David s Rise & Rejection 1 Sam.16:1-20:42
Context 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord s command 15:26, 28 You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel! The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors to one better than you.
Context Saul has lost his dynasty & his position as king because God has rejected him. Grieving 15:35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that He had made Saul king over Israel.
Context Who is this man who is after God s own heart? From Eli Samuel From Samuel Saul From Saul David
David s Rise & Rejection 1 Sam.16:1-20:42 David s Rise 1. God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 2. God is with David; entered Saul s court (16:14-23) 3. God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 4. God s favour on David; all liked him (18:1-5) David s Rejection 1. Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18-19) 2. Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20)
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:1 Perhaps Samuel was grieving so much that he has lost sight of what God said in 13:14 & 15:28 there is someone else! God sprung into action, he is doing something new! 16:2 If Saul hears about it, he will kill me. Implied that Saul has already developed a harsh administration. He is ready to kill those he was called to serve.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:3 God s strategy for Samuel (c.f 9:12-13) 16:4 Tremble perhaps unwilling to risk Saul s wrath.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, Surely the LORD s anointed stands here before the LORD. 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) The key word Ra ah - It is used 9 times in this chapter (vv. 1, 6, 7, 17, 18) and is translated either as provide, find or see or look.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, Surely the LORD s anointed stands here before the LORD. Samuel seems to have forgotten what the LORD said in v3 - Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:7 Only God can see truly & fully of each man s heart. In v1, the word chosen is also the Hebrew word Ra ah. Jonathan s exploit, later David s, even choosing a king was by faith in a God who sees truly & fully.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:11 there is still the youngest He is tending the sheep. So insignificant, young that he wasn t even invited here. Was Jesse also walking by sight?
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:12 He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features God didn t say he will choose someone ugly, He simply said, I will choose someone after my own heart. That is the main point & criteria; whether handsome or not is secondary.
God chose David; anointed as king (16:1-13) 16:13 from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power How can? Shock, beyond expectations. 1 Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
God is with David; entered Saul s court (16:14-23) 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him
Issue of evil spirit from the Lord In Scripture, wherever God appeared to be responsible for evil, it is always in the context of Him operating within the evil that is already present to increase it so as to confirm the evil of the person and to hasten the divine judgment. Ex 7:13 - hardening of Pharaoh s heart James 1:13 - When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone
Issue of evil spirit from the Lord Saul had already rebelled, disobeyed and living in sin even before the evil spirit came upon him Divine Judgement & discipline of Saul s rebellion. Evil spirit may not mean morally evil but can refer to what gives pain, misery, distress, or calamity. Other translation: injurious, harmful
God is with David; entered Saul s court (16:14-23) David is chosen & anointed Saul is rejected & tormented
God is with David; entered Saul s court (16:14-23) 16:15-17 Saul s servant knew the problem but Saul doesn t The problem with Saul is not the problems that surrounded him, but that he himself is the problem.
God is with David; entered Saul s court (16:14-23) 16:18 A glowing introduction of David 1. Skillful musician 2. Brave man and warrior 3. Prudent in speech 4. Fine-looking 5. The LORD is with him
The key to David s success in life is stated in 1 Sam 16:18 the Lord is with him. This was also the secret of the success of Joseph (Gen. 39:2-3, 21, 23), Joshua (Josh. 6:27) and Samuel (1 Sam. 3:19), and it is the basis for success in the Christian life today. Wiersbe (105)
God is with David; entered Saul s court (16:14-23) 16:21-22 God s providence: Saul did not know he had let his successor in! 16:23 World s first music therapy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iab5egej0tq
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58)
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God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:4-7 Impressive appearances - His height, his armour, his weapon 17:8-10 Goliath s challenge and mockery The victory of either man will be a sign to one army that their gods prevail.
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:11 Dismayed & Terrified Walk by sight or faith? (c.f. Num. 13,14) Where is Jonathan? God s providence the stage is set for David to enter.
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:12-15 Introducing the hero s family Bethlehem (16:1, 18; 17:12, 58) The Messiah s lineage (Gen. 49:8-12; Micah 5:2) The unlikely hero : Youngest, tending sheep 17:16 80 times of taunting but no one dares (feel: so pathetic, who will deliver them?)
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:17-22 God s providence for David to come in Hurry to camp and bring back a report Reached the camp as the army was going out to battle Left his things with keeper of supplies and ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers.
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:23-24 81st time of taunting. All ran in great fear. 17:25, 27 Great reward but no takers! 17:26 the armies of the living God 17:28 Eliab s accusation. He has the wrong focus and it probably confirms why he was not chosen
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:33 Saul looked at David, compared him with Goliath and concluded he can t win. 17:34-37 Where David s faith came from. I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them 37 the LORD who delivered me
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) Would you say that your encounters of God will propel you ahead in fighting similar battles in life? (or will we forget and focus on what man say?) David showed us that what other people said about us is not the most important. What is most important is who God said He is.
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:37 Saul agreed. Faith or extremely desperate? 17:38-39 Saul tries to help 17:42-44 Goliath mocked and cursed David 17:45 You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:46 The whole world will know that there is a God in Israel Missions! All God s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them. James Hudson Taylor. (Wiersbe 109)
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:47 it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord s 17:48-49 David KO Goliath Sling can be a deadly weapon (Judges 20:16) each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. Difficulty distance, target size, terrain, running
God delivered David; defeats Goliath (17:1-58) 17:51-52 Like Jonathan s battle in 14. The living God whom David spoke has brought the Israelites to life in David. 17:55-58 Saul s enquiry about David Abner, whose son is that young man? Find out whose son this young man is Whose son are you, young man?
How to reconcile the apparent discrepancy? 16:21-23; 17:55-58 Saul knew who David was, but he asked Abner who the lad s father was, for in that day, that was how people were identified. (Wiersbe 111) Relieve of taxes, the status of his in-laws Saul s failing mental state or forgotten The verses are not in chronological order (e.g. Gen.10-11)
How to reconcile the apparent discrepancy? 16:21-23; 17:55-58 God confirms David over Saul: David is the legitimate successor (David s Rise) 16:14-23 - The first portrayed him as God s elect, able to command the realm of spirits 17:1-58 David defeats Goliath Faith & Courage (Man after God s heart) 18:1-4 Jonathan loved David 18:5 All Israel loved David
Reminds you of?
Eli Samuel Saul David 2:28; 3:20-21 9:16; 16:12 Chosen by God Rejected by God Accepted by God Eli Saul Samuel David The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart
Coffee Break
David s Rejection 1. Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 2. Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20)
Jonathan & David: What relationship? Example of true friendship: Show lovingkindness to the other above the self (as compared to Saul) Not a homosexual relationship - Homosexual practices clearly forbidden in scriptures (Gen 19:5, 24-25, Jude 1:7, Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-10) Nothing in the Context to suggest this. 2 Sam 1:26? Poetry genre
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 18:6-9 Saul s jealousy of David V8 Saul was very angry (c.f. 11.6) [Charah] Envy is the pain we feel within when somebody achieves or receives what we think belongs to us. Envy is the sin of successful people who can t stand to see others reach the heights they have reached and eventually replace them. (Wiersbe 117-118)
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 18:8-9 Saul s jealousy of David Jealousy of Cain: Gen. 4:7 sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 18:8-9 Saul s jealousy of David Jealousy - Saul could not & would not let go. Pride - The crucible for silver and furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. Proverbs 27:21 (Wiersbe 117) How do we respond to the popularity of others, and of ourselves? Begin by talking to someone you can trust
My seminary teacher and mentor, Dr. Robert Coleman, used to say that the glory of the teacher is to sit at the feet of the student and learn from him or her. Ajith Fernando
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 18:10-11 Saul s 1 st attempt v10 Evil spirit came forcefully/mightily [Tsalach] (c.f. 10:6, 10; 11:6) v10 Prophesying/Raved (ecstatic activity) v11 Saul was responsible. David eluded him twice
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 18:12-15 Saul was afraid of David The Lord was with David but had left him. Saul s fear (verses 12, 15, 29) David s success (verses 5, 14, 15, 30) God is with David (verses 12, 14, 28) 18:16 All Israel and Judah loved David
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 18:17 2 nd attempt Borrow knife to kill someone (Chinese proverb) 18:18-19 David s humility & wisdom 18:20-27 3 rd attempt Borrow knife (of the Philistine) to kill someone 18:28-30 Saul becoming increasingly more afraid & paranoid; David continue to rise
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 19:1 4 th attempt. Saul could no longer keep his desire under wraps. Told Jonathan & servants to kill David. kill (v1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 15, 17) and escape (10, 11, 12, 17, 18) 19:2-5 Jonathan warned David & succeeded in mediating for him. 19:6-7 Saul swore not to kill David & all is well again (but we know Saul is not one who keeps oaths.)
Saul s jealousy & attempts to kill David (18:6-19:24) 19:9-10 5 th attempt. David decided it s enough. 19:11-17 Michal warned David & succeeded in outwitting Saul. 19:18-24 God s Spirit intervenes. Is Saul also among the prophets (c.f. 10:10) it was once a sign that Saul had been chosen by God, but now, it is to thwart his murderous plan
Reflection Not once did we hear David say, I m going to solve this on my own I will kill Saul and be king What would you have done if you were David in such a situation of gross injustice? How we might emulate David in his faith & dependence on God in adversity & injustice?
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) Covenantal Friendship Jonathan: To choose between his father & David, the ungodly & the godly. How lovingkindness [hesed] prevailed
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:1-2 Jonathan s understanding of his father 20:3-4 David swore it s true that he might be killed 20:5-7 New moon festival test (Numbers 28:11-15; Ps 81:3)
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:8 Show kindness to your servant (c.f. 18:3 their covenant) Covenant and Hesed are corollaries. Hesed is not just love, it is loyal love, not just kindness, but dependable kindness, not just affection but committed affection. The steadfast love [Hesed] of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:9-12 Jonathan assured David that he can be trusted & takes an oath to protect David. 20:13 May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father (May the Lord elevate you to kingship, as he had raised my father) 20:14-15 Jonathan asked David to show him and his family lovingkindness [Hesed] 20:16-17 Reaffirming the covenant
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:18-23 The strategy to let David know v22 because the LORD has sent you away V23 the LORD is witness between you and me forever
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:24-34 Saul s & Jonathan s final response Saul s question, 27b Jonathan s revelation, 28-29 Saul s anger, 30-31 Jonathan s question, 32 Saul s revelation, 33 Jonathan s anger, 34
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:24-34 Saul s & Jonathan s final response v26 Saul s mind should be very unstable v27 son of Jesse (Saul s hostility) v28 Jonathan s reply v30 Saul s anger you are no son of mine, you must be illegitimate! (Wiersbe 132) Betrayal v31 Saul s final response The reason why he was jealous & afraid: Trying to preserve what was already taken by the Lord!
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:24-34 Saul s & Jonathan s final response v32 Jonathan is stunned/angry v33 Saul tried to kill Jonathan. He has become quite mad. (The spiral disobedience, rebellion, unrepentant, jealousy, rage, murder, unstable)
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:24-34 Saul s & Jonathan s final response v34 Jonathan s final response He was grieved This is who my father is. Chose to put God s servant, God s word and God s kingdom first. Jonathan has chosen to side with what is right in God s eyes.
Saul s & Jonathan s final response to David (20) 20:35-42 Farewell David v41 David was grateful to Jonathan (bowed 3 times), kissed each other and wept together. (c.f. Acts 20:37) v42 Ends in covenantal friendship. Things will never be the same again.
Takeaways Jonathan s friendship vs Saul s hostility One must fully support God s plan and his will rather than allowing pride and personal ambition to stand in the way of and impede what God is trying to accomplish. Commitment to God s plan and to his chosen servant necessitates self-denial and sometimes places one in harm s way.
Reflection Why not Jonathan, why not me? (can you look beyond yourself, and look to God?) Isa 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Reflection: David s qualification & rise to leadership Character prudent in speech, brave, humble, loyal, faithful (to Saul, God) Competency skilled musician, able to lead, a warrior (fight well) Centred in God Faith in God (vs Saul s), Zeal for God (vs Saul s).
Reflection: David s qualification & rise to leadership In each of these 3 areas, which in particular do you think God wants you to look at/work on? Character Competency Centred in God
Reflection: God in your life 1. God s Providence (David in Saul s Court, David & Goliath) Rom 8:28 2. God s Presence (Lord was with Him) Matt 28:20 3. God s Power (Defeated Goliath and Successful in all the battles) Acts 1:8 4. God s Protection (Escaping from Saul s attempt on his life) Luke 10:19
Reflection: God in your life If you were to do a timeline, how would it look like? God s Providence, God s Presence God s Power, God s Protection http://www.thecallingjourney.com/
Reflection: God in your life
Reflection: God in your life
But the LORD looks at the heart