"The Life of David": 5 A Friend in Need

Focus Passage: 1 Sam 20

From the beginning of time, God said that it was not good for man to be alone. Everyone needs a friend. The picture of hopelessness is a man or woman sitting by themselves with their heads in their hands and no one who cares. When life seems to fall apart, we need someone who we can come to so that they can support us. After the great triumphs in David’s life, his world seems to be falling apart. The king had made him a son in law, but now seems to want to destroy David. He had fled to the safety of being with Samuel, but he yearns to be with his friend and mentor Jonathan. Their friendship stands out as a model of what true friendship can be among the people of God. We all need a friend and Jonathan shows us what a true friend can do for you. 

"The Life of David": 4 Fear in Control

Focus Passage: 1 Samuel 18

There is a place for fear, but it should never control our lives. On a mountain highway with sheer drop offs, fear keeps us cautious and may save our life. However fear may deny us the chance to see friends or travel distances if our fear of heights prevents us from flying in airplanes. Fear can be a blessing when we keep it in check. Saul has been told that God will tear the kingdom of Israel from him and his family (1 Sam 15:28). He has pushed the Lord out of his life and has been tormented by an evil spirit (1 Sam. 16:14). He is now a man who lives in fear of everything around him and may be wondering who the Lord will give his kingdom to. In that moment of fear, a young man of amazing talent comes on the scene.

"The Life of David": 3 David and Goliath

Focus Passage: 1 Samuel 17:32-51

Fear is the lion that grips our insides and tears them to shreds. It can be the fear of being laid off when the company is struggling. It can be the fear of illness when the doctor sees something on a routine x-ray. It can be the fear that grips us when God asks us to serve in a difficult ministry. Everything may work out right, but fear will make your life hell while you wait to regain life’s balance. Such was the problem for the Jews. Goliath would stand in the valley and taunt them. Their minds knew God was more powerful, but their shaking knees and cowardly hearts had not gotten the message.

"The Life of David": 2 When God departs

Focus Passage: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Human lives cannot exist as a vacuum. We are either filled with the Lord or filled with something else. People often think that if they push the Lord out of their life that they will be free. They resent the rules of faith and don’t want to belong to anyone. Sadly when we push God away, Satan often rushes in to fill the vacuum and rule over our lives and desires. He will take over our character and will guide our actions. Instead of freedom, we end up with bondage to a cruel master. Saul, the anointed of God chosen to lead God’s people Israel had rejected the Lord. As we will see in the text, he paid a high price for pushing the Lord out of his life. 

“The Life of David”: 1 God’s kind of leader

Focus Passage: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

In sports, leaders can boast about their statistics. We look for .300 baseball hitters. We count sacks or touchdown catches in football. We want winners. Churches often measure the weekend worship attendance, the offering in the plate and the square feet of the building in the same way. Yet, the bible doesn’t talk about leaders that way. God talks about the heart and not the outward achievements because the achievements of people like Abraham, David and Paul are the work of God and not men. In our first look at David, we see why God would want this shepherd boy instead of his stronger and more handsome older brothers. Samuel will get a lesson on what God looks for in a leader and why.