Lesson #23

1SAMUEL 23
Lesson #23
STRENGTHENING OTHER BELIEVERS

• Memory Verse: Psalms 54:4

• A review of David’s flight from King Saul
• If you have a Biblical map, you can locate the following places:

Map Location	Event	Scripture
Ramah	Samuel	1Sam 19:18
Nob	Ahimelech and the priests	1Sam 21:1
Gath	King Achish	1Sam 21:10
Adullam	Alone in a cave	1Sam 22:1
Moab	David seeks safety for his parents	1Sam 22
Kelah	Philistine battle	1Sam 23:1-2
Ziph	In the wilderness	1Sam 23:14
Maon	In the wilderness	1Sam 23:24
Engedi		1Sam 23:29

• A question to contemplate: Is an open door of opportunity always an indication of God’s will?
• Read 1Sam 23:1-15
• In the midst of David’s troubles, he seeks to help others.
• This is a good principle to follow. Why?
• It helps you keep a balanced focus so as not to worry too much about yourself.
• What are the dangers and problems?
• David’s men are afraid of the Philistines.
• He makes himself vulnerable to Saul’s grasp.
• The possible destruction of the city of Keilah by King Saul in revenge.
• The possible betrayal of David by the people of Keilah.
• Why did David inquire of the Lord twice? (2,4)
• Probably for reassurance to his men.
• David is faced with the fear of possibilities.
• If I do this, that bad thing will probably happen.
• Fear immobilizes.
• However, God’s protection is sure.
• Meanwhile, back at the palace with King Saul:
• Saul assumes that an open door of opportunity is the will of God.
• Obviously in this case it is not.
• Sometimes open-door opportunities are the will of God and sometimes they are not, because Satan can manipulate circumstances and people.
• How can the believer tell when the open door is God’s will or not?

• Read1Sam 23:16-18
• Jonathan strengthens David in the Lord.
• How does one do that?
• Read Phil 2:3-11
• By prayer.
• By positive words of encouragement.
• With positive statements of faith.
• With your presence of just being there to listen.
• Jonathan is a prefigure of the Holy Spirit, the comforter.

• Read 1Sam 23:19-20
• Read Psa 54
• List the ways in which David’s experience parallel’s Jesus’ experience?
• It is prophetic in the point that Jesus was surrounded by the strangers who were his enemies. (1-2)
• Salvation and vindication were requested.(1-2)
• The enemy’s description. (3)
• Help is anticipated by faith. (4-5)
• The promise of sacrifice of thanksgiving (6-7)
• Read Isa 54:17
• Read 1Sam 23:21-29
• When the enemy is on all sides, and the battle seems lost, God delivers in unexpected ways. (27)
• Sela-Hammaklekoth = the city of escapes or divisions.

HOMEWORK
1SAMUEL 24
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 23
• Find someone this week who needs “strengthening in the Lord” and write down your experience.

• Preparation of 1Sam 24
• Read 1Sam 24:1-22
• Why did David’s conscience bother him after doing such a minor thing to Saul? Wasn’t David justified?
• What are some major principles of Christian behavior that we can draw from this chapter?

• Memory verse: 1Joh 3:18