1 Samuel 23 (Part 1) Bible Study - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

It is always a blessing to open God's word with you Mimi.

And first Samuel chapter 23, please.

1 Samuel 23 · chapter mention

And as we arrived there together, we're going to pray

one more time. Lord, we thank you for this

Friday night. You give us.

You give us this day. You give us this evening and we

want to worship you in it and we asked, oh, God.

That as we discover your will your mind your heart, your

character, your purposes. What you've done in the past as

a reflection of who you are today, that Lord we would feel

our hearts being wooed towards Christ.

Lord, we long that the result of this Bible study, with the draws

closer and our relationship with you.

And Lord. If there's any sin, if there's

any lukewarmness, if there's any familiarity that breeds

contempt, Lord May the hammer of your word break any callousness.

May the fire of your word burn up all dross.

We really want this to affect our lives.

And so we hunger for righteousness, we long for truth

Open. The Eyes of our hearts that we

may behold. You And so Lord in this moment.

Would you deal with every distraction?

And would you give us the strength to receive your word in

Jesus name? We pray.

Amen. And amen.

Let's read together from verse one, shall we?

Now they told David behold, the Philistines are fighting against

Kela and are robbing the threshing floors there for

David. Inquired of the Lord, shall I go

and attack these Philistines and the Lord said to David go and

attack the Philistines and Save kiala But David's men said to

him, behold, we are afraid here in Judah.

How much more than if we go to kill against the armies of the

Philistines? Then David inquired of the Lord

again and the Lord answered him, arise go down to Kayla.

For I will give the Philistines into your hand and David and his

men went to kalon fought with the Philistines and brought away

their livestock and struck them with a great blow.

So David saved, the inhabitants of Kayla.

Now, the last time we've heard of David's whereabouts was when

he was in the forest of her f. And he was instructed to go

there from the prophet Gad God told him.

Once he was hiding in the cave of a dilemma, and in the land of

Moab, the prophet was sent to David.

And those 400 band of men that came to him and says, you need

to leave and you need to go into the land of Judah, not to the

Natural mind, that that seemed like suicide because David was

making himself so much more vulnerable to saw spies and even

Saul's. Max.

And we can even see the fear in these men being in Judah and

what we read in verse 3, look what they said, David's Men, set

them. Behold, we are afraid here in

Judah. So to the human mind, it didn't

make sense for them to leave where they were more secure to a

place where they are more suspect and more available to

Saul's reach. But as we studied throughout

these past couple weeks, we realize especially in last week,

that when God instructed David to go to Judah though, he didn't

give them a reason we realized by the holy spirit's commentary

the motive behind the command. That was what I saw discovered

where David was and he was about to close in, he was about to

come and find him. So, for the sake of David's

protection, he gave this command for the sake of his well-being,

for the sake of his preservation.

God though, he did not disclose the purpose, gave him an

instruction and David had to obey by faith, which is very

much how we respond to many of God's commands.

We may not see how obeying him in.

The moment will bring about the best result, but we got to trust

God's. Wisdom.

But if we believe that God's wisdom ends there, it's in these

first few verses that we realize even more reasons, why God

called David to go into the land of Judah.

And what is it? Well, look verse 1.

Again now, they told David behold, the Philistines are

fighting against Kayla and are robbing the threshing floors.

Now, this city according to Joshua, 15 is listed among many

other cities. It is actually found in the

Ettore of Judah. And what's so, fascinating here

is that these citizens heard about David being in the

neighborhood being in close proximity somehow, and these

unnamed Messengers call for David's assistance, because the

Philistines are now coming to attack and they need David to

defend and to deliver them. And when I read this, I realized

something about God. Then when he often asks us to do

something when we obey him and we walk and follow Christ, he

has manifold purposes behind his commands and there are manifold

rewards behind obedience, see when David first went, we

learned that Saul knew where he was.

So God protected him by calling him out of his stronghold into

the land of Judah. But now we read here that David

was not just being protective, but God had a purpose.

There was a mission that David needed to fulfill and he could

not fulfill it unless he was in Judah.

In other words, if he had stayed in the cave, if you had stayed

and a long distance, he would not be able to be reached.

He would not be able to be called upon.

He would not be able to get to Kayla and time.

And so do you see God's Providence?

He moves David. He calls David without telling

him every single reason and he says Says, you need to leave.

And we find out last week because he was protecting him

and we find out this week because there's a mission for

David to fulfill Now, this isn't going to mean much to you, if

your life isn't governed by Christ.

If Jesus is your genie, you'll fall asleep in this portion of

the Bible study, But if Christ is your lord, then be comforted

by what's being said here, here's what God is teaching us

that in his Direction, even in the unknown, especially in the

unknown. One thing that you can plant

your feet on one thing that you can be totally secure in is this

that God always always postures us to either prepare us for his

use or to position us for his use.

I hope that encourages you and every single season, God has

determined a purpose for your life and in every chapter

whether it's dark or clear, whether the heavens are opened

or feels like the heavens are brass when God Maneuvers us in

orchestrates. Our lives in every circumstance,

it's because he is either posturing us to be prepared or

he's preparing us for a purpose to fulfill.

He's positioning us to do something for his Laurie every

single season. And that's what's happening with

David. God performs this work.

This instruction, he doesn't understand.

