DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY

TEXT: 1 Samuel 18:1-30; 19:1-24

Saul, the first king of Israel, disobeyed God and was rejected. After this, God sent Prophet Samuel to anoint David to be king after Saul. For this reason, Saul developed a kind of destructive jealousy towards David. This made him to pursue David till the time he died in battle. After David killed Goliath, he became a permanent member of the army of Israel and he did not go back home to his job as a shepherd. He began to rise fast in his new career as a soldier because God was with him. He soon became King Saul’s constant attendant, Jonathan’s bosom friend and the hero of his country.

 However, as Ecclesiastes 4:4 declared that a man is envied by his neighbour for every right work, so was David envied by Saul. He hated him and sought to kill him for no reason. Envy never bears any good fruit; it is unholy, therefore, you must avoid it and be satisfied with whatever God has done for you and be happy for the good done in the lives of others.

 On the other hand, if you are a true friend of Jesus, God will always protect you and save you from the wrath of the enemy. Despite several attempts made by Saul to kill David, he did not succeed because God was with him. Always make sure that your way pleases the Lord and he will surely protect you from all the evil plots of those who because of envy make themselves to be your enemy (Proverbs 16:7).

1.     SAUL ENVIES DAVID:

1  Samuel 18:1-16; Ecclesiastes 4:4

 Saul, the first king of Israel disobeyed God and was rejected as king. An evil spirit came upon him to torment and make him behave wickedly. David on the other hand was a wise, hardworking and God-fearing youth. Through his faith in God, he defeated Goliath and his army. The women in Israel sang songs in his praise because of his victory over Goliath.

 Saul envied David because of the following: (a) He knew David would be king after him. (b) David prospered in all that he did because God was with him. (c) Jonathan loved and became a friend to David. (d) The people of the land loved David and accepted him because he defeated Goliath the champion of the Philistines.

 Instead of Saul to repent and seek forgiveness, he continued to pursue David. God did not leave David alone; so, Saul could not harm him. Do not envy anyone, no matter what the person has. God is the only one who can lift up and also bring down. Trust in Him, and He will perfect everything in your life.

2.     SAUL’S UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT ON DAVID’S LIFE:

1  Samuel 18:17-30; 19:1-17,20-24

 Saul sought to destroy David by sending him on dangerous assignments. But his wicked plan resulted in David’s promotion and confirmed his popularity among the people. The more David fought and defeated the Philistines, the more the people loved him and the greater his popularity. God guaranteed David’s safety and used even Saul’s children, Jonathan and Michal, on two different occasions to deliver him from harm.

 Jonathan warned David to keep out of harm’s way. He also tried to pacify his father and reconcile him to David. Not long after, Saul devised other means to kill David through the use of the Javelin and later sending his servants to arrest him. David then fled to Samuel at Ramah. So impatient was Saul in his thirst for David’s blood that when the officers he sent failed to arrest him, he laid aside all public business as a king to personally go after David. Just as his officers were arrested by the Spirit of God, Saul himself was arrested and he could not touch David.  This is a confirmation of Jesus’ declaration about His sheep, that none can pluck them from His and His father’s hands (John 10:28,29). Are you a sheep of Jesus Christ? If yes, then you have nothing to fear. He will keep you safe from all harm.

3.     SECURITY AND PROTECTION UNDER GOD’S REFUGE:

1  Samuel 19:18-24; Matthew 11:28; Psalm 91:1-16

 David did not run to his family house in Bethlehem. He ran to Samuel, the man of God, and told him all that Saul had done to him. Samuel was the man that anointed David and assured him that he would be the next king. However, his present problems almost discouraged him. He needed to see Samuel for encouragement and spiritual support. In running to Samuel, David made God his refuge, trusting in His promises. Samuel as a prophet was able to advise him on what to do in his distress. 

 Besides, his desire to pray to God would be better achieved under Samuel’s care. Who do you run to for solution to your problems? Do you go to your friends like Rehoboam, Solomon’s son did or do you run to Jesus who promised rest to all people in distress? (Matthew 11:28).

  There are important lessons to learn from David’s response to his life challenges.

(i) Love for God and God’s house. David had love for God and the things of God. His trust in the Lord gave him divine protection and favour throughout his life. (ii) Humility. His popularity with the common people did not make him arrogant. He behaved himself wisely, every day. (iii) Bravery/boldness. He was bold as a shepherd boy as well as a soldier. Are you bold in preaching the love of Jesus to sinners around you? (iv) Obedience and diligence. David went wherever Saul his master sent him to fight the Lord’s battle. (v) Longsuffering. David did not charge God foolishly in his distress. Friends of Jesus must not sulk and lose hope but pray to overcome difficult situations. (vi) Love for his enemy. David did what he could to lessen Saul’s suffering by playing music to ease his affliction by evil spirit. 

 Friends of Jesus must follow the example of David and live a godly life so that they can enjoy all-round blessings. To be favoured like David, sinners must confess their sins, ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus and invite Jesus into their hearts as their personal Lord and Saviour. Psalm 23 is a popular psalm and it is referred to as a ‘Psalm of David’. When David wrote this psalm, he must have thought through all that God had done for him when he faced great troubles of life. He recognised that God had been a sure protection and guide for him through all his trials.

 The righteous have nothing to fear. There is divine protection for you if you are a friend of Jesus, remain holy and stay with Him. If there is anyone anywhere who is envious of you, do not fear; God will deliver you as He did for David. Do not think of paying back evil for evil; show love to those that hate you and pray for your persecutors. God will always fight your battles for you. Instead of defeat, you will enjoy protection and promotion to the shame of the enemy.

QUESTIONS:

1.     Jealousy is an evil spirit from Satan. Yes/No?

2.     Why did Saul hate David? 

3.     Mention three lessons that you have learned from David’s character. 

4.     David was bold as a shepherd and a soldier. In what way can a friend          of Jesus show boldness today? 

5.     How can a sinner possess David’s character? 

MEMORY VERSE: “And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.” (1 Samuel 19:10)

LESSON: Living holy guarantees our sure protection against evil.

THOUGHT: I will live a holy life to enjoy God’s protection.

ACTIVITY: Children should pray for grace to overcome all challenges of life through godly living.

HOMEWORK: Read Acts 9:1-22 about another Saul who was wicked initially but after conversion spent his changed life working for the Lord.  

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 16 – IF GOD BE FOR US

CHORUSES: (1) Under the canopy of God (2) I am a soldier in the army of the Lord (3) We are victorious. 

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary: 

1.   Jealousy 

2. Bravery 

3. Javelin 

4. Commune 

5. Bolst

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