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Speaker 1: Hi, I am doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes

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Speaker 1: in the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,

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Speaker 1: please share it with your family and friends and help

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Speaker 1: us spread God's word. 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: if you know about David the Man. In this episode,

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Speaker 1: David takes a leap in the wrong direction. Fear of

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Speaker 1: Saul drives him out of Israel and into the arms

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Speaker 1: of the enemy. He makes an alliance with the Philistines,

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Speaker 1: built on a foundation of lies. We will have been

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Speaker 1: with our hero long enough to know lies are a

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Speaker 1: shaky foundation, causing everything to crumble. Eventually, his poor decision,

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Speaker 1: as calculated as it seems, will corner him between a

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Speaker 1: rock and a hard place. What will David do when

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Speaker 1: faced with two equally devastating options. How does this future

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Speaker 1: king act when there seems to be no way out?

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Speaker 1: This episode will focus our attention on the theme of grace.

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Speaker 1: When David fails and has no way out, will God

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Speaker 1: come to his aid or leave him like he left Saul.

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Speaker 1: This story begins with a prelude, but it is not

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Speaker 1: taken from a different time. Rather, this prelude takes place

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Speaker 1: while David and his men are moving out of Israel.

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Speaker 1: We will follow Saul into the dark underbelly of Indoor.

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Speaker 1: He seeks comfort in the din of a witch. As

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Speaker 1: you may have guessed, comfort is the last thing he

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Speaker 1: will find there. Nothing is easy in this episode, although

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Speaker 1: it may seem easy at times. As we listen to

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Speaker 1: David's journey, be reminded that lies always have a cost.

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Speaker 1: The end of this episode gives us a sigh of relief,

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Speaker 1: but I promise you it is a false sense of relief.

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Speaker 1: David is not going to get off as easy as

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Speaker 1: it seems. Before I give more way, let's dive into

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Speaker 1: our episode, A Friend of the Enemy.

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Speaker 2: Prelude to Chapter fifteen Silence. For all his inquiring, searching,

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Speaker 2: and praying, he was still met with a maddening silence.

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Speaker 2: The heavens were closed off to Saul, and all that

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Speaker 2: remained for him were the chaotic voices of his own demons.

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Speaker 2: He beat his fists against his chest and cried out

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Speaker 2: at the stars. Falling to his knees and weeping, he

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Speaker 2: looked upwards. He prayed into the vast universe, but his

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Speaker 2: words dissipated into oblivion. His arrogant and prideful inquiries would

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Speaker 2: receive no response from God. Saul had been cut off

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Speaker 2: and cast aside by the Lord, and all he had

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Speaker 2: left to do was live out the remainder of his

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Speaker 2: days in agony and welcome an inglorious death. Saul remained outside,

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Speaker 2: shaking his fists at the heavens. He raged against God

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Speaker 2: and cursed him for turning his head face from him.

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Speaker 2: He was in great distress, about to face an army

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Speaker 2: more vast than he had ever seen. The Philistine kingdoms

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Speaker 2: had united, and Saul was forced to gather his entire

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Speaker 2: army to march against them. He was afraid, and his

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Speaker 2: whole hardened body trembled. He sought guidance from priests and prophets,

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Speaker 2: yet even they could not hear from the Lord on

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Speaker 2: Saul's behalf. Unwilling to endure more tormenting silence, Saul called

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Speaker 2: for his servant, Davy. Saul whispered, Tave, I need you.

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Speaker 2: Tavy came out of the tent and stood at Saul's side.

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Speaker 2: The night air was cold and piercing. The king's servant

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Speaker 2: wrapped him in a blanket of fur and stood at attention.

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Speaker 2: I need you to seek out a woman for me

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Speaker 2: at this hour, my lord Tavvy asked, confused, not that

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Speaker 2: type of woman, Tavey, A woman of the ancient arts,

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Speaker 2: I seek to speak, which Tavvy gulped and bowed his head.

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Speaker 2: He immediately sent some of his servants to seek out

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Speaker 2: a woman of the ancient arts, some one that could

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Speaker 2: communicate with the evil spirits that crowded the Kingdom of

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Speaker 2: the Air. They found a woman in the city of Endor.

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Speaker 2: Saul took an old cloak, covered himself and left with Tabby.

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Speaker 2: Immediately they ventured into the city of Endor. The city

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Speaker 2: was asleep, and the only light that remained were that

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Speaker 2: of brothels and blacksmiths. Yet in the dark underbelly of

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Speaker 2: the city, lurking in a forgotten alley, was the Witch

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Speaker 2: of Endor. Saul and Tabby entered the woman's home. It

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Speaker 2: reeked of burnt incense and newly skinned animals. Saul uncovered

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Speaker 2: his hood and looked around. Dead ravens hung from the

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Speaker 2: ceiling and incense burned under carved images of foreign gods

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Speaker 2: The room was dark and lit only by a few

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Speaker 2: faint candles and a small fire burning in the middle

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Speaker 2: of the room. At the end of the room, lound

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Speaker 2: on a few pillows, was the witch. She was younger

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Speaker 2: than Saul had imagined, Although revolting in many ways, with

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Speaker 2: markings on her arms and legs and eyes as dead

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Speaker 2: as driftwood. There was something intoxicating about her. Saul felt

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Speaker 2: drawn to her, like a moth to flame. He stepped closer,

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Speaker 2: only to see the fear in her face. She recoiled

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Speaker 2: like a cat back onto the pillows.

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Speaker 3: Who goes there?

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Speaker 2: The witch hissed. Saul still had his hood on, hiding

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Speaker 2: his identity. I need you to summon the spirit for me,

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Speaker 2: he said. The woman tilted her head in curiosity. She

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Speaker 2: gracefully stepped off of her pillow and slithered towards Saul.

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Speaker 4: And what makes you think I can help you? Don't

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Speaker 4: you know that King Saul cut off the mediums and

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Speaker 4: necromancers from the land. If I were to tell you

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Speaker 4: I could help, certainly I would be laying a trap

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Speaker 4: for myself.

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Speaker 2: Saul understood what the woman was saying. He lifted his

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Speaker 2: hand and swore to her.

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Speaker 5: I swear by the Lord. No punishment shall come upon

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Speaker 5: you for this.

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Speaker 4: You swear by the Lord, all the while seeking the

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Speaker 4: help of a witch.

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Speaker 2: The woman cackled.

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Speaker 4: You are truly a conflicted soul, aren't you.

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Speaker 2: The woman ran her fingers through her hair and down

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Speaker 2: her waist. Chills raced up sault spine at the sight

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Speaker 2: of it. The woman rubbed her hips, then reached behind her,

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Speaker 2: grabbing a flask of oil. She smelled the fragrant oil

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Speaker 2: and began dripping it into the fire. The sour fragrance

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Speaker 2: filled the room.

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Speaker 5: Who do you need conjuring, she asked, bring me Samuel,

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Speaker 5: the prophet. He said, with a trembling voice, very well.

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Speaker 5: The woman took a step back and bowed her head.

