1 Samuel 26 (Part 1) Bible Study - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

I believe, you know, where we are in our Bibles.

So meet me in the book of 1st Samuel chapter 26.

First Samuel chapter 26. Lord, we love your word.

1 Samuel 26 · chapter mention

It is our sustenance. It is the wisdom of God for

salvation. Lord, we need you to help us

understand all that. You have to say.

And on a Friday night, Lord were many have worked.

Many might be exhausted, and tired, Quicken us to be

students. And to receive all that you have

to say speak to our hearts illuminate, our minds show us

where in our lives, exactly. We need to be challenged or

where we need to be comforted. And so Lord, May the Holy Spirit

rest upon the ministry of the word, it may we leave here,

blessed, knowing that our savior has spoken to us We cherish all

that you have in this book. We long to understand that so

that we can apply it and then you would be blessed to see your

reflection, all the more clear in our hearts.

We ask these things in the precious name, Of Jesus Christ.

Amen. Over the last few chapters.

We've been exploring in our study David and particular,

overcoming One Challenge, after the next and those challenges

being overcome should challenge us.

It should challenge us in our personal Reliance upon God and

various circumstances. And it should also challenged us

to develop in our christ-like character within the complexity

of Human Relationships. And after we looked into each

situation with with great depth you and I get the impression

that the rhythm of this man's trials has left them.

Almost out of breath. This man did not even have the

time to just breathe because one thing after the other surface

before him and demanded so much faith, and so much love, and so

much of the power of the spirit, to produce a righteousness, that

would glorify God. And as we come to this chapter,

we will realize that the Relentless Pursuit and

persecution and pressure will only continue.

We would think that as we come closer to the end of this book,

that David's tests, and is tribulations, would be on the

decline, but we would think wrongly if that's the case,

because that is quite the opposite.

Even though God seems to be plucking one enemy out of his

life after the other. As we approach this chapter,

even though Saul has been silenced for a time, even though

a man like Nable and a ball has been put to death.

We will see here that things And Times of difficulty have not

been put to rest just yet. Join me in verse 1.

Then the zip fights came to Saul at Gibby has saying, is not

David hiding himself, on the hill of Hela, which is on the

east of Yeshua mom. Sews all arose and went down to

the Wilderness of ziff with 3,000 chosen, men of Israel to

seek David in the wilderness of ziv.

And Saul and can't on the hill of Hela, which is beside the

road of the east of. Yes, Yuma.

But David remained in the wilderness when he saw that Saul

came after him into the Wilderness David sent out spies

and learned that Saul had indeed come This is quite fascinating.

As we come to these first two verses they sound very familiar,

don't they? Why do they sound familiar?

Can somebody share? Why Let me ask you this.

Have you heard of the zip fights before?

Yes, I hope maybe you weren't there that week if you don't

know the answer to that. And have you heard the words of

these zip fights before? Yes.

Yes. I mean, you're looking at me.

I hope it's a. Yes, yes.

We have almost identical to the words that we see in first

1 Samuel 23 · chapter mention

Samuel chapter 23, these if fights are resurfacing, again,

if you go to chapter 23, look at verse 19, very quickly in your

Bibles. And this is, it fights went up

to Salt Lake. If you are saying is not David

hiding, Among Us in the strongholds of at horesh, on the

hill of Hela, which is south of yes, Yuma.

This same group of people are informing Saul again about

David's whereabouts with almost exact same wording.

And as we reflect upon this, this copy paste, betrayal of

David. And this repetitive reporting to

Saul actually gives us insight about the Christian Life.

It does. First consider this, as you look

at these two verses in chapter 26, we learn about the

viciousness of man. The the possibility of

wickedness, the extent of evil that can be known and reached.

If the Holy Spirit does not restrain a human heart consider

this that as Believers we are actively seeking out how we can

do good, that's what the Holy Spirit does he changes your

desires and you are if you're filled with him to look out for

ways that you can make Christ known, or you can share Christ

but those who are empty of of him, those who do not have this

transformed heart. If they Continue to resist.

Their conscience are actually capable of looking for evil to

perform in the world and that makes our world dark and makes

it dangerous and makes it cruel and makes the believer cry out

for a total Redemption over the whole universe, not just the

human race. And as we come to these men, we

see a perfect example of that. That's so, so dark in the human

heart. Get that even those who are

closest to, you are willing to betray.

You can I ask this question which tribe were the zip fights

from Judah. Good.

And where's David from Judah? So, the closest people to him

concerning tribe are the ones that are betraying him.

Almost the most. This is painful, this is not

easy. It's one thing for it to happen

at one time, but for it to happen again at a different

time, it's painful, it's not easy.

And we wonder how is it that those who are supposed to be

called to love us and serve us and protect us are willing to do

one thing after The other to do, just the opposite.

Well, if you think it's foreign, it's not David experienced, it

David is going through just that, not just one act of

betrayal, but a continual Act of betrayal.

And so it's just another thrust into the soul.

This is extremely difficult to grasp and such disappointments

should cause us to rejoice. In the fact that there is one

person who is perfect, and that's Christ and Christ Alone.

The most loving person in your life pails.

In comparison to the perfect brimming love of Jesus Christ.

So if somebody has failed you in life even it's somebody who

shares your own blood realize there's there is blood that is

more precious than that. You don't just learn about the

viciousness of man. We learn about something

concerning as we heard about persistence.

The Persistence of sin. The zip fights here.

Give us an illustration. Of the determination of

Temptation in our lives. Sin is not going to give up on

you so easily. Sin is not going to let you live

peaceably. Without interruption, without

invitation the last that we heard of saw before coming to

this chapter, is that he apparently repented?

