January 6, 2001
What is in the heart will come out; Saul's hardness for rejecting the word of the Lord continues to increase, and he becomes more intent on the murder of David. All pretense is now gone from Saul, and he openly tells his son and servants to kill David.
Though he thinks he is protecting the throne for him and his family, actually he has placed himself under the control of the evil spirit of anger and malice.
Matthew Henry's opening comment here is worth repeating:
Immediately after David's marriage, which one would have hoped would secure him Saul's affection, we find his troubles coming upon him faster than ever and Saul's enmity to him the cause of all. His death was vowed, and four fair escapes of his from the hurtful sword of Saul we have an account of in this chapter: the first by the prudent mediation of Jonathan (#1Sa 19:1-7), the second by his own quickness (#1Sa 19:8-10), the third by Michal's fidelity (#1Sa 19:11-17), the fourth by Samuel's protection, and a change, for the present, wrought upon Saul, #1Sa 19:18-24. Thus God has many ways of preserving his people. Providence is never at a loss.
Vv. 1-7, JONATHAN DISCLOSES HIS FATHER'S PURPOSE TO KILL DAVID.
V. 1, the previous chapter ends by telling how much the servants respected David, yet now they are ready and willing to kill him without a word of protest.
Their actions raise this question:
1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Rom. 13.)
Does this mean that the servants were required by God to kill David because the higher powers wanted David dead? Saul was placed in his position by the Lord—does that mean he is to be followed, no matter where he leads?
Note also how fickle men are—at a moment's notice, they can go from praise to murder. Every pastor has had men stand up and tell how much they love the pastor and how thankful they are for him, yet the next week the same men leave the church or do all they can to undermine the pastor. I not only saw it take place where I was associate pastor, but I have had it happen more times than I care to count to me. The very people who will speak praises in a testimony meeting will, far too often, be the ones to leave over some minor disagreement.
Furthermore, it seems that Saul gave this order to all present at the time. Jonathan protested, but not in public.
Disagreement with authority should be voiced in private if at all possible, particularly disagreements within a family. Also, it is next to useless to argue with one who controlled by an angry spirit.
Saul's situation sure reminds me of the Clinton years, 1992-2000. He had an amazing number of dead bodies around him. It seems that everyone who had any threat against his place of power showed up dead. (See Clinton's Body Count at the end of this study.)
Observe the evil of the time: The king, Saul, openly attempts to kill someone whom he sees as a threat to his power. We speak of our wicked leadership, and well we should, but even Clinton's reputation for murder is not as bad as was Saul's: Saul openly pursued a righteous man, David, where all the nation could see his evil intentions. He did not try to hide his murderous efforts, as Clinton has done. In fact, Saul even killed a godly priest:
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. 18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. (1 Sam. 22.)
Though the massacre of godly men is common overseas, it is not in this country, yet. But Saul openly did this evil for all the nation to see and know about.
Let me mention that David almost fell into Saul's murderous trap when he wanted to kill Naboth. Only Naboth's wife talked David out of the evil deed.
V. 2, the very one who should have felt the most threatened by David, the heir-apparent, is the one who warned David. He told David of his father's determination to kill him, and not to be surprise if the attempt was made the next morning. He told David to hide himself, or he would be dead. He wanted David to hide himself close enough that he could keep track of what was going on between himself and his dad, King Saul. "A friend in need is a friend in deed."
V. 3, Jonathan was going to find out what his father's plans were against David, and warn David accordingly.
Jonathan was not betraying his father, but protecting his friend.
1 Samuel 18:1-4, Jonathan had made a covenant with David. And now it was either keep the covenant and depart from his father, or follow his father and break the covenant. He chose to honour his agreement with David.
Folks will make all kinds of agreements when things are looking good—David had killed Goliath, and the king was honouring David. Who would not like to make a covenant with David? But now the king is openly trying to kill David. Will the agreement hold? It did, but how many do not when the circumstances change?
1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Ps. 15.)
Many years later and long after Jonathan was gone, David also kept the agreement with a son of Jonathan.
However, Jonathan was required by God's law to warn David of the evil intentions to murder him, agreement or no:
1 ¶ And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. (Leviticus 5.)
16 ¶ But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. (Ps. 50.)
