WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:04.459 Well, turn with me to 1 Samuel, chapter 23. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:12.179 We're continuing in our series in this book tonight. 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.460 It's a bit of a long chapter, so I'm going to start by reading the first half, 00:00:24.460 --> 00:00:29.359 and then we will get into some of the second half as we go along. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.320 1 Samuel 23, if you're looking at a pew Bible, that's page 245. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:35.780 Now they told David, 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:43.179 Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Calah and are robbing the threshing floors. 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:45.240 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:47.760 Shall I go and attack these Philistines? 00:00:48.340 --> 00:00:49.439 And the Lord said to David, 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:51.939 Go and attack the Philistines and save Calah. 00:00:52.539 --> 00:00:54.039 But David's men said to him, 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:56.539 Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. 00:00:56.539 --> 00:01:00.280 How much more than if we go to Calah against the armies of the Philistines? 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:02.519 Then David inquired of the Lord again. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:04.519 And the Lord answered him, 00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:08.480 Arise, go down to Calah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:11.939 And David and his men went to Calah and fought with the Philistines 00:01:11.939 --> 00:01:14.700 and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. 00:01:15.460 --> 00:01:18.500 So David saved the inhabitants of Calah. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:23.640 When Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, had fled to David, to Calah, 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.000 he had come down with an ephod in his hand. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:29.219 Now it was told Saul that David had come to Calah. 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:30.840 And Saul said, 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:32.620 God has given him into my hand, 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:36.640 for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:39.260 And Saul summoned all the people to war, 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:42.200 to go down to Calah, to besiege David and his men. 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:45.019 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him, 00:01:45.060 --> 00:01:46.480 and he said to Abiathar the priest, 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:47.879 Bring the ephod here. 00:01:49.079 --> 00:01:49.579 Then David said, 00:01:49.620 --> 00:01:51.439 O Lord, the God of Israel, 00:01:51.540 --> 00:01:54.560 your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Calah 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.180 to destroy the city on my account. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:59.159 Will the men of Calah surrender me into his hand? 00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:01.960 Will Saul come down as your servant has heard, 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:04.200 O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant. 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:05.019 And the Lord said, 00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:06.640 He will come down. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:08.340 Then David said, 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:11.680 Will the men of Calah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul? 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:13.159 And the Lord said, 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:14.199 They will surrender you. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:16.080 Then David and his men, 00:02:16.139 --> 00:02:16.939 who were about 600, 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:18.420 arose and departed from Calah, 00:02:18.419 --> 00:02:20.119 and they went wherever they could go. 00:02:21.059 --> 00:02:23.239 When Saul was told that David had escaped from Calah, 00:02:23.299 --> 00:02:24.299 he gave up the expedition. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:28.379 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, 00:02:28.659 --> 00:02:30.719 in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.039 And Saul sought him every day, 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:35.620 but God did not give him into his hand. 00:02:35.679 --> 00:02:37.919 Have you ever been betrayed? 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:45.219 Maybe you sacrificed to help someone who is desperate and in need. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:49.419 Maybe you loaned them some money when they were broke, 00:02:49.459 --> 00:02:55.000 or you spent long hours on the phone or in person walking with them through a crisis. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:59.080 Or you advocated for them when they were wrongfully accused. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:02.120 But then perhaps sometime later, 00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:05.300 you came to them and you needed their help. 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:10.980 And they seemed to quickly forget all that you had done for them. 00:03:12.180 --> 00:03:17.340 And they left you hanging and made excuses or seemed to think nothing of it. 00:03:18.540 --> 00:03:21.140 Maybe there was someone that you thought you could count on. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:23.599 A long-time friend, 00:03:24.359 --> 00:03:25.519 or a neighbor, 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:27.539 a family member, 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:29.599 trusted co-worker, 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:32.879 maybe even your husband or wife. 00:03:33.779 --> 00:03:35.099 And then they cheated on you. 00:03:36.299 --> 00:03:37.399 They talked behind your back, 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:39.159 hid the truth from you, 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:40.259 stole your money, 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:43.859 and now you're dealing with all the painful consequences. 00:03:45.239 --> 00:03:46.079 Being betrayed. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:48.539 And you know that you can't trust them anymore, 00:03:48.619 --> 00:03:49.539 and it hurts. 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:52.439 This was David's situation 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:54.780 in this chapter. 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:58.219 Twice, not just once, but twice, 00:03:59.519 --> 00:04:00.219 he was betrayed 00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:04.219 by people who should have been on his side. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:06.919 First, as we just read, 00:04:06.959 --> 00:04:08.959 he was betrayed by the people of Calah. 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:11.459 Now, the people of Calah had been in trouble. 00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:13.419 Verse 1, 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.259 the Philistines were fighting against them, 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:17.420 robbing their threshing floors. 00:04:17.539 --> 00:04:18.019 In other words, 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:21.060 they were seizing the stores of grain, 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:22.219 their food storehouses. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:23.779 They were frustrating their work, 00:04:23.859 --> 00:04:28.219 and they were threatening their ability to feed themselves. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:29.759 They were threatening their very lives. 00:04:31.159 --> 00:04:32.439 And David stood up for them. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:36.639 And he went down to Calah. 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:37.939 He fought with the Philistines. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:39.399 He brought away their livestock, 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:40.659 struck them with a great blow. 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:40.960 It says, 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:41.960 David saved. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.480 He rescued the inhabitants of Calah. 00:04:46.320 --> 00:04:46.720 Courageously. 00:04:48.400 --> 00:04:49.000 And you know, 00:04:49.140 --> 00:04:51.640 at this point in the book of Samuel, 00:04:51.760 --> 00:04:52.660 David is not 00:04:52.660 --> 00:04:55.140 a powerful king 00:04:55.140 --> 00:04:56.820 with a great big army, 00:04:56.980 --> 00:04:58.480 reigning from a huge palace, 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:00.580 and he just sends a detachment out there 00:05:00.580 --> 00:05:01.360 to do the job. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.540 He's hiding out in the wilderness, 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:05.420 running away from Saul, 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:06.500 who wants to kill him. 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:09.639 It says the people that he was commanding 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:11.360 were in distress, 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:13.060 in debt, 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:14.939 and discontented. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:17.879 Just imagine leading that group of people. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:20.000 Distressed, 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:20.759 indebted, 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:21.519 discontented. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:23.519 We talked about that last week. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:25.480 But that's where David was. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:27.040 He wasn't doing that well himself, 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:28.259 but he sacrificed 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:30.839 to go down to Calah 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:33.279 and take a risk. 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:36.359 And he saved them 00:05:36.359 --> 00:05:37.759 by God's power 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:38.579 and God's grace 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:39.879 and God's direction. 00:05:40.479 --> 00:05:41.419 And he won a great victory 00:05:41.419 --> 00:05:42.139 on their behalf. 00:05:42.239 --> 00:05:42.759 But then, 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:46.120 when David needed help, 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:48.079 the people were ready 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:48.719 to hand him over. 00:05:51.299 --> 00:05:52.479 Saul summoned the people 00:05:52.479 --> 00:05:53.719 to besiege David, 00:05:54.039 --> 00:05:54.839 surround Calah, 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:56.259 and David said to the Lord, 00:05:56.339 --> 00:05:57.000 will Saul come down? 00:05:57.099 --> 00:05:57.319 Yes, 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.439 will the people surrender me? 00:05:59.239 --> 00:05:59.500 Yes, 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:00.439 they will surrender you. 00:06:01.639 --> 00:06:02.439 And so David fled. 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:03.719 And it said, 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:05.359 he and his men 00:06:05.359 --> 00:06:07.139 went wherever they could go. 00:06:09.219 --> 00:06:09.599 Now, 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:10.079 in one sense, 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:11.379 the reaction of the people of Calah 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:12.079 was understandable. 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:14.339 They had the whole king of Israel 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:15.859 trying to mobilize 00:06:15.859 --> 00:06:16.620 the whole nation 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:18.979 to besiege their small city. 00:06:21.339 --> 00:06:22.539 And in the last chapter, 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:23.479 Saul's henchmen 00:06:23.479 --> 00:06:24.620 had just massacred 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:27.659 all the priests at Nob 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:29.639 and had leveled the whole town. 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:32.560 So we can understand 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.519 why the people of Calah 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:34.299 would be fearful. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:37.239 Why they might think, 00:06:37.479 --> 00:06:39.839 let's save our own skin 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.139 by handing over David. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:44.479 They were just trying 00:06:44.479 --> 00:06:45.259 to stay alive 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.019 any way they could. 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:49.319 But you know, 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.519 what they had forgotten 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:52.899 was that they had just been 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:53.899 in the same situation 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:55.339 with the Philistines. 00:06:55.339 --> 00:06:56.699 The Philistines were besieging them. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.759 The Philistines were robbing 00:06:57.759 --> 00:06:58.439 their threshing floors 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:59.259 and David came down 00:06:59.259 --> 00:06:59.899 to save them. 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:01.659 And now they were 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:03.119 in the same kind of situation 00:07:03.119 --> 00:07:04.579 with Saul threatening them 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:05.019 and they're ready 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:05.899 to hand David over 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:07.299 who had just delivered them 00:07:07.299 --> 00:07:08.959 from that same kind of situation. 00:07:10.919 --> 00:07:12.099 So there you go. 00:07:12.159 --> 00:07:13.279 David was betrayed once 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:14.859 by the people 00:07:14.859 --> 00:07:16.579 he had just rescued. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.459 But he was also betrayed 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:19.339 a second time 00:07:19.339 --> 00:07:21.019 by the people of Ziph. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:22.919 Go down to verse 19. 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:25.719 Then the Ziphites 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:27.240 went up to Saul 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:27.979 at Gibeah. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:30.759 So David, 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:31.659 verse 14 says 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:32.319 David was staying 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:33.299 in the wilderness of Ziph. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:34.399 Verse 19, 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:35.079 the Ziphites went up 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:35.740 to Saul at Gibeah 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:36.000 saying, 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:37.759 Is not David hiding among us 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.120 in the strongholds 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:39.740 at Horesh 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:41.399 on the hill of Haculah 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:42.639 which is south of Jeshamon? 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:43.899 Now come down, O king, 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:45.759 according to all your heart's 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:46.639 desire to come down 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:47.799 and our part shall be 00:07:47.799 --> 00:07:48.919 to surrender him 00:07:48.919 --> 00:07:50.039 into the king's hand. 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:53.979 These guys go to Saul 00:07:53.979 --> 00:07:55.539 on their own initiative. 00:07:56.359 --> 00:07:57.379 They don't wait for him 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:57.879 to threaten 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:59.079 to besiege their city. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:00.399 They say, 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:02.139 Saul, we want to help you. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:03.879 Here's this guy David. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:05.500 We'll help you capture him. 00:08:08.099 --> 00:08:10.779 Now both Ziph and Calah 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:12.819 were in the territory of Judah. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:15.339 David's home tribe. 00:08:16.299 --> 00:08:17.959 They should have been loyal to David 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:20.240 more than anywhere else in Israel. 00:08:21.799 --> 00:08:22.719 And yet they're ready 00:08:22.719 --> 00:08:23.399 to hand him over. 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.000 The people in Calah 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:27.599 were flaky 00:08:27.599 --> 00:08:29.359 and fearful. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:31.000 The people in Ziph 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.340 were simply treacherous 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.579 and unreliable. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:34.779 And as a result, 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:35.539 David was left 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.439 to fend for himself. 00:08:36.579 --> 00:08:36.899 He was 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:38.419 out in the wilderness. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:40.399 Five times in this chapter, 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:41.460 verse 14, 00:08:41.579 --> 00:08:42.120 verse 24, 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:42.939 verse 25, 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:46.020 it says David was in the wilderness. 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:48.620 Hiding out in the wilderness. 00:08:49.300 --> 00:08:50.200 Hiding out in the wilderness. 00:08:52.920 --> 00:08:54.800 David was betrayed by men. 00:08:55.800 --> 00:08:56.540 That's the first thing 00:08:56.540 --> 00:08:57.440 we see in this chapter. 00:08:59.300 --> 00:08:59.940 And you know, 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:02.300 if you've been in a situation 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:03.120 like this, 00:09:03.920 --> 00:09:06.860 there's temptations that come 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.800 when we've been betrayed. 00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:11.659 Right? 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:12.860 Temptations to despair. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:15.340 And 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:17.680 just want to 00:09:17.680 --> 00:09:18.800 completely give up. 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:21.259 Temptations to 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:22.360 become bitter 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.759 and enraged. 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:26.720 And have bitterness and rage 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.379 burning deep within us. 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:30.300 Temptations to 00:09:30.300 --> 00:09:32.379 never trust anyone ever again. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.360 And simply try to live 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:35.100 a self-enclosed, 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.439 self-protected life. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:39.580 You know that we see 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.200 that God 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:42.059 draws near to David 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.840 when he's been betrayed. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:47.340 We see three ways 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:48.080 in this chapter 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:49.580 that when David 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:50.779 had been betrayed by men 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:51.639 that he was strengthened 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:52.939 by God. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:55.240 So first we see 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:56.299 God gave him guidance 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:58.120 from Abiathar, 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.220 from a wise counselor. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:09:59.700 Second, 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:00.500 we see God sent him 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.059 encouragement 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.159 from a faithful friend, 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:02.779 from Jonathan. 00:10:03.219 --> 00:10:03.559 And third, 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.519 we'll see that he sent him 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:06.159 protection from the rock 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:06.879 itself. 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:08.079 So we're going to go through 00:10:08.079 --> 00:10:08.819 these three ways 00:10:08.819 --> 00:10:09.199 that God 00:10:09.199 --> 00:10:10.819 strengthened David 00:10:10.819 --> 00:10:13.679 and see how he 00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:15.799 strengthens us 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:16.519 as well. 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:17.799 So first, 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:19.120 the guidance of a wise 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.639 counselor. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:21.919 This is Abiathar. 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:23.519 Abiathar appears 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.819 in verses 2 through 12. 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:25.919 Actually, 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:26.500 verse 6 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:28.199 is where he's first mentioned. 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:28.539 But 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:29.919 verse 6 says, 00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:30.639 when Abiathar, 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.539 the son of Ahimelech, 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.399 had fled to David 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:32.899 and Calah, 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:33.679 he had come down 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:34.480 with an ephod 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.360 in his hand. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:36.419 Now, 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.219 an ephod 00:10:37.219 --> 00:10:39.539 was an instrument 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:41.459 that the priests 00:10:41.459 --> 00:10:42.360 in Israel 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.399 were authorized 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.279 to use 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.219 in the Old Testament 00:10:45.219 --> 00:10:46.839 to seek God's guidance 00:10:46.839 --> 00:10:48.599 in particular situations. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:49.980 We don't know 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:51.000 exactly how it worked, 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.179 but it was 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:53.860 a particular instrument 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.519 that God 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:56.079 had set apart 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:57.159 for them to use 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.199 in order to seek 00:10:58.199 --> 00:10:58.719 guidance. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.019 And verse 6 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:01.340 says, 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:02.320 Abiathar came down 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:02.940 with this 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.340 instrument 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:04.759 for seeking 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:05.800 guidance from the Lord. 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:06.879 And it's actually 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.180 a key verse 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:09.259 in this section. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.379 So if you look at 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.240 verse 2 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.500 through verse 12, 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.560 there's actually 00:11:15.560 --> 00:11:15.980 an interesting 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:16.580 outline 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:18.180 to it. 00:11:19.660 --> 00:11:20.740 So at the beginning 00:11:20.740 --> 00:11:21.440 in verse 2 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:21.860 through 4, 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:22.660 David inquires 00:11:22.660 --> 00:11:23.139 of the Lord 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:23.740 twice. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.139 Should I go 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:25.980 down to Calah? 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:28.200 At the end, 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:28.759 verse 9 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:29.580 through 12, 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:31.480 David also inquires 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:31.899 of the Lord 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:32.460 twice. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.039 Is Saul 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.860 going to come down 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.460 and will they 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.019 hand me over? 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:36.600 In other words, 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:37.460 do I need to leave? 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:39.759 In the middle, 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.700 verse 5, 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:41.680 if you sort of 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:42.360 take the next step 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:42.940 toward the middle, 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.240 verse 5, 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:44.940 David went down 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:45.560 to save Calah. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.300 In verse 7 and 8, 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:47.519 Saul goes down 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.399 to besiege Calah. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:49.500 There's a contrast, 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.120 right? 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:50.680 David goes down 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:51.240 to save them. 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:53.000 Saul goes to destroy them. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.940 And verse 6 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:55.180 is this middle verse. 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:56.920 So this is a way 00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:57.560 that a lot of 00:11:57.560 --> 00:11:58.480 ancient stories 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.060 were organized. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:00.100 They'd sort of 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:02.480 be symmetrical 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.259 on the edges 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:04.180 and have 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:05.620 an important statement 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.080 in the middle 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:06.899 that sort of 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.279 is the key 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:07.920 to the story. 00:12:08.779 --> 00:12:09.580 And verse 6 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:10.220 is that key 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:11.420 that says, 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:12.320 Abiathar had come 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.080 down to David 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:14.360 with an ephod 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:15.100 in his hand. 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:16.220 And so, 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.120 the way the story 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:17.600 is organized, 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.300 I think we're meant 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.279 to see that 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.659 Abiathar 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:21.519 and the ephod 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:24.019 was the way 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.019 that David inquired 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:25.539 of the Lord, 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.379 not just in verses 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.019 9 through 12 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:27.539 at the end, 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.379 but also in verse 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:28.879 2 through 4 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.379 at the beginning. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:31.039 So in other words, 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:33.699 Abiathar, 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.379 the priest, 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.379 the wise counselor, 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.240 gave David 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:37.679 the guidance 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:38.199 he needed. 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.159 So first, 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:40.799 he gave David 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.120 guidance from the Lord 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:43.299 to go down 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:43.799 to Calah 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.299 and rescue the people. 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:46.799 And then, 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:47.379 he gave David 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.100 guidance he needed 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:50.019 to leave 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:50.919 and get away 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:52.579 and don't stay. 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:56.100 Now, 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.100 you might ask, 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:57.240 well, 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:57.980 so what does 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:58.500 this all mean? 00:12:59.540 --> 00:12:59.800 Right? 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.740 So if you want 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.460 guidance from the Lord 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:01.900 today, 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.480 the ephod 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.259 doesn't exist. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:06.920 It's not 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:07.759 one of God's 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.379 appointed means 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:08.820 of guidance 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.660 in the New Testament. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.620 It was there 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:12.160 for a time 00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:12.879 in the Old Testament. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.520 It's not available 00:13:14.520 --> 00:13:14.900 anymore. 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:15.340 But, 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.180 if you're looking 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:16.879 for guidance, 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:17.820 let me give you 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:18.300 three things 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:18.900 to start with. 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.520 Number one, 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.460 Jesus is our 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.480 great high priest. 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:23.600 Abie Ather was a priest. 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.139 Jesus is our 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:24.860 great high priest. 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.460 We can draw near 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.160 to him in prayer. 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:27.660 And it says 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:28.220 we can seek 00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:29.680 grace and mercy 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.860 to help us 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:31.920 in our time of need. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:34.020 So that's the first 00:13:34.020 --> 00:13:34.520 thing we should do 00:13:34.520 --> 00:13:35.160 is seek out God 00:13:35.160 --> 00:13:36.340 and draw near 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:36.700 to Jesus 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:37.340 through prayer. 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:38.020 Second, 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:38.980 we can read 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:39.620 the scriptures 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:41.980 which show us 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.800 God's character 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.700 and his purposes, 00:13:45.780 --> 00:13:46.460 broadly speaking, 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.480 for our lives. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:48.440 Third, 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.379 we can seek 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.040 counsel from 00:13:51.040 --> 00:13:51.920 older and wiser 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:52.440 believers 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:54.200 or even just 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:54.780 other brothers 00:13:54.780 --> 00:13:55.160 and sisters 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:55.600 in Christ 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.140 who are walking 00:13:56.140 --> 00:13:57.180 the road with us 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:58.480 when we face 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.380 difficult and 00:13:59.380 --> 00:14:00.940 complex decisions 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:02.040 or challenges. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.240 And you know, 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.240 a good counselor 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.660 like Abie Ather 00:14:06.660 --> 00:14:10.040 will sometimes 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.080 encourage you 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:11.920 to step out 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:12.480 in faith 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:14.000 and be strong 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.540 and courageous 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.060 like David 00:14:15.060 --> 00:14:15.660 in the beginning. 00:14:17.040 --> 00:14:17.800 David and 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:18.640 especially his men 00:14:18.640 --> 00:14:19.040 were a little 00:14:19.040 --> 00:14:19.460 fearful. 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:19.940 They're like, 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:20.480 really? 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:22.360 we're hiding 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.779 out in the 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.060 wilderness 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:23.700 and you want 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.100 us to go 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:24.899 rescue this 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:25.700 city from 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:26.500 the Philistines? 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:27.580 That's like 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.539 inviting trouble. 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:30.259 It's like making 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.019 our life that much 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.360 harder 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:33.759 and putting us 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.220 in that much 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:34.820 more danger. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.240 Really? 