He stood in the shadow of David's righteousness.

He was so struck by the response of a man who deserved to do much

more damage than good and he ends his quest to kill David and

he goes home. He sits in his living room and

we don't hear from him until this very chapter.

And you know what awaken Saul again to what he had apparently.

Turn from the zip fights. A familiar voice, familiar,

whisper, and you, and I need to understand that this return of

salt, to his vomit as horrific as it is, as disappointing as it

is, is a great reflection upon the common backsliding of many,

many people. Who are in a type of cycle in

their Holiness and you makes you wonder how to solve forget, how

do you forget King Saul that? The last time you brought three

thousand men, just like in chapter 23, the last time you

try to do that, didn't you recognize the questionable?

Interruption to your plans? Then you see God's Providence

interrupt? Did you forget the feeling that

you knew when you are faced with a man who's shown the the

righteousness of God and it's so exposed your wickedness?

Did you forget the piercing feeling there?

It seems like all of that was totally dismissed, totally

forgot about by the suggestion of this group of people.

And it's important for us to realize that the actions of the

zip fights. Our picture of old sins

revisiting us. They are.

The determination of Temptation. Listen, the World, the Flesh,

the devil will not sit back quietly while you pursue

holiness. Though we are called to daily

die to ourselves. Satan has a mission for your

life as you crucify, your flesh. You know what Satan wants to do,

Resurrect The Old Man in you and he has different ways of doing

it. So that means we got to Be

watchful at all times. We got to be careful especially

when we believe we have overcome a certain habit or a certain

certain sin or trespass or iniquity in the past such sins

are ready to entice us again, such sins have no shame of

reintroducing themselves to you and I And draws back to what we

promised. We would never do again.

Can I can I tell you personally, how I've seen this happen in

people's lives, more than ever friendships, friendships at a

moment. Somebody determines to live

wholeheartedly, for Christ. It's amazing.

How even after season a long season of just pursuing Christ

on that narrow road. People that were once with you

on that Broad, Road, reintroduce themselves on the side of the

narrow to say, we miss you, man. Why don't you come back?

Why don't you join us again? There's a lot of room here.

Remember our memories and often many likes all here.

Fall victim to it. Like this advice familiar

companions revisit us to tempt us and unfortunately this man

didn't show much hesitation he jump right to it.

Saul's response in verse 2. Echoes the same response to the

initial invitation of the device as they were trying to help Saul

satisfy his desires. And as we come to this point and

makes you also think as we reflect upon the last chapter,

David faced a challenge with a different person, they Mabel and

what's so interesting there is when you contrast, when you

contrast Saul and the ball when you contrast eats too many, You

have to have to meditate upon God's treatment of these two men

and why they differ so much. Because here's my question, as I

read verse to solve a rose, got why do you just kill them right

there on the spot? After all that?

He's done. The, the man that he's caused.

I mean, you are willing to intervene when the ball just

said a word. But this man has killed your

priest. He has driven your anointed one

Into the Wilderness into caves, he has caused so many of those

who belong to your people. Suffer under his Reign and

you're letting him live to see another day.

And so I was reading verse 2 and I thought to myself this is the

question that rush through my mind.

Why did he why did the Lord swiftly, discipline the ball?

But he's allowing Saul to continue on with his quest?

Is that is that a legitimate question?

I think. So.

Why don't you just put an end to end once and for all?

When it came to the one man, he was paralyzed with a stroke and

you killed them there. And here's another man who again

is trying to make the person that you were trying to put on

the throne be eradicated from the face of the Earth.

I think there are many possible answers to why this is the case.

And let me give you one tonight to consider.

I believe. It's because God still had more

for David to learn through Saul's evil.

That has not yet been accomplished.

There was still a character for David to develop.

There were still manifestations of God's presence and power and

love to be known through the actions of a wicked man like

Saul. And when you think about the

bomb, Whatever God wanted to do through him was was was done it

sufficed, but there was still a curriculum for David to be

completing in his relationship with Saul.

You know what that tells me? I hope it comforts you that the

Lord is very precise. He's very involved with not just

who not just what, but how long in terms of our suffering.

I want to prove that to you. In the New Testament, go to the

Book of Revelation chapter 2 The Lord Jesus himself, addresses a

Revelation 2 · chapter mention

church that is undergoing suffering.

And when you come to chapter 2, he addresses the, the Church of

Smyrna, a small Church, a pure Church, a poor Church.

And I want you to see what the Lord says.

To this church. And in verse 9 of chapter 2, I

know your tribulation and your poverty but you are rich and the

slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not but

are the synagogue of Satan. Now, look at verse 10, do not

fear what you are about to suffer behold, the devil is

about to throw, some of you into prison that you may be tested.

And for 10 days, you will have tribulation.

For 10 days, you will have tribulation, you know, what?

That tells me that God is Not Just Sovereign over the

suffering. He is Sovereign over the

duration of it. I'm telling you that this is

going to last for 10 days and if you are faithful during those

ten days, you will be rewarded. I praise God.

That he is so involved. He's so particular.

He is so precise that he even knows the endurance of what I am

going through. He has a calendar set.

Just like you receive a syllabus for your school and God has a

syllabus for your sanctification.

He knows exactly what and how long you must go through

something in order for you to be more complete and

christlikeness. And that should give us a

profound rest and trust that the Lord knows exactly on what

morning. I will wake up and everything

will change and that morning might be the morning of the

Eternal Bliss of heaven where you come into His presence

forever and ever and it might be in this life.

And so, as you come to realize why God does something different

within the bond does something different with with Saul

understand this. He knows exactly what he's doing

with each of those men in David's life.

