Point of Grace International
PGI - July 23, 2023 Sunday Service
In our church we aim to make it feel like a home, where strangers feel they are part of the family, where smiles are overflowing and hugs are natural, because we believe that life is a journey, and that we are simply channel of blessings. In our church we value three things, gratitude because it's the proper response to God, excellence because God expects nothing less, and grace because we all need it.
Locations & Times
Point of Grace Church
15601 Sheridan St, Davie, FL 33331, USA
Monday 9:00 AM
https://www.facebook.com/PGIFortLauderdale
LYRICS FOR TODAY'S SONGS
CCLI License # 1613304
CCLI License # 1613304
July 16 | 1 Samuel 26 (ESV) ISG
Storyline 1 Samuel 26 (ESV)
2 So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph…5 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him.
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him...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. 11 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 and the jar of water, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. 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.
13 Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them… 15 And David said to Abner, “As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.”
17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” …18 And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? …If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” … 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD'S anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
The Text in Context
“For a second time in the story, the Ziphites report David’s whereabouts to Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 23:19). Earlier Saul confessed David’s innocence and even asked the Lord to bless David (1 Sam. 24:16–21), but now again the king is ready to hunt David down and kill him. David decides once more to demonstrate his loyalty to Saul. Though the Lord again seemingly delivers Saul into his hands, David refuses to strike the Lord’s anointed. When Saul realizes that David has again spared his life, he confesses his sin and promises not to harm David in the future. David appeals to the Lord for vindication, and Saul blesses him and assures him of future success.
The similarity of this episode to the one recorded in 1 Samuel 24 is striking. The events are clearly distinct, as the many differences in incidental details indicate. However, at their thematic core the accounts are parallel. By recording both of these incidents, the narrator establishes beyond all doubt David’s innocence and Saul’s guilt. If Saul’s confession in 24:17 is Exhibit A in the narrator’s defense of David, then the corresponding confession in 26:21 becomes Exhibit B.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
Theological Insights
“Like the episode recorded in chapter 24, this account highlights David’s refusal to promote his own interests, and his faith in God’s justice and timing. Once more David refuses to kill Saul and instead appeals to God as judge. God vindicates him, for Saul acknowledges David’s innocence and even blesses him. It is especially significant that these are the last words Saul ever speaks to David. Again David’s appeal and Saul’s blessing are significant to the narrator’s strategy: they remind us that later events must be understood within a legal framework. David’s complete vindication is inevitable. His eventual success and Saul’s demise can be viewed as the outworking of God’s justice in response to David’s appeal and, ironically, as the fulfillment of Saul’s prayer. For the exilic readers of the story, this account reiterates the important theme that God does indeed vindicate his oppressed people when they turn to him for justice.”
“While there is thematic continuity between the two accounts, the episode in chapter 26 does exhibit at least two additional and distinctive elements. First, the verbal linking noted above highlights the narrator’s characterization of Saul as a foolish sinner (cf. 26:21 with 13:13; 15:24, 30) and his depiction of David as one who trusts in God’s power to deliver (cf. 26:24 with 17:37). Second, David’s warning to Saul raises the possibility that God himself is deceiving Saul (26:19). We are reminded that, in addition to rejecting Saul and removing his enabling Spirit, God sent an “evil spirit” to oppress and oppose Saul. In this way observers will know that Saul no longer enjoys God’s favor. God opposes his enemies in different ways. He sometimes allows sinners to pursue evil actions, which in turn prompt God’s judgment (Rom. 1:18–32). He may even harden or deceive his enemies (Rom. 9:18; 2 Thess. 2:11–12). The sobering words of Hebrews 10:31 remind us that it is “a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
Storyline 1 Samuel 26 (ESV)
2 So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph…5 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him.
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him...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. 11 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 and the jar of water, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. 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.
13 Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them… 15 And David said to Abner, “As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.”
17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” …18 And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? …If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” … 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD'S anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
The Text in Context
“For a second time in the story, the Ziphites report David’s whereabouts to Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 23:19). Earlier Saul confessed David’s innocence and even asked the Lord to bless David (1 Sam. 24:16–21), but now again the king is ready to hunt David down and kill him. David decides once more to demonstrate his loyalty to Saul. Though the Lord again seemingly delivers Saul into his hands, David refuses to strike the Lord’s anointed. When Saul realizes that David has again spared his life, he confesses his sin and promises not to harm David in the future. David appeals to the Lord for vindication, and Saul blesses him and assures him of future success.
