~ Overview ~Why do we even as Christians fall into temptation and go downhill in our relationship with Christ? We do things that we would have never thought possible for us to do. We allow our hearts and minds to slip from Christ and onto ourselves and it is all about fulfilling our wants and not just needs. David went from writing words of hope and encouragement, trust and strength to fearing for his life when he knew God had said he would one day be king. He did not trust God to take care of him. ~ David Defiled Before Ahimelech ~When David got to the small village of Nob, he was north of Jerusalem, he ended up on the doorstep of Ahimelech a priest. This was not a village that could defend and offer sanctuary for priests. Ahimelech had to be shocked to see David the giant killer standing on her doorstep. No royal guards, just coming in alone and without friends. Would he get the truth? No, David decided to lie and not trust Ahimelech and God to do the right thing. He turned to the work of the natural man and not God's man. He told Ahimelech that he was on a secret mission for the king and he could not give the details. He was not honest about being a fugitive and on the run to save his life. David asked for food from Ahimelech and did tell one truth he left in hast and did not bring supplies. It was because Saul wanted to kill him not that he had a special mission from Saul. Now Ahimelech had only the holy bread that had been removed from before the Lord when fresh bread was put on the alter. Ahimelech and David were criticized for using it, but Jesus Christ talked in Luke 6:1-5 that it was more important to use that bread because people's needs are more important than the religious ceremonies. Luke 6:1-5 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and hate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” 3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” 5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” It was not the showbread that caused David all the trouble that he got into, it was the lies that he told to Ahimelech. When we lie we build more and more lies on top of each other. That is when we get into trouble. David did not know that Saul was watching Nob too, he had Doeg in the village and watching for David, and with David's lies he was not protected. David then told another lie about leaving his sword behind. So, Ahimelech gave him a oversized sword, and David left the village. ~ Questions ~1. Who do you turn to when you are looking for guidance in your life? Yourself or God? 2. What characteristic does Proverbs 1:5 say that a wise man had? Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, Thanks for sharing another day in the life of David. He is in for some rude awaking not following and trusting God. We are often awaking to the same when we are trying to do life in our own way. What is really so hard about following God's word and trusting Him?
0 Comments
~ When You Know God's Fellowship You Can Handle Losing A Friend ~ David will learn a last lesson, God is all he has and God is all he needs. Poor David by the point of getting to run away, he has lost his friendship with Saul, it seems that his wife turned away and is contemptuous in 2 Samuel. Then to top it off his true friend Jonathon loses contact while David is on the run. He has God alone and it is enough. We need to get to the point that God is enough. God allowed David to be in the wilderness and have nothing of his own, even water, he was teaching David to rely on him. He was deepening His relationship with David. David was alone, no resources or friends, totally dependent on God. He found that that was enough. God's promises, faithfulness, and fellowship will always be enough to meet our need and see us through. ~ Questions ~1. How much do you struggle to prove yourself to God?? 2. We do not have to prove ourselves to God through work. What do we do instead? We are really enjoying this study and are glad that you have come to us and found us here to encourage you as well.
~ When You Know God's Faithfulness, You Do Not Have to Fear Anything ~We sometimes waiver in our faith at times and David did that as well. David was like us and at one time he had the courage to do whatever it takes to live for God and the next moment he was full of fear, did not know what to do and was living not for God but for himself. If you read Psalm 59 it was written by David when Saul had sent men to kill David in his home. David had made a covenant friendship with Jonathan, Saul's son who would convince Saul not to kill David at this time. When the war with the philistines went again David won a great victory against them. Saul reacted with hatred and murder in his heart. This time Saul tried to murder David with a spear. David had to run in the night. Michal then lied that David was sick in his own home, but he was actually gone and she lied to her father Saul and said David had threatened her to get him away. David then did not act to his faith it was changed to fear. His wife lied to protect herself and David who had just beat a few weeks ago Goliath went from loved and honored to chased and wanted to kill. He was confused and did not turn to God at that point. How do we know what to do? Should David have allowed himself to be captured? Or was he right to run scared when they came for him? David waivered back and forth with courage and fear. There are no easy answers to his questions. But as the story goes on we see how God worked in David's life over the years. Saul tried to capture David and the Spirit of God came upon him and he striped and prophesied in front of Samuel then lay down naked for the day and night. God was making sure that Saul knew that He had David under His protection. 1 Samuel 19:24 And he also stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” When God is protecting us we will be protected in different ways than what we might think. We can expect to see some unusual ways God answers. God will use unique things to bring us back around to Him and His will for our lives. He wants us to walk in Him for love and not fear. It is good to fear the chastisement of God when we are not following Him, but He only corrects us in love. ~ Questions ~1. What did Saul want to happen to David when he sent him out to fight the philistines? 2. When David's promise came from God. Why did he try to impress Saul with his might? This is a great study reminding us that it is not people that we need to prove our worth to. It is God that we need to follow and obey so that we are standing in His love and protection.
