WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:08.980 Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, my name is Luca, and I'm one of the members here at Branchfield Evangelical Church. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:17.179 Tonight we're looking at 1 Samuel 24, but before we do that, let's pray again. 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:27.699 Father, thank you for this time together tonight. Thank you that we can spend this time on this passage of the Old Testament. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:34.399 We ask you that your word will speak to our hearts. We ask you that you will protect our minds from distractions. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:40.280 And we ask you that you will prepare our hearts, that they're open to receive the message you have for us tonight. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:47.060 Work in us, Father, we ask you as we look at your word. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:47.200 Amen. 00:00:50.020 --> 00:00:59.900 So, to begin, I would like to invite you all to try and put yourselves in the shoes of an imaginary child. 00:01:00.800 --> 00:01:08.020 Let's say you're 10 or 11 years old, and you're playing a board game with your friends, and it's your favorite one. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:10.920 It's the one that you're really, really good at. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:18.719 Unfortunately, though, things are not going too well today, because there's just no way you're going to win. 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:20.500 The cards are against you. 00:01:21.640 --> 00:01:27.180 But then, your friends leave the room for a minute, because the ice cream van just got here. 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:31.320 So you have the opportunity to reshuffle the cards. 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:34.260 You can put the right one on top. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:37.820 The one that will let you conquer the board, just in a few moves. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:43.599 I mean, it's clearly what should have happened from the very start anyway, because you played well. 00:01:44.019 --> 00:01:46.139 They were ahead of you just because they got lucky. 00:01:46.979 --> 00:01:48.339 Are you thinking about that feeling? 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:55.239 You only have a few seconds to make the decision between letting things play out the way they would have, naturally, 00:01:55.679 --> 00:02:00.139 or changing the course of the game to your advantage. 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:03.319 What do you think would go through your head? 00:02:04.419 --> 00:02:06.219 So many conflicting feelings, right? 00:02:06.219 --> 00:02:15.120 I think that if we multiply those feelings by a billion times, we may be even just remotely close to what David must have felt 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:20.199 as he was in this cave in the passage that we're looking at tonight. 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:29.240 David, too, had the opportunity to reshuffle the cards to his advantage, and he had to make a decision very quickly. 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:34.439 The passage tonight is made up of three sections. 00:02:34.980 --> 00:02:40.900 And as we study the text, we'll see how David is the king who does the right thing. 00:02:41.860 --> 00:02:46.879 And how David, in doing so, points us to Jesus as the perfect king. 00:02:47.140 --> 00:02:52.719 So we will try and consider which attributes of David we see in each section. 00:02:52.719 --> 00:03:01.719 So please cover your ears if you don't like spoilers, but I think that listing the attributes at the start will help us see them more clearly in the passage as we study it. 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:06.860 You might have to cover your eyes, too, to be honest, because it'll be on screen. 00:03:06.860 --> 00:03:17.220 So the first section narrates the main event of the chapter, and it goes from verse 1 to verse 7, and it shows us David as the servant king. 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:25.620 Moving on to the second section, we have David's speech in verses 8 to 15, and we'll see David as the trusting king. 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:29.940 We will see who he puts his trust in and why he does that. 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:36.699 And then in the final section, from 16 to 22, we will see David waiting. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:39.139 We will see why David is a patient king. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:46.060 So David, the king who does the right thing by serving, by trusting, and by waiting. 00:03:47.699 --> 00:03:51.199 Now, before we look at what happens in the cave, let's recap. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:55.979 Let's sort of rewind and see what's been happening in the life of David for the last little while. 00:03:55.979 --> 00:04:01.759 Because if we want to understand the significance of today's passage, we have to understand what the main events are, 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:08.739 which have led to this peculiar situation of Saul and David finding themselves in this, you might want to call it, a toilet cave room. 00:04:09.799 --> 00:04:13.919 So David and Saul were both anointed kings by Samuel. 00:04:14.859 --> 00:04:17.980 Saul was the king that the people of Israel wanted. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:23.779 He was the king that they asked for, a king like the other nations. 00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:26.879 They asked for such a king in chapter 8. 00:04:27.479 --> 00:04:33.519 However, Saul defied the Lord because he didn't respect his commandments in chapters 13 and 15. 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:36.559 Therefore, God rejected Saul as king. 00:04:37.539 --> 00:04:39.599 However, Saul is still on the throne. 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:41.439 On the other hand, we have David. 00:04:41.979 --> 00:04:43.799 David is the king that God has chosen. 00:04:44.539 --> 00:04:51.699 Samuel anointed him to in chapter 16 as he was instructed by God after God rejected Saul. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:57.319 But it's not time yet for David to sit on the throne. 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:06.279 Not only was David anointed by Samuel, you might also remember he's defeated Goliath, the giant Philistine, in the chapter after. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:14.839 And his dear friend Jonathan, who's Saul's son, he just promised him two weeks ago in chapter 23 that he will not stand. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:18.159 Jonathan will not stand in the way of David becoming king. 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:25.020 And Jonathan even told David that even Saul, his father, knows that David will be king one day. 00:05:27.200 --> 00:05:32.760 And yet, despite all of this, as we have seen for the past few Sundays, David is on the run. 00:05:33.460 --> 00:05:35.460 Saul became jealous of David. 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:41.340 And even though he relented a couple of times, to this point he's already tried to kill him five times. 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:47.739 And in today's passage, he's more determined than ever to catch him and to finish him. 00:05:48.899 --> 00:05:55.159 And Saul is not going after David just with his own spear like the first time that he attacked him. 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:59.879 At this point in time, Saul has 3,000 chosen men with him. 00:06:00.419 --> 00:06:09.039 3,000 men who know how to do war are chasing after David and his 600 men, one-fifth of Saul's army. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:13.420 And David's men, they're outcasts and rejects. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:14.860 There are no soldiers. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:18.220 So this is what's happened so far. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:22.140 Now let's see what happens in verses 1 to 7. 00:06:22.400 --> 00:06:29.939 Let's see why David is the right king who's the king who does the right thing by serving. 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:35.740 In verse 1, we read that Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:40.279 And if you were here two Sundays ago, you'll remember that Saul was chasing David around this mountain. 00:06:40.719 --> 00:06:46.860 And just when it seemed that he was about to catch him, a messenger told Saul that the Philistines were raiding some villages. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:48.819 So Saul and his men left. 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:51.259 So clearly God's providence was at work. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:53.480 But now Saul is back. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:07:00.019 And like it's already happened on other occasions, his spies, his spies are another advantage that he has over David. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:02.060 They tell him where David is. 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:09.500 So he gathers his 3,000s and off he goes to the crags of the wild goats, an area full of caves. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:21.560 Now I think this is one of those passages in the Bible where we're reminded that even though it was written thousands of years ago, it's still very relatable, if not sometimes even comical. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.259 Because it tells us of women and men just like us. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:32.680 And in some cases it will do so by describing the sinful nature of these people in a way that reminds us of our own sins. 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:37.339 Some other times it reminds us that king or not, we all need to move our bowels. 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:41.639 Because God has designed us like that and there's nothing we can do to avoid it. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:47.299 So Saul leaves his men behind, we're not sure how far, and picks a cave to go relieve himself. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:58.159 And of all the caves, and as I said there were men in this area, he manages to pick the one where his men, his enemies are hiding. 00:07:59.039 --> 00:08:00.159 What are the chances? 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:04.199 It's like, again, the author is trying to tell us something. 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:09.240 God is clearly at work here too, just like he was during the chase around the mountain. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:12.259 So what happens as Saul goes in? 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:13.699 Does he go in? 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:19.659 Does he see David and then shouts to his men and tell them to get there immediately and massacre everyone? 00:08:20.659 --> 00:08:20.919 No. 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:22.719 In fact, nothing happens. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:30.039 Because Saul goes in, the cave is probably very dark, maybe it bends at the back, and he doesn't see who is in it. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:32.779 In fact, he doesn't see that anyone at all is in it. 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:36.259 So he simply goes to the toilet like he would have in any other cave. 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:41.440 Can we think of a more vulnerable situation? 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:43.860 He's without his men. 00:08:44.300 --> 00:08:49.519 He's all alone in a darkness that his eyes haven't yet adjusted to. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:51.060 He's got his pants down. 00:08:51.059 --> 00:09:02.599 So I wonder if any of us can blame David's men for what they say in verse 4. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:03.719 Let's read it again. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:08.159 This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:13.139 I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish. 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:20.860 Now, as far as we know, when God said this, he was actually talking about the Philistines in chapter 23. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:25.519 And based on what is recorded in the book of Samuel, 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:30.620 we're not aware that God ever explicitly referred to Saul as David's enemy 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:35.939 or that he ever said Saul would be someone who God would put into David's hands. 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:42.059 But in their defense, this man has been chasing David and his men for months. 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:45.599 And if that's not an enemy, I don't know what it is. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:46.899 And enemies are enemies. 00:09:47.619 --> 00:09:51.899 Plus, even if David's men had been the most selfless people on earth, 00:09:52.319 --> 00:09:56.279 even if they didn't care about their own lives, maybe they cared about God. 00:09:56.599 --> 00:10:01.979 And they were still shocked and outraged by how Saul had massacred a whole town of people, 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:04.579 including God's very own priests. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:06.399 We saw that in chapter 22. 00:10:07.599 --> 00:10:11.279 Wouldn't we have felt entitled to take Saul's life? 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:14.699 I mean, he's clearly not a man after God's heart. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:17.659 And the world would be better off without him. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:23.000 As far as David goes, we do know his thinking at this stage. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:26.179 According to the order that the events are narrated here, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.839 his men encourage him to take Saul's life. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:30.500 And then he leaves them. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:36.179 And stealthy like a ninja, he approaches Saul and cuts off a piece of his robe, 00:10:36.579 --> 00:10:38.720 without Saul even noticing. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:43.759 We just don't know if he approached Saul with the intention of killing him, 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:47.360 or if he wanted to take just a piece of rope from the very start, 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:50.240 as he does as a proof that he spared his life. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:54.840 However, what we do know is that after cutting it, 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:56.980 he is conscience stricken. 00:10:58.160 --> 00:10:59.399 David feels guilty. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:04.159 Maybe because he was very close to giving in to the temptation to kill the king. 00:11:05.579 --> 00:11:09.860 Another reason might be that even though he didn't kill him, 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:11.439 he still disrespected him. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:13.959 And way more than we can appreciate these days, 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:15.840 because in David's culture, 00:11:16.319 --> 00:11:21.399 robes had a symbolic meaning to do with the authority of a person. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:28.120 Either way, David goes back to his men and he sharply rebukes them. 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:35.139 A literal translation of the original would have read that he tore them apart with his words. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:41.840 Now, I want you to think about how this was really not an easy conversation to have. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:47.759 Apart from the fact that they had to whisper to not be heard by Saul just a few yards back, 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:53.920 I don't think we can even begin to comprehend the amount of pressure that David must have had on himself. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:58.019 These are hundreds of men, 600 men, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:01.879 who are risking their own lives to protect David's. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:06.680 These are no friends debating if Marmite tastes good or not, 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:08.720 and I know how divisive the topic can be. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.519 This is a matter of life and death. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.800 In a matter of seconds, 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:16.279 David went from being the king on the run, 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:18.420 at the mercy of the king on the throne, 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:20.340 to having the possibility, 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:22.080 like us with our board game, 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:24.440 to completely subvert the situation. 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:26.680 He can finally take the throne 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:28.480 that God had so clearly 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:30.600 assigned to him when Samuel 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.399 anointed him. 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.180 And then, a few more seconds, 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:36.160 and he was back to square one, 00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:38.019 because Saul is leaving the cave, 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:40.279 and David is just the king on the run again. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:45.000 Why does David let this happen? 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:48.480 He does because what we see here 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:51.220 is our righteous king in action. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.100 David is the king, 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.399 as we're seeing, 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:55.819 who does the right thing, 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.860 because he will not sin. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:01.480 He will not take his fate into his own hands. 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.399 What he does instead 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.860 is put his future 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.659 and put the future of his men 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.779 in God's hands. 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:10.600 He recognizes that God is in control 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:13.980 and that he is God's servant. 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:17.480 This is why he goes back to his men 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:19.159 and he rebukes them 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:21.519 for suggesting to kill the ruling king. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:24.600 So where does David find the strength 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.259 to do this? 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.919 We've just considered all the implications 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:29.120 of such a choice, 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.559 such an irrational choice 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:31.759 from a human perspective. 00:13:32.739 --> 00:13:34.239 Well, David could do the right thing 00:13:34.239 --> 00:13:35.819 because he didn't have 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:37.500 his own interests at heart. 00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:39.799 He wanted to do God's will. 00:13:40.239 --> 00:13:42.419 He wanted to serve God. 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:46.919 There are two beautiful Psalms 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.939 that David wrote 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:49.459 while he was hiding in caves, 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.979 just like in today's passage, 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:52.399 and while Saul was chasing him. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:53.939 These are Psalm 57 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:55.579 and Psalm 142. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:58.320 I recommend that you read them at home 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:00.000 when you have time 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.560 because they're very helpful 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:02.180 to understand 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:04.139 what David's frame of mind is 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.820 as he deals with the challenges 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:09.220 of being the king on the run. 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:12.980 And you can see in those Psalms 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:15.920 how David does not commiserate himself 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:17.860 while he's running away from Saul. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:19.780 He doesn't blame God 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:21.440 for what he's having to endure. 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:23.480 And what he does instead 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:26.160 is find respite in God's love 00:14:26.160 --> 00:14:28.120 and wait for God to intervene 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.460 and save him. 00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:32.420 He is tired, clearly. 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:34.080 He is going through possibly 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:35.640 the hardest days of his life. 00:14:36.020 --> 00:14:38.720 But what he does is look to God, 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:40.640 fully relying on God 00:14:40.640 --> 00:14:42.740 and not on his own strengths 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.980 or on his men's. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:47.440 David trusts that God 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:49.080 will be faithful to his promises 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:50.980 and understands that 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.139 what he is called to do 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.820 in the meantime 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:54.259 is serve him. 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.900 So it's because of this 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:58.460 close relationship with God, 00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:00.160 this attitude of submission 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:01.580 to God's authority 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:03.400 that David can find the strength 00:15:03.400 --> 00:15:04.240 to tell his men 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.400 as he does in verse 6, 00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:06.960 the Lord forbid 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.540 that I should do such a thing 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:10.740 because he, Saul, 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.020 he is the anointed of the Lord. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:16.020 David, the righteous king, 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.100 who's anointed to, 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:19.480 he knows that the right thing 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.120 just now, 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.240 the right thing to do 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.899 in this case, 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.639 is to serve the king 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.259 on the throne. 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.500 It's to serve Saul. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.720 This is why we're calling 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.240 this section 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.159 the servant king. 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:30.779 David respects God's will 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:33.000 and serves his human king 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.120 no matter how difficult it is 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.680 to resist the temptation 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:38.480 to finally make justice 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:40.740 for himself. 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.920 And in doing so, 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:44.000 in serving Saul, 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.920 he's ultimately, 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.700 of course, 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.680 serving God. 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:49.560 If we think about 00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:50.340 our own lives, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.840 it can be very tempting, 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.279 I think, 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.060 to see God's providence 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:56.480 in the events around us, 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:58.220 just like David's men do. 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.480 But our whole lives, 00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:01.279 like David's, 00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:02.500 they should revolve around 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.940 God's revealed will, 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:05.420 which is his word. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.040 Our attitude 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:08.600 should be to serve him, 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.899 even if situations 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.920 present themselves, 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.360 which can lead us 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.440 to do the opposite 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:15.320 and serve ourselves instead. 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:19.000 We're called to interpret 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.160 what happens around us 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.080 not according to 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.240 our human standards, 00:16:22.540 --> 00:16:24.420 but according to God's word. 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:26.720 Because God speaks to us 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.620 all the time 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.660 and directly 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.940 through his word, 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:31.340 much more than he will ever 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.500 do through coincidences 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.960 left to our interpretation. 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.740 So I think we should learn 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.360 from David 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.080 to be dependent on God, 00:16:38.260 --> 00:16:39.740 to dwell in his word 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.760 like he does 00:16:40.760 --> 00:16:41.340 and his sons 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.180 and be in communion 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:42.859 with the Father. 