The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

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

• Lesson 8 Saul's Envy and David's Deliverance
• I Sm. 18 - 1924
• 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)

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Introduction

• Saul attempts to kill David and David is
  delivered.
• Sauls envy grew from being hidden and
  underhanded to open hostility.
• God delivers David time after time.
• Remember God providentially cares for His own.
• Jonathan and Davids friendship grows.
• They demonstrated their love for each other.
• Jonathan respected Davids place as royalty.
• Their friendship is a role model and example of
  how to love one another.
• God fulfills His promises no matter what may
  occur.

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Discussion Questions

• Discuss the key highlights, themes and
  repetitions in I Sm. 18.
• David's success (5, 14, 15, 30) Set over men of
  war, accepted by the people and Sauls servants,
  behaves wisely in all his ways, wise in war, and
  held in high esteem.
• God is with David (12, 14, 28) Saul was afraid
  of David because the Lord was with David.
• Love (1, 13, 16, 20, 22, 28) Jonathan loved
  David, all Israel and Judah loved David, he
  went in/out among them, Michel loved David,
  servants loved him, Saul delighted in him.
• Saul's fear (12, 15, 29) The Lord departed from
  Saul, afraid of Davids popularity, became his
  enemy continually, and led Sauls army.
• Saul's emotions and inner thoughts, motives are
  revealed (8-9, 11-12, 15, 17, 20-21, 29) Anger,
  displeasure, fear, fury, attempted murder,
  jealousy, envious, underhanded, deceptive, and
  treated David as an enemy.

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Discussion Questions

• Contrast Saul's attitude toward David and his
  kingdom with Jonathan's attitude toward David (I
  Sm. 181-30)?
• Saul Anger, hatred, and envy consumed him,
  hate- focused thoughts, he did not mix with the
  people, behaved rashly, impulsive, and jealously.
  God was not with Saul!
• David He was lovable, mixed with the people,
  behaved wisely, and humble. God was with David!
• Jonathan He loved David as his own soul, knit
  together with David, had a covenant with David,
  humble and submissive (181-4).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson to Learn Brotherly love is a major
  building block to strong churches. (Hb. 131-3
  Mt. 2531-46 Ga. 61 II Pt. 15-11 I Co. 111
  316 5 6 8 9 11 13 Mt. 1918-19
  2239 Mk. 1231 Ro. 138-10 Ga. 514, 22 Jm.
  28-9 Lev. 1918)
• Who is my brother? Sick, prisoners, lame,
  hungry, thirsty, weak, etc. It is everyone!!!
  (Lk. 1025-37).
• In the church, there is to be no contentions,
  divisions, carnal behavior, lawsuits, tolerating
  sin, confusion, etc. (i.e. Corinthians, Johns
  letters). We must love!
• We should not sin against or offend our brother.
• Vengeance is Gods place, not ours.
• New Testament Christians expressed love in social
  and spiritual interactions (i.e. selling
  possessions to raise money for the poor, they met
  each day, etc.).

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Discussion Questions

• How does Saul develop envy (I Sm. 18 - 19)? What
  is the progression of envy?
• Saul was inclined and predisposed to envy (162)
• Womens song and David killing Goliah fueled his
  envious thoughts and actions.
• Saul envious progression was (4 key steps)
• Predisposed to pride, and arrogance.
• An incident or threat occurred which fueled
  anger, discomfort and suspicion.
• His spirit was stressed, which led to fear, fury,
  hypocrisy, open hate, and aggression.

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn One day can make a difference
  in our lives. (Mt. 634 Jm. 413-17 12-4 Ro.
  121-2 Jh. 2024-29 Mt. 2656 Ac. 11-11 21
  I Th. 56-8)
• Each day is full of trouble and we are tested
  every day (Mt. 634). We are of the day.
• We make plans, but they can change unexpectedly
  (Jm. 413-17).
• All the apostles forsook Jesus, but later died
  for Him.
• Blessed are those who believe, but have not
  seen. (JH. 2029)

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson to Learn Envy is rottenness to the bones.
  (Pr. 1430 2317 241, 19 274 Eccl. 44
  Ps. 371, 7 4916 733, 17-20 Ga. 517-21, 26
  II Tm. 31-9 Jh. 1145-57 I Co. 134 33 II
  Co. 1220 Jm. 314-16 I Pt. 21)
• Envy destroys us from within. It leads to other
  sins sins of the flesh (i.e. hate, division,
  murder, etc.).
• Envious people are stressed, unhappy and
  miserable. Envy claims victims. Jesus was a
  victim of envy.
• The remedy to envy is to love and pray for our
  enemies, walk in faith, be mature, content and
  humble.
• Love does not envy (I Co. 134). Envy is
  carnal and childish.
• Get rid of anger, hatred and envy quickly
  dont let the sun go down on your wrath. (Ep.
  426)