And as like, David as you walked down the road of obedience, it

is down the road where you realize his purposes as you look

back in the moment, you don't know.

And the moment, I don't know, in fact, in the moment it can be

confusing. It can be even painful.

But it's when you go through it with faith and you clutch onto

Christ where you look back and say, I see why you moved me from

here to the, I see why you remove this.

I see why you gave Davis, I see why you open this.

I see why you close this. But there's something else

interesting about these men seeking for David.

And I want to ask you what is interesting by the fact that

these men sought David, when the Philistines attacked any idea

Think back. There's another character in

this story. David is being chased by who Oh,

please answer somebody answer. So we're gonna have to go back

to chapter 1. Saul.

Yes. What was Saul's purpose as a

king? Let me remind you in 9:6.

I want you to see this in your Bibles for yourselves in chapter

9, verse 6. We read about about saw being

anointed by Samuel and Look What the Lord tells the prophet

tomorrow. About this time, I will send to

you a man from the land of Benjamin.

And you shall anoint him to be Prince Over My People, Israel.

He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines.

That was his call. That was the very reason why he

became king to deal with this. Particular enemy.

And when it came to saws responsibility, being fulfilled

as the ruler, guess who the people call upon knots?

All they ask David. And here are two reasons.

Why number one as David is continuing in this Exile, the

eyes of the people are opening And they are realizing slowly,

but surely the David was the true anointed leader of Israel.

That he was the wrong one that actually cared for them as a

Shepherd. Does the Sheep?

In fact, when we get there in second, Samuel chapter five,

once David's, officially going to be anointed and Hebron the

people say, in chapter 5 while Saul was King, it was you who is

really leading us. So the people during this time,

put the two together they made, the contrast saw as the title

but you have the fruit So has the throne but you have the

heart. And so even now in chapter 23,

the citizens of Carol, I realized David is really the one

who helped us and the observation here is so prophetic

that it is a wonderful thing. When people's eyes are open to

realize that Christ, the son of David is there true salvation.

He's the one that's really your Shield.

He's the one that's really your Aid.

He's the one that's really your Refuge.

He's the one that's really your helper.

He's the one that's really your wisdom.

He's the one that's really your salvation.

And when you realize that the systems of this world will fail

you, and you realize that there's no war nowhere or no one

else to turn to it is a pleasant thing.

Indeed, and David is giving us that illustration prophetically,

but secondly, realize this this is a sad commentary on the

leadership of Saul. A very disappointing and

discouraging commentary on this man's leadership and government.

Because this man not only did not have the heart of his

people. Not only did they not seek after

him, he could care less about the citizens of Kayla.

He could care less that the Philistines were coming to bring

Siege around the city. Can I prove it to you?

Come down to verse 8 of this chapter, And look here in verse

8. And Saul summoned all the people

to war, to go down, to Kayla, to besiege David.

And his men. Can you believe this?

So when it comes to the Philistines to surround Kayla,

Saul is is hanging back, but the moment he hears that David and

his band of men are there then he summons his men to go to war.

This is this is disturbing isn't incredibly disturbing.

When it came to you, fulfilling your call, you gave no thought

no energy, no Focus. But when it came to you,

satisfying your jealousy, in your Envy in your hatred, you

called the nation to go to war. We look at this and we might be

disgusted but I will shock you tonight that this attitude is

not foreign within the body of Christ.

It's not, you know, James says, something very interesting to

Christians in chapter 4 and you don't have to turn there but he

asked them. What causes fights and quarrels

among you and he says, is it not that your passions are at War

within you? So Christians are capable of

fighting each other. of Warring against one another because they

have they have been dominated by The sins of their hearts.

And like, saw listen when your Void of spirituality when you're

out of touch with the Holy Spirit.

If you're not filled with him, you're going to be filled with

something else. And if you're outside of Christ

completely, you can be morally, clean your house can be all

clean, but you can still have demons over.

If you're in Christ, you can grieve the Holy Spirit.

You can so quiet him and be ruled by the Flesh.

And here's the problem. When you even have just a

handful not even a handful of you just have one or two people

within a community of the faithful Believers that have the

passions of the flesh at War within them, you have Sol's.

And what do Sol's do? They don't put their energy and

their focus on the Real Enemy. They fight those within their

own camp. And they get so caught up

because they're so possessed with the sins of the spirit.

And with selfish ambition, that they begin to eat their own they

cause casualties from within all the while there is an enemy that

wants to destroy you outside, they could care less because

they're not Kingdom Minded. Saul wasn't concerned about

God's glory. Are you kidding me?

So I wasn't concerned about the advancement of God's purpose.

It's all wasn't concerned about the people worshipping.

God saw was concern about himself even though he was

within the kingdom. And because of this, he's going

to war with his own, he's willing to fight someone on his

team. Listen selfish ambition, it can

be anything, it can be for a position.

It can be for recognition, it can be for anything, it can be

about friendships. It can be about name it if it's

selfish. If it's not centered on Christ's

Glory it can be extremely destructive.

So destructive can selfish ambition be that it not only

diverts you from the call that God has placed on your life.

The Obedience, and the giftedness that he has put in

you to bring exaltation to his name but it even has the ability

To hinder those who actually want to serve God.

Does that make sense? Because David here is not only

having to worry about the Philistines David your has to

worry about Saul, David your has to worry about somebody within

his own Camp that's going to shoot him.

