Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 31, 2016

“A Case of Divine Protection” 1 Samuel 18-19 Bible Study 07/31/16

At the death of Goliath more than the ground shakes. His death signals a seismic shift of the landscape of leadership in ancient Israel. With increasing intensity, the text of 1 Samuel contrasts the rise of the Lord’s anointed servant and the demise of the Lord’s rejected servant. However, the real “hero” of these chapters is not David. Rather, it is the sovereignly resourceful God who protects His servant from repeated “landmines” of intrigue and danger.

I. Observe the contrasting responses to the Lord’s servant (18:1-9)

-esteem of Jonathan: covenant and divestment (1-6)
-envy of Saul: angry eyes (7-9)

II. Observe the validation of the Lord’s servant (18:10-30)

-representative repetitions: success (5,14,15,30), presence (12,14,28), loved (1,3,16,22,28), fear/awe (12,15,29)
-spear evasion (10-11)
-military mobilization (12-16)
-marriage alliance (17-29)
-more military success (30)

III. Observe the deliverance of the Lord’s servant (19:1-24)

-intervention of Jonathan (1-7)
-another spear evasion (8-10)
-intervention of Michal (11-17)
-intervention of the Spirit (18-24)

IV. So What?

-Because David’s God is your God, you can relish His protection and rely on it.
-“Sometimes the clearest evidence that God has not deserted you is not that you
are successfully past your trial but that you are still standing in the middle of it.” (Davis)
-Make a bigger deal about the source of your protection than the means of your protection.
-While faithfulness to the Lord does bring assurance and comfort, understand that it also invites opposition and conflict.
-Assured of God’s protection, what task do you need to tackle for Him?
-Praise God for His ultimate deliverance and protection in Jesus Christ!