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Rom. 1.)
In other words, if we know of an evil plot against someone, we are responsible to warn that person. (There are many more verses which tell us to report the evil doer. See my notes in Lev. 5:1-4, from which my short study on swearing [SS class] is taken.)
V. 4, Jonathan spake good of David to the one intent on killing David, probably at the risk of his own life. (20:32, 37.) A true friend will speak only good of a friend; how far out on a limb will we go for our friends? Of course, this friend was David, and who could not speak good of him? But he was also a threat to Jonathan's place on the throne.
How many times have we kept quite when we should have spoken good about the Son of David?
David's works for Saul had been only good, yet Saul was determined to kill him.
To render evil for evil is brutish; but to render evil for good is devilish. (Trapp)
V. 5, Jonathan recounts the good David had done for his father, the king. David jeopardized his own life, and the Lord delivered Israel .
V. 6, Saul listened to his son, and sware that he would not harm David. However, an oath meant nothing to Saul, for he soon departed from it.
Observe:
1) Saul, evidently, spoke as he thought—better put, spoke without thinking. Being a mad man, his thinking changed quickly, and so did his words and actions.
2) Or, Saul said what others wanted to hear him say, so he could accomplish his goal of doing away with David.
3) There are many who "repent" when confronted with facts, yet they have NO change of heart, e.g., Saul. How many churches have large attendances based upon the play upon the emotions rather than genuine conversions of the heart?
4) Those who can be easily persuaded to give their word may just as easily change it when the ‘chips are down,' or when it comes time to fulfill their word.
3) & 4), in other words, oaths or commitments made from the emotions rather than convictions may last only as long as the emotions last. So be careful in giving our word and careful when taking the word of others.
V. 7, David is restored.
Vv. 8-10 (Vv. 8-17, SAUL'S MALICIOUS RAGE BREAKS OUT AGAINST
DAVID.)
I. David continues his good services to his king and country.
Though Saul had requited him evil for good, and even his usefulness
was the very thing for which Saul envied him, yet he did not therefore
retire in sullenness and decline public service. Those that are
ill paid for doing good, yet must not be weary of well doing,
remembering what a bountiful benefactor our heavenly Father is,
even to the froward and unthankful... (MH)
Point well made. How many of us would return to the service of someone who had tried to kill us even one time, let alone several times? In fact, few will return to serve someone who has offended in the slightest. But this was where the Lord had David, and he could not leave until he was driven away.
V. 8, war with the Philistines came upon the nation again, and David led very successful campaigns against the Philistines. In fact, the Philistines fled from David.
V. 9, the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul... This statement follows the statement that the Philistines fled in fear from David. Thus we see implied that Saul was terribly jealous of David's victory, especially over the fact that the Philistines fled from him. Everything David did confirmed that the Lord was with him. And thus Saul saw every victory of David as proof that God was with David, and would soon give the throne to David, as Saul had been told about by Samuel. His sin against the word of God delivered him to unnecessary envy and jealousy. And his envy and jealousy made him very insecure, determined to kill David.
Though the Philistines had fled in fear of David in battle, David still played with his hand to sooth Saul's troubled mind. Though exalted in men's eyes, nothing was below him.
Note how many times we are told that David's playing soothed the evil spirit, 4.
Moreover, the thing that should have cheered Saul's heart, David's victory in Saul's name, troubled him even more.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12.)
A thousand years before Paul wrote those words, David acted them out:
1) He abhored evil.
2) He preferred Jonathan above himself.
3) He was not slothful, though being in the king's court, he could
have been.
4) He was fervent, served the Lord, patient in tribulation, and
continued in prayer.
5) He blessed Saul with his music, though Saul persecuted him.
6) He condescended as he played the music, though he was the hero
of the battles.
7) He was not conceited—lifted up with pride—though
he was the hero.
8) He refused to repay Saul's evil with evil.
9) He was honest in all things in the sight of all men.
10) He sought to live peaceably with his enemies, except when
it came to fighting the Lord's battles; he killed the Philistines.
11) He avoided avenging himself, refused to allow wrath to dwell
in him, and placed the outcome—vengeance—in the Lord's
hands.
12) He, at every turn, returned good for evil, regardless of the
source of that evil. He overcame evil with good.
