Chapter 11: From Shepherd to King
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Key Question
Key Question
How did David live so as to fulfill God’s purpose for his life?
Chosen Pages 145–150
God rejected Saul as king because Saul refused to obey Him. Saul forgot the Israelites’ purpose was to make God known to all nations, and that his duty as king was to lead them in fulfilling this purpose. Instead, he sought what he thought would bring himself the most glory.
God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king. Samuel anointed David with oil, and the Spirit of the Lord came onto him. The anointing had to be kept secret, though, or all their lives would be at stake.
In time, the Philistines gathered to attack the Israelites. They had a champion named Goliath who was over nine feet tall.
David viewed the Philistine situation differently than Saul.
David knew the purpose for which God had called the Israelites: revealing to the whole world that God is God so they would turn to Him and seek to know Him through the revelations He gave through Moses.
Pursued Pages 150–152
Impressed, Saul kept David with him. His son Jonathan became David’s close friend.
David rose quickly in rank in the army as the Lord gave him success in all his missions. But there came a day when David’s successes no longer pleased Saul.
When David eluded the spear, Saul began giving David dangerous missions he didn’t think David could survive. But God protected David and made him successful. After Saul tried more times to kill David, David finally fled. To convince his army to pursue David, Saul lied and said David was a traitor out to kill Saul.
Vindicated Pages 152–155
Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, not knowing David and his men were hiding there. David’s men were convinced God had delivered Saul into David’s hands so he could kill him and become king. David cut a piece of Saul’s robe, but didn’t harm Saul.
Despite Saul’s admission, he continued to pursue David. Eventually David hid among the Philistines where Saul couldn’t follow.
Years later, David wrote a psalm remembering all the times God had delivered him from his enemies, including Saul.
Crowned Pages 155–158
About a year and a half after Saul’s last encounter with David, Saul died in battle against the Philistines. Sadly, Jonathan died too.
The tribe of Judah crowned David king, but one of Saul’s sons became king of the northern tribes. Seven and a half years later, Saul’s son was assassinated. David put the assassinators to death and the northern tribes asked David to be their king too.
David built his palace in Jerusalem. After he was settled, he wanted to bring the ark of the testimony to Jerusalem, so he gathered many people to join him in doing so.
The ark was at Abinadab’s house in Kiriath Jearim, where it was left after the Philistines sent it back on an ox cart. Through Moses, God had given specific instructions about how to handle the holy ark. The ark had gold rings fastened to its feet through which wood poles overlaid with gold were inserted. The ark was normally kept inside a tabernacle behind a curtain in a place called the Holy of Holies. It was out of sight of all but priests descended from Aaron. If it needed to be moved, Aaronic priests covered it with hides and cloths. Then Kohathites (a clan of Levites charged with caring for the most holy things) would carry the ark with the poles on their shoulders; however, they were not permitted to touch or look into the ark, lest they die.
They had imitated the Philistines in how they transported the ark, rather than seeking God’s instructions. God had permitted the Philistines who didn’t have God’s law to transport the ark that way, but He expected more from his people who did have it. The Lord told the priests it was their responsibility to know and to teach people how to treat the things of God: “You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses” (Leviticus 10:10–11).
Later David discovered his error and called together nearly a thousand priests and Levites. He told them God’s anger had broken out because “we did not inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”
So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves and put on the sleeveless robes and ephods made of fine linen which they wore when ministering before the Lord. David removed his royal garments and donned the same attire. Accompanied by a large multitude who sang and danced and played music, Levites carried the ark to Jerusalem.
Promised Pages 158–160
David wanted to build a great temple to house the ark, so he consulted Nathan the prophet.
David pleased God. David wanted to build God a physical house in the form of a temple, and God promised to build David a house in the form of a dynasty.
Saul sought to exalt himself and establish a dynasty, but achieved neither. David sought to exalt God, and God exalted him and promised him a dynasty. Jesus said, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This week we will be taking a little break from the chapter lectures and play a "Jeopardy" quiz game on The Story up to this point. Maybe a good time to go back and refresh your knowledge of the events, people, and places up to Chapter 11.
