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Return to Learning to Wait on God Series Return to Wed. Bible Study Series 1
Samuel 18 “How God Prepares a King”[1] Series:
“Learning to Wait on God: The Life of David Before He Became King”
1 Samuel 16-31 Think
about it:
"Teach me, Lord, that if I do not live a life that satisfies Thee, I
shall not live a life that will satisfy myself."
(Puritan prayer in The Valley of
Vision)
Tonight we are going to continue a series we began a few weeks ago in the
book of 1 Samuel. We’re
investigating the life of David before he
became king. God made a promise to
David in chapter 16 that he would become Review:
An Overview of I Samuel
Who's the main character in 1 Samuel?
God is, as He is in every part of His self-revelation.
He gave us His Word so that we might know
Him. I encourage you to look for
God throughout the book, indeed throughout the Bible.
A key question to be asking is: What
does this passage teach us about God?
Granted, God has chosen people to reveal Himself and accomplish His
redemptive plan. Let’s take a
moment to remind ourselves of the human characters through which He worked in 1
& 2 Samuel… The
Main Human Characters of 1 & 2 Samuel:
*Samuel--born in 1120 B.C.
*Saul
*David--died in 971 B.C.
Thus, I & II Samuel span a period of 150 years. An
Outline of I Samuel: I.
II.
Israel under the Leadership of Samuel (3-8) III.
Israel under the Leadership of Saul (9-15) IV.
Israel under the Leadership of both Saul & David (16-31) V.
Israel under the Leadership of David (II Samuel)
Tonight:
I Samuel 8 "How God
Prepares a King"
How does God prepare a person to be king?
We see how He did with David in 1 Samuel.
David was anointed to be king in 1 Sam 16, when he was but an obscure,
young teenager. Over the next 15
years, God prepared him. Let's look
at the process. The
Big Picture: What happened to David
in 1 Samuel… A
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
Discuss: What did David learn
in each of these phases of preparation? A
Closer Look: What happened in 1
Samuel 18 Let’s
look now at the five scenes in 1 Samuel 18… I.
David prospers (1-7) In
the first scene David prospered in three ways… A.
Friendship with Jonathan (1-4)
Read verses 1-4.
Q: What stands out to you
about David’s relationship with Jonathan?
Q: What is the basis of their
friendship? We see three marks
here…
1. The right chemistry (1)
2. Commitment (3)
3. Selflessness (4) Application:
What are the marks of a true friend?
These same traits are important, aren’t they? B.
Military Success (5)
Q: How successful was David?
Whatever Saul sent him to do… C.
Public Opinion (6-7)
Q: How widespread was this
song? See 21:11—the Philistines
knew it! II.
Saul goes down hill (8-12) A.
Uncontrolled anger (will get worse, not better; 8)
Q: What bothered Saul?
Note:
Anger is an indicator. Anger
itself is not sin, not necessarily (see Eph. 4:26).
When does anger become sin? What
does Saul’s anger here indicate about him?
B.
Jealousy (9) Q:
Why is Saul so insecure? It
goes back to a very basic problem. He
is not right with God (15:17-19). He
is therefore carrying guilt, God’s good gift to tell him to get right with
God. But he refuses. See:
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked man
flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. C.
Evil spirit (10)
God is not the author of evil (see James 1:13).
Yet God is sovereign over all. Nothing
exists in God’s universe if God has not decreed it.
Saul has disobeyed God and refused to repent, and now God sends into his
life another expression of His grace.
Discuss: How is this ‘evil
spirit’ an expression of God’s grace for Saul? D.
Attempted murder (failed twice, 11) E.
Fear and Paranoia (12) F.
The Lord left him (12).
Discuss: First, what does
this statement not mean?
It doesn’t mean Saul was saved and lost his salvation.
What does it mean? The Spirit
came upon him for service, but now
leaves Saul because Saul’s service is ending.
III.
More prosperity for David (13-14) A.
Military campaigns (13) B.
The Lord is with him (14)
Note this important phrase, “The Lord was with him” (in v 12 also).
What does this mean? Note the
contrast with Saul. IV.
More decline for Saul (15-27) A.
More fear (15) B.
Another Murder plot by Saul (17-19)
1. Offer to marry Merab (note
17:25, Saul already reneged once)
2. David declines in
humility. C.
Another murder plot (20-27)
1. Offer to marry Michal
2. David victorious over
Philistines D.
More Fear (28-29) E.
Became David's enemy (29) V.
More prosperity for David (28-30) Q:
What kind of prosperity? Success
after success in battle with the Philistines.
Also, a growing reputation of fame amongst the officers and people alike.
Notice the contrast between… Contrast
three characters in 1 Samuel 18: *Jonathan:
1. Lost his right to rule,
but accepted the fact 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.
Discuss: Success destroyed
Saul, but not David. What made the
difference? How should we respond to
success, blessing, and victory? [1]
These are unedited
teaching notes used initially for a Wednesday evening Bible study at
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