1 Samuel 14
Jonathon Defeats the Philistines
One day, Jonathon, son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines garrison on the other side." But did not tell (avoided influence) his father. Saul was in the outskirts of Gibeah (peak) in the pomegranate (desire) cave at Migron (overthrown). The people with him were 600 hundred men, including Ahijah (relation to Christ awareness), son of Ahitub (truth concept), Ichabod's (feeling defeat) brother, son of Phinehas (spiritual revelation), son of Eli (intellect), the priest of the Lord in Shiloh (contentment), wearing an ephod (seek answers). And the people did not know Jonathon (loving soul) had gone. Within the passes, by which Jonathon had sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on one side and the other. The name of the one was Bozez (fear that I cannot), and the other was Seneh (fear that I dare not). One rise on the north in front of Michmash (desire) and other on the south in front of Geba (high consciousness from faith).
Our self will gets so consumed by this constant pursuit of desire that it reaches a peak, where it no longer provides what once seemed fulfilling. Contented intellect guided by the Holy Spirit reveals our defeat while truth unfolds allowing us to become conscious of our connection with Christ and a need for resolve. When we practice the type of faith that brings about a higher consciousness, we never quite feel prepared for it. In order to overcome this overwhelming obstacle, we must first face fears that either place doubt in our abilities or that we lack the necessary courage to persevere.
Jonathon (substance within the soul) said to the young man who carried his armor (awareness of God's protection), "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised (impure). It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few. And his armor-bearer said to him, ""Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul." Then Jonathon said, "Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. But if they say, 'Come up to us', then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us." So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews (Godly ideas) are coming out of the holes (unexpected) where they have hidden themselves." And the men of the garrison hailed (response to courage) Jonathon and his armor-bearer and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you a thing (perception)." And Jonathon said to his armor-bearer, "Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand (executive ability) of Israel (to prevail)." Then Jonathon climbed up on his hands and feet (understanding based on substance), and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathon, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. And that first strike, which Jonathon and his armor-bearer made, killed about 20 men within as it were half a furrow's length (implant spiritual substance) in an acre of land (foundation for the body of Christ). And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked (judgement), and it became a very great panic (disorientated).
A higher form of consciousness is reached, when it has direct contact to the Spirit. It's natural preference is drawn to that which is divine. In this state, our abilities are enhanced. We walk with the armor of God. We seek to remove that which is not divine. We hope in the Lord. We affirm his unstoppable salvation, independent of cause. In return, we feel his strength, courage, and guidance. Not yet realizing what response to expect, we must face it in hopes to gain our ability and enhance our faith. In doing so, divine suggestion is revealed unexpectedly. In response to our courage, an opportunity to gain perception. We once again affirm our trust that God has given us the ability to prevail. With wisdom and strength, along with God's armor, the difficulty is overcome. With perception gained, we experience the initial clash between opposing ideas, resulting in judgment and an outward expression of fear.
And the watchmen (cognition) of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin (height in faith) looked and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. Then Saul said to the people (thoughts) who were with him, "Count and see who has gone from us." And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. So Saul said to Ahijah (open-minded), "Bring the ark (vulnerable) of God here." For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel (prevail). While Saul was talking to the priest (love), the tumult (rage) in the camp (warlike) of Philistines (foreign to the Spirit) increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand (response)." Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword (resistance) was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. Now the Hebrews (belonging) who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites (illumined) who were with Saul (self facilitated will) and Jonathan (desire for the Spirit). Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill ( country (detachment) of Ephraim (prepared) heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven (emptiness).
Once we recognize this anxiety, we scramble to recognize what's different. When we realize that what might provide us a sense of security is not available, we lose focus and seek love where (in this story), it cannot be obtained. We become disconnected from the source that guides us towards the spirit and become overwhelmed. Our self will relinquishes control, leaving us disoriented. Our thought life develops and we experience a sense of belonging and realization. What was once a sense of detachment, turns into collected thoughts. We expose these differences and distinguish what should not belong and eliminate them all. Development by salvation.
