The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

1
The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

• Lesson 13 Tragedy and Triumph
• I Sm. 29 - 3113 I Ch. 101-14
• For whatever things were written before were
  written for our learning, that we through the
  patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
  hope. (Romans 154)
• Now all these things happened to them as
  examples, and they were written for our
  admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
  come. (I Corinthians 1011)

2
Introduction

• David faces the consequences of deception
  (catch-22).
• David deceives Achish into thinking he is
  fighting against Israel.
• Achish makes David chief guardian and solicited
  to fight Israel.
• David thought the land of his enemy would protect
  him from Saul.
• Princes of the Philistines dont trust David and
  he was sent back to Ziklag.
• Amalekites destroyed the city and took captives
  which caused David and his men to weep until they
  could not weep any longer.
• Davids men wanted to kill him!
• David was discouraged, but he strengthened
  himself.
• He inquired of the Lord through prayer and
  obedience.
• David recovered everything plus spoils.
• Saul and his sons were killed in battle with the
  Philistines.
• Saul was wounded by an arrow and killed himself
  by falling on his sword.
• Sauls armor bearer killed himself.
• Philistines displayed and burned their bodies and
  took the armor to honor their gods.
• Both tragedy and triumph are a part of life.

3
Discussion Questions

• Discuss the chronological order of the events in
  II Sm. 2311-12 I Ch. 1113-14 I Sm. 221-2 I
  Ch. 1216-18 I Sm. 277-12 I Ch. 121-7, 19-22
  I Sm. 311-13 I Ch. 101-14 II Sm. 44. Is I
  Sm. 28 and 29 chapters in chronological order?
• I Samuel 29 is before 28.
• Cave of Adullam I Sm. 221-2 I Ch. 1216-18
• List of men who came to Ziklag I Ch. 121-7
  after I Sm. 2712
• Deed of Shammah II Sm. 2311-12 between I Sm.
  1754 and 58.
• List of men joining David on the way to Ziklag
  I Ch. 1219-22 after I Sm. 2911
• Accident to Mephibosheth (last event in I Sm)
  II Sm. 44
• Death of Saul I Sm. 311-13 I Ch. 101-14
• Bottom Line I II Samuel, I II Kings, and I
  II Chronicles are not in chronological order
  (See the next lesson series).

4
Discussion Questions

• Why did Achish send David back to Ziklag (I Sm.
  291-5)?
• The Philistine princes did not want David as a
  rear guard in case of flanking.
• Philistine princes were concerned about David
  turning against them (294), because they were
  aware of his reputation with Goliath He must
  not go with us into battle, or he will turn
  against us during the fighting. How better could
  he regain his master's favor than by taking the
  heads of our own men? Isn't this the David they
  sang about in their dances 'Saul has slain his
  thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?
  (294-5).

5
Discussion Questions

• What did Achish say to David and how did David
  react (I Sm. 296-11)?
• Achish acknowledges David is upright, without
  evil, but the words dont feel the same way as an
  angel of God So Achish called David and said
  to him, "As surely as the LORD lives, you have
  been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you
  serve with me in the army. From the day you came
  to me until now, I have found no fault in you,
  but the rulers don't approve of you. (296, 3)
• David didnt overreact with joy, but played along
  (deceptive) But what have I done? asked David.
  What have you found against your servant from the
  day I came to you until now? Why can't I go and
  fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
  (298).

6
Discussion Questions

• What trouble did David find at Ziklag (I Sm.
  301-6)?
• Amalekites burned Ziklag, captured women, no one
  was killed, carried away captives, leaders, rich,
  poor, etc. When David and his men came to
  Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their
  wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So
  David and his men wept aloud until they had no
  strength left to weep. (303-4)
• David left Ziklag on a high note, but returns on
  a low note maybe the consequences of deception?

7
Discussion Questions

• Lesson to Learn Consequences of our sins may be
  delayed but are inevitable and impacts other
  people but God provides us a way of escape, if we
  look for it through faith. (Ro. 623 Ge. 34
  Pr. 1416 Ps. 731,15 I Sm. 306 2325-28 Ph.
  16-9 II Tm. 112 213 Jude 124-25 Isa.
  4013-14 Josh. 7 I Co. 12-13 Jm. 114-16)
• A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
• Remember Ai/Achan, Adam/Eve (physical /
  spiritual death).
• God is our deliver and we must be confident in
  Him! God provides a way of escape.
• The process of sin starts with desire.
• We must pray with confidence and love! Dont
  doubt God!

8
Discussion Questions

• What discouraged David and how was he encouraged
  (I Sm. 304-6 187-11 271-6 292-5, 6, 11
  308-9)?
• Reasons for Discouragement
• Sauls effort to kill him
• He fled his homeland and was in Ziklag (303)
• Distrust of others like Philistines (294-5)
• Home was burned and destroyed (303)
• Family taken captive (304-5)
• His own men turned against him and wanted to
  stone him to death (306).
• David strengthened himself by praying and
  obeying! wept aloud until they had no strength
  left to weep David was greatly distressed
  because the men were talking of stoning him each
  one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and
  daughters. But David found strength in the LORD
  his God. (304, 6)

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson to Learn We are responsible for
  encouragement in times of distress and
  loneliness. (I Sm. 306 Ph. 212 Hb. 21-4
  312-13 511-14 64-6, 9-12 1022-25 116
  121-2 135-6 I Pt. 13-9 313-17 412-16)
• Work out your own salvation with fear and
  trembling.
• Exhort one another daily.
• We must repent from sin and look to Jesus. Why?
  Because, He cares!
• Dont neglect your salvation. Dont forsake
  the assembly.
• Grow and mature in the grace and knowledge of
  Jesus Christ.

