Tag Archive - Saul

Daily David, Week 6, Day 1

October 2, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

We are going to go back to the beginning of the story of David today. This entire week we will on David’s heart for worship. David was not only a warrior and a king he was also a skilled musician with a passion for worship. He is author of many of the Psalms that have inspired many Christians hymns and songs. Today’s reading is from 1 Samuel 16:14-23. We go back to the time when he was recruited to play music to soothe King Saul’s soul.

Describe what music means to you?

Music is powerful. It conveys our emotions like nothing else. Music has the ability to inspire. It might cause us to shed a tear of sorrow or of joy. It will brighten us on a dark day. It will bring back memories locked in the past. It will make us dance, tap our feet, clap our hands, or hum along. Music is a wonderful and powerful gift God has given us. Music will move us unlike many other things.

The challenge for Christians is that we do not make music to be our god. God is the creator of music. Music is a gift from him. We can easily fall into the trap of making our worship to be about music rather than the one who gave us the voice to sing and the ability to play the instruments.

Why did the servants look for someone to play the harp for Saul (16:15)?

Saul was faced with a tormenting spirit. It left him with a spirit of depression and of fear. The servants of Saul looked for someone who would play the harp for the king to comfort him.

How do you think David learned to play the harp so well (16:19)?

As a shepherd, David likely spent many lonely nights out in the fields. He likely used this time to learn to play, to practice, and to gain mastery of playing the harp.

What was the response of Saul, when David played the music (16:23)?

It says Saul would be comforted and the tormenting spirit would leave Saul.

Why do you think the music was so powerful? What does this say about the use of music for good or bad?

I am sure it was not just the fact that David played this music for Saul, but it was also about the type of music David played for him. The music David likely played for Saul was worship music that praised Yahweh as the Lord.

We know that music is also used for ungodly purposes as well. Music is used to sometimes promote violence. It can encourage sexual promiscuity and addictive behavior. Music is a tool that can be used for great good but also for great evil.

What does this story and Philippians 4:8 say about the music we choose to listen to?

Philippians 4:8 says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

The music we listen to will direct our thoughts. Therefore, it is important that we listen to music which is godly and will promote godly behavior. There is nothing wrong with listening to secular music. We don’t need to always listen to “Christian” music. But the music we listen to should generally be positive and uplifting to the soul.

Daily David, Week 5, Day 1

September 25, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

On to week 5 of our study on King David. David is described as a man after God’s own heart. We have seen David go from the shepherd’s field to become a national hero when he defeated Goliath. But shortly after this great victory he was plunged into one of the darkest periods of his life. For years he was on the run from King Saul as an outlaw. Saul was out to take his life. During this time there were some close calls where it was only by the grace of God David continued on. We also looked last week at the very interesting story of David, Nabal, and Abigail. This week Saul’s reign comes to an end and David secures the throne as king. After all those years of hardship, David is reaping the harvest from the seeds of faithfulness which he had sown so for so many years. Sometimes it seems like the harvest will never come, but for those who remain faithful it will arrive.

Our reading for today ends first Samuel and begins 2 Samuel. The reading is 1 Samuel 31 − 2 Samuel 1.

Why did Saul commit suicide (31:4)? Based on the readings from previous weeks, why did this happen?

It was a matter of honor. Saul did not want to be captured, taunted, and tortured by the Philistines. He believed it would be more honorable to take his own life. He did not want the Philistines to have the pleasure of taking him alive.

Saul was forced into this position because he had not listened to Samuel or to the Lord. He was no longer a man after God’s own heart. He had used the army to hunt David rather than use the army for the purpose of defending against the Philistines. Had Saul used the army for it’s intended purpose there is a good chance this would have never happened.

What do you think was Saul’s legacy? How do you think you will be remembered after you die?

Saul’s legacy was not a very good legacy to have. He is remembered more for his failings than for the good things he had done. He reigned over Israel for 42 years which is longer than David would eventually reign. But he did not fulfill his purpose and his calling to defeat and defend the nation against the Philistines. That is something David would accomplish. Ultimately, Saul allowed himself to be distracted from what God had called him to do because of his lack of faith.

Why do you think the Amalekite lied about killing Saul (1:6-10)?

This Amalekite was likely thinking he might get some reward for killing Saul. He figured that David would be happy that Saul was dead.

