WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:02.399 Thank you very much, Alice. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:07.780 It would be helpful if you keep that Bible passage open in front of you this evening as we travel through it. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.439 But before we do that, let me just pray for us. 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.580 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for your word. 00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:21.920 We thank you that you have revealed yourself to us in it, but we confess that it is sometimes difficult. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:26.320 And Holy Spirit, we ask this evening that you would enlighten us. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:32.299 That your words, Lord, would give us light and that you would grant us understanding. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:35.179 For your son's glory. Amen. 00:00:36.259 --> 00:00:40.539 So it would be helpful if you keep that passage open in front of you this evening. 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:42.679 But I want to start off by asking you a question. 00:00:43.579 --> 00:00:45.500 How do you feel about preparation? 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:52.880 So the two most stressful times of the year for me at the moment are May and December. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:55.840 Because in May and December, I have exams. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:01.159 Now I am supposed to, and normally try to, spend weeks reading material, 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:07.859 poring over lecture notes and writing out essays to questions that could potentially come up. 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:14.240 And then after all of those weeks of preparation, I sit a three-hour exam. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:17.340 So even just talking to you this evening about it stresses me out. 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:21.600 But preparation is part of everyday life, isn't it? 00:01:22.540 --> 00:01:29.659 So whether that's preparation for exams, for work, for big life events, preparation is part of everyday life. 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:36.600 But do we think about our lives and all of the struggles that come our way as preparation? 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:41.559 So the question that I would like you to keep in the back of your minds this evening is, 00:01:41.919 --> 00:01:44.839 how does God prepare his servant? 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:55.000 So tonight we're going to be looking at the first installment of what you could call the fugitive narrative of David's life. 00:01:55.219 --> 00:01:59.840 From 1 Samuel chapter 21 to chapter 31. 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:09.780 And in these chapters, we see David's rise to the throne of Israel and Saul's demise as the king who has been rejected by God. 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:15.360 And as we walk through these chapters, we need to put ourselves in Israel's shoes 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:21.639 and think about what they would have heard when this book was read to them. 00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:25.159 So they would have read the book from start to finish. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:26.680 So 1 and 2 Samuel. 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:33.939 And so we get a kind of fragmented view of the book because we take out little slots. 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:38.219 And so we need to try really hard to get the big picture of the whole book. 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:46.319 So in the beginning of 1 Samuel, God raises up a prophet, a person who speaks God's word to God's people. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:55.560 And then he warned them about their desire for a king and said that he told them what this king would be like. 00:02:56.219 --> 00:03:02.159 But Israel ignored the warning and looked to the physical appearance of Saul and crowned him king. 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:06.400 But he disobeyed God time and time again. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:08.819 And so he was rejected in chapter 15. 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:12.979 And then David is anointed as the new king. 00:03:13.819 --> 00:03:18.560 And God is now preparing him for the day when he will finally sit on the throne of Israel. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:23.259 So the question I want us to think about is how does God prepare his servant? 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:31.000 In chapters 21 to 31, God is preparing David and it isn't easy for him. 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:40.399 These chapters are hugely instructive for us though because we see God is permitting David to go through troubles. 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:47.120 Which make him not run away from God, but they make him run to God and trust in him. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:55.240 And we see that God is sovereignly ruling over this whole situation and tension between David and Saul. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:59.099 So how does God prepare his servant? 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:06.400 Well in our passage tonight we see three emotions and three situations that God takes David through. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:09.040 And each of them is preparing him to be king. 00:04:09.900 --> 00:04:14.060 To rule over God's people in God's promised land. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:18.660 So the first thing that we see in this passage is desperation. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:22.139 Chapter 21 verses 1 to 9. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:23.180 Desperation. 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:32.620 So David has fled the comfort of his life in the palace because Saul, the one sitting on the throne, wants him dead. 00:04:34.220 --> 00:04:41.899 Saul even throws a spear to kill his own son in chapter 20 because he thought that Jonathan was helping out David. 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:48.159 And so David runs to a place called Nob and we see David's desperation in two ways. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:52.120 Firstly if you look at verse 3 you see that he's hungry. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:56.839 And secondly if you look at verse 8 we see he's defenseless. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:05.399 So David is this high ranking army commander and yet he has no sword and he has no provisions. 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:14.620 And in his desperate state he arrives at Nob and notice the priest's reaction as he sees David coming in verse 1. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:17.539 It says that he trembled. 00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:25.260 Now in reality David is the one who's afraid because he has the king of the land on his tail. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:27.660 So why is this priest afraid? 00:05:28.840 --> 00:05:38.460 Well probably because when he sees David coming by himself with no army and no provisions he might be thinking that David's acting on his own. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:41.180 David has suddenly gone rogue. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:47.900 David shows up as a one man show and the priest asks him why are you alone? 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:49.959 Am I to be afraid? 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:57.560 And in verse 2 we see a secretive story told by David which is a complete lie. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.160 He says that he's on a secret mission for Saul. 00:06:01.840 --> 00:06:06.420 And that he's going to meet his men, his army in a certain place. 00:06:07.960 --> 00:06:10.699 Now we must look at this and call it what it is. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:11.560 David is lying. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:15.899 David is God's anointed king, yes absolutely. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:18.159 But he is not God's perfect king. 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:24.439 And the author of 1 Samuel doesn't comment as to whether this was the right thing to do or not. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:28.199 But elsewhere in the Bible lying is condemned. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:31.419 And the Bible isn't afraid to call lying what it is. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:32.360 Sin. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:35.360 So why does David lie? 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:43.780 Well I think the most logical explanation is that he knows Saul will be hot on his heels as he arrives at Nob. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:49.920 And he's lying in an attempt to save and protect the priest from Saul. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:56.040 And this doesn't actually work out and we'll see that next week in chapter 22. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:03.379 But the application of this little bit of this narrative is not that we should go out and lie to people. 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:04.620 That would be wrong. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:10.019 David commits a sin in this passage and we are not encouraged to do the same. 00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:17.899 And so David is in a desperate situation and in verse 3 he asks the priests for provisions because he is hungry. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:25.319 And then in verses 4 and 6 we get this dialogue about certain bread that the priest has. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:33.219 It's the bread of presence or consecrated bread which sat before God and which was set apart. 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:41.439 It was holy according to the law in Leviticus chapter 24 verses 5 to 9 that you can look up later on. 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:46.759 And according to those verses in Leviticus only priests were allowed to eat this bread. 00:07:49.159 --> 00:07:51.779 But Ahimelech gives the bread to David. 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:56.319 Now at this point think of how the Israelites would react. 00:07:57.419 --> 00:08:02.759 They would be gasping in shock as they hear this being read. 00:08:03.659 --> 00:08:09.939 Why would the priest purposefully and consciously disobey God's law? 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:16.239 Surely he's in the wrong. Surely he is doing wrong. 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:26.240 Now I don't think we can cast this off as a complete disregard for God's law because the priest actually cares about uncleanliness. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:37.659 But what we can do is let the more easier to understand passages of the Bible help us understand the more difficult passages. 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:51.899 So in Mark's gospel in chapter 2 Jesus uses this situation as an illustration of how the law was intended to serve God's king and God's kingdom and not hinder it. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:59.919 So through this priest God is providing for his anointed king who is in a desperate situation. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:05.139 But notice the detail in verse 7. 00:09:06.219 --> 00:09:11.939 This whole time during this whole conversation one of Saul's servants is lurking in the background. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:17.459 Now like the villain in the cartoons you used to watch or maybe still do watch. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:25.120 You can imagine Doeg tiptoeing in the background grinning and rubbing his hands together as he sees David chatting with this priest. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:35.159 He's the baddie who's waiting for that opportunity, waiting for the perfect time to pounce and catch his defenseless and desperate prey. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:40.340 So we see him lurking and watching in the shadows. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.460 And we'll see more from Doeg next week. 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:47.200 But just the mention of his name here should worry us. 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:58.759 Because not only is he an Edomite and therefore an enemy of Israel, but he's also a servant of Saul. 00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:07.160 Meaning that when Saul told all of his men in chapter 19 verse 1 to kill David, Doeg was probably there. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:11.520 Saul has a pair of eyes in the camp. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.400 So David is desperate. 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:15.720 He is on the run. 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:16.500 He is hungry. 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:19.480 And in verse 8 he has no sword. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.980 David is a defenseless fugitive. 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:29.160 And so he asks the priest for a sword and is given Goliath's sword. 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:32.399 The Philistine champion that he killed in chapter 17. 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:38.240 So the fugitive narrative starts in Nob with desperation. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:40.940 David on the run, fearing for his life. 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:42.480 Hungry and defenseless. 