10
Discussion Questions

• What happened to David's army in I Sm. 309-10?
• David and the six hundred men with him came to
  the Besor Ravine, where some stayed behind, for
  two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the
  ravine. But David and four hundred men continued
  the pursuit. (309-10)
• 600 men went, 200 were left due to weariness, and
  400 went on.
• Davids army was split and divided.

11
Discussion Questions

• What did David do when he discovered the location
  of the Amalekites (I Sm. 3011-20)?
• An Egyptian slave was left sick and told David
  where they were, if he would not kill him
  (3011-15).
• David attacked and 400 escaped on camels.
  David fought them from dusk until the evening of
  the next day, and none of them got away, except
  four hundred young men who rode off on camels and
  fled. (3017)
• David recovered all plus flocks, herds, and
  livestock. David recovered everything the
  Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.
  Nothing was missing young or old, boy or girl,
  plunder or anything else they had taken. David
  brought everything back. (3018-19)

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Principles of God's
  providence, grace and unity are important factors
  in the face danger. (Ro. 828 61-11 89-11
  416-25 Ac. 1220-23 Mt. 2221 I Co. 47
  18-9 12 Ep. 21-12 47-16 Hb. 1113-22 Ex.
  1-15 Jonah 1-4 Lk. 711-15 Jh. 11 Ac.
  81-4)
• God shows his providential care over physical,
  animal, morality, etc.). Laws in operation
  express His will.
• Man is subject to natural laws.
• Remember the scheme of redemption through Jesus.
• If God takes care of the birds, then he will take
  care of us (Mt. 625-34). God guides free will
  beings and can alter the course of events.
• God has a purpose for everything!
• God has infinite wisdom and power!

13
Discussion Questions

• How were the spoils of triumph divided (I Sm.
  3021-31)?
• Some worthless and wicked men did not want to
  share with the other 200 (3021-22).
• New rule implemented all share David
  replied, "No, my brothers, you must not do that
  with what the LORD has given us. He has protected
  us and handed over to us the forces that came
  against us. Who will listen to what you say? The
  share of the man who stayed with the supplies is
  to be the same as that of him who went down to
  the battle. All will share alike." David made
  this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that
  day to this. (3023-25)
• David gave some spoils to the leaders of Judah
  (3026).
• David distributed to the places they lived as
  rogues (3027-30).

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Discussion Questions

• How did Saul and his sons die? What was Saul's
  last request (I Sm. 311-6)?
• In battle, Israel was slain on Mt.Gilboa (311).
• Sauls sons were killed (313). Saul was severely
  wounded by an arrow.
• Saul requested his armor bearer to kill him, but
  he refused euthanasia (304)
• Saul fell on his sword and killed himself
  suicide (305).
• Saul had no courage to face his enemies, nor his
  consequences. Draw your sword and run me
  through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come
  and run me through and abuse me. (304)
• Armor bearer killed himself like Sauls example
  (305).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Escaping the pains of life
  through euthanasia, suicide, sex, drugs, etc.,
  are wrong. We must face triumph and tragedy in
  this life. (II Sm. 19 I Sm. 314 Job 121 II
  Co. 127-10 II Tm. 419 Mt. 2639 2733-34 I
  Pt. 221-25 Ph. 23-8 Re. 211-4 Hb. 927 Ga.
  519-21)
• Jesus faced suffering and death on a cross, even
  though He had the power to stop the events.
• We will all face death and judgment.
• Murder and intoxication are sins of the flesh
  and those who practice sin -shall not inherit
  the kingdom of God.
• Trophemus was left near unto death by Paul.
• Paul faced infirmities and weakness.
• Job endured the loss of everything and did not
  blame God.

16
Discussion Questions

• What happened after the war (I Sm. 317-13
  1213-25 2817-19 I Ch. 101-14)?
• Cities on the other side of Jordan were deserted
  and occupied by the Philistines (307).
• Philistines stripped the slain for any valuables
  (308).
• Saul / sons were (309-13)
• Stripped, heads cut off, armor put in the temple
  to honor their gods.
• Fastened to a wall for display, and heads on
  display in the temple of Dagon.
• Bodies were removed, burned, and bones buried by
  valiant men.

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Discussion Questions

• Why was Saul killed? (I Ch. 101-14)
• Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD
  he did not keep the word of the LORD and even
  consulted a medium for guidance, and did not
  inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death
  and turned the kingdom over to David son of
  Jesse. (1 Ch. 1013-14)
• Who killed Saul? God, as promised (I Ch. 1014).
  The kingdom was turned over to David in Gods
  time.
• Why did Saul die? (I Ch. 101-14)
• Four reasons Unfaithfulness (I Sm. 13, 15), did
  not keep the word, consulted a medium, and did
  not inquire of the God.
• In Sauls eyes, these things were insignificant,
  yet it cost him his throne, family, life and
  happiness.

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Discussion Questions Final Thoughts

• Lesson To Learn God's words and promises are
  absolutely reliable. (Hb. 613-20 Ep. 113-14
  Ro. 411,16 Josh. 2143-45 II Pt. 13-4)
• Hope is the anchor of the soul.
• Holy Spirit is our guarantee through Gods
  word.
• The land of promise was given as God said.
• Gods oath to Abraham and His oath to us are
  immutable and certain. David will be king!
• We have exceeding great and precious promises.