How did David respond to the news from the Amalekite (1:13-16)?

But David was not happy at all and had the Amalekite killed for having confessed to killing the anointed one. It is a good lesson not to lie.

Why do you think David wrote a lament for Saul (1:17-27)? Do you grieve or rejoice at the defeat of your enemies? What is the godly response?

Saul not only wrote the lament for Saul, but he also wrote the lament for Jonathan. Jonathan was his friend.

David was also grieved for Saul as God was grieved for Saul. I am sure David thought about what might have been. He might have thought about what would have happened if their had been peace between him and Saul. It would have been a much happier ending.

God does not rejoice in death. Death is the result of our rebellion (sin) against God. It is our prayer that we would be as heart broken over sin as God is heart broken over sin. We pray that what breaks God’s heart would break our heart.

In-law or Outlaw?

September 19, 2011 in Sermons with 0 Comments

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We have come upon week 3 in our study on the life of David. This week’s message picks up with the events immediately following David’s victory over Goliath. King Saul becomes jealous and afraid of David. Saul then begins a campaign to have David killed. David flees and runs for his life. Yet, through it all David maintains his integrity as a man after God’s own heart. During this message we will carefully examine the sins of jealousy and lawlessness.

The text for this message comes from 1 Samuel 18:1-16.

Daily David, Week 3, Day 5

September 16, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

All this week David has been on the run from Saul. It was not a pleasant time in David’s life. There were many dark days that surely left David in despair. We hear David lament and cry out in many of the Psalms that were written during this time period. But it is amazing that even though David went through such a dark time, there was still a song upon his heart.

Our reading for today is from 1 Samuel 27-28.

Whose idea was it to go to the land of the Philistines (27:1)? God or David’s? How does the beginning of this chapter differ from the beginning of 1 Samuel 23?

It does not say David consulted the Lord or anyone else. David made this decision on his own. It says, “David kept thinking to himself.” When all our thinking is too ourselves that is when we get ourselves in trouble.

This chapter is different from chapter 23 in that David consults the Lord before he makes the decision to go an rescue Keilah. There is no consulting of the Lord this time. David does what he thinks was best which really was not the best thing.

How many other people did David’s decision affect (27:2-3)?

It says 600 men and their families went over to Philistia. When a person has a decision that affects many other people as well it is especially important that we consult the Lord to see what he has to say. At the same time we rarely make a decision that does not affect anyone else. Most any decision we make will impact others.

A good example of this is when we make decisions in front of our children. Our children are watching us. A certain decision may not directly affect them, but they are learning from us. Much in life is caught rather than taught. Our children will follow the examples we set. What is the example you set for your children by the decisions you make?

How long did David live among the Philistines (27:6)?

David lived among the Philistines for 1 year and 4 months. This was no overnight stay.

Why did the Lord not answer Saul (28:4-6)? What did Saul have left to consult (24:7)? Who fears God more, King Saul or pagan witch (24:10)?

The Lord refused to answer Saul because Saul had shown over and over again that he would not listen or obey. Saul was going to do what Saul wanted to do. If Saul was not going to listen there was no point in God speaking.

Today, we will often seek the Lord for advice. But do we seek the Lord to obey? The Lord is not a counselor to consult. He is the Lord to obey.

Since God would not speak to Saul, Saul goes to find a medium who will conjure up Samuel from the dead. There is no fear of God in Saul. In verse 10 Saul easily takes an oath in the name of the Lord without any thought to consequence. In comparison the medium trusts this oath which Saul gave in the name of the Lord.

Is there a place in your life you are eagerly seeking to hear from God, but God is seemingly not responding? We consider that Saul failed to hear from God because of his continued disobedience and selfish self-interest. How might we respond differently to hear from God?

There are a few thing to keep in mind when it seems God is not responding. The first is to quiet the distractions. Turn off the TV, the phone, the computer. Let God speak to you. Give him your attention.

The next thing is to consider any unconfessed or unrepentant sin in your life. I was once told that the Bible will keep you from sin and the sin will keep you from the Bible. Those words are so true. Saul had unconfessed and unrepentant sin in his life and so the voice of God went quiet.

A third thing is to make sure you are in the Word. Don’t expect to be hearing from God if you are not opening up your Bible.

