WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.839 Good evening everyone. For those who don't know me, my name's Ian. Thank you very much to Gary and to everyone else who has taken us through the service so far. 00:00:07.940 --> 00:00:13.780 We have a very long passage to look at this evening and hopefully we can make a little bit of sense of it. 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:20.400 There are some people who really polarise opinion. You either love them or you really hate them. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:23.519 So here's a classic example, President Trump. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:34.240 Among the many news stories about President Trump this week, there was one, there was a survey done of some academics in America, apparently across the political spectrum, rating all the presidents of the United States. 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:38.679 They rate them a range of factors, came up with a score out of 100. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:44.239 At the top was Abraham Lincoln, who got 95, Washington just below and then down you went. 00:00:44.620 --> 00:00:50.039 And right at the bottom, 44th out of 44, Donald Trump with 12 points. 00:00:50.600 --> 00:00:52.820 So a lot of people don't think much of Donald Trump. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:01:02.179 On the other hand, if you were to go to some of the states in the USA, there would be people there who would tell you Donald Trump is probably the best president they've ever had. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:06.900 He's the one who's made America great again by putting America first and so on. 00:01:06.980 --> 00:01:13.680 Someone who really polarises opinion and some people think he's terrible and some people think he's really good. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:17.159 Don't have to go across the states to see that kind of thing. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:28.340 Jeremy Corbyn, is he the man who's put principle back into British politics or is he actually just a weak and indecisive leader who is dangerous for the country? 00:01:29.179 --> 00:01:31.359 Other side of the spectrum, Nigel Farage. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:40.760 Is he the man who has set Britain on the way to greatness again by prompting our exit from the EU or is he someone who's destroying the country? 00:01:41.420 --> 00:01:44.959 And even now, quite a number of years after her death, Margaret Thatcher. 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:49.200 Some would say she's the greatest prime minister the country's ever had. 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:56.819 Others would say that she's the person who's done more than anyone else to make inequality and division in our country. 00:01:56.819 --> 00:02:06.099 People who almost everyone will have quite a strong opinion on, but that opinion will be very different depending on your perspective. 00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:12.280 Well, tonight as we're looking at David, we see someone else who polarised opinion. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:18.740 Most people absolutely love David, at least at this stage in his life. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:23.299 As we read through chapter 18, we find that Jonathan loved him. 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:27.880 We find that his soldiers were really pleased when he was promoted in the army. 00:02:28.480 --> 00:02:31.360 We find that the women were out dancing and singing his praises. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:36.540 We find that Michal, Saul's daughter, fell in love with him. 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:40.540 We find that the whole of Israel and Judah loved him. 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:47.439 Someone who had great popularity and there was one person who took totally the opposite view. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.840 Saul came to absolutely hate him. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:56.680 And so it was the many against the one, at least at this stage in David's life, but very much polarised. 00:02:56.980 --> 00:02:58.840 Most people thought David was great. 00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:05.080 Paul thought, Saul thought that he was a big threat and he wanted nothing to do with him. 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:11.500 So what I want to look at this evening is a bit of that and just to think through these chapters. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:13.099 We're going to do another of these three headings. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:15.360 They'll broadly take us through the two chapters. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:20.260 I'm not going to do it necessarily totally sequentially, but they'll broadly take us through the two chapters. 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:24.620 We're going to think of David, particularly his relationship with Jonathan and with Saul. 00:03:25.260 --> 00:03:26.600 We're then going to think about Saul. 00:03:26.760 --> 00:03:31.940 Why was it that Saul got such a hatred against David that he was determined to kill him? 00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:34.760 And this is very much the backdrop to the rest of Samuel. 00:03:34.880 --> 00:03:36.340 Quite a number of chapters to go. 00:03:36.660 --> 00:03:40.580 They're all about Saul trying to kill David and David on the run. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:49.660 And then we'll say, well, why is it that despite all Saul was trying to do, David escaped and indeed his status grew? 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:51.640 Lady Lack of Providential Plan. 00:03:51.720 --> 00:03:55.620 I'm sure you can guess the answer to that one, but we'll look a bit at it at the end. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:04:02.220 So these are the three main headings that will take over the next 20 minutes or so as we think about David. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:10.419 So let's begin at the beginning of chapter 18 and we have David has come back from battle. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:17.079 We had last week Neil took us through chapter 17 and David's great triumph in slaying Goliath. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:22.680 David's coming back and he meets Jonathan and they instantly click. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.060 Nothing romantic about anything, that kind of thing. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:30.160 It's just they become really best mates for the rest of their lives. 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:34.700 They think the world of each other and they make a covenant with one another. 00:04:35.540 --> 00:04:39.080 You may have seen pictures of David and Jonathan that look something like this. 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:40.760 Two young lads together. 00:04:41.460 --> 00:04:43.960 That probably isn't right. 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:48.260 It looks as if Jonathan was significantly older than David. 00:04:48.400 --> 00:04:53.600 I saw one person to Jess that Jonathan might be as much as 27 years older than David. 