“So David hid himself in the countryside. When Rosh-Hodesh came, the king sat down to eat his meal. The king sat at his usual place by the wall. Y’honatan stood up, and Avner sat next to Sha’ul, but David’s place was empty. However, Sha’ul didn’t say anything that day; because he thought, ‘Something has happened to him, he is unclean. Yes, that’s it, he isn’t clean.’”-1 Samuel 20:24-27
It was time for the ROSH CHODESH festivities to begin.
Saul arrived at the banquet and sat down at the head of the table at the seat reserved only for royalty.
Since Saul’s back was facing the wall, he was protected from sneak attacks from behind, and his seat allowed for a bird’s eye view of the entire room.
Next, Saul’s chief general, Abner showed up and sat next to Saul.
Abner was Saul’s bodyguard.
His seat symbolized his authority and status as the number two top dog in the kingdom.
Now, what’s interesting is Saul didn’t seem to care that David hadn’t shown up.
Recording his private thoughts, the Scripture says Saul assumed David must have been in an unclean state and that’s why he couldn’t partake of the “holy” meal.
Alrighty, let’s stop here for a couple of quiz questions that’ll test your understanding of the Torah.
QUIZ QUESTION ONE:
When Saul assumed David must have been ritually unclean, what is the Hebrew word used to describe that state?
QUIZ QUESTION TWO:
What is the Hebrew term used to refer to the opposite state of being ritually unclean?
QUIZ QUESTION THREE:
How are Saul’s thoughts evidence of just how distorted the practice of the Torah commandments had become at this time in Israel?
And that’s it, folks!
Lemme know your answers in the comments, and we’ll go over the answers the next time we meet.
Shabbat Shalom from Tokyo, Japan.
I beg to attempt the questions without looking them up.
1. Unchodesh
2. Chodesh
3. Moral degration;
– Saul is thinking bad of his neighbour(of being unclean).
– He is plotting in his heart to harm his neighbour while partaking the Holy ceremony.
Following from Kisumu, Kenya. Greet for me those Japanese, they make very powerful machines for our poor African roads. I love them though I don’t own one. Do they embrace messianic faith? 😊
Nice try George. Check out today’s post which is live now.
Actually, here’s the link: https://messianic-revolution.com/1s20-14-why-christmas-and-easter-are-not-holy-holidays-and-never-will-be/
Hello Pastor,
I have a question that has been bugging me for a while now. And its that if God PREDETERMINES everything that will happen, , then do people really have a choice, for eg: Judas, according to God’s word someone has to betray HIM, in order to fulfill the prophecy, so does Judas really have a choice? It seems as though there is really nothing he could do.
First, I’m NOT a pastor, I’m just a layperson who has a love of Scripture…
Second, to answer your question, I don’t necessarily believe God predetermines everything…
I believe He has given us free will…
However, I do believe He possesses 100% foreknowledge…
He knows every action and every decision we will make in the future…
And uses that supernatural understanding to bring about His Will in every situation…
Judas acted of his own accord when he betrayed Yeshua…
God knew what Judas would do beforehand, and used that foreknowledge to bring about His Will…
Yet God did not force or coerce Judah…
Again, Judah freely chose his actions and paid the eternal consequences for them.
See what I mean?
In like manner, I believe every one of us will pay the eternal consequences in terms of what we will do with God’s son…
Will we accept him or reject him?
This is definitely a difficult topic, and one I can’t be dogmatic about.
Be blessed.