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: April 15, 2025
Chapters: I Samuel 21-22, Psalms 31, 34, 52, 54, 56,142
Message: I Samuel: Saul Hunts David
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of 1 Samuel, we learn that there is always someone wicked willing to sell their soul for the fame and fortune of bringing a Christian down, but God knows how to deliver His faithful from them, [Psalms 34:17-22 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.]
A broken heart and a contrite spirit, which means, worn or bruised, as much as we do not want affliction that is something that is unavoidable, but the more we face it without any reprieve the more discouraged and brokenhearted we become as it does weigh heavy on our spirit. It is a known fact, and even Jesus said it Himself, that those who choose Him will suffer because they are Christians, [John 15:20-21 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your’s also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.]
When Samuel anointed David and told him that he would be the next king I am sure he did not think much about it, and I am sure that he felt a sense of accomplishment 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. However, all of those things were not granted to him based on his merits, they were meant to be a snare to trip up David and keep him from getting to the throne. Yesterday we learned that Saul’s jealousy and fear of David had gotten so bad that he had put a bounty on his head, he even tried to kill his own son when he tried to reason with him. Today, we learn that David is still on the run and made his way to the Tabernacle.
[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.]
Ahimelech was scared because the nations knew that Saul was after David, and anyone who wanted to keep the people in their town safe or prevent the loss of innocent lives feared Saul or David being there and with good reason. There was always someone in their town willing to sell David out and this time that person was a man named Doeg.
[1 Samuel 21:7-9 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.]
Notice that he is an Edomite, these were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s (Israel) brother, and they could care less about God. When God detained Doeg, he did that to keep him from going after David right then, but that did not calm David’s fears, he did not want those fears to get the best of him so he did the only thing he could think of and that was pray to God.
[Psalms 56:1-5,9-11,13 To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, 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. 5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 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. 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?]
Jesus, said it this way, [Luke 12:4-5 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.] The wicked will find themselves in hell, but at least if we who are saved died in the hands of the wicked we have Jesus to look forward to, [Luke 12:7-9 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.]
Well, David found himself in Gath, when spoke to the king he discovered that they were not too happy about him being there either, and out of fear made himself look like a crazy man, [1 Samuel 21:11-14 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. 14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?]
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. Once again, David finds himself at the mercies of God and said this prayer.
[Psalms 34:1-2,4-10 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.]
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, and it is very true that those who seek Christ shall not want any good thing, meaning, even the best things in life are but dung next to our faith in Christ, [Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,]
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.]
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 and that is when he said this prayer.
[Psalms 142:1-5 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.]
God definitely knows our troubles, He just wants us to talk to Him about them. Why? Well, it helps to talk out our problems. When we keep everything bottled up depression, fears, and anxieties get worse, not to mention it does make us think crazy things. 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 is the one who has become mad. While David was hiding out, Saul, was frantically looking for him, he even goes as far as to reprimand his own family members for hiding it from him that Jonathan was on his side.
[1 Samuel 22:6-8 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?]
Every time I read this I want to saw, “Awww, Boo Hoo, You big baby.” and this is exactly why I have a hard time being empathetic to people who act like this. Saul is throwing an extreme temper tantrum, and not only that, they all thought he was crazy. And why should anyone feel sorry for him the way he is acting? Well, Doeg wasted no time in letting him know that he saw David.
[1 Samuel 22:9-11,13-14 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. 10 And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. 11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. 13 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?]
Seriously! Saul, was so consumed with jealousy and hate that he thought that anyone who communed with David was conspiring against him, even the priests. Then he does the unthinkable and tells his men to kill all the priests, which none of them would do, except for Doeg.
[1 Samuel 22:17-18 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.]
Eighty-five of God’s ministers, and he was not done either, he went on a killing spree, [1 Samuel 22:19-20,22-23 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. 23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.]
Jesus is the safeguard of every saved, born again Christian because we are going to have enemies simply for our faith in Him, but what He endured is what enables us to endure what we are faced with, [Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)]
One wicked man was responsible for the death of countless lives all due to one mans jealousy and this fool did not hesitate to do it either. 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. And David just knew when he saw Doeg that he was going to try something, but now he feels responsible for the death of these innocent men, but did the only thing that he could do at this point before going any further and that was pray to God.
[Psalms 52:1-3,5,7-9 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. 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. 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. 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.]
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. When the wicked persecute God’s people for no reason at all, then they can expect that God is going to send judgment in the worst way. 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 23:1-4 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.]
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. The only way the prayer works is if it is in God’s will to begin with.
[Psalms 17:1,3-8 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. 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,]
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. 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 23:6-9 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. 7 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. 8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.]
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. However, this time David calls for extra help in prayer so he calls for Abiathar, to pray with him, [Psalms 31:1-6 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. 4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. 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.]
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 these afflictions on us, and it really is not to prove us like He does the unfaithful or those who only pretend to be Christians, He does it to show Himself through 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 23:12,14-17 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. 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. 15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. 16 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.]
[Psalms 31:9-12,15-17 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. 11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. 12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. 15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. 16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake. 17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.]
When we feel all alone, and that God is no where to be found that is when we need to be praying to Him these very words. 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. 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.
[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.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Samuel 22:23 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 we are dealing with and ease our fears, anxieties, and discomfort. 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. Give us Your strength to endure it, Your grace to break through our fears, Your wisdom to take 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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