Lesson 7: David's Time on the Run - Part 1

We saw last week that there were some character flaws that were popping out in the life of David. Minor when compared to you and I, and I believe the instances we see were probably the extent of them. We saw that David complained about his situation last week. He was not thankful nor did he trust God like he once did. It is interesting to think about for you and me tonight. It was not the trials that caused him to lose faith or to get a complaining spirit in chapter 20, but it was the duration of the trials.

Battle Goliath, battles over, he is dead, kill 100 Philistines, no problem, I will kill 200, fight a lion and a bear to save some sheep, I’ll trust God. But to continually trust God while the circumstances around us tell us that there is no hope over a long period of time; that is quite another thing.

But don’t judge David too quickly as we know the Bible says

Galatians 5:17 AV

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

I. Meeting Ahimelech and Achish 21:1-16

A. David’s deceit vv.1-3

The question here is – is it right for David to lie? Is it right to lie and deceive ever – even if you are being unrighteously pursued. But he really does, for his own interest manipulate Ahimelech’s graciousness through deceiving him.

B. Ahimelech was faithful vv.4-6

He was faithful to Saul and he was faithful to David

Reality is, Ahimelech gave to David two very important and precious gifts, he gave him the showbread & Goliath’s sword.

Take note of the foul person Doeg v.7

C. David with Achish vv.10-15

II. David departs back toward his homeland 22:1-5

So David after his initial departure end back near his home around his people certainly hoping he will have some comfort and some assistance.

A. David’s early refuge vv.1-4

It is here we start to see David gather his small army of rejected men.

Notice what this group is made up of:

Everyone in distress

Everyone in debt

Everyone that is discontented

And His family

The Lord was into alliterated outlines a long time ago.

There is an old joke that I cannot remember about starting a church, I can’t remember it totally but it is very true, and it says something like – when you start a church you start it with a family on welfare, three retired widows, and a homeless man.

No doubt there were many men with him there in the cave of questionable character, who came from bad backgrounds, who had made mistakes, people running from the law, but they came to him with a need.

Oh, that is our church today – we have needy people. We have people in debt, people who have a rough background, people who have questionable character, people with a need. But needy people are the type of people God came to save, he can’t save you if you don’t admit your need.

But it is exciting to think that amongst these needy people that God is going to use some of you to do amazing things and make amazing changes.

Turn to 2 Samuel 23:13-17

1 Cor 1:26-29

B. David submits to godly leadership v.5

If a godly pastor, teacher or Christian ever warns you about something or a direction you are going, you best take heed. Everything is not an attack. They are not trying to judge you – they are trying to help you.

While Gad was a prophet of God and we are not, there are those who have a spiritual experience and perception and they can help direct you especially the younger you are or the younger Christian you are.

III. The fruit of manipulation 22:6-23

A. Saul’s poor example of leadership

1. Dangling carrots v.7

2. Guilt trips v.8

Good leadership does not allow room for whining

Good leadership does not allow room for self-pity

Good leadership does not require others to feel sorry for them

Good leadership does not selfish or self-centered

3. Threats v.16

B. Saul and Doeg do wickedly vv.17-19

1. Saul is wicked in giving such an unlawful order

In verse 17, you see that none of the men obeyed their king when they knew it was an unlawful order before God. We should always obey God before the king.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The soldiers did the same thing when Saul ordered Jonathan to be killed in: 1 Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

2. Doeg shows his wickedness in obeying an unlawful order

He kills all the priests in Nob – 85 in all, and all of their families and even their animals.

Bitterness destroys those it touches, Saul has hurt a lot of people, if only he would have repented such a long time ago – how many lives would have been changed and helped rather than being destroyed or killed.

C. David realizes the results of his deception vv.20-23

• David admitted to some things in a roundabout way that are quite telling and applicable to us.

1. He says “I knew it”

This is something here that you and I have likely said at many times when we have a feeling that the Holy Spirit gives to us when either we are going into a situation that is questionable – and we have doubts or it is a feeling we have right after we have, in fact, sinned, but we don’t want to admit it.

Let me ask you, what would have been better for David the day he was their in Nob, and he had lied in front of the Tabernacle to Ahimelech, and when he saw Doeg, and he knew it that it was wrong – should he have continued and disregarded the conviction of the Holy Spirit or to get things right immediately.

2. Then he admits: “I have occasioned”

It is my sin

It is not the fault of another

I’m the one that needs to get right

David doesn’t blame others – he doesn’t come up with excuses, he does not accuse his neighbors, he does not blame his childhood, he does not even blame Doeg or Saul who are the aggressors in the situation – but he said it is my fault – I am in error, I have caused the death of a good man.

What is your sin that you have that you have been blaming others, blaming yoru past, coming up with excuses.

3. David begins a pattern of repentance in his life

One thing you will notice at we go through this study – David sins.

David was a man of extreme character, but he was not without sin, he sinned a lot.

The difference maker for him was that when he sinned, he repented, he wanted to stay right with God.

1 Samuel 13:14 AV

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.

IV. David’s life resembled the embattled Christian 23:1-29

We see in this passage that David’s life was full just like ours. He had his ups and downs, he had some trials to face, but he was learning how to face them again.

No longer was he struggling his way in life by his own power, but now we see a real turn in his life to trust in God again.

A. Communicating with God vv.1-4; 11-12

Do you want to start restoring your life to God again? Do you want to get right with the Lord, open up the lines of communication. Get on your knee, humble yourself, repent, and seek God’s will.

Realize that your life is not your own

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

He talks to God before making a major decision vv.1-2

Then he looks for confirmation v.3-4

Something interesting happens here, David asked God, God answered him and then moving assuredly forward to follow God, David has opposition. The men were afraid.

So David, willing to follow God’s will, but not sure if God is providentially directing, he gets confirmation from God once again.

There are many ways you and I can get confirmation:

Continuing in prayer

The Word of God

Godly Counsel

Then David asks God for direction again vv.11-12

B. Service for God vv.5-6

Prayer should lead to service.

So many say they pray, but how can you pray and not see the need for service.

the service of god brought to David:

A victory over the enemy and for his people but also alienation from the world as they were now forced out of a city by the people that he showed love and care for. Don’t let that stop you from serving God, there will be many times that this world and the people you are trying to minister to and even reach will reject you.

C. Running from Evil vv.7-10, 13-15, 19-21

We see him in these verses fleeing from Saul; departing from an unthankful people and then being betrayed by his neighbors v.19-21

D. Encouragement is sent vv.16-18

Jonathon the epitome of a good friend did what he could to support David.

E. God delivers again vv.19-29

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