00:04:53.640 --> 00:04:58.020 I think that's probably pushing it a bit, but certainly could have been 20 years older than David. 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:03.620 So it's a young man in his late teens, early 20s and it's a man in middle age. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:13.839 And yet they develop this very strong friendship because Jonathan looks at David and he sees that David is the one who is bringing about God's will. 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:19.799 And he sees also that David is the one who deserves to be the king. 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:28.939 And so in the early verses of chapter 18, we have this story of how Jonathan took off his robe and gave his sword and so on to David. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:31.340 And that was a symbolic action. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:34.199 That was what they might have called a covenant action. 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:37.379 It was Jonathan saying, 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:53.540 That's quite a remarkable thing. 00:05:53.540 --> 00:06:03.339 Jonathan, who in the normal course of events would have expected to succeed King Saul as Prince Charles expects to succeed our queen in due course. 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:12.060 He was saying, I recognise here someone who is more worthy than me to be the king, the one who has been called by God. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:18.639 And I want to submit to him and make a covenant that I will serve him. 00:06:19.239 --> 00:06:24.579 When you think about it, Jonathan in many ways had a lot more to lose than Saul did through this. 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:32.259 Saul would have been a relatively old man at this point, certainly probably into his 60s if not beyond, which would be quite old in those days. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:36.199 And I hadn't that much longer to live. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:39.240 And there was no immediate threat to him from David, really. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:45.279 But Jonathan was saying, I am renouncing my claim to the throne. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:49.360 And what a contrast that is with Saul. 00:06:49.779 --> 00:06:51.819 We'll look at Saul in a bit more detail in a minute. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:55.899 But Saul clearly wanted to cling on to the throne that he had. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.879 He saw David as a threat. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:02.459 And that influenced his actions for the rest of his life. 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:08.599 And actually effectively ruined the rest of his life because he was all taken up with trying to kill David. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:15.199 And not being able to do anything constructive or to think in any kind of positive way. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:20.839 And so David, the man, he divided this family. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:23.120 Michal will look at it a bit later on. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:25.699 And also she came to love David Saul's daughter. 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:32.160 It was a family where one man hated him and others in the family loved him. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:36.579 He was someone who polarised people's views. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:39.560 Who else polarises views? 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:42.780 Well, above all, the Lord Jesus does. 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:44.740 Here are his words from Luke chapter 12. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:48.840 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other. 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:50.379 Three against two. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:53.300 And two against three. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:58.660 And as we look in our world, perhaps even as we look in our families, as we look round about us, 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:02.220 we can see the truth of Jesus' words. 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:07.060 There is no one in history who has been so loved by so many. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:12.980 But equally, there is no one in history who has been so hated by so many. 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:24.060 He came in the knowledge that he would divide people, that he would, even within families, see different reactions to him. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:28.420 And it's important that we recognise that and remember that. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:35.019 As we seek to live for the Lord, as we seek to witness for him, we will see lots of different reactions. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:41.860 And it may be people in very similar circumstances will have completely opposite reactions. 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:48.440 We shouldn't be surprised, even in our own families, if there are some people brought up in a very similar kind of way. 00:08:48.440 --> 00:08:53.160 And we say to all intents and purposes, they've had the same opportunities. 00:08:54.160 --> 00:08:58.360 And yet some choose to follow the Lord Jesus and to live for him. 00:08:59.020 --> 00:09:04.620 And some choose to move away and not to trust and to follow the Lord. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:10.060 Now we must pray, continue to pray and never give up praying for those who make that decision. 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:16.280 But it shouldn't surprise us because that is how things always have been. 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:23.379 And it's only by the grace of God that Jonathan or any of us have come to that love of God. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:31.699 And we have come to the love of the Lord Jesus because he in his grace has called us and brought us to know him and to love him. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:37.799 He is someone who divides, who divides as no one else ever has. 00:09:38.439 --> 00:09:46.179 So David similarly was a man and there's a picture of the Lord Jesus who brought division even within families. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:50.259 The second thing we want to look at was Saul. 00:09:50.339 --> 00:09:52.639 Was Saul mad or bad? 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:55.879 That's a bit of a bold way of putting it, but it's a good enough heading. 00:09:56.679 --> 00:10:05.139 If Saul had been alive today, if Saul had been king of our country, he would have been diagnosed undoubtedly with some kind of mental illness. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:12.459 I've seen paranoid schizophrenia suggested as perhaps what Saul's medical problem was. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:17.200 But the Bible is more concerned with a spiritual problem. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:25.720 And the Bible has already identified for us in Samuel that Saul has made choices which were bad ones. 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:32.320 He has done things which were in disobedience to God's command and to God's will revealed through Samuel. 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:35.800 And because of that, he had been rejected as king. 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:40.980 And most importantly, God's spirit had been removed from him. 00:10:41.040 --> 00:10:45.840 The spirit was now with David as God's new anointed one. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:55.180 And as Saul goes on and has lost the spirit and he says he has an evil spirit, perhaps that is an evil spirit from God. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:11:01.139 Perhaps that is similar to the situation we talk about with Pharaoh where it says he hardened his heart and then God hardened his heart. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.759 Perhaps similarly with Saul. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:09.399 Saul disobeyed God and then God let him go down the course that he had chosen for himself. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:13.959 But for Saul, it's a very slippery slope that he's on. 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:18.379 And he has a great jealousy for David. 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:24.740 It seems to have been brought on particularly by this song that the woman sang at the chart of chapter 18. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:29.059 Talking about Saul slaying thousands and David tens of thousands. 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:32.179 Now both of these descriptions undoubtedly were hyperbole. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:33.879 They were exaggerations. 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:36.919 And actually the woman may have meant nothing by it. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:43.240 It was just poetry and the fact that it said more for David than for Saul may not have had great significance. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.879 But it was very important to Saul. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:50.439 Saul felt that his authority was stepping away. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:53.799 Someone else was seen as being ahead of him. 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:59.120 And so Saul was very jealous of David. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:03.879 Saul was jealous of David because of his success. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:08.600 Because of the adulation that he was getting from the woman. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:13.919 He was jealous of David because he felt that David was a threat to him. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:16.860 And he was jealous or perhaps envious is right. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:23.120 But he was envious of David because David had God's spirit and Saul didn't. 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:30.000 And that jealousy and envy really got to Saul and it ate away at him. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:33.019 And it was accompanied by fear. 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:39.639 Three times in chapter 18 it talks about Saul being afraid of David. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:44.840 And he was afraid of David because the Lord was with David. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:49.340 The Spirit of God had left Saul and was with David now. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:54.820 And Saul realised that that meant that David was God's chosen anointed one. 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:59.300 And because of that Saul was afraid of David. 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:03.580 And that fear turns into hatred. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:09.940 Three times again we can see very easily Saul's hatred of David and demonstration of it. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:13.580 As he tries to pin David to the wall with his spear. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:19.940 As he sends him out to attack the Philistines but actually trying to get him killed. 00:13:19.940 --> 00:13:27.400 Thinking well sometime some Philistine arrow's got to get him and I'll get rid of him in that kind of way. 00:13:28.140 --> 00:13:32.300 Saul really hated David and he wanted him dead. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:39.240 And his jealousy had given way to fear and that had led to hatred. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:42.860 Jealousy is a terrible thing. 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:48.620 As we read through the New Testament time and time again we're warned against jealousy. 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:56.159 And we're warned often alongside sins that we might naturally think were worse than jealousies included among them. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.440 1 Corinthians chapter 3. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:01.820 Paul is writing to the Corinthians who have this great high opinion of themselves. 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:06.399 And he says there is jealousy and quarrelling among you. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.899 Are you not worldly? 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:14.720 If we're jealous of others then we're displaying a worldly attitude. 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:21.340 In Galatians just before the fruit of the spirit Paul lists the works of the flesh. 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:22.639 Let me read some of them out to you. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:29.419 Sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, fits of anger, drunkenness. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:33.960 Things where we would all look at and say these are terrible things. 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:39.420 And in the midst of them there is jealousy and there is envy. 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:45.420 And perhaps we don't take jealousy and envy as seriously as we might some of the others. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:52.480 But Paul classes them alongside them as things which Christians really have to avoid. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:55.399 If we move on to James. 00:14:55.879 --> 00:15:05.420 James says where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice. 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:13.360 So again and again the New Testament tells us that if there's jealousy, if there's envy among us, 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:16.120 that is going to lead to other things. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:18.320 It's going to lead to worldliness. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:20.420 It's going to lead to disorder. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:22.699 It's going to lead to disharmony. 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:29.479 It's going to massively disrupt our own spiritual life and the spiritual life of others. 