Return to Learning to Wait on God Series

“How God Prepares a King”

1 Samuel 18

“Teach me, Lord, that if I do not live a life that satisfies Thee,

I shall not live a life that will satisfy me.”

(Puritan prayer in The Valley of Vision)

The Big Picture: What happened to David in 1 Samuel

Preparation Process: How God prepared David to be King

The phases God used to mold David's life...

1. Obscurity: As a Shepherd boy

2. Privilege: As Saul's musician

3. Miracle: The Goliath Experience

4. Popularity: Military Campaigns in Saul's army

5. Opposition: Hated and hunted by Saul

A Closer Look: What happened in 1 Samuel 18

I. David prospers (1-7)

A. Friendship with Jonathan (1-4)

B. Military Success (5)

C. Public Opinion (6-7)

II. Saul goes down hill (8-12)

A. Uncontrolled anger (will get worse, not better; 8)

B. Jealousy (9)

C. Evil spirit (10)

D. Attempted murder (failed twice, 11)

E. Fear and Paranoia (12)

F. The Lord left him (12).

III. More prosperity for David (13-14)

A. Military campaigns (13)

B. The Lord is with him (14)

IV. More decline for Saul (15-27)

A. More fear (15)

B. Another Murder plot by Saul (17-19)

C. Another murder plot (20-27)

D. More Fear (28-29)

E. Became David's enemy (29)

V. More prosperity for David (28-30)

Contrast three characters in 1 Samuel 18:

*Jonathan:

1. Lost his right to rule, but accepted it graciously

2. Submitted to God's plan

*Saul:

1. Lost his right to rule, but refused to accept the fact

2. Rejected God's plan, and followed his own

*David:

1. Success from God

2. Humble and gracious response to success

Lessons from 1 Samuel 18:

1. When you put God first, don't expect everyone to applaud.

2. The enemy can destroy us. So can success.