And so as you perceive and as you look out into this world as

you look back into your own life and think why did God make that

last so long and then another instance he was so short.

Why is God? So short with somebody else's

sickness here but with my sickness it seems to go on

forever and ever and ever, God knows.

He knows exactly what he's doing and you have to trust the timing

not just his sovereignty. In general this the timing of

it. Every second is determined by

calendar of a loving God who is established from eternity past.

And that might worry some and that might cause some people to

be philosophical. I choose to rest in that.

I choose to know that this God is loving and no matter how long

he let something happen, it's because it's going to be for my

good and His glory. That's the case here with Saul.

And so we come back that as he arises with his choices, met

choice of men and he comes with strength with seemingly.

No Interruption from Heaven, God knows what he is doing with his

man. God knows what he is doing with

us and we come to verse 3. Sawing camps on the hill.

David remains in the wilderness. Now, look at the second part of

verse 3, when he saw that saw came after him into the

Wilderness David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed

come In these verses you. And I discover yet another

distinctive of christ-like character that must be developed

in our lives. Where after this, right?

We're after sanctification, we're after Holiness.

Lord, what is it in my life and needs to be changed.

So I can be more like your son. Well, here's another thing to

look into. This was not a difficult

conclusion for David to make. He has seen three thousand men

in a Wilderness before. He's been in this land before,

he's seen the site before. And so, as he looks out into the

Horizon and he sees the Same band of men in the same area

that he has been in before he realizes, this is happening.

This is actually happening but what he chooses to do in verse 4

is extremely important, he wants to confirm what his eyes have

seen or whatever report he has received.

He is going to Great Lengths to make sure through this

investigation that what he perceives as actually true.

He sends out spies why? I think every church needs a

series on what I'm about to say, man.

Like a series not like one message every few months, I'm

more convinced as you do church, that you really, really need

this to be a series. Why?

Why is David sending out spies to learn.

If saw, had indeed come because wisdom teaches us to reserve our

accusations until there is proof.

Until there is proof provided. No accusation, should be made,

not even in your own thoughts. A person who makes a judgment

before doing his part to get as much clarity as possible.

Is what the Bible calls. I'm sorry, a fool, a fool.

Can I show you? An example of an adverse market

up my brother and my sister, it's in the Book of Proverbs and

18:13 A very general. Very general thought that has

many applications. If one gives an answer before he

hears it is his folly and shame Proverbs 18:13 if one gives an

Proverbs 18:13

answer before he hears it is his folly and shame now now so

listen I said fool, you know the Bible says not only are you

foolish it's actually a shameful thing.

You should blush, you should be embarrassed.

That's what the Bible says, if one gives an answer so you can

apply this. As I said, it's a very, it is a

specific kind of insight, but it's very Broad in its

application. Let me give you one application

if you, if you give an answer or an assumption about someone or

something without without doing your part to receive as much

answers as possible to make the best judgment, you're a fool.

And you should be embarrassed about yourself.

That's the Bible's language. And for good reason.

And I know that there are many people here, who are studying,

counseling, can I officer can offer a tip if you're pursuing

that kind of ministry? if you're going to be pursuing

counseling, you're going to learn many things, but here's

one thing that I've seen work And that's to ask as many

questions as possible, so that you can make the best.

Conclusion. In someone's life, concerning a

circumstance or situation, wisdom is proven in many ways.

And one way that it manifests in a person's life is that they

know how to ask the right questions. fools, don't ask

questions, fools go quick to answers because they think the

quicker I get to the answer, the smarter I may appear to be It's

not about speed, it's about substance.

It's not about seeming to be clever, it's about being

careful. When you're dealing with what

you hear and what you even see with your own eyes.

If you're truly a wise person, you will do your part to

calculate things before you have an answer.

And that's what this man is doing because no good doctor.

Dares to give a prescription without first doing a process of

elimination and asking for the symptoms.

So they didn't know what kind of diagnosis to make.

And no healthy Christian or no healthy leader.

In a Ministry makes quick answers or judgments.

Upon things without first inquiring and investigating

because you're dealing with people's lives here.

And as you come to this, you see it.

You see it laid out. So obviously, and if we're not

careful with this, you might put people's lives in danger on a

one-to-one basis. But I believe it's one of the

root causes for all the trouble that we see in many churches.

Because many people in churches, make decisions and judgements

simply based off hearsay, that's it.

All they need is for, like one or two persons to say one thing,

and that's it for them, they're convinced.

You're going to destroy your life.

Listen, you're going to destroy relationships.

That shouldn't have been destroyed.

You will for certain Satan is so clever.

And if he can find somebody, who can believe something.

So easily, just based on one or two things, You're going to be

swallowed up in no, no time. They don't exercise wisdom when

they fail to do this. But listen, when people fail to

investigate like David as they don't just fail in wisdom, you

know what else they fail in love.

Love hear me carefully a person who makes quick, judgments, a

person who presumes a person who makes commentary without

inquiring is not just a foolish person.

The Bible says, they are an unloving person.

I was thinking about this and I thought to myself in that famous

chapter of First Corinthians 13. There are many manifestations of

how love lives in and through a person and if I were to ask you

what's the most difficult thing about loving like Godly love.

What would you say giving your time forgiving?

I mean, I'd like to hear it. What's the hardest thing about

love, patience. Love is patient.

Love is kind. What else is hard about love?

Selfishness. You beat me to Agra geese.

Can I tell you what? I believe one of the hardest

things about love is it's not about having to help somebody

move out of their house on a Saturday.

It's not having to have to do the Dirty Work in the church

when nobody else wants to do it. That's easy.

Compared to what I'm about to show you.

I want to show you what I believe is one of the most

difficult things. One of the one of the Menifee

stations of love that is lacking the most in the world.

