April 20, 2014 - Sunday

Start Time: 6:23 A.M.

End Time: 7:01 A.M.

Title: Saul’s Growing Fear of David

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1 – 30

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

NOTES:

Ø God provides us a companion that is one in spirit with us when we are in unfamiliar places!  David became the new hero after he slaughtered Saul and he was given popularity, fame, wealth, etc.  God is grooming him to become the next king and the best way to do that is to live in the palace.  Despite of the unfamiliar place he will be in, God provided David a friend who is one in spirit with him, Jonathan.  Their meeting started a bond that connects their spirit together in God.  It is stronger than any connection because they have become one!  When God is part of our relationship, our relationship becomes stronger than anything because what God has put together, no man can ever break apart.  So build your relationship with God as the bond.

→ Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.  As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.  The next day an evil^[a] spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand ¹¹ and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.  In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

NOTES:

Ø God blessed everything David does and promoted him from a shepherd boy to a high rank in the army! David’s story is the best example of “from rags to riches” story but he obtained his riches through promotion.  One rank after another; all based on hard work and dedication.  God shows here that our success is earned one step at a time and God is not a promoter of “overnight success”.  When we trust God, He will surely blessed the works of our hands in every mission or task we put our hand into.

Ø God protects us from jealous people who want to see us destroyed because they are not one in spirit with us! God knows that when He blesses us, the enemy will find a way to pull us down.  But God is always on guard and He does not sleep or rest until we are fully protected and safe from our enemies.  And God’s successes in our lives only prove His existence in us more and more! Hallelujah!

→ Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”  So^[b] when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.  Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased.  “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.”  When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.  When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.  When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, ²⁹ Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.

NOTES:

Ø God gives us wisdom in making huge decisions that has major impacts in our lives and He ensures that we end up with the best deal in favor to us!  When Saul offered his first daughter to David, he required David to serve him and fight the battles of the Lord.  The requirement seems to be good; as an Israelite, you are expected to serve your king and fight the battles of the Lord.  Yet, God knows that Saul’s reign is ending and He will not allow David to be in service to Saul because his heart is not of God.  So David refused the offer.  But here’s a second offer of marriage to Saul’s second daughter, who was in love with David and this time the requirement is just a hundred Philistine foreskins.  This time David knew he can deliver the requirement!  God made sure that David fell into the daughter who loves David.  So God gave David the best offer of marriage; a woman who loves him and a requirement of just 100 Philistines foreskins.  Instead of the 1^st offer, a woman who does not love him and a lifetime of service to the king and battle.  What a great deal God gave to David.  When God is in control, He not only gives us wisdom to make the right decisions, He also orchestrated the best offer for us!

Ø God is with His people and every success He gives us causes our enemies to tremble and fear!  Hallelujah and Praise Jesus!  God is on our side and when He is, our enemies hide in fear!  No matter what schemes our enemies planned against us, it always backfires to them because when God is with us, everything works together for our good and ends our enemies in the losing end at all times!  It is good to be on God’s side!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Precious Father and loving God.  Merciful and Gracious Lord.  I come to You today humbly recognizing my mistakes in taking control of my life.  Lord I know that You know better and You have better plans in my life than I do to mine.  Still, I am stubborn and I want to taking the lead when it comes to my life always.  Lord Almighty, I am sorry for being such a proud and ignorant daughter.  I am sorry for always wanting to have my way.  Today, You remind me that only with You by my side can I get true success in life.  Only when You are with me can I truly be victorious.  But many times, I leave You behind and walk the path on my own, thinking that I can do it alone.  Please forgive me for doing so and give me the wisdom I need to choose the right decisions that has huge impact in my life.  Help me to fully surrender and trust You in everything about my life that I will gain success in whatever I do that will cause my enemies to tremble and fear You.  Lord, let everything I do in my life brings glory to You alone Jesus.  Help me back and do not allow me to continue in my misguided ways.  Thank You once again for Your Favor, Grace and Love that is overflowing in my life Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!