The Philistines Mistrust David

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(1 Samuel 29:1) Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek, and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.  

In the last chapter, before Saul consulted the medium, the Philistines had been at Shunem, and Saul's troops were at Gilboa with the valley of Jezreel between them.  Now it appears the Philistines had moved to Aphek, and the Israelites were camped by a fountain that was in Jezreel.  This map borrowed from here was the best I could find to show these locations:

(2) And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands, but David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.

The five lords of the Philistines marched as heads of groups of hundreds and thousands of Philistine soldiers, and David and his men brought up the rear with Achish.

(3) Then the princes of the Philistines said, "What do these Hebrews?" And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, "Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell to me to this day."

The lords of the Philistines asked Achish what the Hebrews were doing with them.  The king reminded them that they were with David who had been with him for many days, in fact a year and part of another year, and he had not yet found any fault in him ever since he came to him.

(4) And the princes of the Philistines were angry with him, and the princes of the Philistines said to him, "Make this fellow return that he may go again to his place which you have appointed him and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us. For with what should he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men? (5) Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying, 'Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?" 

The Philistine princes were angry with the king and told him to send David back to the place he had appointed for him, Ziklag, and not to let him go to battle with them.  After all, they reasoned, what better way to reconcile himself to Saul than to bring him the heads of the Philistines?  Wasn't this the same David of whom the people sang to one another, that Saul had killed his thousands, but David his ten thousands (1 Samuel 18:7)?

(6) Then Achish called David, and said to him, "Surely, as the Lord lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the host is good in my sight, for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day; nevertheless, the lords do not favor you. (7) Therefore now return and go in peace, that you do not displease the lords of the Philistines."

So Achish called David to him.  It's interesting to note that Achish, a pagan Philistine, spoke of the Lord as surely living.  So he certainly had knowledge of the Lord.  Perhaps he just wanted to swear to David by David's Lord so that he would pay greater regard to what he had to tell him.  He told David that he had been upright with him in all his comings and goings ever since he first came to him until that very day.  However, the Philistine princes did not favor him, so he asked David to return to his place in peace so that he did not displease them.

(8) And David said to Achish, "But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant so long as I have been with you to this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord, the king?"

Achish had already told David that he had done nothing wrong as long as he had been with him.  It was very deceitful for David to push to go to battle against the enemies of the Philistines since he most assuredly would not have defended the Philistines against the Israelites, and most likely, would have killed them.

(9) And Achish answered and said to David, "I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God; nevertheless, the princes of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.' (10) Therefore now, rise up early in the morning with your master's servants who have come with you, and as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart."

Achish repeated that David had always been good in his sight, however, the lords who were also commanders in the upcoming battle, had declared David was not to go with them, so Achish told David and his men to leave at first light the next morning.  Once again, Achish had spoken of God.  He had been very gracious to David and had perhaps learned about David's God through David's actions.  It's the way Christians ought to live so as to bring non-believers to their Lord, their only salvation.  It would have been very detrimental to David's witness and testimony to be found as such a conniving deceiver.  I believe that God, in His mercy, protected Achish at this moment in time from David's betrayal, and He protected David from further sinning.

(11) So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

So David hearkened to the king, and he and his men rose up early the next morning to go back to Ziklag in the land of the Philistines.  The Philistines went to Jezreel where the Israelites were encamped.

(1 Chronicles 12:19) And there fell of Manasseh to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they did not help him, for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, "He will fall to his master Saul against our heads."

Some of the tribe of Manasseh had fallen in with David when he had come with Achish and the Philistines to fight against Saul, but they had not helped him because the king and the lords of the Philistines had sent David and his men away fearing wisely that he would fall in line with Saul against them.

(20) As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. (21) And they helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and were captains in the host.

As David went back to Ziklag, more from the tribe of Manasseh fell in with him, namely Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zilthai, who were captains of the troops of thousands that were of Manasseh.  There must have been two Jozabads, as that name is mentioned twice.  These men went on to help David against a band of raiders that I believe speaks of a future event.  These were all mighty men and were captains in David's army.

(22) For at that time, day by day, there came to David to help him until a great host like the host of God.

It seems that day by day David's army grew until it was a great army like the army of God, which it surely was, as God was undoubtedly implemental in bringing these mighty men to help David.

