stand and see this great thing the Lord will do

495
00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:19,040
Speaker 4: before your.

496
00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:21,600
Speaker 2: Eyes, Samuel said, with a trumpeting voice.

497
00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:24,760
Speaker 4: Thunder and rain shall go before you, and you shall

498
00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:27,760
Speaker 4: know truly what you have done has grieved the heart

499
00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:28,240
Speaker 4: of God.

500
00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:32,320
Speaker 2: As Samuel said this, the lightning struck down behind him.

501
00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:36,600
Speaker 2: The cypress tree behind him irerupted in flames. Then, as

502
00:28:36,600 --> 00:28:39,600
Speaker 2: if the flung gates of Heaven were open, rain poured

503
00:28:39,640 --> 00:28:43,200
Speaker 2: out from the clouds. Thunders shook the earth, and rain

504
00:28:43,280 --> 00:28:47,280
Speaker 2: began to fall down like arrows under the people below.

505
00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:50,080
Speaker 2: The people were fearful that the Lord would strike them bound.

506
00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:54,680
Speaker 2: They cried out, saying, pray for us, Samuel, we have

507
00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,320
Speaker 2: added to all the sins of our fathers.

508
00:28:57,880 --> 00:29:02,120
Speaker 4: Samuel shook his head and sighed, You have nothing to fear.

509
00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:03,720
Speaker 2: He said, with the wind at his back.

510
00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:07,040
Speaker 4: Continue in the paths of the Lord with all your heart.

511
00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:10,760
Speaker 4: Do not cling to the empty things that cannot satisfy you.

512
00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:15,560
Speaker 4: They are empty and weak. The Lord will not forsake

513
00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:19,560
Speaker 4: his people. He is great, and it pleases him to

514
00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:23,320
Speaker 4: make you his people. It gives him joy to protect you.

515
00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:27,480
Speaker 4: As for me, far be it from me that I

516
00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:31,040
Speaker 4: should sin by ceasing to pray for you. I will

517
00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:33,960
Speaker 4: still be here to instruct and guide you. I will

518
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:38,280
Speaker 4: give counsel, offer prayers, and make sacrifices on behalf of

519
00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:39,840
Speaker 4: the people and God's armies.

520
00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,280
Speaker 2: The wind began to subside for a moment, and the

521
00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:45,920
Speaker 2: rain had drowned out the flames caused by the lightning.

522
00:29:46,560 --> 00:29:51,000
Speaker 2: All that remained were wet coals, barely flickering. Samuel's voice

523
00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:54,200
Speaker 2: was soft now and weary. He looked down at them

524
00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:55,040
Speaker 2: and said.

525
00:29:55,520 --> 00:29:59,320
Speaker 4: Fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.

526
00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:04,440
Speaker 4: Consider and remember the great things he has done for you.

527
00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:10,640
Speaker 4: Yet the warning remains. If wickedness prevails in your hearts,

528
00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:15,800
Speaker 4: you and your king shall be swept away.

529
00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:20,959
Speaker 2: The people left, wet and contemplative. It was not the

530
00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:25,200
Speaker 2: coronation Saul had in mind. As the people left, Saul

531
00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:29,000
Speaker 2: remained there silently, looking at Samuel from a distance. A

532
00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:32,400
Speaker 2: small part of him was angry at the interruption. He

533
00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,840
Speaker 2: did not know whether Samuel supported him as king reluctantly

534
00:30:36,480 --> 00:30:39,959
Speaker 2: or if he was actively praying against him. A spark

535
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:43,680
Speaker 2: of spight simmered deeply in Saul's heart. He ignored it

536
00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:46,840
Speaker 2: and put on a smile as he approached Samuel. The

537
00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:52,360
Speaker 2: two of them left Gilgall to prepare and establish the kingdom.

538
00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:57,880
Speaker 1: Long live the King for now always. This episode had

539
00:30:57,880 --> 00:30:59,960
Speaker 1: the action that we were all waiting for.

540
00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:01,800
Speaker 4: Saul rose up.

541
00:31:01,720 --> 00:31:05,280
Speaker 1: As the hero king everyone hoped he would be. He

542
00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:08,840
Speaker 1: was able to inspire an army, rely on the spirit

543
00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:12,400
Speaker 1: of God, and bravely charge head first in the danger

544
00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:16,760
Speaker 1: to save the people of Jadish Skilad. At the end

545
00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:19,840
Speaker 1: of it all, he receives honor and praise from the people.

