WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.100 Verse 5. So we'll be in 1st Samuel chapter 18, starting at verse 5 all the way to the end of the chapter. 00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:15.860 If you're joining us in the middle of this wonderful long book, you need to know a couple of things. 00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:19.800 Israel is the king. Israel has a king, which is Saul. 00:00:20.460 --> 00:00:26.699 But God said that in choosing a man to be king like all the other nations, Israel had rejected God as their king. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:32.500 We also know that God told Saul because Saul did not honor God as king. 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:35.960 The kingdom now, which belongs to God, is torn away from Saul. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:38.700 And instead, God has anointed David. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:42.560 So it's the end of King Saul and the rise of King David. 00:00:42.659 --> 00:00:46.120 And this is a very important chapter to see this transition. 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:55.500 1st Samuel 18, starting at 5, trusting it's God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, sufficient, powerful word for his people. 00:00:56.700 --> 00:01:00.720 So David went out wherever Saul sent him and behaved wisely. 00:01:01.440 --> 00:01:03.540 And Saul set him over the men of war. 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:09.000 And he was accepted in the sight of the people and also the sight of Saul's servants. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:15.640 Now it happened as they were coming home when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:21.359 that the women had come out of the cities of Israel, singing and dancing to meet King Saul, 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:26.019 with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:32.340 So the women sang as they danced and said, Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands. 00:01:33.340 --> 00:01:36.439 Then Saul was very angry and the same displeased him. 00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:39.599 And he said, they have ascribed to David ten thousands. 00:01:39.739 --> 00:01:42.319 And to me, they have ascribed only thousands. 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:45.839 Now what more can he have but the kingdom? 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:50.139 So Saul eyed David from that day forward. 00:01:56.139 --> 00:01:57.219 Excuse me. 00:01:58.939 --> 00:01:59.879 Verse 10. 00:01:59.879 --> 00:02:08.419 And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul and he prophesied inside the house. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:12.719 So David played music with his hand as at other times. 00:02:12.859 --> 00:02:15.419 But there was a spear in Saul's hand. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:21.359 And Saul cast the spear for he said, I will pin David to the wall. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:24.240 But David escaped his presence twice. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:32.200 Now Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:38.900 Therefore, Saul removed him from his presence and made him his captain over a thousand. 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:42.600 And he went out and came in before the people. 00:02:43.260 --> 00:02:45.500 And David behaved wisely in all his ways. 00:02:45.600 --> 00:02:46.660 And the Lord was with him. 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:51.920 Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:57.679 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he went out and came in before them. 00:02:59.339 --> 00:03:02.839 Then Saul said to David, here is my older daughter, Merab. 00:03:03.299 --> 00:03:05.119 I will give her to you as a wife. 00:03:05.359 --> 00:03:08.779 Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles. 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:15.719 For Saul thought, let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:24.840 So David said to Saul, who am I and what is my life or my father's family in Israel that I should be son-in-law to the king? 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:35.620 But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David that she was given to Adriel, the Maholothite, as a wife. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:38.860 Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:41.680 And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:50.480 So Saul said, I will give her to him that she may be a snare to him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:55.180 Therefore, Saul said to David a second time, you shall be my son-in-law today. 00:03:55.180 --> 00:04:04.659 And Saul commanded his servants, communicate with David secretly and say, look, the king has delighted you and all his servants love you. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:08.040 Now, therefore, become the king's son-in-law. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:13.340 So Saul's servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:19.920 And David said, does it seem to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law? 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:23.460 Seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:28.159 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, in this manner, David spoke. 00:04:28.659 --> 00:04:33.879 Then Saul said, thus you shall say to David, the king does not desire any dowry. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:35.279 That's a bride price. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:40.819 But one hundred foreskins of the Philistines to take vengeance on the king's enemies. 00:04:41.719 --> 00:04:45.359 But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:50.399 So when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to become the king's son-in-law. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:52.639 Now the days had not expired. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:55.359 Therefore, David arose and went. 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:59.000 He and his men and killed two hundred of the Philistines. 00:04:59.359 --> 00:05:03.379 And David brought their foreskins and gave them in full count to the king. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:08.560 That it might become that he might become the king's son-in-law. 00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:12.060 Then Saul gave him Michal, his daughter, as a wife. 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:19.480 Thus Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him. 00:05:20.220 --> 00:05:23.120 And Saul was still more afraid of David. 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:26.980 So Saul became David's enemy continually. 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:30.759 Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:37.579 And so it was whenever they went out that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul. 00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:41.079 So that his name became highly esteemed. 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:43.920 The word of God for the people of God. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:45.639 Thanks be to God. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:46.439 Please be seated. 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:57.279 Let's pray. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:05:57.300 Let's pray. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:58.219 Let's pray. 00:05:58.220 --> 00:06:12.320 Oh, Lord, we pray that through this ancient narrative, you will help us to understand the meaning of these scriptures. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:18.220 We pray that the Holy Spirit and every true believer, the same spirit that breathed out these words, will teach us. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:21.020 Lord, I pray that you will guard my words. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.780 I pray that you'll guard the ears of the congregation. 