The Eye Of The Goat

The Daily (NASB) Reading: 1 Samuel 24

What is the spiritual significance of this Providence in the wilderness called "Engedi?" (v.1)

Consider that Engedi means "eye of the goat." (v.9-10)

[ʿEyn, Gediy /ane geh·dee/] n pr loc. From 5869 and 1423; GK 6527 and 6525; Six occurrences; AV translates as "Engedi" six times. 1 a town in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Additional Information: En-gedi = “fount of the kid”.

[ʿayin /ah·yin/] n f/m. Probably a primitive word; TWOT 1612a, 1613; GK 6412 and 6524; 887 occurrences; AV translates as "eye" 495 times, "sight" 216 times, "seem" 19 times, "colour" 12 times, "fountain" 11 times, "well" 11 times, "face" 10 times, "pleased + 3190" 10 times, "presence" eight times, "displeased + 3415" eight times, "before" eight times, "pleased + 3474" four times, "conceit" four times, "think" four times, and translated miscellaneously 66 times. 1 eye. 1A eye. 1A1 of physical eye. 1A2 as showing mental qualities. 1A3 of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.). 2 spring, fountain.qualities. 1A3 of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.). 2 spring, fountain.

[gâdiy /ghed·ee/] n m. From the same as 1415; TWOT 314b; GK 1531; 16 occurrences; AV translates as "kid" 16 times. 1 kid, young male goat.

Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

What does that mean for our application? (v.2)

Saul, being a novice, chose his own men, but David depended on the LORD to choose the men who would serve with him.

Luke 14:13 (NKJV)

13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.

1 Samuel 22:2 (NKJV)

2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.

So there were 400 men to Saul's 3000 with David, but even these were as wild goats. Nevertheless, they were David's sheepfold. You could say they were David's "fortune" while Saul's (choice) men were his fool's gold in the eye of a (young) goat. (v.3)

[Gadiy /gaw·dee/] n pr m. From 1409; GK 1533; Two occurrences; AV translates as "Gadi" twice. 1 the Gadite father of Menahem, a king of Israel. Additional Information: Gadi = “my fortune”.

Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong's Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

But what is the point of this chapter that sets David apart from Saul? (v.4)

David has the ability to discern between the voice of God and the voice of men, as Samuel did as the LORD'S prophet. (v.9-10)

Therefore why didn't David listen to the voice of his men? Or did he, to the extent that it agreed with God? (v.10)

Should 400 men perish over the honor of one man against 3000 choice men of Saul? David didn't do a background check to select the men that would most benefit him. Rather he used his skills as a shepherd to serve them. Therefore, he, too, had an eye for goats, but in order to keep them from the evil one. (v.7, 14)

Wouldn't those 3000 men have served their conscience before they would have served their hearts as David's men were prepared to do? (v.5-7)

1 Samuel 22:16–20 (NKJV)

16 And the king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house!" 17 Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, "Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me." But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. 18 And the king said to Doeg, "You turn and kill the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod. 19 Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword. 20 Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

John 16:2 (NKJV)

2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

Galatians 4:15 (NKJV)

15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

Therefore why did David's conscience bother him? (v.5)

Exodus 22:28 (NKJV)

28 "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

2 Samuel 6:21 (NKJV)

21 So David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord.

Acts 23:2–6 (NKJV)

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" 4 And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" 5 Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" 6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"

Therefore isn't David's conscience led by the authority of the Spirit and the voice of the LORD? So it's a question about authority, isn't it? (v.6)

John 15:16 (NKJV)

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Mark 11:28–30 (NKJV)

28 And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?" 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me."

Therefore David understood that it is the LORD who chooses from beginning to end. (v.7)

John 6:37–40 (NKJV)

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

John 6:45–47 (NKJV)

45 It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

But what does David do to cover his wild goats as a good shepherd? (v.8)

1 Samuel 2:25 (NKJV)

25 If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them.

1 Peter 4:6–11 (NKJV)

6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

But how much more does he continue to honor the LORD above Saul as the ruler? (v.9)

Matthew 15:21–28 (NKJV)

21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Therefore is David humbling himself before Saul or before the LORD? (v.8, 10-11)

John 12:26–34 (NKJV)

26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 27 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

John 16:7–13 (NKJV)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Revelation 22:8–9 (NKJV)

8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

Why does David have confidence that the LORD will be (just) concerning his "spiritual" brother Saul, but not on the same level as God was with Sodom and Gomorrah? (v.12)

Genesis 18:22–26 (NKJV)

22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" 26 So the Lord said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."

Genesis 19:12–13 (NKJV)

12 Then the men said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! 13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it."

Genesis 19:24–26 (NKJV)

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Therefore David chooses to see Saul in the eyes of his confession and in the covenant of the LORD rather than to see him in the eyes of his deeds. (v.13)

Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)

34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:35 (NKJV)

35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Matthew 15:18 (NKJV)

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

1 Samuel 19:24 (NKJV)

24 And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

2 Corinthians 5:16–19 (NKJV)

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore what is David reminding Saul of concerning his commission? Is David a dead dog? Wasn't Saul only commissioned to put sinners to death? And what is David at his best in Saul's kingdom that he comes against him with 3000 men? (v.14)

Therefore shouldn't the LORD be the mediator between this dispute among the brotherhood, especially since they are both circumcised in heart and in the flesh? (v.15)

Jude 6–11 (NKJV)

6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

How was David able to turn Saul's heart if he wasn't speaking by the covenant of the Word and the Spirit that abides in Saul's heart? (v.16)

1 Timothy 5:1 (NKJV)

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

Proverbs 15:1–3 (NKJV)

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Jeremiah 2:19 (NKJV)

19 Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you," Says the Lord God of hosts.

But isn't Saul still a novice? But was Saul an enemy that knows not the depravity of his own likeness? (v.17)

Psalm 55:12–16 (NKJV)

12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng. 15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me.

Luke 18:9–14 (NKJV)

9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Didn't Saul seek compassion? Would Saul have felt like God had lied to him since he was anointed by the LORD to serve Him as king? (v.18-22)

1 Samuel 22:8 (NKJV)

8 All of you have conspired against me, and there is no one who reveals to me that my son has made a covenant with the son of Jesse; and there is not one of you who is sorry for me or reveals to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day."

Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

But who is the one who has the Spirit to demonstrate compassion for him? (v.22)

But what was Saul's problem with the kingdom he built for himself? Wasn't it those bad business deals and because of his unwise investments that have yoked him with some strange scoundrels in Carmel?

1 Samuel 25:2–6 (NKJV)

2 Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb. 4 When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep, 5 David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6 And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: 'Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!

1 Samuel 25:9–12 (NKJV)

9 So when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited. 10 Then Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master. 11 Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?" 12 So David's young men turned on their heels and went back; and they came and told him all these words.

1 Samuel 25:14–17 (NKJV)

14 Now one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master; and he reviled them. 15 But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, nor did we miss anything as long as we accompanied them, when we were in the fields. 16 They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep. 17 Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him."

1 Samuel 15:10–14 (NKJV)

10 Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, 11 "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. 12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal." 13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord." 14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

2 Corinthians 6:11–7:2 (NKJV)

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.