Four, keep praying and seeking. Jesus promises that if you seek and you shall find. As Americans we have incredibly low attention spans. We pray for 5 minute and if we don’t hear from God we move on and dismiss prayer saying it does not work. God is not looking for 5 minutes from us, he is looking at for our heart. You likely would not give your spouse only 5 minutes of affection and feel that was sufficient.

God eagerly desires to speak into your life. If we are honest with ourselves the problem is not that God is not speaking. The problem we have not committed ourselves to listening.

Facing the Giants

September 15, 2011 in Weekly Email with 0 Comments

I had a lot of fun with the message this past week on David and Goliath. Friday and Saturday I attempted to learn to use the sling. I was proud of myself on Sunday that I was actually able shoot the ball forward and not backwards. I definitely had more than one embarrassing attempt at using my sling in my front yard with all of the neighborhood kids looking on.

David and Goliath is a story that most all of us learned growing up. Most of us learned the Sunday School version of the story that leaves Goliath a bit cartoonish. But Goliath was no cartoon figure. He was one real mean dude. He was not someone you would want to meet in a dark alley or anywhere for that matter. To say he was a giant is an understatement. He was someone no one wanted to face.

But as much as the Israelites wanted to avoid Goliath, he was not going anywhere. For 40 days Goliath continued to shout his taunts of defiance at the Israelites and their God. That is the way giants are. Wishing they would go away are not going to make them go away. The only way they are going to go away is if they are confronted and taken on.

The giants are intimidating and imposing. They are good at convincing us that we cannot win. They work to cause us to doubt and make us to give up before the battle is even fought. We don’t lose to the giants in the battle. We lose to the giants by giving up before the battle even begins.

We don’t necessarily fight ancient giant warriors with slings and stones. The giants we face are those things we are tempted to believe we cannot be overcome. An example of one of these giants we might face is an addiction in our life. It might be a relationship that is troubled. It might be a financial difficulty or a challenge in your marriage. Whatever the giant is, ignoring it will not make it go away.

If you are fighting the Lord’s battle you cannot lose. It is impossible. God does not lose. God is almighty. God wins the day. This does not mean it is easy. The giants present an incredible challenge. But the giants are no match for the Lord. All that is needed is to take the step of faith and to trust in God’s directions.

If you find yourself fighting a losing battle, ask yourself if it is the Lord’s battle you are fighting. Often our stubbornness gets in the way and keeps us from admitting we are wrong. It just might very well be that it is the Lord you are fighting and that is not going to work out. Is it for your glory or is it for God’s glory?

Saul would have never defeated Goliath. Saul was too proud to admit the error of his ways. The giant Saul was fighting was a threat to Saul’s kingdom. The giant David faced was a threat to God’s kingdom. That is why if Saul had fought Goliath it would have been Saul’s Battle. But for David, the battle was the Lord’s battle.

I leave you with this song by Casting Crowns which we sang last Sunday. The giant is calling out and telling me that I am never going to win. But the voice of truth tells me a different story. Which is the voice I am going to choose to listen to? Which voice are you going to choose to listen to?

David, Week 4 Study Guide

September 15, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

September 19-25

When You are Not Appreciated

Memory Verse:

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT) Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

Day 1

1 Samuel 29-30

In this reading David is faced with an awkward situation. He must choose to fight against his own people or betray those who had protected him for the past year and a half. Think of a time where you faced a dilemma where there seemed no easy answer.

How did God provided to deliver an alternative response to David’s dilemma (29:6-7)? Do you believe God provides answers to our dilemmas and possibilities we never thought of or imagined? If so, how do we discover them?

Why did the Amalekites raid Ziklag (see 1 Samuel 27:6-9)? Why did the men want to stone David (30:6)? How might you have felt in this moment towards these men you had gone to battle with and now wanted to stone you? What was David’s response (30:6)?

In this moment of distress, what is the first thing David does (30:7-8)?

Some of the men did not carry their fair share of the burden through the battle (30:9-10), after the battle is over, there were some in the army who did not want to allow these men to receive their share of the spoils (30:21-22). What reward did these men desire to receive? What was David’s response (30:23-25)? What was David’s reward?

Day 2

1 Samuel 25

What does the name Nabal mean (25:25)? Describe the character of Nabal? Contrast that with the character of Abigail (25:3).

