Continuing through the remainder of 1 Samuel, the theme of prayer continues. It was striking the difference between Saul and David. Saul is impulsive and rash, while David is constantly asking for wisdom from God in his pursuits. Over and over David trusts in the Lord, knowing that He will remove Saul in His timing, even though David is being chased all over Israel and the surrounding area. David had the opportunity to kill Saul twice, but spared his life both times. If only my prayer life could be as consistent and vibrant as David’s was. Our relationship with God should be built on a constant prayer life, and constantly seeking His wisdom through the Scripture.
And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go and the Lord be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:37
Passage:
1 Samuel 16-31
Discovered:
- Samuel anoints David in secret from Saul during a sacrifice.
- A harmful spirit tormented Saul. David’s lyre playing would help soothe him, so David served Saul.
- Philistines gathered against Israel. A giant man, Goliath (almost 10 feet tall) in full armor challenged Israel to send a man to defeat him. If successful, they would be their slaves and if not Israel would be enslaved.
- For 40 days, Israel trembled until David came to visit and stepped up to battle Goliath without armor and just a staff, 5 stones and a slingshot. David landed a rock on Goliath’s forehead and killed him. David used Goliath’s sword to cut off his head and the Philistines fled.
- David and Jonathan (Saul’s son) became excellent friends.
- Saul became jealous of David because the people sing songs about how great he is in battle. As a result, Saul tried to kill David 2 times with a spear while he played the lyre. Everything David did, he had success in.
- Saul promised his daughter, Merab but gave her to someone else, then David and Michal married for love. David had to bring 100 foreskins as a bride price.
- Saul tried to kill David, but Jonathan talked him out of it, but after David defeated the Philistines Saul tried again. Michal helped David flee by helping him out a window.
- Abimelech, priest feeds David holy bread (all he had), gives him Goliath’s sword-David bless to Gath, then pretended to be insane and fled. David sent his family out of Israel to protect them.
- Saul was angry at Abimelech and priests for helping David and ordered them killed.
- David saves Keilah from Philistines with 600 men. Saul chased David around Israel trying to catch him, so he could kill him.
- Saul wandered into the cave David and his men were hiding to relieve himself. Despite being told to kill Saul, David only cuts a piece of his robe off and then confronts Saul saying he spared his life.
- Samuel dies. Israel mourned him.
- David sent meant to Nabal to request food for his men and Nabal refused. David was going to kill him, but Abigail (his wife) interceded providing food without Nabal’s knowledge. Nabal later died from a stroke.
- David took Abigail and Ahinoam as his wives. Michal was given to Palti by Saul.
- David sneaks into Saul’s camp while it sleeps and steals his spear and water jug-sparing his life.
- David fled to the Philistines and asked for a place to stay. He was given Ziklag as a home. David made raid on Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites.
- Saul went to war against the Philistines and sought a medium to ask Samuel why God was no longer answering. Samuel told Saul, Philistines will crush you and kill you and your sons.
- David and his men went to march with the Philistines, but the lords said no, so they went home.
- While they were gone Amalekites attacked Ziklag and captured everyone and everything. David went after and defeated them, everything taken was recovered and the spoils were shared.
- Philistines defeated Israel, killed Saul’s sons. Saul fell on his sword to prevent death by others.
Help me to remember:
David constantly took the higher road and repeatedly asked God what he should do.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I should be like David, constantly seeking Your will, God.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
a way to seek Your will, prayer.
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