Saul's Rash View
And the men (governance) of Israel (prevailing) had been hard pressed that day (understanding), so Saul had laid an oath on the people (thoughts) say, "Cursed be the man who eats (affirms) food (mental) until it is evening (ignorant) and I am avenged (suffer) on my enemies (derived falsities)." So none of the people had tasted food. Now when all the people came to the forest, behold there was honey on the ground. And when the people entered the forest (testing), behold the honey (delight) was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth (gain entrance into the heart), for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip (small) of the staff (support) that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes (darkness) became bright (illumined). Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint. Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled (shame) the land (consciousness). See how my eyes have become bright (peaked) because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely (accepting) today of the spoil (partake) of their enemies (derived falsities) that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great."
At this point, we are consumed, by this newly established and organized thought collective. Before it has a chance to reveal our familiar self enforced perspective insists that we reject our recently established mentality, until it loses it's significance and is discarded, or it will cause us harm. So we set it aside. until a desire to be satisfied appears, which does not always associate well to our self-righteousness. We used but a fraction of support and responded to this desire to open our heart and became illumined. A thought crosses our mind that we made a mistake and as a result became disoriented. We give in to pleasure, justified that our consciousness suffered from self induced shame. That by sampling we experienced pleasure in it and that we could have had even more pleasure, had we participated in what was thought to be wrong, instead feeling unsatisfied.
They struck down (self-inflicted) the Philistines (sense desires) that day from Michmash (lustful desire) to Aijalon (reflect), and the people (thoughts) were very faint (emptiness). The people pounced (unexpectedly) on the spoil (participated) and took sheep (open-mind) and oxen (willingness) and calves (honesty) and slaughtered them on the ground (spiritual substance). And the people ate (associate) them with the blood (essence) . Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating (affirming) with the blood (essence)." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here." And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, 'Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people (thoughts) brought his ox (willingness)with him that night (ignorance) and they slaughtered (giving up) from there. And Saul built an altar (preference of good versus bad) to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
By giving in to lust, we feel a sense of emptiness. Any attempt to resist, was quickly rejected. Following this act, we do not feel the results inviting to our soul, and it shows in our countenance. When judgment appears, we attempt an open mind and willingness to sin and accept it's influence in our soul. Our response cannot be open-minded, instead a willful lack of understanding. We give in. We then turn it over to God.
Then Saul (self-motive) said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night (ignorance) and plunder them until the morning light (intelligence); let us not leave a man (idea of divine mind) of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." (absence of God) But the Priest (religious tendencies) said, "Let us draw near to God here." And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day (understand). And Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan (desire) my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. Then he said to all Israel, "You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." Therefore Saul said, "O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day?" If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim (revealed). But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim (truth)." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken.
While still resting in guilt, misguided perception may lead us to make uninformed decisions, assuming that all will be well in the morning. We unknowingly oppose beneficial ideas, entirely. The result is a surrender to self will. We instinctively ask God if we should pursue this conflict, thus allowing our consciousness to perform executive ability over our body. Nothing was gained (in this case). We then focus our thoughts around the cause of guilt. Our conscience weighs heavily on this choice by ignorance and the impact that our selfishness has in it. Nothing to oppose, except our thoughts themselves. We choose to protect that which connected us to pleasure; gained by ignorance of the rules. We earnestly pray that if our will is to blame, reveal it, else gain truth in our thoughts. Our will is revealed. By turning it over to God's will, we are liberated from this desire and what initiated an external act of affection.
Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die." And Saul said, "God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan." Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
It is revealed to our conscience that sampling in forbidden places has consequences. We own up to it. Realizing our part, we painfully accept full responsibility, willingly. Our thoughts turn, questioning whether the consequences determined by 1 wrong act outweigh the contributing efforts in other areas. With a clear conscience, we accept what was gained, by the revelation of truth. As a result, all is settled.