00:16:45.859 --> 00:16:46.799 So for instance, 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.699 when we're convinced 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:48.979 that the events around us, 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.339 that they're clearly telling us 00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:51.339 to stop serving 00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:52.559 in that church ministry 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.679 because not enough people 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.299 attend it, 00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:56.379 to stop caring so much 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.559 about the spiritual health 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.339 of our friend 00:16:58.339 --> 00:17:00.019 because it clearly 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:01.359 is just a waste of energy, 00:17:02.479 --> 00:17:03.919 we can certainly be discouraged 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.299 when these things happen. 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.079 We're weak, 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.039 we'll be tired, 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:09.299 just like David's men, 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.519 and our temptation 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.819 is probably to just give up. 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:13.779 But we need to ask ourselves, 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.579 is this really what God wants? 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.039 It could be, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.579 but like David's men, 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.659 we must ensure 00:17:20.659 --> 00:17:21.700 that we're not focusing 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.759 on our own desires 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.879 and our intentions, 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.240 but our focus needs 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.159 to be on God's will 00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:28.299 and how we, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.599 as his subjects, 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:31.240 can serve him best. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.639 That way, 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.379 we can recognize temptation 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:35.940 when it comes our way, 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.279 dressed as providence, 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:39.319 like in the case of David here. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.839 That way, 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:41.339 we will know 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:42.139 if our interpretation 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.879 of the events, 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:45.240 if it contradicts God's plan for us, 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.240 which ultimately is 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.319 to glorify him 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.680 through our life, 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.099 his plan is for us 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:51.099 to serve him. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.639 As we move on 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.559 to the second section 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.559 in verses 8 to 15, 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:59.599 we're going to be looking 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.220 at David 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:02.139 who does the right thing 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:04.000 by trusting. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:06.160 So at this point, 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:08.160 Saul is leaving the cave. 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.440 He's unaware 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.599 of David's presence 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:13.480 and David runs after him. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.480 I think by now, 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.640 his men must think 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.000 that David has just gone mad. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:20.500 He trusts in God so much 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.279 and in his plan 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.819 to eventually make him king 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:25.299 that after sparing Saul's life, 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.819 instead of hiding in the cave 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.920 until Saul is gone, 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.160 he comes out 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:30.200 and calls him 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.940 because David trusts 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.700 that Saul will not order 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.319 his men 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.559 to slaughter him. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.880 How does David address Saul? 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:39.519 In verse 8, 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.539 address Saul, sorry. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.200 In verse 8, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.059 my lord, 00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:43.840 the king. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.160 And his body language 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:45.880 is consistent 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.920 with his words too. 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:48.299 He bows down 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.779 face to the ground 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.000 because David 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.160 is showing respect 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.680 to Saul's authority. 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:55.799 It's important 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.480 that we don't miss 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.259 the reason why. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:19:00.619 David said it to his men 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.440 in verse 6. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.039 He reiterates it here 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.700 to Saul. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.339 He doesn't respect Saul 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.599 for the good man he is, 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.200 of course, 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.700 or out of fear 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.480 of the king, 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:11.019 nor because Saul 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.680 is his friend 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.660 Jonathan's father. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.079 Look at verse 10. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.420 Because he is 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.359 the Lord's anointed. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.339 That's the only reason. 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.200 And just to avoid 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.460 any confusion in Saul 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:22.879 and prevent his pride 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:24.140 from finding an opportunity 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.920 to pump his own ego 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.599 even more, 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.679 David goes on 00:19:27.679 --> 00:19:28.740 to point how different 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.240 they are. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:33.179 David is the righteous king 00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:34.519 because he didn't listen 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.219 to his men 00:19:35.219 --> 00:19:36.659 who see an enemy in Saul. 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.279 But Saul, 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.099 on the other hand, 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.359 he keeps listening 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.139 to other men. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.899 David says it 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.539 in verse 9. 00:19:42.659 --> 00:19:44.059 David is the righteous king 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:45.219 because he had 00:19:45.219 --> 00:19:45.879 the opportunity 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:46.699 to kill Saul, 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.819 but he didn't. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.959 And this piece of robe 00:19:48.959 --> 00:19:50.980 that he is holding, 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.719 it proves it. 00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.980 He shows it to Saul 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.599 in verse 11 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.059 and he says, 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:55.879 I have not wronged you, 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.820 but Saul, 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.520 on the other hand, 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:59.220 he keeps hunting David down. 00:20:00.260 --> 00:20:01.660 So in verse 13, 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.880 David says, 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.580 from evildoers 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:06.080 come evil deeds 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:07.460 so my hand 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:09.180 will not touch you. 00:20:10.020 --> 00:20:10.460 David, 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.140 at this point, 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:12.200 he just goes for it. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.980 He respects God's anointed 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:15.720 by not killing him. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.260 He bows to him, 00:20:17.520 --> 00:20:18.960 but then he also 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.120 calls a spade a spade. 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:22.500 Saul's evil deeds 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:24.299 make him an evildoer, 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.959 an unrighteous man. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.399 And by contrast, 00:20:27.679 --> 00:20:28.179 because David 00:20:28.179 --> 00:20:29.439 does not touch him, 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.839 David is righteous. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.559 We have such an impressive, 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.039 such an amazing example 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.519 of trust in David here. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.799 Steadfast trust, 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:41.219 as he says in Psalm 57. 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.379 My heart, 00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:42.719 O God, 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.459 is steadfast. 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.819 My heart is steadfast. 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.919 Because David knows 00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:48.279 that he might have been 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.539 the anointed king 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.059 on the run. 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.200 Saul might have been 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:52.079 the anointed king 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.079 currently on the throne, 00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:53.839 but ultimately, 00:20:54.179 --> 00:20:55.419 it's God and God only 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.899 who is the ultimate king. 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.659 And God 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.879 is going to judge 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:01.079 between the two of them. 00:21:01.159 --> 00:21:01.960 He says it twice 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.799 in verses 12 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:04.679 and 15. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.819 David is 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.799 suffering 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.799 unjustly, 00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:10.539 but he still 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.939 respects God's authority. 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.439 He respects 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.259 God's plan 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.480 and his timing 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.539 and he puts 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.160 everything 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.420 in God's hands. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.279 David is innocent. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.759 Saul is guilty. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.900 It's clear to everyone, 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.920 even to Saul himself, 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.059 as we'll see in a moment, 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.080 but God 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:26.900 is the judge. 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:29.240 So David's trust 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.820 is not in himself. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.100 It is in God 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:32.759 only. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.259 What a lesson 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:36.759 for us. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.259 How much more 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.740 of an example 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.400 of dependence 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.000 on God 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.600 we would be 00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.660 if we stopped 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.340 trying to make 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.379 justice for ourselves 00:21:44.379 --> 00:21:45.519 whenever we think 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.379 we're being wronged. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.519 And if we trusted 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.059 in the fact 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.759 that God, 00:21:49.199 --> 00:21:49.899 God only, 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.720 is king 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.799 and judge. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.579 Hopefully no one 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.379 is trying to kill us, 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.259 but when that person 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.759 at work, 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.659 university, 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.579 or even at church 00:21:58.579 --> 00:22:00.439 says some unkind words, 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.240 when that person 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.379 talks behind our back, 00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:03.179 or when someone 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:04.039 disrespects us 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.019 one way or another, 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.199 is my reaction, 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.059 I've been challenged 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.519 to think, 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.259 is my reaction 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.279 what you would expect 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.659 of a child of God? 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.680 Do I behave 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.580 like someone 00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.240 who believes 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.220 that we're not 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.840 on this earth 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.880 to honor ourselves, 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.060 but that we're here 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:21.180 to glorify God, 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.380 to serve God? 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:24.360 We know we live 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:25.200 in a broken world, 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.340 and that is difficult, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.000 but we also know 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.220 that God is sovereign, 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.860 and he will judge 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.860 this world 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:33.180 when the time comes. 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.640 In the meantime, 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.000 just like David, 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.960 we are here 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.900 to serve him. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:41.140 So, 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.480 in these first two sections, 00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:44.140 so far we've seen 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.220 David as the seventh king. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.720 He does the right thing 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.740 by submitting himself 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.660 to God's authority, 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.980 and by serving Saul 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.259 as the God's anointed. 