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:29.679 I pray that what you want to be preached and heard will further your purposes, Lord. 00:06:29.979 --> 00:06:35.159 May the preaching of your word now accomplish what you intend and design for it to do for your glory. 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:37.859 And only by your help and power, we pray. 00:06:38.239 --> 00:06:38.539 Amen. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:46.859 Well, the Greek philosopher Aristotle made this observation. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:53.419 He who is to be a good ruler must first be ruled. 00:06:53.779 --> 00:07:00.399 He who is to be a good ruler over the people must first himself be ruled. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:06.759 David will soon become the greatest king in the history of Israel. 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:09.939 But he's not ready for that yet. 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:20.979 God is putting David through a school to prepare him to be not only a king, but a shadow of the great king, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, that would come. 00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:25.620 And in this chapter, I believe we get to see how God does this. 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:28.860 How is it that God prepares a servant like David? 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:35.240 You and I are being prepared. 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:38.480 One day we will rule with Christ when he comes again. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.819 We will rule over the new heavens and the new earth. 00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:44.280 And in this life, it's hard. 00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:45.240 There's injustice. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:46.840 There's persecution. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:49.060 But it's our preparation. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:51.659 It's how God is sanctifying us. 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:56.560 How he's preparing our souls to learn to be submissive to him, to King Jesus. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:07:59.959 And he does this through all these other spheres of authority. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:09.500 We're going to see in this chapter the ways in which David was taught by God to exercise or practice submission to God, 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:15.799 even by submitting to a wicked and unjust boss or king, which is King Saul. 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:22.620 When David submits to King Saul, he's practicing submission to God. 00:08:23.359 --> 00:08:24.919 And for you and I, it's the same way. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:32.580 Children, when you obey your parents, you're practicing and exercising submission to God by submitting to your parents. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:39.420 When you as Christians submit yourselves to a local church, you are submitting to God. 00:08:40.060 --> 00:08:45.759 When we submit ourselves to our employers, to the government, we're submitting to God. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:56.600 Either we submit to God and it's expressed as submission in these realms that he's given us, 00:08:56.779 --> 00:09:04.960 or what we're doing is refusing to submit to God by denying the authorities he has put in place over our lives. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:11.860 So by looking at David and his submission in this context, we have a mirror now back on ourselves. 00:09:12.659 --> 00:09:14.340 Is God my king? 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:16.080 Do I trust God? 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:21.420 Do I practice my obedience to God through these different spheres that he's given me? 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:29.780 If God is not your king, if God is not my king, we will have a miserable existence. 00:09:30.780 --> 00:09:32.300 Can someone say amen to that? 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:33.160 We've tried it, right? 00:09:34.540 --> 00:09:38.720 If God is your king, we see an encouragement in David's life. 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:41.759 We will have powerful sustenance. 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:45.740 God will sustain us in a powerful way, just like he did David. 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:52.360 So to set up this contrast, we're going to look at six sad side effects for Saul. 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:57.899 And then we're going to see the life of David and God's powerful sustaining him. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:04.399 So first, how miserable a person becomes like Saul who rejects God's kingship. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:08.879 How miserable a person becomes who rejects God's kingship. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:12.539 You're going to have to just wade through the misery with me. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:16.340 It's painful, but we have to point it out in what we see with Saul here. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:19.379 Here's the first of the six observations. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:26.120 When God is not king, we sinners try to control people. 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:27.919 Have you done that? 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.679 I know I have. 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:33.059 When God is not king, we sinners try to control people. 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:36.039 That's the first miserable side effect for Saul. 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:39.799 Saul tries to control, first of all, where David goes. 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:42.419 Look at verse 8, chapter 18. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.360 I'm sorry, chapter 18, verse 2. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:53.039 Saul took David that day after he slayed Goliath and would not let him go to his father's house anymore. 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:59.840 Now, that's nice because you're in the royal court and there's prestige, but the wording is very strong. 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:01.180 He would not let him go. 00:11:02.180 --> 00:11:06.639 I mean, if David's 15 years old and he's been used to tending the sheep, he cares about them, 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:07.840 makes sure they're cared for. 00:11:08.060 --> 00:11:10.180 Now the king is controlling this man. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.600 We know he's a growing threat to Saul. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:18.060 Saul loved his music, but he's going to keep his threats even closer than his friends. 00:11:19.560 --> 00:11:23.899 And next we see how Saul also controls David by trying to use him. 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:27.200 Okay, here's a warrior that God is blessing in the battle. 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:30.440 So look at verse 5, chapter 18, verse 5. 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:34.360 Saul sets David over the men of war that day. 00:11:34.920 --> 00:11:39.500 And we see that as he goes out, he becomes promoted more and more. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:41.340 He's given a thousand men and more and more. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:46.980 David now becomes someone that Saul is going to use to conquer for him. 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:51.159 David will be one to fight in my army, says Saul. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.539 He will expand my kingdom. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:53.960 He will win for me. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.659 He will bring glory to me. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.179 He will lead my army. 00:11:57.179 --> 00:12:01.859 And God says, this is my army, Saul, not yours. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.919 It's my kingdom, not your kingdom. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.719 David is my servant. 00:12:06.099 --> 00:12:07.219 You don't get to use him. 00:12:08.459 --> 00:12:14.500 Second observation, when God is not king, we sinners are easily offended. 00:12:15.599 --> 00:12:19.599 When God is not king, we sinners like Saul are easily offended. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.779 Look at verse 6. 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:26.000 We have to put ourselves in this cultural setting to even appreciate what's happening here. 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:29.720 In verse 6, the women had come out of all the cities of Israel. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.779 Think how sweeping of a statement that is. 00:12:33.579 --> 00:12:38.639 All the cities of an entire nation represented in a great victory parade. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:47.779 Now, the fact that this is happening is most likely trying to reinstall a practice that God had set as a pattern previously. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:53.799 In Exodus chapter 15, Miriam, we're told in verse 20, 00:12:53.959 --> 00:13:01.100 And all the women, all the women of Israel, they gave God the glory for the victory after they crossed the sea. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:04.299 They went out and they had their tambourines and dancing. 00:13:04.439 --> 00:13:06.139 It's very similar celebration. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:11.720 But listen to how the lyrics that Miriam sang after the deliverance from Egypt are different. 00:13:12.579 --> 00:13:15.539 In Exodus 15, Miriam and all the women sing this. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:20.959 Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously. 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:26.179 The horse and his rider God has thrown into the sea. 00:13:27.199 --> 00:13:28.980 They're not singing to Moses. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.980 Moses has slayed his thousands of Egyptians. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:35.579 We read in verse 6, 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:38.879 The women came out singing and dancing, and who did they come to meet? 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:40.339 Look at verse 6 very closely. 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:44.220 They came to meet King Saul. 00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:47.740 Did King Saul go fight in this battle against Goliath? 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:53.960 But that's who they are trained now to come and give praises to. 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.500 Apparently, this was the custom. 00:13:56.680 --> 00:14:01.600 It's what Saul expected all the women from all the cities of Israel to do. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:05.720 You see how he's made himself a god, an idol. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:11.360 He's worshipping himself, and he wants the whole nation to worship him instead of God. 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:16.659 They sing praises to Saul, and they give Saul credit for God's victories. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:22.899 Now, the language in verse 7, I had to have this pointed out to me, but it makes total sense. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.759 Look at verse 7. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.759 In your Bible, is it indented? 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:29.580 Yeah, so it's supposed to be poetry. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:31.319 We're supposed to recognize this is a lyric. 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:33.039 This is a song they're singing. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:35.360 The first line goes like this. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:40.019 Saul, so that's the hero they're holding up, has slain his thousands. 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:42.399 You know, big number, using exaggeration. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:45.319 And then it sets up a second line that says, 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:48.639 David, another hero, has slain ten thousands. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:56.819 And in this song, they're using a Hebrew literary device called synonymous parallelism. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:15:02.000 These two lines are parallel one to the other, but they're not saying something different. 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.860 They're saying something synonymous. 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:05.759 They're repeating the same theme. 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:11.600 And this is Hebrew poetry that we see all over the place, especially in the Psalms. 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.919 Think of a good example of using this. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:16.819 Psalm 24, verse 1. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:18.820 It also has two lines. 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:21.360 Listen for how they're synonymous parallels. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:25.280 The earth is the Lord's and all it contains. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.060 That's line one. 00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:27.460 So the Lord is the hero. 00:15:27.780 --> 00:15:29.860 And this is the scope of his realm. 00:15:30.520 --> 00:15:34.140 And the second line repeats the same theme, but elevates it. 00:15:35.260 --> 00:15:37.820 The world and all those who dwell in it. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:40.600 So not only just the space, but all the creatures and mankind. 00:15:40.880 --> 00:15:42.160 They all are the Lord's. 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.440 He rules over it all. 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:52.580 So here these women, as they're singing, they're using exaggeration to express the greatness of the victories of Israel that day. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:57.160 They rejoice about Saul, but they also rejoice about David. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:16:02.639 And their song David is synonymous with and parallel to Saul. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:06.719 They're not necessarily making Saul look bad. 00:16:06.839 --> 00:16:08.459 They're saying he's a hero also. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.319 And here's another one. 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:11.039 And there's future for our nation. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.740 Some commentator made this observation. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:22.100 The reaction Saul gives to this song, it reveals how his true problem was not David's popularity. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:26.620 Not even this foolish song of the women or even the Philistines. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:31.759 Saul's problem was his hostile relationship with the Lord. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.039 That's the end of that quote. 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:44.339 Saul is envious and enraged and worked up as a result of him having rejected God as his king. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.399 Look at verse eight. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:50.279 Then Saul was very angry and the same displeased him. 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:56.860 And he said, now what more can David have but the kingdom, my precious kingdom, my idol? 00:16:56.860 --> 00:17:03.620 He loves the kingdom more than he loves the God who rules as the king. 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:10.240 Third sad side effect for Saul is this. 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:17.799 When God is not king, we sinners will always view others, even the true servants of God, with suspicion. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:25.779 When God is not king, we sinners will also view others, even true servants of God like David, with suspicion. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:27.379 Look at verse nine. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.559 Saul eyed David from that day forward. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.299 He jealously gazed at David. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:36.059 He suspiciously watched David. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:42.420 Have you ever had to work with someone like that that seems suspicious about everything? 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.559 It's exhausting, isn't it? 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:50.859 And this is a danger because the kingdom of God is a kingdom of power and abundance. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:53.460 It's not a kingdom like the world. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:56.420 It's a kingdom when God is the king. 00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:58.160 We have peace. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.860 Jesus is the prince of peace. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:08.319 And the church, the kingdom of God on earth should be marked not with continuous cynicism, but with truth and peace. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:14.159 The fourth observation is that when God is not king, our lives will be. 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.899 I couldn't think of. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.539 I reworded this one like eight times. 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.819 I just had to say miserable. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.480 There's no other way to put it. 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:23.779 And look what a confused mess Saul's life is in verse 10. 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:27.500 I don't even know how to interpret this except to read it back to you. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:31.500 The distressing spirit from God came upon Saul. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.079 Miserable. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.619 Miserable. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.720 Spirit of torment. 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:39.399 And he's acting, you could say, out of his mind. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:44.000 I mean, everybody could see the this man is now having an episode again. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.819 It's just how you see him. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:49.740 And he prophesied in the house. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.599 Now, this is so confusing. 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:57.240 Remember the expression Saul will be, you know, a prophet as well. 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.399 Even he will be prophesying. 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.539 It was the most crazy thing. 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:01.159 So here's this man. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:07.339 And in the court, when everybody's watching, he's on one hand acting crazy again and very distressed. 00:19:07.679 --> 00:19:10.859 On the other hand, no one knows how to really make sense of that. 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:19.359 Some people think he's just, you know, acting like a prophet or trying to say words as if they're from God or or trying to claim authority from God. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:22.399 But he's a miserable mess in a contradiction. 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:26.299 And we have to come to the conclusion in this chapter for sure. 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:27.959 Saul is a hypocrite. 00:19:28.479 --> 00:19:29.699 He wants one appearance. 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:34.099 But everybody knows in his spirit he is a dark disaster. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:40.259 When you reject God as king, your life will be miserable. 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:48.699 So David played music with his hand at other times, but there was a spear in Saul's hand. 00:19:51.219 --> 00:19:55.159 On David is the Holy Spirit of God. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.699 He is anointed. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:20:00.839 On Saul is a distressing spirit. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.899 He's brought curses upon himself. 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:11.400 In David's hand is an instrument of peace, music, beauty. 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:15.540 And in Saul's hand is a javelin. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:19.580 It's the same weapon that Goliath carried. 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:24.279 Someone made this comment. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:34.679 The misery we see in Saul's life at that point in time is God's down payment on future judgment for sin. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:41.200 And in Saul's case, it was a well advanced evidence of that. 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:45.940 What that means is that God will judge all who reject him as king one day. 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:52.120 And when we see someone who rejects God as king now miserable, it's a warning. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:59.720 And that's it's like a down payment of even worse judgment, a worse misery that's coming later on the great day of judgment. 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:09.960 Isaiah 57 verses 20 and 21 says that the wicked are like the tossing sea. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:14.940 There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.960 Don't reject God as your king. 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:25.779 Your heart will be like those tossing waves stirring up sand and dirt. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.799 No peace, no rest. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:40.059 The fifth observation is that when God is not king, the sins of the heart eventually will lead to destruction in real life. 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:51.079 When God is not king, those dark sins that we think we can mask like Saul being a hypocrite and cover up and hide for a while eventually will bear fruit. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:55.339 They will be lived out and cause destruction in real life. 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:59.980 See, up to this point, the misery of Saul has been on the inside. 00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:03.480 But what was on the inside now comes out. 00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:06.339 Look at verse 11. 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:15.059 Saul takes that javelin, that shorter spear, and he cast it at David. 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:19.059 And he said, I will pin David to the wall. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:22.199 He's not trying just to scrape him or catch his leg. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.559 He wants to impale David. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:26.559 It's destruction in real life. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:30.440 Matthew Henry's comment was this. 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:39.159 Sin cherished in the heart will invariably express itself through the mouth and the hand. 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:46.500 And the sixth and final miserable observation about Saul is this. 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.320 To me, this was the scariest thought of them all. 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:58.299 When God is not king, you and I will have to obey something unholy instead. 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:07.960 If you and I don't have God as our king ruling over us, obeying him, we will have to obey something else. 