John Boehner, David and King Saul

Over the course of the past three days Republicans in Congress stayed in Williamsburg, VA at the annual Republican retreat. The retreat comes on the heels of a bumpy road for congressional republicans who have been divided since the election, and increasingly divided over support of House Speaker John Boehner. As recently as a week ago speculation on Capital Hill was that Speaker Boehner could be ousted by his own party as members became increasingly dissatisfied at how he was handling President Obama and democrats. Emerging from the retreat the biggest news has been that Republicans plan to vote to raise the Debt Ceiling for 3 months (April) on the condition that both chambers pass a budget or go unpaid. Stock markets rallied late Friday on the news that an accord could be reached before the nation knocks on the debt ceiling. New details are also coming to light about how the deal to raise the debt ceiling, at least among House Republicans, was reached. 

One aide to a conservative member compared the fight between Boehner and Congressional conservatives with the Biblical rivalry between David and King Saul. According to the Old Testament, Saul (in this analogy, Boehner) was threatened by divinely-selected David (the conservatives), and tried repeatedly to kill him. Then, one night, David sneaked into Saul's cave while he was sleeping, cut off a piece of his robe, and showed it to the King the next day to prove he had the upper hand.

"Saul saw that David could have killed him, and he was humbled by it," the aide said, suggesting Boehner has recognized the power of the conservatives in his conference.

The plan does not include spending cuts, as many Republicans had demanded be part of any agreement reached. While there is a stipulation that the debt ceiling be raised with the promise that both houses pass a budget or go unpaid speculation remains as to the constitutionality of that. Amid the news some political commentators are saying the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate.

The fight over the sequester and a looming government shutdown remain however.  While the delay would apply a temporary fix to the problems of the day (figuratively speaking) it would give Speaker Boehner time to reaffirm his position as leader to House Republicans as well as repair some relations with President Obama.  Buzz Feed Politics contributed to this article.