Lesson #30

1 SAMUEL 30
Lesson #30
THE SUCCESSFUL WAY BACK FROM WRONG DECISIONS

• Memory verse: Psalms 91:11-12

• Read 1Sam 30:1-31
• This chapter reminds us of the saying, “Be sure your sins will find you out.” (Num 32:32)
• The Amalekites that Saul failed to destroy came back to be a thorn in the side of the Israelites.
• While David and his men were fighting with the Philistine, the Amaleites attacked Ziklag and took the women and children as slaves. (2-3)
• David blamed himself for this attack by the Amalekites because he was out of the country.
• This was one of the consequences of David’s wrong decision to fight along side the Philistines.
• Another consequence was that David’s men lost trust in David’s leadership abilities.
• What is the way back from a wrong decision:
• David encouraged himself in the Lord.
• What does that mean?
• It means he sought God’s guidance.
• He trusted God to lead him.
• He was determined to be obedient to God’s new direction.
• The results:
• They recovered everything. (19)
• The story of the event:
• David and his men went south to the Brook Besor where David left 200 exhausted soldiers. As David traveled on, they found an Egyptian slave of the Amalekites who had been left to die in the desert. David promised him his life if he led them to the Amalekite camp. (17)
• RETURN ing to the 200 men he left behind, David faced a problem.
• Some of the soldiers did not want to share the spoils with those who remained behind.
• What did David do and why?
• David divided the spoils with everyone because it was a gift from God. (23)
• This demonstrated David’s sense of justice.
• Discussion

: Do you think David did the right thing?

• The kingdom of Gold is made up of people with a variety of gifts and tasks, of which all are important. All should be rewarded even though some are not on the front lines of battle.
• This concept preserves a sense of unity.
• The way back from a wrong decision means you must deal with discouragement.
• =1= Discouragement is a sin. (Heb 12:1)
• Whatever is not of faith is sin.
• Read the following scriptures:
• Rom 14:23 1Joh 5:17 Rom 13:14
• Paul’s example of this truth.
• Read the following scriptures:
• Act 20:24 2Cor 4:8-9
• =2= The results of not dealing with discouragement.
• Read the following scriptures:
• 2Cor 2:11 Heb 11:1
• David’s solution
• Read the following scriptures:
• Psa 27:13-14 Psa 73:1-14, 16-17 Psa 119:10
• Read the following New Testament scriptures:
• Jam 4:7-10 Rom 15:1-3
• We are now able to look back at David’s life and see how God prepared David to be a king:
• =1= The anointing long before it was time to assume the role of king.
• This developed patience in David.
• =2= A humble beginning as a shepherd, then as a court musician, then as a military leader.
• These roles developed the characteristic of responsibility to the task.
• =3= The defeat of Goliath, a giant problem.
• This developed the reliance upon God and taking a step of faith.
• =4= The removal of human crutches.
• This developed trust in God instead of in other people.
• =5= David’s flight from King Saul.
• This developed humility.
• This developed a long term trust in God’s plan.
• This developed a proper attitude toward authority.
• =6= David’s decision to fight with the Philistines.
• This developed a humility and a reliance upon God.
• This developed the knowledge of the consequences of wrong decisions.
• In 1Sam 30:21-25 David proves he is ready to be king.

HOMEWORK
1SAMUEL 31
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher for correction.

• Application of 1Sam 30
• Do you have a recurring problem with discouragement?
• If your answer is yes,
• Follow David’s example in this lesson.
• Find some scriptures to help you.
• In prayer, do what David did by encouraging himself in the Lord.
• Pray for new guidance and direction.
• Determine to follow the new direction.
• Be obedient to take a step of faith in that direction.
• Record your thoughts and progress here.
• Preparation for 1Sam 31
• Read 1Sam 31:1=13
• How do you think the death of Saul parallels the death of Jesus?
• Review your lesson notes from the book of 1 Samuel.
• What did you learn that was of the most importance to you and your Christian walk?
• What in the book did you find the most interesting?
• Memory Verse: Find one verse from chapter 31 and memorize it.