Just One

Jesus was sometimes found on the road.  Mark recounts one event when a young man came running to him "as He was going out on the road." (Mark10:17)  The young man was a running man who became a kneeling man, and according to Luke's account, he was a ruler of some sort.  He had some good things going for him!  His question for the Teacher was clear - "what must I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  A good question.  Solid.  He was ready for an answer from the One who had answers.
Jesus responded with a list of commandments that were readily known by the man.  Jesus answered indirectly.  "You know the commandments . . ."  The man responds by saying, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." The word "kept" is used for the activity of a watchman.  His whole adult life apparently was spent in an ongoing state of watchfulness to keep these commands.
Jesus looks at him - a fixed gaze is the word - eyes holding eyes . . . and loved him.  Jesus has an increase in affectionate love for this man.  He had been watching from his youth.  It must have been such a tender moment for the young man.  He had pleased the Teacher.  He followed the rules.  He had "done" right.  It is the next line which provides such insight to our Teacher.  "One thing you lack . . ."  There was one area of life that he had fallen behind in, an area that was wanting.  Jesus tells him to sell whatever he has and give to the poor . . and come, take up the cross, and follow Him.  Such nearness, such triumph abruptly changed.  His glow became a gloom.  It was "at this word" that he went away sorrowful because he had a sizable measure of wealth.  Aaack!
It was his one thing that kept him from truly following Christ.  There was just one thing.

What the eye sees

1 Samuel 17 is truly legendary.  David, Goliath, a stone.  That old enemy of Israel, the Philistines, had gathered its armies together to battle.  Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together as well.  Both forces camping in their respective places.  At that time, Israel arrayed itself on one mountain side while the Philistines stood on the other mountain side with a valley (more correctly - a ravine) in between.
The Philistines had a champion named Goliath.  He stood over nine feet tall.  He had a bronze helmet, a coat of mail, bronze armor on his legs, a bronze javelin and a spear - and all of it was very heavy and imposing.  All he wore or carried said "power".  He was outfitted to the hilt.  A visible display of force / domination.  He also had a loud mouth and cast insults toward the Israelites and demanded engagement on his terms.  He was big, loud and angry.  Such can be the enemies of God's people.
I suspect that each day the Israelites would roll out of their tents and survey the morning horizon.  Each day, there he would come again.  Just to confront them.  Their eye would be drawn to him.  Possibly, they would look to the side, but in the back of their mind, they could not escape him.  This Goliath.  Morning by morning, still there.
Then, one day a tender youth arrived.  "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."  He would run to the enemy and say, "I come to you in the name".   Young David had his eyes on Someone else.

Places to Hide

The book of Samuel lays bare Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy.  Their heart had cooled to their God.  So, they demanded a person to reign over them instead of God.  They wanted a layer of humanity between them and divinity.  Their demand spoke of their longing to be like other nations (1Sam 8:20) and their rejection of their God (1Sam 8:7).

Well, a man after their heart is chosen by God.  A man named Saul.  Head and shoulders above the rest of them, surely he is a leader!  And . . he was attractive.  That's the guy.  Everything about his outward appearance is exactly what they wanted.  

In time, their new king would find himself battling Israel's old enemy - the Philistines.  The Philistines ruled over Israel in those days.  Israel was in bondage - again.  In chapter 13, the battle lines are precisely drawn.  Jonathan attacks the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba.  The ruling Philistines sound the alarm.  These uppity Hebrews think they can overcome us!  The enemy response is overwhelming.  A multitude of chariots, horsemen and people "as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude" arrive at the doorstep of Saul's army which is gathered at Gilgal.  As someone has said, Israel "poked the bear."  

It must have been quite a sight.  Israel looking up the rocky slopes from the plain just northwest of Jericho where Gilgal was toward the hills of Benjamin.  Michmash and Geba were up there.  The silhouettes of the enemy filled the skyline.  Chariots, horsemen, officers, soldiers.  Israel felt the danger.  They were afraid.  It caused them to hide.  They hid in caves . . in thickets . . in rocks . . in holes . . and in pits.  Some simply high-tailed it out of there.  Sprinting toward the Jordan and lands beyond.  So many places for the people of God to hide.