And even especially among Believers.

First Corinthians chapter 13 verse 7. 1st Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 13:7

Chapter 13 verse 7. Love.

Bears, all things, and here it is believes all things.

Hopes, all things. Endures.

All things. Love.

Beliefs all things you just told us not to believe everything and

to do investigation. I know.

But let's look at a different Paradigm here.

What does it mean for love to believe all things?

Anybody have an answer to that? If you think it means to believe

everything you hear, I'll give you a heads up.

That's not the answer. That's not love.

That's being irresponsible. And that's actually being

destructive to yourself and to others.

Love is not being gullible. Love is not being naive, so we

eliminated that. What is it mean?

Then for love to believe all things.

Okay. So it has a hopeful

interpretation of people's words and actions that was that is

that way of saying it it has a hopeful interpretation of

people's words and actions I think that pretty much sums it

up and maybe there are other answers to it.

What does it mean for love to believe all things?

Very good love will believe the best about someone until they

prove otherwise very good. Any other answers.

These are wonderful answers. Love believes all things.

Love believes all things. Well, I can assure you again

that it doesn't mean that you trust everything that you see or

hear, that's not love. But what it does mean here is

that as a Believer you war with the thoughts in your mind that

wants to assume the worst about somebody else.

Love that believes all things does not condemn someone so

quickly in the heart, even this kind of love is not cynical.

This kind of love, doesn't allow you to assume that everybody is

is wicked and evil. And wants to do harm and has ill

intent. This kind of love doesn't

automatically say your motives are this this this and that

without any proof. It's a very, very specific way

of love and I believe it is very much lacking.

You know why? Because all of us are prone to

immediately question people. All of us are prone to making

judgments about people. And I know what you're thinking,

as I'm saying these things but what about discernment?

What about discernment or do? We tolerate things?

Are we not supposed to be careful?

We'll get there. But this is important to

understand. This kind of love isn't safe for

certain. This person is doing this for

this reason and it's always wrong reason.

This kind of love doesn't interpret some of these words

that are not clear and assume that it is because they are

trying to do something for self or trying to attack or trying to

harm or trying to plan something.

This is what this kind of love is.

I think a Biblical example of that is job and his friends job

was suffering and his friends came on the scene and they

assumed your suffering is because of a personal sin.

Was there any proof of sin? No.

And so those friends as wise as they may have been in their own

eyes lack, this kind of love, they would not believe the best.

They would not believe about the most righteous out.

Come out of this situation. They assume they presume you

must have done something evil. And if you think that this is

not a common Temptation with, in church life, you haven't been in

church. Long enough.

Let me give you a very simple. I can give you a bib example for

liking. Yes, job and his friends.

Okay. Let's let's make it very, very

real. All right.

Here you are in the basement of this church after service, and

it's busy. And people are walking by and

talking and here you are standing alone for a moment and

somebody that, you know, walks right by you and they don't look

at you. They don't even say hi to you.

In fact, they exit the room without acknowledging your

presence. The failure of this kind of

love, you know what? It sounds like in the heart.

How rude. What's this person's deal?

Not going to say hi to me. Or do they think I have to say

hi if they want to talk? So I have to always come up to

them. She must struggle with pride.

She probably she probably thinks she's better than everybody

else. So so she has to, she has to

wait for me to tap her on the shoulder and say hi.

She didn't even say if I was, if I was that person and I walked

by I would definitely say hi every single time.

There's Giggles here because you probably felt that right?

Or what do we do when a new person comes to church?

We never seen them before. And they're trying to adjust

themselves and they're trying to get to know people.

And we automatically assume what, what do we assume what?

What goes through our minds? Probably here to try to find a

wife. Probably your to try to find a

husband. It could be true.

But why do we presume it all the time?

What if they're here to find God?

You see what I'm saying? Yeah, really just got it.

Got really real in this Bible study tonight.

Let's go back to the illustration of being in the

basement and that person walks by you.

What is love? Believing all things sound like

When that friend that usually says, hi to you in that moment.

Doesn't say hi to you and walks right by you.

Also, and so must be very busy. They must have a lot on their

mind. I hope they're okay. you know

what next time, if they do that they walk by, they come back

into this room and make sure to say hi, love believes all

things. And, you know, the consequences

of failing to Love in This Way. Can I tell you like, what's the

big deal? I'll tell you the big deal.

If you fail, if I fail to love in this way, you will never know

possible, friendships that can blossom with much fruit and

fragrance and testimony, you will never open your heart up to

another. You will always be cynical.

Always be analytical, always assuming the worst And if we're

not careful, if we make this broad application towards

everybody, we are indirectly accusing.

God of his inability to sanctify somebody.

In the innermost parts of who they are.

We're almost saying God you are unable to do a work in

somebody's heart where I can actually take them at their

word. I know what you're thinking.

I know it. I know it.

So what are you saying? She's believe everybody.

No, just hope for the best. When things are unclear.

I'm not talking about when it's like clear, evil when it's clear

sin, when it's clear wrong, when it's clear rudeness.

When it's when it's clear anger, I'm talking about things that

are not clear things that are up for interpretation.

When is ambiguous fight your thoughts to go for the best.

Now, for the worst that will protect your relationships.

That will not cause you to be unnecessarily distant from

somebody else. It will nourish.

And it will give God glory. David is loving Saul here.

You know, how he's loving Saul? Because the last time David

encountered saw saw had apparently repented, and David

wants to believe that he really repented.

And so, he's going to have these spies investigate to make sure

that what he had heard was not true.

And before him making any plan or conclusion, or response to

what he had seen with his own eyes or even heard from other

reports, he wants to do all that he can to ensure.