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:45.660 With the whole of Israel's forces on his heel. 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:47.340 But what happens? 00:10:48.660 --> 00:10:50.620 Well God provides for him. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:54.759 God sees David's needs and he provides. 00:10:55.820 --> 00:11:00.620 Now David could have broken down and complained about this whole situation and given up. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.420 And we wouldn't have said anything. 00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:08.639 But instead he trusted in the God who has anointed him and appointed him king. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:11.600 He didn't let go and let God. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:14.699 But he trusted God and he kept on going. 00:11:15.699 --> 00:11:23.519 And that meant that in his desperation, instead of him wallowing in self-pity, he ran to his God. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:32.199 God used David even though he lied to a priest. 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:35.199 Now this is no encouragement to lie. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:39.860 But God uses David's bad situation and turns it to good. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:43.179 In his hour of need, he trusted God. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:46.519 And God provided in a very desperate situation. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.819 So how does God prepare his servant? 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:56.779 Well we need to look at this passage through our New Testament lens. 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.100 We are not David. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:00.039 We are not God's anointed one. 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:01.199 That is Jesus. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:03.279 But we are God's people. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:05.480 Who are followers of Jesus. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:13.440 And so as we live out our lives of devotion to God's anointed one, we are told that we are going to suffer. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:19.399 We're told that there will be times where we too will be in desperate situations. 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:22.379 Now maybe you've been there. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:27.120 Maybe you've been without a job for months or years. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:31.820 Maybe you're exhausted from looking after the kids all the time. 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:36.039 Or looking after a loved one who has poor health. 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:43.480 You know those times when you're just at your wits end and you have no idea where to go or what to do. 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:50.919 For our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, they might be in a very similar situation to David. 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:56.019 They have to flee their homes because of their allegiance to our King. 00:12:56.019 --> 00:13:01.659 Their desperate situation is very different from ours, but the outcome should be exactly the same. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.579 What do we do in those moments? 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:09.199 In our desperation, we should trust in God and get going. 00:13:11.319 --> 00:13:15.879 Continue to live out our lives in obedience and submission to His will. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:23.759 So as we live in a world which is against God and against Jesus, then the world will be against us. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:29.360 We're told that we will suffer on account of our allegiance to Jesus. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:35.819 We're told that the world will hate us, but that hatred is first and foremost against the God that we serve. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:42.860 And our suffering and desperation shouldn't make us shrink away or hide. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:53.019 But it should lead us to live out our lives in obedience to the God who loves us, the God who has called us, and the God who equips us. 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.580 Trust in God and get going. 00:13:56.580 --> 00:14:04.780 But this does not mean that we, like David, will find all the provision that we want. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:14.280 We shouldn't take from this that if we run to God and we give Him all of our heart's desires and live out our lives in obedience and submission, 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:16.639 that God will just grant whatever wish we want. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:23.080 But we are to suffer and we will be in desperate situations. 00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:30.100 But all of these situations are preparing us for a glorious future with Him and in His service. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:34.279 Preparation isn't always easy. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:44.000 But preparation by God and for His service in obedience to His King is always, always worth it. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.919 Keep going. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:48.679 Keep being obedient. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:54.720 And the second thing that we see in this passage is fear. 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:58.259 In verses 10 to 15, fear. 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:03.120 So we've seen David afraid before in the book so far. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:07.200 And we'll see it again before our series ends in 1 Samuel. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:10.279 But there's something different about these verses. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.720 So look with me at verse 10. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:17.399 David fled from Saul and he went to Gath. 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:20.480 So you can imagine the scene. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.480 David is walking around Israel. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:28.019 But all the while he has this feeling in his stomach that he's being watched. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:31.279 Constantly ducking and diving. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:34.259 Constantly dodging people's gaze. 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.660 Always looking over his shoulder. 00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:42.240 In Israel, David is a walking target for Saul's army. 