Birth of the Prophet Samuel

Continuing a chronological Bible study: 

(1 Samuel 1:1) Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim of Mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.

This first chapter of 1 Samuel takes us back to the time of the judges of Israel, Samson being the last one (Judges 16).  Judges 17-21 didn't actually follow a chronological order but told how the people had strayed and did what was right in their own eyes, before the time of the judges.  I've been disappointed in this particular chronological pattern of studying the Bible that was presented by Skip Andrews, as it is not always exactly in chronological date order, but I can't change now.  This chapter begins by telling us about a man named Elkanah who lived at a place called Ramathaim Zophim in Mount Ephraim.  He was the son of Jeroham, who was the son of Elihu, who was the son of Tohu, who was the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite from Ephratah which is said to be another name for Bethlehem Judah.

(2) And he had two wives, the name of the one Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah, and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.  Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.

(3) And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

Elkanah went, as he did yearly, to Shiloh to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord, called the Lord of hosts, which means the Lord of heaven's armies.  Eli was the next judge after Samson and was also the high priest.  He and his sons who were also priests were there in Shiloh.

(4) And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters.

This was probably a peace offering where the bringer of the offering shared in the feast made of his offering.  Adam Clarke, in his Commentary on the Bible, explained:  "The sacrifices which were made were probably peace-offerings, of which the blood was poured out at the foot of the altar; the fat was burnt on the fire; the breast and right shoulder were the portion of the priest, and the rest belonged to him who made the offering; on it he and his family feasted, each receiving his portion..."  Elkanah gave portions of his offering to his wife Peninnah and to her children.

(5) But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion, for he loved Hannah; but the Lord had shut up her womb.

It appears that Elkanah gave Hannah a more special or choice portion because he loved her.  However, Hannah had no children because the Lord had shut her womb.

(6) And her adversary also provoked her sorely to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

Scripture doesn't tell us who Hannah's adversary was, but it was probably Peninnah, perhaps jealous that Elkanah loved Hannah best, and she taunted Hannah because she had been unable to have children.  It doesn't have to be Peninnah; the adversary could be Satan feeding her with all sorts of negative thoughts because she had not been able to bear children.  Even if it was Peninnah, Satan the adversary had a hand in it, to be sure.

(7) And he did so year by year; when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.

Elkanah went to the house of the Lord for this feast year after year.  "She" provoked Hannah when she went up to the house of the Lord, so it is Peninnah who was her adversary.  They were going to make an offering to the Lord, and Peninnah was accompanied by all her children, and Hannah was alone, so Peninnah taunted Hannah until she wept and did not eat.

(8) Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

Elkanah asked Hannah why she grieved so and did not eat.  He asked if his love for her was better than if she had had ten sons.  Or perhaps the meaning was that his love was better than the comfort and love she would receive from ten sons.  The point was that his great love for her, obviously greater than the love he had for Peninnah and her children, should demonstrate that it didn't matter to him that she could not bear him any children.

(9) So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.

Hannah rose up to leave after they had eaten and drunk.  Eli the priest who was also the judge sat upon probably what was called the seat of judgment by a post of the temple of the Lord.

(10) And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept sorely. (11) And she vowed a vow, and said, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and remember me and not forget Your handmaid, but will give to Your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."

Hannah wept bitterly and prayed to the Lord.  She vowed that if the Lord looked down on her favorably and gave her a boy child, she would dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life, as a Nazarite, and no razor would ever touch his head.

(12) And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli observed her mouth. (13) Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

Hannah was praying to herself, not aloud, but her lips moved as she prayed in her heart.  Eli saw her and observed her mouth moving and thought she was drunk.

(14) And Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine from you."

Eli spoke to Hannah and asked how long she intended to be drunk and told her to put her wine away.

(15) And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. (16) Do not count your handmaid for a daughter of Belial, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken until now."

Hannah told Eli she had not been drinking, but she was just very sorrowful and had poured out her soul to the Lord.  She asked that he not consider her a daughter of wickedness, that it was only because of her overwhelming grief and complaint that her mouth had moved while she prayed.

(17) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him."

Eli then told Hannah to go in peace, that the God of Israel would grant her request for which she had prayed and asked of God.