See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Chapter 11 – From Shepherd to King
This
session covers: 1 Samuel 16-18, 24, 31; 2 Samuel 6, 22; 1
Chronicles 17; Psalm 59
Summary: It’s
all about the heart. David is chosen to
be king and lives a life of faith and trust in God.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you end up doing what you thought you’d
do, or did God lead you elsewhere?
Think about: Read 1
Samuel 16:7. (The Story, pages
117-118) What was God looking for regarding Israel’s next king? What kind of heart do you think God wanted in
a new king?
God knew what was in David’s heart, even if others did not. Others can only see the results of our hearts’
cry, or evidence of what’s inside. It
wasn’t long before God gave David an opportunity to prove his heart to
others. David’s initiation as a public
servant takes place on a battlefield. As
we strive to develop a heart like David’s, let’s take a look at the hearts’ of
others in our story.
Read 1 Samuel 17:10. What were
Goliath’s actions saying about his heart?
Read on in verse 11 and also in 1 Samuel 17:24. What kind of heart did Saul’s army show? (The Story,
pages 118-119)
Next we find Saul himself, the leader of the Israelite army. Saul at first tries to talk the boy out of
such a feat. Then Saul tries to put his
personal armor on the young man, which David refuses. Finally, Saul sends him forth with this
blessing, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”
Do you think Saul is resigned to the situation? Or do you think he is sending David forth
knowing that God will come through and not only take care of this disgusting
Philistine, but protect the young shepherd boy?
Look up 1 Samuel 17:45-47 and read the passage aloud. (The Story, pages 120-121) This
mini-sermon by the young man who will later be called “a man after God’s own
heart” is showing his own heart in this passage. Does this sound like the work of a cocky,
immature, overly-hormonal adolescent? Or
does it sound like the expression of a deeply loyal, faith-filled servant of
the Living God? What evidence of his
heart do we see in his words?
Of course we all know the way this battle ends. David said it best when he told the Philistine
bully, “the battle is the LORD’s.” But this is only the start of David’s walk of
faith. His heart is tested often before
he ever sits on the throne. Like David,
our hearts are tested daily. We may not
have to face a literal giant who taunts the loyal army of the living God. But we face little giants every day, and every
day we make small choices that show where our heart loyalties lie.
Take away: Every trial in our lives
will test our heart. We can prove our
heart by choosing a reckless abandonment of faith in God or fail the test with
a timid fear of a battle our LORD tells
us He already has won.
Search
me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and
lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm
139:23-24
From shepherd to
king. How is that possible? From least among his brothers to the greatest
in the kingdom. How did that happen? God found in David a man whose heart was
turned to Him. Even when he falls, as we
will see in the next chapter, David relies upon God for restoration. He also realizes the need for his heart to be
changed by God.
What’s the status
of your heart? Do you tend to lean
toward God or away from Him? Could you
be referred to as a man or woman after God’s heart?
As we allow God’s
story to become more and more real in our lives we will see our hearts
change. We will become more in tune with
God’s plans; more in tune with God’s heart.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the example of heartfelt faith we see in Your
servant David. We know that David, like
ourselves, was not perfect. But we also
know that You called him a man after Your own heart. May our hearts prove our loyalty to You. May we face each trial in our lives with a
faith that will show us to be men and women after Your own heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This week we will be taking a little break from the chapter lectures and play a "Jeopardy" quiz game on The Story up to this point. Maybe a good time to go back and refresh your knowledge of the events, people, and places up to Chapter 11.
Jeopardy
10 Moses received the Ten Commandments on this mountain.
Where is Horeb or
Sinai?
20 David made this city the capital of Israel and brought the ark
here.
Where is Jerusalem or
the City of David?
30 The walls of this city came tumbling down.
Where is Jericho?
