Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed?” —1 Samuel 24:20 Jesus and David were both in a position to overcome their bitter enemies, but spared them. David was a seasoned warrior, a man of blood-stained hands (1 Chr 22:8), who had often killed. When he found Saul in a defenseless position (1 Sm 24:4ff), David could have easily killed him. However, David spared Saul, though he knew Saul would continue to seek his life. A large crowd of armed soldiers came to the Garden of Gethsemani to arrest Jesus. When Jesus confronted them and...

“From that day on, Saul was jealous of David.” —1 Samuel 18:9 Saul was jealous of David because David did greater things than Saul had done and became more popular than Saul was (see 1 Sm 18:7). Because of this jealousy, Saul repeatedly tried to kill David (1 Sm 19:1). Jesus did greater things than the religious leaders of His time. He was so popular that great multitudes “kept pushing toward Him to touch Him” (Mk 3:10). The religious leaders became jealous of Jesus and handed Him over to be crucified by the Romans (Mt 27:18). The early Church did...

“David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag.” —1 Samuel 17:40 When David went into battle, he carried five “smooth stones” in his shepherd’s bag. When facing the giant in battle, “David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone” (1 Sm 17:49). The giant seemingly had greater weapons, more experience in battle, and was a formidable enemy, ready to kill David with his might. Yet David used the stone and his war-trained fingers and hands to defeat the powerful foe (1 Sm 17:49ff). My rosary pouch...

“I will correct you.” —Psalm 50:21 Saul, the first king of the Israelites, went from bad to worse. He disobeyed God in warfare (1 Sm 15:19), attempted to murder David, became involved in the occult, and committed suicide, in addition to other sins. Many of our political leaders are also getting worse, as they play politics with abortion (even partial birth abortion), euthanasia, pornography, the perversion of homosexual acts, and a multitude of other injustices. Therefore, “first of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for all men, especially for kings and those in authority” (1...