Why did David expect to receive compensation from Nabal (35:7-8, 15-16)?

How did Nabal respond (25:10-11)? How did Abigail respond (25:18-20)? How did David respond (25:12-13)? Who alone responded in a righteous manner?

Why is David’s response over the top? How should David had responded? In what ways do you think Abigail spared David future misery (25:30-31)?

How was justice served (25:36-38)? What is the lesson for us when we feel unappreciated?

Day 3

Psalm 19

How does God make himself known according to the Psalm 19?

What names does David give to the the Word of God in verses 7-9? How do we know God’s Law is perfect? Why is it wise to obey?

What is the value of the Scripture according to verses 10-11?

Who alone knows the extent of our sin and alone can forgive our sin according to verses 12-13?

Who do we live to satisfy and please according to verse 14? Why?

Day 4

Colossians 3

Are there times when you are less than appreciative of Jesus’ sacrifice (3:1-2)?

Describe some of the things we participate in when we seek to please ourselves (3:5-9)

What do you think is the new self described in verses 10-11?

How are we called to respond to others according to verses 12-14? Should we expect others to respond in kind to us?

Where should we find our satisfaction (3:15-16)? Who are we working for (3:17, 23-24)?

What does verse 16 say about the role of music in worship and our lives?

What will happen to those who mistreat us (3:25)? How should we respond to them knowing this?

Day 5

Psalm 139

Who knows you better than you know yourself? What does this mean for you?

Is there anywhere you can go to get away from God’s presence (139:7)? How is this troubling for you? How is this comforting for you?

Why are you so precious to God (139:13-16)?

Even though you are so precious to God, does that mean you life will be free of trouble, opposition, and disappointment (139:19-22)?

When the difficult times come, how should we respond (139:23-24)?

Here is a great song that reminds us that we are indeed someone who is special to God:

Daily David, Week 3, Day 4

September 15, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

In 1 Samuel 26 David once again has the opportunity to take Saul’s life. However, he relents and spares Saul in mercy. He knows Saul is the Lord’s anointed and he does not want to bring harm to the Lord’s anointed.

The second reading for today is [Psalm 18])http://www.youversion.com/bible/nlt/Ps/18/1). The caption for this Psalm is: “He (David) sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.”

Saul continues to seek David’s life and David once again has the opportunity to kill Saul. Why does he not do it (26:8-11)?

David was a man after God’s own heart. Saul had been anointed by God to be the king of Israel. David believed if Saul was going to be removed from the throne then God would do it. It was not David’s place to take this matter into his own hands. If David killed Saul he would not be without guilt.

In whom does David express his confidence for deliverance (26:10)?

David believes the Lord will deliver him from Saul. He says, “Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.”

Why would Saul call David his son when he is trying to kill him (26:17)?

Saul had previously made David his son-in-law by giving his daughter, Michal, to David in marriage. However, Saul would later take his daughter away from David. Furthermore, Saul realizes that David had been faithful and loyal to him like a son.

Why would David not come back to Saul as Saul had requested (26:21)?

As this point in time, all trust had been lost. David was not confident Saul would be a man of his word. Saul’s request might very well have been a ploy to kill David. He might have figured that chasing David had not worked. Now he would try manipulation.

It seems Saul recognizes God is on David’s side (26:25). Yet, why do you think Saul continues to pursue David?

If God was on David’s side, there was nothing that was going to stop David. I am reminded of the story in the book of Acts when the Apostle’s are arrested. The Sanhedrin is arguing about what to do with them. A Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel stands up and shares some wise words:

Acts 5:38–39 (NLT) “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

Saul knew God was on David’s side. But pride and jealousy would not stop him from pursuing David. His heart was blinded to the reality of the situation. It was a time to accept the will of God. But Saul was so determined to get his way, he did not care what God had put in place. Saul was fighting a losing battle, but his pride would not let him admit it.

David says he calls to the Lord and the is saved from his enemies (Psalm 18:3). How does David describe the Lord’s response in verses 7-19?

God responds in a mighty way. His power is put on display through acts of nature. It is a terrifying sight which is described. God’s judgment is not something to take lightly. But it is through this terrifying description that David rejoices how God saved him from certain death and calamity.

What is David’s response to the Lord’s deliverance (18:49)?