40 Israel rebelled here when they feared going into the Promised
Land.
Where is Kadesh or Paran?
50 Moses viewed the Promised Land and then died here.
Where is Mount Nebo?
Dysfunctional
Families
10 This crop-growing brother killed his flock-keeping
brother.
Who is Cain?
20 This brother stole his older brother’s birthright.
Who is Jacob?
30 She tormented Elkanah’s favorite wife, Hannah.
Who is Peninnah?
40 When David arrived to the battle with Goliath, this older
brother said, "I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is:
you came down only to watch the battle."
Who is Eliab?
50 This brother saved Joseph’s life by throwing him in the pit
instead.
Who is Reuben?
He
Said, She Said
10 “Let
my people go.”
Who is Moses?
20 “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Who is Joshua?
30 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
Who is Joseph?
40 “Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my
God.”
Who is Ruth?
50 “You are that man.”
Who is Nathan?
What’s
in a Name?
10 His new name means “father of many nations.”
Who is Abraham?
20 God identified Himself by this name at the burning bush.
Who is I AM?
30 This was his new name after he wrestled with God.
Who is Israel?
40 His name means, “I drew him out of the water.”
Who is Moses?
50 She wanted to be called “Mara” because her life was
bitter.
Who is Naomi?
War
and Peace
10 This Philistine was killed by a shepherd and his
slingshot.
Who is Goliath?
20 He would build the temple because he was a man of peace.
Who is Solomon?
30 Samson was supposed to defeat these people but he married one
anyway.
Who are the Philistines?
40 It was here that the sun stood still during battle.
Where is Gibeon?
50 This city was only defeated after Achan’s sin was dealt
with.
What is Ai?
Double Jeopardy
Wombs
and Tombs
20 Her womb was empty until she was 90 years old.
Who is Sarah or Sarai?
40 After she criticized her dancing husband, she had no children
to the day of her death.
Who is Michal?
60 Her empty womb prompted a prayer that was misunderstood as
drunkenness.
Who is Hannah?
80 He wrongfully died in battle because of David’s sin.
Who is Uriah?
100 Elimelek
and his two sons died here.
Where is Moab?
Events
& Happenings
20 This got Joseph out of prison.
What is interpreting dreams?
40 This event commemorates God’s protection of Israel from the
plague of death upon Egypt.
What is Passover?
60 Because Saul was this, David refused to lay a hand upon
him.
What is the LORD’s anointed?
80 This covenant sign lets us know that God will never again
destroy the earth with a flood.
What is a rainbow?
100 Gideon asked for a wet and dry sign of God’s promise by placing
this on the threshing floor.
What is a fleece?
Who’s
Who
20 God said to this person, “Take off your sandals, for the place
where you are standing is holy ground.”
Who is Moses?
40 These two men were the only adults from the Exodus allowed to
go into the Promised Land.
Who are Caleb and Joshua?
60 God said to this person, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for
the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Who is Joshua?
80 Boaz served as one of these to Ruth and Naomi.
What is a kinsman redeemer?
100 This priest stopped the Baal worship and immorality at Shittim
with his spear.
Who is Phinehas?
It’s
a Zoo Out There
20 The LORD provided this in place of Isaac.
What is a ram?
40 Aaron threw gold into the fire and out came this.
What is a calf?
60 This meat was still between their teeth when God struck them
with a plague for grumbling.
What is quail?
80 While God sent these to judge Israel in the wilderness, He
also provided a way to live.
What are snakes?
100 Nathan’s judgment parable to David substituted this animal for
Bathsheba.
What is a lamb or a ewe?
Women
of the OT
20 She accused Joseph of trying to rape her.
Who is Potiphar’s wife?
40 She turned leprous when she challenged Moses.
Who is Miriam?
60 She hid spies on her roof.
Who is Rahab the harlot?
80 She gave the Lord the name “The God who sees me.”
Who is Hagar?
100 She drove a stake through Sisera’s head.
Who is Jael?
See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