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:46.519 It's like that show on Channel 4, Celebrity Hunted. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:53.399 And the idea is that a celebrity has to hide from a group of people who are trying to hunt them down for 14 days. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:56.399 They cannot be seen by anyone. 00:15:58.579 --> 00:16:00.919 And they have people looking high and low for them. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.980 So that is how David feels. 00:16:04.079 --> 00:16:07.939 Every person that he sees is a potential threat. 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:11.360 And so he fears for his life. 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:15.080 So much that he needs to leave Israel. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.180 But where does he go? 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.460 Gath. 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.460 David. 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.080 What were you thinking? 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:26.700 In his fear of Saul, he's walking into a death trap. 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:29.860 Now maybe you remember who was from Gath. 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.620 It was Goliath. 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.900 The champion of the Philistine army. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:37.840 The one, if you remember, who David killed with a stone. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.940 Cut off his head. 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:42.580 In front of the whole Philistine army for everyone to see. 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:45.180 And now he's walking into Gath. 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:49.180 And to top it all off, he's carrying Goliath's sword. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:53.340 And he really thinks he's not going to go unnoticed. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:59.259 And so the worst case scenario plays out before our very eyes in verse 11. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:07.019 David is recognized and they ask, isn't this David the king of the land? 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:10.700 Now by this, they don't mean the actual king. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:13.680 They aren't recognizing him as the man who sits on the throne. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:20.039 But they're recognizing him as an important commander or ruler in the land of Israel. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:23.879 But look at the end of verse 11. 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:26.579 Because they definitely haven't forgotten who he is. 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:33.700 They recall the song that the Israelite woman sang and danced to as they rejoiced in David's victories. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:39.220 Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:45.039 So you can imagine as they recall that song. 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:49.519 They can remember the family members who fell during those wars. 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:53.079 They can remember the loved ones that they lost. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:55.759 And so they take David right before the king. 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.119 And David isn't stupid. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:04.319 He knows exactly what is coming his way as he stands before the king of Gath. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:07.639 And so it makes sense, doesn't it, in verse 12, 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:11.759 that he takes all of these words to heart and is very much afraid. 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:20.900 David describes his ordeal as he reflects on his captivity in Gath in Psalm 56. 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:30.099 I won't read it out, but he says that his enemies oppressed, trampled, attacked, injured, lurked, stirred up strife, 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:35.779 watched him and waited all out of hatred for God and for David. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:43.259 And we don't know how long David was in Gath, but it wasn't a walk in the park. 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:47.660 And so David comes up with a plan to escape. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:53.259 And in verse 13, it says that he pretended to be insane in their presence. 00:18:54.119 --> 00:19:01.960 He acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:04.799 David put on a good show. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:12.779 And so as the king of Gath looks at David, he cannot believe that what the people say is right. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:18.519 He cannot believe that this is the man who slayed the champion of the Philistine army. 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:24.920 The king says in verse 15, I don't need another madman in my service. 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:29.240 So David's plan worked. 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:37.839 And as he reflects on this ordeal in Psalm 34, he says how his fear was turned to praise. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:41.920 Psalm 34 verses 4 to 6 say this. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:45.319 I sought the Lord and he answered me. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:48.599 He delivered me from all my fears. 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:52.180 Those who looked to him are radiant. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:55.519 Their faces are never covered with shame. 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:59.559 The poor man called and the Lord heard him. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:02.039 He saved him out of all his troubles. 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:06.099 So do you see what David is saying? 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:11.480 His fear drove him to run to God. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:16.099 His fear drove him into the arms of the almighty savior. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.019 And what happened? 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.400 Well, God heard. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.980 God answered. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.779 God delivered. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.339 And God saved his servant. 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:27.859 David's fear led him to trust in God. 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:34.819 And God took that fear and brought about a wonderful, miraculous rescue. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.679 What does it mean? 