The Spear and Water Bottle
Notes
Transcript
Revival meeting, September 16-18
AWANA kickoff September 25
Do you have a favorite water bottle?
How about a favorite weapon or tool?
In our passage, Saul’s favorite weapon - spear, and his best water favorite water bottle are stolen then returned by David to prove a point.
King Saul is in the wilderness seeking David again - for the very last time. In a similar series of events as in chapter 24, David clearly communicates his respect for Saul - because of God.
The Ziphites are the inhabitants of Ziph. They must not like David. They reveal David's location to Saul 2 times; in chapter 23 and now in chapter 26.
Why do the Ziphites have it in for David? It’s probably not so much about David as it is about Saul. Many times, he enacts vengeance against people David merely came int contact with while he was on the run. They are primarily afraid.
The Ziphites Fear Saul because of Retaliation He may enact.
David fears Saul because he is God’s Anointed.
READ PASSAGE with Notation:
1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary x. David Spares Saul a Second Time (26:1–25)
but he does not wait for Saul to find him; instead he takes the initiative, and notes from a distant vantage point how well protected Saul is, with Abner, his cousin, as his bodyguard, and the army encamped all round.
1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary x. David Spares Saul a Second Time (26:1–25)
Ahimelech the Hittite is not to be confused with either of the other Ahimelechs who come into David’s life (1 Sam. 21:1; 2 Sam. 8:17). Abishai the son of Zeruiah was a nephew of David’s (1 Chr. 2:13–16). His sister Zeruiah had three sons (her husband is never named), all of them valiant in David’s entourage. Abishai is positively eager to accompany David on his dangerous mission.
David Learns to Commit the Government Leaders to the Lord.
We can commit our leaders to the Lord.
We can commit our leaders to the Lord.
A spear head from that era.
17-20 - David feels like he is being forced out of his homeland and away from the ability to worship God in Isreal. The Tabernacle was in Israel, and David could not go there because of always being on the run.
1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary x. David Spares Saul a Second Time (26:1–25)
Saul is virtually forcing him to serve other gods and break the first commandment.
David was an outlaw who broke no laws.
Saul’s government limited David’s freedom to worship.
Many times governments that restrict freedom of worship are comprised of leaders that have a personal vendetta. That was certainly the case for Saul.
David shows tremendous respect for Saul’s position and does not take matters into his own hands.
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
ABISHAI wanted to do the Easy thing and murder the sleeping Saul to solve David’s problem. Doing the Easy thing is not always the same as the right thing.
Be Successful (4. David Spares the King. (1 Sam. 26:1–15))
When David cut Saul’s robe in the cave, he reminded him that his kingdom would be severed from him, but in taking the spear, he humiliated the king and robbed him of the symbol of his authority.
The water bottle probably is a symbol of Saul’s provision, and the spear a symbol of his protection. BOTH are GONE.
David Learns to Commit the Government Leaders to the Lord.
We can commit our leaders to the Lord.
We can commit our leaders to the Lord.
Government Leaders Are Ordained / Installed By God. 9, 23.
Government Leaders Are Ordained / Installed By God. 9, 23.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
It’s not an accident the leaders we have.
God knows all about evil leaders, good leaders, smart leaders and insane leaders.
Participate: I encourage you to vote biblical values in the next election. Find candidates whose values align more with personal freedom of conscience and individual religious liberty.
OUR RIGHTS COME FROM GOD NOT FROM THE GOVERNMENT…
Government Leaders Can Have Evil Motives. 17-20
Government Leaders Can Have Evil Motives. 17-20
Main motivators include:
Is this from God?
Is this from Men?
Is this from Satan?
Is this from the Flesh?
From Nimrod to Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod, Pilot, Caesar, and Saul, we see Evil in leadership.
In Joseph, Daniel, David, and Solomon, we see sinful men, but good leadership.
Depending on the motivation some laws will be....
Just or unjust
Right or wrong in relation to truth
benefit a whole or an individual.
Government Leaders Can be Given To God in Prayer. 10, 23-24
Government Leaders Can be Given To God in Prayer. 10, 23-24
Davids says it 3 times in this scene - “I will not take action against God’s anointed.” 9, 11, 23.
24, David sees his evaluation of protecting Saul’s life as an opportunity for God to protect David’s life. “I could have killed you, but instead I protected you. May God protect me the same way I protected you.”
Sometimes we need to “Let God.”
Let God fight our battles.
Let God defend our name.
Let God protect our life.
Let God deliver us.
David remained vigilant. David remained involved in the fight, but he committed his situation to God.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
David would one day be King, and Saul resigned himself to this fact.
The best governmental leader has not yet set up His earthly Kingdom. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lord. I hope you know Him today.
We can commit our leaders to the Lord.
We can commit our leaders to the Lord.
D AND A
Why does David protect Saul? What would you have done if Saul’s spear was in your hands?
Discuss doing the easy thing verses doing the right thing.
Share examples of freedom of conscience and individual religious liberty.
From the Bible list some good leaders and some bad leaders.
Make a list of leaders to pray for in group today.