546
00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:23,880
Speaker 1: Saul is this shiny new toy that Israel can't wait

547
00:31:23,920 --> 00:31:26,920
Speaker 1: to keep playing with. For them, he is a more

548
00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:30,560
Speaker 1: tangible thing to worship, just like the golden calf was

549
00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:35,600
Speaker 1: for Israel in the prelude. The prelude highlighted mankind's proclivity

550
00:31:35,640 --> 00:31:38,800
Speaker 1: to erect idols that they can see to replace the

551
00:31:38,840 --> 00:31:42,800
Speaker 1: God they can't see. When things are uncertain and patience

552
00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:46,200
Speaker 1: is required, our doubt can get the best of us.

553
00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:49,360
Speaker 1: Instead of relying on the timing and movement of God,

554
00:31:49,840 --> 00:31:52,600
Speaker 1: we try to control things by making our own decisions.

555
00:31:53,080 --> 00:31:56,320
Speaker 1: The golden calf represents many things, and one of them

556
00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:59,520
Speaker 1: is the harsh reality that we are always looking to

557
00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:03,120
Speaker 1: make God gods of things and people that shouldn't be worshiped.

558
00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:06,720
Speaker 1: Saul is this shiny golden calf, ready to receive the

559
00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:10,840
Speaker 1: praise of the people in place of God. After the prelude,

560
00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:14,880
Speaker 1: we are placed in the middle of desolation. Nahsh, king

561
00:32:14,920 --> 00:32:18,280
Speaker 1: of Amirites, has made a move on the small city

562
00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:21,920
Speaker 1: of Jabish Gilead. Here is one of the several classic

563
00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:25,960
Speaker 1: villains we see in this series. He's hawking with dark

564
00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:29,760
Speaker 1: armor and riding atop a horse with sword and shield.

565
00:32:30,640 --> 00:32:34,680
Speaker 1: He is an embodiment of evil, just begging to be vanquished.

566
00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:38,240
Speaker 1: The opening scene with Nash and the Elders is a

567
00:32:38,360 --> 00:32:42,200
Speaker 1: very real glimpse into the vulnerability of Israel during this time.

568
00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:45,960
Speaker 1: They have no unified army to protect their borders or

569
00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:50,040
Speaker 1: respond to crisis. The bordering nations know this and are

570
00:32:50,080 --> 00:32:53,080
Speaker 1: ego to pounce on Israel like wolves to scatter prey.

571
00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:55,959
Speaker 1: It's important for us to take a step back and

572
00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:58,560
Speaker 1: have a bit of empathy for Israel. They want a

573
00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:01,680
Speaker 1: king so desperately because on the surface it seems like

574
00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:05,400
Speaker 1: they need one badly. However, if we do a deeper

575
00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:09,080
Speaker 1: dive into their history, we see that God has always

576
00:33:09,120 --> 00:33:12,800
Speaker 1: been faithful to save them. He used strong people like Samson,

577
00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:16,800
Speaker 1: weak people like Gideon, wise people like Deborah, and foolish

578
00:33:16,840 --> 00:33:20,480
Speaker 1: people like Jephtha, and in every instance it was God

579
00:33:20,520 --> 00:33:23,160
Speaker 1: who raised people up. Because the people cried out to

580
00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:26,120
Speaker 1: him to bring in a king was cutting off a

581
00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:30,040
Speaker 1: direct line of trust between them and God. Israel, given

582
00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:32,680
Speaker 1: the history with God, had no good reason to beg

583
00:33:32,760 --> 00:33:36,560
Speaker 1: for a king. Yet Saul is now king, and it's irreversible.

584
00:33:37,080 --> 00:33:40,520
Speaker 1: Saul is new and still uncertain about his place, but

585
00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:44,520
Speaker 1: Nash provides a perfect opportunity for him to unite a

586
00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:48,160
Speaker 1: disunified people. This is a common theme in the Bible,

587
00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:52,160
Speaker 1: but also with humanity in general. People tend to unite

588
00:33:52,280 --> 00:33:55,840
Speaker 1: over a common enemy. When you have an obviously evil

589
00:33:55,880 --> 00:33:59,560
Speaker 1: presence in Nash, it is easy for whoever fights against

590
00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:02,760
Speaker 1: that evil to appear like a white knight. But just

591
00:34:02,840 --> 00:34:08,239
Speaker 1: because someone fights against evil does not automatically make them good. Nevertheless,

592
00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:11,719
Speaker 1: Saul appears to have all the right answers. What we

593
00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:16,120
Speaker 1: witness from Saul in this episode is epic and borderlines supernatural.

594
00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:20,480
Speaker 1: He has a rise and unprecedented victory over the Ammonites.

