Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 19, 2018 Thankful Background: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:30 Lesson: 2 Samuel 22:26-36, 50-51

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 19, 2018 Thankful Background: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:30 Lesson: 2 Samuel 22:26-36, Motivation: Elisabeth Elliot, whose husband was martyred as a missionary, once said It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life. I. David s Psalm of Praise (22:1-25) Believer s Study Bible, p :2 Chapter 22 (a duplicate of Ps. 18) is a psalm composed by David to commemorate the consistent intervention of God in his affairs, particularly God s deliverances from various conflicts. The psalm also has great theological significance (cf. vv , 36, etc.), particularly in David s ascription of perfection to God (v. 31), an attribute claimed for none of the capricious gods of antiquity. He also affirmed that the Word of the Lord had been tested and would not fail. HCSB: p. 534: 22:1 On the day is not a reference to a single day, but the general time at which David realized the Lord had given him the kingship and helped him subdue all his enemies. The song is very similar to Psalm 18, but has more emphasis on David s personal worship. A. God is our Refuge The Lord is my rock, my stronghold and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge (2) Where do you turn when times are bad? Many people look to a boss or bank account. Believers are to turn more closely to God. 1 / 10

2 HCSB: p. 534: 22:2 Rock denotes immovable, jutting cliff, not a mere stone. This word commonly occurs in the Bible to describe God s support and defense of His people (1 Sm 2:2; Ps 18:2; 95:1; Is 44:8). B. God is our Redeemer the horn of my salvation (3) HCSB: p. 534: 22:3 Mary also used the expression horn of my salvation to describe God s work on her behalf (Lk 1:69). The Bible often uses the image of an animal horn to symbolize strength (1 Sm 2:1). Violence (Hb chamas ) denotes unjust violence (Gn 6:11; Ob 10). C. God Provides a Response I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and was saved from my enemies. From His temple He heard my voice and my cry for help reached His ears. (4, c.f. 5-7) God hears the prayers of His people (Matt. 18:20). Not only does He hear, He also answers prayer (Jer. 33:3). HCSB: p. 534: 22:7 Temple signifies the place of God s dwelling either His heavenly temple (1 Kg 8:27) or the tent where the ark of God rested (1 Ch 16:1). D. God s Creation Reveals The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High projected His voice. (14) Much of the section (8-16) is metaphorical description. However, the principle is that we can see God s power and involvement in His creation. HCSB: p. 534: 22:8-16 David described God s terrible fury. The imagery is intended to convey the awesomeness of His presence as He entered His world to intervene on behalf of His servant David. E. God is our Rescuer He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those 2 / 10

3 who hated me He brought me out to a spacious place. He rescued me because He delighted in me. (18, 20) Charles Stanley once said, God is seldom early but He s always on time. If we trust in Him, He will deliver us. HCSB: p. 534: 22:20 From a spacious place David could see enemy threats while they were still far away. F. God is our Rewarder The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness... (21) Salvation and rewards are two different subjects. Our salvation has nothing to do with our righteousness or good works (Eph. 2:8-9). However, salvation will always result in His imputed righteousness and corresponding good works (Eph. 2:10). Ultimately, our greatest reward is God (Gen. 15:1). HCSB: p. 534: 22:21 The Lord saw David s righteousness and blessed him for it. David s relationship with God made him want to please the Lord in the way he lived. II. Holy (22:26-29) With the faithful You prove Yourself faithful; with the blameless man You prove Yourself blameless; 27 with the pure You prove Yourself pure, but with the crooked You prove Yourself shrewd. 28 You rescue an afflicted people, but Your eyes are set against the proud You humble them. 29 Lord, You are my lamp; the Lord illuminates my darkness. (22:26-29) A. Faithful-God s character is unfailing faithfulness. As we are faithful to Him, we more fully recognize His faithfulness to us. 3 / 10

4 B. Blameless- God is blameless whereas we are sinful. HCSB: p. 535: 22:24 Blameless does not mean sinless, but it reflects a deep moral character (Gn 6:9; Ps 119:1). C. Pure-God promised that our confession and repentance will result in purity (Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow. (1 John 1:9) HCSB: p. 535: 22:26 Qualities such as faithful and blameless are characteristic of both God and His children, who become more like Him as they grow in their relationship with Him (Rom 8:29). D. Shrewd-God is the ultimate judge. While the crooked may deceive everyone around them, God ultimately rewards and punishes. The principles of sowing and reaping are alive and well (Prov. 11:18; 29:1; Gal. 6:7). E. Rescuer- God s grace is evident by His rescue of an afflicted people who are helpless without Him. F. Illuminator-God as the light who shines in darkness is a common theme of scripture (Psalm 27:1, 119:105; Matthew 4:16, 5:16; John 1: 4-9, 8:12, 12:35-37; Ephesians 5:14; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5-9; Revelation 21:23). III. Shield (22:30-36) With You I can attack a barricade, and with my God I can leap over a wall. 31 God His way is perfect; 4 / 10

