CHRISTIAN
FAMILY FELLOWSHIP, PDO MUSCATTHEME: WALKING
WITH GODDAVID
— PART 1GENERAL TEXTS:
I Sam 16— end; II Sam 1 — end; I Kings 1-2 (vs 11); I Chronicles 10—29INTRODUCTION
David came into Israel’s history as the
2nd king replacing a God-rejected Saul. He is one of the most prominent figures in the world’s history — infact the most famous of Christ’s ancestors. His life was filled noble deeds, great accomplishments — indeed a man after God’s heart; yet stained with gross sins. He knew sufferings/disappointments and also victory. No other bible character more fully illustrates the entire range of human experiences as David. This is evident in his testimonies in the book of Psalms.In general, the trend of his life was eminently spiritual, almost always consistent. Little wonder, even after death God still remembered him and his posterity.
The study is divided into 3 parts, namely:
1. HIS EARLY LIFE AND PRE-KINGSHIP DAYS
2. DAVID AS A KING
3. HIS LAST DAYS, DEATH AND TESTIMONIES
1. HIS EARLY LIFE AND PRE-KINGSHIP DAYS
(a) His early life and Anointing (I Sam 16: 1
Not much is recorded about David’s early life other than some little info surrounding his youth as spent in his father’s farm in Bethlehem. God nonetheless knew him, found him a better man than king Saul and anointed him in Saul’s stead.
Qu. I David was hidden in obscurity; but God singled him out to be king. What does this teach us about God and His dealings with man? I Sam 16: 1, 12-13
Qu. 2 In I Sam 16: 6-7, Samuel was mistaken in his pre-selection of Eliab. What do we learn about God’s way of selection from here? As a personal question, if God were to select those ready for the kingdom now, will you be selected? Selah.
(b) David Slays Goliath:
Qu. 3 Who was Goliath? What was his challenge to Israel? For us today as xtians, who and what can we classify as our Goliaths? I Sam 17 i~11, 23-26.
As no Israelite was willing to risk fighting Goliath, David volunteered and persuaded Saul through his testimonies of slaying a lion and a bear in his father’s farm. Having not proven Saul’s armoury, he went to Goliath with his sling and stones, challenged/prophesied against him and eventually killed him.
Qu. 4 Did David take a risk? What inspired him to challenge Goliath? I Sam 17: 32-38.
Qu. 5 What do we learn about the nature of our weapons of war from vs 38—54? Support with scripture in the new testament (2 Chorin. 10:4; Eph 6:10 — 18).
(c) The friendship of David and Jonathan (I Sam 19: 1-7; 20: 1-17,24—42; 23: 16— 18):
Qu. 6 What qualities describe Jonathan’s love for David? How did Saul view Jonathan’s love? How are we as xtians to love? I Chorin 13: 4—8.
(d) Persecution of David by Saul:
David had been anointed as king, but its realisation was not to be immediate. It was persecution upon
persecution, blow upon blow up to the point where he even despaired of his life; but God was with him.
May the Lord remain with us in our moments of trials.
Qu, 7 Identify the various trials young David went through in the following passages: I
Sam 18:9-11; 19:9-12; 21:1-7, 10-22; ; 23:19-26; 25:2-11; 27:1-7; 30:1-6
In all of these trials, David retained his righteousness and went through each of them seeking God’s face at every turn of the way. I Saml8: 14-15; 24:1-7; 26:7-12; 30:8, 18-24.
Qu. 8 What do you think was God’s purpose for these trials? See James 1: 2-4.
(e) Study I Conclusion:
Clearly, we have already seen some of those qualities (in the context of the dispensation he was in) that endeared David before God. The challenge before us is to be found worthy of God’s selection at any time; and no matter what trials God allows us to pass through, let us learn to encourage ourselves in the Lord.