1 Samuel 30; Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

Introduction

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In J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic story, the Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and the dwarves traveled through the Misty Mountains on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. Hoping to avoid the danger of any possible enemies, this unexpected party marched through the Misty Mountains. Unfortunately, this company of halflings and wizard walked into the hands of vile goblins and a terrifying creature named Gollum. Through sheer luck and Gandalf’s magic, the team of misfits were able to barely escape the Misty Mountains with their lives.

After scrapping by the skin of their teeth, the company began to reminisce of their escape. After a much needed break to gather themselves, the crew continued their march toward the Lonely Mountain. Exhausted, starved, and deprived of their supplies, the march continued. That is until, the wargs (wretched wolves that planned to meet the goblins to attack the villagers that had moved into the shadow of the Misty Mountains), discovered them. Bilbo exclaimed, “What shall we do? What shall we do? Escaping goblins to be caught by wolves!” he said, and it became a proverb, though we now say ‘out of the frying-pan into the fire’ in the same sort of uncomfortable situations.”

Scurrying through the glade, they began to climb into the trees at the edge of the forest. As the dwarves climbed into the trees, the wolves nearly caught Dori’s clock. Gandalf, seeking for a way to get out of this predicament, he began to gather pine cones from the tree and set them alight. He began to through them on the wolves, igniting their fur. This scene continued until the entire glad had been scourged with fire. The only fire still alive was the ring around the trees that hosted the traveling team. The fire began to grow as the goblins and the wolves fueled the fire with more branches and leaves.

Thorin and his team of misfits really had gotten themselves out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Every single one of us have felt the pain of going through one trial in life to be thrown into the fire of another one. Last week, we saw how God removed David from a sticky situation that he got himself in. God created a way for David to not have to go to war against his own people the Israelites and at the same time, a way to get away from the Philistine king Acish.

Need

This morning, we are going to see David and his men return home. Delivered by God’s sovereign hand to find their village, Ziklag, destroyed and the women and children taken as prisoners. David and his men had been delivered from the frying pan to be thrown into the fire.

Referent

1 Samuel 30:1-10

Organization

Problem (1-10)

Provision (11-17)

Plunder (18-31)

Sermon in a sentence:

I will strengthen myself in the Lord.

The Problem (vs. 1-10)

The Amalekites are still causing problems.

Deuteronomy 25:17–19 ESV

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God. Therefore when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.

The Israelites should have wiped them out when they came into the land.

2. His wives are gone.

If the king cannot keep his own wives safe, will he be able to take care of the common people.

3. His own men wanted to kill him. (vs. 6)

This is similar to Moses’ leadership through the wilderness.

Righteous anger is a wonderful thing. But we must take the words of the apostle Paul,

Ephesians 4:26 ESV

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

David didn’t have to waste anytime on who he should ask about this life or death situation. Unlike Saul, who had to go to a witch for an answer, God gives David an answer.

Also, he did not want to get encouragement from his brothers. He immediately went to God.

Can I humble exhort us to do the same. Are we quick to gossip about something or pray?

Praying the scriptures, meditating upon his word through singing his word. We saw in 27:1, David spoke to his heart that Saul would only stop if he left Israel. David spoke to his heart something that wasn’t in alignment with God’s promise to him . That is what got him in this mess the first place. Now, he has learned to speak to himself God’s word not the words of the world.

4. The problem for the Amalekites was that David called out to God.

5. (vs. 10) David’s men had to split up.

Genesis 14 with Abraham and Gideon with his dwindled army.

David is specifically being presented in terms of an Abrahamic and Mosaic figures. Both, created a new type of family of God. They also lead this family of God to a new Eden.

The Provision (vs. 11-17)

The Egyptian man (the sickness, the right time, the right place).

It’s like God is bringing salvation one my time through the sickness of an Egyptian.

God also provided salvation for this dying man. A man that was once an enemy to God’s people has now been brought into the people of God.

The drunkenness of the Philistines. They weren’t ready for an attack.

Daniel 5 tells us of king Belshazzar and the Medo-Persian Empire

The Victory after 3 days

The Plunder (vs. 18-31)

David rescues everything, beginning with his wives!

The Davidic King brought back his bride from captures

This was not David’s victory but God’s (vs. 20-22)

David immediately recognizes whose victory this was. It wasn’t his!

David bless the men that were not able to go with them, the ones staying by the baggage.

David also blesses those that would have been victims of the Amalekites.

This is once agains, very much like an Abrahamic traditional greeting.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of what God has been for us on our behalf. There is nothing to boast about in the Christian life. The gospel should illuminate every need for pride or arrogance.

Also, the gospel demands us to share it with others. How in the world could we as Christians say that not everyone should hear the gospel.

Application

Ask yourself what spiritual discipline are you not using to strengthen yourselves?

Conclusion

Biblo is a changed hobbit. He prefers the presence of the elves and the dwarves to the quant life in the Shire.

The things he has seen and the things he has accomplished has changed Biblo.

We are not talking about experiences or manifestations like Bill Johnson.