1 Samuel 18; Another Giant Falls

Introduction

IMAGE

Mark Twain famously quipped, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

We are going to see these two statements proven true this morning. Last week, we saw David step up to the plate and take on the Philistine Giant- Goliath. This morning we are going to see how the giant of Israel, Saul, has become the very thing he was supposed to be fighting against.

NEED

We need to see our pride and kill it by the example and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that “Pride comes before destruction.” (Proverbs 16:17) We also know that, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

TOPIC

Another Giant Falls

REFERENT

1 Samuel 18

ORGANIZATION

Sermon in a sentence: God crushes giants.

Saul’s Progeny (vs. 1-4)

Saul’s People (vs. 5-9)

Saul’s Psyche (vs. 10-15)

Saul’s Plan (vs. 17-30)

Application

Read 1 Samuel 18:1-9.

Pray

Sermon in a sentence:

God crushes giants.

Saul’s Progeny (vs. 1-4, 20)

Saul’s own children love David.

Jonathan has shown that he is willing to put his own interests to the side to glorify God.

Jonathan was the rightful heir to the throne. But he set aside his status because he recognized God’s blessing upon David.

Once again, a full reading of scripture does not portray any homosexual relationship between Jonathan and David.

Michal loved David.

Andrew Reid points out that this is the only reference in the OT narrative of a women loving a man.

Ruth - Boaz, Song of Solomon, etc…

Blood is thicker than water. However, we must be willing to submit to what is right and wrong. Many times, we can try to defend our family or ourselves from things we really shouldn’t. We often want to hold on to our position even more than we want the glory of God.

As a pastor, I want my family to always love the Lord. I do not want to be a hinderance to the Lord. I want my family to see my love for God and savor it. My family and God are not in competition.

Saul’s People (vs. 5-9, 16)

Saul’s people (really God’s people), loved David!

The men of war are happy that he is leading them.

The historical books frequently use these phrases “pleasant in his/their/your sight” and “someone sent”.

2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba “sent” and “displeasing in your sight”

The women sing a son of victory.

This song should remind us of Hannah’s song in chapter 2. The proud/haughty (tall) will be brought low and the low will be exalted.

God uses his people to communicate to us. He uses pastors, commentaries, deacons, neighbors - his church- to reprove, correct, exhort, and challenge us. Brothers and sisters, we are not to be tossed by the winds of culture. At the same time, we must be humble enough to listen to those around us and accept correction. I often make a decision and quickly remember how badly I need Holly! I also need you saints.

Saul’s Psyche (vs. 10-15)

Saul is tormented by this evil spirit that God himself sent.

We need to recognize our weakness before the sovereign hand of God. He can do whatever he pleases.

We must recognize our weakness as humans with a spirit, a mind, and a body.

Saul has become Goliath, the spear wielding giant coming to kill David.

Just like Goliath, God will also bring this giant down.

We do need to heed of our physical and spiritual state. Do not ignore the warning signs God is giving you. There are times that we are persecuted or facing true spiritual warfare because of our faithfulness and service to the Lord. However, there are also many times that we are suffering because of our sin. Saul was afraid of David (x2). He remembered that Samuel said God would tear the kingdom from Saul. He knew that this young man was the one that killed the giant. His own family loved David. Saul should have taken the queues to realize that he could not hold onto the throne forever.

Saul’s Plan (vs. 17-30)

Saul hopes to use his own family against David.

He probably wasn’t really planing on giving David a daughter in marriage. It sounds like that when he doesn’t give Merab to David but someone else.

Also, he uses Michal’s love to kill David, not encourage him to gain even more victories.

The author compares David and Saul here by showing David’s humility.

It would make sense for him to marry Michal. He was the anointed king. That would make taking the throne easier. But David is aware of his social and economic status.

God uses Saul’s plan against him.

David used Goliath’s sword against him. Now, David will use Saul’s plan against him.

Sin that is not cut off immediately always becomes bigger. Saul could have recognized his sin in trying to murder David. But, he couldn’t admit his faults. Instead, he dug his heels in and continued on this downward path. He would later go on to try to kill his own son. Eventually he is going to die on the field of battle with his son Jonathan.

Kill sin or it will be killing you.

Application

1 Peter 5:6 ESV

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

1 Samuel 2:18–19 ESV

18 Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. 19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

Conclusion

In The Fellowship of the Ring, the Council of the Elrond meets in Rivendell to discuss the fate of the One Ring. They eventually come to a conclusion of what they shall to do the One Ring. They shall form a fellowship of the Ring. This fellowship shall be tasked with the destruction of the ring. In this council, Elrond says, “At least for a while, the road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hand do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.”

Saints, you do not need to be great leaders or conquers. God calls us to faithfulness with the valley all alone with the sheep before he ever calls us to be faithful in the spot light.