I hope he really did repent because I believe it.

I want to believe that he really repented This love tolerate

abuse. This love allows somebody who is

constantly using such a truth to manipulate people into abuse

people's love. That's, that's not how that's

not how it works. And you have to come next week

to realize how David wisely though.

He is loving Saul distance himself from the man.

We'll get to that. That means you have to come next

week. So he sent spies love believes

all things you believe and hope for the best and verse 5, then

David Rose and came to the place where saw had encamped.

And David saw the place where Saul a with Abner, the son of

Nur, the commander of his army saw was lying within the

encampment, while the Army was encamped around him. so now this

man Now this man himself goes into the scene while the

Midnight Hour cloaks the Wilderness while the stars in

the sky, bring about a hint of Illumination.

This man comes to see it for himself and he's trying to

figure out what is the most appropriate way to deal with

this? And it seems like he figure

something out because we read in verse 6, then David said to a

female like the hittite have two jobs brother abishai, the son of

Zechariah, who will go down with me into the camp to Saul.

And ibish I said I will go down with you.

So he invites these two men. Not, I don't know if you wanted

both, maybe he was just asking for one or the other, but

abishai is the one who answers and he is introduced to us for

the first time here though is not the the last time we're

going to see of him. We're going to see him down down

the road and the story of David and first and second Samuel, but

he outshines. And his courage compared to a,

he Malik, he does. This is a very Noble thing,

because David is not giving clear.

Instructions of what's about to happen, he just makes the

invitation and I wish I said, let's do this.

I'm by your side, whatever you ask, I will do it.

Wonderful picture of when Jesus tells us to do something, we

don't know the outcome. We just trust and Obey for

there's no other way. But to be happy in Jesus, trust

and obey. He'll go, and we don't know what

David has in mind at this point, but we trust that he is going to

righteously respond. That's what we're hoping for.

You're going to righteously respond, you're going to do what

you did in the cave. I didn't get e.

You're going to figure out a way to convict this man.

Again, you're not going to give in to the pressure of slaying

him, because he took back his word, that's what we're hoping

for. But at the same time, as David

makes this invitation to abishai, David is about to, in

his pursuit of good. Be invited in a different way

himself. What do I mean by that?

In this moment we're about to see two powerful pulls to

temptation. To do wrong to do the opposite

of what he was planning to do. And as you look at, these

components surrounding these Temptations, you and I will

understand something about Temptation and our own lives and

that's important. We want to expose the strategies

of Satan and sin in our lives so that we know how to better

respond to them. And temptation to us is just

just this invitation in the hardest suggestion to do

something wrong but it's more complicated than that.

Because there are certain context and there are certain

sources that make Temptation so much stronger.

And that's what we see here. And verse 7.

So, David and abishai went to the Army by night and their

lace, all sleeping within the equipment, with his spear stuck

in the ground at his head and Abner the Army lay around him.

What? Sticks out.

What I mean, this is a very detailed scene.

But what sticks out about the scene?

Why is the Bible giving us this description of what's about to

take place? What, what, what is highlighted

in your eyes? Sleep.

Yeah, so there's a vulnerability here, right?

Saw a sleeping and your, I don't think of anything more

vulnerable than being asleep. He's asleep.

And his spear is right by his head.

Very vulnerable, which also means very great opportunity.

What other things? The Army around him.

So there is there is a great protection there.

Yes. So there's a suspense element to

this. What else?

The sleep is an important thing. And another thing, They went to

the Army by what? It's nighttime.

The fact that it's night, the fact that Saul is asleep.

The fact that all the men are around are also asleep.

Suggest something to us. It suggests that As David is

about to receive an invitation to sin, it is done within the

context of secrecy. The fact that again that it's

not day Sinners love to Sinha at night by the way.

The fact that there is no light, the fact that there are no

Witnesses makes this all the more difficult to resist.

And the Insight from verse 7 in our own lives is that secrecy is

a great encouragement to sin against God and others.

When we, when we believe that our actions, in our words and

our Deeds are not being witnessed are not being heard,

when there's no surveillance, then we are all the more

emboldened to do wrong. And that's what we see here with

this description David here. Possibly could sense that Miss

fear itself. Arousing, the desire to do wrong

because this is different than the cave.

This is way different. I want you to think about, as

he's here, right here. He can actually take that spear,

that same spear. That's all throughout him so

many times. You can take that very, how, how

fulfilling would that be and to thrust it in his Temple and to

pin him to the Earth and he could have escaped as easily as

he entered in and to add on top of it.

He could have caught a cause of great confusion.

Among the army of Saul say who did This and it would just add a

cherry on top of all the Revenge that he had just executed.

And so we see here that there is a great opportunity and secrecy,

it's always an enticement to do wrong.

Temptation doesn't only suggest to you and I the pleasure or the

prophet of sin Temptation, also Whispers to you, A plan of

Escape. Temptation, also suggest to you.

You can get away with it. Nobody will know.

Did you ever hear that when you're tempted?

You can get away with it, it's dark.

Everybody's sleeping. but even though David could have kept his

murder a mystery, I wonder if the words of his new wife

resounded in his conscience. Remember what Abigail said to

David when he was on his way to assassinate nabal, If you don't

remember, go back to 25:31. When Abigail speaks to this,

man. David.

My Lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for

having shed blood without cause, or from my Lord, working

salvation himself. And when the Lord has dealt well

with my Lord, then remember your servant.

Oh, you might be able to get away with a David.

You might be able to have killed Saul and on your way back to

your own man. Look over to abishai says this

is a secret between you and me but I'll tell you something you

can't run away from and that's Nying conscience.

