1 Samuel 26-31
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
We went through 20-25 last week
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? 2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. 5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
They told on him in chapter 23 and here they do it again
So Saul brings the army and comes after David
David gets word and sends out the spies
6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. 7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. 8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. 9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless? 10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. 12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
Ahimelech the Hittite: he was a Hittite, normally an enemy of Israel, but Ahimelech has made his way into the trusted circle of David. One of those “in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter of soul” from last week but he’s got a Jewish name, maybe came to faith after David’s witness and requirements
David’s nephew Abishai (Zeruiah, David’s sister, was the mother of Abishai and Joab and we see them more in 2 Sam.) says “I’ll go” and they sneak in the camp in the middle of the night
Abishai tells David “let me do it, will only take 1 and he’s dead and you’re king!”
1 Samuel 26:8 “8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.”
But David, again showing respect to Yahweh by showing honor to the king of his choice
1 Samuel 26:9 “9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?”
And gives us the model to follow
1 Samuel 26:10 “10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.”
But either way
1 Samuel 26:11 “11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.”
We see Yahweh’s providence yet again
Isaiah 46:10–11 “10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: 14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? 15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. 16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’S anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
David yells and wakes everybody up. The he calls out Abner for not doing his job: Are you not a man? why didn’t you protect the king?
As Yahweh lives, all of you must surely die because you did not keep watch over your lord, the anointed of Yahweh
the king’s spear and the cruse of water
learned last week the spear is a symbol of the authority of the king and his power as a warrior
the cruse of water is his life, they all recognize traveling or hunting, especially in the desert, a man without water is a dead man walking
David’s yelling to the whole army but Abner specifically: “I could have taken the crown and his life!”
17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? 19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
here we are again, just like when David cut off the corner of his robe
1 Samuel 26:17 “17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.”
1 Samuel 24:16 “16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.”
David’s response is half answer to Saul half prayer to Yahweh:
1 Samuel 26:18 “18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?”
Why you doing this? I’ve done nothing wrong and I’m innocent
1 Samuel 26:19 “19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.”
If it’s Yahweh that has made you come to destroy me, so be it, let it happen that Yahweh is satisfied
but if it’s the men around you, let them be cursed and them be sacrificed!
And what’s the loss David fears the most? “they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.”
the inheritance of Yahweh was the land, but more than the land it’s where Yahweh dwelled and the tabernacle
to be excluded from abiding in the inheritance of Yahweh meant not being able to worship Yahweh. He would be cut off from the tabernacle, and sacrifice, and the feast...from “church”
Do we see coming to church the way David did? How does he?
Psalm 63:1–5 “1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:”
David sees being able to be in the sanctuary as a necessity; if David can’t be in church then there’s no point, same as being in the desert without water, no church means no life!
I say a lot I thank the Lord for WANTING to be here at all, but even that’s a far cry from David.
Psalm 63, 139, 142
21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. 22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. 23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed. 24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
Just like before David sparing his life brings Saul shame
1 Samuel 26:21 “21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
1 Samuel 24:19 “19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.”
1 Samuel 26:23 “23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed.”
continue to see David praising the Lord for being with him and also honoring the Law with his respect for Yahweh’s chosen king
1 Samuel 26:25 “25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.”
1 Samuel 24:20 “20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.”
Again, I picture Saul hearing Samuel’s words:
1 Samuel 13:14 “14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
1 Samuel 15:28 “28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.”
Saul keeps feeling the conviction and admitting his sin, and yet he never repents.
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
David seeks refuge in the Philistine city of Gath, deceiving King Achish about his loyalties.
While dwelling in Ziklag, a town given to him by Achish, David and his men conducted raids against the enemies of Israel, like the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, yet led Achish to believe he was fighting against Judah.
David's ups and downs shows us life is messy but also God's grace and sovereign hand, even when His chosen servant made questionable decisions under pressure.
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
As the Philistines prepared for a major battle against Israel, a terrified King Saul, having been forsaken by God due to his disobedience, desperately sought guidance from a medium at Endor, a practice explicitly forbidden by God's Law.
The medium, to her own shock, seemingly summoned the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, who delivered a grim prophecy of Israel's defeat and Saul's impending death along with his sons.
When you choose to abandon God, God won’t always strive with man, for the rest of his life, the next time Samuel will hear from God is when he’s judged for eternity
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
As David and his men were marching with the Philistine army to battle against Israel, the Philistine commanders grew suspicious of David's allegiance, fearing he would turn against them mid-battle.
Despite King Achish's personal trust in David, he was compelled by his commanders to send David and his warriors back to Ziklag.
God’s providence and mercy keeps David from having to fight against his own people and God's covenant nation, Israel.
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Upon returning to Ziklag, David and his men discovered that the Amalekites had raided their town, burning it and taking all their families and possessions captive.
Deeply distressed but strengthening himself in the Lord, David inquired of God and then led his reinvigorated men in a swift pursuit, decisively defeating the Amalekites and recovering everything and everyone that was stolen.
We see God's faithfulness to restore and David's reliance on divine guidance and strength in the face of apparent disaster.
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
In a devastating battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, the Israelite army was routed, and King Saul's sons, including the valiant Jonathan, were slain.
Saul himself, severely wounded and fearing capture and torture by the Philistines, took his own life by falling on his sword, a tragic end for Israel's first king. The Philistines desecrated the bodies of Saul and his sons, but the brave men of Jabesh-gilead undertook a daring rescue to give them a proper burial.
We see the tragic consequences of Saul's disobedience and God's judgment.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Saul just keeps coming after David, from the evil spirit sent to torment him and him throwing spears at David, all the way to being a coward and falling on his own sword to avoid what the Philistines would do to him.
We all know folks in the pattern as Saul and see all kinds in the culture doing the same thing. they know the sin they are in and you can even hear their guilt, shame, and sadness. Yet they go right back to it until it eventually kills them
Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death"
James 1:14–15 “14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Praise God it don’t have to be that though:
for us that are saved Paul tells us how to overcome OUR sin:
Colossians 3:1–10 “1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
But for anyone who hasn’t come to the saving pardon offered in the death of Jesus on the cross for them:
Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 8:34–36 “34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