That's willing to take him down. And so now he has to not only

worried about the true enemy of God and the true enemies to the

gospel. He is not worried about people

that are insecure and selfish and they caused issues and you

see the issue here, you see the issue here.

And I pray that this illustration.

This is why we come to the Old Testament because they take the

principles of God, and they put him in Story, the real stories

so that these things can be remembered made.

This illustration, be seared in your memory for the rest of your

life. We should not be wasting time

wrestling with each other. We should not be wasting time

fighting against one another. We should not be wasting time

about there are souls. Damned for hell.

And you're bothered because somebody didn't say hi to you on

a Sunday. And you're bothered because

somebody may have looked at you in a certain way, it is, this is

this a soldier mindset know, it's kindergarten mindset and

the church has not been established to change people's

diapers. The church has been established

to raise up soldiers that are so dead to self.

And what it's going to require in order for us to avoid

internal strife is just that a crucifying of the self on a

daily basis. And from there, when there's

confusion, when there's miscommunication, you're quick

to communicate and when there's harm done and somebody asked for

forgiveness and repent, your quick to forgive and you're so

committed and you're so pledged to a certain service for the

kingdom of God, that when other people who don't care about the

advancement of God's glory and his message in his gospel, try

to pull you into childish ways, you have no energy to give them

because you're so spent for God, So Saul here is not only causing

issues for himself, he's causing issues for David who actually

wants to serve God. It's a sad sight indeed.

But eventually God will intervene those who cause

trouble in the church. I can tell you many things about

them. And one of the things about them

is that they have no concept. Or no concern about the name of

Jesus Christ. And so their Idol idol mean

there. They don't do anything.

And not only are they Idol, but they're filled with idolatry.

And as Paul told Timothy in chapter 5 of his first epistle

to him, he's speaking about young woman who are widows and

he says their Idol. And they go from house to house

gossiping and being busy bodies. Meaning you're getting into

people's Affairs, that you shouldn't be And they are giving

opportunity for the devil. And so we see here, that's all

is a perfect illustration of that.

And one of the greatest things that can happen to the health of

a Ministry is not when the leadership only.

But when every single person who's a member is focused, Is

focused on the mission because when things come in your way,

and it would interfere with that mission or hinder that mission,

your heart is so caught up in what God's called you to do

that. You're willing to deal with

those issues in order to remove any hurdles or any obstacles to

what God has called you to do. Does that make sense?

When people when people are not filled at the spirit and not

excited about what God has called you to do on this Earth,

the next best thing is drama. Next best thing is, she said, he

said let and they just get caught up in that and then they

causes things to happen and saw is proving that here it all

started from a place of insecurity, it all started from

a place of not being a true worshipper.

And when the enemy is coming in, Saw could care less.

He wants to deal with David, because David was the real

threat to him because David was a threat His pride.

So, what happens? We see here in verse 2, David

inquired of the Lord. When he heard about this,

invitation David stops and he seeks.

God. And this is the David that we

know, right? Is another David that we saw in

chapter 21 that just moved off of impulses and fear of, this is

the David that we love is the David that we are familiar with,

he stops and he inquires of the Lord.

And I love that. I'm encouraged by that,

especially in this instance. You know why?

Because David has been given a great opportunity here I

believe. Here's an opportunity for him to

prove himself even more. He's dealt with Philistines

before this. And this is a chance for him to

win the hearts of more people to, to gain a greater following,

to have people more convinced that this is truly God's

anointed. Not that man Saul.

But despite the opportunity, he still sees God's will on the

matter and he still inquires of the Lord's Direction and timing

and purpose. And it is a great site to God to

see his people stop and pause and seek him even at the chance

even at the open doors that some others wouldn't even give a

second thought to before performing, anything he does not

give premature action, he pauses and he seeks the Lord, that's

his reflex. And he's learned from the past

the mistakes when you move without stopping and seeking

God's wisdom, seeking Godly counsel praying and asking the

Lord as you sit at his feet. Does that.

But I think also here that this is even just not just a

possibility for a reward but possible risk.

Here's the risk. You're already having problems

of your own with Saul. You want to add more issues with

the Philistines, you really want to bring in more Philistines in

your life right now. And not only that aren't the

Philistines saws responsibility, you want to, you want to step

into that lane and add more fuel to the fire.

Which Saul, You see what happened?

When Jonathan try to try to do Sol's job.

It got kind of crazy. You sure you want to add more

fuel to this fire? But what I see here with David

as he stops and he prays and he asked God, I see a man who is so

selfless. He so loves God's people that

he's willing to open the possibility of Greater danger to

himself in order to bring Deliverance to his Brethren.

If this is going to cost me more than Let It Be see, this is a

guy with a Shepherd's Heart. No wonder God chose him.

He truly cared. And guess what?

He didn't have the title to be crowned with He's gonna do the

kings job and he doesn't have the throne but he's still

willing to do it. What a blessing, it is to

witness a servant who doesn't need the spotlight?

And what a blessing it is to see a servant who's willing to

actually make a real sacrifice to obey.

God, like a real sacrifice. Actually costing you something

not to serve, but until it costs.

You something you pull back, but let me serve.