Where you will forever look back at such an atrocious thing and

be haunted. Especially if you have the Holy

Spirit living in you, And there are many people who are living

in Daily torment because of his secrets and many years ago.

And Abigail because of her discernment wanted to protect

David from such a tormenting future.

Why would you do something that you would regret for the rest of

your life? And so, we have to understand

that, although, there might be peace externally, although

you'll never be sentence. Although your pastors would

never find out, although you would stay in the ministry team,

although people would think you're the holiest person in

town when you go to bed at night and you layer it, pillow your

head on your pillow. What's in the thoughts?

How's that conscious going to testify that?

Inner peace will be lacking? And if you want to see how that

looks like go to Salt, you don't have to turn there but I'm

saying in your own time go to Psalm 32 and see, just how much

David describes the inner turmoil of unconfessed sin.

And there is great relief when we confess him, even though it's

been pent up for years, when you release it in the presence of

God and those who have harmed and hurt, that same solemn

promises us comfort and balm and a release.

So if you're in this place and your conscience has been

tormented for years, you can put it to an end by just humbling

yourself before God. And before those who you have

offended, But David won't even enter into that.

And so the secrecy of this moment could very well been a

greater appeal to do evil, but look at verse 8.

Now you got another Dynamic to this.

Then abishai said to David, God has given your enemy into your

hand this day. Now, please let me pin him to

the Earth with one stroke of the spear.

And I will not strike him twice. I just want to I wish I can see

that site. Like, where did they say it was

Saul right at their feet with you?

Just like a meter. I don't know.

But he must have whispered it with intensity in his ear.

Let me do this. This is God.

What are some elements in verse 8 that give us insight about the

nature of Temptation. There are many things in here.

I want to hear from you. If you have any idea, look at

look at verse a very carefully. Look at look at what is being

said, look at, who is saying it. And we will understand some

things about temptation. Very good one element to this is

that there is apparently Divine approval upon this act is not

our culture decaying wood such lies.

Is there not a cushioning to perversion and to Rebellion by

assuming that God God approves or how about the believer who

attempts to convince themselves that God will understand.

So Temptation always tries to convince us that God sees it

differently than how the Bible says he sees it.

Or that God has some special treatment towards you because

you've been serving him for so long and surely you need some

kind of relief and surely you need some kind of quick answer

and surely you need some kind of satisfaction to the flesh.

So just send a little bit. He'll understand.

You think that's ridiculous. You'd be amazed to know what

runs through people's minds when they are premeditating sin.

Divine approval, very good observation, anything else.

Look at verse 8 carefully again, oh, you're back there.

I was looking for. You say that again?

Yeah. So there's an element of

personal reward. Something that we you will take

out of this. Absolutely.

That's every time or else. We wouldn't be tempted to sin.

Did you notice it? He didn't say, please strike

him. He said, let me pin him to the

Earth. Let me pin him to the Earth.

That makes it much more easier to swallow.

Well, okay, fine. You do it.

I didn't do it. And if anybody asked abishai,

did it? And here's the thing, here's

what happens to us. We think we can be so

sophisticated with our sin that we can trick God and see me to

be Guiltless when we are in fact guilty.

Right? We tried to let well, was it me?

Lord and we try to we try to manipulate the Lord, who knows

our hearts, who knows, our motives, who knows the extent of

our involvement in the wrong. That's done.

Whether it is Corporate, whether it's between you and another.

And so there is always the temptation to blame somebody

else for a wrong that you're doing or that you have

committed. And sometimes in premeditated

sin, we already convinced ourselves.

I can blame this on somebody else.

We're Wicked, we are wicked creatures.

We're not even done yet. There's so much more in verse 8.

Yes, Right? And so it's a trust in man.

It's not a trust in God. So quick, easy answer to

something as we're about to find out in David's answer, that

should be relied upon God in his perfect timing.

Very good. You guys got it.

You guys touch on. Many of them abishai.

Assures him. Look, let me pin him to the

Earth with one stroke of the spirit.

And I will not strike him twice. What is he trying to say there?

David? This will be very quick.

It won't be ugly. I won't Massacre.

The guy it'll be clean. It'll be one time and it will be

over. Isn't Temptation?

Sound the same just one time. Just once never again, just one

time. I will I will I won't go

overboard. I'll just do the bare minimum of

my sinning and just satisfy and scratch this itch a little bit

and then I'll pull back. It's the same idea here.

He's trying to doll up the sin. He's trying to put flowers on

it. He's trying to say it's not that

big of a deal and let me add one more, you guys did wonderful.

Let me add one more. The source of the temptation.

Abishai. when we got abishai is first impression, we saw a

faithful man, a man of Courage, but this is where he is in a

lesser light, he has fallen short, very quickly, and if you

read later on, you'll realize that abishai is in fact, a

relative to David So the source of Temptation is somebody who is

respected and loved by David and it is often the case that you

and I find it more difficult to resist when we somebody that we

respect doing wrong or enticing us to do wrong.

Right. Have you been there?

You look at somebody who's living in a certain way who's

posting in a certain way, who dresses in a certain way, who

talks in a certain way, who spends their money in a certain

way who jokes and a certain way. And they have a position in the

church or they respected in society or their famous worship,

leader author, whatever the case.

Well if they are doing it, surely I can If they can get

away with it and surely I can and here's the problem, you will

get into a lot of trouble when you measure up your Holiness to

anybody else. Except the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Your duty and mind is to allow the standard being the Savior,

anything less, and you'll get into a lot of trouble.

So it doesn't matter if the person is well respected in

church. It doesn't matter what their

spiritual gifts are if it goes against your conscience and it

goes against God's word. It's a no no.

