This past week was the anniversary of D-Day in World War II, where nations fought to decide who would reign. In 1 Samuel, Israel asked for a king to look like the nations around them, and a king they got in Saul. However, it was not the king through which the messiah would come as foreshadowed in Ruth and Boaz’s generation. The messiah would be a “son of David.” This week will be the beginning of the end of Saul being king and the rise of a young man named David. Saul’s kingship will be stripped from him, and his downfall will be played out over a longer period of time. David will walk with God. Saul is not the main character. Saul contrasts with David, and ultimately with God. To be clear, Saul and David BOTH point to the necessity of turning to God. Ultimate authority and kingship belongs to God. This has been displayed previously in the life of Job who was allowed to be tormented for God’s purposes and Pharaoh hardened heart. Despite being king, Saul rejects God's authority and all those around him suffer the penalty of his poor judgment. God will not allow His promises to be diluted by disobedience, especially in the king. God reveals through the life of Saul the need for a perfect king, totally obedient without blemish. Could David be that king?
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading - Week 24
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of 1 Samuel, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read 1 Samuel 12:13-15. What will happen if Israel is obedient or disobedient? Read 1 Samuel 12:22. Who is not going to forsake the people of Israel? For what sake did God make Israel His people? Read 1 Samuel 12:24-25. Who are they to fear and what are they to consider?
Read 1 Samuel 13:13. What did Saul do instead of waiting to follow God’s prescribed sacrifice? Read 1 Samuel 13:11. How does Saul’s answer show what Saul’s heart was actually after? Read 1 Samuel 15:9. What does Saul do instead of following the LORD’s command? How does this again show Saul’s heart? Read 1 Samuel 15:15, 20-21. Who does Saul blame multiple times?
Read 1 Samuel 15:28. What does Samuel tell Saul after his failure? What is Samuel’s response in 1 Samuel 15:35?
Read 1 Samuel 16:7. What does God look at? Who was anointed as king despite Saul still being recognized as king? Read 1 Samuel 13:14 What type of man did the LORD seek out? Read 1 Samuel 16:14, 23. Of the two kings present in this text, which was anointed?
Read 1 Samuel 19:9-10. Who does Saul blame for his tormenting and lack of a future? What is Saul’s solution?
Read 1 Samuel 14:6. Who was Jonathan’s faith in? Read 1 Samuel 14:29-30. What does Jonathan recognize about his father’s leadership? Read 1 Samuel 18:3-4. What did Jonathan do as a show of commitment to David being the next king instead of himself? How is Jonathan’s solution different from his father’s?
Read 1 Samuel 17:4, 9-11,26-28. Who was the Philistines champion? What was the response of Saul and the Israelites? What is David’s response in contrast? What was Eliab’s accusation against his younger brother who presumably would not be fighting in the battle? How is this accusation ironic? Read 1 Samuel 17:37,51-53. Who was David’s faith in to win the battle? Who won the battle in comparison to who participated in the victory?
SHARE IT.
Are you surprised that Saul was the first king and David the second king? What important contrast is made between the two kings?
A well-known Bible story is David and Goliath. What's something new that you learned from reading this story?
How has the story in 1 Samuel been shocking so far, or have you noticed something in the text you previously had not?
Think of Saul in 1 Samuel 13:8-13. What do you do when you feel pressure? Have you ever rushed a decision when God wanted you to wait? What were you afraid to lose by rushing it? How does knowing God encourage waiting on his timing?
Consider the friends of David and Jonathan. Are you able to share your emotions with a trusted friend? Are you a "safe" person to share with? How are you being a trusted friend right now? What is your next step this week to reach out to your friend in need?
FINAL THOUGHT
In Acts 13:36-39, Paul is speaking to Jews and is arguing for Jesus being the promised messiah/king. He makes the point that King David rotted in the grave after serving the purposes of God. The jews’ king, "the man after God’s own heart", who the messiah would come from lays in a grave. However, Paul goes on to say that Jesus, who God raised from the dead, did not see corruption. Author D.A. Carson puts it this way; “We need a king–one who is perfectly righteous, who cannot be corrupted, who is entirely good, in whom there is never any taint of evil. He powerfully saves and transforms his people, who come to Him and gladly acknowledge his Lordship.” David, while not perfect, modeled repentance and pointed to the need for the true king and champion of his people. The supremacy of Jesus was hidden until the appointed time that He was both fully man and fully God, and therefore the son of David. Only Jesus could usher in God’s Kingdom through the ultimate D-Day at the resurrection!
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