David experiences God through righteous friends, deliverance from evil Saul (1 Samuel 21-24)

AIM: David's life marked by confidence in God (guidance and protection)

A) David's flight and Saul's revenge (1 Samuel 21-22)
21:1-9) Saul's rage contrasted with Johnathan's prayer "go in peace" (1 Samuel 20:42), priest helps David with mercy, bread, and sword
 - Principle: God's righteousness, acts of compassion, not coldhearted ritual observance
 - Lies: John 8:44 - Showbread: Exodus 25:23-30; Leviticus 24:5-9
 - Mercy, not sacrifice: Micah 6:8; Matthew 12:1-8, Word as food: Matthew 4:4
10-15) David responds to pressure with fear and lies instead of faith (acts crazy, Achish/Gath/Goliath's hometown)
 - Psalm 34 David praise God for deliverance, promises, and eternal salvation/resurrection
22:1-5) David goes to cave about 400 mighty men join
6-19) Saul kills Ahimelek and family because Doeg, Edomite told about help to David
20-23) Abiathar, son of Ahimelek escapes tells David who blames himself but promises protection
 - Psalm 52, links Doeg informing Saul and David's trust in God's justice

 - David didn't waste time on regrets but focused on the next right thing

B) David seeks the Lord at Keilah through Abiathar (1 Sam 23)

23:1-6) Philistines attack Keilah, David inquires Lord's direction with Abiathar - God promise victory

 - David follows God and wins, as should we 

 - Use of Urim and Thummim in ephod, used as lots or dice with which priest discerned God's will.  Exodus 28:6-13; Exodus 28:30; 

 - Offering ourselves alive, renews our minds and enables us to discern God's perfect will Romans 12:1-2

7-13) Keilah citizens fear Saul, yet David's men are increasingly aware of God's protection

14-23) Saul wants David dead, David receives strength through Jonathon's encouragement

 - Principle: encouragement is easy but its effect is immeasurable.

24-29) Saul pursue David, but turns to fight Philistine

 - Principle: God can relieve oppression through physical rescue or even by the repentance of our enemies

 - Psalm 54: Prayer for deliverance: 1-4) Present power of God to bring peace, 5-5) future promises of God to bring justice

C) Saul in David's hands, is reconciled (1 Sam 24)

24:1-7) Saul enters David's cave, David cuts his robe

 - David, convicted of doing wrong, repents and does the next right thing

 - Application: ask God to help you identify habits of rebellion, receive help only God can give

8-22) David seeks Saul's good rather than harm

Principle: Lovingkindness leads others to repentance

 - The world says, kill him. But God convicts of the righteous way

 - Psalm 57, 142 relate to David's time in the cave

 David's need for God (Psalm 57:1-4), praise is his greatest desire (5-11), pain of abandonment and distress (Psalm 142:1-4), praise for presence and power (5-7)

Applications: 

God is perfectly sufficient for everything - he is our refuge, delivers us when we turn to Him

• Deliverance: Psalms 34:4; 91; Isaiah 43:1-5 

God requires our righteousness

• Joy in trials: James 1:2-4
• Rejection promised: John 15:18-16:4
• Leaders’ mistreatment: Matthew 9:3, 11, 34