By Mary Fairchild
1581 Bunting Clover Leaf Map; Israel in the center.
“THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith unto this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
1 SAMUEL 21-23—DAVID IS A FUGITIVE IN THE WILL OF GOD. When David arrived at Nob, a home of Hebrew priests, he lied and said that the king had sent him. The massacre that followed proved that “deception” does not pay. Lies may gain a person something at the moment, but they are sin and will ultimately bring terrible results. God’s will for our lives never depends on dishonesty or deception. God hates deception and lying. (Prov. 6:17,19).
Hiding in caves, forests, and mountains, David narrowly escaped Saul. The Ziphites betrayed David and told Saul where he was. David wrote Psalm 54 during this trial. God uses the Philistines to distract Saul from killing David once more. David remained humble and cried out to the Lord because he was confident in God (Ps. 142, Ps. 57, Ps. 34).
As long as you live at home, God’s command is to obey your parents. When you no longer live with them, God’s command is that you honor them by giving them preference, never neglecting them, and always being sensitive to their needs. David was a good example. David learned that he was not capable to make decisions without the Lord’s direction.
The book of Psalms is filled with the Lord’s direction, but He expects you to ask for it. 1. Realize your need for direction in your life. 2. Ask for wisdom and direction. 3. Believe that the Lord will answer. 4. Be willing to obey.
1 SAMUEL 24-25—ABIGAIL AND NABAL. Although David is able to resist taking vengeance on Saul, he nearly weakens to take vengeance on Nabal. We cannot depend on one victory to guarantee another. It is important to guard your emotions. Don’t speak or act quickly when you are angry. There are times when action is necessary, but we should act after we have cooled down and carefully considered the matter (Prov. 19:11). Never associate with anger-prone people or you may pick up their trait (Prov. 22:24, 25). Revenge is God’s responsibility, nor ours. He will repay and perfectly suit the revenge to the action. (Romans 12: 17-19).
STAY CLOSE TO GOD’S WORD. Nabal’s name means “fool.” He lived as if there were no God. He was the wealthy owner of much livestock, but he was stubborn, belligerent, and dishonest (25:2,3).
We desperately need God to protect us from the characteristics of fools:
1. A fool says he does not need God (Ps. 14:1).
2. A fool believes he knows it all (Prov. 1:7).
3. A fool’s reward is embarrassment and shame (Prov. 3:35).
4. A fool enjoys misbehaving (Prov. 10:23).
5. A fool will not be given authority; he will serve the wise because he will always need direction (Prov. 11:29).
6. A fool never sees when he is wrong; therefore he will not respond to wise counsel (Prov. 12:15).
7. A fool has no sensible fear; he barges ahead with stupid confidence in himself (Prov. 14:16).
8. A fool talks and continually spreads his false ideas (Prov. 15:2).
9. A fool does not accept the correction of his father (Prov. 15:5).
10. Do not keep company with fools (Prov 13:20).
1 SAMUEL 26-28:6—AFTER VICTORY OVER VENGEANCE DAVID TAKES A “HORIZONTAL VIEW OF LIFE.” Now he considered only his own ability to protect himself. HE FORGOT GOD’S CONSTANT PROTECTION IN THE MIDST OF DANGER. David began to take a pessimistic view of his circumstances: “…I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul…” As he believed this untruth his faith failed. Even God had said he would one day be the king of Israel. As David lived in Philistine country for 16 months he was out of God’s will. He began living a lie—he pretended to fight the Israelites when actually he was fighting the Philistines (27:8-12). David had a false sense of security. He had to learn that safety was found in the Lord, not in the Philistines. He wrote no Psalms during this time because he was out of fellowship with God.
WORKS CITED
- Revelation and Church History
- Church Age
- Old Testament Study
- KING JAMES BIBLE
- MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY
- A Beka Book High School Bible Series “United Kingdom: Kings of Israel A;” 1995 Pensacola Christian College; www.abeka.com