V. 10, David trusted Saul's word that he would not attempt to kill him again. But Saul's troubled mind got the best of him, and he again attempted to kill David. But David slipped away into the night. Saul shows the wickedness of the unconverted, and thus uncontrolled, mind without the grace of God.
So little trust or truth is there in the envious. (Trapp.)
Saul's evil intentions and actions must be traced to his rejection of the word of the Lord delivered twice to him by Samuel. The root of Saul's mental problem was the sin of rejecting the Lord. Music could only cover it over so long.
One of the major complaints folks have had against me since I have been in leadership position (associate pastor and pastor, 25 years) has been that to me things are black or white. When someone has come to me for help, I try to get them to face up to whatever sin might be underneath their current problems, e.g., Saul.
The result has been that few folks want to be confronted with where they might be contrary to the word of God, and what they must do to correct that sin; as Saul, they would rather have soothing words (music) that will help them cover over the problem. I have spoken with more than one pastor who has faced the same problem; people go to churches for the soothing music (messages), so they do not have to confront where they rejected the word of God.
Personal:
When we discovered cancer with Carol, we started doing some investigation (but it was too late by the time the cancer was recognized), and we found that mercury poisoning can cause serious mental as well as physical problems. Since that time, I have met many folks who are in very bad emotional and physical conditions because of heavy metals in their system. (I met one lady who could not get out of bed by herself because of the mercury toxicity in her system (from sea food). I met another lady who has been unable to work as an airline stewardess for 6 months or so because the toxicity has effected her ability to think. It now takes her many days just to read a chapter in a book, and then she cannot remember what she read. I met a man who works for UPS—though able to continue working, he was unable to talk because of the mercury toxicity; his insurance was paying to have the mercury removed.)
After my experience with Carol and her cancer, one of the first things I would urge people to do who are having emotional and/or physical problems is to have their system checked for toxicity.
Heavy metals were not something to be concerned about until the industrial revolution. But since, they are a serious problem in our modern society.
I have found it quite distressing the way the medical profession looks at mercury. A high school science class last spring (‘99) broke a thermometer with mercury in it, and the hazardous waste disposal team was called in to clean it up. A spot of mercury was found in a package handling area at the Indianapolis Airport last summer (‘99), and it made the evening news. Yet mercury is commonly used to fill teeth, and has been for years. Many dentists will consider you strange if you demand that no metals be used in your mouth, including mercury fillings. But mercury fillings create good job security in the medical profession. They make more money misdiagnosing the problem, and prescribing high price drugs to cover over the results, as they did with the airline stewardess for five years.
Some symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, particularly mercury, which is the most common.
Irritability – Anxiety/nervousness, often with breathing difficulty – Restlessness – Exaggerated response to stimulation – Fearfulness – Emotional Insatiability – Lack of self control – Fits of anger, with violent, irrational behavior – Loss of self confidence – Indecision – Shyness or timidity, easily embarrassed – Loss of memory – Inability to concentrate – Lethargy/drowsiness – Insomnia – Chronic headaches – Thyroid disturbance – Arthritis – Abnormal blood pressure – Manic-depression – Hearing/speech/breathing difficulties – Depression, despondency – Numbness, tingling of hands, feet, etc. – Bleeding gums – Multiple Sclerosis – Speech/visual impairment – Respiratory problems. (This list, and many more symptoms to numerous to mention, of classical toxicity disturbances was compiled after years of careful research by Sam Queen - from his book, The IV-C Mercury Tox Program. See MO file, Saul-mad for complete treatment of this idea.)
However, we must be careful in discerning the true cause of the individual's distress — toxicity or sin? We must not give the sinner a way out, nor give the physically distressed no hope.
Again, I have encountered folks who would rather deal with the emotional distresses with "Christian" music and entertainment as well as drugs than look at it as a genuine medical problem, toxicity. Sadly, insurance companies seldom pay the expense to deal with it other than with expensive prescription drugs.
At every turn, we are confronted with Ephesians 4 in action:
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.
Saul's wrath against David, motivated by envy and jealousy, invited the devil to work in him. Saul's jealousy and fear made him torment himself, to where he could not even sit in his house without a javelin in his hand.
