Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
David was completely God's choice. It was not by the demand of the Israelites or by ballot (10:20-21), but by divine initiative. Perhaps if the people had waited they would not have had to endure Saul. This happened about 25 years into Saul's reign and he reigned for 45 years, so David had to wait about 20 years before he was crowned king.
Wait for God's choice, wait for God's best.
16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
David was completely God's choice. It was not by the demand of the Israelites or by ballot (10:20-21), but by divine initiative. Perhaps if the people had waited they would not have had to endure Saul. This happened about 25 years into Saul's reign and he reigned for 45 years, so David had to wait about 20 years before he was crowned king.
Wait for God's choice, wait for God's best.
17:32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
(From Constable's Commentary) "The opposite of fear of the Lord is the fear of men…Saul and is men feard Goliath [the man], but David by virtue of his fear of Yahweh did not" – H. Heater
Fearing the Lord pales all our other fears.
17:32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
(From Constable's Commentary) "The opposite of fear of the Lord is the fear of men…Saul and is men feard Goliath [the man], but David by virtue of his fear of Yahweh did not" – H. Heater
Fearing the Lord pales all our other fears.
18:4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
No one asked Jonathan to do this, but he recognizes that David and not himself will be the future king. Even though Jonathan had done nothing wrong, he was not going to inherit the kingship so he willingly and of his own initiative acknowledged David. Also Jonathan was probably a good deal older than David.
Likewise we should not grasp or hang onto inherited authority but only accept the authority God gives.
18:4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
No one asked Jonathan to do this, but he recognizes that David and not himself will be the future king. Even though Jonathan had done nothing wrong, he was not going to inherit the kingship so he willingly and of his own initiative acknowledged David. Also Jonathan was probably a good deal older than David.
Likewise we should not grasp or hang onto inherited authority but only accept the authority God gives.
19:12-13 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head.
What was Michal doing with an idol in her home?
(From Constable Commentary) "David's experience is typical of that of all people who choose to commit themselves to following God faithfully. Because God blesses them and makes them a blessing to others, many people appreciate them. However others who want those blessings for themselves but are not willing to do what is necessary to get them despise them."
19:12-13 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head.
What was Michal doing with an idol in her home?
(From Constable Commentary) "David's experience is typical of that of all people who choose to commit themselves to following God faithfully. Because God blesses them and makes them a blessing to others, many people appreciate them. However others who want those blessings for themselves but are not willing to do what is necessary to get them despise them."
20:31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”
Saul is trying to hang on to the kingdom even though God has told him he will lose it. Yet he is trying to orchestrate Jonathan to take over by killing David – whose name he won't even use and calls him, son of Jesse. Saul is unbelievably naïve if he think he can override God's plans.
20:31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”
Saul is trying to hang on to the kingdom even though God has told him he will lose it. Yet he is trying to orchestrate Jonathan to take over by killing David – whose name he won't even use and calls him, son of Jesse. Saul is unbelievably naïve if he think he can override God's plans.