Paws & Tales

Ned: Welcome to another episode of my personal podcast, Ned Knows. Today I'm talking to the creator of Paws & Tales, Dave Karl. Well, thanks for being with me today, Dave.

Dave Karl: It's a pleasure to be here, Ned.

Ned: So, because I'm me, I happen to know that you have written the first ever Paws & Tales book. Oh, tell me more about that.

Dave Karl: I'd love to. It's called The Overcomers, and reading this book will be like reading maybe five regular episodes. The club is in the middle of a big new adventure and there are new characters we introduced.

Ned: That's fascinating, Dave. I have it though, by good authority, that this book centers around Ned and how he saves the day for everyone.

Dave Karl: Well, no, that's not what the book is about. It is significantly about the struggle against evil that lurks high up in Wild Mountain. If anything, I'd have to say it centers around Stacy.

Ned: What? But I gave you really good notes when you were writing this. What happened to all my great ideas?

Dave Karl: Well, mostly, I didn't read them. There was a lot of notes, Ned. In the book I did write, we meet Smidge, a badger who really wants to become someone who will make a difference. And he meets up with Crockett, a genuine overcomer who begins to teach him how to survive in the woods and how to take care of the miners digging for gold in the tunnels of Wild Mountain.

Ned: Ned knows what this book was supposed to be about. In those notes you did not read, Ned inherits a million dollars, but he does not let anyone know about it. And he sneaks around and secretly helps those in need and uses all kinds of really neat gadgets to fight crime.

Dave Karl: I did read that part of the notes, but in this first Paws & Tales book, The Overcomers, we follow the club as they begin a new adventure and we see how Crockett battles bandits and the evil minion in only the way an overcomer can.

Ned: Well, I did not know that you changed the whole book, Dave. This is a bitter disappointment. Well, this ends this episode of Ned Knows. Thanks for joining me, Dave Karl, who ignored all my notes. I'll see you all next time for another episode of Ned Knows. Dave, stop tape.

Stacy: Previously on Paws & Tales.

Samuel: Go ahead. Go ahead and say it. You need to start acting like a king.

Elder Okran: Samuel, look what the Lord has done.

Samuel: You have done well this day. Continue to follow the Lord and you'll be a great blessing to your nation.

Elder Okran: My king, I think I just may have what you need.

Saul: Do you now? And what is it that I need, Elder Okran?

Denau: My king, perhaps a compromise would help. Perhaps you could perform the offering.

Stacy: Welcome to the world of Paws & Tales. Wild Mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trails and stick with me, there's adventures to be had there too.

Guest (Male): Come on, CJ, jump.

Guest (Female): It's too far.

Guest (Male): It wasn't too far for me.

Stacy: Insight for Living is proud to present Paws & Tales.

Now King Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash. Now, I was at this location yesterday, and I was shocked to see that it's not the kind of place to launch an attack. It is a place to hide.

There's a deep ravine with high cliffs on each side. The Bible calls them crags. These crags are what separated the two armies. There is a narrow path around these crags, but it would be too dangerous to undefended for anyone to cross without being killed. So it was here that King Saul hid, just like he hid among the baggage when he first became king. I have often wondered what the soldiers who followed King Saul, what did they think that day about their situation and their king?

Guest (Male): So what does it mean?

Guest (Male): What does what mean?

Guest (Male): What does it mean when Samuel tells King Saul that God has chosen someone else to be king?

Guest (Male): That's enough. Jonathan will hear you.

Jonathan: I did hear him. It's all right, sir. That's a good question. What do you think it means? Most think it means God's left him.

Guest (Male): Whatever it means, he's still king today.

Jonathan: You're right. He is still king today and we are duty-bound to follow him until the next king takes the throne.

Guest (Male): I think it means that Jonathan will be the next king.

Jonathan: I don't think so, but I don't know what God has in mind.

Guest (Male): So if he's still king today, what's he doing in there? He's not making plans. That's for sure. I mean no offense to your father, Jonathan.

Jonathan: Speak freely.