David’s response is one of worship. He worships and praises the Lord for what he has done. What other response is there? The Lord is indeed worthy of all praise and honor and glory.

Daily David, Week 3, Day 2

September 13, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today’s reading is from 1 Samuel 21-22. There are also two extra credit reading assignments for Psalm 34 and Psalm 52.

The reading from 1 Samuel chronicles Davids flight from King Saul. We read about three separate places he went after parting ways with Michal, Samuel, and Jonathan in yesterday’s reading. He first goes to the priests at Nob, then he goes to the Philistines, and finally finds himself in the cave at Adullam.

Chapter 21 begins with David alone and hungry. Where does he go (21:1)? What two things does he receive there (21:4-9)? Where do you go in times of need?

David goes to Nob. This was a town of priests. It seems that the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant (not to be mistaken with Noah’s ark) were kept at Nob at this time.

When he arrives he is given help from the priests. They provide him with food and also the sword of Goliath that was kept at Nob.

This was a place of God. It was a holy place. It was through the ark of the covenant that God revealed himself to his people in the days of Moses and up to the time of David. It only makes sense that in this time of need, David would go to the place of God to seek refuge and strength.

Each Sunday morning the Church gathers in the presence of God for worship. This is to be a place where the people of God find strength and refuge. The world is a hard place. It is filled with all sorts of challenges and difficulties. In many traditional churches the place where worship takes place is called a sanctuary. I love that name! For that one hour on Sunday morning when we are together with God’s people, gathered in his name, sharing the body and blood of the Savior we are experiencing sanctuary from all that would bring us harm.

Where does David go next (21:10-15)? Who was from Gath (see 1 Samuel 17:4)? Compared to what David gained by going to the priests, what does he lose by going to the Philistines?

The next place David goes is Gath. The irony here is that Goliath was from Gath. Gath was a Philistine city. David must have felt safer in the lands of his enemies of Israel than he did in the land of King Saul.

How desperate David must have been in this moment to go to the Philistines. His faith was wavering. It is important to note that the text nowhere says David consulted the Lord with this decision. David does what he thinks is best, with the mindset that he has no other options. I wonder if he had consulted the Lord and asked God what he thought if he would have made the same decision.

It did not work out very well for David to go to the Philistines. When David had gone to Nob, the priests helped him out. When he went to the Philistines he gained nothing but grief. What is more he was not true to himself or who God had called him to be. David acted like a mad-man in the presence of the Philistines. If you find yourself faking it, then there is a very good chance you are not were God would have you be.

Where is the third place David goes to (22:1)? Describe a time you felt you were in a deep dark cave? Who came to David in that place (22:2)? What do you think they were looking for in David? Who would these people become (see 2 Samuel 23:8-39)?

David now goes the cave at Adullam. He had gone to the house of God for help. He then went to his enemies for shelter. But David still finds himself on the run and completely alone at this point in time. He goes into hiding. He has no one to help him. It would have probably been a very depressing time for David.

But here when David is at his lowest, what might have been the single darkest moment of his life, God comes through. It is through the pain that David discovers God’s provision. David’s family, mostly likely persecuted by Saul, discovers he is at the cave and come to him. What happens next is most interesting:

1 Samuel 22:2 (NLT) 2 Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

God sends people to David in his time of distress to help him. But the people who are sent by God are not the most obvious people to help. It does not say these were mighty warriors, trained for battle. These were a bunch of misfits. They were people who were down and out. I wonder if David had not been so down and out himself, if he would have accepted these people. Sometimes we need to go through the valley ourselves so that we can minister to others who are walking through the valley.

These people were looking for hope. They were looking for someone to lead them. They were looking for someone who understood their struggles. David was that man. David would lead them.

These were people God would use. Later many of these men who rallied around David would become known as his mighty men. They were recognized for the great feats which God accomplished through them. They became men of renowned.

In our times of need it is good to retreat to the places of quiet. These are the places where God will speak to us and refresh us. He will send us what we need. Notice it was not David who went out and found these men, it was God who sent these men to him.

One title that is given to the Lord is Jehovah Jireh. This means the Lord will provide. God will send us everything we need at the right time. This was the case for David and this is the case for us as well. But don’t expect it to come before we get on our knees and humble ourselves before him recognizing we have no where else to turn. David had no other options. The only one he could turn to was Yahweh. Who will you turn to?

