Lesson #21

1SAMUEL 21
Lesson #21
GOD’S LAW

• Memory Verse: Psalms 56:3,4

• Read 1Sam 21:1-9
• Who was Ahimelech?
• This man also had another name in scripture. That other name was Ahijah.
• He was the great grandson of Eli from 1Sam 2 and 3.
• Why was Ahimelech afraid?
• His fear was due to David’s reputation.
• Saul’s anger was irrational.
• The people loved David.
• What do you do when you are between a rock and hard place?
• You please God and not men.
• We will come back to this. (Man’s relationship to the Law)
• What was David’s plan of action?
• David planned to lie that he was on the king’s business in order to get Ahimelech to help him.
• Ahimelech was deceived, however, as high priest, he should have known the Law.
• There are three breaches of the Law here.
• =1= Entering the Holy Place done by Doeg (7)
• =2= Eating the showbread (6)
• The showbread was holy bread on the gold table inside the Holy Place in the tabernacle.
• Read Exo 25:30
• Read Lev 24:5-9
• The changing of the loaves was done on the Sabbath.
• =3= The breaking of the Sabbath.(6)
• When the Bible speaks of the Law it means different things in different contexts:
• =1= The civil or judicial Law of the Mosaic Covenant.
• For example: Exo 21:28-36
• =2= The ceremonial Law of the Mosaic Covenant.
• For example: Lev 1-5.
• =3= God’s moral law which existed before the Mosaic Covenant and was incorporated into the Mosaic Covenant.
• For example: Gen 2:15-17 and Exo 20.
• Why was David not killed by God as God had slain others who violated the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant?
• The history of those who violated God’s commands:
• =1= Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire. (Lev 10)
• =2= Korah (a Levite), Dathan and Abiram (sons of Reuben) plus 250 offered incense. (Num 16)
• =3= The Philistines carried away the ark. (1Sam 5)
• =4= Men of Bethsehmesh looked into the ark. (1Sam 6:19-20)
• =5= Uzzah, son of Abinadab, took hold of the ark. (1Chr 13:1-14)
• =6= Uzziah, king of Judah, offered incense. (2Chr 26:16-23)
• =7= Belshazzar, king of Babylon, used temple vessels at a feast. (Dan 5)
• God spared David because David was anointed to be king, and God had a plan that was not yet fulfilled.
• God caused David’s deception to come to nothing as David had to again flee.
• Another crutch was removed.
• Jesus’ view of the situation:
• Read Mat 12:1-8
• Read Mar 2:25-26
• What was Jesus’ point?
• Whereas God’s moral Law is inviolate, the ceremonial regulations can be superceded by moral obligations and service to God
• The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.
• David experienced God’s mercy because there was a higher purpose to be served.
• Jesus was not condoning David’s deception.
• What is the difference between Jesus’ viewpoint and situation ethics which says that God’s Law can be disobeyed depending on the circumstances?
• Situation ethics includes violating God’s moral Law. However, the believer should live according to God’s moral Law.

The Believer’s Relationship to the Law

The Civil and Judicial part of the Mosaic Covenant of Law have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ	The Ceremonial and Religious part of the Mosaic Covenant of Law have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ.	The Moral part of the Mosaic Covenant of Law has in some sense has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the New Testament believer is not obligated to keep the Civil and Judicial part of the Mosaic Law. Rom 6:14 Eph 2:14	Therefore, the New Testament believer is not obligated to keep the Ceremonial and Religious part of the Mosaic Law. Col 2:14 Heb 9	The New Testament believer is not bound by the legalistic code of the Moral part of the Mosaic Law, and he is not under its condemnation. Rom 7:6
		However, the New Testament believer in some sense is still bound by God’s moral standards because its standards are God’s moral character and He still requires Moral Holiness in the believer. 1Cor 9:21 Rom 8:2

• The consequences of deception and God’s broken law:
• The broken law had devastating results on the priesthood. (22:9-18)
• Who was Doeg?
• Doeg was a chief herdsmen, loyal to king Saul.
• He was a snitch.
• The word, chief, means = strong one.
• The evidence of his violent nature can be seen in 22:18-19.
• Read 1Sam 21:10-15
• David’s crutch of religion was removed so he fled to Gath to become a soldier of fortune.
• Gath was where the giant, Goliath, was from.
• Why was David afraid?
• He had Goliath’s sword with him. The people of Gath would recognize it.
• He was called a king (11).
• David’s crutch of self-respect was removed.
• Read Psa 56
• David’s captive condition in Gath. (1-3)
• “Praise His Word” = David had been anointed king and God promised him sons that he had not yet had. (4)
• He anticipated by faith a future victory. (5-11)
• God remembered every tear and every action. (8)
• Notice there are 3 verses that are similar (4, 10,11)
• This was the refrain of the song which he uses to continually remind himself of his faith and trust in God.
• The last glance at captivity and a look forward by faith to freedom. (12-13)

HOMEWORK
1SAMUEL 22
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 21
• Examine your life for any “situation ethics”. Repent and determine before God to change your ethics to that of keeping the spirit of God’s moral law.
• What changes do you need to make?

• Preparation for 1Sam 22
• Read 1Sam 22:1-2
• Read Psa 142
• Find the glimpses of faith in this psalm of deep despair.
• Read Psa 57
• What motive does David give for desiring God’s blessing?
• Read 1Sam 22:3-23
• Read Psa 52
• Relate this Psalm with James 3:1-12

• Memory Verse: Psa 57:1