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:14.039 And there is nothing else that's holy, which means you're now a slave to the unholy. 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:16.339 And that's a scary thought. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.779 Look at verse 12. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:21.779 Now Saul was afraid of David. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:24.579 Literally, Saul dreaded David's face. 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:29.899 Just as the wicked, worldly king Herod later on would fear John the Baptist. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.619 Do you remember that? 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.559 That's who we get here. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.839 Saul is a wicked king of the world. 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.579 He's like an ancient Herod. 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:41.460 And why did he fear David? 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:46.680 It's because the Lord was with David, but had departed from Saul. 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:51.399 Saul was a concentrated portrait. 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:55.079 Someone pointed out of a man in rebellion against God. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:24:01.539 In verse 12, Saul perceived that David was blessed by God in a way that he was not. 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:07.980 And now Saul is becoming the embodiment of what Psalm 1 warns against. 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:15.879 It's that wicked man who is like chaff that the wind drives away and whose way perishes. 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:35.700 Saul is using those same tactics that David would later use against Uriah when he steals Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:44.039 This means that if David did anything admirable in this chapter, it's only by the Spirit's help and power. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:50.160 Richard Phillips commented this about Saul, applying it to the church today. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:59.400 Saul is just like people today who focus their resentment and frustration on other people when their real problem is God. 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:06.880 Saul had set his will against the Lord and hardened his heart against God's commands. 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:16.300 God was therefore now against Saul, as seen by the harmful spirit that fed into the king's jealous rage. 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:18.200 That's the end of the quote. 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:27.880 Brothers and sisters, dear friends, if you and I reject God's kingship, our lives will be just as miserable as Saul's. 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:31.680 Let this be a cautionary portrait for us. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:37.020 Either God or the devil will rule over every single person. 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.380 It will be one or the other. 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:47.380 Remember how Satan tried to trick Eve and Adam by saying you will be like gods. 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:50.920 Well, Saul apparently bought into that lie. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:55.180 And you and I can fall for that too, the deceitfulness of sin. 00:25:55.180 --> 00:26:01.000 Listen, if you and I have been tricked into believing that we can be the king or the queen of our own life, 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:07.160 that means that the devil made us swallow that same hook and it's got a barb on it. 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:09.779 You're a slave to the devil. 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:18.140 You will be a slave to your king, whatever that king is, your idol, your sin, your pride, yourself. 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:23.120 The devil will be your true master and the wicked king of your life. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:29.480 And if Satan is ruling over your life as a wicked king, he has one goal in doing that. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:32.960 And it's to injure and to destroy you. 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:38.420 Do you see what a difference our king makes? 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:44.060 Make sure God is your king, dear friends. 00:26:45.800 --> 00:26:49.460 Well, this chapter doesn't just give us Saul, though. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:56.420 And God's grace interwoven with these same verses is a different one, a different man. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:27:03.240 And as we look at David next, let's think together of how powerfully God sustains a person like David, 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:07.720 a servant who joyfully submits to God as king. 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:13.900 How powerfully God sustains a person who joyfully submits to God as king. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:18.100 And may this stir you up to submit joyfully to God as your king. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:21.560 Six observations about David. 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:27.060 Number one, when God is your king, the Lord powerfully sustains his servants 00:27:27.060 --> 00:27:30.800 to minister peace to those, even those who hate God's rule. 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:34.519 In verse 10, that's exactly what David's doing. 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:38.140 Picture Saul sitting there on the throne holding that javelin. 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.880 Hating David. 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:43.420 And yet God sustains David to stay right there. 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:46.539 With him staring you down, hating you. 00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:48.300 Play the music. 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:51.220 Do that simple job I've given you to do. 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.400 Obey me, David. 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.420 Right there. 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:59.200 Second Peter 314 encourages us. 00:27:59.560 --> 00:28:01.600 Look forward to these things. 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:03.860 These promises we have in Christ. 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:11.400 Be diligent to be found by Christ in peace without spot and blemish when he comes again. 00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:12.740 Be diligent. 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:14.880 Be found in peace. 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.960 Keep doing what I've told you to do. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:26.759 Number two, when God is your king, his powerful presence moves his servants and preserves you under attack. 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:35.860 When God is your king, it's the powerful presence of God, the Holy Spirit and a true believer that energizes you, moves you, 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:39.039 and also preserves you even while you're under attack. 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:41.279 Verse 11. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:45.159 Saul with the spear throws it at David. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:51.399 And we're told that David escaped his presence, his spear twice. 00:28:51.400 --> 00:29:00.560 If you're sitting there and someone throws a javelin trying to impale you once, what are your thoughts next? 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.300 I'm leaving. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.759 I'm going to go find a new job. 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.840 This is not worth it. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:07.080 My whole life could have been over right there. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:09.100 And this happened twice now. 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:12.040 And David escaped the presence. 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.600 In other words, it wasn't that Saul was a bad aim. 00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:16.900 There was movement on David's part. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:20.660 He was behaving very wisely, we're told, like three times. 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:25.540 Why is it that David is behaving wisely and moving and even able to escape? 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:28.900 Innocent as a dove and shrewd as a viper, you could say. 00:29:29.540 --> 00:29:31.460 Look at verse 14 for the answer. 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:38.680 David behaved wisely in all his ways because the Lord was with him. 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:44.300 It was the Holy Spirit on him, causing him to move, causing him to be wise. 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:51.599 See, if God has done that in your life or mine or preserved us or given us that energy, that's admirable. 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:55.359 Like in David's case, we don't get to take any glory or credit for that. 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:57.899 That's the Holy Spirit causing us. 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:06.680 God's presence by his spirit with us preserves us in the same way to do what Colossians 1 verses 10 and 11 call us to do. 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:09.039 To walk worthy of the Lord. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:11.840 I can't walk worthy of the Lord without God's power. 00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:22.259 But God causes us to walk worthy of the Lord by his spirit, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:30.700 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power for all patience and long suffering with joy. 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:33.559 Isn't that a glorious passage? 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:37.220 God sustains his people to do that. 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:43.240 His power, all patience, long suffering with joy. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:47.420 Third encouragement from what God did to David. 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:54.200 When God is your king, he helps his servants to endure in faithful service, 00:30:54.480 --> 00:31:00.000 not because the sinner that you're serving deserves it, but because you're doing it as unto the Lord. 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:08.100 God helps his servants to obey even a wicked boss or parent or pastor of a church, 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:13.860 not because that person deserves it, but as unto the Lord. 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:23.220 David had the presence of the Lord with him, and he remained in the court, not once but twice. 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:31.720 He was remaining because God said, David, you will be the king, and I'm commanding you now through this king. 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.279 He said, you're not allowed to go home. 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.220 You have to stay. 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:39.319 Obey the Lord and do what he's called you to do, even if the orders came through this wicked man. 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:44.839 Colossians 3, 22 and 25 encourage us Christians the same way. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:47.140 Obey in all things. 00:31:47.380 --> 00:31:49.380 Your master's according to the flesh. 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:51.240 See, they don't own you. 00:31:52.280 --> 00:31:53.480 God's put them as masters. 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:56.700 According to the flesh in this world, you will have a boss. 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.900 You will have a coach. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:32:00.240 You'll have a difficult teacher to work with. 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:04.320 Obey in all things within the bounds of Scripture as best you can. 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:11.000 Not with eye service as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:19.940 And whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive a reward of the inheritance. 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:22.519 For you serve the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:26.920 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done. 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.480 And there is no partiality. 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:33.799 The encouragement is that God will make all things right one day. 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:39.220 Some of you are dealing with injustice right now at work or in other relationships. 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:42.000 God will make all things right one day. 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.879 We trust him with that. 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:46.839 We don't take judgment or vengeance into our hands. 00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:49.740 Instead, we obey all that we do. 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:54.639 Not as one's working unto men, but as working unto King Jesus himself. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.819 Fourth encouragement. 00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:58.919 We see what God did to David. 00:32:58.920 --> 00:33:07.420 David, when God is your king, he helps his servants to remain humble before God, even when treated unjustly. 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:14.360 When God is your king, he helps you to remain humble, even when you're treated wrong. 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:17.360 David was treated wrong. 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:23.779 The condition for marrying the princess was to kill Goliath. 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.480 Do you remember that? 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:26.440 He said, you don't have to pay taxes. 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.820 You get to marry the princess. 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:31.180 That work has already been done. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:33.960 The Bible says the worker deserves his wages. 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:36.680 But Saul is unjust. 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:39.240 He starts adding more burdens now. 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.800 Look at verse 17. 00:33:41.800 --> 00:33:47.539 Saul said to David, here is my older daughter, Merib, and I will give her to you as a wife. 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:51.360 Now, here's the hidden part of the contract. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:54.640 Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord's battles. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:34:00.980 For Saul thought, let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him. 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:04.220 I tried to kill him twice myself, and it didn't work. 00:34:04.300 --> 00:34:07.140 So let the Philistines now do my dirty work for me. 00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:11.400 This is a public injustice. 00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:15.780 Remember, all the soldiers were talking about the great prize you would get if you go fight Goliath. 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:20.700 This is an open abuse of power, and in a monarchy, you can get away from it. 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.240 Get away with it. 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:24.740 There's no constitution to hold the king in check. 