What does the killing of the priests at Nob tell us about Saul (22:6-18)?

There is no depth that Saul would not stoop down to have David killed. He shows his utter contempt for the Lord Yahweh and his servants. Saul has long passed the point of no return. The priests were men to be treated with respect, but instead of holding them in high esteem, Saul had them murdered.

David felt guilty for Saul’s actions (22:20-23). Have you ever felt guilty for another persons actions? Was it appropriate for David to feel guilty? Why or why not?

David felt guilty because Saul had the priests killed. The real reason Saul had the priests murdered was not because they helped David, but because Saul was intent on evil at this time. Saul was not interested in following the Lord or honoring the Lord in anyway. Saul was out to destroy David.

Many live with guilt. We suffer from guilt of things we have done and guilt from action we failed to take. Guilt will eat us up inside. David might have felt guilty that it was his fault the priests at Nob were killed. He might have regretted not consulting the Lord before going to Philistia. He might have felt guilty he had not defended the town and the priests. He might have felt guilty that they had all died because he lived. Guilt is common feeling.

In those times we ask for God’s covering over us. We ask for a covering of forgiveness when our actions went against his will. We ask for the covering of faith to know that he is sovereign when our actions are without guilt yet bring harm to others. It is only God who can save us from our guilt. We cannot turn back time as much as we might want to. So instead of looking back, lets look to Jesus. Let’s look ahead to where he would lead us.

Daily David, Week 3, Day 1

September 12, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today’s reading from 1 Samuel 19-20 is an incredible story. Saul is out to kill David. At this point you cannot put anything past Saul to do. He has lost all ability to reason. He has thrown away any morals and values that might have still been instilled in him.

Why did Saul want to kill David (see 1 Samuel 18:6-9)?

We read in last week’s reading how Saul wanted to kill David because he was jealous of David. He was jealous David received more praise and recognition than he did. He was also afraid because of David’s fame. He feared David would steal the throne from him and his family.

Why is Jonathan more loyal to David than his own father (19:1-2)?

Jonathan was a friend of David. The Bible says they were one in spirit. But even more so David was an innocent man. He had never done anything against Saul. In fact, David was Saul’s greatest ally.

Jonathan was a good man. When Saul put David down, Jonathan came to David’s defense. It would have been very easy to bow to his father and accept what his father was saying so that he could avoid controversy. But Jonathan was a man of integrity, he refused to take part in the gossip that his father had engaged in. Jonathan stood up to defend David when David was not there to be able to defend himself. Because of Jonathan’s effort, a brief ceasefire was issued between David and Saul.

Even though Saul sought to do David harm, how did David respond?

Even though Saul was not on David’s side, David was on Saul’s side. David sought to defend Saul even though he had been treated badly. For Saul this was a personal grudge match. For David it was about the kingdom. When David had the opportunity to kill Saul, he did not take advantage. Even though it was hard, David submitted to the spiritual authority that Saul had been given.

David has Michal (his wife), Samuel, and Jonathan help him escape from Saul, but at the end of chapter 20, David is alone. Describe a time when you felt alone with no one to help you.

First, Michal helps David escape from her father. However when she is found out, she lies and tells Saul that David had threatened her life (19:17). She betrays her husband.

David flees to Samuel. Samuel takes David to the town of Naioth and protects him there from Saul. But eventually David has to leave Samuel behind and flee from Naioth.

He then goes to Jonathan, Saul’s son. But at the end of chapter 20 it says:

1 Samuel 20:42 (NLT) 42 At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD’s name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.

David is now all alone. He has no one else to run to or turn to. It must have been an incredibly lonely time in his life. Who would help him in this time. There was nothing he could do other than pray to God. He had no one else to hear or listen.

There are times in life where you may feel as if no one is there to help you and no one else is there to listen to you. There is no one else is there to understand. You feel incredibly lonely. At the same time, these are times when we have opportunity to grow closer to God than we ever have. When everyone else lets us down, we have him that we can turn to.

Our second reading today is Psalm 59. The caption at the beginning of Psalm 59 says, “A psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

Think of a time when you were unfairly treated. How did you respond? Did you respond in a God-pleasing way? According Psalm 59, how should we respond to others when they seek to do us harm?

