Tag Archives: Saul

Sunday Scriptures — Broody

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

While researching chickens for a novel I am writing, I came upon some interesting information concerning broodiness.

Broodiness is a hen’s instinct to hatch eggs. A hen that’s thinking of brooding may cluck like a mother hen while she’s getting on or off the nest, and while she’s on the nest will puff out her feathers, growl, yes … growl, and peck your hand if you reach under her for an egg.

Just because a hen is sitting on a nest doesn’t necessarily mean she’s setting on eggs, though. She may still be thinking about the eggs she recently laid, or she may be hiding from some bully that’s higher in the peck order.

So while there are honest to goodness broodies and there are wanna be broodies, there is a test for true broodiness, however. Who knew?

Gently reach beneath the hen and remove any eggs you find. If she runs off in an hysterical snit, she’s not broody. (Just moody!) If she pecks your hand, puffs out her feathers, or growls, then she’s actually setting on her soon-to-be-hatched chicks.

The book I read on the subject said clucking is one sure sign of broodiness. It also said broody hens hiss like snakes when annoyed and disturbed. Pretty much telling anyone near to stay away.

Broodies’ growl is a harsh sound usually accompanied by feather-ruffling that indicates defensiveness and distrust which can also include a peck that means don’t mess with me.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve known my fair share of broody, clucking, huffy-puffy people. And if I’m truly honest, I’ve had my fair share of broody, clucking, huffy-puffy moments as well.

In the Bible there were many broodies, but the first one that comes to my mind is spear-chucking, feathers-ruffled, hissy-fit-throwing King Saul.

Man …

Multiple times the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel mentions Saul got angry, lost his temper, and threw a spear at either David or Jonathan’s head. Not to mention the episode where he had 85 priests killed at one time.

Saul puffed himself up and gave credit to himself even when the great deeds weren’t his accomplishments. He hissed, growled, and pecked at those around him who were a threat.

Seems to me Saul fit both broody categories. He sat on something worth protecting, his dynasty, but by the end of his reign it was all wishful thinking.

There are several techniques which can be used to discourage broody hens. In Saul’s case, God removed the kingdom from his line and gave it to David.

Next time we find ourselves being broody, how about we make sure what we are protecting is worth fighting for and not just a bad case of ruffled feathers?

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 Jonathan asked his father, “Why should David be killed? What wrong has he done?”  Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan, trying to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father really wanted to kill David. 1 Samuel 20:32-33 (CEV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — Seek God First

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Isaiahby Sandy Kirby Quandt

While David and his men ran from Saul, they heard that their enemy, the Philistines, were stealing grain from the town of Keilah. David wanted to do something about it. He had several choices. Head out immediately and attack those pesky Philistines, do nothing and hope they went away, or ask God what David should do.

Seems pretty simple sitting in a comfy chair reading the scriptures … of course David should seek God’s will before taking action. But do you think it was a simple decision for him to make?

How about us? Do we always inquire of God before we head out to do something?

I wish I could say, “Of course. All the time. Wouldn’t dream of taking a step without asking God first.”

That is what I should do, but that isn’t always what I do.

David inquired of God and God told him to go on to Keilah. God himself would help David and his men conquer the Philistines. So David and his small army went up against the large army of Philistines and slaughtered them with God’s help.

King Saul, on the other hand, saw the fact David had come out of hiding as an opportunity to kill him so he headed to Keilah to do just that.

But Saul didn’t check to see what God wanted him to do. Saul’s hatred for David spiked to such an intensity he was blinded to anything else. He may have even thought God was giving David over to Saul.

I guess we can allow our ambition, passion, hatred, drive to push us to do things we think God may be giving us the go-ahead for, when in actuality, that isn’t the case.

Saul knew God had chosen David over him. The prophet Samuel told Saul God had removed the kingdom from him and his line. Surely, Saul didn’t think God would be on board with Saul murdering David.

Before we jump into things, shouldn’t we ask some questions first? Is this something God wants us to do? Is it something that lines up with what we know of who God is? Are we sure of our motives for wanting to do this? Are we fooling ourselves God would approve because we want it so badly?

I know from my own experiences we can want something so bad sometimes, we convince ourselves it has to be from God. Or it has to be what he wants us to do. I’m finding those are the times we need to go to godly people whose opinions we know are grounded in the Word of God and seek their counsel.

Does anyone else struggle with going to God first before acting?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the LORD, “Should I go and attack them?”

“Yes, go and save Keilah,” the LORD told him.

But David’s men said, “We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!”

So David asked the LORD again, and again the LORD replied, “Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.”

So David and his men went to Keilah. They slaughtered the Philistines and took all their livestock and rescued the people of Keilah. Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought the ephod with him.

Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!” 1 Samuel 23:1-7 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Sunday Scriptures — God Will Fulfill His Plans

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By Sandy Kirby Quandt

Waiting is tough. Don’t I know it. Who likes to wait for something you’ve been promised? Certainly not me. Perhaps not you. It was fourteen years between the day the Prophet Samuel anointed the shepherd David as Israel’s next king, and the day David actually took the throne. During that time David waited. He waited in caves and wilderness while King Saul pursued him with the intent to eliminate the threat David posed to Saul’s throne.

I’ve often pondered how David felt during this time. Did he wonder if Samuel got it wrong when he anointed David? Did he wonder if God had changed his mind? Did he wonder if he’d done something that caused the promise to be rescinded?

David penned numerous psalms during his time running from Saul. Many of those psalms are filled with questions, fears, petition and repentance. They are also full of faith and hope in the God who saves.

He could have taken Saul’s life on two separate occasions, but he didn’t. David didn’t rush God’s agenda. He waited on God’s perfect timing. He had confidence the LORD would work out his plans for David’s life.

Have there been times when you were absolutely positive God called you to something, yet the way was delayed? There were blockades at every turn? Or you were told you didn’t have what it takes?

I’m learning if God has truly called us to do something for him, he’ll make it happen. In his timing. Not necessarily in ours. Like with David, God might be delaying what he has promised us to better prepare us to do the job. God might be giving us life-experiences now that will make the job easier once we do begin it.

Like I said, waiting is tough. But I’m learning God’s timing is perfect.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will bring me safely through them. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don’t abandon me—for you made me. Psalm 138:7-8

I wish you well.

Sandy

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