~ Overview ~We are seeing our churches today adopting too many world views. We need to get back to what God says in the Bible. God loves us all and he wants us to work toward success in the world, but He wants our focus on living in Him. We should work hard, but make sure that He is your first love and not yourself. From the beginning of time man's ego has been fighting God's way. It is hard at times to let go of ourselves and concentrate on God and His desires for our lives. God taught David to lean on Him by allowing David to go through some situations that were meant to purge him of pride after the defeat of Goliath. He needed to remember that he needed to lean on God and not on what he himself can do. Poor David, he went in and saved the country and it made Saul jealous. Saul had depended on David to play for him and be there and now he hated David. 1 Samuel 18:29 and Saul was still more afraid of David. So Saul became David’s enemy continually. When Saul could not kill David he sent men to do just that but David escaped out a window and got away. God had chosen him as the next king and nothing Saul could do would kill David. David became a fugitive and was on the run from Saul. He had to be prepared to get a way at all times. David learned that all he could do was depend on God and run. Saul was determined to kill David. ~ When You Know God's Promises You Do Not Have to Prove Anything ~ David tried to prove himself to be a good king, when God had already chosen him as king. He was not focused on his relationship with God but with the country. David did not see himself as king already. David was married to Merab as Saul said that the one who defeats Goliath. He then sent David out to fight for the country hoping that he would be killed by someone else's hand. 1 Samuel 18:17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” David did not feel worthy of the marriage to Saul's oldest daughter so she was given to another, but Michal was in love with David and Saul said that if David killed 100 philistines, he could marry her. He did not feel worthy, but he agreed. He decided that he would impress Saul for Michal as his wife. He killed 200 philistines rather than the 100 that Saul asked of him. Saul had hoped David would be killed, but David returned with proof of his dowery to Saul. David would not have had so many issues with Saul if he was not trying to impress Saul when God had already had David anointed as king. It was a done deal when Samuel came and anointed David. He did not have to prove himself to a mortal man. We have to work to serve and live for God but not because we did anything or are anything special but because we belong and are loved by God. Living the Christian life in truth is how we share with others who God has created us to be. We have nothing to prove to God because we will never measure up. We just live and serve because we love God. When Paul writes Ephesians, he talks in the first three chapters that we have already been accepted by God through Christ, and we need to walk worthy of that calling. It is not proving yourself but practicing the life God wants us to live. ~ Questions ~1. In what circumstance have you felt unworthy?? 2. What was the reason that David killed 200 men rather than the 100 that was asked of him? What a good study with lots of thoughts on why we act the way we do. We do not need to prove ourselves to others, it is God that we want to live for and do as He asks us to do. He loves us so much that He sent His Son. Salvation is so easy. Just accept the gift.
~ David's Success Created ~ |
Morning friends, it is another day today and we get to start out with a good study on David and His life as a child of God and now the son-in-law of king Saul and future king of Israel. That is a lot to take in for David and a whole new future that would not be in the sheep industry anymore. He probably had not even thought about this. |
~ David's Success ~
~ Created A New Fame ~
So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”
When we get the success we can get high and mighty in our ways and expectations and not remember that this was given to us by God and that our attitude in the success is just as important not to go overboard.
~ David's Success Created ~
~ A New Foe ~
So Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”
David's success would be hard for any to witness, but to take the King vs a shepherd boy is a lot of life to be jealous of when David was gaining favor.
~ Question ~
2. There are four ways that David's life changed after Goliath, what are they?
Good Morning friends, it is a new chapter and a new lesson for us to remember. I am so happy that we get these books and the amazing things that we are learning from the ones that we get from Pastor Jeremiah. It is awesome to be able at this time to send Christian literature in the mail. That will not last long. |
~ Overview ~
He had 'success' which in the Hebrew is "to act wisely or prudently" He was in the eye of the public people and watched more closely now. Something he would have never dealt with before.
~ David's Success ~
~ Created A New Family ~
Also in 1 Samuel it talks about him no longer going home to his fathers house so his father needed to be notified that his son was part of Sauls family now. He had been a part time employee of Saul and was now going to be a full time family member.
Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore.
~ Questions ~
2. What success would you see in others that might make you jealous? Why is that?
This is the last part of the chapter, this was a really good study and we are learning so much about the things that happened to David and how his trust in the Lord lead him to fight the battles that he faced with God in control. Reminds us that we can do anything and get through anything when we rely on God. |
~ The Conquest by the Living God ~
~ The Instruments of David ~
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
~ The Insult to God ~
So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”
~ The Intimidation of the Giant ~
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
God used a boy and a sling to show His strength.
~ The Impact of a Champion ~
2. Cherish our Trophies ~ Our lives need to look at the times that God has helped us in the past, knowing He will do it again when we need it.
3. Concentrate on our Goals ~ We must stand with God and not listen to what others might say that we cannot do what God has called us to do. We know we can do what God has asked of us.
~ Questions ~
2. Who is it that David finds for his confidence?
This chapter is going slowly, there is a lot to cover and learn from this and making smaller posts gives us lots of time to talk about the things that we are studying. This was a trying time for Israel and for David. He is the only one out of the WHOLE army who is willing to take up arms against Goliath. |
~ He Was Committed in Spite of Ridicule ~
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”
When Saul heard that David volunteered to be the one to fight Goliath, he again criticized him as did his brothers. They wanted to get David to fear the giant just like they did, they were cowards and did not want to fight him. David saw the whole thing differently.
~ He Was Courageous in the Lord ~
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
~ He Was Confident in the Spirit ~
So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
~ Questions ~
2. When have you been ridiculed for things you know you could handle with God on your side?
Haniniya
I am Haniniya and I am from Bethlehem, Judea, Israel and I love the Lord and walk in His Word. I want to share His Word with You each day.
Past Studies!!
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020