CHILDRE SSTS LESSON 7 DAVID FLEES FROM SAUL
Text: 1 Samuel 21:1-15; 22:1-23; 23:1-29
David’s victory over Goliath led him into the palace of King Saul. He was then appointed as an ofcer in Saul’s army. David won many battles and became very popular with the people. However, popularity and success did not make him to become proud. He remained humble, dutiful and obedient to the king in whatever assignment he was given.
Saul, however, was lled with anger and envy because of David’s success. He was afraid that David might take over the throne. Therefore, he secretly planned to destroy David. Saul tried many times without success. He attacked David openly with a javelin, and cunningly exposed him to the enemy’s attack, but all his attempts to kill David failed (1 Samuel 19:10; 18:25). God loved David as He loves all righteous boys and girls. He delivered him from all the evil plans of King Saul. God will deliver you from all your enemies as you continue to live a holy life.
- THE DEVILISH PLAN OF SAUL TO ELIMINATE DAVID:
1 Samuel 21:10; 22:6-23; 23:7-26
Saul developed deep hatred towards David and decided that he must kill him at all costs. Therefore, the plan to put David to death became King Saul’s number one project. In pursuit of his devilish plan, Saul abandoned his God-given role as king of Israel and with thousands of soldiers began to search every nook and cranny of his kingdom for David.
Saul’s evil plan was very clear to David and even Jonathan his son who was David’s bosom friend. On two occasions, he threw his javelin at David to pin him to the wall, but David escaped (1 Samuel 19:10). After this, David started running from one place to another. Firstly, he ran to Gath – a city of the Philistines, Israel’s enemies. Saul went after him. Secondly, he escaped and went to a place known as Nob. He met with Ahimelech the priest, who received and helped him in some way. When Saul learnt that David went to the priest, he went
after him with his servants. In anger that he did not meet David in Nob, he ordered Doeg, his servant to kill Ahimelech and the other priests. It was so bad that Saul lost his sense of reasoning just because of David. After shedding innocent blood, Saul was still not satisfied. When he heard that David was in another city called Keilah, he went there but he could not get David. God protected him. The Bible shows us the way that Saul was determined to eliminate David thus, “And Saul sought him every day” (1 Samuel 23:14b).
Saul failed in all his attempts to slay David because God was with him. As a friend of Jesus, you have nothing to fear. God is our strength and refuge and a present help in time of trouble. All you need do is to trust Him. The plan and purpose of the wicked ones against you will fail.
- DAVID FLEES FROM SAUL:
1 Samuel 21:1-15; 22:1-5; 23:1-29
To ee means to run away from danger to safety. As long as Saul remained as king of Israel, David had to run for his dear life to avoid being killed.
At this time, David was too scared of Saul to spend time to pray. He failed to trust God completely. In an attempt to save his life, he ran to Gath where he fell into temptation to tell a lie. He sought refuge among the ungodly Philistines. Also, David ran to Ahimelech the priest at Nob. This action led to the slaying of
Ahimelech and other priests through Saul’s instruction.
At another time, David took his parents and other family members and ran away from King Saul. Sometimes, he would be in the wilderness; at other times, he would hide in caves. Yet, Saul continued to pursue him. It was a time of trial for David. Some of the people David helped like the inhabitants of Keilah planned to betray him but did not succeed. Through all the trials and troubles, God was with David. He did not allow him to fall into the hand of Saul, his enemy. There are important lessons for us to take note of here:
- i) David relied on God to help him. He did not think of paying back evil with
evil. We must love everyone, even our enemies.
- ii) David, through God’s wisdom, ed from danger. It is important for you to
recognize danger signs and also run into a safe place.
iii) In his distress, David still made himself available to help the people of Keilah.
Even though they tried to betray him, he was not angry with them. Always show love to people no matter what you are passing through. God will reward and help you in time of need.
- iv) “And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his
hand” (1 Samuel 23:14b).
This shows that it is only God who can deliver us from our enemies. As long as you put your trust in Him, He will not leave you to the will of those who hate you.
- DIVINE PROTECTION FOR THE RIGHTEOUS:
1 Samuel 23:14; Psalm 91:1-16; Proverbs 18:10
It would have been easy for Saul to destroy David if God had not provided divine protection for him. Saul had all the resources at his disposal, but God in His love and mercy provided the place of refuge and safety for David. When a child surrenders his life to Jesus and becomes His friend, he comes into the Ark of safety. It is only those who reject God that will be exposed to the enemy’s attack.
The reason you should run into Christ today is for the salvation of your soul and protection of your life. Many people run up and down looking for protection and solution to their problems but they get into wrong hands and false doctrine.
Jesus Christ is our hiding place. The enemy is in the world roaring like a hungry lion, seeking whom he may devour. However, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). You can run into Christ today by forsaking your sins. Ask God to forgive you and
wash you with the blood of Jesus. Read God’s word, meditate on its promises and obey all its commandments. Also watch and pray. As you do these, the enemy will never be able to harm you in Jesus’ Name.
QUESTIONS:
- Why did Saul want to kill David?
- Where did David run to in a bid to escape from Saul’s plan?
- Where should a friend of Jesus run to for safety?
- What are the benets of running into Christ?
- What steps should a sinful child take to come u n d er God’s protection?
MEMORY VERSE: “And David arose, and ed that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath” (1 Samuel 21:10).
LESSON: God’s protection and care is for only boys and girls who are in Christ.
THOUGHT: I will forsake my naughty ways and run into Christ so as to enjoy God’s protection.
ACTIVITY: Read Acts 9:23-25; 12:3-11 and nd out the following: (a) The personalities in the passages (b) Reasons for the persecution of the friends of Jesus. (c) How friends of Jesus were protected and delivered. (d) Lessons learnt from their deliverance.
HOMEWORK: Pray every day for divine protection and guidance in every area of your life.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 60 – WHERE COULD I GO
CHORUSES: (1) The rock that never fails (2) Under the canopy (3) Satan can never, never conquer me.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary 1. Jealousy 2. Achievement 3. Determine 4. Security 5. Safety.