Saul Fights Israel's Enemies
When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab (negligence from ignorance), against the Ammonites (state resulting from ignorant thoughts), against Edom (physical phase of ignorance), against the kings (executive faculty) of Zobah (fixed error state), and against the Philistines (sense desires). Wherever he turned he routed them. And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites (appetites from lust) and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
Our personal will earnestly continues this personal battle against lust; along with the negligence, mindsets, expressions, dominant triggers, fixed ideas, and primordial senses. Whenever these difficulties arise, we will drive them away. We will bravely abstain from these vices and prevail from the grip they have on us.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan (human love guided by spirit), Ishvi (assignment), Malchi-Shua (stubborn self will). And the names of his 2 daughters were these:firstborn Merab (intelligence by outer), and younger Michal (intuition). And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam (demonstration) the daughter of Ahimaaz (spiritual intuition). And the name of the commander of his army was Abner (illumined reasoning) the son of Ner (enlightenment), Saul's uncle. Kish (stubborn) was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel (Godly thoughts).
We reach a state where all the cards have been placed on the table. Here we reveal the collective influence of self will. Intuition between love and active faith along with comprehensive intelligence. A spiritual intuition that produces action. Illuminated logic stemming from higher sources of enlightenment and inspiration. All centered in a strong stubborn self will.
There was hard fighting against the Philistines (opposition to divine) all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man (ideas), or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
This losing war we wage in opposition to what is Godly, results in a desperate attempt to salvage resources and maintain control.
How this speaks to me...
This amazes me. I believe we read scripture either the way that God tells it to us in a way that speaks to us or (and hopefully not) by ourselves, which could direct us any number of ways.
I can honestly say that I can relate to everything this chapter covers. I think this chapter speaks louder than any, so far, and may possibly have something to do with this chapter taking a week in itself.
I see lust as a form of addiction. It starts out exciting, pleasurable, and fun. There comes a point when there is a realization of guilt. Then self-inflicted judgment along with shame. We step away only to return, because of a moment's pleasure it might bring. Once we truly want to get away from it, God's work can start to be seen. We may have fear about not having it anymore, because we attached a value in it. In the end, is all about control. The first thing that made a huge difference was to rid myself of self-judgment. I am not perfect and changing overnight is likely impossible for most. Do I trust God to truly provide everything I need and patiently lean towards a better path. It may take awhile, but eventually it will lose it's power and I can be free to work on other areas of myself, while keeping guard.
One day, Jonathon, son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines garrison on the other side." But did not tell (avoided influence) his father. Saul was in the outskirts of Gibeah (peak) in the pomegranate (desire) cave at Migron (overthrown). The people with him were 600 hundred men, including Ahijah (relation to Christ awareness), son of Ahitub (truth concept), Ichabod's (feeling defeat) brother, son of Phinehas (spiritual revelation), son of Eli (intellect), the priest of the Lord in Shiloh (contentment), wearing an ephod (seek answers). And the people did not know Jonathon (loving soul) had gone. Within the passes, by which Jonathon had sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on one side and the other. The name of the one was Bozez (fear that I cannot), and the other was Seneh (fear that I dare not). One rise on the north in front of Michmash (desire) and other on the south in front of Geba (high consciousness from faith).
Jonathon (substance within the soul) said to the young man who carried his armor (awareness of God's protection), "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised (impure). It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few. And his armor-bearer said to him, ""Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul." Then Jonathon said, "Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. But if they say, 'Come up to us', then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us." So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews (Godly ideas) are coming out of the holes (unexpected) where they have hidden themselves." And the men of the garrison hailed (response to courage) Jonathon and his armor-bearer and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you a thing (perception)." And Jonathon said to his armor-bearer, "Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand (executive ability) of Israel (to prevail)." Then Jonathon climbed up on his hands and feet (understanding based on substance), and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathon, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. And that first strike, which Jonathon and his armor-bearer made, killed about 20 men within as it were half a furrow's length (implant spiritual substance) in an acre of land (foundation for the body of Christ). And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked (judgement), and it became a very great panic (disorientated).