Even it does cost me something? What, what an encouragement that

he is displaying here. Don't give me the spotlight, I

don't need to be the one that's on the throne to deal with the

Philistines. If I got to do the same thing

for the sake of my brethren, let me do it.

If it's going to ask for more danger and and jeopardize me, I

will I do it because I love God's people.

I want to serve my brethren. So he does he gets an answer.

The Lord said to David go and attack going to tack the

Philistines and safe kiella, but look, what happens in verse 3

but David's Mensa and behold. We are afraid here in Judah.

How much more than if we go to kiala against the armies of the

Philistines? What happens?

In verse 3, pay attention is what will happen.

Many times when an opportunity to obey God's word, presents

itself. Opposition arises.

Opposition will often arise when an opportunity to obey, God

presents itself. And the obvious opposition.

Are the enemies outside of the fold outside of the Kingdom,

that would try to threaten you or taunt.

You, if you would dare make a move forward to glorify God, but

there is also the opposition that is unintended and the

opposition that is unintended can come from people that are

really for you, and they really want to be loyal to the cause of

God, but when it comes to particular instances, they cave

under And because they can't handle what's happening here.

Even though obedience is called for, they would discourage those

who might put them at risk in that step of obedience.

So what we learn from these men is an ingredient that is

incredibly needed. If you want to know endurance

and faithfulness to God and it is this courage courage.

courage, courage is willing to act even if you have to face

danger pain or intimidation, For righteous, cause that's what

courage is. It's a willingness to be mocked.

It's a, willingness to be misunderstood.

It's a willingness to even be martyred because of a deep

conviction. And if there is anything worth

being courageous for it is the will and word of God.

Courage. These men lacked it.

And these men had a unanimous decision.

David 400 against one David. We're not doing this.

We're already in Judah. We're already terrified as it is

and you want to now put us out there so it's all can see us.

We're 400. You want to go against the

armies of fill it. Are you serious?

But David had a deep conviction and that conviction is what

fuels courage. He was the conviction, God said

it, God gave the green light, God determined it in his word.

Why are we holding back? If it's cleared, the let's move

forward. And I want to show you just how

important courage is in the eyes of God.

Here it is. It's in the New Testament.

It's, in fact, all the way to the last book in Revelation 21,

I want you to see how much courage means to God and chapter

21. Verse 8.

This is the group of people that will be judged in the Lake of

Fire for all of eternity. Look at verse 8, but as for the

Cowardly, the faithless, the detestable as for murderers, the

sexually immoral Sorcerers idolaters and all liars.

Their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and

sulfur, which is the second death.

People often say that the Old Testament, God is in a bad mood

and the New Testament, God is in a much better mood.

You know what that proves to me? Number one, they haven't read

the Old Testament, right? And number two, they haven't

finished the New Testament. Because you didn't get to the

Book of Revelation, did you? Notice the first group that are

mentioned that will be judged as for the who cowardly.

To be coward is to be the opposite of being courageous.

To be coward is to not move forward in your conviction

because of the threat of persecution to be coward.

This is important is not the same as having a personality

that leans towards timidity and shyness.

No, to be a coward means that you back away from standing with

Christ. Because you care about your

well-being, more than that conviction, that's what it means

to be a coward. And in God's mind, The first,

that will be judged by those who refuse to stand for the gospel.

Those who refuse to stand for Christ because of threats.

Or, because of because of hypocrisy, or because of,

because of anything, that would cause him to say, I can't do

this anymore and the Lord says, you're the first to go into

hell. You know it's amazing here in

the ESV the Cowardly right after his partner with the faithless.

Other translations would say, the unbelieving, but the Greek

actress has to be unfaithful. Yes, you can be unfaithful by

unbelieving but here, it's amazing.

Your this is not an accident you and I cannot no endurance and

less. We first no courage.

Faithlessness is inevitable. When courage is lacking.

And that's the point here that these men were willing to not

obey God because of fear fear of Saul fear, the Philistines even

though God was on their side and though they were tempted and

though you and I might be tempted to be fearful to obey

God or to shrink back when there's a price to obey Christ.

What conviction does is it convinces you to move forward?

No matter what your emotions tell you?

That's what courage is. It's not the absence of fear.

Here. It's not the absence of

intimidation and feeling the heat of the price that you might

pay. But conviction is so powerful.

It propels you to move forward. Anyway.

And David had that courage. He was ready to plow through

with his life. Even about while being tempted

by his own men and threatened. And that can only come when you

haven't Spirit inspired boldness and bravery.

I pray that we would have it in these last days and that's why I

let me tell you this persecution purifies the church every single

time because you know what persecution does it highlights

the courageous and assists out the Cowardly.

Because once there's a price to pay for this thing, the only

thing that's going to really happen is remove those who are

in it for the wrong reason and strengthen those who had a

conviction for Christ. And that's important.

But we see here in verse 4, what David does and response.

David as a leader. You can imagine he receives.

Clarity. From God, he comes into this

place with all these men. And he says, men, the Lord has

spoken, we must go tequila and attack the Philistines.

We must defend our Brethren, and all you hear is just a wave of

murmuring. And are you serious?

I no way. No way and some finally,

somebody speaks us. We're already terrified as it

is. You're going to bring us into

more trouble, David and these are good hearted men.

They risk their lives by separating from Saul to join

David, but even good men can be fragile, even good.