Abishai is suggesting it and the source makes it that much more

seductive and so we see all these things.

Just piling up upon David and you add on top of it, the

element of secrecy. What is he going to do?

What we see here in verse 9. But David said to abishai, do

not destroy him for who can put out his hand against the Lord's

anointed and be Guiltless. If you think about it, there is

so much opportunity. This is a golden chance to

satisfy something in the man's heart and this is more of an

opportunity than being in the cave because this time you can

actually get away with it. This time he can actually just

disappear into the Horizon and people would be confounded and

there could have been a conspiracy within that somebody

within the camp, Musta killed Saul and with all that taken

into consideration. How does somebody overcome this

compelling urge? And I was reflecting upon it

because David does and like him, you and I cannot relieve

ourselves with the false promises of Temptation.

Especially the one that says you can get away with the

consequences you can escape. You can evade, you can avoid,

you can come out, untouched. Because when you and I believe

that false promise, we will see that it lied to us.

But how we're supposed to deal with?

Those lies is to counter it with a better and truer promise.

And that better ensure promise in the midst of Temptation,

while it says, you can escape the consequences of this sin is

found in the New Testament. And if there is a verse to

memorize, if you have not memorized this verse yet, can I

give you homework for next week? Memorize, this reference.

It's not complicated. And it could very well save you

from much heartache. First Corinthians 10:13.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken. You that is not common to man,

God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your

ability. But with the Temptation, he will

also provide the way of Escape. He will also provide the way of

Escape. That's the real Escape that we

want in temptation. That's the real Escape that we

want. As we face in that, you may be

able to endure it to endure it. That's a very important part

when you're in Temptation, it doesn't mean that God is going

to immediately deliver you from that temptation, but he will

give you the strength necessary to do, what endure it that as it

comes to you day after day like Joseph, in that house, you're

able to endure and endure and resist and resist and Because

here's the idea. When sin says to you, you can

get away with me. God says, at the same time I can

help you get away from this sin. When sin says to you, you can

get away with me. God says to you, I can get you

out of this sin. Both are promises one is true.

One is a lie. One will lead you to pain and

regret the other to life and peace.

David chose to believe that he can overcome this temptation, no

matter how strong it was. Do you know what that means?

This is what it means. There is not one Temptation in

your life by God's sovereignty that has the right or the

ability to overtake. You meaning, not one person can

ever say as they sit in that office with their Pastor or sit

across a coffee table with their good friend at church, not one

person can ever say It was too tempting for me and I couldn't

overcome it. Because to say that was to say

that God is a liar. To say it was just too strong of

a nerds, that opportunity was too great.

The money was too big. The person was too beautiful.

To say that you could not overcome as to say that, God

could not help you. So, we have to realize what's at

stake here when we make such claims to seem to justify our

shortcomings. We come back as we conclude

these verses. Verse 9.

David says, how can you put out your hand against the Lord's

anointed and be Guiltless? There's consequences.

He immediately combated these these thoughts with the very

idea that you will not get away. Be sure your sin will find you

out. Saw might not know his army.

Might not know. My men might not know, my wife

might not know, but God will know.

And that's enough for me to say no.

And then look at verse 10. And David said, as the Lord

lives, the Lord will strike him or his day will come to die or

he will go down into battle and perish.

Notice what he's saying to abishai?

Listen God will deal with him, God will strike him or God will

allow him to die as natural Death Or there's a time where

you might even die in war but we're not going to do it now,

here's my question, how did David come to such a conclusion?

What convince them of this truth that he is sharing with abishai?

Just think back. What he experienced with nabel,

he saw it with his own eyes that God can intervene in a moment

and deal with a person or a situation.

If he chooses, and that testimony was enough to realize

that if God did it, then he can do it here.

And now and here's what we have to understand you and I must

console our souls by being able to look back at how God has led

you to this point and be able to apply that for tomorrow.

It's very important to even within our souls are even on

paper because your brain will forget, but paper won't to

record and rehearse the faithfulness of God, and

particular ways in your life, so that you were able to look back

at those memorials and save, God, did it, then he can do it

now. But the most important reference

book is not your Journal. It's the word of God that when

you come to the scriptures and you see how God is dealing with

people and situations, I mean that's why you For Samuel, for

example, that's why the Bible is not just a systematic book of

theology, it's not justification.

Means this and sanctification means this, there's narrative

their stories, there's examples. Why?

To make it more engaging no, to show us how God has dealt with

people throughout human history and to say, well if God did it

then surely he can do it. Now, here's the trouble that

people get into. When they apply that,

hermeneutic that interpretation of the text is, when you see God

doing something and then you think that God has to do it that

way, in your particular situation, that's where people

get in trouble. And David doesn't even apply

that. David didn't say.

Abishai member enable. God killed him.

God will kill Saul to. He didn't say that.

He says God May strike him. God made you that or god named.

I, and a different way, or maybe made me die in war.

The principal is there. God is faithful.

Vengeance is mine. I don't know how God is going to

do it. I just know that he will, I

don't know his methods, but I know the end.

I know his promise and I trust that he is Sovereign enough to

deal with it in his own way. And I can rest in that truth

alone, God will figure it out on my behalf.

That is extremely important to understand or else you and I can

take scriptures and Miss apply them to our lives, and then be

disappointed because we put an expectation on God.

The Bible says, to never put on God, you can't just go to a

particular story in the Bible and say this is how God has to

do it. No.

Well, you can't hear somebody else's testimony of how they met

their wife. They met their husband, how God

LED them into Ministry and say, if God doesn't do it that way.

And surely I am not going to be led who do not know, God is

creative, his vast in his wisdom and in his application and is

leading. And David himself understands

that he is God will do it in his perfect way.