A higher form of consciousness is reached, when it has direct contact to the Spirit. It's natural preference is drawn to that which is divine. In this state, our abilities are enhanced. We walk with the armor of God. We seek to remove that which is not divine. We hope in the Lord. We affirm his unstoppable salvation, independent of cause. In return, we feel his strength, courage, and guidance. Not yet realizing what response to expect, we must face it in hopes to gain our ability and enhance our faith. In doing so, divine suggestion is revealed unexpectedly. In response to our courage, an opportunity to gain perception. We once again affirm our trust that God has given us the ability to prevail. With wisdom and strength, along with God's armor, the difficulty is overcome. With perception gained, we experience the initial clash between opposing ideas, resulting in judgment and an outward expression of fear.
And the watchmen (cognition) of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin (height in faith) looked and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. Then Saul said to the people (thoughts) who were with him, "Count and see who has gone from us." And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. So Saul said to Ahijah (open-minded), "Bring the ark (vulnerable) of God here." For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel (prevail). While Saul was talking to the priest (love), the tumult (rage) in the camp (warlike) of Philistines (foreign to the Spirit) increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand (response)." Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword (resistance) was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. Now the Hebrews (belonging) who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites (illumined) who were with Saul (self facilitated will) and Jonathan (desire for the Spirit). Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill ( country (detachment) of Ephraim (prepared) heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven (emptiness).
Once we recognize this anxiety, we scramble to recognize what's different. When we realize that what might provide us a sense of security is not available, we lose focus and seek love where (in this story), it cannot be obtained. We become disconnected from the source that guides us towards the spirit and become overwhelmed. Our self will relinquishes control, leaving us disoriented. Our thought life develops and we experience a sense of belonging and realization. What was once a sense of detachment, turns into collected thoughts. We expose these differences and distinguish what should not belong and eliminate them all. Development by salvation.
Saul's Rash View
And the men (governance) of Israel (prevailing) had been hard pressed that day (understanding), so Saul had laid an oath on the people (thoughts) say, "Cursed be the man who eats (affirms) food (mental) until it is evening (ignorant) and I am avenged (suffer) on my enemies (derived falsities)." So none of the people had tasted food. Now when all the people came to the forest, behold there was honey on the ground. And when the people entered the forest (testing), behold the honey (delight) was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth (gain entrance into the heart), for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip (small) of the staff (support) that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes (darkness) became bright (illumined). Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint. Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled (shame) the land (consciousness). See how my eyes have become bright (peaked) because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely (accepting) today of the spoil (partake) of their enemies (derived falsities) that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great."
At this point, we are consumed, by this newly established and organized thought collective. Before it has a chance to reveal our familiar self enforced perspective insists that we reject our recently established mentality, until it loses it's significance and is discarded, or it will cause us harm. So we set it aside. until a desire to be satisfied appears, which does not always associate well to our self-righteousness. We used but a fraction of support and responded to this desire to open our heart and became illumined. A thought crosses our mind that we made a mistake and as a result became disoriented. We give in to pleasure, justified that our consciousness suffered from self induced shame. That by sampling we experienced pleasure in it and that we could have had even more pleasure, had we participated in what was thought to be wrong, instead feeling unsatisfied.
They struck down (self-inflicted) the Philistines (sense desires) that day from Michmash (lustful desire) to Aijalon (reflect), and the people (thoughts) were very faint (emptiness). The people pounced (unexpectedly) on the spoil (participated) and took sheep (open-mind) and oxen (willingness) and calves (honesty) and slaughtered them on the ground (spiritual substance). And the people ate (associate) them with the blood (essence) . Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating (affirming) with the blood (essence)." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here." And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, 'Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people (thoughts) brought his ox (willingness)with him that night (ignorance) and they slaughtered (giving up) from there. And Saul built an altar (preference of good versus bad) to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
By giving in to lust, we feel a sense of emptiness. Any attempt to resist, was quickly rejected. Following this act, we do not feel the results inviting to our soul, and it shows in our countenance. When judgment appears, we attempt an open mind and willingness to sin and accept it's influence in our soul. Our response cannot be open-minded, instead a willful lack of understanding. We give in. We then turn it over to God.