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.420 And God says, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:36.960 no, go. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.240 Be strong 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.759 and courageous. 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.840 I'll be with you. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:43.500 And sometimes 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.000 that's what 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.580 wise counsel 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.120 looks like. 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:46.840 It's saying, 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.060 God is with you. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.560 Trust that he's 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:49.899 with you. 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.680 Even when the odds 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:51.379 seem to be stacked 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.080 against you, 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:53.480 extend yourself. 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:54.540 Sacrifice to help 00:14:54.540 --> 00:14:54.980 someone else 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:55.680 who's in need. 00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.379 Be strong 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:58.820 and courageous 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.620 and go forward. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.200 But you know, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.019 sometimes a good 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.879 counselor will also 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.660 advise you to use 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:06.240 wisdom. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.960 Like at the end. 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:11.820 Will Saul come down? 00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:12.160 Yes. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.200 Will they surrender you? 00:15:13.280 --> 00:15:13.580 Yes. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.660 Get out of here. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:15.600 Leave. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.379 Right? 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.519 Stepping out in faith 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.500 is not the same thing 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.379 as being naive 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:26.019 about people. 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:27.920 Sometimes you need 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:29.000 to keep your distance 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.460 from people 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.500 who aren't trustworthy. 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:34.080 And sometimes 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.900 even if you're willing 00:15:34.900 --> 00:15:36.100 to forgive someone, 00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.340 which we should be 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.500 willing to forgive someone, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:40.860 it's not necessarily 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.139 wise to trust them. 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:46.919 Sometimes we need 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.419 to recognize 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.480 if someone is flaky 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.600 and not put ourselves 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.320 in a situation 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:51.820 where we're 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:53.639 absolutely depending 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:55.279 completely on them. 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.759 That's what we see 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.279 here at the end. 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.620 There's this wise balance 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.299 that sometimes God says 00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:04.500 to us, 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.500 be strong and courageous. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.299 And sometimes he says 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:06.559 to us, 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.320 use wisdom 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:09.080 and be careful. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.759 And that's what 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.899 wise counsel looks like 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.080 from one believer 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.620 to another 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:18.080 by the grace of God. 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.539 So David was courageous 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.519 to go down 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.100 and save Kayla 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.860 and he was wise 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.620 to get up and leave 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.399 when he needed to. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.539 And so that's one way 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.759 God strengthens us. 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.840 It's through the guidance 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.820 of wise counselors. 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:34.700 And if, 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:35.840 like Dave, 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.600 if you're in the wilderness, 00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:37.500 if you've been betrayed, 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.420 that's something we need. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.519 We need God's 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:45.340 wise counsel 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.120 that God provides 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.360 through one another. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.259 Second, 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.700 second way God 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.519 strengthens us 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.700 is through the encouragement 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.920 of faithful friends. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.480 Verse 15 through 18 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.440 talks about Jonathan. 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:59.240 Let me read those verses. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.220 David saw that Saul 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.820 had come out 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.019 to seek his life. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.480 David was in the wilderness 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.480 of Ziph at Horesh 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.019 and Donathan, 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.839 Saul's son, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.259 rose and went to David 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.859 at Horesh 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.099 and strengthened his hand 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.680 in God. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.700 And he said to him, 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.420 do not fear 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:14.279 for the hand of Saul 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.779 my father 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.759 shall not find you. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.380 You shall be king 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.039 over Israel 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.859 and I shall be next to you. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.079 Saul my father 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.099 also knows this. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.180 And the two of them 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.740 made a covenant 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.599 before the Lord. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.359 David remained at Horesh 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.339 and Jonathan went home. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.559 This is the last time 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.879 that David and Jonathan 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:32.959 meet in the book of Samuel. 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.819 But we see once again 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.799 what we've seen all along 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.740 is Jonathan's fierce loyalty 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.699 to David. 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:42.379 His steadfast commitment 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.399 to him. 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.399 Even when David was betrayed, 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.879 even when he was hiding out 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:47.359 in the wilderness, 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.939 Jonathan sought him out. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.959 He went out to him 00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:51.679 to encourage him 00:17:51.679 --> 00:17:53.740 and reaffirm his loyalty to him. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:57.460 In the New Testament 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.019 it says, 00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.420 in the book of Hebrews 00:17:59.420 --> 00:17:59.759 it says, 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:01.599 encourage one another 00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:03.539 every day. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.120 It also says, 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.180 let's not give up 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.960 meeting together 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:09.680 as some are in the habit 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.039 of doing 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.359 but let us encourage 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:11.960 one another. 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.220 That's part of why 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.759 we gather 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.359 every Sunday. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.359 And in small group 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:18.880 Bible studies 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:19.279 during the week 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.559 to encourage one another 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:22.059 like the Bible says. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.139 Like Jonathan did 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.639 for David. 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.639 And Jonathan is a great 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.559 example of what 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.779 Christian encouragement 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.579 looks like. 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:31.899 You know, 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.339 first of all, 00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:33.059 Jonathan's encouragement 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.859 was intentional. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.359 Think about what 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.139 Jonathan did 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:38.099 to go find David 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.879 in the middle 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.480 of the wilderness. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.519 Jonathan didn't just 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.899 wander into church 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.599 some night 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.839 and, you know, 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.619 the service ends 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.639 and somebody comes up to you 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.399 or, you know, 00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:46.980 you see somebody 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.359 and you say, 00:18:47.419 --> 00:18:47.859 hey, you know, 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.000 I was thinking of you 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.419 this week. 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.560 I wanted to encourage you. 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:52.200 You know, 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.519 I was praying for you. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.320 Whatever. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.200 No, he didn't just 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.800 run into David. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.700 He didn't just run into him 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.160 on the street 00:18:59.160 --> 00:18:59.740 casually. 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:02.640 It says, 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.480 he rose and went 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.480 to David at Horesh. 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.380 David was hiding 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:06.060 out in the wilderness. 00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:08.740 Think, 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.560 imagine Jonathan. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.740 Okay, 00:19:11.100 --> 00:19:11.820 David's hiding out 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.300 from Saul. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.800 I have to go find him. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.240 I don't know 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.820 where he is. 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.460 He's constantly 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.180 moving around. 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.340 I can't ask anyone 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.559 who might betray 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.899 me to Saul. 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.459 Right? 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.679 He has to go through 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:25.379 all this danger, 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.379 all this difficulty, 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.720 climbing the rugged hills, 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.399 trekking through the woods, 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.919 wandering through the desert, 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.119 trying to find David 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:33.159 to encourage him. 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:37.839 You know, 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:38.439 what does it look like 00:19:38.439 --> 00:19:39.439 for us to intentionally 00:19:39.439 --> 00:19:41.039 encourage one another 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.339 as brothers and sisters 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:42.919 in Christ? 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:45.640 you know, 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.200 maybe you notice 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:48.180 that there's someone 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.960 who you haven't seen 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.080 for a few weeks 00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.740 here at church. 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.500 Or maybe someone 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.500 shared a prayer request 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.300 in your small group 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.019 that they've been 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.600 struggling with depression 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:58.440 or discouragement 00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:59.019 or doubt. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.680 Or maybe you know 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.340 a fellow believer 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:02.580 who's just swamped. 00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:04.279 They're swamped with work 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:04.980 or they're swamped 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.120 with family responsibilities 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:07.160 or health problems. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.380 What would it look like 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.340 to encourage them 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:09.940 intentionally? 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:12.940 Well, first of all, 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.420 I think it looks like 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.880 noticing 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.440 that someone 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.140 needs encouragement. 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:18.140 Sometimes, honestly, 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.299 we're too self-centered 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:20.720 to even notice 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:22.779 when our brothers 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.279 and sisters, 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:25.140 even sitting right next to us, 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.380 need encouragement. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.200 You know, 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.779 but what if you know 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.680 someone needs encouragement? 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:30.900 Well, maybe start by 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:32.019 praying for them regularly. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.880 If someone shares 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.500 a prayer request 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.840 at your small group, 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.620 pray for them 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:39.880 sometime during that 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.180 week. 00:20:41.760 --> 00:20:42.460 And then maybe 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.740 shoot them a text message 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:45.320 or call them and say, 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.700 I just wanted you to know 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.920 I was praying for you today. 00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:51.400 Or I just wanted to check in 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:51.740 and say, 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.940 how's it going? 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.200 I know you're going 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.000 through a rough time. 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:56.700 Or maybe you even need 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.640 to do what Jonathan did. 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.780 Maybe show up 00:20:58.780 --> 00:20:59.580 at their doorstep 00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:01.320 and bring a pizza. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.320 Say, here, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.340 I wanted to bring you dinner. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:06.960 You know, 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.880 or drop by their office. 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:09.000 Sometimes there's no substitute 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.099 for actually showing up 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.740 in person. 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.759 Now, I'm not talking 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.640 about stalking. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.539 Okay? 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.220 I'm not talking about 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.059 stalking somebody 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.220 that you don't really know 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.279 or somebody who doesn't 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.960 really want you 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.420 to encourage them. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.980 I'm talking about 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.640 what it looks like 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.220 to treat each other 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.940 like family 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.880 in the church. 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.480 These are the things 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.079 that you do for 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.019 family 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.900 or close friends. 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.380 And that's what the Bible 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.160 calls us to be 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.799 for each other. 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.539 It's brothers and sisters 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.159 in Christ 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:38.500 who have each other's back. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:43.159 And who go through 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:43.759 the trouble 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:45.680 to intentionally 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.420 encourage 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.519 one another. 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.599 But you know, 00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:50.659 what Jonathan does here, 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:53.299 well, 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.579 and the reason 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:56.299 we can do that 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.740 is, 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.599 think about this, 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.579 that's what Jesus Christ 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.480 has done for us. 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.839 Jesus has sought us out 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.759 when we were lost 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.399 and wandering. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:05.600 He's brought us 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.320 near to Himself. 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.160 He sent His Spirit 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.259 to encourage us 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.720 and be with us 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:12.440 when we're depressed 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.300 or despairing 00:22:13.300 --> 00:22:14.080 or feel betrayed 00:22:14.080 --> 00:22:14.700 or alone. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.000 He's there. 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:21.660 But what we also see 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.040 in Jonathan 00:22:22.040 --> 00:22:22.759 is that encouragement 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.780 is not just intentional. 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:24.900 Encouragement's about, 00:22:25.780 --> 00:22:26.820 and encouragement's not just 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.900 about being with people 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.440 yourself. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.100 It's about 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:31.960 pointing people to God. 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.759 What does Jonathan do? 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.440 Verse 16, 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:35.819 it says, 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:36.480 He strengthened 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.860 David's hand 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:39.400 in God. 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.779 What does he say to him? 