17 Jul

My Next Project: Understanding Domestic Violence Through The Eyes of Saul, David, and Jonathan

Progress of my Bible based book on domestic violence by Franklin Morris II

Now that I’ve finished writing a Bible based book on overcoming the dysfunctional mind, I’m very eager to go onto my next book project, which is prayerfully understanding domestic violence in 1 Samuel through the eyes of Saul, David, and Jonathan.

Saul:
Saul was the “God-fearing” abuser. When sin was pointed out in his life, he would blame it on others and circumstances. By doing so, he “rejected the word of the Lord”, but at the same time he still wanted to worship…the Lord. That’s crazy! 1 Samuel 15:13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31.

He was the type of person who would invite you over to play heavenly music in his house, but you never knew when he would throw a javelin at you…1 Samuel 16:14-17, 23; 1 Samuel 18:10, 11.

What were more of the characteristics of Saul? What were some of the mind games that he played? How did he get to the point of being an abuser?

David:
David was the innocent victim of domestic violence. He was clueless of why Saul wanted to kill him. “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” 1 Samuel 20:1.

If someone is a victim of domestic violence right now, what practical counsel does the Bible give to help them cope with the situation right now? Does God’s word have any solutions? Does God even know the pain domestic violence victims go through?

Jonathan:
Although Saul foolishly tried to kill Jonathan after he ate honey, and although Saul tried to kill David when he was playing the harp, Jonathan’s perspective of his abusive father changed after Saul prophesied. David feared for his life, but Jonathan told him that his father was not going to do him any harm. His false view of his father could have put his beloved friend David in serious danger. Finally, after Saul threw a javelin at Jonathan, he came to his senses. “And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.” 1 Samuel 14:43-45; 1 Samuel 18:10, 11; 1 Samuel 19:20-24; 1 Samuel 20:33.

Do we put our loved ones and ourselves in danger by our false views of others? What makes us have a false view of them, and how can we have the right, Christlike perspective?

I’m going ask the Wonderful Counselor many questions about these stories in my counseling sessions with Him.

This study is definitely going to be continued…