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:41.720 How does God prepare his servant? 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:46.039 Now fear is something that affects everyone. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:51.759 And in this situation, David's fear leads him to trust in God. 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:59.159 So how much more should our trust and confidence be in God because of where we stand in history? 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:10.539 Our confidence should be firmly rooted in God because he sent his son into this broken world to bring forgiveness to his people. 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:17.399 So the biggest thing that people should fear is separation and alienation from God. 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:25.480 But as Christians, Jesus, the ultimate king, the ultimate anointed one, took the punishment that we deserve on the cross. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:30.519 And so sin and death have no power over us. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:35.900 But there are situations where we will be afraid. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.000 Our world is still imperfect. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:43.599 There will be situations where we suffer on account of our faith in Jesus. 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:45.139 And we see that in the New Testament. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.500 And we are warned about that. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:22:01.700 But the reality is that all of our sufferings and all of the trials that we face here and now in this life are preparing us for a glory that far outweighs any desperation and any fear that we face in this life. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:06.220 Have confidence in God. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:13.279 And in your times of fear, in your times of suffering and trouble, run to God. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:18.859 You will find him to be the best comforter that ever existed. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:28.440 The best deliverer and the best reward as you enter into his glory, which blows all of our struggles out of the water. 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:33.299 Preparation isn't always easy. 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:43.720 But preparation by God and for his service and obedience to his king is always, always worth it. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.460 Keep going. 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:48.379 Keep being obedient. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:55.200 The third thing that we see in this passage is a plea. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:59.119 In chapter 22, verses 1 to 5, a plea. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:07.579 So you'll see the plea itself at the end of verse 3, where David asked the king of Moab if his parents can stay with him. 00:23:07.739 --> 00:23:13.139 And his reasoning is, until I learn what God will do for me. 00:23:14.699 --> 00:23:25.659 So even now in his time of distress, in his fear and in his running for his life, David's main concern isn't his life, but it's what God will do with him. 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:30.400 His main concern is God's will. 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:34.240 But that's me jumping ahead slightly. 00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:38.160 So look back at chapter 22, verse 1. 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:41.000 David has escaped to a cave. 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:44.500 So just put yourself in his shoes for a second. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:49.200 He's been anointed king over Israel. 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:51.440 And here he is in a cave. 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:57.559 So he could be sitting there asking himself, how on earth will he ever be king? 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:02.299 He's fleeing for his life and hiding in a cave, not in a palace. 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:07.580 And during his time in this cave, David wrote two psalms. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:11.779 Psalm 57 and Psalm 142. 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:18.319 And in Psalm 57, verse 2, David says, I cry out to God most high. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:26.579 And he continues and says, to God who fulfills his purposes for me. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:32.240 So David looks at his situation and sees all of his struggle and troubles. 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:38.559 And he knows that the whole situation is part of God's plan and God's purpose. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:44.819 But notice how his response is not out of anger or frustration. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:50.759 He doesn't accuse God of hating him or abandoning him because he's in this cave. 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:56.319 But he looks at it and he knows that the only place he can run to now is God. 00:24:57.419 --> 00:25:00.500 The only one who can help him now is God. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:07.240 And so God provided a way for David to escape the clutches of the Philistines. 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.480 And now he's sitting in a cave. 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:13.180 And in verse 1, his whole family hears of his whereabouts. 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.480 And they go to him. 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:20.819 Now I doubt this family reunion is only because his family missed him. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.380 They haven't seen him in a wee while. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:25.359 That could very well have played a part in it. 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:29.119 But I think the primary reason is because they were in danger. 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:34.399 So as we'll see next week, Saul has completely lost his mind. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:39.719 His hatred for David has taken over and he's lost all sense. 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:44.039 So it could be that David's family were being threatened. 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:47.179 So that Saul could find out where David was. 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:51.400 And so when they hear of his whereabouts, they run to him. 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:54.259 But they don't come alone. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.539 Verse 2. 