(18) And she said, "Let your handmaid find grace in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her countenance was no longer sad.

Hannah wished that she may have found favor with Eli and then went her way.  She ate and she was no longer sad because she had assurance in the words of the priest that God would favorably answer her prayer.

(19) And they rose up in the morning early and worshiped before the Lord and returned and came to their house to Ramah, and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

Elkanah and his family rose up early the next morning and went to the tabernacle to worship the Lord, and then they went back to their home in Ramah, or Ramathaim.  There Elkanah knew his wife Hannah in an intimate way, and the Lord remembered her as she had prayed He would.

(20) So it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son and called his name Samuel, "Because I have asked him of the Lord."

It came to pass when the time was come for Hannah to give birth, she had a son and named him Samuel, which meant literally "heard of God," because she had asked the Lord for him, and the Lord had heard her prayers and answered favorably.

(21) And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow.

Elkanah and his family went to offer a yearly sacrifice to the Lord and for whatever vow he had made since the last offering.  He had possibly made a vow on the occasion of Hannah's prayer and vow, or maybe he vowed an offering of thanksgiving for the child.

(22) But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned, and I will bring him that he may appear before the Lord and abide there forever."

Hannah did not go with her family because she had told Elkanah that she wouldn't go until her baby was weaned, and then she would take him to appear before the Lord where he would abide forever, in keeping with her vow.

(23) And Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems to you good; wait until you have weaned him; only the Lord establish His word. So the woman abode and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

Elkanah told Hannah to do what she thought best and wait until she had weaned Samuel.  Then may the Lord establish His word as vowed by Hannah, to accept and preserve Samuel, and have him grow up a Nazarite in service to the Lord.  Hannah stayed and nursed her baby until she had weaned him.

(24) And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a bottle of wine and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, and the child was young.

When Hannah had weaned her son, she took him with a bull, flour, and a bottle of wine for offerings, and she brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh.  The child was quite young, probably a small toddler.

(25) And they slaughtered a bull and brought the child to Eli.

The bull was slaughtered for sacrifice, and the child was brought to Eli.

(26) And she said, "O my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. (27) For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. (28) Therefore I have also lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord." And he worshiped the Lord there.

Hannah reminded Eli about who she was, the woman who had prayed to the Lord beside him.  She never told him what she had prayed for, only that she had poured her soul out to the Lord (verse 15), but Eli told her that God would grant her petition (verse 17).  She now told Eli that she had prayed for a child, and the Lord had given her her petition.  She went on to tell him that she was giving her son to the Lord for His service for as long as he lived.  "He" worshiped the Lord there, perhaps Eli who gave thanks to the Lord for what he had declared would be having come to fruition.  Some Biblical scholars think Samuel is meant.  Although he was very young, his spirit knew and was capable of worshiping God in some way, just as Elizabeth's baby leapt in her womb when he heard Mary (Luke 1:41).  Others think "they" was meant, and they all worshiped the Lord for what He had done.

Elihu's Wisdom from the Holy Spirit

Continuing a Bible study of Job:

(Job 32:1) So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. (2) Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. (3) Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

At least they thought that Job was being righteous in his own eyes, but they had just failed to convince Job on any of their points because they argued from false principles. This angered Elihu; his friends condemned Job when they had found no reason to, and Job seemed to be all about himself, justifying himself rather than glorifying God.

(4) Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were older than he. (5) When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was aroused. (6) And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said, "I am young, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not show you my opinion. (7) I said, 'Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'"

Elihu was younger than Job and his three friends who had previously spoken, and was respectful of them, allowing them to speak and not interrupting them. After they had ceased speaking, and he had taken in all of their vain conversation that apparently went nowhere, he could hold his peace no longer.

(8) "But there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding. (9) Great men are not always wise; neither do the aged understand judgment."

The Holy Spirit of God can give man wisdom and understanding at any age. Great men or old men are not always wise just because of their position or age, but when the Holy Spirit of God gives His inspiration to man, the man may have Godly understanding if he listens.

(10) "Therefore I say, 'Listen to me, I also will show my opinion.' (11) Behold, I waited for your words; I listened to your reasons, while you searched out what to say. (12) Yes, I paid attention to you, and behold, none of you convinced Job, or answered his words; (13) Lest you should say, 'We have found out wisdom; God thrusts him down, not man.'"

