64 – A Kingdom In Transition

FULL MEETING WITH MIDRASH HERE

NOTE: THE TRANSCRIPT IS NOT EXACTLY LIKE THE RECORDING.

1 Samuel 16:14  Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. 

The Hebrew word ‘ra’ah’ (Strong’s H7451) has a wide range of meanings all of which have something to do with the opposite of what YHVH’s Kingdom is.

H7451
עָה    רַע
ra‛    râ‛âh
rah, raw-aw’

From H7489; bad or (as noun) evil (naturally or morally). This includes the second (feminine) form; as adjective or noun: – adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease (-ure), distress, evil ([-favouredness], man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief (-vous), harm, heavy, hurt (-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief, (-vous), misery, naught (-ty), noisome, + not please, sad (-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked (-ly, -ness, one), worse (-st) wretchedness, wrong. [Including feminine ra’ah; as adjective or noun.]

The first time the word ‘ra’ah’ is used in scripture is in Genesis 2:9 when YHVH called one of the trees from which we are to not eat: the tree of knowledge of good and ‘ra’ah’, evil. But that is only the first of the 664 times it occurs in the Old Testament and as the Greek word ‘kakos’ in the New Testament (Strong’s G2556) 51 times. YHVH has a lot to say about the contrast between that which is good and acceptable and that which is evil, wicked and unacceptable in His Kingdom. And we now know the source of Saul’s torment: eating from the tree of good and evil (ra’ah’) instead of from the tree of life. The lives of David and Saul express this dichotomy. ‘Yom’ and ‘ra’ah’, good and evil, boil down to the final separation of sheep from goats which will happen during a time of distress, ‘ra’ah’.

There is much more to Saul’s distress than merely that he was being tormented or that YHVH was using this spirit to bring the man to repentance. It wasn’t only that YHVH sent a ‘ra’ah’ spirit to Saul but doing so had a purpose. Some of it was YHVH showing Saul what kind of spirit he was and trying to make him deal with it, perhaps even trying to cause Saul to repent. But it also was prophecy for a future generation and, more immediately, for the separation of ancient Israel’s sheep and goats for the coming unified righteous Kingdom of David, a type and shadow of such future separation for Yeshua’s Kingdom.

Saul had unified the Kingdom under his wickedness, his ‘ra’ah’, but he had done so forcibly. Now, someone was coming who would bring in unity with righteousness and by choice, not by force. Before final culmination though, there had to be a time of distress, ‘ra’ah’, trouble, tribulation, for everyone and people would have to make a choice between the 2 Kingdoms.

Commentators make this torment apply only to Saul. Some say he was being punished while others say he was being prodded to repent, something he never did. However this time in Saul’s life was not only about Saul. It included the people. In principle, it is not possible to separate a King and his people or a Prime Minister and his people or a President and his people. Principally, the leaders are the people and the people, collectively, are the leaders. Leaders always answer to answer on behalf of themselves and their people. This is why not only leaders but entire nations prosper or are punished together even when there are righteous citizens among the collective. This principle applies whether the King is wicked or righteous. A King and his subjects suffer together or prosper together. Yeshua taught us that we would suffer for His name’s sake while we lay up treasures for ourselves with Him. He is our righteous King; we are his righteous people. What happened to Him will happen to us. Saul was a wicked King and all Israel suffered with and because of his wickedness. This is the consequences for the ancient Israelites who preferred to hitch their wagon to a man rather than to YHVH. Thus, this time period of his spiritual torment, which overlapped with the incoming righteous Kingdom, was about a Kingdom in transition. This time period is a prophecy.

The torment of Saul foretells the same scenario of transition that will come to the final generation through the son of perdition. He will be a tormented man also, though most won’t know it. Only those in his inner chambers will know as was the case with Saul. Oddly, he may also try to find solace in the music of the Jewish Temple.

Just as in the overlapping days and years of Saul and David, people will have to choose between the 2 Kingdoms. They either stood with Saul or with David. In our future, people with either stand with the son of perdition or they will stand with Yeshua. So you see, what happened to Saul and ancient Israel is a foreshadow of the coming transition phase, the final phase of the final generation when, during the pain of labor, the Revelation 12:6 woman will give birth to the next Kingdom and will then flee from the son of perdition as David had to do from Saul.

1 Samuel 16:15  Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
1 Samuel 16:16  Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”
1 Samuel 16:17  Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” 

People jumped in there to “help” Saul which amounted to helping him not repent! Sometimes we must leave people to their inner turmoil so they will seek YHVH. In fact, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:5 that a sinner among them must be put out of the congregation so he could be tormented by Satan in order that he would seek the peace of YHVH.

All of Saul’s distress would have been relieved through repentance. But Saul’s rejection of YHVH also allowed David to come into Saul’s presence as a servant and for the overlapping of the 2 Kingdoms – one of wickedness and one of righteousness – to commence.

1 Samuel 16:18  Then one of the young men answered, and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.” 

If David was only 15, then we know he was not a warrior – a man of valor – on the battlefield. We will understand later that he had already faced and killed 2 of the worst predators in Israel plus there always were the dogs nipping at the edge of his flock like the Amalekites had nipped at the edge of Israel’s tribes in former times. David was not a seasoned a warrior at this time because he was not already in Saul’s army. Saul conscripted the seasoned warriors, remember? David wasn’t old enough to be in the army yet here he is being lauded as a proven man of valor before he truly became one. This was a prophecy of what David would become.

