19:24    ‘Is Saul among the prophets’ echoes the question of , 1Sam 10:12. However whilst then it seems that there was surprise at Saul’s prophesying now it is almost disdain that is shown by the people.

V.4-5 - Jonathan tries to smooth over his father's anger noting that credit for the victory goes to God (not David).

V.10,19,20,21 - three times (1Sam 18:11) David eluded Saul's attempt to pierce him and was also delivered from Saul's men three times at "Naioth" [(5121) from "Navah" (5115) meaning "to rest, to celebrate, prepare a habitation",etc.] of "Ramah" (7414) meaning "a hill, a height" and we have two further mentions of three in the next chapter (1Sam 20:20,41) so perhaps we have an echo glimpsing divine perfection at mount Zion with our king and priest in the millenial rest/habitation made possible by the sacrifice, 3 day burial and resurrection after the third day of Christ.

V.13 The image, or household idol, that Michal used in place of the escaped David is translated from the plural Hebrew word teraphim  These were figurines used for divination.  Rachel had stolen her Father's teraphim (Gen 31:19). 

Yahweh forbade the use of divination by His people (Deut 18:10).  And yet we see those (women) associated with Yahweh's chosen being involved in idolatry.  There is no need for fortune-telling as Yahweh has revealed His plan for humankind through His Word (Amos 3:7). 

19:11 Psa 59 was written as a consequence of these events. Notice the repeated use of words and ideas both here and in the Psalm.

19:1   The record clearly makes the point that ‘all’ of Saul’s servants knew of his hatred of David. So there could be no doubt later of Saul’s intentions. He was not even discreet in his attempt to have David killed.

V.24 The KJV uses the word naked to describe Saul's state of undress.  Naked is translated from the Hebrew word arom which means partially or totally naked. The likely inference, here, is that Saul stripped off his armor and was left in his tunic.  Samuel would not have allowed Saul to become totally nude.

V.1 Saul had secretly tried to kill David, but now he attempted it openly.

V.6 Saul, presumably, rescinded the previous day’s kill order.

Vs.9,10 But, Saul’s  changeable mind now reverted to killing David once again.

V.18 Samuel was now engaged in supervising a school for prophets. Naioth suggests  dwellings which consist of separate buildings which made up the prophets' residences.

V.23 Who can resist the Spirit of Yahweh for good or evil?

19:2  One wonders if Saul was even aware of Jonathan’s reactions towards David which we saw in 1Sam 18:1. Doubtless he would not have told Jonathan of his evil plans otherwise.

63:1 The 'dyed garments' that will be worn by Christ echoes the garments washed in wine and blood (Gen 49:11). Notice in Gen 49 the garments belong to the lawgiver from Judah.

Vs.1-6 These verses talk of divine retribution against the enemies of Yahweh.  They confirm the judgement given in Isa 34:6. 

In the end times, the King of the North shall sweep into Israel and down to Egypt (Dan 11:40-42).  The Lord Jesus, now returned from heaven, will intervene to save His people Israel.  The one coming from Bozrah with dyed (bloodied) garments is the Lord Jesus.  He shall confront the invading host, the King of the North, described in Ezekiel as Gog (Russia) and confederates (Eze 38:3-6). The Lord will begin His campaign in the south and work His way north to Jerusalem and Israel.  There, He will utterly destroy the invaders (Eze 39:1-5).  

V.12 The right hand of Moses was but the instrument; the arm of God was the real mover of the water

63:7 There is a contrast seen here. Whereas God was going to bring ‘vengeance’ (63:4) upon man He was also going to show His ‘lovingkindness’ to others. The outcome is dependant upon the attitude of the individual to God.

63:3 The one who has ‘trodden the winepress alone’ is Jesus – Rev 19:15

63:1 The one that ‘cometh from Edom’ is rather like the one spoken of in Song 3:6 where it is the bridegroom. Whereas here the context is of judgement in the song it is as a bridegroom arriving for his wedding. So we see how inextricably linked the return of Christ, the judgement of the nations and the marriage of Christ and his bride are linked.

V.1 See Isa 34:6. In the end times, Gog and his confederates will have invaded Israel and other parts of the Middle East (Eze 38:16). The returned Jesus with the Redeemed, coming from the judgment in Sinai to liberate Jerusalem and Israel, will encounter the enemy on the way and destroy it (Rev 19:13).

Vs.2,3 See Rev 19:15. I have trodden the winepress alone is a reference to Jesus, the Messiah, as the sole person responsible for the atonement.

V.4 ...my redeemed refers to Natural Israel that will shortly be liberated.

V.5 See Isa 59:16.

V.6 The figurative use of drunk; wine vat (v.2); and winepress (v.3) are all used to show the destruction of the enemy.

63:9 If we are not careful we do not see God being affected by our actions. Angels rejoice over repentance – Luke 15:7 – it would be foolish to presume that our sinfulness does not impact upon our Father. Clearly Israel’s behaviour affected Him.