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Discussion Questions

• How is I Sm. 1817 and II Sm. 1114-17 similar?
• Both tactics were to put another person in battle
  in hopes of them being killed.
• Davids tactic worked and Sauls did not work.
• Sauls tactic was motivated by envy/jealousy and
  Davids was motivated by lust.
• Davids ended in repentance and Sauls was
  un-repented.
• A man after Gods own heart will humbly repent
  of their sins because they want to please and
  obey God (Ac. 1322).

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Discussion Questions

• Describe the hypocrisy of Saul in I Sm. 18 and
  open hostility in I Sm. 19.
• Hypocrisy is seen in the deceptive plans around
  sending David into battles, giving Michal as
  wife, and demanding 100 Philistine foreskins.
  This appeared good, but the real motive was to
  have David killed. Saul had a hidden agenda.
• Open hostility is seen in the open communication,
  casting a spear at David 3 times, removing David
  from service, ambushes, and messengers sent to
  kill David. Our thoughts will turn into actions.

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Discussion Questions

• Describe the family situation with Saul, Jonathan
  and Michal (I Sm. 18 - 19)?
• It was a dysfunctional family.
• Saul was a jealous father, used his children,
  behave irrationally, lied, was deceptive, and
  jealous of his daughter/sons love for David.
• Jonathan loved David and respected his father,
  and he saved innocent blood.
• Michal, the younger daughter, was a willing,
  submissive, and loving wife.
• Good children can come from dysfunctional homes.

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Discussion Questions

• How many times did Saul try to kill David and
  list the attempts? (I Sm. 1811, 13, 17, 20
  191 10, 11, 18)
• Sauls tried to kill David more than 11 times.
• Cast the spear 3 times, made David captain and
  sent him into battles, demanding the 100
  Philistine foreskins, sent messengers to kill him
  (3 times), set up an ambush, etc.
• Hollywood would have a different take on
  vengeance.
• How many times was David delivered and lists the
  situations? (I Sm. 191-24)
• David was delivered at least 8 times.
• Jonathans plea, victorious in battles, escaped
  the spear (3x), Michal lowered him out a window,
  Michal covered up for him, David fled, escaped
  assassins and ambushes.

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Even though it is not natural,
  we must respond to evil with good. (Ro.
  1216-21 Mt. 538-48 I Sm. 2417, 26 Ps.
  3512-14 Lk. 2334 Ac. 760)
• We are commanded to pray for our enemies, turn
  the other cheek, forgive evil doers, return good
  for evil, etc.
• We can melt the heart of evil doers through our
  good (Ro. 1219-21).
• How did the "distressing spirit" affect Saul (I
  Sm. 1810-11 199-10 1614-23)?
• It was a stressful and grieving spirit. It
  negatively affected his thoughts and actions
  (1614-15, 199-10).
• He prophesied, gave into violence. Music soothed
  and provided temporary relief. Music did not
  work.

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn When we surrender
  self-control, then we are open to Satan's
  influence. However, when we trust in God, He
  will deliver us from adversity. (I Co. 925-27
  II Co. 211 Ph. 45 II Pt. 15 Job. 3311-30
  Ps. 10643-44 10710-31 Eccl. 714 II Co.
  14-6 416-18 127-10 Hb. 58-9 I Pt. 16-7
  510)
• We discipline our body by exercising
  self-control. Disciples constantly learn train
  (I Co. 925-27).
• God hears, delivers and comforts us in the face
  of Satans temptations and devices.
• Jesus learned obedience from the things he
  suffered.
• Our life is a series of tests aimed at making us
  strong.

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Discussion Questions Final Thoughts

• Discuss the impact of the "Spirit of God" coming
  upon Saul (I Sm. 1918-24)?
• Messengers of Saul prophesied 3 times
  (1820-21). Saul prophesied before Samuel
  (1823-24)
• Saul lay down naked all day and all night
  (1824).
• Inner garment means exposed or naked (Smiths
  Dictionary).
• Like Balaam (Nu. 23), God used/forced a wicked
  man to speak truth, but God did not force them to
  change.
• God used Saul, but it did not have any reforming
  affect