Guest (Male): He's not acting like a king. We're all willing to die for our God and king, but he's not willing to come out and lead us. Maybe Captain Abner will do something. Someone needs to do something.

Jonathan: You're right. Someone does.

Captain Abner: That won't work. We have one opportunity and it must be one of surprise.

Jonathan: Captain Abner, they have 30,000 chariots and we have 600 men. That will come as a complete surprise.

Captain Abner: From the way the king was acting before we made camp, he seemed willing to take on the Philistines by himself.

Jonathan: His moods changed constantly. There's no way to know what he'll do next.

Captain Abner: And we can't know what he wants to do next unless he comes out of isolation. What's he doing in there? Praying?

Jonathan: If only he were, we might survive this day, but I'm confident he is not praying.

Captain Abner: He won't ask for direction from the Lord. He won't lead an attack. He won't even lead a retreat. What do you do when a king won't be a king?

Jonathan: Just what do you suggest that he do?

Captain Abner: He should be out here, leading us.

Jonathan: Would that defeat the Philistines?

Captain Abner: He should plan and execute an attack.

Jonathan: If the king had a perfect plan and rode into the enemy camp right now, could we win this battle? We could, if the Lord would fight for us. To be a king in Israel is not to rush into battle. It is to seek the Lord and to follow him. Yes, that is what the king should do.

Captain Abner: But our king won't seek the Lord. So what do we do? This is just not a charge to kings. It is the charge of all men to seek the Lord and follow him.

Jonathan: So do we go into battle without the king?

Captain Abner: What do you do when the king won't be a king?

Saul: I would have thought you'd all have deserted me by now.

Jonathan: May it never be. We would never leave you, my king.

Captain Abner: Do you have a plan?

Saul: We do. We must inquire of the Lord.

Captain Abner: Yes, but then what? My king, what do you want us to do?

Saul: I don't know. Has word come back from Samuel?

Jonathan: No, my king, nothing yet. The Lord will deliver us. My king, do not give in to despair.

Saul: Like Samuel warned, if you call me a donkey again, I'll have your head, Odeda. Samuel is not the king. He can stroll in and proclaim and profess and leave. I am here always. It's up to me to organize and to lead and to fight the nation's battles. I am the king and I will give the order.

Jonathan: What are your orders, my king?

Saul: I don't know!

Jonathan: Simon, I want you to know that I'm proud to carry your armor.

Simon: I'm proud to have you with me, Simon.

Jonathan: And I am proud to die with you today.

Simon: I order you not to die today. If you do, I'll beat you without mercy. Why won't my father make a move?

Jonathan: I think we are in an impossible situation. I don't think there's a good move to make. Is there?

Simon: Any move would be better than waiting for the Philistines to come over us like a wave. Father, what are you doing? Have you forgotten everything you taught me? Where is your strength? Where is your faith?

You were there for me from my first breath

You taught me everything you knew

Helped me see what's right from wrong

Kept me honest, made me strong

Oh, how I looked up to you

Now you've wandered from what you believe

Where has my hero gone?

I never thought I'd see this day

It hurts me more than I can say

But still I've got to carry on

Though my hero lets me down

In the Lord my strength is found

And he'll help me stand my ground

Though my hero lets me down

I remember how you'd pray with me

Through each success, through each mistake

You said that I should trust the Lord

Even when the way gets hard

And I'd know which path to take

So now I wonder what has made you stray

From the leading of God's hand

But I never will forget

The foundation that you set

And on that I'll make my stand

Though my hero lets me down

In the Lord my strength is found

And he'll help me stand my ground

Though my hero lets me down

I want to make you proud of me

I do

But no matter what I'm holding on

To what I know is true

Though my hero lets me down

In the Lord my strength is found

And he'll help me stand my ground

Though my hero lets me down

In the Lord my strength

Is found

Jonathan: Simon, let's go.

Simon: Where are we going?

Jonathan: We're going to cross over to the Philistines and see what they're doing.

Simon: We're climbing across those crags? Is that... is it wise?