Divine Providence protects David.
Vv. 11-17
Saul's attempt on David's life now becomes very determined, as well as open. He sends messengers to watch David's house, and to kill David in the morning. Evidently, David's wife, Michal, got word of the plan (she would have friends in the king's household), and she tells her husband that if he does not leave that evening, he will be dead the next morning. The messengers were watching the house, so she let David down through a window, and David escaped Saul's efforts again. Michal made the bed look like David was in it, and she told the messengers that David was sick. They reported back to the king, who told them to bring David on his sick bed, so he personally could kill him. The messengers then discovered that David was gone, and that Michal had helped David escape. Saul then railed on his daughter, Michal, for allowing her husband to escape when she knew that her dad was trying to kill him.
Observe:
1) Strange that Saul was going to do his wicked deed in the morning, rather than in the night. God's hand is at work, for if they had come to kill him that night, they may have caught him. Rather, by waiting until the next morning, David had a chance to escape.
2) God moved the hearts of two of Saul's children toward David: Jonathan and Michal. Both were needed to establish David on Israel's throne when the time came.
3) Saul had been sure that Michal would be against David, and would help him in his evil desire against David. But she loved David, and stood by him and against her dad's evil intentions.
4) An image, or teraphim—image such as Rachel had. No doubt the image, if it was one forbidden by law, was in the house without David's knowledge.
5) She lied, telling the messengers that David was in bed sick. She lied again when she told her father that David had threatened to kill her if she did not let him go, v. 17. Were these lies sin? Is a lie a sin if it saves the life of the innocent? In the case of the midwives, lies used to save the Hebrew boy babies was commended by God. There are several instances where lies were used to protect the innocent. I did a mailing on this subject some time ago.
Note that the command, "Thou shalt not bear false witness" deals with using lies to harm the innocent, which is not the case here. The command is not, "Thou shalt not lie."
But notice here that Michal's first lie was to protect her husband; however, the second lie was to protect herself. Thus I would assume the first is justified, where the second is not.
Ver. 17. He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?] This was a second lie, as it is usual with liars to lay one lie upon another, and a worse than that former (ver. 14). If that were an officious lie, this was surely a pernicious one; slandering her husband to save herself. How much better the wife of Polixenus, who was sister to Dionysius, the tyrant: and when her husband, being accused of treason, was fled into Italy, she being asked by her brother, why she did not give notice unto him of her husband's flying, confidently answered, Anita me degenerem putas, &c., Thinkest thou that I am so undutiful a wife, that if I had known my husband would have fled away, I would not have fled away with him ? And here I cannot but insert what I have read of that brave Bohemian woman in the late bloody persecution there. The Major of Litomeritia had apprehended twenty-four godly citizens, of whom his own son-in-law was one, and after he had almost pined them in prison, he judged them to be drowned in the river Albis : whereupon his daughter, wringing her hands and falling at her father's feet, besought him to spare her husband. But he, harder than a rock, bade her hold her peace, saying, What! can you not have a worthier husband than this ? to which she answered, You shall never espouse me to any: and so beating her breasts and tearing her hair she followed her husband to the river. And when he was cast into the midst of the river bound, she leaped in and caught him about the middle; but being unable to draw him forth, they were both drowned together, and the next day were found embracing one another.1 (1 Mr Clark's Mirror, 305.) (Trapp.)
V. 15, in his bed, that I may slay him.
(f) Behold, how the tyrants to accomplish their rage, neither regard oath nor friendship, God nor man. (Geneva)
Vv. 18-24 (Vv. 18-33, DAVID FLEES TO SAMUEL. V. 24, SAUL PROPHESIES.)
David escaped Saul's latest attempt on his life, only this time he left the area. Rather than going home to Bethlehem, he goes to Samuel, who had anointed him as the next king. Saul is told that David is now in Ramah, so Saul sends messengers there to get him. They find David in the company of the prophets, prophesying, with Samuel presiding over them.
