Following After God s Heart

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Thomas Norris
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Following After God s Heart Looking Back: I Samuel Chapters 22-23 Saul s true intentions toward David have been exposed.

1 The New American Standard Bible (NASB) has been used to prepare this Study. When a question instructs you to use your study tools/helps, this means to use your personal concordance, dictionary or other resource. Following After God s Heart Looking Back: I Samuel Chapters Saul s true intentions toward David have been exposed. Remember how Jonathan agreed to report back to David (who was hiding in the field, fearful for his life) about the way Saul would respond to David s absence at the king s table? Just as David suspected, Saul was NOT happy! He not only burned with anger toward David but he lashed out against his own son hurling a spear in his direction! After a tearful goodbye between David and Jonathan, David travelled to Nob. This great man of God resorted to lying when questioned by Ahimelech the priest and received bread and weapons from him as a result. This whole deception is sure to have devastating consequences as we will see in the next chapter. Looking Ahead: There is a very serious lesson to be learned in these chapters: your sin definitely affects the life of others. Upon receiving Doeg s account of what went down in Nob, we will see how Ahimelech s kindness to David is seen as betrayal in the eyes of King Saul. Saul is about to allow his jealousy and rage turn into mass murder! Even though Saul orders the slaying of the entire household of Ahimelech s father, one is able to escape and take refuge with David and his men Abiathar, son of Ahimelech. There is a sweet reunion between David and Jonathan that takes place at Horesh where Jonathan encouraged him in God a much needed visit from his precious friend. This week s Memory verse is Lamentations 3: Begin memorizing the verse(s) today. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you memorize this passage and for opportunities to apply it The LORD s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 Write out Lamentations 3:22-23: Write this verse(s) on your index cards keep one with you and post the other one in a prominent place. 1

2 DAY ONE Pray, and read I Samuel 22: Hearing that David had taken refuge in the cave of Adullam, his brothers and all of his father s household followed him there. Define the three words listed that characterize the everyone that went down to him: (v.2a) ** DISTRESS What encouragement is given to the distressed? (II Chronicles 20:9) ** DEBT What encouragement is given to those in debt? (Psalm 37:25-26) ** DISCONTENT What encouragement is given to those that are discontent? (Psalm 16:11) Perhaps one (or more) of the above characterizes your life today. If so, confess it/them to the Lord and ask Him to strengthen your trust and faith in Him in this area. Begin memorizing the listed Scripture verse (instead of, or in addition to this week s memory verse), and begin applying the verse(s) TODAY! You can trust Him He loves you! Challenge: Psalm 57 and 142 are both associated with David s stay in the cave of Adullam. On a separate piece of paper, list the things that particularly blessed, encouraged and/or challenged you, and why? Please share 2. What was the purpose of David s visit to the king of Moab? (v.3) The king of Moab was a natural ally for David because Saul had warred against him (1 Samuel 14:47), and David s own great-grandmother was a Moabitess. (Ruth 4:13, 18-22) NIV Study Note A. Did David stay with his parents in Moab? (v.4) Explain. David saw the importance of caring for and protecting his parents. In His death, how did Jesus make sure Mary would be cared for? (John 19:25-27) Sometimes it is difficult to be faithful to Jesus example in this area. If this is a difficult principle for you to practice, ask the Lord to give you His heart toward your parent(s). God desires to bless us in this area! (See Exodus 20:12) 3. Hearing the report that David and his men had been discovered (v.6), thoughtfully read v.7-8. In your own words ** What was Saul accusing the people of? ** What was Saul implying might be a good incentive to remain faithful to him? A. Who gave Saul the information he wanted? (v.9) 1. David uses strong words when describing the evil intent of Doeg in Psalm 52:1-4. List some of them. a. But Who will deal with Doeg? (Psalm 52:5) PERFECT segue to practice our memory verse: The LORD S indeed, for His, They are, morning; is. : - DAY TWO Pray, and read I Samuel 22: According to v.11, who did Saul summon? A. When everyone was gathered, how did Saul address Ahimelech in v.12a? 2

