1 Samuel 20-25
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Picking up in chapter 20...
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Chapter starts with Jonathan in denial that Saul wants to kill David
David tells him to go to the feast of the new moon and tell Saul, when he asks, you told him he could go back to Bethlehem to sacrifice. If Saul loses his temper he wants to kill David.
Jonathan and David swear another covenant
Jonathan would tell David if Sual meant him harm
David would spare all the descendants of Jonathan
1 Samuel 20:15 “15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.”
This is where Jonathan uses arrows and his servant to let David know Saul did lose his temper (1 Samuel 20:30–31 “30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? 31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.”
to the point he even tried to kill Jonathan 1 Samuel 20:33 “33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.”
David knows he has to leave, he and Jonathan shed a few tears and part: 1 Samuel 20:42 “42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.”
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Chapters 21-29 are David’s “wilderness experience” as he’s on the run from Saul in exile.
David leaves and heads to Nob where he deceives Ahimelech the priest to obtain holy bread and Goliath's sword.
He then continues to Gath, an enemy Philistine city, where he must feign insanity to escape King Achish's suspicion.
These actions highlight David's fear and human frailty, yet God continues to protect him.
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1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. 3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. 4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. 5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
Leaving Gath, David goes 10 miles east and “his brothers and all his father’s household” go join him. Probably not just because they missed him, but as much fear of Saul.
David’s band of discontents:
The Distressed: These were likely individuals facing various forms of hardship, perhaps those who felt oppressed by Saul's rule, had suffered personal tragedies, or were simply struggling to survive in a challenging socio-economic climate.
The Indebted: In ancient Israel, debt could lead to dire consequences, including servitude. These men were likely seeking refuge from creditors and the crushing weight of their financial obligations, hoping for a new start under David's leadership.
The Bitter of Soul: This group likely comprised those who harbored deep-seated grievances, whether against Saul's regime, personal injustices, or the general state of affairs in Israel. They were likely a volatile and desperate group, seeking an outlet for their frustrations and a leader who understood their plight.
David was a fugitive, that draws other fugitives…
1 Samuel 21:4–6 “4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. 5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. 6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.”
suggests that he considered Israelite warfare to be a task that should be performed only by consecrated servants of the Lord.
Earlier David had been motivated to fight Goliath because the Philistine had “defied the armies of the living God” (17:36), a reason that was at least partly theological.
When he entered into battle against Goliath, he did so “in the name of the LORD Almighty” (17:45)—that is, with due regard to his relationship with the Lord.
Apparently David transferred his personal practices to those under his command, requiring them to be in proper relationship with God during all missions.
David and his group did not long remain in Judah but instead “went to Mizpah in Moab” (v. 3), an otherwise unknown site somewhere east of the Dead Sea.
In a personal audience with the Moabite king, David requested that his father and mother be granted sanctuary in Moab until David learned “what God will do” for him.
Moabite king granted David’s request, perhaps for two reasons:
first, because he was honoring the ancient practice of providing sanctuary for adversaries of enemies (cf. 1 Sam 27:4–5; 1 Kgs 11:17–18; 12:2; 2 Kgs 25:26)
and second, because David had a Moabite great-grandmother (cf. Ruth 4:13–17).
The prophet Gad goes to David and tells him to leave, he can’t do this (1 Samuel 22:5 “5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.” )
The reason for the strong wording is simple: the Torah prohibited the establishment of friendly treaties with Moabites (cf. Deut 23:2–6). As a true prophet of the Lord, Gad’s duty was to help others understand and heed the Torah. If David established such a treaty with the king of Moab, he would violate the Torah and so risk bringing judgment on himself and all who were with him.
Understanding Gad’s admonition to possess divine authority, David obediently “left and went to the forest of Hereth,” an unidentified area west of the Dead Sea.
Apparently, David’s family and followers also accompanied him to that location. The forest location would have provided excellent protection against large, organized forces that Saul might bring against them.
In obeying the Torah—even though it meant leaving a stronghold built by human hands, David would find himself in a far safer stronghold, Yahweh himself (cf. 2 Sam 23:14; Pss 18:2 [Hb. v. 3]; 31:3 [Hb. v. 4]; 144:2).
6 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) 7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; 8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10 And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
Saul was conducting royal business outdoors in a time-honored manner (Judges 4:5 “5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” ).
