Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Thursday, November 1, 2012 Read – 1 Samuel 19 & 20 The story of the hostility between David and Saul continues and intensifies in these chapters. Of special interest is the loyalty that Jonathan, Saul’s son and the heir apparent to the kingship, gives to David. That loyalty will cost Jonathan not only the throne of his father but his life. At this point in the story, if there is someone we want to embrace as a hero it is Jonathan – who puts what he perceives to be God’s will above his own well being. One can’t help but think, “if only Saul had been more open to God and to the wisdom of his son, Jonathan.” Saul’s daughter, Michal, who has been given to David as his wife, also takes action against her father by helping David to escape certain death. At this point in the story, she too does a heroic act. Later, she will not come off so well in her encounter with David once he has established the kingship. But for now she joins the intrigue in the story. Saul is now being isolated even from his family. This is not a pleasant story to read, and once again we are left wondering what God thinks of all of this. Certainly God would have hoped for a better outcome – a better response from the human side of the God/human relationship. The story does reinforce the idea that God has chosen to respond to what humans do. God does not control everything. What human beings do makes a difference, not only to human beings, but also to God. The marvel of the story is that God finds a way. We can take comfort from that, too. In our world – God finds a way.