00:15:30.479 --> 00:15:33.019 One of the New Testament quotes, I'll read this one up on the screen. 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:36.979 This is Mark chapter 15, the Lord's trial. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.059 And it says, 00:15:38.219 --> 00:15:44.939 Pilate perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:56.140 In other words, from a human viewpoint, it was the envy and the jealousy of the Jewish religious establishment that led to the death of the Lord Jesus. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:16:00.140 As they saw the authority that he had that they didn't have. 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:03.620 As they saw the power that he had that they didn't have. 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:07.920 As he saw the respect of the people that he had that they didn't have. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:09.939 They were envious of him. 00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:14.159 And ultimately that led them to get him crucified. 00:16:14.979 --> 00:16:22.879 We must make sure that jealousy and envy don't become big things in our lives. 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:29.199 We are not to look at others and to look at the things that they have that we don't have. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:39.480 Whether it's money or looks or abilities or position in society or whatever it is. 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:42.379 We are not to look at others and to think, 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.420 I want that. 00:16:43.640 --> 00:16:44.480 I'm envious. 00:16:44.640 --> 00:16:49.060 I'm jealous that they've got something that I haven't got. 00:16:49.640 --> 00:16:51.820 Rather, as Graham was reminding us this morning, 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:55.060 we have to find our identity in the Lord Jesus. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.040 And rather than looking at others, 00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:00.399 we look to him, look at the kind of attitude that he had, 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:05.099 and look to please him rather than to please others. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:09.779 If we allow envy and jealousy to creep into our lives, 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:12.779 then inevitably other things will creep in 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:15.139 that will draw us away from the Lord Jesus 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:19.159 and may even draw others away from him as well. 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:23.639 So let's not look at others with feelings of envy or of jealousy. 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:25.579 Let's accept what God has given us, 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:28.259 the great things that God has given all of us. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.720 And let's seek to live for the Lord Jesus 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.639 and to serve him 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:35.960 and to look only for his praise, 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.759 not for the praise of others 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:41.139 or not to be seen as better than others. 00:17:42.419 --> 00:17:45.019 Saul allowed jealousy to get hold of him 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:48.960 and his life became totally dominated by it 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:51.579 and by his hatred of David. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:54.799 Let's not any of us go down that road. 00:17:57.100 --> 00:18:00.160 Our final point I've called Lady Lack or Providential Plan, 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:02.880 and this follows David through the two chapters. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:08.319 Two chapters where Saul is trying to kill David. 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:12.079 Now it looks possible that in chapter 18, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:15.100 David didn't realise what was going on. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:19.359 Yes, Saul hurled his spear at David at one point in chapter 18, 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.839 but people might have said, 00:18:20.919 --> 00:18:22.879 well, that was just Saul having one of his turns. 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:25.199 It wasn't really anything personal, David. 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:28.500 Fortunately, you escaped it, so everything's okay. 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:31.019 And the way that people sometimes try to stick up for others 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.179 when they think there's a problem, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.659 people might have tried to minimise that with David. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:39.139 Maybe he didn't realise that there was a problem with Saul. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:41.740 But it very much comes down to the opening in chapter 19, 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:44.540 when Paul calls his close advisors round them 00:18:44.540 --> 00:18:46.759 and tells them he's got to get David killed. 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.140 Jonathan then warns David, 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:52.200 and from then on, effectively, David is on the run. 00:18:52.780 --> 00:18:54.520 So let's just follow through very briefly 00:18:54.520 --> 00:18:56.500 what's in these two chapters 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:59.980 and how David escaped many things. 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:04.259 So the first thing is, on probably three occasions, 00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:05.759 there's two mentioned in chapter 18, 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:08.280 and then chapter 19, verse 10, it's mentioned again. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:10.399 Saul hurls his spear at David, 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:13.500 and David manages to avoid it. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:16.240 Now, whether that was because Saul had quite a bad aim 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:20.259 or because David took decisive action, we're not sure. 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:23.779 But this very direct attack of Saul and David, 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.779 it didn't succeed. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.819 His more indirect attack, as I've said, 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:34.240 was in trying to get David out to defeat the Philistines, 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.879 or rather, to say to David, 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.420 go and defeat the Philistines, 00:19:37.760 --> 00:19:40.120 and actually to get him killed. 