The Life and Times of Samuel, Saul, and David

							 The Life and Times of Samuel,
        Saul, and David
   Lesson #8: Saul's Envy and David's
               Deliverance
            I Sm. 18: - 19:24
 “For whatever things were written before were
  written for our learning, that we through the
patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
              hope.” (Romans 15:4)
    “Now all these things happened to them as
     examples, and they were written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
           come.” (I Corinthians 10:11)
                   Introduction
• Saul attempts to kill David and David is delivered.
   – Saul’s envy grew from being hidden and
     underhanded to open hostility.
   – God delivers David time after time.
   – Remember: God providentially cares for His own.
• Jonathan and David’s friendship grows.
   – They demonstrated their love for each other.
   – Jonathan respected David’s place as royalty.
   – Their friendship is a role model and example of how
     to love one another.
• God fulfills His promises no matter what may occur.
                 Discussion Questions
•       Discuss the key highlights, themes and repetitions in
        I Sm. 18.
    –     David's success (5, 14, 15, 30): Set over men of war,
          accepted by the people and Saul’s servants, behaves wisely in
          all his ways, wise in war, and held in high esteem.
    –     God is with David (12, 14, 28): Saul was “afraid of David
          because the Lord was with David.”
    –     Love (1, 13, 16, 20, 22, 28): Jonathan loved David, “all
          Israel and Judah loved David,” he went in/out among them,
          Michel loved David, servants loved him, Saul delighted in
          him.
    –     Saul's fear (12, 15, 29): The Lord departed from Saul, afraid
          of David’s popularity, “became his enemy continually,” and
          led Saul’s army.
    –     Saul's emotions and inner thoughts, motives are revealed (8-9,
          11-12, 15, 17, 20-21, 29): Anger, displeasure, fear, fury,
          attempted murder, jealousy, envious, underhanded, deceptive,
          and treated David as an enemy.
            Discussion Questions
•    Contrast Saul's attitude toward David and his
     kingdom with Jonathan's attitude toward David (I
     Sm. 18:1-30)?
    – Saul: Anger, hatred, and envy consumed him, hate-
       focused thoughts, he did not mix with the people,
       behaved rashly, impulsive, and jealously. God was
       not with Saul!
    – David: He was lovable, mixed with the people,
       behaved wisely, and humble. God was with David!
    – Jonathan: He loved David as his own soul, knit
       together with David, had a covenant with David,
       humble and submissive (18:1-4).
              Discussion Questions
•   Lesson to Learn: Brotherly love is a major
    building block to strong churches. (Hb. 13:1-3;
    Mt. 25:31-46; Ga. 6:1; II Pt. 1:5-11; I Co. 1:11;
    3:16; 5:; 6:; 8:; 9:; 11:; 13:; Mt. 19:18-19; 22:39;
    Mk. 12:31; Ro. 13:8-10; Ga. 5:14, 22; Jm. 2:8-9;
    Lev. 19:18)
    –   Who is my brother? Sick, prisoners, lame, hungry,
        thirsty, weak, etc. It is everyone!!! (Lk. 10:25-37).
    –   In the church, there is to be no contentions, divisions,
        carnal behavior, lawsuits, tolerating sin, confusion, etc.
        (i.e. Corinthian’s, John’s letters). We must love!
    –   We should not sin against or offend our brother.
    –   Vengeance is God’s place, not ours.
    –   New Testament Christians expressed love in social and
        spiritual interactions (i.e. selling possessions to raise
        money for the poor, they met each day, etc.).
          Discussion Questions
• How does Saul develop envy (I Sm. 18 -
  19)? What is the progression of envy?
  – Saul was inclined and predisposed to envy
    (16:2)
  – Women’s song and David killing Goliah fueled
    his envious thoughts and actions.
  – Saul envious progression was (4 key steps):
    •   Predisposed to pride, and arrogance.
    •   An incident or threat occurred which fueled anger,
        discomfort and suspicion.
    •   His spirit was stressed, which led to fear, fury,
        hypocrisy, open hate, and aggression.
            Discussion Questions
•   Lesson To Learn: One day can make a
    difference in our lives. (Mt. 6:34; Jm. 4:13-
    17; 1:2-4; Ro. 12:1-2; Jh. 20:24-29; Mt.
    26:56; Ac. 1:1-11; 2:1; I Th. 5:6-8)
    –   Each day is full of trouble and we are tested every
        day (Mt. 6:34). We are of the “day.”
    –   We make plans, but they can change unexpectedly
        (Jm. 4:13-17).
    –   All the apostles forsook Jesus, but later died for
        Him.
    –   “Blessed are those who believe, but have not
        seen.” (JH. 20:29)
             Discussion Questions
•    Lesson to Learn: Envy is rottenness to the bones.
     (Pr. 14:30; 23:17; 24:1, 19; 27:4; Eccl. 4:4; Ps.
     37:1, 7; 49:16; 73:3, 17-20; Ga. 5:17-21, 26; II Tm.
