Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Samuel Chapter 26
Metaphysically Interpreting I Samuel 26:1-25
26:1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert? 26:2Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 26:3And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 26:4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty. 26:5And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped round about him.
26:6Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. 26:7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him. 26:8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered up thine enemy into thy hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time. 26:9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah's anointed, and be guiltless? 26:10And David said, As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah will smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish. 26:11Jehovah forbid that I should put forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed: but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us go. 26:12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's head; and they gat them away: and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Jehovah was fallen upon them.
26:13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them; 26:14and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? 26:15And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. 26:16This thing is not good that thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, Jehovah's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
26:17And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 26:18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand? 26:19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be Jehovah that hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Jehovah: for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods. 26:20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Jehovah: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
26:21Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. 26:22And David answered and said, Behold the spear, O king! let then one of the young men come over and fetch it. 26:23And Jehovah will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; forasmuch as Jehovah delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed. 26:24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of Jehovah, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 26:25Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do mightily, and shalt surely prevail. So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
August 30, 1903: I Samuel 26:5-12
In sleep the turmoil of sense is stilled. The thoughts of destruction and violence which filled the consciousness dominated by the almost insane Personal Will (Saul) are for a time quiet. Sleep is not necessary to the spiritual side of the one's being. David (Love) was not asleep. The sense consciousness produces such friction in its ignorant use of thought that it soon dissipates the vitality of the system, and like an engine out of steam, it stops; it sleeps. Then it is that the spiritual planes of Being impress their ideas upon the outer mentality. Dreams are quite often important revelators of spiritual truths, and those who are open to the inner realms may be instructed in this manner.
Sleep is a great harmonizer of discordant thoughts. It “knits up the raveled sleeve of care.” We do not know the deep mysteries of sleep and what goes on in the soul, when the sense man is in repose. Those who get into the “deep silence” in meditation produce a state of consciousness analogous to sleep. All the outer thoughts are stilled and the I AM listens to the “still small voice.” It may also see symbols, feel the inner forces, or catch Divine Ideas fresh from the fountain-head.
Those who are expert in this concentration of attention upon inner planes of Being, find that a great rest and peace comes to them, and they feel after coming out of one of these sweet periods of communion with the Lord as if they had had a night's refreshing sleep. From this we know that man, in constant mental touch with the perfectly adjusted ideas of Divine Mind, would never need to lose consciousness in that mortal state called sleep. But until we overcome the error thoughts that produce the wear and tear of life, we shall find ourselves falling asleep.
Death is but a prolonged sleep, the result of thought inharmony so great that body cannot stand the strain, and collapses. Then, instead of being in a body when he awakes, man finds he is in the realm of thought alone without an avenue adequate to its full expression, and he is forced by the Law to again build an organism from the cell up.
The lesson today represents Saul (Will) asleep with his whole army. Abner (light, intelligence), the captain of his host, is the intellect. These are resting gathered about the “chariots.” (The word “trench” is a wrong translation.) Chariots represent the body activities. Saul and all his soldiers were gathered about these, with Saul's spear stuck in the ground at his head, representing the office of the Will as the projector of thought.
While the mind of sense and the disobedient Will are in repose, our native Love (David) with Abishai (Presence of the Father) come to our camp of Sense, is utterly powerless when asleep, and were these faculties of our being, that we have been warring against and persecuting, so inclined, they could easily destroy the man of sense. But the spiritual shows its magnanimity by taking for the time the spear of Saul, as evidence of the secret visit.
– UNITY magazine.
August 30, 1903: I Samuel 26:21-25
Thus is portrayed the ability of the soul to make its character felt in man's life, when he is “right opposed to its laws.” Saul was softened by this evidence of the soul's ability and goodness, and became repentant. So we find ourselves tender and obedient after a lesson of Love, whether in the silent soul communion of sleep or the conscious experience of daily life. Love is the greatest thing in the world, and the rampant ambitious Will recognizes in its saner moments that Love shall do mighty things and shall finally prevail. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:10)
August 30, 1908: I Samuel 26:17-25
Even the perverse will is softened, and manifests a forgiving, relenting spirit when it sees the magnanimity of an enemy. The war between the head and the heart is for control. Saul, the head, feels that it is being gradually undermined by the heart, and will eventually lose its kingdom. Jealousy is the root of the adverse, destructive thought which Saul sends out to kill David.
