King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024
Chapters: I Samuel 21-22, Psalms 17,31, 34, 52, 54, 142
Message: God Is With Us
Hello My Friend,
This is a strange question, but did you ever wonder what pushes people over the edge to the point that they would stoop to the lowest level of hell to hurt, kill, and even mutilate people? I know that God allows wars and attacks on those who go against Israel or to send judgment and these can be brutal, but to deliberately do these things is beyond reason. Many people want to blame the parents or those who raised them because they were neglected or abused, and while that may be some reason behind it, but the majority of people who become these raging lunatics were often brought up in not only decent and moral homes, but some Christian homes as well. I believe that many of them become that way because they become so bitter, envious, or fearful of others that it consumes them to the point that God had given them up to a reprobate mind.
[Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.]
When Samuel anointed David and told him that he would be the next king I am sure he knew he did not think much about it, and I am sure that he felt a sense of pride when king Saul not only hired him to be his armor bearer, but Captain over the army, and gave his own daughter to him for his wife. Things took a turn for the worst when Saul became so fearful of David not only of taking the throne from him, but that God was with him, that he wanted him dead and anyone that sided with David was a conspirator and needed to die also. As we continue in the reading of 1 Samuel, David is still on the run, hungry and tired, he finds himself near the tabernacle of God, so he went there to see if he could get some food.
[1 Samuel 21:1-4 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? 2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. 3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. 4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.]
[Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?] Ahimelech was scared because the nations and surrounding nations knew that Saul was after David and literally had a bounty on his head. Anyone who wanted to keep the people in their town or prevent the loss of innocent lives feared Saul or David being there and with good reason. The reason being was that there was always someone in their town willing to sell one of them out, one of them was a man named, Doeg.
[1 Samuel 21:7-10 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul. 8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste. 9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. 10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.]
[detained before the LORD;] Notice that he is an Edomite, these were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s (Israel) brother, and they could care less about God. So, God actually kept Doeg from going after David right then, but that did not calm David’s fears. David took the sword of Goliath’s that he had given them and headed to Gath. He says a prayer to God.
[Psalms 17:1-8 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. 3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,]
[Hold up my goings in thy paths,] When we feel all alone, and that God is no where to be found, we need to be praying to Him these very words. Now, when David arrived in Gath, he did not get the warmest welcome either, in fact, they were kind of freaking out. At this point, the only thing that David could think to do was make himself look like a mad man.
[1 Samuel 21:11-13 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.]
[And he changed his behaviour before them,] We need to be careful when too much affliction can truly make us mad, and if we are not grounded in Christ, we will slip. And this has happened to many faithful Christians. Again, the only thing that David could do was pray before moving on to the next town.
[Psalms 56:1-4,9-13 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?]
[that I may walk before God in the light of the living?] Instead of being brought to the realm of death as a result of the plans of the enemies, David knows that if he died right then that he will enjoy the light of God’s face. There is nothing more comforting in our distress than walk in the light of God which can only happen through our faith in Jesus, [John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.]
Not one single faithful saved, born again Christian needs to fear anything or anyone because Jesus is with them. Even those whom have fallen out of their way, need not live in fear either, all they need to do is go straight to Jesus, and He will be right there for them. We all belong to Christ for one reason, we trusted in Him to save our soul. By His grace alone we are saved, not of any works we do so as long as we are walking in His light then we will be afraid of what man can do to us. Now, when David’s family and friends found out where he was they came to him, in fact, over four hundred people showed up.
[1 Samuel 22:1-4 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. 3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. 4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.]
[Let my father and my mother…be with you, till I know what God will do for me.] Since we are human even though we know that we do not need to fear we do sometimes. It is fear that tends to make us hide from the challenges we face, but it is the challenges we face that teach us that God is our only option. God did not place that challenge in our lives so we could scour in a corner, He wants us to take it on with His help. Whenever we are afraid we need to give it over to God, stop worrying about it, and give it over to God. David realized this.
[Psalms 142:1-7 Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.]
[Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name:] God, definitely knows our troubles, He just wants us to talk to Him about them. Why? Well, it helps to talk about our problems. When we keep everything bottled up depression, fears, and anxieties get worse, and let me tell you, the devil feeds off that stuff. The perfect example is Saul, if he would have just went to God he would not have let all his anxieties get bottled up to the point that he now has pure hatred for David. While David was hiding out, Saul, was frantically looking for him, that was when Doeg wasted no time in letting him know that he saw David, but he was not entirely truthful.
[1 Samuel 22:6-9 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) 7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; 8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.]