5 the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. 32 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God. 33 God is my strong refuge; He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me securely on the heights. 35 He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your help exalts me. (22:30-36) A. God is our Strength With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall...he is a shield to all who take refuge in Him (31). God not only provides our defense, but he also provides the strength to charge an army! A city s walls ( barricade ) were viewed as its ultimate protection. With God s help, we can leap over any obstacle. HCSB: p. 535: 22:30 David was quick to credit the Lord as the source of his power (5:12, 21; 1 Sm 17: B. God is our Supply He trains my hands for war. (35) As the victor of many battles, David acknowledged that his strength, training and security came from God. The word picture of a deer securely leaping onto the heights recalls Paul s instructions for spiritual warfare Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11) 5 / 10

6 C. God is our Salvation You have given me the shield of Your salvation... (36) David was a great king and a mighty warrior; yet, he realized that his salvation came from God. (Eph. 6:16) IV. Renown (22:37-49) A. David s Renown You have appointed me the head of the nations; (44) After recounting his victories in battle ( pulverize crush trample- 43), David acknowledged that God is his source. Any reputation we have with outsiders must be based on God s glory and righteousness. B. God s Renown The Lord lives-may my rock be praised! God, the Rock of my salvation, is exalted! (47) (Acts 1:3; Rev. 1:1, 18) V. Eternal (22:50-51) Therefore I will praise You, Lord, among the nations; I will sing about Your name. 51 He is a tower of salvation for His king; He shows loyalty to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever. (2 2:50-51) A. Praise Therefore, I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations. (50) B. Faithfulness He shows loyalty to His anointed (51) (Heb. 13:15-16; 20-21) HCSB: p. 536: 22:51 Loyalty can also be translated as faithfulness or covenant love. It denotes all that comes to God s children from Him. 6 / 10

7 Anointed (Hb mashiach ) designated God s anointed king (1:14, 16; 1 Sm 24:6). David and his descendants would enjoy the blessings of God forever (7:16). VI. A Psalm About David s Rule (23:1-7) Believer s Study Bible, p. 453: 23:1-5 The concluding words of David., the sweet psalmist of Israel, were in the form of a lyric prophecy given him by God. Verses 3 and 4 are almost certainly a messianic promise. Verse 5 begins as a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative reply and should be translated, Is my house not with God: The God of the ages has established an everlasting covenant with David s house so that the salvation of God will grow out of David. HCSB: p. 536: 23:1 The heading for this chapter, These are the last words of David, is not intended chronologically; other words of David appear after this section and even in 1 Kings (1 kg 1:28-35; 2:1-9). Perhaps the section contains David s last recorded public statement or testimony to God s work through his life. Anointed (Hb mashiach ) emphasizes David s dedication to God s service. God of Jacob ties David to the history of the patriarchs; God s work in David was the continuation of a work that began with Abraham (Gn 12:1-3). VII. Honoring Brave Warriors (23:8-39) David s mighty men stood by him in peace and war, and in difficulties and in times of prosperity. Loyalty should be recognized and appreciated. HCSB: p. 536: 23:9-39 These are the names and accounts of some of David s warriors his most valiant soldiers. God blessed David with exceptional military men. The list includes 7 / 10

8 the three famous heroes who turned the tide of events in single combat and the thirty warriors who served in a special detachment. There were men from many different tribes of Israel and even a few foreigners among the men who rallied to David. p.538: 23:39 The text intentionally ends with the mention of Uriah the Hittite. Uriah was another foreigner among David s mighty men. He gave his life for David under the most evil of circumstances (11:14-17). The fact that there were 37 members of the Thirty may be explained in one of two ways: either Thirty was a title rather than a specific figure, or the extra men were brought in to replace those who fell in battle. Application: 1. Praising God encourages us by reminding us of His unfailing character. 2. God s character should become a pattern for our character. 3. Recognizing team members and being loyal to them is a key component in developing community. Leader Pack Item 6 Key verse: 2 Samuel 7:16; Item 10 Handout: 2 Samuel and the Psalms; Illustrator p. 40 David s Last Hymn Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g ; Dates: 8/19 Kickoff Sunday; 8/22 Midlink Preview; 8/25 ReFuel: Parenting with Purpose Conference; 8/29-11/14 8 / 10

9 Midlink; 9/3 Labor Day offices closed; 9/14-16 SPF Camp; 9/15 Men:Serve; 9/21 Marriage Matters; 9/23 LBS Fall Luncheon; 9/30 MIYCO; 9/30 SPF Family Camp Reflections in Oasis; 10/7 First Camp Reception 12:30 4:30; 10/14 Parent Commitment; 10/19-20 Women s Retreat; 10/27 Men:Serve; 10/31 Light the Night; 11/4 MIYCO; 11/8 Staff Hunt Retreat; 11/9 Re:Create Date Night; 11/10 Legacy 685 Appreciation Dinner; 11/11 Leadership Appreciation Lunch preschool; 11/14-17 Missions Conference; 11/22-23 Thanksgiving Holidays; 12/1 Deacon s Christmas Party; 12/4-9 - Celebration Performances 6th-9 th ; 12/24 9 / 10

10 - Christmas Eve Services; 12/24-25 Christmas Holidays. 10 / 10