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:53.160 And then in this second section, 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.320 we just talked about David 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.759 as the trusting king, 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.140 because he trusts 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.300 that God will keep 00:22:58.300 --> 00:22:58.800 his promises, 00:22:59.300 --> 00:23:00.700 and that he will be 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.580 the ultimate judge 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:03.480 between him and Saul. 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:05.420 Now in this third 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.240 and last section, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:08.039 the author of 1 Samuel 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.460 gives us an account 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.920 of Saul's response 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.779 to David. 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.859 And David again 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:15.420 is the king 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.400 who does the right thing, 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.900 and I wanted to point out 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:20.779 how he is patient 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.460 in this case. 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.559 He's waiting, 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.220 and why. 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.099 So we know 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.720 because we've read 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.740 the passage that 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.779 Saul is not going 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.640 to laugh at David, 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:30.859 call his men, 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.420 and finally put an end 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.960 to this extenuating 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.720 really chase. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.420 the opposite. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.259 David, my son. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.400 That's what Saul says 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.180 in verse 16. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:42.059 So for a moment here, 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.980 David is not just 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.200 Jesse's son anymore, 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.100 which is how Saul 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.640 addressed him 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.900 in the last few chapters. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.960 He is my son. 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.279 What does Saul do? 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.079 He weeps. 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:53.400 He is clearly overwhelmed. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.460 He must have realized 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.940 the huge significance 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.500 of what just happened. 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:01.440 Who, he says in verse 19, 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.840 just who lets his enemy 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:04.340 go unharmed 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:05.820 when he finds him? 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.980 And then Saul 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.080 will say two things, 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.460 and it's the fact itself 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.700 that he says them 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.740 out loud to David 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.820 that means a lot 00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:15.100 because it's the first time 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:16.200 that he acknowledges them. 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.640 The first one being, 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.180 you are more righteous 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.880 than I am 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:21.180 because I have treated 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.779 you badly 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.820 in verse 17. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.820 You are more righteous. 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.019 What David just said 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.820 that Saul 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:27.900 is an evil doer, 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.440 Saul is finally admitting. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:31.559 And then the second thing is, 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.140 you will surely be king 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:34.000 in verse 20. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.920 Jonathan told David 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.779 that Saul knew this already. 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.700 But this is the first time 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:41.420 that we see Saul say publicly 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.720 that David will be king. 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.500 He knows that God 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.480 has rejected him 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.660 and chosen David 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.720 to replace him. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.960 Now, if you know 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.100 what the next few chapters 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.200 have in store for us, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.539 then you also know 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:55.160 that despite this reaction 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.960 of Saul here, 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.180 despite the weeping, 00:24:57.860 --> 00:24:59.279 things will pretty go much 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.940 things will pretty much 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.960 go to the way they were 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.839 with David still running 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.700 away from Saul 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:07.440 and Saul being very determined 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:09.200 to try and kill him. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.240 So however much he means 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.700 what he's saying just now, 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.359 this clearly wasn't 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.460 true repentance. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.059 Nevertheless, 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:19.099 we have to realize 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.960 that Saul can't help 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.940 but acknowledge 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:23.079 that God is at work 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.000 in David's life. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.059 That's why he's saying 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.680 what he's saying. 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:28.799 Isn't this a striking picture 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.340 of how it is impossible, 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.560 even for someone like Saul, 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.700 and therefore for those 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.259 around us, 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.400 how it is impossible 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.259 for them to see, 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:37.720 to ignore God at work 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.779 in our own lives. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.560 How encouraging is it 00:25:41.560 --> 00:25:42.799 when people can see 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.519 that there is something 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.019 different about the way 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.759 that we behave? 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.980 And then on the other hand, 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.860 how disheartening can it be 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:52.060 when we're not being an example? 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.259 And the difference 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.079 that should be there 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:55.720 simply isn't. 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:58.659 Just as David's actions 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.619 spoke volumes 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:01.259 about where his heart was, 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.579 so do ours. 