Men can be shaken. So what does this man do?

What is this leader do hears this.

He doesn't argue with them, he doesn't fight them.

He doesn't even try to persuade them.

Then David inquired of the Lord again.

He goes to see God again. And as he's wrestling with these

thoughts, and maybe as his emotions were Disturbed, maybe a

bit. We're not told he goes before

God again and he prays and God gives him Clarity once again and

we're going to find out why it is that God is speaking.

So promptly. And so obviously it's a unique

thing to the scene. But nonetheless, the principle

lies true. That in order for us to remain

courageous, we must find strength in the place of prayer

prayers, the great provider of Visions of Grace prayer

provides. Great power to remain faithful

to God. Even when we're being tempted to

shrink back, And that's what this man does.

He comes before the Lord, he seeks him.

And as his faith is being challenged for standing for what

is right? He lays out at the feet of the

Lord and he he knows that God knows what just happened.

And God is always prepared to strengthen the soul that is

willing to seek that strength to be faithful to the cause of

Christ always That's what David needed, David needed

confirmation. And that confirmation will

provide strength. And God is always ready to give

his people, the boldness necessary to move forward and

sometimes it's so Supernatural that you will step outside of

yourself and say who is that man?

Who is this? And listen to this prayer is

even so effective that God is even willing to bring Liberty to

those Source who are captive to their own fears, like these

other men because, you know what, he's going to do, right?

God is going to answer, and when God answers, it doesn't even

just provide strength with David.

Now, the rest of the men are like word in we're in Listen,

there's a time to spend energy trying to persuade men but never

fail, to reserve energy to come before God with unpersuaded men

and let him deal with them. There's a time to argue

righteously there's a time to try to convince and there's the

time to try to persuade, but listen when all is said and

done, you come before, God, and you bring those people before,

God, the situation before God, and let God, because prayer is

the invitation for God's intervention on the situation.

God confirms in such wisdom and precision that he inspires faith

in all of them. Why?

Because look, how God answers. And the Lord answered them.

Arise go down to klf4. I will give the Philistines into

your hand. What's the difference between

this answer in the previous one? Compare it and you'll see the

difference. Anybody notice the difference he

gave them the assurance that the Philistines will be will be

dealt with before he just said go and attack.

Now he says they will be conquered and it was that

promise that blue fresh wind into their sales and even the

other men that join David said, let's do this prayer is

powerful. And so what happens when we read

in verse 5 and David and his men went to Kayla and fought with

the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them

with a great blow. So David said, the inhabitants

of keala small point to make from this verse, Notice that

when they fought the Philistines, they brought away

what their livestock, they're animals.

This would have been tremendously helpful to David in

the men. Remember when David initially

fled from Saul the guy only had the clothes on his back.

He didn't even have a lunch to carry with him.

He didn't have a weapon though. He had an Armory at his

disposal. He had to come before the priest

and said you have a sword here because I'm Glide sword.

Do you have any bread here? Gives him the holy bread of the

presence. And so this man doesn't have

resources. But now through this Conquest,

they have a whole herd They gained all this livestock.

That wasn't promised to them but oh how encouraging is to see

that when we obey God, he often surprises us.

That went in your heart. Obedience to God.

Is your Supreme desire. God is faithful to supply your

needs. When you're more concerned about

God, and his people, God, and His purposes, God and his

commands for your life. Watch how God will surprise his

Faithful Servants with his Provisions.

I've personally seen in my own life.

How God has provided in ways that it didn't make sense?

You've noticed that you're sitting in a place that

testifies to that. And it's amazing.

It's amazing. How God truly meets the needs of

his people. When they truly set their hearts

to live for him Above All Else. And for those who don't seek

first, the kingdom of God, they seek the kingdom, but it's like

fourth on the list. I feel bad for them, you're

missing out on a journey, man. Do you want to know how you can

get rid of anxiety in your life for your needs?

Some would say, pray more. Sure, some would say.

Read more. Sure, here's another word of

advice seek first. The kingdom.

You want to deal with anxiety, you want to do?

Are you person that's worried about your clothes and your food

where you're going to live? What kind of car you going to?

Are you worried about that instead of worrying about that,

busy yourself with the kingdom of God and watch how things will

fall into place. When God sees you, taking care

of his business, you'll take care of yours.

David here was concerned about the citizens of keala and as he

fulfills the command of God, God says here's a bunch of animals.

You have lunch for the next few weeks.

And verse 6, we read here that when IB author are the son of a

he Malik had fled to David tequila.

He had come down with an ephod in his hand.

We'll come back to that later. But look at verse 7, Now it was

told Saul that David a come tequila and Saul said, God has

given him into my hand for he has shut himself in by entering

a town that has Gates and bars. I remember when I first wrote

this, how confused I was about this man saw, I literally have a

question mark behind that verse As a testament to this guy is

losing it. God has given David into my

hands. Really.

The inhabitants of Kayla were rejoicing, I'm sure but Saul he

receives news from his his spies that David is there.

And they left out of the report that David had conquered the

Philistines. Notice that's not mentioned,

they're all that was a concern to despise.

Was we know where David is. Never mind that he brought

victory for the nation of Israel.

Saul could care less. He's not a Kingdom Minded

person. He doesn't, he doesn't care

about these spiritual things. He doesn't care about God's

glory. He's so filled with self that

these people don't even communicate these things to him.