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:30.279 And those who knew scripture would associate Saul with Laban. 00:34:30.899 --> 00:34:36.479 Remember how Jacob had to work seven years, and then he got the older sister that he didn't want to marry. 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:40.599 And he had to work seven more years in order to get the sister that he did want to marry. 00:34:41.879 --> 00:34:43.019 Saul is like a Laban. 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:44.500 He's unjust. 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:51.659 But because God is king of David's life, even above Saul, look at verse 18. 00:34:53.019 --> 00:35:00.500 David said to Saul, who am I and what is my life or my father's family in Israel that I should be son-in-law to the king? 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.320 He remains humble. 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:03.920 Verse 19. 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:12.920 It happened at the time when Merib, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David that she was given to Adriel, the Maholothite, as a wife instead. 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:15.220 Now, that's just a slap in the face. 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:21.099 If the first one was unjust, at least Laban gave Leah and Rachel eventually to Jacob. 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:25.340 Now he's having this promised princess be given to another man in marriage. 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:34.980 Saul denied David what he had promised, and instead the princess is now taken away, and he's publicly humiliated in front of the whole nation. 00:35:35.619 --> 00:35:37.079 Now, that should do something. 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:43.639 It should start a civil war, or it should make people realize Saul has way more power than David. 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:44.940 Look how weak David is. 00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:46.279 He's just taken it. 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:57.259 He tried to stir David up, one commentator thought, into anger so that David would finally break out in some indecency of word or deed, 00:35:57.319 --> 00:36:02.719 which would give Saul the occasion to prosecute David with the law and disqualify him. 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:08.980 If that commentator is right, this was a ploy to try to bring out a reaction out of David, 00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:12.500 to show that David is an unworthy ruler. 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:17.679 He's now going against the king, and this should be so obvious to all. 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:27.959 In Psalm 55, verse 21, David speaks of his enemy as one whose words are smoother than butter, 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:30.879 but there is war in his heart. 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:33.420 Perhaps he was thinking of Saul. 00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:40.860 But when God is your king, he helps his servants to remain humble, even before God, 00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:44.599 no matter what injustices you suffer. 00:36:46.119 --> 00:36:47.640 Fifth encouragement is this. 00:36:47.740 --> 00:36:54.519 When God is your king, you get to trust the Lord to redeem even something designed to hurt you, 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:57.019 according to God's good purposes. 00:36:57.019 --> 00:37:04.719 When God is your king, you trust the Lord to redeem something, even something designed to hurt you. 00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:07.500 And God will do it for his purposes. 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.960 In verse 21, Saul said, 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:16.759 I will give her to him that she may be a snare to him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:20.059 In verse 25, he explains his plan. 00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:28.799 The king does not desire any dowry, but 100 foreskins of the Philistines to take vengeance on the king's enemies. 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:34.539 But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:41.860 To circumcise a Philistine would be the greatest offense to them. 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:44.739 It would be a disgrace, a reproach. 00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:50.960 The Philistines had mocked the Israelites for practicing circumcision, something God told them to do. 00:37:51.639 --> 00:37:56.659 So to not only defeat one of their battalions, but then to also circumcise those men 00:37:56.659 --> 00:38:05.119 and present that to the king of Israel was to bring on all of the Philistines could have to destroy whoever did that to their soldiers. 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:07.539 This was Saul's plan. 00:38:08.199 --> 00:38:15.079 It was to exasperate the enemies of God, the Philistines, so much that the whole nation would now put David as the most wanted, 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:17.399 that they will come and get rid of. 00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:26.639 But because God is the true king, he preserved David and even used that to redeem his purposes, 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:32.940 to give David even more recognition as being a man on whom God, his presence was resting. 00:38:34.240 --> 00:38:40.220 And the sixth and final encouragement for today of how God strengthened David is this. 00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:47.799 When God is your king, he makes you pleased to lay down your rights for the joy of serving him. 00:38:49.339 --> 00:38:56.659 We see this in David, that because God was his king, he was pleased to lay down his rights for the joy of serving God. 00:38:57.839 --> 00:39:01.019 See, the law of Israel was this in Deuteronomy 24 5. 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:05.899 In your first year of marriage, a man did not have to go to war. 00:39:05.900 --> 00:39:16.860 And we read that David got to marry Michal, but instead of getting to rest and enjoy this one year now of being a newlywed under the law, 00:39:17.300 --> 00:39:20.880 he could get a little sabbatical as a soldier. 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:26.340 Instead, Saul keeps sending him out in and out and in and out and leading the troops to war. 00:39:28.559 --> 00:39:30.079 See that in verse 26. 00:39:30.079 --> 00:39:33.559 When his servants told David these words, here's David's response. 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:39.820 It pleased David well to become the king's son-in-law, to go and kill those Philistines, 00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:49.079 to take the foreskin, not just 100, but 200, to be married to Michal and to continue serving in the army. 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:55.219 Verse 30 says David behaved most wisely as he's being sent out and being brought back in, 00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:59.159 fighting the wars of this wicked king as assigned. 00:39:59.159 --> 00:40:07.980 Because God is his true king and God makes him pleased to lay down his rights out of obedience to God. 00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:16.359 The reaction of Saul and seeing this faithful servant in this way was hatred. 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:21.440 David was there being blessed by God very apparently more and more. 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:25.780 And here's Saul growing more and more angry as he sees this happening. 00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:36.179 Matthew Henry commented how this wisdom from God, it puts fear in the hearts of fools. 00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:40.300 And it commands the respect of the noble. 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:44.240 Wisdom from God accomplishes both things. 00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:50.159 It gains the respect of the noble and it puts fear in the hearts of fools. 