Elihu points out that he did wait until they had all finished speaking before offering his opinion. He listened to them, but they did not really answer Job. So rather than having them falsely satisfied that they had the wisdom and understanding of God, he will now speak, obviously feeling he is speaking under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

(14) "Now he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches."

Because Elihu did not partake in the conversation up to this point, Job has not directed any of his comments to him, and he indicates he will not answer Job with any of their false words.

(15) "They were amazed, they answered no more, they left off speaking. (16) When I had waited (for they did not speak, but stood still, and answered no more), (17) I said, 'I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.' (18) For I am full of matter; the spirit within me constrains me. (19) Behold, my belly is like wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles."

Once again Elihu points out that he waited until Job's friends quit speaking. Perhaps his friends were astonished or filled with wonder that they could not convince Job with their wisdom, but the word translated as "amazed" meant more completely "dismayed, discouraged, or broken down", so they were simply exhausted with trying to convince Job, and quit trying. Elihu implies he is so full of inspiration from the Holy Spirit that he feels about to burst. The Holy Spirit constrains, or better translated with another of the original word's definitions, presses upon him to speak.

(20) "I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer. (21) Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither let me give flattering titles to man. (22) For I know not to give flattering titles; (in so doing) my Maker would soon take me away."

As he is about to burst, Elihu will be relieved to at last speak. To accept a man's person is to show partiality, so Elihu determines not to show partiality nor offer flattery in his speech. Our modern day way of speaking, and evidently the way of the KJV translators in 1611, who added the phrase "in so doing", would make the gist of verse 22, "I know better than to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would strike me dead." "In so doing" was not in the original text. Additionally, whenever we read "I know not" or any other word and then "not" in the Bible, it means "I do not know" or "I do not (whatever)", so the real meaning of the first part of that verse is that Elihu doesn't know how to offer flattery. Whether it is not in his nature or he has just learned not to do it, he is pointing out that he will not be offering any false flattery when he speaks. "My maker would soon take me away" is a little more difficult to understand exactly. He might mean that he does indeed fear the wrath of God if he were to do something he knew were wrong, such as fearing and revering man rather than God. It might be a more matter of fact statement that Elihu knows he will leave this life at some point and will have to answer to his Maker for his actions. I have my own thought on this that I did not read from any other commentary. Just maybe Elihu meant that if he spoke any flattering words, adding to what the Holy Spirit was telling him, that that Spirit would be taken away. It's a thought that doesn't change the sense of this passage.

(Job 33:1) "Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words."

We begin chapter 33 with Elihu directing his words to Job.

(2) "Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue has spoken in my mouth. (3) My words will be of the uprightness of my heart, and my lips will utter knowledge clearly."

I believe the sense here is that Elihu will speak to Job as truly as he can what he feels the Holy Spirit is speaking to him.

(4) "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life. (5) If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up. (6) Behold, I am as your mouth in God's stead; I also have been formed out of clay."

Elihu encourages Job to take a stand and answer him, if he can, after he has finished speaking, as Elihu and Job are equals in God's eyes. The original KJV reads "I (am) according to thy wish in God's stead". The word translated as "wish" actually means "mouth". It can also mean "word", and the sense the KJV's translators were trying to convey was that it was like breath blowing a word or saying, so Elihu's words, thoughts, and wishes were as Job's; they were equal in God's eyes.

(7) "Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my hand be heavy upon you."

Elihu may mean that he will not be as rough as Job's friends had been, or perhaps he alludes to Job's previous statement from Job 9:34, "Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His fear terrify me."

(8) "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying, (9) 'I am clean without transgression; I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. (10) Behold, He finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy; (11) He puts my feet in the stocks; He marks all my paths.'"

Elihu intends to show that he has been listening to Job and begins by referring to Job's own words. However, Job never used the exact words that he was without transgression; as a matter of fact at one point Job indeed said in Job 9:20, "If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me; if I say, I am perfect, it will also prove me perverse." However, Job did say that he was pure and righteous. Although some of the time I felt Job may have been speaking of his enemy counting Job as his enemy, rather than God doing it, he does seem to imply it is God in some places, like in Job 10:6, when he talks about God inquiring and searching out his sins. In Job 13:27, Job said exactly, "You put my feet also in the stocks, and watch closely all my paths."