The Gentile centurion is the only one who seems to understand what is going on. He recognises the authority of the Christ, and likens it to his own command over his hundred or so soldiers. All he had to say was "go", and they would do it (v9). He recognises by these words that Jesus was the man who had command over life and death. We should see through this chapter quite how much had been entrusted to Christ by his father. In 3v17 God had handed over rulership of His people to his son. Jesus could do with this power as he saw fit. Isn't it wonderful that he chose to heal, to forgive, to release men and women from bondage, and finally to lay down his life for all of us?

V.4 The man is ordered to rush to the temple at Jerusalem, so that an examination by the priesthood, in accordance with the laws of Moses. Lev 14, can be conducted, and he can be pronounced cured of his leprosy and qualified to bring the required offerings. When it is subsequently discovered by the priests that it was Jesus who had healed this man, the clean bill of health already given to him will serve as a testimony regarding Christ's respect for the Mosic law (Matt 5:17).  

Vs.24-26 We cannot explain the miracles that the Lord performed because they do not comply with known natural laws (see Bro. John Bilello's book Miracles for some ideas). Take for example the quietening of the storm. This was no mere gust of wind but a furious storm which put life and limb in danger. Jesus, with one rebuke, instantly brought about great calm.  Normally, after a storm abates, there would be water sloshing about for some time until it finally came to rest.  But here the transition was from storm to calm instantly - what a miracle!  Who can understand the power of Yahweh? (Job 26).

V.21 The request from the man to bury his father was not that his father had just died.  Jesus would have allowed him time out to do this.  When Elisha was called by Elijah, Elisha requested time to bid farewell to his parents, and this was granted (1Kin 19:19-21). 

A temporary time out to put affairs in order is acceptable.  However, the request of the man wishing to bury his father was different.  He was asking for time until his father was dead before following Jesus. This open-ended amount of time was not acceptable to the Lord.  We should not let things in our lives delay our service to the Lord.

V.4 Moses was a type of Christ.  Consider the parallels.  Moses led his people from the land of sin (Egypt) to the land of promise (Israel).  Jesus does the same thing for His people.  Moses gave Israel a law to follow in obedience to Yahweh.  Jesus fulfilled that law which foreshadowed Him  (Heb 10:1).  He replaced a law, which could only promise death, by the law of liberty which promises life (James 2:12). 

We see another parallel between Moses and Jesus in this reading.  Moses interceded and petitioned Yahweh on behalf of Miriam's leprosy, and she was healed (Num 12:10-15).  No leper from the people of Israel had been recorded as being healed since, until Jesus healed the leper in vs.2-4.  Leprosy is synonymous with sin which leads to death.  Only Jesus is able to intercede on our behalf to cure this malady (Acts 4:12).

8:22 The seemingly heartless teaching ‘let the dead bury the dead’ is based upon the calling to separateness for the sons of Aaron – Lev 21:1. So is not heartless at all, nor is it a new teaching. It is embedded in the law of Moses for those called to be God’s servants.

8:28    The word ‘fierce’ <5467> is only found here and in 2Tim 3:1 where it is translated ‘perilous’. Thus we gain an insight into what Paul was saying to Timothy. The times would be difficult because of opposition to the gospel.

Vs.28,31People, today, who have mental illnesses are not considered as being possessed with demons.  Symptoms and behaviors are better understood, and labels have been attached to identify them. 

The first century had no such nomenclature.  And yet, there are people, today, who believe in demons, as evil spirits, that exist to roam the world to torment people.  They believe that these superhuman entities have been allowed to move freely, throughout history, to affect their nasty deeds. 

But, Yahweh, creator of all things, did not make supernatural phenomena to torment individuals.  However, He did create evil (Isa 45:7).  That means Yahweh created the conditions whereby the negative expressions of imperfect human nature could manifest themselves.  Mental illness is one such presentation.

8:10 That the faith like that of the centurion was not found in Israel is an indication of the hardness of heart of the Jews and is a precursor to the sending of the gospel to the gentiles.

V.11 Here is proof that the Patriarchs will be resurrected to inherit the promises that were given to them.

V.12 ...the children of the kingdom refers to the Jews who rejected the call of the Gospel.  Jesus came to the Jews first to preach the Good News (Matt 10:5-7; 15:24).

V.14 Catholics claim (erroneously) that Peter was their first pope.  Peter was married, and yet Catholic priests are forbidden to marry.  Scripture foretold the false system of worship that would develop and bring in such restrictions (1Tim 4:1-3).

8:17 In speaking of removing Israel’s ‘sicknesses’ Jesus fulfilled the words of Exo 23:25, foreshadowing the tie when all Israel will be saved.

"Galilee Boat"

Matt 8:18,23-27 - a boat estimated/tested to be about 2000 years old, capable of holding about 15 people, was uncovered in the Sea of Galilee during a severe 1986 drought. This boat would be similar to the type Jesus and his disciples traveled in. It measures 30 feet long and 8 feet wide.