Acts 9:23

"And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him"When many days were fulfilled" "A considerable number of days were being fulfilled" (Rhm). This expression can also refer to. number of years (1 Kings 2:38). The above expression seems to be the most logical place to fit Paul's three-year stay which included time in both Arabia and Damascus (Galatians 1:17). Thus the order of events would be: 1. Several days of initial preaching in Damascus (Acts 9:19-20). 2.. journey into Arabia (Damascus was on the edge of Arabian territory). 3. Return to Damascus (Galatians 1:17 "once more to Damascus"; Acts 9:23). 4. Plot to put him to death (Acts 9:23). 5. Escape from Damascus (2 Corinthians 11:32). 6. Back at Jerusalem (Acts 9:26; Galatians 1:18). 7. Off to Tarsus (Galatians 1:21; Acts 9:30). Some people think that this journey into Arabia was for the purpose of thinking through what his new theology will be, but we must reject this idea. "We are not to picture Paul as forging and hammering out his own theology by sheer mind power" (Reese p. 365). Paul received the gospel that he preached directly from God (Galatians 1:11 ff). Hence this period of time probably included many revelations from God. In addition, Paul probably also used this time to preach to those in this region. "He need not have traveled far, because at that time the north-west tip of Arabia reached nearly to Damascus" (Stott p. 176). "Took counsel together to kill him" This plan included the non-Jewish authorities in Damascus (2 Corinthians 11:32), and implies that his enemies were unable to beat Saul in argument or contradict his application of Scripture.