(12) "Behold, in this you are not just; I will answer you, that God is greater than man. (13) Why do you strive against Him? For He does not give an account of any of His matters."

Elihu states that Job has not been correct in his conclusions about God. God and His plans are greater than man's and we don't always understand them. I am reminded of the scripture in Isaiah 55:9, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

(14) "For God speaks once, yes, twice, yet man does not perceive it. (15) In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering on the bed, (16) Then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, (17) That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man."

God does often show us His ways, but we fail to see. He shows us wonders in His creation and in His Word, and His Holy Spirit often speaks directly to us, but we don't recognize it as the Spirit of God, and dismiss it. He shows us things in dreams that we either forget or once again don't recognize as from Him. Most of the time, when there is that confirmation of something, or that "coincidence" that turns you away from something, you can be sure the Spirit of God was at work! God can change our direction in life and humble us before Him. Sometimes we may be "brought down" for our good, to save us from our own selfish pride and arrogance. I am reminded of the apostle Paul and the thorn in his flesh that kept him humble and dependent on his Lord.

(18) "He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. (19) He is chastened also with pain on his bed, and with strong pain in many of his bones, (20) So that his life abhors bread, and his soul, succulent meat."

God keeps us on a right track and saves our lives and eternal souls. Wow! If we could really get our minds around this passage! Sometimes God allows bad things to happen for our ultimate good! How many times do we want to be angry at God for something we think He did or didn't do, when all the while our loving Father is working things for a more excellent good that we can't see at the moment?! If we would only learn that our heavenly Father is ever-loving and faithful and merciful and just learn to trust Him because we know He knows best, how much more peaceful our lives would be! Of course, we do good and do what we can, but when it is out of our hands, we trust God.

(21) "His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. (22) Yes, his soul draws near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers. (23) If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness, (24) Then he is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.'"

Wow! The opinions on verses 23 and 24 are as varied as I have seen in this study! The messenger could be an angel or perhaps someone led by the Holy Spirit to lead the person to salvation. The word translated as "interpreter" also means "ambassador", an authorized representative; it comes from a root word which also means "intercede". Thus it is someone who will intercede for him. Does he lead man to his own uprightness, or does he show the man His uprightness, that of the Lord, his Savior? Either way, the only uprightness that will save him is that of his Lord. Again, I'm not sure if the "he" in verse 24 is "he", the angel or interpreter, or "He", Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us all, as He paid the price of our sins. Once again, either interpretation works. The sense is that upon the man's death bed, he is saved from the pit of hell. How many times do we hear of people hitting rock-bottom and only then turning to their only true salvation? So rather than affliction being the punishment of a vengeful God, it is actually a merciful act of a loving Father turning His children back to Him and therefore saving their eternal lives. How wonderful that He loves us enough to do whatever it takes to bring us to Him! And perhaps unfortunately, it takes more to bring some of us back than it does others. Our heavenly Father knows just what it takes, and He works all things for ultimate good. If we really understood that, we could always trust God and fear not.

(25) "His flesh will be fresher than a child's; he will return to the days of his youth; (26) He will pray to God, and He will be favorable to him, and he shall see His face with joy, for He will return to man His righteousness."

"Fresher than a child's"...a beautiful picture of what we are told in the New Testament happens when we are born again! Ephesians 4:24 says, "And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Colossians 3:9-10: "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds, And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him who created him." Elihu, obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit, is telling Job essentially the same thing the Apostle Paul told the churches almost 2000 years later! God's plan has always been the same! Since the fall of Adam, God has mercifully and lovingly sought to return man to Himself and restore Him.

(27) "He looks upon men, and if any say, 'I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it did not profit me', (28) He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life will see the light. (29) Lo, God works all these things oftentimes with man, (30) To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living."

Elihu reiterates that God uses all the ways he described before to bring a soul to Him. Again very akin to something Paul would later say in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

(31) "Mark well, O Job, hearken to me; hold your peace, and I will speak. (32) If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. (33) If not, hearken to me; hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."

Elihu urges Job to pay close attention to him, but he is also a fair man who would do Job justice and not pervert what he said and attribute wrong motives, as his friends had done.