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.919 The example I came up with, 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.000 just think about someone 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.240 turning down that promotion 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.700 at work, 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.819 because it would take time 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:12.119 away from their work 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:12.700 for God, 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.720 whether that's at church 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.519 or somewhere else. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.259 It would become apparent 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.619 to everyone in their circle 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:19.259 where this person's 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.079 priorities are, 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.599 and possibly prompt them 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.740 to ask questions 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.899 about why that is. 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:26.159 And then on the other hand, 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:28.460 we can be such a stumbling block 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.879 for the non-Christians 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.480 around us 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.119 when they see that we gossip 00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:33.539 or that we slack off at work 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.939 just like everyone else. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.319 Our behavior, 00:26:36.699 --> 00:26:37.799 just like David's here, 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.799 it will be noticed 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.819 by those around us, 00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:41.439 and it does say a lot 00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:43.899 about where our trust 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:45.500 and priorities are. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:50.180 After this, 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.900 Saul asks David to swear 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.920 that he will not 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:54.039 wipe out his house 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.559 once he becomes king 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.420 in verse 21, 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:58.059 which again confirms 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.220 that Saul is convinced 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.420 by now he knows 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.799 that David will be king. 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:03.960 David swears 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:05.220 he's just done it 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.700 to Jonathan 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.680 in the previous chapter, 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.759 but he does it again 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.900 to Saul here. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.000 And then they go 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.119 their own separate ways. 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.380 David and his men 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.720 went up to the stronghold 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.039 according to verse 22, 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.299 and we could add 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.099 they waited. 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:19.059 This is the third aspect 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:20.059 of David 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.379 that we see in this story. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.799 He is a patient king. 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.899 He waits on God's timing. 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.259 Saul just admitted 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.500 that even he knows 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.559 that David will be king, 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:29.899 but David knows 00:27:29.899 --> 00:27:30.839 that this is not 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.519 the right time. 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.379 God still has more 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.220 to teach David 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.819 before he gets to the throne. 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.720 And even though 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.099 it is difficult, 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.680 David submits himself 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.659 to God's authority 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:42.059 and he keeps waiting 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.680 while suffering unjustly. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.779 So we've seen 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.539 in chapter 24 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.980 how David 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.980 is shown to us 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.519 as a king 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.659 who does the right thing 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.259 by serving, 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:53.879 by trusting, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.579 by waiting. 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:55.799 And I think that 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.659 the picture of David 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.659 that's just been drawn 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.480 before our eyes 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.779 in this passage, 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.019 it takes us straight 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.500 to Jesus, 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:02.159 doesn't it? 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.039 Because the parallels 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.059 are everywhere. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.559 I'll quickly read 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.159 these verses 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:10.039 from 1 Peter 2. 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:11.420 These are about Jesus. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:13.759 To this you were called, 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.880 and this is bearing 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.460 the pain of unjust suffering 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.700 that he mentions 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.519 in the previous verse. 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.380 Because Christ suffered 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:20.900 for you, 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.220 leaving you an example 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:23.420 that you should follow, 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.259 you should follow 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.900 in his steps. 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.560 He committed no sin 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.680 and no deceit 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.759 was found in his mouth. 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.860 When they hurled 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:30.920 their insults at him, 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.960 he did not retaliate. 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.539 When he suffered, 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.960 he made no threats. 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.960 Instead, 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.420 he entrusted himself 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:38.920 to him 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.420 who judges justly. 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.660 He himself 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.580 bore our sins 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.640 in his body 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.320 on the cross 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.580 so that we might 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.400 die to sins 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.960 and live for righteousness. 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.460 By his wounds 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:51.300 you have been healed. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.800 So David suffered 00:28:53.800 --> 00:28:55.200 unjustly 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.840 and so did Jesus. 00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:59.120 David left an example 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.779 of righteousness 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:01.620 and so did Jesus. 