The similarity of this episode to the one recorded in 1 Samuel 24 is striking. The events are clearly distinct, as the many differences in incidental details indicate. However, at their thematic core the accounts are parallel. By recording both of these incidents, the narrator establishes beyond all doubt David’s innocence and Saul’s guilt. If Saul’s confession in 24:17 is Exhibit A in the narrator’s defense of David, then the corresponding confession in 26:21 becomes Exhibit B.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
Theological Insights
“Like the episode recorded in chapter 24, this account highlights David’s refusal to promote his own interests, and his faith in God’s justice and timing. Once more David refuses to kill Saul and instead appeals to God as judge. God vindicates him, for Saul acknowledges David’s innocence and even blesses him. It is especially significant that these are the last words Saul ever speaks to David. Again David’s appeal and Saul’s blessing are significant to the narrator’s strategy: they remind us that later events must be understood within a legal framework. David’s complete vindication is inevitable. His eventual success and Saul’s demise can be viewed as the outworking of God’s justice in response to David’s appeal and, ironically, as the fulfillment of Saul’s prayer. For the exilic readers of the story, this account reiterates the important theme that God does indeed vindicate his oppressed people when they turn to him for justice.”
“While there is thematic continuity between the two accounts, the episode in chapter 26 does exhibit at least two additional and distinctive elements. First, the verbal linking noted above highlights the narrator’s characterization of Saul as a foolish sinner (cf. 26:21 with 13:13; 15:24, 30) and his depiction of David as one who trusts in God’s power to deliver (cf. 26:24 with 17:37). Second, David’s warning to Saul raises the possibility that God himself is deceiving Saul (26:19). We are reminded that, in addition to rejecting Saul and removing his enabling Spirit, God sent an “evil spirit” to oppress and oppose Saul. In this way observers will know that Saul no longer enjoys God’s favor. God opposes his enemies in different ways. He sometimes allows sinners to pursue evil actions, which in turn prompt God’s judgment (Rom. 1:18–32). He may even harden or deceive his enemies (Rom. 9:18; 2 Thess. 2:11–12). The sobering words of Hebrews 10:31 remind us that it is “a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Excerpt From: Robert B. Chisholm. “1 & 2 Samuel.” Apple Books.
Listen to past Sermons anytime, anywhere with Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/show/1PtjmWN3kTOagTfG1QPnbT?si=f76ab3059e7049beStudy & Reflection Guide
1. Back in chapter 24, Saul already backed out from pursuing David, why do you think he was at it again in chapter 26? (1-5)
2. Why do you think David took the spear and water jug, what's the significance of these items? (6-12)
3. What exactly was David accusing men who may have influenced Saul to pursue him? (17-22) What images go through your mind when the Scripture uses the phrases, “driven out” and “heritage of the LORD”?
4. What does Deuteronomy 4:15-24 say about possessing the land? In this connection, what exactly was David’s concern in verse 19?
5. Read Psalm 27:1-10 and using 1 Samuel 26 as context, reflect on his desire to dwell in the house of the LORD. What does it mean to us and why does it matter?
Prayer
1. Pray for everyone in the group.
2. Pray for a passionate desire to seek God always and to see our significance based on how God sees us.
1. Back in chapter 24, Saul already backed out from pursuing David, why do you think he was at it again in chapter 26? (1-5)
2. Why do you think David took the spear and water jug, what's the significance of these items? (6-12)
3. What exactly was David accusing men who may have influenced Saul to pursue him? (17-22) What images go through your mind when the Scripture uses the phrases, “driven out” and “heritage of the LORD”?
4. What does Deuteronomy 4:15-24 say about possessing the land? In this connection, what exactly was David’s concern in verse 19?
5. Read Psalm 27:1-10 and using 1 Samuel 26 as context, reflect on his desire to dwell in the house of the LORD. What does it mean to us and why does it matter?
Prayer
1. Pray for everyone in the group.
2. Pray for a passionate desire to seek God always and to see our significance based on how God sees us.