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:42.019 He says, 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.640 Don't fear, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.380 for the hand of Saul 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.740 my father shall not find you. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.400 You shall be king 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.019 over Israel, 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.900 and I shall be next to you. 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:51.700 He, 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.039 he, 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.100 he, 00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:52.600 he, 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:55.700 strengthens David's hand 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.420 in God. 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.539 All right, 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.700 he brings God's word 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.539 and God's presence 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.059 to David. 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:03.259 And he reminds him 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.299 of God's promises 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.559 that one day 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.659 David would be king. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.779 Now sadly, 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:10.980 Jonathan actually 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.740 wouldn't be standing 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.399 beside him. 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.700 Although David would care 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.859 for Jonathan's family. 00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:19.460 Jonathan dies 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:21.139 before David becomes king. 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.099 But, 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:24.460 but it is true 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:26.279 that God had promised David 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.220 and he had sent 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:27.899 the prophet Samuel 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.640 to anoint him, 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.600 after all, 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.180 right? 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:32.140 God had made a promise 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.040 that David would one day 00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.400 be king. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.380 And Jonathan reaffirms 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.100 God's promise. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:35.880 So that's, 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.300 that's what true 00:23:37.300 --> 00:23:38.060 Christian encouragement 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.600 looks like. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.600 It's not just going 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:40.280 to be with people 00:23:40.280 --> 00:23:40.860 because you know what? 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.580 Jonathan could only 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:42.360 stay with David 00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:43.680 for a short time. 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.340 Eventually, 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.320 he returned home 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:46.900 and actually he, 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:47.240 it, 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.759 this is the last time 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.440 that we have a record 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.500 that Jonathan saw David. 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:51.580 You know, 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:53.080 you can't always be there 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.560 24-7 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.519 for every single person 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.340 you're trying to encourage. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.740 And you can't expect 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.199 somebody else 00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:59.259 to do that for you either 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.439 if you need encouragement. 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.480 But what you can do 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.299 is go and be with someone 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.319 and remind them 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.079 of God's word 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.439 and remind them 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.359 of God's presence. 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:11.599 And you going to be with them 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:13.240 is a physical reminder, 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.339 a physical sign 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.859 to them 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:18.059 that God hasn't left you alone 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.099 and he won't. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:20.059 And even when 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.079 you go home, 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.899 God hasn't left them. 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:27.519 So that's what 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.960 Christian encouragement 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.019 looks like. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.800 Jonathan strengthened 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:33.040 David's hand in God 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:34.460 even though it seemed like 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.820 everything was up for grabs. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.519 You know, 00:24:37.560 --> 00:24:38.320 throughout this chapter 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:38.880 there's actually, 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.000 if you've noticed, 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.320 the word hand 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:44.080 occurs over and over. 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.440 And verse 4, 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.519 God says to David, 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:49.300 I'll give the Philistines 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:50.300 into your hand. 00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:52.080 Then verse 7, 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.819 Saul says, 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.539 oh, 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.659 God has given David 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.799 into my hand. 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.399 Verse 11 and 12, 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.299 will the men of Cala 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.839 surrender me 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.539 into Saul's hand? 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.419 Yes, they will. 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:02.099 But then verse 14 says, 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.119 God didn't give David 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.899 into Saul's hand. 00:25:03.939 --> 00:25:04.559 And so there's this 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.419 sort of question. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.819 Everything seems up for grabs. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.240 Saul's, 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.519 is it in Saul's hands? 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.559 Is it in David's hands? 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.859 And Jonathan says, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:12.119 remember, 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:15.779 you are in God's hand. 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:18.920 And Jesus Christ said, 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.859 I'm the good shepherd 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:23.339 and I give my sheep 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.240 eternal life 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.639 and they shall never perish 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.639 and no one 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:28.200 can snatch them 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:30.299 out of my hand. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.079 So if you have put your trust 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.819 in Jesus Christ 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.480 as your Lord 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.119 and your Savior 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.220 and your good shepherd, 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.759 no one can take you 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.759 and snatch you away 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:40.839 from God's good hand. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.539 Be reminded of that. 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:44.700 So, 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.960 that's encouragement. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.980 So we've seen 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.940 wise counsel. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.680 We've seen friendly, 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.779 the encouragement 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.420 of a friend. 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.180 And third, 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.740 we see protection 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.659 from the rock. 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.579 Verse 24 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:58.420 to the end of the chapter. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.359 Let me read. 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.200 Now David and his men 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.819 were in the wilderness 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:03.159 of Maon 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:03.799 in the Arabah 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.839 to the south of Jeshamon 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.599 and Saul and his men 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.279 went to seek him 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.119 and David was told 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:07.920 so he went down 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.700 to the rock 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.720 and lived in the wilderness 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.259 of Maon. 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.480 And when Saul heard that, 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.440 he pursued after David 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.420 in the wilderness of Maon. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.119 Notice, 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.460 wilderness, 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:16.839 wilderness, 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.200 wilderness, 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.579 wilderness. 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.259 Saul went on one side 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.680 of the mountain 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.559 and David and his men 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.180 on the other side 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.539 of the mountain 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.480 and David was hurrying 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.500 to get away from Saul 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.680 and Saul and his men 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.759 were closing in on David 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.899 and his men to capture them 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:28.379 and a messenger came to Saul 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.720 saying, 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.559 hurry and come 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.940 for the Philistines 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.539 have made a raid 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.220 against the land. 