Sermon Tone Analysis

Ever have a bad day, a bad week or a bad month?

Does life seem like it is against you sometimes?

What do you do?

Who or what do you turn to for help?

Do you have moments of DISTRESS?

Distress = extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain: anguish.

YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD FRIEND TO DAVID.

David could have been a good friend to you.

Escaping from enemy territory, David made for the area he knew: Adullam (the name means ‘refuge’) in Judah, halfway between Gath and Bethlehem.

It was a Canaanite city in patriarchal times (Gen.

38:1), and was captured by Joshua in the course of his occupation of the land (Josh.

12:15).

Close by was a hill which was both fortified and known for its caves, which provided a natural shelter for the homeless David, though his movements did not go unnoticed.

His brothers and all his father’s house, under threat from King Saul because of their relationship to David, took advantage of the opportunity to escape from Bethlehem, which was too close for comfort to Gibeah.

Others who resorted to him were men in distress (Heb.

māṣôq suggests/oppressed’), in debt and discontented or, more literally, ‘embittered’, and therefore passionate for change.

It was from such raw material that David trained a loyal army, with its ‘mighty men’ who would do anything for him (cf. 2 Sam.

23:8–39).

Thus his abilities as a leader were developed as he and his ‘underground’ force of four hundred men prepared for action.

Not much later he was commanding six hundred men (1 Sam.

25:13).

He appears to have accepted all comers.

David took is father and mother to Mizpeh in Moab.

This is an image of the possible location.

“Mizpah” means “look out point or watchtower.”

The king of Moab was an enemy of Saul (1 Sa 14:47), and the great-grandson of Ruth, of course, was related to the family of Jesse.

David, therefore, had less anxiety in seeking an asylum within the dominions of this prince than those of Achish, because the Moabites had no grounds for entertaining vindictive feelings against him, and their enmity, to Saul rendered them the more willing to receive so illustrious a refugee from his court.

Old Testament (22:1-5: David Gathers a Band)

22:5.

Gad.

This is the first appearance of this Israelite prophet or seer.

His advice to David to return to Judah and thus face up to Saul provided the type of divine backing David needed to begin his pursuit of the throne.

After David had secured the safety of his parents, he returned to Adullam and then moved his company to “the stronghold” or “fortress,” which many students believe was at Masada by the Dead Sea, about thirty-five miles southwest of Adullam.

The Hebrew word mesuda means “fortress” or “stronghold,” and can refer to natural hiding places in the wilderness.

David lived in different “desert strongholds” (23:14, NIV) as he tried to protect himself and his friends and outwit Saul and his spies.

But the Prophet Gad warned David that the wilderness fortress wasn’t safe and that he should return to the land of Judah, so he relocated in the forest of Hereth in the vicinity of the cave of Adullam.

Hereth means “thicket.”

There are caves and natural springs for freshwater along this mountain range where David and His men were in hiding.

This area is overlooking the Dead Sea.

PHOTOS:

It’s a rocky, inhospitable terrain.

It is also possible, David was up in what is later called Masada.

A fortress with bathhouses, palace, and synagogue was built years after David lived.

3 Helps When Living in Distress:

God Provides What is Needed At Just the Right Time.

3 Helps When Living in Distress:

Family. 1, 3-4

His brothers are now rooting for him.

They hear about where he is hiding and go to hide with him.

“Now that you brothers are with me, who is watching out for dad and mom?”

David is the youngest of 8. Jesse is up in years.

WHY MOAB?

Jesse is the grandson of Ruth, the Moabites who marries Boaz.

You can read this beautiful story of love and redemption in Ruth.

Other than references to “Son of Jesse”- Jesse is no longer mentioned after this passage.

It is Good to take care of your parents.

If your lifestyle is like David’s (on the run) he provided for someone to look out for his parents on his behalf.

Something to consider.

Friends. 2

Distress = extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain: anguish.

Debt.

living on credit is living on other people money and being in debt to them.

Living to pay back.

Not a good condition to live in.

These men had creditors (Some were probably running from their creditors.).

Discontented.

Some had “Bitterness of Soul.”

Are you ever resentful how things have turned out in your life?

Do you constantly look for something more or something different?

You could have been with David in this passage.

These 400 men becomes David’s small army.

From this group David develops his “Mighty Men.”

David is relational.

David is accepting of others and all their baggage and issues.

David demonstrates and practices leadership skills.

Faith.

5

David was still seeking God’s will for His life.

God has a plan when life seems out of your control.

Trust God in heart, mind, and physical daily life…

Demonstrate Faith.

Don’t hide in your house, get out and live the LIFE God has called you too.

Conclusion:

“God is rarely early, never late, but always right on time...”

Psalm 57 and Psalm 142 are written during this time of distress.

Notice how God answers David’s Prayer with FAMILY, FRIENDS, and FAITH.

God Provides What is Needed At Just the Right Time.

D and A:

1.

Share an example of Distress you have seen.

2. Discuss David’s care for his parents.

3.

In what ways have you seen God give you friends at just the right time?

4. Why is faith such an important part of David’s life?

5. Comment on how faith in God’s plan is so important in our lives today.