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Speaker 5: Her hair covered her face. As she bent her neck forward,

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Speaker 5: Saul could hear faint mumbles from the woman. She shook

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Speaker 5: her shoulders back and forth, and her mumbles grew louder

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Speaker 5: and louder. The woman began to shake uncontrollably.

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Speaker 2: And a loud scream count of her. Her eyes opened

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Speaker 2: and she pointed to Saul.

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Speaker 4: You deceived me, she shouted, You are King Saul.

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Speaker 2: The woman raged at Saul, screaming and hissing, Saul recoiled

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Speaker 2: and removed his hood. Did I not tell you no

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Speaker 2: harm would come to you?

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Speaker 5: Now?

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Speaker 2: What do you see? The woman sat back and rolled

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Speaker 2: her neck again. Closing her eyes. She recounted to saw

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Speaker 2: the visions she was seeing.

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Speaker 6: I see a spirit in the appearance of a man,

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Speaker 6: she said, clothed in a white robe, coming up out

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Speaker 6: of the earth.

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Speaker 2: The woman shook her head back and forth. Saul could

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Speaker 2: see her eyes moving underneath her.

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Speaker 6: Eyelids years old and coming up to you.

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Speaker 2: It is Samuel, Saul said, with a trembling voice. It

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Speaker 2: is he. Please tell me what he says. Saul bent

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Speaker 2: to his knees and lifted his hands to the woman.

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Speaker 2: The woman tilted her head forward, then back, then forward again.

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Speaker 2: At last she was still, and her voice became very deep,

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Speaker 2: as though a man was speaking through her.

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Speaker 3: Who disturbs me?

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Speaker 2: She said, in a hollowed out voice. Samuel Saul gasped.

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Speaker 2: His hands were shaking, and nervous tears fell from his face.

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Speaker 5: It is I, Saul. I have asked this woman to

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Speaker 5: conjure you so I might seek out your wisdom. Ah,

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Speaker 5: I am in great distress. Saul's demeanor was like that

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Speaker 5: of a child's. He was desperate, afraid, and frantic. God

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Speaker 5: has turned his back from me. I have no answers.

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Speaker 5: I have summoned you so you can tell me what

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Speaker 5: to do.

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Speaker 7: But the Lord's silence is his answer.

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Speaker 2: Song Samuel said.

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Speaker 8: Why do you ask me a messenger of the Lord

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Speaker 8: when the Lord himself has turned from you and become

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Speaker 8: your enemy. Did I not tell you that he will

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Speaker 8: tear the kingdom out of your hand.

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Speaker 5: And give it to David.

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Speaker 8: You know this to be true, do not fight it.

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Speaker 2: Sal's face grew white as snow as he listened. It

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Speaker 2: was his worst fear realized before he could speak, The

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Speaker 2: spirit of Samuel continued, saying.

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Speaker 8: Because you did not obey the Lord, he will give

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Speaker 8: Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your.

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Speaker 7: Sons shall be with me.

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Speaker 5: Me and my sons will be with you. Saul gasped, Samuel,

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Speaker 5: What is my fate? What will happen?

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Speaker 2: Saul fell to his face on the ground. His body

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Speaker 2: was sprawled out and prostrated before the witch. He was

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Speaker 2: trembling and ghostly in appearance. The witch was snapped out

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Speaker 2: of her trance only to see Saul laying face down

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Speaker 2: on the ground.

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Speaker 3: Ah, let me get you something to eat.

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Speaker 2: She said, you do not look well. No, Saul said,

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Speaker 2: I will not eat. He propped himself back up and

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Speaker 2: stood to his feet. He gestured to Tabby, who was

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Speaker 2: sitting in the corner of the room. We will be

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Speaker 2: going now.

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Speaker 5: Perhaps you should eat.

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Speaker 7: Tabby said, rest, for if we are to prove Samuel's

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Speaker 7: prophecy wrong tomorrow, you will need your strength.

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Speaker 2: So Saul ate. He mindlessly stared at the fire, thinking

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Speaker 2: about Samuel's words. Tomorrow he would march against the Philistines.

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Speaker 2: He feared that his final breath would be released out

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Speaker 2: on the battlefield tomorrow, yet there was nothing he could

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Speaker 2: do to stop it. Ter fifteen a friend of the enemy.

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Speaker 2: The desert waste land was cruel and unforgiving. The heat

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Speaker 2: of the sun beat down on the back of David's neck,

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Speaker 2: yet he remained steadfast on his course. His men and

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Speaker 2: their families marched behind him, quietly and reluctantly. Following Saul's

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Speaker 2: last attempt on his life had been the final straw.

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Speaker 2: David would no longer remain within the borders of Israel,

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Speaker 2: only to be hunted like a dog. It was time

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Speaker 2: for him to move into a land beyond King Saul's reach,

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Speaker 2: the land of the Philistines. Joshabin walked beside David, trying

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Speaker 2: to keep up with his fast pace forward. He, like

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Speaker 2: many others, questioned his decision to leave Israel and venture

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Speaker 2: off into enemy territory. David and his men had killed

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Speaker 2: many Philistines, and they feared an aggressive welcome.

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Speaker 9: I know you are intent on leaving.

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Speaker 2: Israel, Joshubine said to David, but are.

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Speaker 9: You sure that seeking refuge among the enimy of Israel

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Speaker 9: as a wise plan? What if they kill us on sight?

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Speaker 5: We are hunted like animals by the King of Israel,

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Speaker 5: David said coarsely. The people of Israel have made their choice.

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Speaker 5: They have chosen to treat us as criminals and relentlessly

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Speaker 5: pursue us. It is far more unsafe for us to

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Speaker 5: stay within its borders than venture off somewhere else.

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Speaker 2: David was resolute and unwavering. Saul's continual pursuit of him

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Speaker 2: had left him with no other options. While Saul was

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Speaker 2: still alive, David had no place within Israel's borders. He

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Speaker 2: and his tribe continued to march through the arid desert,

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Speaker 2: looking to the west for Gath, the birthplace of Goliath.

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Speaker 2: The desert sands slowly gave way some more rocky paths,

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Speaker 2: winding into a road tucked between two mountains. David had

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Speaker 2: a sinking feeling that they were being watched. A company

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Speaker 2: as large as his would not slip into the borders unnoticed.

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Speaker 2: They had to be cautious and on guard.

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Speaker 5: And ambush may be just around the corner.

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Speaker 2: David whispered to Joshubin, be on alert and keep your

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Speaker 2: spear close. David led his people through the ravine towards

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Speaker 2: the large city of Gath. David remembered the city well.

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Speaker 2: Its buildings were coarsely cut out of stone and stood

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Speaker 2: taller than most of the structures in Israel. The people

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Speaker 2: of Gath were obsessed with making their city large, even

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Speaker 2: at the costs of beauty and utility. It was a

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Speaker 2: roughly put together city, with strange alleyways and rough structures.

