Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

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Week 23 in our series on the books of Samuel

Recap

David hiding in strongholds of En-gedi

Saul just so happens to enter the same cave to relieve himself

David sneaks over and cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe

This seemingly insignificant act begins to bother David’s conscience because he realizes he’s not this kind of king — He doesn’t cut corners.

David says, “I’ll become king, but not like this.

Not this way.”

Our text last week ended with Saul, having finished up his “business,” leaving the cave completely unaware of David’s actions.

David has allowed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get revenge on Saul to slip through his hands.

Scripture (1 Samuel 24:7b-22)

1 Samuel 24:7-

Immediately, we see the change in David’s heart.

Last week we saw David “get up” with the intent to act, to bring harm upon Saul.

Now, as Saul exits the cave, David runs after him and bows low before him.

We can respect a person’s position without agreeing with them:

Our president

In our marriage

With our boss

With your kid’s teachers and coaches

We have an obligation to respect those that God has placed in positions of influence and authority over us.

The level of respect we exhibit is the level of respect we command

The level of respect we exhibit is the level of respect we command

If you constantly disrespect your boss or supervisor, do not be surprised when those under you begin to treat you with the same level of disrespect when you’re promoted.

If you disrespect your spouse in front of your kids, you are giving your kids permission to treat both you and your spouse that way.

When you fail to show respect to those in authority, you give those around you permission to be disrespectful to those charged with leading them.

The level of respect we exhibit is the level of respect we command

David knew that once he became king, he would have to give an account for he had treated his predecessor, Saul.

Let’s not forget that David is traveling with 600 men and Saul’s army numbered 3000 of Israel’s choice men—the best of the best.

These are men that David will one day be tasked with leading.

I’m sure David held Saul in a pretty low regard at a personal level, but as God’s anointed king, Saul was due the utmost respect from the people of Israel, and that included David.

If David is to be a king that commands respect, he must now bow low in respect to Israel’s current king.

1 Sam 24:9-

the combination of the words rib [roc·heve] (conduct a legal case; NLT, “advocate”), din (judge) and shapat (judge) in 24:12 and 15, places the reference to the “vengeance” of God in a juridical context, so that the controlling motivation for the appeal for God to avenge does not reflect a thirst for blood, but rather a thirst for justice.

rîḇ) (conduct a legal case; NLT, “advocate”), din [TH1777, ZH1906] (judge) and shapat (judge) in 24:12 and 15 places the reference to the “vengeance” of God in a juridical context, so that the controlling motivation for the appeal for God to avenge does not reflect a thirst for blood, but rather a thirst for justice.

Vannoy, J. Robert.

Cornerstone Biblical Commentarya: 1-2 Samuel.

Vol. 4. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.

Vannoy, J. Robert.

Cornerstone Biblical Commentarya: 1-2 Samuel.

Vol. 4. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.

David here, acting as pro se lawyer, is laying out his case for Saul, challenging Saul to come up with any evidence that David has conspired to kill him as Saul believes.

Quoting the old proverb, David says that if he is truly evil there would be a breadcrumb trail of evil deeds behind him.

Evil comes from evil

What is in your heart eventually makes its way to the surface.

Evil comes from evil.

What fills your heart?

What trail are you leaving behind?

What behaviors, thoughts, words, etc, fill your days?

How would those close to you describe your behavior, words, etc?

David challenges Saul to identify the evil David has committed.

His claim is that his trail is clean.

He has not conspired against Saul.

He continues to recognize and uphold Saul’s position as the Lord’s anointed king.

VALUE: Integrity

“Living a life worthy of imitation.”

What would people find if they looked at your trail?

1 Sam 24:

This is a common theme for David.

He often sites his

“Saul!

Why are you wasting your time chasing me?

Why have you exerted so much energy hunting me down?

Can’t you see that I have never done anything to harm you?”

Let’s take a peek back inside the cave where David penned .

Because its hard to understand how a man on the run can be so confident.

He shouts that God will rescue him from Saul’s power, but how can he be so sure?

Psalm 57:1-

David declares, “My heart is confident in you, O God.”

Today, I want to help you get your confidence back.

Despite the doctors report.

Despite the anxiety you feel at work.

Despite your uneasiness with the political climate.

This is My Confidence

From David’s Psalm, I want to give you...

Four themes that define a confident heart:

Sovereignty

“I cry out to God Most High, who will fulfill His purpose for me.”

(vs 2)

I don’t have to break God’s commands to get where God wants me to go.

I don’t cut corners.

David doesn’t know how God is going to do it, but He knows God will.

He’s confident that God will fulfill His purpose; and that God gives His best to those who wait on Him.

David is pleading with God to change his circumstances, but after praying, David trust the sovereignty of God, and he waits.

Steadfast/Unfailing Love

“My God will send forth his unfailing (steadfast) love and faithfulness.”’

(vs 3)

David is confident in God’s steadfast, unfailing love for him.

His confidence is in God who is working all things in his life according to a loving plan.

Many of us walk around unsure of God’s love.

When things go wrong in our life we begin to think that maybe God is punishing us for some sin in our past.

The Gospel does something for you… it teaches you that Jesus has suffered for your sin in your place.

This means when things go wrong in our life, we don’t have to sit and wonder if God is repaying me for something I’ve done.

J.D. Greear says that, “[Christ] Got harshness and condemnation so all you would have is goodness and mercy.”

- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

(ESV)

Your sin has been removed; you are assured of steadfast love, and that God is working all things for your good ().

Maybe this morning you’re saying, “Pastor Ryan, that is easy for you to say… (like I don’t have my own problems…), but you don’t know what I’ve been through or what I am facing right now.”