595
00:34:21,160 --> 00:34:24,680
Speaker 1: Saul amasses his army, leads them into battle, and meets

596
00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:28,080
Speaker 1: the evil king face to face. The fight scene between

597
00:34:28,120 --> 00:34:31,680
Speaker 1: Saul and a Ash makes one thing very clear. Saul

598
00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:34,719
Speaker 1: is not an underdog. He was nas is superior from

599
00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:38,080
Speaker 1: the beginning, quickly gaining the upper hand. Israel wanted the

600
00:34:38,160 --> 00:34:40,360
Speaker 1: king the slay of the kings, and it seemed like

601
00:34:40,560 --> 00:34:44,239
Speaker 1: they found their man. Saul's nobility and character is an

602
00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:48,000
Speaker 1: important element of this episode. He is righteous, makes the

603
00:34:48,080 --> 00:34:51,640
Speaker 1: right decisions, and risk his life to save a small

604
00:34:51,680 --> 00:34:55,480
Speaker 1: city from being enslaved. As of right now, Saul seems

605
00:34:55,480 --> 00:34:58,520
Speaker 1: to be keeping his pride in check and relying on

606
00:34:58,640 --> 00:35:02,439
Speaker 1: the strength of God. He is keeping the coals in

607
00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:06,600
Speaker 1: the fire, exemplified in the scene at the camp before

608
00:35:06,719 --> 00:35:10,200
Speaker 1: marching off to battle. So what could possibly go wrong?

609
00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:13,000
Speaker 1: Saul seems to have everything it takes to be a

610
00:35:13,000 --> 00:35:16,799
Speaker 1: great king, so what could cause him to fall? We

611
00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:19,839
Speaker 1: have Samuel to answer that question for us. At the

612
00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:23,800
Speaker 1: end of the episode, we are at Gilgal for Saul's coronation.

613
00:35:24,600 --> 00:35:27,920
Speaker 1: The people are praising him endlessly and worshiping at his feet.

614
00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:31,200
Speaker 1: Samuel knows that this is the exact thing that will

615
00:35:31,239 --> 00:35:34,840
Speaker 1: undo Saul. Nobody but God can bear the weight of

616
00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:38,560
Speaker 1: people's worship. Saul, out of no fault of his own,

617
00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:42,480
Speaker 1: has been enslaved like a golden calf. He is the

618
00:35:42,520 --> 00:35:46,240
Speaker 1: people's replacement for God. That is a great burden to carry,

619
00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:49,960
Speaker 1: a burden that will eventually crush him. Samuel, at the

620
00:35:50,040 --> 00:35:53,160
Speaker 1: end of the episode reminded the people that they didn't

621
00:35:53,200 --> 00:35:56,520
Speaker 1: need a king, rather, they wanted a king. Their desire

622
00:35:56,560 --> 00:35:58,960
Speaker 1: to replace God is going to be the downfall of

623
00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:03,200
Speaker 1: Israel and Saul. Samuel also reminded them that this is

624
00:36:03,280 --> 00:36:06,440
Speaker 1: the same sin committed by their forefathers in the desert.

625
00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:12,040
Speaker 1: Their ancestors forsook God and suffered the consequences. Samuel warned

626
00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:15,000
Speaker 1: them that the pride of the heart is more powerful

627
00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:18,839
Speaker 1: than you know. God will resist the rebellious and arrogant heart.

628
00:36:19,440 --> 00:36:22,560
Speaker 1: The fascinating part of this is that the pride of

629
00:36:22,600 --> 00:36:25,720
Speaker 1: the people is going to be ultimately projected onto Saul.

630
00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:29,640
Speaker 1: He will embody their pride. This is a theme for

631
00:36:29,719 --> 00:36:32,759
Speaker 1: all of us to notice the people we raise up

632
00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:37,400
Speaker 1: to rule us become mirrors, reflecting back our own imperfections.

633
00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:40,240
Speaker 1: The heart of a culture is reflected in the leaders

634
00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:43,880
Speaker 1: they choose. Saul's eventual sin will be a mirror image

635
00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:48,000
Speaker 1: of Israel's. Samuel knew this and mourned their fall. He

636
00:36:48,160 --> 00:36:53,680
Speaker 1: is definitely volatile in this episode, teetering between righteous anger

637
00:36:53,760 --> 00:36:57,480
Speaker 1: and fatherly concerned, but he ultimately reminded them that God

638
00:36:57,520 --> 00:37:01,279
Speaker 1: would be faithful despite their unfaithfulness. Let's pause for a

639
00:37:01,320 --> 00:37:05,320
Speaker 1: moment and appreciate how powerful Samuel is at this age.