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Speaker 2: The ravine came to an end about half a mile

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Speaker 2: from the city. The exit was in sight, and David

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Speaker 2: halted his company. He waited for a moment, listening for

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Speaker 2: any shift in the stones above him. Finally, after a

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Speaker 2: few moments of silence, David heard the shifting of rocks

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Speaker 2: to his left. He drew his sword and yelled graceful attack.

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Speaker 2: His men drew their weapons, and a Philistine horde emerged

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Speaker 2: from behind the mouth of the ravine. The men formed

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Speaker 2: a wall in front of the women and children, and

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Speaker 2: David rushed to the front with his sword drawn. As

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Speaker 2: the Philistines advanced, David ran forward. He raised his hands

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Speaker 2: high in the air and fell to his knees. The

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Speaker 2: gesture surprised the Philistines, and they immediately ceased their attack.

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Speaker 2: David dropped his weapon and yelled.

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Speaker 5: Wait a moment and listen. I am David. You know

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Speaker 5: me as the giant Slayer. I come here with my

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Speaker 5: men and their families. We do not come as enemies,

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Speaker 5: but as refugees. Please let me speak to your king.

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Speaker 5: You may bind me and take me to him if

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Speaker 5: you wish.

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Speaker 2: The men approached with their spears still pointed outward. David

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Speaker 2: looked back at Abishi. You keep them safe until I return,

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Speaker 2: he whispered. Abishi nodded and had the men put down

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Speaker 2: their weapons. The rest of David's people watched as he

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Speaker 2: was bound in rope and a scor ordered away by

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Speaker 2: the Philistines. Fearful, they retreated back behind the mountains and

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Speaker 2: awaited their leader's return. David was escorted into the borders

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Speaker 2: of Gath. He had been there once before, when fleeing

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Speaker 2: for his life. He had feigned madness to get himself

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Speaker 2: out of trouble. Then he feared that King Akish's first

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Speaker 2: impression of him would prove harmful to his case. Yet

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Speaker 2: with faith, David allowed himself to be taken. It would

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Speaker 2: be the only way to gain favor from the King

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Speaker 2: of Gath. Once again, he was ushered into the palace

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Speaker 2: of King Akish. Firs decorated the stone walls, and fires

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00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:39,080
Speaker 2: were raging in all four corners of the hall. It

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Speaker 2: was warm and smelled of burning meat and spilled wine.

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Speaker 2: King Aikish sat at his throne, leaning over intently as

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Speaker 2: David entered the room, bound in ropes. Like most Philistine kings,

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Speaker 2: Akish was large and battle worn. Years of warring against

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Speaker 2: surrounding nations for territory had hardened his body and his

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Speaker 2: heart knelt before him humbly. He knew he had a

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Speaker 2: lot of work to do to get Akish to trust him,

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Speaker 2: so he began with the simple plea King Akish, David began,

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Speaker 2: live forever.

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Speaker 5: May the God of my forefathers bless you for your

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Speaker 5: kindness in releasing me. When we last met, I was

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Speaker 5: not in my right mind. Akish stood to his feet.

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Speaker 5: His large strides vibrated the ground beneath him as he

275
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Speaker 5: stepped down.

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Speaker 7: To David, you're a raging lunatic when I saw you

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Speaker 7: last giant slayer, Akish said, Yet now you stand before

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Speaker 7: me in your right mind and with a small army

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Speaker 7: camped at my borders. Tell me which, David, am I

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Speaker 7: speaking to the commander or the madman.

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Speaker 2: David continued to look at the ground, refusing to meet

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Speaker 2: Akish eye to eye. Neither, my lord, he said, I.

283
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Speaker 5: Come to you as a servant and a refugee my

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Speaker 5: men of I have spent months in the wilderness being

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Speaker 5: pursued by King Saul. He seeks my life, so we

286
00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:10,960
Speaker 5: fled here. We know you are in many border disputes

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Speaker 5: with other nations. Allow us to reside here and we

288
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Speaker 5: will serve you well.

289
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Speaker 7: I already have been protecting my borders.

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Speaker 2: Akish scoffed.

291
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Speaker 7: Why do I need you.

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Speaker 5: Because I have fought against your men. King Akish, your

293
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Speaker 5: army is vast but lacks the skill my men and

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Speaker 5: I have. Allow us to dwell in the countryside, and

295
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Speaker 5: we will prove to be useful.

296
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Speaker 2: David was now looking up at Akish. Their eyes met,

297
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Speaker 2: and Akish was able to determine the honesty in David's voice.

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Speaker 7: Shall I spare the man who has killed my people

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Speaker 7: and allow him to live in my kingdom?

300
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Speaker 2: Akish said, with a firm voice.

301
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Speaker 7: What kind of king would I be if I allowed

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Speaker 7: you to go unpunished?

303
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Speaker 5: You would be a wise king. My lord, Know that

304
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Speaker 5: there is no army you have under you as skilled

305
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Speaker 5: and fierce as mine. Allow us to make raids for

306
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Speaker 5: you and protect your borders. All other philistine kings will

307
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Speaker 5: fear you, for you were able to tame the giants Layer.

308
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Speaker 2: There was a long pause. David knew the next question

309
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Speaker 2: Aikish would ask. It was a question that David had

310
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Speaker 2: pondered himself many times when fleeing from Saul. Aikish leaned

311
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Speaker 2: over and asked.

312
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Speaker 7: Would you be willing to fight against your own people

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Speaker 7: under my command?

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Speaker 2: Yes, David replied, without hesitation.

315
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Speaker 5: King Saul has made many attempts on my life. He

316
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Speaker 5: has threatened me, my men, and our families. Our loyalties

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Speaker 5: are severed from Israel.

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Speaker 2: David lied, however, he had a plan and needed Akish

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Speaker 2: to trust him. King Aikish pondered David's words. He stroked

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Speaker 2: his beard and gestured for his guards to unbind him.

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Speaker 7: Very well, Giant, since you have killed my last champion, Goliath,

322
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Speaker 7: I have been in need of someone to raid and

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Speaker 7: protect the borders of Ziglec. It is a herding country

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Speaker 7: and vulnerable to other nations. Dwell there and secure the

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Speaker 7: area on my behalf.

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Speaker 2: David bowed in homage to the king, then left. As

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Speaker 2: he was exiting the large wooden doors, King Akish stopped.

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Speaker 7: Him, and giants lair I and the other Philistine kings

329
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Speaker 7: have not forgotten all your bloodshed towards our people. I

330
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Speaker 7: will be keeping close watch on you.

331
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Speaker 2: David nodded, smiled, and departed the city back to the

332
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Speaker 2: mountains where he had left his men.

333
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Speaker 7: There is no way I am serving that uncircumcised monster

334
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Speaker 7: of a.

335
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Speaker 2: King, Shama yelled. The young man was passionate and angry

336
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Speaker 2: at David for brokering such a deal. The others were

337
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Speaker 2: outraged as well. David stood at the fire with Shama

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Speaker 2: Josh obim elizar Abersha, I am Beniah. He often held

339
00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:06,360
Speaker 2: counsel with them before making a decision. This time, however,

340
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Speaker 2: he would be immovable in his decision.