00:19:40.760 --> 00:19:43.700 So we have the incidents with Saul's two daughters, 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:48.420 where Saul wants David to go and fight the Philistines. 00:19:48.520 --> 00:19:49.800 He offers them one daughter in marriage. 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.280 David says, 00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:51.760 No, who am I to be the king's son? 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:52.780 So he refuses that. 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:55.440 But when Mekal falls in love with David, 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:59.860 Saul sends him out again against the Philistines. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:03.099 And Saul is hoping that David will get killed. 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:08.139 Surely among these thousand Philistines that Saul is sending David out to kill, 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:12.059 one of them will be bold enough and strong enough to kill him. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:15.740 The sequence, incidentally, of the foreskins 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:20.619 is that the Philistines were the only nation around Israel at that time 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:22.479 that didn't practice circumcision. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:27.680 So bringing a foreskin back from an adult would be proof that it was a Philistine, 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:31.339 rather a gory thing, but that's the background to it. 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:34.319 But David, by his own abilities, 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.160 and no doubt by the grace of God, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:38.339 is able to go out in battle, 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:40.759 in regular battle against the Philistines, 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:44.779 and also in this rather gory mission that Saul sends him on, 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:47.700 and he's able to be victorious, 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:51.880 indeed to bring back twice what Saul said he should. 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.360 So perhaps at this point, 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:57.220 it's God protecting David through the abilities, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:21:01.820 through the gifts, the military strategies that he's given to him. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:07.740 God makes use of our gifts to help us and to protect us in our lives. 00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:11.800 Moving to chapter 19, 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:18.360 we have two incidents when Saul's children are instrumental in saving David. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.059 So at the start of chapter 19, 00:21:21.459 --> 00:21:23.659 Saul gathers his advisors around him 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:26.479 and tells them that he wants David killed, 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:30.500 and Jonathan realises a huge threat here to his best friend. 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.639 He tells David, 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:33.919 and then he goes and pleads with Saul, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:36.099 and manages, at least in the short term, 00:21:36.419 --> 00:21:39.240 to persuade Saul not to kill David. 00:21:39.679 --> 00:21:41.759 That only lasts as long as the next battle, 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.279 and David wins the battle, 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.859 comes back to the praise of the people, 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:48.039 and Saul again tries to kill them. 00:21:48.479 --> 00:21:49.959 So God, first of all, 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:52.439 uses Jonathan to protect David, 00:21:52.939 --> 00:21:54.699 and then he uses Michal, 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:56.359 David's wife. 00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:59.119 Saul sends his messengers, 00:21:59.219 --> 00:21:59.679 his army, 00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:01.099 round to their house 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.679 to try to kill David. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:05.039 There's this little deception 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.899 where Michal pretends David's ill 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:09.959 and puts the idols in bed 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.519 as David has fled 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:13.519 and deceives the soldiers, 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:16.059 and by the time Saul comes back again, 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:18.160 then David is gone. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.579 Interesting question here, 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:21.259 which I'm not going to go into in detail. 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:25.000 To what extent is it valid for us to use deceit, 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:27.120 deception, as Michal did, 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:30.840 to save someone or to fulfil God's purposes? 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.980 Lots of instances in the Bible where it happens. 00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:34.539 You've got the midwives in Exodus 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:37.120 who say to the Pharaoh's people, 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:39.159 oh, the women have their babies too quickly, 00:22:39.239 --> 00:22:40.419 we can't kill the boys. 00:22:40.719 --> 00:22:42.399 You've got rehab in Jericho 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:45.579 and deceiving the people who came into our house 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.959 so the spies could escape. 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:49.059 You've got Michal here. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.519 Is it justifiable? 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.859 Did they do the right thing? 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:54.059 The Bible doesn't say it was wrong. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.019 On the other hand, 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:57.039 the Bible does at times warn us 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:59.519 against lies and deceit. 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.919 I'll leave you for that to think about. 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:04.119 I'm not going to talk about it in detail this evening. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:07.779 Now, one way or another, Michal saves David. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:09.459 She manages to deceive Saul 00:23:09.459 --> 00:23:11.579 and David gets away. 00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:14.139 And David goes to Ramah. 