1 Samuel, Chapter 24 - 26

1. 1 Samuel, Chapter 24 - 26

2. Pop Quiz Write out the memory verse. Make sure to include the book of the Bible, chapter ad verses too! Give an example of how Saul or David reflected or disobeyed these words in their own life.

3. READ 1 SAMUEL, CHAPTER 25 SILENTLY After you have finished reading 1 Samuel, chapter 25… Work in pairs and finish the handout titled “Insult and Revenge” Be sure to write your name on your paper. You have 15 minutes to finish this assignment.

4. David Learns To Wait Upon the Lord 1 Samuel, Chapters 24 - 26

5. David Spares Saul’s Life (1 Samuel 24:1 – 7) After dealing with the Philistines, Saul renewed his pursuit of David. Word came to Saul that David was hiding in the Desert of En Gedi. While hiding in a cave, David had an opportunity to kill Saul. Saul went into the same cave to relieve himself; David’s men saw this as God’s providence. Quoting the word of God, they thought David should kill Saul. Instead David crept up unnoticed behind Saul and cut off a small piece of his robe. David did not kill Saul—later he even felt guilty about cutting off a small piece of Saul’s royal robe and rebuked his men. Why? Because David believed that Saul was God’s anointed. He felt he had no right to injure or insult the king in any way. David gave all his rights to God because he believed that God would fulfill His own will in Saul’s life.

6. David Appeals To Saul (1 Samuel 24:8 – 15) Saul left the cave and David followed, calling to him. When Saul looked back, David bowed, showing respect for him as king of Israel, and tried to reason with him. He asked Saul why he believed false reports. David proved his sincerity by showing Saul the piece of kingly robe he had cut off, proof that Saul had been in his hands. He argued that his unwillingness to take revenge proved his loyalty—that he was not guilty of wrongdoing. He asked why Saul spent all his time and energy chasing him. He called on God to right the wrongs that Saul had done to him and to judge the truth between them.

7. Saul Responds To David (1 Samuel 24:16 – 22) When David finishing speaking, Saul reacted emotionally—he wept aloud in regret. Saul had heard David and appreciated David’s explanation as well as his promise to always revere him. He admitted his sin and David’s righteousness and kindness. He also acknowledged David’s prospect as king of Israel, asking that David not harm his descendants. David made a vow to Saul along these lines. Later on, we will see how David honored his oath to Saul. After Saul’s confession, David and his men returned to their stronghold in En Gedi. Saul went back to his home.

8. Nabal “the fool” (1 Samuel 25: 1 - 12) After the prophet Samuel died and Israel mourned, David moved to the Desert of Maon. Near Carmel, he and his men helped protect the sheep and shepherds of a wealthy man named Nabal. At sheep-shearing time, David sent ten men to greet Nabal and remind him that he prospered because they guarded his property. In return, they asked him for food and supplies, as was customary at the shearing festival. Nabal pretended not to know of David; he likened him to a runaway servant instead of honoring him as Israel’s future king. Nabal’s name means “fool” and Nabal lived up to his name as he violated the custom of hospitality and God’s Law of sharing with brothers in need.

9. God Intervenes Through Abigail (1 Samuel 25: 13 - 44) Unlike his actions with Saul, David decided not to wait for God to vindicate him. Instead, he and 400 men set out to kill Nabal and his household. Thankfully God intervened. Abigail heard what had happened and realized that reasoning with Nabal was useless. So she put together a generous gift of food and intercepted David. Falling face down at his feet, she pleaded with David to forgive her husband’s foolish response. Abigail knew David would soon be king, and told him he would regret such a reckless act. Realizing God had sent her to prevent his doing wrong, David accepted her gifts, blessed her, and sent her home. When she revealed to Nabal what she did, he became so upset by her words that he had a heart attack and died ten days later. David then sent for her to become his wife; she agreed and joined him.

10. Proverbs 15:1 – 14 Which verses apply to this story? 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,        but a harsh word stirs up anger. 3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,        keeping watch on the wicked and the good.   6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. 10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path;        he who hates correction will die.

11. Saul Is Spared…Again (1 Samuel 26: 1 - 12) The Ziphites again betrayed David to Saul by revealing his hiding place. Saul and 3,000 men sought him in the desert of Ziph. Once more God put Saul into David’s hand. David and his nephew Abishai went into Saul’s camp as the men sleep. Abishai saw this as a God-given opportunity to kill Saul, but David stopped him, saying Saul was “the LORD’s anointed” (26:9). God would deal with Saul as He chose, but David would not kill him.

12. Saul Is Spared…Again (1 Samuel 26: 1 - 12) David took Saul’s spear and water jug — two essential items of military gear — and left the camp. Crossing to the opposite hillside, he yelled to wake up the army, and scolded Abner for failing to protect his king. He tried to reason with Saul, who admitted again that David had done right while he himself had done wrong. David asked that a man be sent to get Saul’s spear, and said he is right not to kill Saul, God’s anointed. He asked God to preserve his own life in the same way. Saul blessed him, saying David would “do great things and surely triumph” (26:25). Then they parted.