Jonathan: No. Is it possible?

Simon: Well, we'll see. If we don't fall to our deaths, we're going to surprise some Philistines. Come on.

Jonathan: As you wish, master. I'll have someone tell the king.

Simon: Do not tell anyone. Come on.

Jonathan: As you wish.

Captain Abner: We cannot win. We cannot even survive this day by ordinary tactics. That is certain. We might be able to do some damage if we are bold. We need a miracle, and boldness often precedes a miracle. We could send some men over the crags. They could sneak up on the rear flanks of the unsuspecting soldiers.

Jonathan: It is unlikely that they could climb over the crags anyway, but if they could, there would be no opportunity for retreat.

Captain Abner: I think we should try it. If it worked, what would it accomplish? Killing a few dozen? We should inquire of the Lord.

Saul: He is against me! There's nothing to do.

Jonathan: My king, if I may, he is not against you. There is another who will one day be king, but God is still for his chosen people. And he will be with those who seek him. Tell me, tell me again about your bold plan.

Jonathan: Simon, you all right?

Simon: I'm not falling to my death. That's all I can say. Now what? We can't get any closer without being seen and I'd rather not go back over those crags.

Jonathan: Let's go have a chat with these pagans. Maybe the Lord will be with us. He can win a battle with an army or with just two.

Simon: I'm with you. But how will we know if the Lord will be with us?

Jonathan: Let's show ourselves to them. If they say, "Wait till we come to you," we stay where we are.

Simon: And then what do we do?

Jonathan: I don't know.

Simon: All right, but that's not really a plan.

Jonathan: If they say, "Come up to us," then we'll attack. That's how we'll know the Lord has given them to us. Ready?

Simon: May God be praised. Ready.

Isaiah: Hello, my name's Isaiah and I'm five years old. I like to listen to Paws & Tales and you will too. Tune in today.

Stacy: Hi everyone, Stacy here from Paws & Tales. We've had kids from all over the country send in their announcer recordings and they are heard every day on the program. But we haven't heard one from you. Just head on over to pawsandtales.org and pop into the clubhouse to get one of the announcer scripts. Record yourself on your parent's phone and send it in to us so we can get your voice heard around the world. That's pawsandtales.org. This is so exciting.

Jonathan: Philistine dogs! If you leave now, your wives may still have husbands tonight.

Guest (Male): Hey, look what just crawled out of the rocks. Is it a rat? No, it's just a Hebrew.

Guest (Male): Hey, you! Come over here! There's something I want to tell you!

Simon: Did you hear him?

Jonathan: Follow me in. The Lord has given them into the hands of Israel.

Simon: May God be praised!

Guest (Male): This one in front is noisy. I'll just have to shut him up. Die, Hebrew!

Stacy: And the Philistines fell before Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them as well. The two of them killed about 20 men.

Guest (Male): We're being attacked from behind! What is this? The ground is shaking! Earth is against us! Run!

Saul: What's going on?

Guest (Male): My king, the men at the front say the Philistines are running in every direction.

Saul: From who? Take an account of the men. Find out who's missing.

Guest (Male): My king, Jonathan has gone. I saw him leave.

Saul: Jonathan?

Guest (Male): His armor bearer? He went as well.

Saul: It is Jonathan! Bring the Ark of God here. I will be victorious this day. Send the men across the pass! Attack the Philistines! My fist will scatter them without mercy. I want them all destroyed. Cursed is the man who eats food before the evening until I have avenged myself on my enemies. Attack!

Stacy: The Philistines were confused and scared and they began killing each other. Even the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in fear came out to join in the battle. So the Lord delivered Israel that day.

Captain Abner: Captain Abner, we've been collecting weapons from the dead Philistines. Every man in Israel is now armed with a sword and spear and wearing full armor.

Guest (Male): Excellent.

Captain Abner: We've also collected supplies. There's food for everyone.

Guest (Male): No. Do not let anyone eat anything. The king has put us under an oath. No one eats until evening.