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.339 He goes to see Samuel. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.259 And you might expect the next thing on the screen would be, 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:20.059 Samuel saves David. 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:23.819 No, actually, Samuel doesn't save David. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:26.299 Although Samuel is the spiritual one, 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:28.339 although Samuel is the prophet 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:32.199 and the one who has anointed David as king, 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:36.980 actually David is saved at Ramah by an act of God. 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:39.680 See, sometimes God uses our own abilities 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.819 to help us in difficult situations. 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:47.259 Sometimes he uses others to do what is needed to protect us. 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:51.580 And sometimes he doesn't use any human agent at all. 00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:54.440 He saves us by himself. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:57.980 Now, this at Ramah is rather a strange one. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:24:01.200 So Saul sends his armies there. 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.940 He sends people there to take David 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:04.440 and to bring him back. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:07.360 And they get caught up in this static prophesying 00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:10.000 that is going on around Ramah. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.960 Not sure exactly what it is, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:15.259 but it undoubtedly would have had some element of singing 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.759 and of dancing. 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:20.360 And Saul's messengers get caught up in that. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.799 Three times that happens. 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:25.299 And then Saul says, look, I've had enough of this. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.700 Can't trust my men. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.259 I'm going myself. 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:31.359 If they can't do it, I definitely will. 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:33.359 And he goes, and what happens? 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:35.299 The same thing happens to him. 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:37.079 He gets caught up by the spirit 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:40.319 and he is involved in the prophesying. 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:43.259 Part of that, you've noticed, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:45.000 is that Saul takes off his clothes. 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:46.759 Now, he probably didn't strike totally naked, 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:49.119 as it might be implied from the reading, 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.899 but he certainly took off his outer garments. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:53.059 And there's a bit of an irony in that. 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:55.039 Remember chapter 18, 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:57.059 Jonathan takes off his garments 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.960 and gives them to David to say, 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.859 you are the rightful king. 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.980 End of chapter 19, 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.779 Saul takes off his garments, 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:06.039 not in a voluntary way, 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:07.480 not knowing what he's doing, 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.740 but I'm sure it's symbolic of the fact 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:13.299 that he is no longer the rightful king. 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.299 Second irony. 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:17.240 Chapters 10 and 11, 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:20.299 Saul is anointed by Samuel 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:23.419 and is to become the king of Israel. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.899 And one of the things he does at that point 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.039 is to prophesy. 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.659 The spirit of God comes on him 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:30.579 and he prophesies. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.599 And the people say in awe, 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:35.819 is Saul also one of the prophets? 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:37.779 Chapter 19, 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.659 Saul comes to Ramah again. 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.799 And again, 00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:43.940 he is involved in what is called prophesying. 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.519 And the people say, 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.960 is he one of the prophets? 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.579 But not this time, I think, 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:52.100 in awe or thinking this is a great man. 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.559 This time they're thinking, 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.779 what is he doing? 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.539 Does he think he's one of the prophets? 00:25:56.720 --> 00:26:00.299 Why is he acting in this kind of way? 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:02.720 Saul has completely fallen. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:05.360 He has gone from one extreme to the other 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:08.519 and his kingship in any valid form 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.880 is utterly over. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:13.840 He's disgraced himself before his people. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:17.000 But that's all we really want to think about just now. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:20.859 It is God's providential plan for David. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.500 God has a plan for David 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:25.220 and that plan will be worked out 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:27.720 and it won't be derailed. 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:31.539 Nothing Saul can do is able to harm David. 