Then Saul (self-motive) said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night (ignorance) and plunder them until the morning light (intelligence); let us not leave a man (idea of divine mind) of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." (absence of God) But the Priest (religious tendencies) said, "Let us draw near to God here." And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day (understand). And Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan (desire) my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. Then he said to all Israel, "You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." Therefore Saul said, "O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day?" If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim (revealed). But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim (truth)." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken.
While still resting in guilt, misguided perception may lead us to make uninformed decisions, assuming that all will be well in the morning. We unknowingly oppose beneficial ideas, entirely. The result is a surrender to self will. We instinctively ask God if we should pursue this conflict, thus allowing our consciousness to perform executive ability over our body. Nothing was gained (in this case). We then focus our thoughts around the cause of guilt. Our conscience weighs heavily on this choice by ignorance and the impact that our selfishness has in it. Nothing to oppose, except our thoughts themselves. We choose to protect that which connected us to pleasure; gained by ignorance of the rules. We earnestly pray that if our will is to blame, reveal it, else gain truth in our thoughts. Our will is revealed. By turning it over to God's will, we are liberated from this desire and what initiated an external act of affection.
Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die." And Saul said, "God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan." Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
It is revealed to our conscience that sampling in forbidden places has consequences. We own up to it. Realizing our part, we painfully accept full responsibility, willingly. Our thoughts turn, questioning whether the consequences determined by 1 wrong act outweigh the contributing efforts in other areas. With a clear conscience, we accept what was gained, by the revelation of truth. As a result, all is settled.
Saul Fights Israel's Enemies
When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab (negligence from ignorance), against the Ammonites (state resulting from ignorant thoughts), against Edom (physical phase of ignorance), against the kings (executive faculty) of Zobah (fixed error state), and against the Philistines (sense desires). Wherever he turned he routed them. And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites (appetites from lust) and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
Our personal will earnestly continues this personal battle against lust; along with the negligence, mindsets, expressions, dominant triggers, fixed ideas, and primordial senses. Whenever these difficulties arise, we will drive them away. We will bravely abstain from these vices and prevail from the grip they have on us.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan (human love guided by spirit), Ishvi (assignment), Malchi-Shua (stubborn self will). And the names of his 2 daughters were these:firstborn Merab (intelligence by outer), and younger Michal (intuition). And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam (demonstration) the daughter of Ahimaaz (spiritual intuition). And the name of the commander of his army was Abner (illumined reasoning) the son of Ner (enlightenment), Saul's uncle. Kish (stubborn) was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel (Godly thoughts).
We reach a state where all the cards have been placed on the table. Here we reveal the collective influence of self will. Intuition between love and active faith along with comprehensive intelligence. A spiritual intuition that produces action. Illuminated logic stemming from higher sources of enlightenment and inspiration. All centered in a strong stubborn self will.
There was hard fighting against the Philistines (opposition to divine) all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man (ideas), or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
This losing war we wage in opposition to what is Godly, results in a desperate attempt to salvage resources and maintain control.
How this speaks to me...
This amazes me. I believe we read scripture either the way that God tells it to us in a way that speaks to us or (and hopefully not) by ourselves, which could direct us any number of ways.
I can honestly say that I can relate to everything this chapter covers. I think this chapter speaks louder than any, so far, and may possibly have something to do with this chapter taking a week in itself.
I see lust as a form of addiction. It starts out exciting, pleasurable, and fun. There comes a point when there is a realization of guilt. Then self-inflicted judgment along with shame. We step away only to return, because of a moment's pleasure it might bring. Once we truly want to get away from it, God's work can start to be seen. We may have fear about not having it anymore, because we attached a value in it. In the end, is all about control. The first thing that made a huge difference was to rid myself of self-judgment. I am not perfect and changing overnight is likely impossible for most. Do I trust God to truly provide everything I need and patiently lean towards a better path. It may take awhile, but eventually it will lose it's power and I can be free to work on other areas of myself, while keeping guard.