341
00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:12,080
Speaker 5: I must agree with Shama.

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Speaker 7: We have fought these Philistines and lost men.

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Speaker 2: They are our enemies and cannot be trusted, Beniah said quietly.

344
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Speaker 2: Beniah was young, but had quickly become the most trusted

345
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Speaker 2: follower of David. He had been made captain over the

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Speaker 2: night Watch and David's personal bodyguard.

347
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Speaker 5: Who is to say he won't turn on us?

348
00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:34,040
Speaker 2: David nodded in consideration.

349
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Speaker 5: I understand your protests, faithful men, trust me, I do. However,

350
00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:45,440
Speaker 5: we are clearly in more danger within the borders of Israel.

351
00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,760
Speaker 5: Saul moved three thousand of his men from Gibea to

352
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Speaker 5: march against our six hundred three thousand. When I saw

353
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Speaker 5: how many men Saul was willing to mobilize against us,

354
00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:03,600
Speaker 5: I knew we were no longer safe near Judah or Israel. Besides,

355
00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:06,880
Speaker 5: I have a plan to raid the enemies of Israel

356
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Speaker 5: and bring the plunder to Akish. We can strike down

357
00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:15,000
Speaker 5: the Gesherites, Ghizites, and Amalekites and tell the king that

358
00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:19,600
Speaker 5: it was against Israel. This keeps Israel protected from its

359
00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:23,520
Speaker 5: enemies and us in the good graces of the Philistines.

360
00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,199
Speaker 5: As long as we bring back plunder, they will be

361
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Speaker 5: none the wiser.

362
00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,920
Speaker 2: The men began to come around. David leaned in even

363
00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:34,480
Speaker 2: more and whispered.

364
00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:37,520
Speaker 5: If I can get Aikish on our side, he will

365
00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:42,160
Speaker 5: defend us to the other Philistine kings. If we sense

366
00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:45,840
Speaker 5: any trouble, we are already in the countryside. We can

367
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Speaker 5: flee at a moment's notice.

368
00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:52,680
Speaker 2: The men considered David's reasoning. As passionate and emotional as

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00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:56,560
Speaker 2: David was, he had a sober mind. He had clearly

370
00:21:56,560 --> 00:21:59,600
Speaker 2: thought of all the angles that mattered. They were weary

371
00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:02,159
Speaker 2: from so so many months of wandering in the wilderness

372
00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:05,480
Speaker 2: and fleeing Saul. It would be refreshing for them to

373
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Speaker 2: settle in one place. Their wives and their children needed

374
00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,520
Speaker 2: a space to call home. So the men agreed they

375
00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:15,720
Speaker 2: would follow David to Ziklag and fight on behalf of

376
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Speaker 2: King Akish against the Jesuites, Ghizites, and Amalekites. They ventured

377
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Speaker 2: off to Zicklag, a fairly desolate countryside with the occasional

378
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Speaker 2: farming village. David and his men were happy there. They

379
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Speaker 2: and their families built homes and created a safe haven

380
00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:38,240
Speaker 2: for themselves. For a year and four months they dwelled

381
00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:41,919
Speaker 2: within the borders of Gath. Weekly David would lead his

382
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,439
Speaker 2: men into the surrounding cities. The men became famous in

383
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Speaker 2: the land for their quick swords and tactical ambushes. There

384
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Speaker 2: was not a group of men in the land quite

385
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Speaker 2: like David and his mighty warriors. They would go into

386
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Speaker 2: the cities and strip them of their sheep, oxen, donkeys, camels,

387
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Speaker 2: and garments. Everything they raided they would bring back to Akish.

388
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Speaker 2: Weekly David and his men would come before the king

389
00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:09,040
Speaker 2: with the spoils of war. Akish would grin from ear

390
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Speaker 2: to ear and yell.

391
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Speaker 7: My warrior, David, where have you made a raid today?

392
00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:19,480
Speaker 2: David would bow and respond with against the Israelites or

393
00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:22,520
Speaker 2: against the tribe of Judah, But they were all lies.

394
00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,520
Speaker 2: David was fighting against the enemies of Israel and raiding

395
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Speaker 2: their cities. This kept the people of Israel safe and

396
00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:35,000
Speaker 2: King Akish rich. David and his men were silent defenders

397
00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,239
Speaker 2: of Israel, striking down their enemies before that even had

398
00:23:38,240 --> 00:23:41,840
Speaker 2: a chance to march up against their borders. Thousands died

399
00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:44,399
Speaker 2: at the hand of David and his mighty men, and

400
00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:47,880
Speaker 2: the people of Israel were completely unaware of their defender,

401
00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:53,560
Speaker 2: and Aikish trusted David completely. With each passing day, the

402
00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,959
Speaker 2: king of Gath grew more wealthy because of David's exploits.

403
00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,640
Speaker 2: He reveled in his new found friend, and the army

404
00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:04,199
Speaker 2: of outcasts had finally created a place for them to belong.

405
00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:08,960
Speaker 2: It was early morning and David was scanning the rich

406
00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,960
Speaker 2: fields of sheep grazing on the rolling hills of zick Lag.

407
00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:15,159
Speaker 2: It calmed him to watch the shepherds tend of their flock.

408
00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:20,320
Speaker 2: It reminded him of more innocent times before raids, wars, violence,

409
00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:24,679
Speaker 2: and politics. He breathed in the crisp morning air, taking

410
00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:27,880
Speaker 2: in the smell of wet grass. He breathed out a

411
00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:30,760
Speaker 2: sigh of praise to God. It had been a year

412
00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:35,560
Speaker 2: of rebuilding, rebuilding his men and his family, rebuilding of

413
00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:39,359
Speaker 2: faith in God's calling over his life, and rebuilding confidence

414
00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:43,280
Speaker 2: in himself after months of being pursued by Saul. Added

415
00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,520
Speaker 2: to this, he was able to protect Israel and gain

416
00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,840
Speaker 2: wealth by attacking their enemies. He was able to keep

417
00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:53,080
Speaker 2: his people safe while also prospering in the land of

418
00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:57,159
Speaker 2: the Philistines. David was content in many ways and felt

419
00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:02,640
Speaker 2: truly blessed. For now. David stood up, stretched and made

420
00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:05,440
Speaker 2: his way back to his village. He walked down the

421
00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:07,480
Speaker 2: hill into the stretch of land that he and his

422
00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:11,560
Speaker 2: warriors had built upon. They had built homes, dug wells,

423
00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:14,880
Speaker 2: and fences to keep their live stock. They had planted

424
00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:18,320
Speaker 2: gardens and fields of wheat for food, and barracks to

425
00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:22,479
Speaker 2: keep their weaponry. Ziklag was an oasis flowing with favor

426
00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:26,600
Speaker 2: and wealth. David marveled at the faithfulness of God. He

427
00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:30,719
Speaker 2: and Abigail enjoyed their lives together, with enough food, water, wine,

428
00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:35,119
Speaker 2: and friendship to last a lifetime. All seemed at peace.

