Lesson #24

1 SAMUEL 24
Lesson #24
ATTITUDES TOWARD AUTHORITY

• Memory Verse: 1John 3:18
• Read 1Saum 24:1-22
• We learned that David has about 600 men and used a cave as his headquarters.
• Saul had about 3,000 men. (23:27)
• Remember that David was a shepherd, and shepherds were used to using caves for shelter for their sheep.
• The Cave:
• This particular cave is a very large grotto with steep, almost perpendicular rocks on each side. The way to the cave was a narrow terrace formed in the rock. There are two entrances to this cave. The inside of the cave is supported by natural rock pillars.
• Tradition says that 30,000 people stayed here at one time.
• The phrase, “Saul went in to cover his feet…” (3)
• This is euphemism meaning to have a bowel movement.
• Touching a person’s clothing was the same thing as touching the person.
• What was David’s attitude toward King Saul?
• We can determine it by David’s reaction to what he had done.
• David’s conscience bothered him after he cut Saul’s clothing.
• Why did David’s conscience bother him after doing such a minor thing to Saul’s clothing? Was not David justified?
• Read 1Joh 3:17-24
• Read Rom 12:17-21
• David should have had respect for Saul, not because Saul was worthy of it, but because of Saul’s position.
• To understand this act of cutting the hem of Saul’s garment, we need to understand the custom of the time.
• An important person had his seal sewn into the hem of his garment. When he signed a contract, he had only to press that part of the hem of his garment into soft wax.
• David’s action was to cut off Saul’s authority in a symbolic way.
• How should the believer confront his enemy?
• When the believer is running because of fear, the believer cannot confront the enemy with love. (8)
• David changed his attitude toward Saul that defused the enemy.
• Previously David never really discussed the bad relationship between him and Saul. He always used Jonathan as an intermediary.
• Discussion

: Is that a good idea or is that a crutch?

• David humbled himself and likened himself to a dead dog or a flea. Both were harmless to Saul. (14)
• Saul’s response:
• King Saul seemed to be sincere, but it was only temporary (17)
• Saul admitted that David would be the king. (20)
• This is an important verse in their relationship and Saul’s recognition of God’s will.
• The vow made between David and Saul.
• David agrees to preserve Saul’s family.
• It was common in many cultures for a king to kill all the family of a past king to prevent an uprising.
• David agrees to preserve Saul’s family name.
• David kept this vow with Mephisbosheth.
• Mephisbosheth was a lame son of Jonathan’s. (2Sam 4)
• Read 2Sam 9:6-8
• Read 2Sam 21:1-9
• David’s understanding of God’s anointing:
• There are severe consequences for anyone to do harm to one whom God has raised to leadership and anointed.
• Did not the anointing leave Saul and come upon David when Samuel anointed David?
• Yes, the Spirit of God ceased to deal with Saul from that time and rested upon David. However, Saul was still the king. He still had the position of authority.
• An important Biblical Principle:

The believer must have respect for the position of authority even if he cannot have respect for the person holding that position.

• Read Rom 13:1-7
• Summary:
• What are some other major principles of Christian behavior that we can draw from this chapter?
• =1= Do not fall for what may seem to be justified in men’s eyes, but settle only for what is right in God’s eyes.
• =2= Do not be defensive by running in fear, but confront the enemy with love.
• =3= Recognize that authority deserves honor because of the position and not because of the person’s character.
• =4= Let God judge and settle the matter His way. (15)

HOMEWORK
1SAMUEL 25
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of 1Sam 24
• Examine your own attitude toward the authority figures in your life. Do you need to change some attitude? Repent where repentance is needed and write the changes you will make?
• Preparation for 1Sam 25
• Read 1Sam 25:1-44
• List those people who gave the proper Christian responses and what the responses were.

• List those people who gave improper Christian responses and what the responses were.

• Memory Verse: Mat 5:44