And so the news is brought to him.

We know where David has now he's there.

He's in Judah, he's so close. And you can just imagine this

perverted grin and sauce face, guys.

Given him into my hands. And it makes you think for some

strange reason, this King really believes that in his pursuit of

killing David that God was supporting it.

Not only was God supporting it, but that God provided an

opportunity at the Lord. Orchestrated and open door for

David to be assassinated at the hands of Saul.

This man? Just killed. 80 something

priest. He's causing havoc and God's

kingdom. He's disobeyed so many times

that God allows a tormenting Spirit to come upon him and this

man still actually believes that God is on his side.

I thought to myself, in reading this tonight if you've ever had

trouble, understanding, Jeremiah statement that the heart is

deceitful above all things and that is desperately sick.

Just meditate on this verse long enough, you'll know what he

means. Many times in the New Testament,

the Christian not the non-believer.

The Christian is warned to not be deceived.

Look it up for yourself. Make it a personal study look

throughout the entire New Testament, and search for the

phrase, do not be deceived or let, no one deceive you.

And just see how many times it appears the Christian not the

non-believer. And second Thessalonians.

Her example in Chapter 2, Verse 3, we are told let no one

deceive you in any way. But when you and I hear about

the dangers of deception and let me give you a simple.

Definition being misled to believe something to be true

when it is in fact false. When we hear about deception

immediately, our minds go to external threats threats and

wolves, and sheep clothing, that tried to lure us away from truth

and that just doctrinal truth. Truth about matters in life as

well, connected to truth. When in fact, the Bible even

goes beyond those warnings and warns us about another form of

deception that many people do not think about when they think

about the danger of this thing. Can I show it to you?

It's in 1st Corinthians 3. In verse 18.

Our Corinthians Christians. Yes, there is Paul inspired by

the spirit as an author of divine revelation.

Yes, he is. So we read here in verse 18,

just the first few words, you ready?

Let no one what deceive who himself.

Let no one deceive. You do not be deceived, let no

one deceive you in any way, let no one deceive you, let no one

deceive. You do not be deceived First

Corinthian. 38, let no one deceive himself.

So deception is not just a threat externally.

I myself can mislead myself. I myself, am able to be

persuaded by my own Thoughts by my own emotions to believe

something to be true. When in fact, it is false.

Saul was deceiving himself. And he was so misled.

That he was. He was interpreting what God was

doing in David's life. As actually something that he

was going to do for his life. And when I look at this verse,

it has become a memorial because I read it many years ago, and it

has brought an answer to me and many occurrences in my own life

that I just did not understand. And here it was.

I've unfortunately, had many instances where I've talked to

people Who really believe God? Was validating or affirming

something that was clearly wrong.

And again, scripture, I've talked to people who have

behaved, so worldly and even sinfully and they were so

convinced that God was still going to bless their Ministries.

Even though they were violating God's standard for what it means

to be a minister and what it means to do faithful Ministry

and yet, still, they believe likes all that.

God has for me, nonetheless, I've even had unfortunate

conversations with people. Try to convince me that because

God has revealed something to them.

Personally, subjectively that it is true.

Even though it violates the word of God and it goes against how

the word of God tells you to communicate your convictions.

And when bringing the word of God to the situation, and the

person in their hearts, what they've experienced personally,

trumped over the word of God. I'm thinking to myself, how how

is it that people are soaked. It's so clearly wrong.

It's so off. It's so hideous.

It's so horrific. It's so carnal.

And yet, still they have this confidence that God affirms and

God will supply and bless Or God has spoken to you and has given

you some kind of access to Authority and divine revelation

beyond the scriptures, how? And in my mind races back to

this verse about stall, Would you like to know how it is?

That saw has arrived to this point?

Let me put it this way. Would you like to know how

somebody can deceive themselves? Because there's a way to get

there. It doesn't just happen.

Spontaneously, it's not just something that just erupts in

their hearts. It's not snow.

No, it is inspired by something first.

The deception is a consequence to another sin.

The deception is the punishment. Of another sin. and the same

Prophet who said that the heart is deceitful above all things

and desperately sick, who can know, it is the same Prophet

that revealed how it is that a person can deceive themselves,

you still in Jeremiah Go to Jeremiah what?

That common and famous Passage. where it's found is in chapter

17, but where we want to go as in chapter 49, Jeremiah,

Jeremiah Jeremiah Jeremiah 49? This is in a prophecy that

condemns the people of Edom. and in this judgement against

Edom, we read in verse 16, slowly The prophet says the

whore, you inspire has deceived you.

Now, look at this and the what the pride of your heart. oh but

I would confirm in that book that is purely condemnation

against the people of Edom and Obadiah chapter will there's no

chapter verse 3, chapter 1 He says that the pride of your

heart has deceived you. So he's making it even more.

Clear, so how is it that somebody can deceive themselves?

It's when they're infected with pride.

When Pride lives in a heart. That Pride will lie to you.

That Pride will lie to you about you.

That Pride will lie to you about others often in the form of

content. And listen to this, that Pride

will even cause you to misinterpret the character of

God. and the way he deals with your life, When Pride lives in a

heart, when you let Pride be a roommate.

In the home of your heart. That Pride will sit with you at

the dinner table and tell you things.