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:04.340 David did not retaliate 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:06.019 and neither did Jesus. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.320 David entrusted himself 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.620 to God as his judge 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:11.139 and so did Jesus. 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.339 The difference being 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.219 between the two of them 00:29:14.219 --> 00:29:15.179 you've probably noticed 00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:17.659 he committed no sin 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:19.279 because at the end of the day 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.619 David is just a man. 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.959 He's a man who does 00:29:21.959 --> 00:29:22.500 the right thing 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.239 in this passage. 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:24.659 He's a man who sins 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.500 in others 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:27.459 and David didn't take 00:29:27.459 --> 00:29:28.519 our sins to the cross 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:28.919 with him 00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:30.439 but only Jesus did. 00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:31.779 We're not saved 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.719 through David of course 00:29:32.719 --> 00:29:33.879 but we are saved 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.899 through Jesus. 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.519 This is why we're looking 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.339 at David serving, 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:37.819 trusting, 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.779 and waiting tonight 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.859 because he points us 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.399 to Jesus, 00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.939 the perfect king. 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.720 Jesus served God 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:45.619 by submitting to God's plan 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.859 to come on earth 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.099 in human form. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.619 He trusted in God 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.819 and was obedient 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:52.279 to the point of death 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.960 on a cross 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.679 and he waited patiently 00:29:54.679 --> 00:29:55.460 for God's will 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.019 to be done 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:58.359 while suffering horribly. 00:29:58.359 --> 00:30:02.879 So think back to what 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:03.559 is going through 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.659 your childhood 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:06.679 as you sit in front 00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:07.399 of that board 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.779 and you have the possibility 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.899 to alter the course 00:30:09.899 --> 00:30:10.419 of the game 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:11.199 and win. 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.679 How much more tempting 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.779 would it be 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.779 when your life 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.459 is on the line? 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:19.179 By any human standards 00:30:19.179 --> 00:30:20.519 it would just make no sense 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.319 to face death 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.879 rather than walk away. 00:30:23.719 --> 00:30:24.199 Particularly, 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.159 one might add, 00:30:25.219 --> 00:30:26.019 if you've done nothing 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.420 to deserve such death. 00:30:28.379 --> 00:30:29.599 Jesus knew the cost 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:31.480 and he did the right thing 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:33.180 because he wanted to. 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.579 He served, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.259 he trusted, 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.019 he waited 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.500 because he's not just 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:37.859 the king 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:39.440 who did the right thing 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:39.799 once, 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:41.420 he is the perfect king. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.900 If we're left to ourselves 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.940 we won't be able 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.460 to serve, 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.440 to trust, 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.420 and to wait 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:47.960 for God 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.559 and his plan. 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.319 This is why 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.559 we need to be dependent 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.099 on Jesus 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:54.379 and point other people 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:54.899 to Jesus 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:56.059 with our life. 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:58.000 So let's fix our eyes 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.419 on Jesus, 00:30:58.879 --> 00:30:59.819 the perfect king 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:01.639 and let's imitate Christ 00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.759 in suffering 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.959 with righteousness 00:31:03.959 --> 00:31:05.099 while we wait 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:06.240 for him to come back. 00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.839 So that those around us, 00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.439 God willing, 00:31:08.919 --> 00:31:10.059 will discover Jesus 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.759 for themselves 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:12.240 and glorify God. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.619 Let's pray. 00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:18.179 Father, 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.879 we come to you 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.379 because, 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.299 as we've seen, 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:20.779 you're the one 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.639 that we want to put 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.539 our trust in. 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:25.000 You have won the battle, 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.939 you have defeated death, 00:31:27.459 --> 00:31:28.479 you have sacrificed 00:31:28.479 --> 00:31:29.519 our son for us. 00:31:31.479 --> 00:31:32.299 Through Jesus 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:34.079 we're made righteous. 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:36.779 And it should be easy 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.579 for us to trust 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.239 in your plan 00:31:38.239 --> 00:31:39.159 and in your timing 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:40.119 but we are weak 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.259 and as we've seen 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:43.019 we live in a broken world 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.099 and we're broken too. 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:45.960 And so often 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.619 we would rather 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:48.079 serve ourselves 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:49.379 and put our trust 00:31:49.379 --> 00:31:49.980 in ourselves. 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.319 Father, 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.160 we ask you tonight 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.000 to forgive us. 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.559 We ask you to strengthen us. 00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:56.059 We ask you to make us 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.200 more similar to Jesus. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:01.980 May we leave tonight 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.839 wanting to imitate him 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:07.160 as we start a new week 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.779 tomorrow, Father. 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.759 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.559 Amen.