[and there is none of you that is sorry for me,] What a cry baby! Every time I read this I shake my head, and this is exactly why I have a hard time being empathetic, when people act like this. Saul is throwing an extreme temper tantrum here, and not only that, they all thought he was crazy for what he was doing. Of course, Doeg did not hesitate and had no shame at all, killing all of them himself.
[1 Samuel 22:13-16 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? 15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. 16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.]
[and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me,] Seriously! Saul, was so consumed with jealousy and hate that he thought that anyone who communed with David was conspiring against him. Then he does the unthinkable and tells his men to kill all the priests, and none of them would do it, except for Doeg.
[1 Samuel 22:17-20,22 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. 18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. 20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.]
[and slew on that day fourscore and five persons] Eighty-five of God’s ministers were killed over one mans jealousy and this fool did not hesitate to do it either. There is always someone willing to do the unthinkable because they are just as evil and think they are going to get something out of it. The wicked will stoop to the lowest level to get where they want in this world, but God knows and sees all, and those who put their faith and trust in Him know that too, [2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:]
[I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.] Now, David, feels responsible for the death of these innocent men. He did the only thing that he could do at this point before going any further and that was pray to God. David, wrote this Psalm to remind himself and everyone else that God is always with those who put their trust in Him, and gets vengeance on the wicked too.
[Psalms 52:1-7 To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. 6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.]
[and lying rather than to speak righteousness.] While David had his share of discouragement sometimes, he never lost hope in God delivering him from those who were after him, and he was always willing to assist where God needed him. As David was fleeing from Saul the Philistines attacked the people in Keilah, David sought God’s guidance in whether or not to pursue.
[1 Samuel 23:1-5 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. 2 Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. 3 And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? 4 Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.]
[for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.] It never hurts to keep asking God what is going to happen, in fact, He encourages it. If we are doing what we are supposed to be doing and the answer keeps changing, stop and think about what is really being asked. Many times God answers with the same response, but we do not listen because we want a certain answer and are not content until we get it. The only way the prayer works is if it is in God’s will to begin with.
[Psalms 31:1-3,5-8,12-14 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. 2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. 3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. 5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. 6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; 8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. 12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. 14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.]
[For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me,] You know, we are not always going to get everything right, even when we do ask God over and over again, there are just some things we think we are capable of handling as we see fit. It is the afflictions in life that actually remind us that we are human, and broken into what seems like a thousand pieces, but Christ truly is our rock and our fortress. Well, David found himself on the run again, someone tipped off to Saul that he was there, and Saul has the nerve to say that it was God that delivered David to him.
[1 Samuel 23:7,9-11,13-14 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. 9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. 10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. 11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. 13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. 14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.]
[And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand;] Is that not like all these people who go against God every step of the way, and still think that He is with them? I cringe when I hear someone who is wicked and corrupt saying that they pray for someone they despise. Okay, so we are to pray for those who despise us, but that is definitely not how it works, God only hears the sincere prayers of His people.
[Psalms 31:19-24 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. 22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. 23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.]
[the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.] No matter how many times Saul chased David, God delivered him out of his hand. It really is amazing just how much God watches over us and protects us. We must understand that at times God will place us in rough waters, and it really is not to prove us like He does with the unfaithful or those who only pretend to be. This is to show Himself through them, to allow us to become completely dependent upon Him to endure it. And to prove it, God will send people to help us, David met up with Jonathan, who strengthened him in the LORD.
[1 Samuel 23:16-19,21,27-29 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. 18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. 19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? 21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. 27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. 29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.]
[Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.] God always gives us hope where we need it, we only need to trust His timing and His ways. It may even be that God would use you to be the hope that someone needs as well. Sometimes God’s path for us takes us down some severely rough waters, and we may never understand why He takes us the way He does. We may even think that we made some wrong turn, but we must never lose hope because God is always with us, and He will see us through every step of the way, [1 Peter 3:14-15 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Samuel 22:22-23 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house. 23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You, for saving my soul and taking possession of it when I accepted You as my Saviour. I know that no matter what affliction I face that I belong to You, and nothing will ever change that. Touch each an every one of us from whatever affliction it is that we are dealing with, ease our fears, anxieties, and discomfort with Your power. I know I have done some crazy things out of fear and even tried to hide myself in my own cave in an attempt to get through them on my own. Lord, You are our only option to handle the affliction we face, give us Your power to control our anger, tempers, and egos, let us not seek vengeance upon ourselves, and let not our feet slip. Give us Your strength to endure it, Your grace to break through our fears, Your wisdom to it head on, and let us not get caught up in those who are eager to sell us out for their own wicked advances. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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