640
00:37:05,360 --> 00:37:08,600
Speaker 1: He has a fire in his bones and still preaches

641
00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:13,080
Speaker 1: with ferocious strength. It's a rather jarring scene. Toward the end,

642
00:37:13,560 --> 00:37:17,360
Speaker 1: the people come expecting a huge celebration, but leave wet

643
00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:21,800
Speaker 1: and afraid. The wind raged Samuel yelled and lightning struck

644
00:37:21,800 --> 00:37:25,080
Speaker 1: a tree, making it burst into flames. It is an

645
00:37:25,120 --> 00:37:29,040
Speaker 1: apocalyptic scene meant to hearken us back to the prelude,

646
00:37:29,239 --> 00:37:32,760
Speaker 1: where the winds shift and lightning cracks open the skies.

647
00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:36,640
Speaker 1: The heart of mankind hasn't changed, and neither has the

648
00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:40,319
Speaker 1: grief of God when mankind sinds against him, But the

649
00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:43,880
Speaker 1: mercy of God is also enduring, and that is something

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00:37:43,960 --> 00:37:47,400
Speaker 1: all of us can take comfort in. The episode ends

651
00:37:47,480 --> 00:37:50,920
Speaker 1: with the winds dying down, the rain leaving, and a

652
00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:55,440
Speaker 1: steaming pile of wet coals losing their heat beside the altar.

653
00:37:56,080 --> 00:37:59,600
Speaker 1: Saul has maintained his innocence thus far, but this scene

654
00:37:59,600 --> 00:38:02,400
Speaker 1: has left the mark on him. There is no question

655
00:38:02,520 --> 00:38:05,520
Speaker 1: that the people are for Saul. The question that remains

656
00:38:05,960 --> 00:38:09,160
Speaker 1: is if God is for Saul or not. Put yourself

657
00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:12,120
Speaker 1: in Saul's shoes for a moment. You just rallied a

658
00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:17,360
Speaker 1: historical disunified army against a formidable foe and single handedly

659
00:38:17,560 --> 00:38:20,160
Speaker 1: slayd that king. Now, as you are about to be

660
00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:23,719
Speaker 1: crowned a king with pomp and circumstance, God interrupts and

661
00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:26,919
Speaker 1: literally reigns on your parade. Who wouldn't be at least

662
00:38:26,960 --> 00:38:30,040
Speaker 1: a little perturbed by this? There is a vicious cycle

663
00:38:30,120 --> 00:38:33,240
Speaker 1: to pride that Saul must be careful of. The cycle

664
00:38:33,320 --> 00:38:36,800
Speaker 1: is this We have a pride for heart. God resists

665
00:38:36,880 --> 00:38:40,160
Speaker 1: us because of our pride. We grow bitter because God

666
00:38:40,280 --> 00:38:44,080
Speaker 1: is against us. We continue down the wrong path despite God,

667
00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:48,120
Speaker 1: God resists us more. The way to get out of

668
00:38:48,120 --> 00:38:51,360
Speaker 1: this cycle is by submitting to God and humbling ourselves

669
00:38:51,400 --> 00:38:55,719
Speaker 1: when he resists us. When we are corrected, we need

670
00:38:55,760 --> 00:38:59,400
Speaker 1: to pay attention and take correction with humility. That is

671
00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:02,400
Speaker 1: a sign of a pure heart. Later on in this series,

672
00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:06,560
Speaker 1: David is going to be caught after committing some egregious crimes.

673
00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:09,880
Speaker 1: After getting caught in his own cycle of pride, he

674
00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:13,279
Speaker 1: will go on to write the sacrifice you desire is

675
00:39:13,320 --> 00:39:16,799
Speaker 1: a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and

676
00:39:16,880 --> 00:39:20,200
Speaker 1: repentant heart of God. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

677
00:39:21,440 --> 00:39:24,719
Speaker 1: The story is about to get more complex, gory, and

678
00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:28,040
Speaker 1: fast paced. We're gonna Watchaul carefully to see if he

679
00:39:28,080 --> 00:39:31,399
Speaker 1: can keep the cold in the fire. We're also going

680
00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:35,040
Speaker 1: to meet a new character, Jonathan. His heart will provide

681
00:39:35,120 --> 00:39:38,520
Speaker 1: us with a contrast to judge Saul's heart. If you're

682
00:39:38,560 --> 00:39:41,080
Speaker 1: not sure if Saul was on the right path or not,

683
00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:43,759
Speaker 1: you will absolutely be certain by the end of this

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00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:48,719
Speaker 1: next episode. Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories,

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00:39:48,800 --> 00:39:52,040
Speaker 1: daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to

686
00:39:52,200 --> 00:39:56,320
Speaker 1: prey dot com. Remember to follow the podcast on Apple

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00:39:56,480 --> 00:39:59,160
Speaker 1: or Spotify to get the newest episodes right as they

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00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:00,920
Speaker 1: come out. God Bless