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.759 And indeed, Saul's worst 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:37.400 actually increases David's popularity, 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.700 increases David's wisdom as well, 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.259 I'm sure, 00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.980 as he sees what's happening. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:44.880 It has exactly the opposite effect 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:47.000 to what Saul intended. 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.860 Great for us to know as well, isn't it? 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:52.579 That we have a God who cares for us 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:54.700 and who protects us 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:59.319 and who will bring out his will in our lives. 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:02.400 Someone said that all Christians are immortal 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:04.759 until it is God's time for them 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.700 to go to be with him. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:09.120 That has some truth in it. 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:11.519 God has a plan for my life 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:13.159 and for your life. 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:15.119 And as long as we stay with it, 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:17.439 his will is still as long as we are committed to him, 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:20.839 that plan will be worked out. 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:24.019 Even in the midst of evil and of opposition, 00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:26.979 God will work his plan out. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.539 How do we know that? 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.939 Again, we look at Jesus. 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:33.099 This is Peter's sermon from Acts chapter 2. 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.819 Peter, a few weeks before, 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:36.179 been absolutely devastated 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.779 at the death of Jesus. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:39.680 Couldn't understand what was going on. 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:41.500 By the time he preaches this sermon, 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.960 he knows what's going on. 00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:43.740 He says, 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.580 This Jesus, 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:47.420 delivered up according to the definite plan 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.840 and foreknowledge of God, 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.620 you crucified and killed 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:53.100 by the hands of lawless men. 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:54.160 In other words, 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:56.380 you Jews were guilty. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.779 You high priests, 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.360 chief priests, 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.259 rulers of the Jews, 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.480 you were guilty. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.799 But actually, 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.600 all along, 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.920 God was in control 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:06.420 and it was part of his definite plan 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:08.840 and foreknowledge that Jesus was crucified. 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.920 And the next verse talks about 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:12.759 Jesus' resurrection. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.560 God has a plan for our lives 00:28:15.560 --> 00:28:17.019 and there is nothing, 00:28:17.300 --> 00:28:19.080 if we stay faithful to him, 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:21.300 there's nothing that can derail that plan. 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.700 He will be with us 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:26.360 and he will fulfill his purposes through us. 00:28:26.800 --> 00:28:28.300 Let's take that away as something 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:30.080 that can really encourage 00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:31.640 and strengthen us 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.840 in the weeks to come. 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:34.519 If you go through difficult times, 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:36.220 if things seem to be against you, 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:38.179 if people seem to be against you, 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.799 remember we have a God 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.359 who is on our side 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:43.199 and that there's nothing 00:28:43.199 --> 00:28:45.679 can separate us from his love 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:47.819 and he works all things 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.959 for our good 00:28:48.959 --> 00:28:50.279 if we know him 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:52.259 and we love him. 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:55.439 Let me finish with a rather trivial story, 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:57.699 but perhaps to illustrate the point. 00:28:58.399 --> 00:29:00.459 There was a man who got shipwrecked 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.460 on a desert island. 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:03.319 Seems to be a story like that. 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.360 This man got shipwrecked 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.980 from a desert island. 00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:06.340 He was all by himself 00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:08.200 and he was really struggling. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.140 He was really hoping 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.559 that a ship would come 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.980 and would rescue him. 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.700 And time went on 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.460 and nothing seemed to happen. 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.400 He learned how to gather fruit 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:19.019 from the trees and so on 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.539 and eventually he managed 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.340 to build himself a little home, 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.079 a little shack 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.460 that he could live in. 