Steven Wales

BLOODSHED: Times of War and Times of Peace, 1 Chronicles 28:2-3.

Pictured: “The 2000-Yard Stare” by Thomas Calloway “Tom” Lea, III, oil on canvas (1944). In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons. –Herodotus. King David was the commander-in-chief of a kingdom at war. Saul’s kingdom had been one of drama, intrigue, and Saul’s obsessive quest to murder David. David had betterContinue reading “BLOODSHED: Times of War and Times of Peace, 1 Chronicles 28:2-3.”

Manly Exploits and the Manly Heart. 2 Samuel 23:8.

Pictured: Yellowfin tuna from this fishing guide’s website: https://alphonsefishingco.com/fly-fishing/species/yellowfin-tuna/ Once, after a day of deep-sea fishing, I joined my friend Doug at a stainless steel cleaning table. Ours was one of four tables, each surrounded by men cleaning fish and swapping stories. It was amazing to see the huge redfish and yellow-fin tuna and amberjackContinue reading “Manly Exploits and the Manly Heart. 2 Samuel 23:8.”

Burial or Cremation? 1 Samuel 31:12-13.

An unforgettable movie line comes from the OUTLAW JOSEY WALES. Wales is busy tracking down Captain Terrill, a man with a bad habit of slaughtering the unarmed. After Wales, played by Clint Eastwood, shoots a pair of Terrill’s killers, he refuses to stop and bury the dead. To make his disdain for the dead menContinue reading “Burial or Cremation? 1 Samuel 31:12-13.”

Trust God With Complicated Matters of International Diplomacy. 1 Samuel 29:3-4.

One day David finds himself trapped in a complicated matter of international diplomacy. Saul’s quest to murder David had driven him to live among the Philistines. A year later the Philistines begin assembling armies to attack Israel. This creates a sticky situation. David claims to be loyal to the Philistines, but he knows he willContinue reading “Trust God With Complicated Matters of International Diplomacy. 1 Samuel 29:3-4. “

They That Wait Upon the Lord. 1 Samuel 26:8-11.

David spent years running all over the wilderness of Israel evading Saul’s murderous armies. He had 600 men on the road, each depending on David for food. One day David and his men hid themselves deep in a cave and Saul came in alone to relieve himself. David’s men whispered, “Kill him, David. God broughtContinue reading “They That Wait Upon the Lord. 1 Samuel 26:8-11.”

SOMETIMES THE FUGITIVE MUST REMEMBER THAT HE IS ALSO THE FUTURE KING. OR Sometimes Prior Callings Take Priority Over Present Callings. 1 Samuel 23:4-5.

The Bible features reports of several fugitives forced to run for their lives. Jacob fled after he stole Esau’s birthright. Moses fled after he killed an Egyptian. Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and the baby Jesus to escape the savage hand of Herod. But surely no fugitive faced greater peril than David. King SaulContinue reading “SOMETIMES THE FUGITIVE MUST REMEMBER THAT HE IS ALSO THE FUTURE KING. ~~OR~~ Sometimes Prior Callings Take Priority Over Present Callings. 1 Samuel 23:4-5.”

DEFINITELY A LAW AND ORDER GUY. 1 Samuel 21:6.

Pictured: Actors portray Jesus healing a blind man on the Sabbath. In law school one of my colleagues asked me whether I was going to be a prosecutor. “Because I figure, you’re definitely a law and order guy.” I had never been called that before. As a hyperactive child, I spent most of my timeContinue reading “DEFINITELY A LAW AND ORDER GUY. 1 Samuel 21:6.”

When Miracle Workers Cannot Be Trusted. 1 Samuel 19:20-24.

When the glories of David the giant-killer began to eclipse those of King Saul, Saul was filled with murderous rage. The king made several attempts on David’s life. The first attempt was thwarted by his son, Jonathan, who warned David, then talked Saul out of it, 1 Samuel 19:6. The second was thwarted by DavidContinue reading “When Miracle Workers Cannot Be Trusted. 1 Samuel 19:20-24.”

DON’T DOUBLE DOWN! 1 Samuel 14:44.

In 2023, New York attorney Steven A. Schwartz represented an airline passenger allegedly injured after being struck by a beverage cart. In March of 2023, Schwartz filed a brief that cited the following case: Varghese v. China Southern Airlines Co Ltd., 925 F.3d 1339 (11th Cir. 2019). The problem? There is no Varghese v. ChinaContinue reading “DON’T DOUBLE DOWN! 1 Samuel 14:44.”

Prayer, Fasting, and Generational Blessings. 1 Samuel 2:31-33.

“The child Samuel grew in favor both with the Lord and also with men” 1 Samuel 2:26. How can we have children like that? Is there a way to guarantee your children will walk with God? The short answer is “No, but…” That is, there is probably nothing godly parents can do to ensure theirContinue reading “Prayer, Fasting, and Generational Blessings. 1 Samuel 2:31-33.”