429
00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,639
Speaker 2: David entered his home and the savory smell of stew

430
00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:43,359
Speaker 2: and bread was wafted in from the fireplace. The pod

431
00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,960
Speaker 2: and bull were waiting for him, so he scooped some

432
00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,040
Speaker 2: into his bowl and began to eat. Not even two

433
00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:52,679
Speaker 2: bites in, there was a knocking at the door. Abigail

434
00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:56,320
Speaker 2: opened it to a distressed Abeshid. He was fighting to

435
00:25:56,359 --> 00:26:01,679
Speaker 2: catch his breath. After running to him, my Lord David

436
00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:04,480
Speaker 2: abitsh I gasped for air, I need to speak with you.

437
00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,040
Speaker 2: David stood to his feet and had Abashi I sit.

438
00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:09,520
Speaker 2: He refused and lifted his arm.

439
00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:13,080
Speaker 3: We are in trouble. Israel is in trouble.

440
00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,240
Speaker 2: What is it, David asked, swiftly, tell me now.

441
00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:20,800
Speaker 3: The Philistines are marching up to attack Israel. The Philistine

442
00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:23,600
Speaker 3: kings have combined their armies to march up against Saul

443
00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:24,600
Speaker 3: at Aphek.

444
00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:28,240
Speaker 5: They have done this before, David said, matter of factly,

445
00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:31,720
Speaker 5: we have done all we can to protect Israel. Are

446
00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:33,720
Speaker 5: you saying we should come to their aid?

447
00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:38,639
Speaker 3: No, David, you do not understand. King Akish has requested

448
00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:40,480
Speaker 3: that we march up with him to join the other

449
00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:42,120
Speaker 3: kings and fight against Israel.

450
00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:45,760
Speaker 2: David's stomach dropped when he heard the words leave Abishai's mouth.

451
00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,679
Speaker 2: He sat back and grabbed his long hair. What have

452
00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:52,680
Speaker 2: I done? He whispered to himself. What am I going

453
00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:56,320
Speaker 2: to do? All the color left David's face. He began

454
00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:58,560
Speaker 2: to feel faint and dizzy at the thought of marching

455
00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:02,720
Speaker 2: up against Israel. But what choice did he have. If

456
00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:06,320
Speaker 2: he refused, King Akish would wipe them out. He had

457
00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:09,000
Speaker 2: spent a year gaining his trust, and if he did

458
00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:11,720
Speaker 2: not march with him, surely he and his men would

459
00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:12,280
Speaker 2: be doomed.

460
00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:14,400
Speaker 3: What are we going to do, David.

461
00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:19,000
Speaker 2: Abish I asked solemnly. David was silent. All the line

462
00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:21,840
Speaker 2: to King Akish had finally caught up to him, and

463
00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:24,480
Speaker 2: now he was faced with a decision that could alter

464
00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:28,400
Speaker 2: the history of Israel. Would he march with the Philistines

465
00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:32,240
Speaker 2: to destroy Israel or would he refuse and be slaughtered

466
00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:37,040
Speaker 2: by the entire Philistine army. David said nothing. He gripped

467
00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:40,000
Speaker 2: his hair tightly and shook his head in dismay. Leave me,

468
00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:40,840
Speaker 2: he whispered.

469
00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,960
Speaker 5: But David, we needed answer, not I said lathe, David shouted,

470
00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:48,000
Speaker 5: you will have your answer. Now go and tell no

471
00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:49,840
Speaker 5: one of this until I have found you.

472
00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:54,680
Speaker 2: Ambish I bowed and left without another word. David stood up,

473
00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:57,280
Speaker 2: strapped his sword to his back, and left, with the

474
00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:00,840
Speaker 2: door slamming behind him. He climbed the hill overlooking the

475
00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,320
Speaker 2: village and sat on a stone. The cool morning breeze

476
00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:08,119
Speaker 2: was still cool and refreshing. David closed his eyes and

477
00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:12,520
Speaker 2: listened for the voice of God. He needed direction. Any

478
00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:15,320
Speaker 2: decision he could make seemed to lead down a bad path.

479
00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:19,200
Speaker 2: David was so accustomed to choosing between a good decision

480
00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:22,199
Speaker 2: and a bad one. Until now. He lived in a

481
00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:25,680
Speaker 2: world that was black and white. All choices were between

482
00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:31,200
Speaker 2: evil or good, righteousness or wickedness, life or death. Yet

483
00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:35,040
Speaker 2: now he was faced with two terrible decisions in which

484
00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:40,280
Speaker 2: both could lead to utter humiliation and destruction. Finally David

485
00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:42,680
Speaker 2: knew what it was like to be a king. He

486
00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:46,760
Speaker 2: prayed to God for guidance, yet no voice responded. He

487
00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:49,480
Speaker 2: was left with the chaotic ramblings of his own mind.

488
00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:52,880
Speaker 2: He stood to his feet and left the mountain. A

489
00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:56,360
Speaker 2: decision had to be made, and David trusted that God's

490
00:28:56,400 --> 00:29:00,880
Speaker 2: mercy would follow him either way. David retre shrieved Abeshi

491
00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:05,040
Speaker 2: and Benaiah with a somber yet resolute tone. David lifted

492
00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:10,120
Speaker 2: his eyes and said, we marched tomorrow morning with the Philistines.

493
00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:16,720
Speaker 2: Gather the men, do not ask questions. I trust the Lord,

494
00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:20,320
Speaker 2: our God will deliver us. So the men gathered themselves

495
00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:24,000
Speaker 2: and marched behind King Akish and his army. They trudged

496
00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:28,600
Speaker 2: along the countryside, silently anticipating what was to come. David

497
00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:31,840
Speaker 2: held his head low, lamenting that he may have to

498
00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:36,760
Speaker 2: shed blood against his fellow Israelites. The allied Philistine army

499
00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:40,280
Speaker 2: was as vast as the sea itself. Thousands of men

500
00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:44,040
Speaker 2: were stationed across the plains of Affec. David and his

501
00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:46,840
Speaker 2: men resided behind the rest of the encampments a few

502
00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:50,640
Speaker 2: hundred yards away. Aikish kept them separate from the rest

503
00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:54,400
Speaker 2: so as to not stir any unnecessary trouble. David was

504
00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:58,000
Speaker 2: grateful for the separation. He did not want to feel

505
00:29:58,040 --> 00:30:00,800
Speaker 2: like a part of the Philistines. Something in his body

506
00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:06,280
Speaker 2: cried out against it. David, Abeshi, Eliezar, and Benaiah scaled

507
00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:10,400
Speaker 2: the mountain overlooking the Israelite camp. Saul had amassed an

508
00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:14,360
Speaker 2: army unlike any they had seen before. Clearly Saul had

509
00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,640
Speaker 2: anticipated the unification of Philistine kingdoms against him. They were

510
00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:23,680
Speaker 2: certainly not outnumbered or outmatched. Saul had gathered an impressive response,

511
00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:26,080
Speaker 2: and David could not help but long to be in

512
00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:27,000
Speaker 2: their midst.

513
00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:30,440
Speaker 5: It seems as though Saul has come prepared.