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.000 And then the one day 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.840 when he came back 00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:28.039 from his fruit gathering 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:30.100 and he came back to his shack, 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:32.620 he found that it had gone up in flames. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.019 There had been a big fire 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:37.039 and it was totally destroyed. 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:37.620 And he thought, 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:39.579 oh no, I'm ruined now. 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:41.360 All this effort I put in 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:43.100 by myself on this island, 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:45.100 it's come to nothing. 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:47.059 Then the next day, 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.319 along comes a ship. 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.940 The ship comes to the island 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.980 and picks him out. 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.799 He says, how did you know? 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.360 That's amazing. 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:54.079 How did you know to come 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.299 and to pick me up? 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.659 And the captain of the ship, 00:29:56.719 --> 00:29:57.379 well, it was obvious. 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.479 We saw your spokes signals 00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.599 that went up yesterday 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:01.240 and we just followed them 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.879 to come to you. 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.379 In other words, 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.519 something that he thought 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.759 was a real disaster, 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.159 in the end, 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:10.319 it turned out for good. 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:11.740 And for us too, 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:13.119 things that we think are disastrous, 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:13.839 things that we think 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.919 are big problems, 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.959 God can turn them around 00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:18.399 and he will work them 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:20.079 for our good. 00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:23.480 So let's learn the lessons of today. 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:26.339 The lesson of the love 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.079 that we should have 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.699 for one another, 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.699 that covenant love 00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:30.519 that Jonathan and David had. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.720 The lesson to avoid jealousy 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.399 and envy 00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:35.159 and all things that come with them. 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.559 And the lesson 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:38.659 that we need to depend on God 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:39.740 and we know that 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.759 whatever our circumstances in life, 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:44.299 he is bigger than our circumstances, 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:47.859 he will do what is best for us. 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:49.019 Let's pray together. 00:30:51.459 --> 00:30:52.139 Our Father, 00:30:52.199 --> 00:30:52.959 we thank you for your word 00:30:52.959 --> 00:30:53.559 to us this evening. 00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:54.559 We thank you for David. 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:57.819 Thank you for all that he achieved 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.839 for you in his life. 00:30:59.219 --> 00:31:00.199 And thank you for the way 00:31:00.199 --> 00:31:01.879 in which you protected him 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:03.579 and you were with him 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:05.339 and your spirit led 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.799 and guided him, 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:08.279 even through the times 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:10.759 when Saul was after him 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:13.099 and determined to kill him. 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:15.479 Help us to have a trust in you 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:17.620 and to recognise that you are able 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:19.000 to control all things 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:20.059 for our good. 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.640 Help us too to avoid sin, 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:24.440 particularly the sin of jealousy 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:26.059 and of envy, 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:28.240 that we may not look at others 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:30.480 and wish that we had what they have, 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.480 but that we may be thankful 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.900 for all that you have given us 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:34.920 and that we may find our identity 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:36.500 in the Lord Jesus. 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:38.680 We thank you for our time together. 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.779 We thank you for our worship. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:41.079 We thank you for what we've learned 00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:42.500 about your work. 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:44.339 And we commit ourselves to you now 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.559 and pray for your blessing 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.519 through this coming week 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:48.400 that we may live lives for Jesus 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:50.140 and be good witnesses for him. 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:52.140 We give you thanks in his name. 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.059 Amen.