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.320 It says, 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:07.100 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him and he became their commander. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:10.779 Now this is a whole different story. 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:15.539 David, who'd previously been the commander of a thousand men, 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:20.639 A strong army whose purpose was fighting and conquering, 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:25.319 Is now the commander of an army of 400. 00:26:26.379 --> 00:26:29.539 And they aren't even the best people in Israel, but they are the outcasts. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:33.940 Those who are also on the run from Saul. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:40.200 So how is David ever going to be king if he has no army 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:44.420 And he's stuck in a cave with a motley crew of Israel's outcasts? 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:50.960 Well, he's going to become king because God has his plan. 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:56.159 And David looks at his situation and sees that this is all part of God's purposes. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:01.259 But do you see what's happening to the nation of Israel? 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:09.700 Samuel's warning to them in chapters 8, verses 11 to 17 is coming true. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:17.279 The prophet Samuel warned them that, warned Israel that if they cried out for a king, 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:19.000 That he wouldn't be any good for them. 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:23.680 That they would have to give their money, their family and their crops to him. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:27.140 And that is exactly what we see being played out here. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:30.100 Saul took to the throne. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:34.759 And as we look on, we see the rise of David and the demise of Saul. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:37.679 And it all comes back to one thing. 00:27:38.699 --> 00:27:39.839 Obedience to God. 00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:43.799 Saul is not acting like a king should. 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.939 But he's become a hard ruler. 00:27:46.199 --> 00:27:49.299 Who's executing his power however he sees fit. 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:53.259 And so Israel are hard pressed. 00:27:53.899 --> 00:27:55.980 And they flee and flock to David. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:58.240 There's something different about that man. 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:01.079 He's not the same as Saul. 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:08.440 So David looks at this motley crew of followers and decides to go to Moab in verse 3. 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:11.259 Now this was a very, very smart move. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:14.200 Because the Moabites were enemies of Saul. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:17.019 As listed in chapter 14, verse 47. 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:19.160 Because he'd fought against them in the past. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:23.019 But the Moabites were family to David. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:28.240 Because his great grandmother was Ruth, the Moabites. 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:33.240 And you can read the story of her life in the book of Ruth just before the book of Judges. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:37.519 And so David goes to Moab on family business. 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:45.779 And asks the king if he can look after his elderly parents as he learns what God will do for him. 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:50.240 Now David doesn't know what God is doing. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:53.500 He doesn't know what God is preparing him for. 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:55.799 He can look at this whole situation. 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.980 But he can't make any sense of it. 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:03.039 But still remember that verse of Psalm 57 verse 2. 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:06.819 David knows that God is fulfilling his purposes. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:15.259 And in verse 5, a prophet comes and tells David to leave the stronghold where he was staying. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:17.759 And go back to the land of Judah. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:22.480 The prophet is saying, go back. 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:25.579 Back into the firing line. 00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:29.579 Back into the place where Saul could get a grip of him. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:32.180 Back to the promised land of God's people. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:36.779 Back to a place that would mean suffering. 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.240 Why? 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.960 Well, we don't really know. 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:47.680 But what unfolds in the next chapters is that David becomes more well known. 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.400 More liked. 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:51.640 And he actually protects God's people. 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:54.759 When the king of Israel is hunting him down. 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:59.360 God told him to go because that was God's will. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.519 And David doesn't argue. 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.059 He just goes. 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:07.159 The word of the Lord is made known to David. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:09.299 But God has stopped speaking to Saul. 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:14.519 God is protected, protecting and preparing his king. 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:19.339 And he has rejected the king Saul who was on a downward spiral. 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:25.099 Now, we don't know whether the 400 people went with David or not. 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:27.459 But we see later on in the book that they were with him. 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:30.059 So it's likely that they did. 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:33.299 But why would anyone follow this man? 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:39.419 Why would anyone march behind him knowing that they're walking into harm's way? 