The young man who mentioned David was trying to put him in the best possible light. It would not surprise me if this was one of David’s brothers, one who perhaps didn’t hold him in the same contempt as Eliab, or it may have been simply a young man from Bethlehem who knew David and liked him and knew David played the harp, had been in “battles” and “wars” with vicious animals (which qualifies for valor), that he was a quiet man, handsome and, most of all, YHVH was with him. This young man understood Saul’s need for YHVH. Not just any singer would do; it must be one who knew YHVH, something Saul desperately needed!

1 Samuel 16:19  Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” 

Just as Yeshua is WITH His Father’s sheep, David was with his father’s sheep, too. Let’s talk about Yeshua as the Good Shepherd for a minute because David was an exemplary shepherd. If we understand this, it will help us to see why David is a type and shadow of Yeshua even though David sinned during his lifetime.

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:12  He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.
John 10:13  The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep.
John 10:14  I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;
John 10:15  even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 

John 10:23  It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.
John 10:24  The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
John 10:25  Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me.
John 10:26  But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. 

The world doesn’t, and won’t, believe Yeshua is the Messiah because they refuse to believe the testimony of His works which He did in His Father’s name. 

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:28  I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:29  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 

The world is not Yeshua’s sheep. The world is not in His sheepfold because the Father has not given the world to Yeshua. The world will pass away. Yeshua’s Kingdom will never pass away so the world is not ‘yom’, a “good fit” for His Kingdom. The Father selected sheep from among the world specifically to Yeshua for His Kingdom. Yeshua did not make the selection. YHVH the Father made it. No other sheep belong to Yeshua. And no deadly human or unclean spirit can snatch away Yeshua’s sheep just as no deadly animal could snatch Jesse’s sheep out of David’s hand, either! The fierceness of a shepherd protecting his sheep is contrasted with his great care and gentleness toward them. David, like Yeshua, was both fierce in the protection of Jesse’s sheep while simultaneously being merciful and gentle with them to the utmost.

1 Samuel 16:20  Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, and a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul. 

The symbols of the bread and wine are prophecies of Yeshua. The goat is the Yom Kippur goat, also associated with Yeshua. Jesse, being a type and shadow of the Father in this instance, provided the bread, wine and the sacrificial goat. Recall also that bread, wine and goats were part of Saul’s ordination week. Saul was provided with these things but David possessed them and took them with him.

1 Samuel 16:21  David came to Saul, and stood before him. He [David] loved him [Saul] greatly; and he [David] became his armor bearer.
1 Samuel 16:22  Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.”
1 Samuel 16:23  When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. 

The soothing effect of David’s harp should have awakened his mind to YHVH calling him to repentance. Rather, Saul slept his spiritual slumber instead of seeking YHVH. Repentance would have meant acknowledging that another King not of his line would succeed him. YHVH had rejected him as King but was still interested in the man. But rebellious people simply will not or cannot humble themselves to accept the consequences YHVH must put on them. Had Saul repented, he could have finished life in good standing with YHVH Elohim but he would still not have received the Kingdom even though he could have lived forever in YHVH’s Kingdom. Saul could have done what Moses did who accepted his consequences. But Saul refused to accept his.

Here are the 3 Psalms it is believed David composed during the time he played his harp for Saul.

Psalms 8:1  For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David. Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!
Psalms 8:2  From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
Psalms 8:3  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
Psalms 8:4  what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
Psalms 8:5  For you have made him a little lower than the angels,and crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalms 8:6  You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
Psalms 8:7  All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
Psalms 8:8  The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
Psalms 8:9  Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

Psalms 19:1  For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
Psalms 19:2  Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge.
Psalms 19:3  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psalms 19:4  Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Psalms 19:5  which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
Psalms 19:6  His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalms 19:7  Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalms 19:8  Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 19:9  The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
Psalms 19:10  More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
Psalms 19:11  Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.
Psalms 19:12  Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
Psalms 19:13  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
Psalms 19:14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer. 

Psalms 29:1  A Psalm by David. Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
Psalms 29:2  Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array.
Psalms 29:3  Yahweh’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.
Psalms 29:4  Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.
Psalms 29:5  Yahweh’s voice breaks the cedars. Yes, Yahweh breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
Psalms 29:6  He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox.
Psalms 29:7  Yahweh’s voice strikes with flashes of lightning.
Psalms 29:8  Yahweh’s voice shakes the wilderness. Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
Psalms 29:9  Yahweh’s voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, “Glory!”
Psalms 29:10  Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, Yahweh sits as King forever.
Psalms 29:11  Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace. 

David only played for Saul. He did not sing his Psalms. The anointing of YHVH was so much on his music that there is really no explanation for it. We can say music soothes the savage beast and advise people to listen to music when they are troubled but David’s music was beyond that. It was anointed and only YHVH can do that. It was YHVH’s mercy to Saul that allowed to rest from the tormenting spirit. David was called to cause Saul to rest even though David was also called to become King of Israel. This is an important because David was the first King of Israel to give rest and peace to the people – Saul and those around him within hearing of David’s harp. Our King, Yeshua, gives us rest and peace. This is another parallel between David and Yeshua.

Sadly, Saul preferred his own pride. He preferred not humbling himself to YHVH. The rest and peace provided by David’s harp brings us back to the beginning of this teaching because YHVH gave Saul every opportunity to do what Moses did which was to accept his consequences and repent. Turn his life around and lead Israel into worship of YHVH. It is inexplicable to us when we see someone doing this knowing that peace is just 2 words away: “I surrender”.