Growing in Christ Bible Study Genesis to Revelation Week 21

Read 1Samuel 17- 2Samuel 10

  Here are some video clips that remind me of some of the stories. See if you can guess which ones I'm thinking of and summarize the account in 100 words or less.

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1.  David was considered to be a man after God's own heart. (1Sam 13:14). Obviously, we would all liked to be described in this way (or woman). Look at the following verses/accounts, and describe qualities found in a person after God's heart.

   1Sam 17:36,37 and 45-47


   1Sam. 18:17,18,23


   1Sam. 21:5


   1 Sam 23:1-5, 11-13 & 25:14-16


   1 Sam. 24:5-7 & 26:9-11


   1Sam. 30:3,7,8


   1Sam 30:18-29


   2Sam 1:23,24


   2Sam 5:10-12


   2Sam 6:13,14,21,22


   2Sam 7:18-26


   2Sam 8:11


   2 Sam 9:1,11


  1 Chron. 14:12



2. Look at 1Sam 14:6 and 1Sam 17:37. Then look at 18:1. Why do you think David and Jonathan became so close?


   Now look at 20:31. Was Saul correct?

    Look at 20:13-17. Did Jonathan know that?              Did he care?                     Why not?



    Look at 23:16. What does this say about friendship?


   Putting all this together, describe what you should be looking for in a true friend.



 3. Read 1Sam 25. Abigail spares David from commiting the biggest mistake/sin of his life up until this point. What sin was that?


     What drove David to almost doing this? (consider many factors)



      Obviously, picking spouses was much different in those days but what can girls learn from this account about picking a husband?



      Notice her plea to David. What principles can you learn about how to negotiate and diffuse a bad situation?



     Read Rom. 12:19. How does the account of Nabal testify to this?




Notes to students/teachers

     The video clips remind me of David pretending to be in Michal's bed by placing an idol in there, David trying to wear Saul's armor, David and Jonathan planning out a code (that they never really needed), a band of misfits joining David, Saul consulting a witch, and Joab hugging Abner and stabbing him.
     David, in these chapters is amazing. Unfortunately we are about to hit chapter 11, where although he still remains loved by God and has an incredible relationship and faith in Him, his life starts unravelling. How great to live a life in love with God, worshipping Him daily, submitted in humility before Him and thus realizing our equality with mankind and loving them as ourselves. The blessings and benefits are profound. David realized that God is above all other Gods and simply represented Him in battles, yet always consulted Him first, even in the no-brainers like "should I rescue my family"? Because of going to the Lord in prayer God, not David or his men, got the glory for victories. The plunder was not his but the Lords thus he could give it away and not hoard and be greedy. He listened to rebuke (even from a woman which was big in that day) and allowed God to put Saul to death and Nabal rather than make thing happen thru his own scheming. Even while on the run he was helping people. They were like a gang of Christians. Not the Hell's Angels but the Heaven's Angels. They were risking their lives delivering people (who would in a heartbeat turn him over to Saul) from Phillistines and helping people take care of their flocks keeping wild animals and predators away and getting nothing but scorn in return. No wonder David snapped against Nabal. God had promised him to be king and it seemed to be taking forever. He was running for his life thru no fault of his own, so poor he had to beg, hiding his family from Saul for fear of retribution, no home, a band of misfits, going around doing good and getting insulted in return. This was the last straw! "Who's David?"" I'll show him who David is..." We all need to be careful because in a moment of weakness we can retaliate and our pride rear it's ugly head and ruin our testimony and bring consequences on ourselves that will affect us our whole lives.
       Abigail was in an unfortunate position - unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Marriages back then were often arranged so she probably had no say but today women do have a say and they still marry unbelieving fools. Do you want to be in that situation some day? Look for a man after God's own heart even if he is broke and scorned. If he loves Jesus you will have a great future. Notice how she diffuses the situation. She brings a gift, tells him how great he is, appeals to his sense of right and wrong, says the party he is at odds against is wrong, and mentions the Lord 7 times. She says he is so far above this party it's not even worth fighting. David leaves relieved he didn't sin by doing this, letting God take revenge (which He did quickly) and gaining a wife.
     Lastly, look at what true friendship should look like. Find someone who loves the Lord like you do and bond with them. Serve the Lord with them and fight God's fights with them. Look for someone who won't use you to get ahead and dump you when the chips are down or hang you out to dry. Jonathan was willing to give his life and heir to the throne to David. And when David was at his lowest, Jonathan came and helped him find strength in the Lord. What kind of friends do you have. Nowadays we don't deliberately seek out quality friends we tend to gravitate toward acceptance. Look for these qualities in a person and actively seek friendship with them.