Prophesying— "That is, Praising God, praying, and preaching..." (Trapp)
Verse 20. ... Appointed over them, to instruct, moderate, and direct them in those holy exercises. For though they prophesied by Divine inspiration, which Samuel could not govern; yet they were both to prepare and dispose themselves for it beforehand, and to make good improvement of it afterwards, in both which they needed Samuel's counsel and assistance. And whereas some might falsely pretend to those raptures, or the devil might transform himself into an angel of light, and convey some evil or false suggestions into some of their minds, Samuel's presence and judgment was necessary to prevent and to detect such impostures. Besides, Samuel would by his present conjunction with them in those holy exercises encourage them, and stir up others to the coveting of those gifts, and the performance of such religious duties. They also prophesied; being inspired by God to do so, as wicked Balaam also was; that, being rapt up into such an ecstasy, their minds might be wholly taken up with those matters, and quite taken off from their design of seizing David. (Poole)
The messengers took off their military gear, and joined in the prophesying, forgetting the purpose of their visit. Saul is told what happened to his first assassins, so he sends a second group, who do the same thing. Saul then sent the third group, who also prophesied. Then Saul himself went, and the same thing happened to him. He removed his kingly garments, and joined in the prophesying. So now it is said in jest, "Is Saul, the angry, bloody king, also among the prophets?"
Ver. 21. And they prophesied also.] Such sudden changes we read of also in 2 Kings i. 13 ; John vii. 46. So Augustine was suddenly converted by Ambrose; Latimer by hearing Mr Stafford's lectures, which he came to scoff at, and Mr Bilney's confession.1 Concerning the Christian congregation in Queen Mary's time, I have heard of one, saith Mr Fox, who being sent to them to take their names and to espy their doings, yet, in being amongst them, was converted, and cried them all mercy. At Miltenberg, a town in the territory of Mentz, an officer was sent to take a certain godly deacon sojourning in a widow's house. The deacon meeting and embracing him said, Salve mi frater, frater enimverò mews es, Et adsum, transfode me, rel sufoca me: Hail, brother; here I am, stab me, hang me, do as thou pleasest to me. The officer, by a sudden innovation of his heart from heaven, said, Sir, I will do you no hurt, nor shall any man else, if I can hinder it. And when the rustics came in to help to kill the deacon, the officer kept them off, and would not let them hurt him.2 (1 Act. And Mon., fol. 1881. 2 Scultet, Annal., p. 174.) (Trapp.)
V. 24, Is Saul also among the prophets? See notes on 1 Samuel 10:9-12.
Naioth was where a college or school of the prophets was located, close to Ramah. Naioth signifies a solitary place in the pastures and fields, a fit place for meditation and study. (Trapp)
1) Saul was a bloody man, who had no problem with killing even the priests of the Lord in order to obtain what he wanted.
2) Even the worse of men, the messengers and Saul, can be ‘tamed' by Christian fellowship and the preaching of the word of God. (The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, Rev. 19:19.)
24. lay down naked—that is, divested of his armor and outer robes—in a state of trance. Thus God, in making the wrath of man to praise Him, preserved the lives of all the prophets, frustrated all the purposes of Saul, and preserved the life of His servant (JFB)
3) We should also say here that the hardest hearted sinner, even those consumed with murder, can be tamed by the Spirit of God. Man's sin will not stop the working of God's Spirit:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1.)
(a) Though kings seem to have all things at commandment, they are not able to bring their own purposes to pass unless God has appointed: much less are the inferiors able. (Geneva.)
The Lord shows again that He alone is in charge of all men and events. He can turn the hardest heart towards Himself at any time. And the hinges of history turn upon how individual men act, and God controls how they act.
4) Matthew Henry points out that many prophesy in Christ's name, yet are disowned by Him:
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Mat. 7.)
5) What happened to the messengers and then to Saul should have shown Saul the foolishness of fighting against God, and led him to giving up his efforts against David. But it did not. This shows us that
6) V. 20, Samuel stood appointed over the prophets. Here we have a first reference to a school of the prophets. We find it again with Elijah and Elisha. Evidently, these were men gathered together not as a monastic order, but for "mental and spiritual training, that they might exert a more powerful influence upon their contemporaries." The Lord called them together, "that they might check the decline of religious like in the nation, and bring back the rebellious ‘to the law and the testimony.'" (Keil, 202.)