Every person who has ever lived has been treated unfairly at some point in time. I remember as a kid and even as an adult being upset that something was not fair. But the truth is that life is not fair. There are many injustices in this world. Some people will have more and others will have less.

I know there are many times I did not respond in a God-pleasing way when I was treated unfairly. I would respond with jealousy. I would respond with anger and disgust. My response would be self-centered and selfish. I would get into that victim mentality and cry out woe is me.

When we are treated unfairly we can remember Jesus. Never was there more of a victim that Jesus. He was led like a sheep to the slaughters and yet he did not open his mouth. I did not cry woe is me. He accepted his role he was given. Instead of practicing revenge, he practice forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul would later say:

Philippians 1:29 (NLT) 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

Paul remarks how it is a privilege to suffer for Jesus. To be treated unjustly or unfairly is a mark of one who is following Jesus. And he considers this an honor.

So the truth is that others will treat us unfairly. The human part of us wants to respond in kind. But it is my prayer that spirit would help us to respond in love as Jesus would respond.

David refers several times to God as his fortress in Psalm 59. What does it mean that God is our fortress?

God is my protector. I may be intimidated by what others might say about me or do to me, but God will protect me. He will keep me safe. He will guard my life and keep me from falling. I will walk tall with confidence to do what he has called me to do because I know he is with me.

Daily David, Week 2, Day 5

September 9, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

We have come upon the end of our second week on our study of the life of King David. I pray that you have found a bit of a groove by now. Maybe you are still trying to still develop a routine. But if you are still keeping up with the readings and checking out this daily blog, give yourself a little pat on the back. It is ok to do so. Don’t worry about any false pride. We need to celebrate these little victories more often. Too often we don’t celebrate enough when it comes to our spiritual journey.

Our reading today picks up the story again in 1 Samuel 18. We read about the aftermath of the battle between David and Goliath. On this day the Israelites won a great victory in the battle. It seemed like a time of great celebration.

What were the blessing David received as a result of defeating Goliath (18:5-7)?

David was given a high rank in the army. Women from the towns came out to sing, dance, and celebrate David’s victory. From our previous readings we learned that Saul had promised to exempt David’s father from taxes and give David his daughter’s hand in marriage. However, the Scriptures do not confirm that David’s father was exempted from taxes. Also, while David would eventually marry Saul’s daughter, Michal, Saul did not willingly or freely give her away.

What were the consequences (18:8-9)?

King Saul became jealous and angry because of the attention and praise David received. Saul would even go further by seeking to take David’s life.

Why was Saul so jealous of David? What did his jealousy drive him toward (18:10-16)? What are the negative consequences of jealousy you have seen in your own life and in the lives of others?

Saul was jealous of David because David received the praise and the accolades of the people. Saul feared they would make David king in his place.

Saul tried to kill David multiple times, but he never succeeded. God protected David. Saul gave his daughter Merab, who had been promised to David, to another man. Saul’s other daughter, Michal, was given to David in a reluctant way after a failed scheme to have David killed.

Why did Saul really send David to kill the Philistines (18:25)?

His hope was that the Philistines would kill David. Instead David killed many Philistines. God’s plan could not be thwarted. If you find yourself scheming against God, it will not work out well for you.

Do you think that at this point in time, David might have longed to go back to the shepherd’s field? What does all of David’s success bring him?

David never asked for any of this. He fought Goliath because Goliath had defied the living God. David fought Goliath for God’s glory alone. David did not seek the praise or the recognition. But because he accomplished this great thing for God, Saul became jealous of him. When a person does great things for God he will have critics and worse yet he will have people who will seek to do him harm. It might have seemed like it would have been really great to have lived David’s life, but David lived a hard life. His life was filled with many challenges and much grief. He would not have become king if he had stayed in the shepherds field. His life would have been much simpler. Although, he would have missed what God had set before him to do. Doing God’s work will never be easy.

Life is filled with hills and valleys. David went from one of his highest highs to his lowest lows in a matter of days. But through it all, what was the one constant in David’s life?

The Lord, Yahweh, was the one constant in David’s life. He had people come to him and leave him all through his life. Often times those who stuck close to David did so only because of how they profited from the relationship they had with David. I think about the 23rd Psalm and how David expresses his confidence in the loving shepherd who was always present with him. That same loving shepherd promises to be with you and me as well no matter what.