Captain Abner: The men are weak. They've been chasing and fighting the Philistines all day.

Guest (Male): Nothing. No man will eat anything. There'll be a curse on the man who does.

Stacy: When the soldiers entered the forest, there was honey flowing on the ground, but no one dared to have any for fear of the oath. Unfortunately, Jonathan didn't know of the oath.

Jonathan: This is unbelievable. The Lord's victory today will be remembered and retold forever. Yes, it will. Simon, I am starved.

Simon: Everyone is starved. We're all weak from hunger.

Jonathan: Look at that! Honey is dripping out of that hive.

Simon: I see. Well, maybe we can come back once evening is... Master, no!

Jonathan: I didn't know honey could be so good. I suppose everything's better when you're starved.

Simon: Your father has put the army under a solemn oath. There is a curse on the man who eats anything before evening.

Jonathan: My father. His pride has hurt us once again. Look at me. I'm better off because I ate, not cursed. I feel better and my strength is back because I had some honey. If the men had eaten freely today from the spoil of battle, we would have killed a lot more than we did.

Simon: But you have eaten and you are under the king's curse.

Mariana: Hi everyone, my name is Mariana Roberson. I am seven years old. I listen to Paws & Tales when I go anywhere in the car. You should too. Bye-bye.

Dave Karl: Hey there everyone, Dave Karl here. We want to put your kid on an episode of Paws & Tales saying something like this.

Henry: Hi, I'm Henry from North Carolina. If I could spend the day with CJ, I'd want to build a treehouse together.

Dave Karl: Now we have some suggested scripts for you waiting just inside the clubhouse. We can't wait to hear what you all come up with. Record them, send them in, and we'll broadcast them to the world.

Saul: What is your report? How's it going?

Guest (Male): We have certainly won the day. Greetings, my king, and may all your victories be like this one today.

Saul: Denau, it's good that you've come to join us now that the battle is won.

Denau: Oh, please.

Saul: Go on with the report.

Guest (Male): There is no resistance at all. The enemy is running in every direction.

Saul: Excellent!

Guest (Male): However, the men are exhausted and too weak from lack of food to keep up with them.

Saul: What? I will not have my victory spoiled by lazy foot soldiers.

Guest (Male): The men are doing more than can be expected, my king. It is...

Saul: It is the what?

Guest (Male): Your oath, my king. Your promise of a curse if anyone eats. That is what's spoiling the victory.

Saul: It was meant to rally the troops. I wanted them to know that...

Denau: The king will curse what he wants and bless what he wants. The day is now ending and the men can eat from the spoils as much as they want. What is the plan to complete this battle?

Saul: Yes, yes, what is the plan?

Guest (Male): Our numbers increase constantly. There were Israeli mercenaries fighting with the Philistines.

Denau: I thought so.

Guest (Male): Even they have returned to fight along with us.

Saul: Excellent.

Guest (Male): My king!

Saul: What is it?

Guest (Male): The men are killing the Philistines' livestock.

Saul: That is your message?

Guest (Male): The men are sinning against the Lord. They are eating the meat raw.

Saul: What?

Guest (Male): They're so starved, they've lost all sense. The men are sinning against God.

Saul: Tell the men to bring their oxen and sheep to me and we'll butcher them properly. Then they can feast to their hearts' content, but they must stop eating raw meat.

This is good. All the men are back from the field and they are well-fed on cooked meat. They're refreshed and will be ready to resume battle in the morning. I want the men to finish up and then go back out after the Philistines.

Guest (Male): By night?

Saul: By night! Let them take the spoil as they go, but we will not leave one Philistine alive.

Captain Abner: It is a bold plan. A good plan. The Philistines will never expect it.

Saul: I agree. Priest Ahijah?

Priest Ahijah: I am here.

Saul: Inquire of the Lord for us. Cast the lots and let God direct our actions.

Priest Ahijah: Let us draw near to God here. Oh God, shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hands of Israel? There is no answer here. The Lord has not spoken.

Saul: Oh God, shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them unto us?