7) Keil also makes this good point about the school:
Prophesying could neither be taught nor communicated by instruction, but was a gift of God which He communicated according to His free will to whomsoever He would. But the communication of this divine gift was by no means an arbitrary thing, but presupposed such a mental and spiritual disposition on the part of the recipient as fitted him to receive it ; whilst the exercise of the gift required a thorough acquaintance with the law and the earlier revelations of God, which the schools of the prophets were well adapted to promote. It is therefore justly and generally assumed, that the study of the law and of the history of the divine guidance of Israel formed a leading feature in the occupations of the pupils of the prophets, which also included the cultivation of sacred poetry and music, and united exercises for the promotion of the prophetic inspiration. That the study of the earlier revelations of God was carried on, may be very safely inferred from the fact that from the time of Samuel downwards the writing of sacred history formed an essential part of the prophet's labours, as has been already observed at vol. iv. pp. 9, 10 (translation). The cultivation of sacred music and poetry may be inferred partly from the fact that, according to ch. x. 5, musicians walked in front of the prophesying prophets, playing as they went along, and partly also from the fact that sacred music not only received a fresh impulse from David, who stood in a close relation to the association of prophets at Ramah, but was also raised by him into an integral part of public worship. At the same time, music was by no means cultivated merely that the sons of the prophets might employ it in connection with their discourses, but also as means of awakening holy susceptibilities and emotions in the soul, and of lifting up the spirit to God, and so preparing it for the reception of divine revelations (see at 2 Kings iii. 15). And lastly, we must include among the spiritual exercises prophesying in companies, as at Gibeah (ch. x. 5) and Ramah (ch. xix. 20). (203, 204.)
A) Prophesying was not something that could be learned; it was a gift of God, given by His sovereign grace to whomsoever He willed.
B) It was given to those fit to receive it.
C) The school taught the history of God's people and the law of God, and how it applied to everyday situations.
D) The school also "cultivated" sacred music an poetry. Sacred music was used as a "means of awakening holy susceptibilities and emotions in the soul, and of lifting up the spirit to God, and sp preparing it for the reception of divine revelations."
E) And from what we know of the books of poetry, Psalms and Proverbs, poetry was also used to exalt the Lord and to apply His law-word into society.
How many schools of the prophets, schools for training preachers and spiritual leaders, meet the qualifications above?
Again, we are reminded in this chapter of a few things:
First, unbelief results in the wrath of God against a person—Saul, and those of John 3.
Second, rejection of God's word has terrible consequences, both to the individual and to those around him.
Third, an angry heart will come out, and it invites the devil to work in the life of the angry person.
Fourth, God will move to protect His servants (e.g., David, with his enemies prophesying under God's supernatural intervention), and accomplish His plan (e.g., David on the throne). The wicked devices of evil men will not hinder God's purpose in the slightest any more today than they did in David's day.
January 13, 2001Clinton Body Count
James McDougal - Clinton's convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in Ken Starr's investigation.
Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown. The murder happened just after she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in the White House.
Vince Foster - Former white House councelor, and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock's Rose law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.
Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown's skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors.
C. Victor Raiser II - & - Montgomery Raiser: Major players in the Clinton fund raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.
Paul Tulley - Democratic National Committee Political Director found dead in a hotel room in Little Rock, September 1992. Described by Clinton as a "Dear friend and trusted advisor".
Ed Willey - Clinton fund raiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woods in Virginia of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her in the oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was involved in several Clinton fund raising events.
Jerry Parks - Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in Little Rock. Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock. Park's son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton. He allegedly threatened to reveal this information. After he died the files were mysteriously removed from his house.
James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a "Black Book" of people containing names of influential people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas.
James Wilson - Was found dead in May 1993 from an aparent hanging suicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater.
Kathy Ferguson - Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson died in May 1994 was found dead in her living roon with a gunshot to her head. It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as if she was going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit. Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.
Bill Shelton - Arkansas state Trooper and fiancee of Kathy Ferguson. Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found dead in June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the gravesite of his fiancee.
Gandy Baugh - Attorney for Clinton friend Dan Lassater died by jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicted drug distributor.
Florence Martin - Accountant - Sub-contractor for the CIA related to the Barry Seal Mena Airport drug smuggling case. Died of three gunshot wounds.
Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.
Paula Grober - Clinton's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.