– UNITY magazine.
August 4, 1918: I Samuel 26:17-25
What in consciousness does the conflict between “David” and “Saul” represent? The conflict between “David” and “Saul” represents a contention between the head (Saul) and the heart (David) for control of mental activities.
What is the true office of the Will (Saul)? The true office of the Will is one of execution; the Will relates itself to the active or positive side of consciousness.
Has Love power over the Will? Love has power over all other faculties of Mind, but never hurts nor destroys; it is always protective and constructive in its expression.
What is the lesson contained in Saul's confession of his error? Before sin can be forgiven and erased from consciousness, it must be acknowledged. Confession of error is good and invites the inflow of Love into the consciousness.
What step of soul growth follows the acknowledgment of an error? When error is acknowledged, the Will is humbled and a more harmonious activity is set into operation. Love quickens the soul and man becomes more Godlike in both thought and act.
What law of Mind action in consciousness does the union of “Saul” and “David” symbolize? When “Saul” (Will) and “David” (Love) are unified, peace and harmony prevails in consciousness in natural order. The blessings of Jehovah are pronounced upon the activity of the Will and Love, when they are working together under the Divine Law.
July 18, 1920: I Samuel 26:7-17,21
Is love, here represented by David, equal to any and every emergency? Yes. Love penetrates through every condition; it even makes its way into the enemy’s camp and disarms him of his weapons. “Love never faileth.”
What is the meaning of “Abishai” the name of him who accompanied David on the expedition? Abishai means “the present of my father.” He represents the inherited law of destruction to all the enemies of the natural man.
How does the spiritual man overcome his enemies? Just as David did in this instance. Saul was given into his hands. David could easily have slain Saul and no one would have been the wiser. And though Saul's death would have freed David from further persecution, and would have given to him a kingdom, David knew that only through the working out of the Law of Righteousness could lasting satisfaction and real victory be gained.
In connection with this lesson give the meaning of the word “Abner.” The meaning of “Abner” is “light, illumined reasoning.” It is to this power that the undeveloped will (Saul) must look for protection and safety.
When Abner, “illumined reasoning,” fails in the trust which is given him, what is the penalty? He is considered worthy of death; in other words, just as the illumined intellect, represented by John the Baptist, must be merged with the Christ, so illumined reasoning, represented by Abner, must be absorbed by the all-knowing Mind.
When Saul, “the will,” perceives the greatness of David, “love's soul capacity,” what results? A reunion between David and Saul, love and will. Saul sees his mistake and says: “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
In this, David's victory, what really great conquest was won? The great conquest was permanent mastery over his own soul. He did not work for personal victory, but strove to achieve according to the law, letting the results be what they would. He ruled his own spirit, and “he that ruleth his spirit {is greater} than he that taketh a city.”
Sunday, July 18, 1920: I Samuel 26:7-17,21
Is love, here represented by David, equal to any and every emergency? Yes. Love penetrates through every condition; it even makes its way into the enemy's camp, and disarms him of his weapons. “Love never faileth.”
What is the meaning of “Abishai,” the name of him who accompanied David on this expedition? Abishai means “the present of my father.” He represents the inherited law of destruction to all the enemies of the natural man.
How does the spiritual man overcome his enemies? Just as David did in this instance. Saul was given into his hands. David could easily have slain Saul, and no one be the wiser. And though Saul's death would have freed David from further persecution, and would have given to him a kingdom, David knew that only through the working out of the Law of Righteousness could lasting satisfaction and real victory be gained.
In connection with this lesson, give the meaning of the word “Abner.” The meaning of “Abner” is “light, illumined reasoning.” It is to this power that the undeveloped will (Saul) must look for protection and safety.
When Abner, illumined reasoning, fails in the trust which is given him, what is the penalty? He is considered worthy of death; in other words, just as the illumined intellect, represented by John the Baptist, must be merged with the Christ, so illumined reasoning, represented by Abner, must be absorbed by the all-knowing Mind.
When Saul, “the will,” perceives the greatness of David, “love's soul capacity,” what results? A reunion between David and Saul, love and will. Saul sees his mistake and says: “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
In this, David's victory, what really great conquest was won? The great conquest was permanent mastery over his own soul. He did not work for personal victory, but strove to achieve according to the law, letting the results be what they would. He ruled his own spirit, and “he that ruleth his spirit [is greater], than he that taketh a city.”