So convincing that you even begin to ask you how God, and

who God really is. Because if pride of pride is

anything, it is, you being the center of the universe, and

pride is so evil. It is so damning that it even

makes you. So Central in this whole world

that even God is under you. Thank God wouldn't do anything

against you? So whatever you do, God must

support in a firm and validate and provide for.

And so, let me ask you this question, it's all a prideful

person or is he a humble person? All you have to do is just

reflect on all the times that he's try to fish for the praise

of, man, to realize that he is so consumed with self and that

self that Pride got so inflated. That it bread deception, and

that deception was so loud that it caused him to even believe

God wants me to murder. The one that he is Anointed to

be the King of Israel. It's Pride.

It's Pride that commits us some and they're convinced.

They're really. You think saw was just blowing

smoke here. He's totally convinced.

And he's reached a level of Pride that is destructive in so

many ways. Now he's bringing God's name

into it. Oh, I'm telling you if you want

to be protected from self-deception can I tell you

how love the truth? Listen, you want to be

protected? Never, I'm not talking about

this evening, other people or other people being deceptive

towards you. I'm talking about you and me

deceiving ourselves. You want to be protected from

that. Love the truth.

Second Thessalonians tells us in Chapter 2, that God allows a

strong delusion to come upon people in the last days because

they refused to love the truth. So if this is your supreme

authority, if you want to be in the light, if you want to be

unrighteousness side, no matter what it costs you, no matter

what it costs, you even if it costs you your own life.

You'll be protected from deception.

God will not allow a person to cries out to be in light, to who

cries out to be in truth to be darkened by deception even if

it's your own, that's his promise.

Saul nothing to do with God, not a worshiper.

Filled with pride and because of Pride deception lied to him even

about God. So we come back and we read here

that this man is convinced, That the Lord is going to bless his

efforts to come to Kayla and kill David.

And so as we read earlier he he brings all these armies of

Israel. Where were you and Kayla needed

help. And he's ready to now come and

Siege this city again and who hears about it verse 9?

David knew that saw was plotting harm against him and he said to

Abby, after the priest, bring the ephod here.

Now. Up to this point, we've seen

David cry out to God and to occasions, he's about to do it

again. And the question is, how is he

getting such clear answers from the Lord so quickly.

So clearly so evidently we would think that David just wanted to

some corner somewhere and he prayed and God just brought some

some Revelation Vision or Audible Voice.

That was not the case. We learn from verse 6 and verse

9, that when I Bea Arthur one of the priests in who lived in knob

escaped, the wrath of Saul he comes to David and he has

something in his It's called the ephod.

Can anybody tell us what the ephod is?

Okay good. So included.

The aluminum and the thummim the your mother throne.

But it's a garment. It's a vestment.

We actually went through that in Exodus when we studied it.

A few years ago, it's a garment worn by the high priest that was

connected to other pieces, it was connected to a breast piece

and on this breast piece, there were these different stones that

represented the nation of Israel but there are two unique gems.

They were placed there and these gems, according to the

narratives of the Bible were, were sometimes used to

understand God's Will and direction for certain

circumstances. Now amazingly enough, the Bible

is quiet about how these two gems, the rumen, the through

them are used. We're not told how they're

using. I think that's by Divine Design.

God wanted to be silent about it.

But all we know is that when you look especially in first Samuel

how its use, it's through those stones that God gives yes, and

no directives. And that's how we see God's

answers. God, do I go here?

Yes, you can go there. God, do I do this?

No, no don't do this. It's very, very stiff and direct

it's not elaborate and somehow these Stones through the means

of the vessel of the high priest brought about some kind of

direct Revelation from God for a particular problem. so when

David calls for the ephod, which contained these gems, which held

these gems, what he was really doing was calling upon God What

you and I see in verse 9 is a man who has made great leaps of

maturity and his faith with God. Because this is not the same

reaction David had when we first saw him in Exile.

A friend who watches this. Who's not even living in this

state message me. It's always encouraging.

When somebody has, they make connections with certain things.

In the Bible said, he messaged me.

He goes, I noticed something from first Samuel 21, when David

asked for Goliath's sword, and I want you to see it because it

blessed me, when he brought it up, go back to chapter 21.

Remember David, fleas saw he's in panic.

He wants a weapon to defend himself. and look at verse 9,

when he asks, For a weapon. And the priest said the sword of

Goliath, the Philistine whom you struck down in the valley of

elah behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind what the ephod

if you would take that, take it for there is none.

But that here and David said there is none like that give it

to me. And when my friend brought up

the point was this is that in this moment where David was

obviously fearful, he didn't know where to go next.

Even the placement of the sword invited him to inquire of God,

but he ignored the ephod and he put his trust in the sword of

Goliath instead, and that is a wonderful point if that ephod

represents the ability to call upon God and receive Direction,

David, totally dismissed the ephod.

And he wanted to put his trust in Arm of the flesh.

And that's often we do, can I be honest?

There are many Christians. They know we need to pray but

they don't really believe it works. if anything prayer to

them is like a Divine Lottery, like you punching your ticket

and you hope that the numbers just fall through But it's not a

dependency, it's not a lifestyle, it's not something

you do without ceasing is just something that you might do when

there's like it's when all your options run out and there's no

physical way to accomplish something, then you go to

prayer. But look at the maturity of

David's faith. When it came to him being in

danger with Saul. Again, when saw was threatening

to pursue me again, what does he do?