The geographically prominent location (a hilltop), the presence of Saul’s throne under a type of tree associated with the worship of Yahweh (Genesis 21:33 “33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.” ), and the spear in the king’s hand all lent authority and dignity to the conduct of royal affairs at that site.
Saul asks all those working for him if David would give them all the things he has if he was king
Accusing every one of them of conspiracy for not telling him Jonathan and David were working together
Then Doeg, a foreigner, with allegiance only to himself and his own hide, tells Saul what he saw in Nob
11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. 12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. 13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
Saul held a trial in which he was the prosecutor and the family of Ahitub, represented by Ahimelech, were the defendants.
As Saul continues to go insane as a result of his sin and God’s judgement he sees everyone conspiring against him so David is hiding to kill him and take the throne.
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? 15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. 16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house. 17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. 18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
Ahimelech’s response
First, he provided a fivefold defense of David: far from being Saul’s enemy, David was (1) “your servant,” (2) “loyal,” (3) “the king’s son-in-law,” (4) “captain of your bodyguard,” and (5) “highly respected in your household” (v. 14).
Second, Ahimelech characterized his priestly actions toward David as routine. Although it was true that he “inquired of God for” David, this “was not the first time” (v. 15).
Third, the priest affirmed his loyalty to Saul, calling himself “your servant.”
Finally, Ahimelech declared his noninvolvement in any plot against Saul: he “knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
Saul orders him and his family to die but the soldiers had enough fear or respect or something to “touch not the Lord’s anointed”
the foreigner had no issue though and kills 85 members of the Aaronic priesthood authorized to worship Yahweh. then Doeg kills the rest of the men, women, children, and livestock in the priestly city of Nob.
20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’S priests. 22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house. 23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
Abiathar escapes and runs to David
God will always preserve a remnant of faithful witnesses here and all throughout the Bible
David takes responsibility for the slaughter not because he did it, but rather because he hadn’t killed Doeg when he had the chance
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Seeking God's direction, David saves the town of Keilah from Philistines but must quickly flee when God reveals they will betray him to Saul.
Saul pursues David relentlessly, but God provides constant protection, including a final encouraging visit from Jonathan and a last-minute escape when a Philistine raid diverts Saul.
This chapter emphasizes God's guidance and providential care over David.
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In the wilderness of En Gedi, Saul unknowingly enters the very cave where David and his men are hiding.
David refuses his men's urging to kill Saul, choosing instead to secretly cut off a piece of his robe to prove his nearness yet his refusal to harm "the LORD's anointed."
David later confronts Saul from afar, demonstrating his trust in God for justice and shaming Saul into a temporary admission of guilt.
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Following Samuel's death, David requests provisions from the wealthy but foolish Nabal, who insults him, prompting David to set out for revenge.
Nabal’s wise wife, Abigail, intervenes with supplies and a humble appeal, persuading David to avoid bloodshed and leave judgment to God.
Shortly after, God strikes Nabal dead, and David, recognizing Abigail’s wisdom and God's provision, marries her.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As children of God, the bible doesn’t promise us we won’t be persecuted, or go hungry, or even die. We see here all that David is going through.
1 John 2:18 “18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
the context here for antichrist is both a future expectation and a present reality.
Antichrist (singular) seems to be the expectation of the central figure Paul talks about in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
antichrists (plural) are all those who oppose Christ, His kingdom, and His people
The world’s “antichrist’s” WILL raise the sword against God’s people. According to statistics from Open Doors US it’s estimated that...
More than 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. That’s one in seven Christians worldwide.
209,771 Christians forced to leave their homes, to go into hiding or exile. Over 40,000 of these were in Myanmar
54,780 Christians beaten, threatened or physically and mentally abused... ...including some 10,000 people in Pakistan
28,368 attacks on Christian homes, shops and businesses. Almost 20,000 of these attacks took place in sub-Saharan Africa
4,744 Christians detained, arrested or sentenced for faith-related reasons. Over 2,100 of these incidents took place in India
4,476 believers were killed for their faith. 3,100 of these deaths were in Nigeria
3,944 Christians were sexually assaulted, harassed or forcibly married to non-Christians. An estimated 500 incidents in Syria
BUT the Bible DOES promise the world won’t destroy ALL the witnesses
Romans 11:1–5 “1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
No matter how Saul tried, he was never going to kill David because David WAS to be the king of Israel
Those of us that are saved can, like David, rely on God’s providence for care, peace, and hope. Even in the event God’s sovereign plan carries pain or even death!
