Here at the end of 1 Samuel, the Philistines were once again gathering for war against Israel. In chapter 28 we learned that Yahweh would give Israel into their hands and that king Saul would die. Now, we knew this day was coming for Saul sooner or later. But there was another problem: David had […]
In this sermon, as we consider Saul’s climactic fall with the medium at En-dor, pastor Mitch reminds us that the most miserable and hopeless life is the one spent apart from God’s all-sufficient word. As Christians, we must heed the warnings of this passage, see the dangers and consequences of Saul’s misguided desperation, and fix […]
1 Samuel 27 sets up the final section of the book, where the reign of king Saul comes to an abysmal end. But the story here about David and the Philistines seems rather odd. It can be a difficult chapter to interpret, understand, and apply. But one thing is abundantly clear here (and in the […]
Psalm 54 was written by David when he was betrayed by the Ziphites. Twice these kinsmen from Judah betrayed him to Saul (1 Sam. 23:19; 26:1), but this was David’s response. In this sermon, pastor Matt helps us see the reassuring truth that God is gracious and faithful to help his troubled people. We can […]
So far, David had refused to kill Saul in the cave at En-Gedi. He even refused to avenge himself against Nabal for his foolish defiance. In each test, David refused to take matters into his own hands. He chose to wait for his promised kingdom to come in God’s way and in God’s time. In […]
In this sermon, Pastor Keith traces Nabal’s foolish response to David, David’s rash response to Nabal, Abigail’s wise response to David, and David’s faithful response to Abigail to show us that God grants us restraining grace for our faithful response. By the way of contrast with David, Pastor Keith points to great David’s greater Son […]
In this sermon, pastor Harry Fujiwara (of First Baptist Church, NYC) reminds us that, when we find ourselves in a crisis, and life seems to be caving in, our cries will be met with God’s comfort. Ultimately, as we look to the savior, Jesus Christ, we will find our greatest comfort and our only hope […]
Gossip and slander is documented and condemned more than any other sin mentioned in the Bible. Of all the turmoil, tragedy, testing, and trauma David has experienced, slander seems to have caused the most distress to his mind and body. Hurtful words continue to devastate people to this day, with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. In […]
Throughout the Bible, God’s people are presented with tests of faith. Like Adam and Eve, they have opportunities to prove their loyalty to Yahweh and receive His blessing. This brings us to 1 Samuel 24, where another king like Adam is presented with a test. In fact, in 1 Samuel 24-26 David will face three […]