3 Hear now, thou son of Ahitub; not so much as calling him by his name, much less giving him his title of distinction. By this it appears that Saul had cast off the fear of God, that he showed no respect at all to His priests, but took a pleasure in affronting them and insulting them. Matthew Henry 1. What was Ahimelech s response? (v.12b) 2. What did Saul accuse Ahimelech and David (the son of Jesse) of doing? Explain: Define CONSPIRE A. Was Ahimelech being honest? yes no Read v.14 over a few times. In a nutshell, what do you believe Ahimelech was saying? 1. What did Ahimelech claim to know in regard to this whole affair? (v.15) 3. Despite Ahimelech s attempt to reason with Saul (v.14-15), what order did Saul pronounce, upon who? (v.16-17a) A. Were Saul s servants willing to attack the priests of the LORD? (v.17b) 4. Because Saul s servants were unwilling to obey, who carried out Saul s vengeance? (v.18a) A. According to v.18b-19, who was murdered that day? put to the sword Nob Thus the prophesy of judgment against the house of Eli is fulfilled (1 Samuel 2:31) NASB Note 1. Who escaped, and what did he do? (v.20-21) 5. What did David take responsibility for in v.22? David s deception in 1 Samuel 21:2 brought devastating consequences on Abiathar s household, for which he took full responsibility. We have all been guilty of not obeying the Holy Spirit, bringing unnecessary pain into the life of another. Is there an area that you are willfully being disobedient to the Lord that could ultimately affect someone else? If you are, you must confess it to the Lord and repent. Stop it. Ask your group leader for prayer God is good. 1. Verse 23 is beautiful. Read 1 Kings 2:26-27, and the brief NASB Note below. Share your thoughts: Abiathar, a priest of the line of Eli, was banished to his hometown Anathoth (Joshua 21:18; Jeremiah 1:1) for his part in Adonijah s attempt to gain the throne. He was spared execution because he remained faithful to David during Absalom s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:24ff). The doom foretold on the house of Eli was thus fulfilled. (1 Samuel 2:30-35) Time to practice Lamentations 3:22-23: DAY THREE Pray, and read I Samuel 23: Who were the Philistines fighting against now? (v.1a) A. In addition to fighting, what else were the Philistines doing? (v.1b) Define: PLUNDER (verb) Keilah, a city of Judah, about three mi (five km) S of Adullam, bordered on the territory of the Philistines who would raid the threshing floors after the Israelites had done the hard work of harvesting and processing the grain. Ryrie 3

2. David inquired of the LORD in v.2. The LORD said to David:. A. Because David s men were afraid, David inquired of the LORD again. (v.4) Write out the LORD S answer:. 1.

4 2. David inquired of the LORD in v.2. The LORD said to David:. A. Because David s men were afraid, David inquired of the LORD again. (v.4) Write out the LORD S answer:. 1. Do you believe this was a lack of faith on David's part? Why or why not? 3. Was the LORD faithful? (v.5) Explain: A. We know the instrument was David but God was the true Deliverer! Let's look at a few verses about God's deliverance! Circle your favorite or share another one that is not listed here that is your favorite ~ Mix & Match A. Psalm 7 :1 He delivers me from my enemies, surely You lift me above those who rise up against me; B. Psalm 18:48 Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. C. Psalm 25:20 O LORD my God, in You have I taken refuge; save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me. D. Psalm 32:7 I sought the LORD and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. E. Psalm 34:4 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Time to practice Lamentations 3:22-23: DAY FOUR Pray, and read I Samuel 23: When Abiathar fled to David, what did he carry in his hand? (v.6) Define EPHOD A. Using your study helps: ** What is the importance of the priest s ephod? ** What is the ephod used for? - 1. Share your resource(s) 2. What did Saul "assume" about David? (v.7) A. Who did Saul summon and why? (v.8) 3. David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him. What did David "do"? (v.9-10) A. What were the two questions David asked in v.11? ** And the LORD said: B. What question did David ask the LORD in v.12? ** And the LORD said: 4

5 4. In response to the LORD'S word, what did David and his men do? (v.13a) A. When Saul was told that David had escaped, what did he do? (v.13b) 1. Did Saul finally "let it go"? (v.14) 5. David and his 600 men escaped into the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. Who went to David, and why? (v.16-17) Define ENCOURAGE A. Share a couple of practical ways you have encouraged someone in God? 1. Do you have a favorite verse(s) that you use to encourage others in God? 6. What godly qualities does Jonathan display in this meeting? (v.17-18) A. This would be David and Jonathan's last recorded visit. What is the last thing they did? (v.18) Perfect segue to practice Lamentations 3: Remember to speak it as you write it: Ask someone if you may share Lamentations 3:22-23 with him or her. If you did share with your group DAY FIVE Pray, and read I Samuel 23: Who else was willing to surrender David to Saul? (v.19-20) A. Why did Saul speak words of blessing on them? (v.21) 1. Who do you believe deserved compassion in this situation and why? 2. Saul was willing to pursue David, but what did he request first? (v.22-23) "It wasn't David's craftiness that kept him from Saul's clutches; it was the goodness and faithfulness of the LORD. Saul didn't want to believe that, so he thought and said David's protection was due to being very crafty." David Guzik 3. Describe the seemingly "hopeless" situation that David and his men found themselves in. (v.24-26) A. Read Psalm 54. This Psalm was written as a result of this particular encounter with Saul. ** What does David pray for: (v.1) (v.2) ** What does David need to be delivered from? (v.3) ** How does David identify his God? (v.4) ** What is David confident of? (v.5) ** Even when facing impossible odds, what does David do? (v.6) ** Write David's declaration: (v.7) 5

6 4. And Saul overtook David and put him to death NOT! God had great plans for this man after His own heart. What diversion did the LORD provide? (v.27-28) "Out of the blue actually out of heaven a messenger came to Saul, and drew him away from David to fight the Philistines. The hand of God was so evident that David and his men made a memorial of the spot: they called that place the Rock of Escape. David Guzik A. How does this minister to you today? Time to practice & write out your memory verse: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;... Psalm 23:4-5a 6

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# /7/ I #10 1 Samuel 21-23 "Blinded" by personal ambition and resisting God 8/7/2016 Page 1 I Samuel 15: 14 But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart