Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 21, 2016 Respect Background: 1 Samuel 24:1-22; 26:1-25 Lesson: 1 Samuel 26:7-12, 21-25 Motivation: In a culture where a hostile workplace is a legal case and trolls on the internet spread rumors and hate, the Bible speaks clearly about respect, submission to authority and reconciliation. In David s actions, we have a clear blueprint for actions to take when faced with an antagonistic authority. I. Struck Down but Not Destroyed (24:1-22) A. Retreat David is in the wilderness near En Gedi (1) After the experience at Nob, David removed the chance of collateral damage to villages by retreating to the wilderness. This area had natural springs, vegetation and the only natural waterfall in Israel. B. Restraint David persuaded his men and he did not let them rise up against Saul (7) J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, Vol. 2, p. 170 : It is interesting to note that although David is being hunted by Saul, David will not lay a hand on him. Why? Because Saul is God s anointed, David is going to let God deal with the king. My, if we could only come to the place where we would let God handle our enemies! (Ps. 83) As a rule we want to take care of them, but God can do a much better job. We are told in Romans 12:19, Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the. When we take things in our own hands, we are no longer walking by faith. We are not trusting God. (Rom. 14:23) What we are really saying is,, we cannot trust You to handle this the way we want it handled, so we are going to do it ourselves. David, however, is going to let God handle Saul. 1 / 9
C. Respect My lord the King (8) David s posture, words and tone of respect made a compelling case to Saul. Rather than blame his king, David asked David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of people who say, Look, David intends to harm you? (9) HCSB: p. 485: 24:13 David cited what was probably a well-known saying at the time Wickedness comes from wicked people (cp. Pr. 18:3) to illustrate he was not wicked because he had spared Saul s life when he could have killed him. D. Remorse Then Saul wept aloud (16) David s gracious treatment of Saul was in contrast to Saul s heavy-handed murderous ways. Saul had to acknowledge You are more righteous than I. (17) E. Reward May the repay you with good (19) By acting with restraint, submission and respect, David is rewarded with: 1) blessing (19); 2) affirmation (20); 3) peace (21-22). II. Dealing with An Antagonistic Authority (26:1-6) Saul s hunt for David was periodic as evidenced by chapters 23-24. David was pledged to defend the king, yet he was placed in the position of having to defend himself. Christians often find themselves reporting to an antagonistic authority figure. What can we learn from David? A. Expect Opposition Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon. So Saul, accompanied by 3,000 of the choice men of Israel, went to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there. (1) Often we are surprised, hurt and perhaps disappointed in God when we face opposition. Yet, Jesus said You will have suffering in this world. (John 16:33) We should not only expect opposition but also prepare for it with the full armor of 2 / 9
God (Ephesians 6:11). The Ziphites also informed on David s location to Saul in 23: 19-20) B. Seek Truth, not Rumors Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon. David was living in the wilderness and discovered Saul had come there after him. 4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come. (3-4) A bad situation becomes worse when we act on incorrect information. Don t act on rumors. C. View the Situation from the Proper Vantage Point Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him. Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Joab s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, Who will go with me into the camp to Saul? I ll go with you, answered Abishai. (5) Evidently, Saul camped on the high ground to gain a military advantage. However, David sought higher ground still to gain perspective. When facing opposition we should always ask ourselves, What is the spiritual vantage point from which I can examine this problem? HCSB: p. 488 : 26:6 Abimelech is described as a Hittite (i.e. foreigner), but his name is Hebrew or at least related to Hebrew. Joab s brother Abishai is introduced here; he would play an active role in David s kingship (2 Sm 10:10; 18:2-3; 23:18). Go is literally go down, implying David was at a higher point than Saul and thus at an advantage. III. Opportunity Knocks That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, Today God has handed your enemy over to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground 3 / 9
just once. I won t have to strike him twice! (7-8). A. Be a Thermostat, not a Thermometer: In 24:20, Saul acknowledged that David was God s anointed. Yet, instead of honoring God s decision, Saul sought to kill David. To his credit, David did not react to Saul s disobedience with retaliation, although we know that David was capable of impetuous violence (25:22). David s actions were guided by his understanding of God s will and purpose, David set the temperature instead of simply reacting to it. B. Be Careful Who Gives You Counsel: From a purely military standpoint, Abishai s counsel was solid: sever the head and the body dies. Saul s troops already indicated doubt about the sanity of his command (22:17). If David allowed Abishai to commit regicide, he would not have to get his own hands dirty. In addition, a major threat to his life would be removed and the road to his own kingship would be open. IV. Godly Respect But David said to Abishai, Don t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the s anointed and be blameless? 10 David added, As the lives, the will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 However, because of the, I will never lift my hand against the s anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let s go. 12 So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from the came over them. (9-12) A. Respect the Office regardless of the Person who can lift a hand against the s anointed and be blameless? (9) Saul had done little that demanded personal respect, and much that demanded justice. However, David respected the office of an anointed King. In 24:4-6, David regretted even cutting a corner of Saul s robe, and promised his men I swear before the 4 / 9
: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the s anointed. (24:6) Having a predetermined conviction certainly prevented a rash action. B. Rely on God As the lives, the will certainly strike him down; (10) Faith and patience go hand in hand. Contrast Saul s pursuing with David s patience. When an authority figure contrives to be vindictive, the natural response is to launch a preemptive strike. Saul was moving an army into David s territory; David had all the advantage of reconnaissance (4) and terrain (5). David could have followed the impetuous advice of Abishai (8) and killed Saul. Yet, David knew that God was powerful enough and wise enough to choose the time and place that Saul would depart this earth (10). C. Refrain from Retaliation (11) Retaliation generally only harms the reputation of the one who retaliates. (Romans 12:19) D. Reaffirm Your Loyalty 12 So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul s head (12) Actions do speak louder than words. Just as David took tangible evidence of his trustworthiness, Christians should seek to document their loyalty to authority. HCSB: p.488 : 26:11 The spear and the water jug would provide evidence that David had been close enough to kill Saul. V. Remorse Saul responded, I have sinned. Come back, my son David, I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I ve committed 5 / 9
a grave error. (21) In order to arrive at a place of reconciliation with Saul, David had to jump through some hoops : A. Identify the Interference (14-19) Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is the who has incited you against me, then may He accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the presence of the, for today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the saying, Go and worship other gods. (19) As in 24:9, David implied that third parties were stirring up dissension between Saul and David. By David s sarcastic tone in 14-16, we may assume that at least one of the interfering parties was Abner. While David would speak no evil of Saul, he didn t hesitate to call out Abner for his deeds. The prayer of the Christian should be,, reveal the truth to my authority. (John 8:32, 36; 14:6) HCSB: p. 489: 26:19 David could identify only two sources of Saul s desire to kill him the or the people. If the, David wanted Saul to allow him to sacrifice a freewill offering to restore the broken fellowship between himself, God and Saul. But if people had falsely accused him, David called on them to be cursed. Their false accusations had the effect of driving David away from the inheritance of the, treating him as if he were not an Israelite. B. Initiate Grace 1. David acted in humility For the King of Israel has come out to search for a flea... (20) 6 / 9
2. David returned Saul s spear (22) The very instrument Saul would have used to kill David! This is an incredible symbolic act of grace and trust! 3. David stated his convictions (23-24) which caused him to spare Saul s life because he valued it. 4. David allowed Saul to depart in peace (25). Saul admitted his sin and foolishness (21). Yet, David didn t dwell on the obvious; he graciously allowed Saul to retreat with honor. HCSB: p. 489: 26:23-24 David Called on the to repay those involved (especially him and Saul) as God saw their hearts. David didn t ask for Saul to consider his life valuable; he asked for the to do so. 26:25 Saul s words appear to be an admission, that God had great things in store for his son-in-law. The two went on their way, having spoken the last words they would ever say to each other. Application 1. Even when we re in the wilderness, we re not without God. 2. A Christian soldier needs to be on guard with all his weapons. 3. Good has and will continue to overcome evil. 7 / 9
Leader Pack Item 1: Map: David s Flight from Saul No Biblical Illustrator article Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; Dates: 2016 8/24 Midlink Preview Night; 8/27 Parent Conference; 8/31 AMP/WIRED Back 2 School night; 9/9-11 SPF Family Camp @ Stoney Creek Ranch; 9/11 Fall LBS Luncheon; 9/12-14 ION Conference; 9/17 Men:Serve; 9/17-18 9 th gr. Event & Parent Hang out; 9/18 Make It Your Church Orientation; 9/25 SPF Birthday Bash; 9/25 MS Family Park Day; 10/1 Men s Ministry Wild Game Dinner; 10/7-8 Women s Retreat @ Omni; 10/9 Parent Commitment; 10/14 Lifeway/UBA Pastors Dinner; 10/15 Celebration Tickets go on sale; 10/16 s Supper; 10/16 8 / 9
SPF B-day Bash; 10/20-21 Men s Ministry Conference; 10/21 MS Bonfire @ the Farm; 10/31 First Fest. 9 / 9