1. Text summary
2. How is Christ in the text?3. Application
Saul's Compromise - 1 Samuel 15
1. God tells Saul to wipe out the Amalekites. Saul keeps the best stuff, and the king alive, blaming the people when Samuel confronts him. Saul repents but wants Samuel to attend the worship service with him, to endorse him. Samuel refuses at first, but Saul insists he wants to worship Yahweh, so Samuel goes. After, Samuel (not Saul!) kills the Amalekite king, and doesn't see Saul anymore.
2. Jesus confronts unfaithful rulers, too, in His teaching. Jesus contrasts with Saul: He faithfully completes the mission God gave Him, without compromising for selfish or political reasons.
3. Application
a. Do God's will without regard for personal interest.
b. There is a time to confront others and insist on their change (Samuel).
c. When you repent, don't try to dodge the consequences (Saul).
a. Do God's will without regard for personal interest.
b. There is a time to confront others and insist on their change (Samuel).
c. When you repent, don't try to dodge the consequences (Saul).
David Anointed - 1 Samuel 16
1. God sends Samuel to Bethlehem. One of Jesse's sons will be king. Samuel expects God to favor the oldest, but He looks at the heart, not the externals. God has Samuel anoint David. The Spirit comes on him, and leaves Saul. Saul is tormented and his advisors bring David to him to soothe him with music.
1. God sends Samuel to Bethlehem. One of Jesse's sons will be king. Samuel expects God to favor the oldest, but He looks at the heart, not the externals. God has Samuel anoint David. The Spirit comes on him, and leaves Saul. Saul is tormented and his advisors bring David to him to soothe him with music.
2. Jesus
a. Jesus, like David was nothing much to look at (Isaiah 53:1-2), and not impressive on the outside. But God anointed Him with the Spirit, which makes all the difference.
a. Jesus, like David was nothing much to look at (Isaiah 53:1-2), and not impressive on the outside. But God anointed Him with the Spirit, which makes all the difference.
b. What must Jesse have thought, sending his newly-anointed-king son to Saul?? He must have figured out that God had rejected Saul. This is a window into God the Father's heart, sending His Son into the world, that rejected Him.
3. Application
a. When you are looking for a new leader, be afraid of the current leader.
b. Don't be impressed with wealth, physique, IQ, pedigree, looks, etc.
c. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of peace from distress.
d. There are times to send your children into dangerous situations, if they are equipped (anointed) and ready.
a. When you are looking for a new leader, be afraid of the current leader.
b. Don't be impressed with wealth, physique, IQ, pedigree, looks, etc.
c. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of peace from distress.
d. There are times to send your children into dangerous situations, if they are equipped (anointed) and ready.
David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 17
1. The Philistines muster to fight Israel, and Goliath challenges them to one on one combat, defying God. Jesse sends David to the front lines with supplies and for a report on his older brothers. David hears Goliath's taunt, and asks what Saul's reward is for responding and winning - (as if he's going to do it?) David's brothers get jealous. Saul hears of it and sends for him. David gives him his shepherding, beast killing resume. Saul gives him his armor, but it's not fitting for him. He takes a sling and stones instead. Goliath intimidates. David fights in God's name. He knocks him out with a stone, then cuts off his head with his own sword. The Philistines flee - Israel wins.
1. The Philistines muster to fight Israel, and Goliath challenges them to one on one combat, defying God. Jesse sends David to the front lines with supplies and for a report on his older brothers. David hears Goliath's taunt, and asks what Saul's reward is for responding and winning - (as if he's going to do it?) David's brothers get jealous. Saul hears of it and sends for him. David gives him his shepherding, beast killing resume. Saul gives him his armor, but it's not fitting for him. He takes a sling and stones instead. Goliath intimidates. David fights in God's name. He knocks him out with a stone, then cuts off his head with his own sword. The Philistines flee - Israel wins.
2. Jesus defeats the enemy who stymied God's people until now. Jesus' elders (Sanhedrin) were jealous of Him, too. He fights but not with the expected weapons. He defeats Satan with his own tools - accusation, condemnation and execution.
3. Application
a. Be willing to engage with intimidating people.
b. Use God's weapons, not worldly ones (Eph 6; 2 Cor 10).
c. David's fight is fulfilled in Jesus, ultimately. But you are also called to imitate this episode, and fight.
a. Be willing to engage with intimidating people.
b. Use God's weapons, not worldly ones (Eph 6; 2 Cor 10).
c. David's fight is fulfilled in Jesus, ultimately. But you are also called to imitate this episode, and fight.
Jonathan and Michal, against Saul, for David - 1 Samuel 18
1. Jonathan allies closely with David, but Saul is jealous of him and tries to kill him in various ways. David prospers instead of falling.
1. Jonathan allies closely with David, but Saul is jealous of him and tries to kill him in various ways. David prospers instead of falling.
2. Jesus like David was envied by the rulers. They sought to kill Him, but couldn't because of His popularity and success. Plenty of their camp/family were attracted to Jesus' teaching.
3. Application
a. The wealthy and powerful, like Jonathan, need to give fealty and love to Jesus, just as much as anyone else.
b. Jesus' enemies will be hostile to you, to various degrees.
c. You will find unexpected allies (Michal) in your spiritual warfare.
a. The wealthy and powerful, like Jonathan, need to give fealty and love to Jesus, just as much as anyone else.
b. Jesus' enemies will be hostile to you, to various degrees.
c. You will find unexpected allies (Michal) in your spiritual warfare.
David Flees Saul - 1 Samuel 19
1. Saul pushes Jonathan to be against David, but Jonathan's argument prevails. David fights Philistines successfully again. Saul is jealous and tries to kill David again. Michal helps him escape. Saul pursues him to Samuel, but his men and even he are overcome by the Spirit to prophesy.
1. Saul pushes Jonathan to be against David, but Jonathan's argument prevails. David fights Philistines successfully again. Saul is jealous and tries to kill David again. Michal helps him escape. Saul pursues him to Samuel, but his men and even he are overcome by the Spirit to prophesy.
2. The Sanhedrin pushed Nicodemus and Gamaliel to be against Jesus, and they made good arguments against it. They actually DO kill Jesus. As Michal helped David, the women anoint Jesus' body and witness His resurrection/escape from judgment. As the Sanhedrin keeps pursuing, the Spirit falls on Israel, bearing witness to Christ's reign.
3. Application
a. You will get pressured to deny, ignore Jesus. Argue back.
b. People will be jealous of your joy and peace in Christ.
c. There is a time to flee, instead of fight. But even in that there are ways to help (Michal).
d. Everything is up to the Spirit and God's providence, whether we succeed in escaping the lethal plots of God's enemies, or not.
c. There is a time to flee, instead of fight. But even in that there are ways to help (Michal).
d. Everything is up to the Spirit and God's providence, whether we succeed in escaping the lethal plots of God's enemies, or not.
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