From over hill and plain There comes the signal strain,
'Tis loyalty, loyally, loyalty to Christ;
Its music rolls along. The hills take up the song,
Of loyalty, loyalty. Yes, loyalty to Christ
Chorus:
“On to victory! On to victory!”
Cries the great Commander; “On!”
We'll move at His command.
We'll soon possess the land.
Through loyalty, loyalty.
Yes, loyalty to Christ.
“Love never faileth.”
Love is the fulfillment of the Law.
My ideals grow into realities through following the banner stamped “Victory through Love,” and my soul conquests are sure, permanent, everlasting.
The strength of youth we lay At Jesus' feet today,
'Tis loyally, loyalty, loyalty to Christ;
His gospel we'll proclaim Thro'out the world's domain
Of loyalty, loyally. Yes, loyalty to Christ.
{Song used in this Service is No. 21, in “Make Christ King.”}
August 7, 1927: I Samuel 26:7-14,17,21
In individual consciousness what does the war between Saul and David represent? The war between Saul and David represents the war between the head and the heart. The head (Saul) feels that gradually it is being undermined by the heart (David), and that eventually it will lose its rulership. Jealousy is the root of the adverse, destructive thought that the will (Saul) sends out with intent to kill love (David).
Is love, here represented by David, equal to any and every emergency? Yes. Love penetrates every condition; it makes its way even into the camp of the enemy and disarms him. “Love never faileth.” When perverse will sees magnanimity in an enemy, it softens; it manifests a forgiving, relenting spirit.
What is the meaning of “Abishai” the name of him who accompanied David on the expedition about which today's lesson tells? The name means “the present of my father.” Abishai represents the inherited law of destruction to all the enemies of the natural man.
How does the spiritual man overcome his enemies? The spiritual man overcomes his enemies just as David overcame Saul: Saul was given into his hands. David could easily have slain Saul and no one would have been the wiser; Saul's death would have freed David from further persecution and would have given to him a kingdom; but David knew that only by obeying the law of righteousness could he gain lasting satisfaction and real victory.
Give the meaning of the word “Abner,” as used in connection with this lesson. Abner means “light, illumined reasoning.” Undeveloped will (Saul) must look to illumined reasoning for protection and safety.
When Abner (illumined reasoning) fails in the trust that has been given him, what is the penalty? He is considered “worthy to die;” in other words, just as illumined intellect (John the Baptist) must be merged with the Christ, so illumined reasoning (Abner) must be absorbed by the all-knowing Mind.
When Saul (the will) perceives the greatness of David (love's soul capacity), what results? A reunion between David (love) and Saul (will) is the result. Saul sees his mistake and says: “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
What really great conquest was won in David's victory? The great conquest was David's mastery over his own soul. He did not work for personal victory, but he strove to achieve according to the law, letting the results be what they would. He ruled his own spirit. “He that ruleth his spirit {is better} than he that taketh a city.”
July 21, 1935: I Samuel 26:5-12
By what symbolism in this lesson are the faculties of will and love shown to be of divine origin? Saul, representing the will, and David, representing love, were both anointed or consecrated to God. This fact, through the language of symbolism, points to the divine origin of these two faculties.
What do Saul and David commonly represent? Saul represents the head, David the heart.
“And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped.” What does this statement prove? It shows that love is without fear; also that the heart must triumph over the head, if life is to be balanced and true.
Can mere forcefulness of character carry one through successfully? For a limited time this may seem to be the case, but forcefulness without love falls short of real success.
What results from the coming of love into the heart of man? Harsh, untrue words cease and kind words take their place. The spear at Saul's head typifies the untrue word, and the cruse of water represents the habit of negative thinking. David (love) removed both.
Give the metaphysical significance of Abner, the son of Ner. Abner means the illumined intellect, which does not effectually stand guard over the undeveloped will (Saul) until it is absorbed by Divine Mind.
What proofs of the magnanimous spirit does David exhibit in this lesson? David refused to harm Saul when the latter was in his power. After Saul's death David extolled the good qualities of Saul and Jonathan, regardless of the attempts that Saul had made against his life. Both these acts reveal the magnanimous spirit of David.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 02-04-2014