     3:1-9; Jh. 11:45-57; I Co. 13:4; 3:3; II Co. 12:20;
     Jm. 3:14-16; I Pt. 2:1)
    –   Envy destroys us from within. It leads to other sins sins of
        the flesh (i.e. hate, division, murder, etc.).
    –   Envious people are stressed, unhappy and miserable. Envy
        claims victims. Jesus was a victim of envy.
    –   The remedy to envy is to love and pray for our enemies,
        walk in faith, be mature, content and humble.
    –   “Love does not envy” (I Co. 13:4). Envy is carnal and
        childish.
    –   Get rid of anger, hatred and envy quickly – “…don’t let the
        sun go down on your wrath.” (Ep. 4:26)
             Discussion Questions
•   How is I Sm. 18:17 and II Sm. 11:14-17
    similar?
    –   Both tactics were to put another person in battle in
        hope’s of them being killed.
    –   David’s tactic worked and Saul’s did not work.
    –   Saul’s tactic was motivated by envy/jealousy and
        David’s was motivated by lust.
    –   David’s ended in repentance and Saul’s was un-
        repented.
    –   “A man after God’s own heart” will humbly
        repent of their sins because they want to please
        and obey God (Ac. 13:22).
            Discussion Questions
•   Describe the hypocrisy of Saul in I Sm. 18:
    and open hostility in I Sm. 19.
    –   Hypocrisy is seen in the deceptive plans around
        sending David into battles, giving Michal as wife,
        and demanding 100 Philistine foreskins. This
        appeared good, but the real motive was to have
        David killed. Saul had a “hidden agenda.”
    –   Open hostility is seen in the open communication,
        casting a spear at David 3 times, removing David
        from service, ambushes, and messengers sent to
        kill David. Our thoughts will turn into actions.
             Discussion Questions
•   Describe the family situation with Saul,
    Jonathan and Michal (I Sm. 18 - 19)?
    –   It was a dysfunctional family.
    –   Saul was a jealous father, used his children, behave
        irrationally, lied, was deceptive, and jealous of his
        daughter/son’s love for David.
    –   Jonathan loved David and respected his father, and
        he saved innocent blood.
    –   Michal, the younger daughter, was a willing,
        submissive, and loving wife.
    –   Good children can come from dysfunctional
        homes.
              Discussion Questions
•    How many times did Saul try to kill David and list the
     attempts? (I Sm. 18:11, 13, 17, 20; 19:1; 10, 11, 18)
    – Saul’s tried to kill David more than 11 times.
        • Cast the spear 3 times, made David captain and sent him
           into battles, demanding the 100 Philistine foreskins, sent
           messengers to kill him (3 times), set up an ambush, etc.
    – Hollywood would have a different take on vengeance.
•    How many times was David delivered and lists the
     situations? (I Sm. 19:1-24)
    – David was delivered at least 8 times.
        • Jonathan’s plea, victorious in battles, escaped the spear
           (3x), Michal lowered him out a window, Michal covered
           up for him, David fled, escaped assassins and ambushes.
             Discussion Questions
•    Lesson To Learn: Even though it is not natural,
     we must respond to evil with good. (Ro. 12:16-21;
     Mt. 5:38-48; I Sm. 24:17, 26; Ps. 35:12-14; Lk.
     23:34; Ac. 7:60)
    –   We are commanded to pray for our enemies, turn the other
        cheek, forgive evil doers, return good for evil, etc.
    –   We can melt the heart of evil doers through our good (Ro.
        12:19-21).
•    How did the "distressing spirit" affect Saul
     (I Sm. 18:10-11; 19:9-10; 16:14-23)?
    –   It was a stressful and grieving spirit. It negatively affected
        his thoughts and actions (16:14-15, 19:9-10).
    –   He prophesied, gave into violence. Music soothed and
        provided temporary relief. Music did not work.
              Discussion Questions
•    Lesson To Learn: When we surrender self-
     control, then we are open to Satan's influence.
     However, when we trust in God, He will deliver us
     from adversity. (I Co. 9:25-27; II Co. 2:11; Ph.
     4:5; II Pt. 1:5; Job. 33:11-30; Ps. 106:43-44;
     107:10-31; Eccl. 7:14; II Co. 1:4-6; 4:16-18; 12:7-
     10; Hb. 5:8-9; I Pt. 1:6-7; 5:10)
    –   We discipline our body by exercising self-control.
        Disciples constantly learn & train (I Co. 9:25-27).
    –   God hears, delivers and comforts us in the face of Satan’s
        temptations and devices.
    –   Jesus learned obedience from the things he suffered.
    –   Our life is a series of tests aimed at making us strong.
Discussion Questions – Final Thoughts
•    Discuss the impact of the "Spirit of God" coming
     upon Saul (I Sm. 19:18-24)?
    – Messenger’s of Saul prophesied 3 times (18:20-
       21). Saul prophesied before Samuel (18:23-24)
    – Saul “lay down naked all day and all night”
       (18:24).
    – Inner garment means exposed or naked (Smith’s
       Dictionary).
    – Like Balaam (Nu. 23), God used/forced a wicked
       man to speak truth, but God did not force them to
       change.
    – God used Saul, but it did not have any reforming
       affect