And we read in verse 11 as we close in these next two verses

the Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the

Lord's anointed but take now the spear that is at his head take

the jar of water and let us go. So David took the spear and the

jar of water and Saul's at Sol's head and they went away.

Now, look at this, no man saw it or knew it nor did any awake for

they were all asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord had

fallen upon them. Now I know that last part is

very intriguing but let's Reserve that and our concluding

thoughts. And that clock is not my friend

tonight. David took the spear and the jar

of water from Saul's head and they went away.

So In This Moment he knew what he was going to do.

He had a different plan and we're going to find out next

week that he's going to do something very similar to what

he did with the corner of Saul's robe in that cave at engedi.

So we ask for these props that he's going to use for a sermon

the next day. It's amazing.

Here is that as he asked for these instruments, we are told

here that no, man, saw it or knew it Northern any awake.

Now we already knew that We already seen that that

description is already been given to us, but I like to think

that although the main application is because there was

a sovereign Act of God on that. Seen that David innocence is

doing good by not striking Saul, he is going to take these props

and the next day is going to make a public.

But in this moment, if we can apply this in any way, it's

this, that David is doing good in secret.

Nobody is aware of what he is doing at this moment and if

there's anything that you and I, as Christians should be

occupying ourselves in the dark. It's not to sin in a way where

we can preserve our reputation, its to do good, even though

nobody else knows her season. Do that if you're going to do

anything in secret, do that. Treat others when nobody can see

it and record it and praise you for it.

Do when everybody's asleep? Do and nobody sees you or

recognizes you or can Pat you on the back?

David is doing something righteous.

Without anybody being able to say you are righteous.

You are wonderful. You are Godly.

And I think that should be what you and I as Believers should be

doing in the dark. Loving God, loving people,

honoring his name because true character is known when nobody

else is watching. That's true character.

It's not. I mean, as much as the pulpit is

important. True character is what the

pastor does out of the pulpit. And many examples as such.

Because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.

So the holy spirit gives us commentary to how it is that out

of 3,000, men. David.

And I wish I were able to in stealth hop over these bodies

and be able to climb back into wherever they were hiding

without anybody being alarmed or awakened.

And all of that, that this, this Slumber was accredited to a

sovereign Act of God. God, put this wonderful blanket

over these people and let them rest with a soundness and a

richness. That I'm sure you would like.

and I would like, Why is the Bible telling us this?

I can give you one reason. Because the Bible wants to show

us that God is Sovereign even over things that we don't think

he is Sovereign over. the things that we think that God is not

involved with, he is very much involved with Things that we

don't think God cares about God. Very much cares about.

And guess what? God is Not Just Sovereign over

the nation's. God is Not Just Sovereign over

politicians, God is Sovereign over sleep.

Yes. He can keep you asleep.

He can keep you awake. And this case, he makes sure

that the king stays asleep. So that his servant would be

able to respond appropriately to the evil that he is

experiencing. And can you tell me of another

story where? Another king was not put to

sleep but was kept awake because of providential Act of God.

Very good. Anybody hear him?

The Book of Esther chapter 6, verse 1.

Esther 6:1

With a King of Persia, we are told could not sleep that night.

He could not sleep that night and he asked for a record in a

book with the Deeds of men in, his kingdom were kept.

And in that record, we're told about, Mordecai's great

deliverance from assassins who are going to kill the king and

that set off a series of events, that would not only save a

particular few, but with saved the entire nation of Your who

were exiled in that land from genocide.

What's amazing about the Book of Esther is that The Mention Of

God is Not brought up once but that's done by Divine Design.

When you read Esther and you realize and you have you have

academics. You say Esther shouldn't be in

our Bibles because God is not mentioned there.

Well I would say to those academics, have you heard of the

doctrine of Providence? Because when you read Esther,

the whole idea is God, is working in the background, and

you just see one providential episode.

After the next, here's my main point.

God kept Saul asleep here. And God kept another king awake.

And another time, God is Sovereign even oversleep.

And sometimes it's for an individual to experience a test

so that they can prove themselves before God, and

sometimes it's to preserve an entire race in humanity.

So verse like this should cause us to worship The God, Who is

Sovereign over sleep, The God, Who can say, you're going to

stay asleep a little longer than usual.

That's going to happen. This God is powerful.

Our God is powerful. And God always does his

Sovereign work for men's good. And His glory, let's pray.

Lord, we thank you for this Bible study, thank you for the

wonderful answers in the engagement tonight. well, we

pray that these truths would be reserved in our hearts and that

God you would be Empowering us until obedience with these

things that we've heard. Lord, if there's anything that

sticks out tonight. Surely there are many things for

different people but Lord help us to love in the way you've

called this to love. Help us to love in a way that

believes all things and to know the wise way of going about

that. But Lord if our hearts are bent

on being negative towards people, if our hearts never

opens up to others because we are always cynical Lord open our

hearts, teach us how to love in this way.

Lord of anybody's experiencing temptation.

Perhaps it's been this past week.

Perhaps, it was this afternoon. Perhaps it's been a much longer

than that. Lord.

Would you have trumpeted the truths of Temptation by exposing

the lies of sin? And Lord in those moments where

we feel as though we can escape the consequences?

Like, David help us believe the better promise of escaping this.

In itself that we don't have to do this, because you promised

that there is not even one Temptation that can overtake us,

apart from our will. Lord, we want to be holy and we

want to love you. And we went on our, you and

worship you. Thank you for these truth.

Be glorified. Be glorified in song As we sing

to you in, Thanksgiving. In Jesus name, we pray.

Amen. And amen.

Let's stand as we conclude tonight and Worship the Lord.