514
00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:34,040
Speaker 2: David whispered. Maybe so, said josh Obein.

515
00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:36,880
Speaker 9: But if we marched with the Philistines tomorrow and fight,

516
00:30:37,680 --> 00:30:39,840
Speaker 9: it may be the very thing that swings the fight

517
00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:40,720
Speaker 9: in their favor.

518
00:30:40,920 --> 00:30:44,600
Speaker 2: David nodded. He knew it was true. The presence of

519
00:30:44,680 --> 00:30:48,320
Speaker 2: David and his six hundred trained warriors could absolutely shift

520
00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:51,720
Speaker 2: the fight in Akish's favor. He cringed at the thought,

521
00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:55,600
Speaker 2: praying somehow he would not have to fight come daybreak tomorrow.

522
00:30:56,480 --> 00:30:58,720
Speaker 2: The men left the mountain and returned to their camp.

523
00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:01,760
Speaker 2: David was summoned to join Akish and the rest of

524
00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:04,920
Speaker 2: the Philistine kings at a meeting. He rode at Aikish's

525
00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:08,640
Speaker 2: side into the center of the Philistine encampment. A large

526
00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:12,840
Speaker 2: red tent had been erected. Inside were iron fire pits

527
00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:17,000
Speaker 2: raging with flames, and bronze idols erected to dagon. Being

528
00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:21,200
Speaker 2: in the room made David feel uneasy. Akish sat down

529
00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,440
Speaker 2: at the round table. Sitting in the center of the tent,

530
00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:26,959
Speaker 2: He was joined by the other kings and their commanders.

531
00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:30,240
Speaker 2: He did not take long for them to notice David's presence.

532
00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:34,080
Speaker 7: What is he doing here, Akish? Isn't this the giant

533
00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:37,239
Speaker 7: slayer one of the mast he is, but he has

534
00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:39,680
Speaker 7: offered his services to aid our battle.

535
00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:42,600
Speaker 2: Akish said, slapping David's back and smiling.

536
00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:45,880
Speaker 7: I trust him with my life. He has been raiding

537
00:31:45,880 --> 00:31:48,400
Speaker 7: the Israelites for over a year now on my behalf,

538
00:31:48,760 --> 00:31:50,040
Speaker 7: and has not failed me yet.

539
00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:53,640
Speaker 2: David forced a smile, feeling an intense amount of pressure

540
00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:57,360
Speaker 2: in his chest. One of the kings drove his dagger

541
00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:58,920
Speaker 2: into the table and yelled.

542
00:31:58,760 --> 00:32:02,440
Speaker 7: I what this smack? And his small army out of here.

543
00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:04,800
Speaker 2: He spat and raged at Akish.

544
00:32:04,880 --> 00:32:07,320
Speaker 7: He may have made you rich, but he is still

545
00:32:07,360 --> 00:32:10,280
Speaker 7: an Israelite dog who cannot be trusted.

546
00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:16,760
Speaker 2: The others murmured in agreement. However, Akish pushed back even more, saying, I.

547
00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,719
Speaker 7: Find no fault in David or his men. They have

548
00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:22,320
Speaker 7: lived peacefully with us and already proven they are willing

549
00:32:22,360 --> 00:32:26,720
Speaker 7: to spill Israelite blood. Will not his presence discourage King

550
00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:27,719
Speaker 7: Saul and the others.

551
00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:31,920
Speaker 2: David desperately desired for Akish to stop talking, but he

552
00:32:31,960 --> 00:32:34,920
Speaker 2: could say nothing. He was forced to hold his tongue

553
00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:39,640
Speaker 2: and await their decision. The others pondered Akish's words, yet

554
00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:42,040
Speaker 2: were still not convinced David was telling the truth.

555
00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:46,480
Speaker 7: Send a man back. He shall not march down with us,

556
00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:49,080
Speaker 7: lest in the battle he becomes our enemy.

557
00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:51,960
Speaker 2: The tall, thin king leaned over to David and peered

558
00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:52,800
Speaker 2: him in the eye.

559
00:32:53,120 --> 00:32:56,719
Speaker 7: I know of your devotion to your God. King David,

560
00:32:57,600 --> 00:33:00,480
Speaker 7: I know you could not reconcile yourself before your God

561
00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:04,040
Speaker 7: if you spill the Israeli blood. I will not have

562
00:33:04,120 --> 00:33:06,680
Speaker 7: you turn on me and my men just because you

563
00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:08,160
Speaker 7: couldn't live with the guilt.

564
00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:12,520
Speaker 2: The Philistine king's words were cutting and true. There would

565
00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:16,120
Speaker 2: be no way David could reconcile himself before God if

566
00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:19,920
Speaker 2: he spilled the blood of his children. Another Philistine king

567
00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:23,080
Speaker 2: agreed and said, have you heard the.

568
00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:27,440
Speaker 7: Songs they sang about him? Akish? Saul has killed his thousands,

569
00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:31,360
Speaker 7: but David his ten thousands. Who do you think those

570
00:33:31,440 --> 00:33:35,520
Speaker 7: ten thousands are? They are us. This man has been

571
00:33:35,520 --> 00:33:40,280
Speaker 7: made famous in Israel by slaughtering Philistines. We must not

572
00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:41,800
Speaker 7: have him fight with us.

573
00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:46,120
Speaker 2: The rest of them began to murmur and complain. Aikish

574
00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:48,480
Speaker 2: finally had enough and rose his hand.

575
00:33:48,840 --> 00:33:51,880
Speaker 7: Enough he said, I will send him back.

576
00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:55,080
Speaker 2: Akish took David by the arm and let him out

577
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,960
Speaker 2: of the tent. The king sighed and shook his head.

578
00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:03,080
Speaker 7: David, I know you are an honest and loyal man.

579
00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:06,120
Speaker 7: You would have marched with me and come to my aid.

580
00:34:06,520 --> 00:34:09,520
Speaker 7: Oh how I longed to fight alongside you and battle,

581
00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:14,360
Speaker 7: my friend. But alas I must respect the other lord's wishes.

582
00:34:15,680 --> 00:34:18,319
Speaker 7: Go back now to Ziglach. I fear the land may

583
00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:21,480
Speaker 7: be vulnerable to attack with all of us gone. Anyways,

584
00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:25,200
Speaker 7: Be careful, my friend. Rise early in the morning with

585
00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:27,759
Speaker 7: the servants of your lord who came with you, and

586
00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:30,719
Speaker 7: start early in the morning, and depart as soon as

587
00:34:30,719 --> 00:34:31,239
Speaker 7: you have light.