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:44.240 Why would anyone follow David into a path of suffering? 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:48.000 Because he is God's anointed. 00:30:50.080 --> 00:30:52.420 That is why David's men follow him. 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:55.320 And that is why we follow Jesus. 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:58.759 On a path that we know will lead to suffering. 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:02.940 Because he is God's chosen and anointed king. 00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:07.120 So how does God prepare his servant? 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:10.559 Well, he tells him where to go. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:13.139 And so that God's will is done. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:16.259 But that requires obedience. 00:31:17.699 --> 00:31:19.559 And submission to God's will. 00:31:20.679 --> 00:31:25.039 So in the Bible, we have the word of God that instructs us in his will. 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:30.219 And we have the Holy Spirit living within us to guide us as we live out our lives. 00:31:31.399 --> 00:31:36.139 But how different would our lives be if we spent our time more concerned 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:39.259 with how we could accomplish God's will 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:43.900 rather than how we can make our own lives more comfortable? 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:49.000 How different would our lives be if we submitted fully 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:52.720 and obediently to God's word 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:56.800 and lived out our Christian faith in every single area of our life? 00:31:56.799 --> 00:32:00.480 I think we'd see a big difference. 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:06.639 In this whole chapter, God's anointed king is being humbled. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:11.079 He's gone from a king's court to a cave. 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:14.299 From being the commander of a thousand men 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:17.799 to the leader of an army of 400 outcasts. 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:21.700 Looking at this from the outside, 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:24.519 he is not a leader anyone would want to get behind. 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:29.619 Everyone in their right mind would walk away. 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.740 In fact, they'd run away. 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:35.980 But they stay because he is God's anointed. 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:40.839 Doesn't this remind you of Jesus, our king, 00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:42.619 who did the completely unexpected 00:32:42.619 --> 00:32:45.839 and sat with the tax collectors and sinners, 00:32:45.959 --> 00:32:47.359 the outcasts of Israel? 00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:52.359 Instead of the religious leaders and the rulers, 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:57.759 Jesus started off his ministry with 12 men, 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.859 a group of misfits 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:03.239 who were ordinary people, 00:33:04.159 --> 00:33:07.659 a cause that nobody in their right mind would join. 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:13.680 But today there is an estimated 2.3 billion Christians in the world. 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:20.660 David is being prepared for a life of service for God. 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:25.060 Jesus is God's ultimate servant king 00:33:25.060 --> 00:33:27.580 who became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:30.040 And he is calling us to himself, 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:34.220 preparing us for a life of obedience and suffering. 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:37.860 So what does our king call us to do? 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:42.039 Well, we'll finish with these words in just a few moments. 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:45.980 This is our God, the servant king. 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.680 And this is what he does. 00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:50.660 He calls us to follow him, 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:55.360 to bring our lives as a daily offering 00:33:55.360 --> 00:33:58.519 of worship to the servant king. 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:04.440 We are called into a life of obedient service 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:07.400 of a great, great king. 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:10.780 And that service isn't easy, 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:13.639 but the glory that awaits those who finish well 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:17.159 is far beyond any struggle that we face here and now. 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:21.860 Preparation isn't always easy, 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:24.780 but preparation by God 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:27.140 and for his service 00:34:27.140 --> 00:34:29.760 in obedience to his king 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:33.920 is always, always worth it. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.559 Keep going. 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:38.860 Keep being obedient. 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:41.220 Let's pray together. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:47.880 And just in the quietness of our own hearts, 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:51.260 maybe there is something that you need to bring before the Lord. 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:56.320 Or maybe you're in a situation where you need his help. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:59.559 Use this time to cry out to him. 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:10.039 Heavenly Father, our prayer is simple. 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:15.579 Turn our desperation into service. 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:22.340 Turn our fear into praise. 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:28.380 And turn our prayers into a greater trust for you. 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:31.880 For your glory and fame alone. 00:35:32.759 --> 00:35:34.039 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.019 Amen. 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.219 Amen. 00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:57.960 Amen. 00:35:57.960 --> 00:36:00.039 Amen.