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.240 So Saul returned 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:35.039 from pursuing after David 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.279 and went against the Philistines. 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:36.619 Therefore, 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.779 that place was called 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:40.279 the Rock of Escape. 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:47.399 Seems like Saul's closing in. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.619 Saul's on one side 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:49.980 of the mountain, 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.819 David's on the other. 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.819 David's trying to get away 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.579 and suddenly 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:55.920 a messenger comes to Saul. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.200 Saul has to go off 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:57.859 and deal with another 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:59.139 threat to his kingdom. 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.200 David's saved 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.420 just in the nick of time 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.180 and he says 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.440 it's called 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:05.420 the Rock of Escape 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:08.039 or the Rock of Parting 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.339 or the Rock of Divisions. 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:12.159 And you know, 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.299 what you see in this story 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:15.740 is that there was one thing 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.359 that stood between David 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:19.819 and death. 00:27:20.439 --> 00:27:21.240 Between David 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.579 and Saul 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.699 who was coming after him. 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:25.279 It was the rock, 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.379 the mountain 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:28.480 that he was standing on. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.139 Right? 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.939 Saul's on one side, 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.839 David's on the other side, 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.819 Saul's coming after him 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:34.279 and the only thing 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.879 that's standing between 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.399 Saul and David 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.119 is that rock. 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.179 Right? 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.419 And that rock 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:43.220 was a physical demonstration 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:45.000 of God's presence 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.359 protecting David. 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.899 Now the book of Samuel 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:51.879 begins and ends 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:53.059 with a song. 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.159 It begins with 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:55.980 the song of Hannah 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:58.500 and in the beginning 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.359 of Hannah's song 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.559 in 1 Samuel chapter 2 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.339 Hannah says 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:03.579 there is no rock 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:06.000 like our God. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:08.400 And at the end of Samuel 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:10.140 2 Samuel 22 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.599 it ends with David's song 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.819 and David's song 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.579 begins 00:28:13.579 --> 00:28:16.019 The Lord is my rock 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:18.500 and my fortress 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.000 and my deliverer. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:25.619 My God is the rock 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.420 of my salvation 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.339 who brought me out 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.039 from my enemies 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.940 who delivered me 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.059 from men of violence. 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.000 You see God 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.160 is that rock 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:35.259 that stands between us 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.059 and our enemies 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:37.640 and between us 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.119 and death. 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:41.079 He's our refuge 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:42.099 and our strength 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.240 in times of trouble. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.140 And even when 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.480 your friend 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.320 has visited you 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:50.200 and gone 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:53.560 and even 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:55.600 even if you're still 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:57.160 looking for wise counsel 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:58.780 you can still depend 00:28:58.780 --> 00:28:59.360 on 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.800 God 00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.460 to be 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.259 your rock. 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.480 God's the one 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.180 constant 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:09.200 the one that we can 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.680 count on 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.560 even when nobody else 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:11.420 is there for us. 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.660 And that psalm 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.720 that Pastor Nick read 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:17.579 between two of the songs 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.420 Psalm 54 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.160 was written 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.279 it says 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:21.019 when David was in 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.000 the wilderness of Ziph 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.980 and the Ziphites 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.819 went to Saul 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.960 and wanted to hand David over 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.960 and he wrote that psalm 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.319 that says 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.380 God is my helper 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.380 God is the upholder 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:29.980 of my life 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.299 he is the one 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:34.000 he is the rock. 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.900 David was betrayed 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.600 by men 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.019 but he was 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.140 he was strengthened 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:42.120 by God. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.059 Through his guidance 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.980 through 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:47.940 through encouragement 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:50.200 and through protection. 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.940 Now what do we take away 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.440 from this? 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.759 I want to step back 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.359 from this chapter 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.099 for a little bit 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:58.720 and just talk about 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.339 where we are 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.200 in the story of David. 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.299 As I've said 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.700 this section of Samuel 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.740 focuses on David 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.700 being in the wilderness 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.399 when David was betrayed 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:09.619 when people were 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.599 seeking his life 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:12.859 when he was 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:14.500 enduring great hardships 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:16.480 and only later on 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:18.039 would David be exalted 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.359 and come to rule 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.879 over a glorious kingdom. 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:23.019 And there's a pattern 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.659 in the Bible 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:25.059 that suffering 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:28.039 comes before glory. 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.059 The wilderness 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:32.099 comes before 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.659 the promised land. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:35.300 and betrayal 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.320 and hardship 00:30:36.320 --> 00:30:38.060 come before 00:30:38.060 --> 00:30:39.279 the kingdom. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.500 In the New Testament 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:45.540 in Luke 24 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:47.480 Jesus said to his followers 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.480 on the road to Emmaus 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.820 he said 00:30:48.820 --> 00:30:50.320 was it not necessary 00:30:50.320 --> 00:30:51.960 that the Christ 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:53.740 the anointed one 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.320 the Messiah 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:56.080 should suffer 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:57.140 these things 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:59.360 and then enter 00:30:59.360 --> 00:31:00.160 into his glory. 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:02.660 And it says 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.460 beginning with Moses 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.240 and all the prophets 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.779 he showed them 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:06.279 interpreted to them 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.940 in all the scriptures 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.180 the things concerning himself. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.960 And sometimes you might wonder 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:11.700 well where does it say 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.500 in the Old Testament 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.360 that the Messiah 00:31:13.360 --> 00:31:14.360 would suffer 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:15.200 and then 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:16.220 be glorified? 00:31:18.040 --> 00:31:19.140 Well yes it says it 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:20.000 in Isaiah 53 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.100 and in Psalm 22 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:21.779 and in some of the 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.540 prophetic texts 00:31:22.540 --> 00:31:24.560 but you know 00:31:24.560 --> 00:31:25.320 this story 00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:28.279 of the story of David 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.240 in the book of Samuel 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.140 sets a pattern 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:32.039 that goes through 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.680 the whole Bible. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.059 And in the story 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.480 of David 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.359 God was laying down 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:36.859 a pattern 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:38.319 for the future Messiah 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.359 the ultimate king 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.079 King Jesus. 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.099 And the pattern 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.799 of David's life 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.400 was suffering 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.400 that eventually 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.299 led to glory. 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.240 And that's the very road 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.079 that Jesus walked. 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:52.299 He went into the wilderness 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:54.440 he was betrayed 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:57.400 he was humiliated 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:59.920 he was killed. 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.300 But then 00:32:02.300 --> 00:32:04.060 God raised Jesus 00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:04.759 from the dead 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:06.720 and just as David 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.380 was strengthened 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:07.940 by God 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.480 in the wilderness 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:10.100 and later on 00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.820 exalted to be 00:32:10.820 --> 00:32:11.440 the greatest king 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.800 of Israel 00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:13.000 God strengthened Jesus 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:14.240 through his sufferings 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.620 and then God 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.320 exalted him 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:17.180 as Lord and Savior 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.740 over all 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.500 in his resurrection 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:22.220 and he's our king 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.180 our great 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:23.800 and true king. 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:27.079 So in the story 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.339 of David 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.899 we see a picture 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.319 of Jesus 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:28.919 who's to come 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:29.619 but we also see 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.019 a pattern 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.639 of our lives 00:32:30.639 --> 00:32:31.099 as believers 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.759 in Jesus. 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.940 Because the New Testament 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.519 also says 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.680 it says in Acts 14 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.119 22 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:37.359 through many hardships 00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.919 we must enter 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:39.799 the kingdom of God. 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.559 And just like David 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:44.599 had to live 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.079 in the wilderness 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:46.480 and go through 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.079 sufferings 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:47.960 and even be betrayed. 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:52.480 The Bible says 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:52.960 that that's 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:54.200 often what will 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.600 characterize 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.600 our life on earth. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.440 But there is 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.220 a glorious kingdom 00:32:59.220 --> 00:32:59.660 to come. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.920 When Jesus comes again 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:03.960 and if we put 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.559 our trust in him 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.640 we will be part 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:07.100 of that eternal kingdom. 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.960 And all the suffering 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.900 and all the time 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.380 in the wilderness 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.539 and all the betrayals 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.600 and all the tears 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.579 will be washed away. 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:21.700 And in the midst of 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.440 while we walk 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.079 that path 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:25.160 we can be confident 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:25.840 that like David 00:33:25.840 --> 00:33:27.059 even though we may 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.579 be betrayed 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.539 God will provide. 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.940 He provides 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.980 through wise counselors 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.920 like Abiyathar 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.779 he provides 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.759 through faithful friends 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.340 like Jonathan 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:35.259 and he provides 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:37.620 by being our rock 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:40.039 who protects us 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.940 who stands 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:42.160 in between us 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.240 and death. 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.579 Isn't that what Christ 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.340 did on the cross? 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:50.579 And one day 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.160 in the resurrection 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:51.680 he'll bring us 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.079 to glory. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:52.680 Let's pray. 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.420 Lord God 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:58.920 we thank you 00:33:58.920 --> 00:33:59.680 for your faithfulness 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.079 to David. 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.400 We thank you 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.019 that even in 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:03.160 a dark time 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.759 of his life 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.420 when he was 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:04.880 betrayed 00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:06.600 twice 00:34:06.600 --> 00:34:08.300 Lord we thank you 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.260 that you strengthened him. 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.760 We thank you 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.079 that you 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:12.539 did not abandon him. 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.260 And Lord 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.920 we thank you 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:16.599 for your son 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.300 Jesus Christ 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:18.380 who walked this road 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:20.140 of suffering 00:34:20.140 --> 00:34:21.740 and glory 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:24.700 of betrayal 00:34:24.700 --> 00:34:26.800 and yet 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:30.480 of the kingdom. 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.080 And Lord 00:34:32.080 --> 00:34:32.640 we pray that you 00:34:32.640 --> 00:34:33.480 would strengthen us 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:36.140 encourage us. 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.140 Lord help us 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:38.820 to be for one another 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:40.660 wise counselors 00:34:40.660 --> 00:34:41.840 and faithful friends 00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:43.480 and help us 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:43.940 most of all 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.880 to point one another 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:46.700 to rely on you 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.380 as our rock. 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:48.960 May you be our rock 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:51.660 in the midst 00:34:51.660 --> 00:34:52.360 of the storms 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:53.000 of life. 00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.360 And may you 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.100 lead us safely 00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:58.340 home to you. 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.260 We pray these things 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:00.880 in Jesus name. 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:01.440 Amen. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:01.559 Amen. 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:01.600 Amen. 00:35:01.600 --> 00:35:01.620 Amen. 00:35:01.620 --> 00:35:01.640 Amen. 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:01.660 Amen. 00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:01.680 Amen. 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:01.700 Amen. 00:35:01.700 --> 00:35:01.720 Amen. 00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:03.700 Amen. 00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:03.720 Amen. 00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:03.780 Amen. 00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:03.800 Amen. 00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:05.720 Amen. 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:05.780 Amen. 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:05.800 Amen. 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:05.860 Amen. 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:05.880 Amen. 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:07.860 Amen. 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:07.880 Amen. 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:11.820 Amen.