588
00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:36,000
Speaker 2: Akish embraced David tightly. The hug was more than David

589
00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:38,640
Speaker 2: could bear. He could feel the trust of the king,

590
00:34:38,760 --> 00:34:41,480
Speaker 2: and it crushed him. He had been lying all this

591
00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:44,000
Speaker 2: time to a man who seemed to be good. Deep down,

592
00:34:44,680 --> 00:34:48,879
Speaker 2: David was conflicted. He shook Akish's hand and retreated back

593
00:34:48,880 --> 00:34:52,399
Speaker 2: to camp. On his way back, David stopped and fell

594
00:34:52,440 --> 00:34:55,600
Speaker 2: to his knees. He gripped the dirt below him tightly

595
00:34:55,640 --> 00:34:59,400
Speaker 2: and closed his eyes. His entire body was shaking, and

596
00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:02,919
Speaker 2: he could know longer hold back his tears. The hero

597
00:35:03,040 --> 00:35:06,920
Speaker 2: of Israel wept bitterly on the ground. Unable to console himself.

598
00:35:07,600 --> 00:35:10,360
Speaker 2: He buried his face in the dirt, crying aloud to

599
00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:14,560
Speaker 2: God for forgiveness. In his sin and arrogance, he had

600
00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:16,799
Speaker 2: almost led his men into a sin. He could not

601
00:35:16,920 --> 00:35:21,239
Speaker 2: retreat from Yet God was faithful to his chosen one.

602
00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:23,720
Speaker 2: He did not allow David to commit such a hideous

603
00:35:23,719 --> 00:35:26,799
Speaker 2: crime against him and his people. Despite all of his

604
00:35:26,920 --> 00:35:31,479
Speaker 2: flaws and foolishness, God would not abandon David. He would

605
00:35:31,560 --> 00:35:35,400
Speaker 2: remain at his side, always following after him with grace

606
00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:36,240
Speaker 2: and mercy.

607
00:35:39,840 --> 00:35:42,520
Speaker 1: Well, we have seen David make mistakes before, but this

608
00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:46,600
Speaker 1: mistake seems to stand above the rest. Can you imagine

609
00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,399
Speaker 1: what would have happened if David marched against the army

610
00:35:49,440 --> 00:35:52,359
Speaker 1: of Israel. I'm glad we didn't have to find out,

611
00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:56,080
Speaker 1: as was David. This episode took us on a journey

612
00:35:56,080 --> 00:36:00,600
Speaker 1: of false security. David thought he could have it both ways.

613
00:36:01,000 --> 00:36:03,719
Speaker 1: He thought he could befriend the enemy while still being

614
00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:07,520
Speaker 1: the hero of God. For a while, it seemed to work,

615
00:36:07,960 --> 00:36:11,160
Speaker 1: but we know by now lives always cause chaos. Eventually,

616
00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:14,920
Speaker 1: when we deceive others than ourselves and our lives are belief,

617
00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:17,840
Speaker 1: we can be lulled into a false sense of security.

618
00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:20,960
Speaker 1: When we get away with lies, the comfort we feel

619
00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:23,920
Speaker 1: is like sleeping on a bed that is teetering on

620
00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:27,600
Speaker 1: the edge of a skyscraper. The pillows are fluffed, the

621
00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:31,560
Speaker 1: blankets are warm, but we are not safe. There can

622
00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:34,680
Speaker 1: be no real peace when you live a double life. Eventually,

623
00:36:35,040 --> 00:36:38,560
Speaker 1: the growing chasm between your values and your actions become

624
00:36:38,760 --> 00:36:41,879
Speaker 1: too wide a distance to hurdle. We see a lot

625
00:36:41,880 --> 00:36:46,280
Speaker 1: of double mindedness in this episode. The first perpetrator is Saul,

626
00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:49,520
Speaker 1: who seeks the will of God in the presence of

627
00:36:49,560 --> 00:36:53,560
Speaker 1: a witch. The witch points out the irony herself, saying,

628
00:36:54,080 --> 00:36:57,000
Speaker 1: you swear by the Lord all the while seeking the

629
00:36:57,040 --> 00:36:59,759
Speaker 1: help of a witch. You are truly a conflicted soul.

630
00:37:01,160 --> 00:37:04,279
Speaker 1: This witch doesn't know how right she is. Saul is

631
00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:07,800
Speaker 1: a walking contradiction at this point. He leads the armies

632
00:37:07,840 --> 00:37:11,560
Speaker 1: of God's people without the favor of God. He leads

633
00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:14,880
Speaker 1: God's nation without the guidance of God. He claims to

634
00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,000
Speaker 1: be a man of integrity while harboring bitterness in his heart.

635
00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:21,920
Speaker 1: Saul's very presence and endure speaks to his confusion, and

636
00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:25,080
Speaker 1: at the same time it gives us clarity. We are

637
00:37:25,160 --> 00:37:28,160
Speaker 1: not sure if who Saul speaks to through the witch

638
00:37:28,520 --> 00:37:32,360
Speaker 1: is actually Samuel or not. This portion of scripture is

639
00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:37,520
Speaker 1: admittedly confusing and controversial. However, the words spoken are true.

640
00:37:38,200 --> 00:37:40,960
Speaker 1: Saul is going to die in the next battle. It

641
00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:44,680
Speaker 1: is an unavoidable fact. There is no more escape for Saul.

642
00:37:44,960 --> 00:37:49,360
Speaker 1: The time has come for him to die. While Saul

643
00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:52,560
Speaker 1: is hiding in the shadows of endure, David is hiding

644
00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,879
Speaker 1: in the shadows of God. He leads his men and

645
00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:59,480
Speaker 1: their families in the enemy territory despite the warnings from

646
00:37:59,480 --> 00:38:03,240
Speaker 1: his trusted advisers. So far, David has made every decision

647
00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:06,840
Speaker 1: by consulting God and his friends. But this decision seems

648
00:38:06,840 --> 00:38:10,200
Speaker 1: to be one hundred percent David, which does invode well

649
00:38:10,280 --> 00:38:12,960
Speaker 1: for him. The word of God and the counsel of

650
00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:15,640
Speaker 1: friends are supposed to be a strong foundation for a

651
00:38:15,719 --> 00:38:18,960
Speaker 1: leader to rely on, but the giant Slayer is set

652
00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:21,520
Speaker 1: on his course and nobody can challenge him on it.

653
00:38:22,520 --> 00:38:25,719
Speaker 1: As a side note, leaders who can't be questioned do

654
00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:29,720
Speaker 1: questionable things. Be wary of leaders who dig their heels

655
00:38:29,719 --> 00:38:34,600
Speaker 1: in and can't be moved with wise counsel. Gaff isn't

656
00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:38,360
Speaker 1: initially welcoming to David and his crew, but King Akish

657
00:38:38,680 --> 00:38:43,160
Speaker 1: falls for David's life. His plan is admittedly brilliant. He

658
00:38:43,239 --> 00:38:47,000
Speaker 1: will raid Israel's enemies and bring back wealth for Akish.

659
00:38:47,480 --> 00:38:50,240
Speaker 1: He will claim Israel is who he's hunting, and Akish

660
00:38:50,280 --> 00:38:53,840
Speaker 1: won't question it because he's getting rich. His plan works.