00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:52.059 Matthew Henry commented more. 00:40:52.599 --> 00:41:01.519 God makes even the wrath of man to praise David in this case and serves God's designs of kindness to his people by it. 00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:07.899 What Saul intended for evil, God superintended for good. 00:41:07.900 --> 00:41:14.340 Well, as we wrap this passage up, let me ask you this question. 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:17.180 Who does this story remind you of? 00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:20.800 A steadfast servant. 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.619 A blessed man. 00:41:24.880 --> 00:41:29.220 One upon whom the Holy Spirit is dwelling in power. 00:41:29.219 --> 00:41:36.259 A warrior who goes out joyfully to fight for his bride. 00:41:36.899 --> 00:41:38.739 To pay the bride price. 00:41:40.759 --> 00:41:43.219 One who would take the sign of the covenant. 00:41:44.439 --> 00:41:47.879 The covenant of holiness and being bound to God. 00:41:48.699 --> 00:41:51.959 And put that covenant sign on God's enemies. 00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:57.679 In Psalm 41 verse 9, David wrote. 00:41:59.039 --> 00:42:04.740 My own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 00:42:05.740 --> 00:42:08.139 Saul pulling him into the court, sharing the table. 00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:11.000 And there's war in his heart. 00:42:12.240 --> 00:42:19.539 I believe the Holy Spirit, the divine author of the whole Bible, wants us to notice the linguistic overlap. 00:42:19.539 --> 00:42:24.759 And the correspondence of these words and these patterns and these stories. 00:42:25.900 --> 00:42:28.619 We can marvel at God's beautiful word. 00:42:29.179 --> 00:42:30.980 The escalating significance. 00:42:31.239 --> 00:42:32.960 These repeating events. 00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:37.019 In John chapter 13 verse 18. 00:42:37.779 --> 00:42:41.139 Our Lord Jesus Christ quoted Psalm 41 verse 9. 00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:44.739 I think, I could be wrong, you can tell me if I am. 00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:52.679 I think Jesus Christ wants you and me to ponder and appreciate how he is like King David. 00:42:54.619 --> 00:42:59.599 Jesus wants us to see, I too will be betrayed by one who I thought was close. 00:43:01.319 --> 00:43:03.539 My enemy, Satan, will try to destroy me. 00:43:03.759 --> 00:43:04.679 But it won't work. 00:43:05.259 --> 00:43:06.079 I will conquer. 00:43:07.500 --> 00:43:09.199 I think David points us to Christ. 00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:13.579 It's through the humiliation and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:43:14.139 --> 00:43:16.359 Through persecution and attacks like David. 00:43:17.899 --> 00:43:19.500 Satan thinking he's winning. 00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:22.059 And intending all of this for evil. 00:43:22.419 --> 00:43:24.039 To put an end to God the Son. 00:43:25.299 --> 00:43:27.379 And God will superintend it for good. 00:43:29.559 --> 00:43:33.599 Circumcising a hundred Philistines was meant to be the death of David. 00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:36.960 By the power of God. 00:43:37.039 --> 00:43:39.739 What the enemy intended to be the death of Christ. 00:43:40.239 --> 00:43:41.339 The cross itself. 00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:44.279 God superintended for good. 00:43:44.579 --> 00:43:46.980 In that very act of dying on the cross. 00:43:47.339 --> 00:43:48.519 Our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:43:48.659 --> 00:43:49.559 The anointed one. 00:43:49.940 --> 00:43:50.579 The Messiah. 00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:52.900 He was going out to war. 00:43:53.980 --> 00:43:56.199 And he was paying the bride price. 00:43:57.139 --> 00:43:58.219 For the church. 00:44:00.319 --> 00:44:01.960 We who were once his enemies. 00:44:02.579 --> 00:44:03.019 You and me. 00:44:03.019 --> 00:44:06.059 We would now be circumcised. 00:44:06.320 --> 00:44:06.780 In the heart. 00:44:08.300 --> 00:44:10.179 Double the multitude you could ask for. 00:44:12.179 --> 00:44:14.039 King Saul was angry at David. 00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:17.280 But God on his throne in heaven. 00:44:18.039 --> 00:44:20.159 Proved that he was well pleased. 00:44:20.599 --> 00:44:21.960 With Jesus Christ. 00:44:22.800 --> 00:44:24.019 Fulfilling Psalm 41. 00:44:24.780 --> 00:44:26.019 Verses 11 and 12. 00:44:26.739 --> 00:44:30.079 By this I know that you are well pleased with me. 00:44:30.079 --> 00:44:32.820 Because my enemy does not triumph. 00:44:32.820 --> 00:44:33.440 Over me. 00:44:34.580 --> 00:44:35.340 As for me. 00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:36.980 You uphold me in integrity. 00:44:36.980 --> 00:44:39.280 And you set me before your face. 00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:40.039 Forever. 00:44:41.360 --> 00:44:42.720 Our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:44:42.880 --> 00:44:43.920 Pleased the Father. 00:44:43.980 --> 00:44:45.000 With his finished work. 00:44:45.100 --> 00:44:46.420 The Lord rose him. 00:44:46.920 --> 00:44:47.860 And seated him. 00:44:48.080 --> 00:44:48.740 In glory. 00:44:48.980 --> 00:44:49.880 And exalted him. 00:44:50.880 --> 00:44:52.100 And the same encouragement. 00:44:52.099 --> 00:44:55.059 The same language is repeated one last time. 00:44:55.059 --> 00:44:55.960 In the scriptures. 00:44:55.960 --> 00:44:58.480 In Revelation chapter 12 verse 11. 00:44:59.819 --> 00:45:03.599 The Holy Spirit powerfully sustains his people. 00:45:03.699 --> 00:45:04.239 His church. 00:45:04.619 --> 00:45:06.599 In the same way that he sustained David. 00:45:06.599 --> 00:45:07.799 And our Lord Jesus. 00:45:08.900 --> 00:45:10.239 People like you and me. 00:45:10.239 --> 00:45:12.239 And in Revelation 12. 00:45:12.239 --> 00:45:14.719 It comes from the singing voice of the martyrs. 00:45:15.659 --> 00:45:18.119 They triumphed over the dragon. 00:45:18.779 --> 00:45:20.719 By the blood of the lamb. 00:45:20.959 --> 00:45:23.219 And by the word of their testimony. 00:45:23.219 --> 00:45:25.719 So brothers and sisters. 00:45:25.980 --> 00:45:29.159 If you and I joyfully submit today. 00:45:29.439 --> 00:45:30.319 Right now. 00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:32.159 To Jesus as king. 00:45:32.339 --> 00:45:35.299 He will sustain our lives. 00:45:35.839 --> 00:45:36.819 Just as powerfully. 00:45:36.820 --> 00:45:40.000 Either God. 00:45:40.120 --> 00:45:40.920 Or the devil. 00:45:40.920 --> 00:45:42.220 Will rule over. 00:45:42.760 --> 00:45:43.180 You and me. 00:45:43.320 --> 00:45:44.240 Every single person. 00:45:44.400 --> 00:45:44.780 As king. 00:45:45.620 --> 00:45:46.800 And if it's God. 00:45:46.900 --> 00:45:47.580 Then you and I. 00:45:47.800 --> 00:45:48.700 Are not king. 00:45:50.080 --> 00:45:51.740 Learn this lesson from Saul. 00:45:52.000 --> 00:45:54.080 God does not share his throne. 00:45:54.620 --> 00:45:55.700 There is no compromise. 00:45:57.480 --> 00:45:58.600 But with God. 00:45:58.680 --> 00:45:59.220 He's good. 00:45:59.900 --> 00:46:00.800 There's no hidden. 00:46:01.340 --> 00:46:01.740 Snare. 00:46:03.140 --> 00:46:04.280 God knows you. 00:46:04.920 --> 00:46:05.940 And he knows me. 00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:08.000 He knows that in our flesh. 00:46:08.119 --> 00:46:08.720 We are weak. 00:46:09.420 --> 00:46:10.700 And he rules over us. 00:46:10.780 --> 00:46:11.320 Powerfully. 00:46:11.559 --> 00:46:12.079 Sovereignly. 00:46:12.460 --> 00:46:12.980 Completely. 00:46:13.940 --> 00:46:15.360 And by ruling sovereignly. 00:46:15.460 --> 00:46:16.720 He preserves us. 00:46:17.039 --> 00:46:18.019 By his power. 00:46:18.220 --> 00:46:19.200 And protects us. 00:46:19.380 --> 00:46:20.880 And he gives you and me life. 00:46:20.880 --> 00:46:22.119 And he sustains. 00:46:22.539 --> 00:46:24.079 The life of Jesus Christ. 00:46:24.559 --> 00:46:25.619 Inside his people. 00:46:26.460 --> 00:46:27.380 By the Holy Spirit. 00:46:28.059 --> 00:46:28.980 For his purpose. 00:46:30.639 --> 00:46:32.860 Do you see what a difference your king makes? 00:46:32.860 --> 00:46:36.620 Make sure God is your king today. 00:46:37.760 --> 00:46:38.460 Let's pray. 00:46:38.460 --> 00:46:38.460