Priest Ahijah: My king, the Lord is silent.

Saul: Why would God be silent now?

Denau: I know why, my king.

Saul: Well, what do you have to say?

Denau: It is your pride that has caused the Lord's silence. It is the curse. Who has sinned to cause this?

Saul: It is not about food. My king, you have caused... go! Find whoever's disobeyed my oath and eaten before evening. This man has brought a curse on us. As sure as the Lord lives who delivers Israel, I don't care if it's my son Jonathan, he will die. Go!

Captain Abner: He's done it again. Yes, he has.

Guest (Male): The worst enemy we have is the foolish pride of our king.

Captain Abner: Some brave soldier who risked his life for God and his king will be executed tonight for having a snack in the heat of battle. God saved us from the Philistines. Now I pray he'll save us from our king.

Saul: No one has come forth to confess this great sin against your king and God. Jonathan, come here by me. I know you're grumbling against me. Let this be proof before you all that God is silent to us now because one of you has eaten food.

Oh God of Israel, why haven't you answered me today? Show me the truth. If the violation of the oath is in me or Jonathan, then, Oh God, give the sign of Urim. But if this sin is in the army of Israel, give the sign of Thummim.

Priest Ahijah: As you wish, my king. Let this be the end of the grumbling. It is not the men.

Saul: What?

Priest Ahijah: The Lord has not chosen the men.

Saul: Cast the lots between Jonathan and me.

Priest Ahijah: As you wish. It is Jonathan.

Saul: Tell me what you have done.

Jonathan: I ate some honey in the woods. That's my sin. And for that I'm to die?

Saul: Yes, yes you will die. It's out of my hands. I can't go against God.

Captain Abner: Jonathan will not die! Jonathan saved the whole nation today.

Guest (Male): My king, Jonathan just won a great victory for the nation. How can you put him to death?

Captain Abner: This cannot happen, my king. The people will not allow it. As the Lord lives, not one hair on his head shall fall to the ground. He is the one who followed the Lord today.

Saul: Denau. Denau, come to me. I didn't think you had it in you. Frankly, neither did I. Denau, what am I to do?

Denau: You cannot back down or you'll lose face. That is the beginning of the end for a king.

Saul: The people are ready to revolt right now!

Denau: Yes, yes they are. Perhaps... perhaps you can give them a gift.

Saul: A gift?

Denau: A gift of your son.

Saul: A gift of my son?

Denau: Yes. Pardon him.

Saul: Pardon him. Yes. Yes, I think that'll work.

Denau: We must do it from a posture of strength or the people will think you are weak.

Saul: Yes. Yes. I will be strong.

Denau: The king is pleased with the great victory that you have won this day for your God and your country. To celebrate this great day, the king has chosen to pardon the violation of his oath and the sin of Jonathan! Jonathan will be spared! Long live our merciful king! Hail King Saul!

Captain Abner: Which means that King Saul will be spared. What a mess he's made of things.

Jonathan: Will I ever recover from this?

Denau: Oh, I think you have already, my lord. The nation was saved, the Philistines have been routed, and you are the victor.

Saul: No, Jonathan is the victor and the nation knows it.

Denau: My lord, every victory is the king's victory. Remember that. However, I suggest that we make a point to have the nation see you in a better light. After some time and some further victories, we should begin thinking about a monument.

Saul: A monument?

Denau: One that will remind the people of your greatness as a warrior.

Saul: A monument.

Stacy: And King Saul refused to humble himself before God and like a donkey, he gave himself up to the distraction of power and fame.

Insight for Living: To order a copy of today's program, the story of Saul, the first King of Israel, just log on to pawsandtales.org. The Story of Saul, Part 3, was written and directed by Dave Karl. The song, Though My Hero Lets Me Down, was written by Sandy Howell and Bob Sobo. Music was by Tim Hosman and our sound designer was Jerry Swafford. Paws & Tales is an Insight for Living production and a proud member of HisKids.net Alliance. To hear this and other great programs for kids, visit HisKids.net.