661
00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:58,320
Speaker 1: David has been a shepherd, a commander, an exile, a vigilante,

662
00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:02,160
Speaker 1: and now he adds raider to his resume. David is

663
00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:05,840
Speaker 1: increasingly bold to make this move, and the plan seems

664
00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:08,560
Speaker 1: well thought out. He is going to build wealth and

665
00:39:08,600 --> 00:39:13,560
Speaker 1: security for his people while also secretly helping Israel. David

666
00:39:13,600 --> 00:39:16,000
Speaker 1: thinks he can have it both ways. He thinks he

667
00:39:16,040 --> 00:39:19,200
Speaker 1: can be in an alliance with the enemy while being

668
00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:22,239
Speaker 1: loyal to his country. This is the trap we can

669
00:39:22,280 --> 00:39:25,040
Speaker 1: all find ourselves in. We think we can have hidden

670
00:39:25,080 --> 00:39:27,600
Speaker 1: sin in our lives while also being faithful to the

671
00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:30,440
Speaker 1: people around us. But these things tend to catch up

672
00:39:30,480 --> 00:39:34,839
Speaker 1: with us eventually. Jesus once said no one can serve

673
00:39:34,880 --> 00:39:37,120
Speaker 1: two masters, for either he will hate the one and

674
00:39:37,200 --> 00:39:39,600
Speaker 1: love the other, or he will be devoted to the

675
00:39:39,600 --> 00:39:42,520
Speaker 1: one and despise the other. This turns out to be

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00:39:42,600 --> 00:39:45,400
Speaker 1: true for David. He tries to keep an alliance with

677
00:39:45,520 --> 00:39:48,640
Speaker 1: Gath and Israel, but at some point he is forced

678
00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:51,600
Speaker 1: to choose between the two, and when the time finally

679
00:39:51,600 --> 00:39:55,560
Speaker 1: comes to choose, he is in an incredibly compromising position.

680
00:39:56,480 --> 00:39:59,400
Speaker 1: By the end of the episode, David has put too

681
00:39:59,520 --> 00:40:02,839
Speaker 1: much on the line. The choice between marching with Gaff

682
00:40:03,160 --> 00:40:06,240
Speaker 1: or refusing isn't as simple as it seems. If David

683
00:40:06,280 --> 00:40:09,160
Speaker 1: fights with Akish, he will be killing his own countrymen

684
00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:12,799
Speaker 1: and subjugating his own people. However, if he refuses to

685
00:40:12,840 --> 00:40:16,120
Speaker 1: march against Israel, his lives will be exposed and Akish

686
00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:19,319
Speaker 1: will kill him, his men, and their families. You see

687
00:40:19,320 --> 00:40:22,799
Speaker 1: how complicated the problem has become. David is faced with

688
00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:26,880
Speaker 1: two devastating options. This is an important theme in scripture

689
00:40:26,920 --> 00:40:29,880
Speaker 1: and in life. Not every decision is a choice between

690
00:40:29,880 --> 00:40:33,359
Speaker 1: good and bad. Wouldn't that be easy? If everything were

691
00:40:33,360 --> 00:40:36,880
Speaker 1: a matter between choosing a clearly wrong path versus a

692
00:40:36,920 --> 00:40:42,000
Speaker 1: clearly right path, then life would be a lot less complicated. No,

693
00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:46,440
Speaker 1: The decisions we make are often choices between two equally

694
00:40:46,480 --> 00:40:51,080
Speaker 1: bad options or equally good options. This is when desernment

695
00:40:51,160 --> 00:40:55,400
Speaker 1: and wisdom are most needed. David is paralyzed by the

696
00:40:55,440 --> 00:40:59,480
Speaker 1: idea of marching against his own people, yet unable to

697
00:40:59,520 --> 00:41:02,920
Speaker 1: refuse Sikish. There is a brief moment when David becomes

698
00:41:03,000 --> 00:41:07,360
Speaker 1: like Saul. The prely reminded us that Saul's mind was

699
00:41:07,520 --> 00:41:12,120
Speaker 1: dark and chaotic. Years of compromise and prideful decisions caused

700
00:41:12,160 --> 00:41:14,720
Speaker 1: Saul to be closed off to the voice of God,

701
00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:18,240
Speaker 1: and now, in the midst of turmoil and lies, David

702
00:41:18,239 --> 00:41:22,920
Speaker 1: finds himself in the same position. Without clear guidance, David

703
00:41:22,960 --> 00:41:27,160
Speaker 1: takes his men to march against Israel. David doesn't necessarily

704
00:41:27,200 --> 00:41:30,040
Speaker 1: plan to actually fight Israel. His plan is to go

705
00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:32,920
Speaker 1: with Akish and trust that the Lord will cover his sins.

706
00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:36,080
Speaker 1: It isn't a well thought our plan, but I guess

707
00:41:36,080 --> 00:41:38,640
Speaker 1: it is David's planning that got him into this mess

708
00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:42,640
Speaker 1: in the first place. The once bold hero follows the

709
00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:46,120
Speaker 1: Philistines with his head held low, but God's grace is

710
00:41:46,160 --> 00:41:50,080
Speaker 1: close behind him. David wrote in Psalm twenty three, Surely

711
00:41:50,160 --> 00:41:52,759
Speaker 1: goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of

712
00:41:52,760 --> 00:41:56,600
Speaker 1: my life. This is definitely the case for David, who

713
00:41:56,680 --> 00:41:59,920
Speaker 1: is asked to leave the battle rather than participate in it.

714
00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:05,400
Speaker 1: Through God's providence and grace, David doesn't have to fight Israel.

715
00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:08,759
Speaker 1: The other Philistine kings don't trust him, so David gets

716
00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:12,320
Speaker 1: to leave and maintain the trust of King Agish. Christ

717
00:42:12,400 --> 00:42:16,479
Speaker 1: is averted right wrong. We should know better by now.

718
00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:21,320
Speaker 1: Remember the themes we explored in episode ten Lives have unseen

719
00:42:21,440 --> 00:42:25,000
Speaker 1: ripple effects. There is no way of prescribing how our

720
00:42:25,040 --> 00:42:29,680
Speaker 1: dishonesty can affect the future. In our next episode, David

721
00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:33,800
Speaker 1: sees those ripple effects and is forced to take action. However,

722
00:42:33,880 --> 00:42:36,800
Speaker 1: heroes are often forwards in the fire of their mistakes.

723
00:42:37,360 --> 00:42:40,120
Speaker 1: Will David learn from his mistakes and make things right

724
00:42:40,719 --> 00:42:42,960
Speaker 1: or will the pressure be too much for him to bear?

725
00:42:43,680 --> 00:42:47,640
Speaker 1: Find out next time in episode sixteen, Heart of a Shepherd.

726
00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:52,080
Speaker 1: Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers

727
00:42:52,120 --> 00:42:55,480
Speaker 1: and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.

728
00:42:55,680 --> 00:42:59,400
Speaker 1: And to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download

729
00:42:59,440 --> 00:43:03,200
Speaker 1: the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.

730
00:43:03,320 --> 00:43:07,400
Speaker 1: Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with a family member

731
00:43:07,480 --> 00:43:11,200
Speaker 1: or friend and help us spread God's word. God bless