Danny Casolaro - Investigative reporter. Investigating Mena Airport and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists, apparent suicide in the middle of his investigation.
Paul Wilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport with Casolaro and the 1980 "October Surprise" was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993 in his Washington DC apartment. Had delivered a report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.
Jon Parnell Walker - Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington, Virginia apartment balcony August 15,1993 Was investigating Morgan Guarantee scandal.
Barbara Wise - Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown and John Huang. Cause of death unknown. Died November 29, 1996. Her bruised nude body was found locked in her office at the Department of Commerce.
Charles Meissner - Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.
Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health Care Advisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash. Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton's advisory council personally treated Clinton's mother, stepfather and brother.
Barry Seal - Drug running pilot out of Mena Arkansas, Death was no accident.
Johnny Lawhorn Jr. - Mechanic, found a check made out to Clinton in the trunk of a car left in his repair shop. Died when his car hit a utility pole.
Stanley Huggins - Suicide. Investigated Madison Guarantee. His report was never released.
Hershell Friday - Attorney and Clinton fund raiser died March 1, 1994 when his plane exploded.
Kevin Ives & Don Henry - Known as "The boys on the track" case. Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena arkansas airport drug operation. Controversal case where initial report of death was due to falling asleep on railroad track. Later reports claim the 2 boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before their testimony could come before a Grand Jury. see: The Train Deaths
THE FOLLOWING SEVEN PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES / HENRY CASE:
Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck July, 1988
Keith McMaskle - Died stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988
Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.
Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump in April 1989.
James Milan - Found decapitated. Coroner ruled death due to natural causes.
Jordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of his pickup truck in June 1990.
Richard Winters - Was a suspect in the Ives / Henry deaths. Was killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.
THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD
Major William S. Barkley Jr.
Captain Scott J. Reynolds
Sgt. Brian Hanley
Sgt. Tim Sabel
Major General William Robertson
Col. William Densberger
Col. Robert Kelly
Spec. Gary Rhodes
Steve Willis
Robert Williams
Conway LeBleu
Todd McKeehan
Source:
From: "Steven Levine" (sjl@learnhow.com)
Other Sources
the body count http://etherzone.com/body.html
List of 40 from the May 1st 1998 issue of Ether Zone Online
Arkansas casualty list http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/ProRev/wwdeath.htm
From The Progressive Review
A number of persons associated with WJ Clinton or Arkansas politics
in some way have died of unnatural causes over the past six years.
While lists compiled by conservatives run as high as 61 deaths,
the following is limited to those deaths with clear anomalies
that, based on the information available to TPR, require further
investigation.
The Clinton "Death List" - Murder from the White
House http://home.pacbell.net/slamnan/clintonscandal.html
This is a list of all the people connected with President Bill
Clinton, known as F.O.B.'s (Friends Of Bill), who have died under
mysterious circumstances. The facts contained herein may shock
you and leave you in a state of denial but it all happened and
still continues to this day. One has to wonder - Bill Clinton:
The likable President and Leader of the Free World or.... possibly
the "Godfather of Politics" who has either directly
or indirectly called for hits on people, conveniently during investigations.
There are over 40 dead people, all tied to President Clinton in
some way or another.
THE CLINTON BODY-COUNT
http://www.accessone.com/~rivero/POLITICS/BODIES.html
a partial list of a large number of persons who have recently
met their demise in suspicious circumstances who appear to have
some connection to the Clintons. - one of the more detailed lists
with many photos,
Clinton Body Count
http://www.marsweb.com/~watcher/klinton.html
Bad Luck A few reasons why you should never get to know Klinton
too well... Here's the latest list of 35 suspicious/mysterious
deaths around the prez.
Bill Clinton's Body Count
http://www.av.qnet.com/~jlund/bodies.htm
Names and injuries, plus all the dead in Yugoslavia, Chinese embassies,
Iraq and other parts of the world ...
The UPDATED Clinton Body Count
http://www.american-politics.com/052499BodyCount.html
Bomis: Clinton Body Count Ring
http://www.bomis.com/rings/clintonbodycount/
The Train Deaths
http://www.idmedia.com/ttd.htm
Bill Clinton's Body Count
http://www.ccnet.com/~suntzu75/bodycnt.htm