He goes to the priest once again, but he doesn't ask for

another weapon. He asked for the ephod, give me

the ephod. I tried doing it with David with

glide sword. It didn't take me very far.

Let me seek God. Let me inquire of him.

Let me implore, let me beg. If I need you, let me ask him

for this direction. And he comes with the ephod and

sure enough. It happens.

God answers. Again, let me say this David and

chapter 21 is an illustration of how Believers use different

things, other than the spiritual weapons that God has given us to

overcome situations. But Dave and chapter 23 is a man

who is convinced that when you invite God in the matter, God

will provide a wisdom and a strength and the power that no

sword. No weapon.

No friends, no resources. No president or prime minister

no Army no tank can even come close to I need God.

And you'd be amazed to know how God even in that moment.

I do not dismiss the supernatural.

I believe the same God who wrote This Book is the same God who

can intervene in life right now. He seeks.

God, God answers. And one of the ways that you can

know that you're maturing in your faith is to analyze your

response. Two difficulties.

Where do you go to? Does worship cease or does it

increase? Is prayer.

Abandon or is it heightened? There's a flesh flare-up or does

faith arise? And if you can't answer those

things honestly, if you're a person that's the finds himself

reacting. Like how David in chapter 21

look outpatient? God is he's willing to teach us

and show us how to fight these battles in the spirit.

And how to I love that song, where it tells us the man who

fears the Lord, he is not moving and he's not fearful when he

receives bad news, he just okay, God is sovereign.

I think it's worth as we close here to see how David prayed,

shall we? See it.

Look at how we praise. You want to know how to pray

people? Say, how do I pray, brother,

read prayers in the Bible? And adopt a language.

Then David said, O, Lord, the god of Israel.

Your servant look at the humility.

Your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to kiala

to destroy the city on my account.

Look, he's concerned about the city.

They want to do, they want to destroy the city of my account.

Will the men of kiala surrender me into his hand?

That's wisdom. Will Saul come down?

As your servant has heard, oh Lord!

The god of Israel. Please tell your servant does

that sound like desperation. It is.

And the Lord said he will come down.

The Davidson, will the men of killers surrender.

Me and my men into the hand of Saul and the Lord said they will

surrender you. Not shattering.

It's like you just save these people and they're willing to

give you up in a moment when their safety.

Is in danger, and after you've served them, they're willing to

go. And here's the point.

I want to make in conclusion, you heard earlier that when

David came to the help of keala and the citizens, they receive

great blessing, blessing beyond what they have planned.

This livestock came to their aid.

This was a supply from God as a result of obedience.

When you obey, God, he will find ways to not just bless you but

surprise you with his blessings. but when you obey, God, You will

suffer. You will suffer.

You think this felt good? For David, we just risked our

lives for you. And now when it comes to you

defending us you're willing to sell us when it comes to us

defending, you were willing to stand by you when it comes to

you defending us you're willing to give us to the wolves.

We like the blessing part. We don't like the suffering

part, you're going to have both. You're going to get both and in

some Seasons, the blessings will be more evident and in other

seasons of suffering, will be much louder and much more

intense and severe. But here's the point, God is

worthy. He is worthy because look at the

end here, I want you to see the last part of verse 14 and Saul

Sodom every day. But God did not give him into

his hand. Even though keolis rendered him.

Dave was not at the mercy of these citizens, he was at the

mercy of God. And so what a strange picture

you have Saul, who thinks that God is on his side.

And in reality, the holy spirit says, God is holding on to

David. And God will hold on to you and

me. In the blessings and in the

disappointments in the friendships like Jonathan and in

the Betrayal like in this case. But here's the thing.

There is no other way to live than to live for him.

No other way. And we're going to see that with

David in the weeks ahead. Let's pray.

We thank you for the wisdom of this chapter.

And Lord tonight we have been reminded of the necessity to

place obedience to you. Your will conquering.

Any other thing that we have in our hearts As the primary

delight and duty of Our Lives. Thank you for the reminder that

when we obey, you never fail to supply, you never fail to

comfort. You never fail to encourage, you

never fail to even surprised us below.

Thank you for the honest, reminder that there is suffering

on the path of obedience. That there is pain that there is

hurt that there is confusion sometimes.

That there are cuts from those, even from within, even though

the people that we serve, and we made great sacrifices for turn

on us, Lord, help us to, never forget that you hold us.

And as long as we do, what you call us to do.

No matter who's in or out you are the most important thing to

us. And Lori rather have the

citizens of kiella turn on us. Instead of being like Saul who

had the spirit of God removed from him, We want your presence

and your pleasure above all else, even our own Comfort Lord.

If that's not true, and even one person's life today, maybe the

kingdom is not first And they wonder why they're anxious, and

they're wondering why they're fearful and the wonder how their

life is going to play out. Lord, may we be reminded from

this moment on that when anxiety Creeps in Prayer is important.

Lord, we know it. And so is reading your word and

being reminded of your promises but Lord, may we also evaluate

our priorities and to see if your kingdom is first because

you promised to take care of everything else.

Thank you for watching us with your word tonight.

We worship you in light of it. In Jesus name, we pray.

Amen.