Power Up- The Power of Petition - 1 Samuel 22 and 23 - July 18, 2010

Bible Study – Power Up – The Power of Petition – July 18, 2010

This is lesson three (3) in our series “Power Up.”

Our scripture is 1 Samuel 22:17-20; 23:1-6, 9-13.

Our study this week focuses on prayer. David was a man after GOD’S own heart. GOD had chosen him to be the next king of Israel. David knew that Samuel had anointed him for a purpose for GOD. David had experienced the LORD working in his life but he also had experienced the evil from King Saul.

The scripture selected to examine prayer is interesting. Let’s examine to see what we can learn from David’s journey in serving our LORD.

King Saul and his army were chasing David and his men. David had killed Goliath, become best friends with Saul’s son Jonathan and began to experience the erratic behavior of King Saul. Saul had tried to kill him and he fled with the help of Jonathan. From the time David was anointed and he killed Goliath until he became king of Judah was about fifteen (15) years. We know the heart of David when we examine the Psalms he penned. Acts 13:21-22 reveals that David was a man after GOD’S own heart:

21 Then they asked for a king, so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years. 22 After removing him, He raised up David as their king, of whom He testified: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart,[6] 1 Sm 13:14; Ps 89:20 who will carry out all My will.’

GOD knew the heart of David, yet David was not perfect. GOD still used him according to HIS plan and purpose. Neither are we, as Christians, perfect because we are still housed in this body of flesh. Our born-again Spirit is perfect, yet we sin. David sinned and when he did, he confessed his sin. He learned from his sin and did not repeat it. However, he still had to suffer the consequences of his sin.

David had fled from Saul. David was very popular among the people of Israel. 1 Samuel 18:5-11: (The next sets of scripture are background leading up to our scripture.)

5 David marched out [with the army]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do. Saul put him in command of the soldiers, which pleased all the people and Saul’s servants as well. 6 As David was returning from killing the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul,[4] Ex 15:20–21; Jdg 11:34 singing and dancing with tambourines, with shouts of joy, and with three-stringed instruments. 7 As they celebrated, the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.[5] 1 Sm 21:11; 29:5 8 Saul was furious and resented this song.[6] Lit furious; this saying was evil in his eyes “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?”[7] 1 Sm 15:28; 24:20 9 So Saul watched David jealously from that day forward.

Saul Attempts to Kill David

10 The next day an evil spirit from God took control of Saul,[8] 1 Sm 16:14; 19:9 and he began to rave[9] Or prophesy inside the palace. David was playing [the harp]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. as usual, but Saul was holding a spear, 11 and he threw it, thinking, “I’ll pin David to the wall.”[10] 1 Sm 19:10; 20:33 But David got away from him twice.

1 Samuel 20:30-42: (Background)

30 Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother?[15] Lit your mother‘s genitals 31 Every day Jesse’s son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me—he deserves to die.” 32 Jonathan answered his father back: “Why is he to be killed? What has he done?”[16] 1 Sm 19:5 33 Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him,[17] 1 Sm 18:11; 19:10 so he knew that his father was determined to kill David. 34 He got up from the table in fierce anger and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father’s shameful behavior toward David. 35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for the appointed meeting with David. A small young man was with him. 36 He said to the young man, “Run and find the arrows I’m shooting.” As the young man ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. 37 He came to the location of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, but Jonathan called to him and said, “The arrow is beyond you, isn’t it?” 38 Then Jonathan called to him, “Hurry up and don’t stop!” Jonathan’s young man picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 39 He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. 40 Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the young man who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.” 41 When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone Ezel, fell with his face to the ground, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept with each other, though David wept more. 42 Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of the Lord when we said: The Lord will be [a witness]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.”[18] 1 Sm 20:15–23 [19] The last sentence of v. 42 is 1 Sm 21:1 in Hb. Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.

1 Samuel 21:1-9: (Background)

David Flees to Nob (Nob was a town alloted to priests. It was located about two (2) miles from Jerusalem.)

1 David went to Ahimelech (uh HIM uh lek) the priest at Nob. Ahimelech was afraid to meet David, so he said to him, “Why are you alone and no one is with you?” 2 David answered Ahimelech the priest, “The king gave me a mission, but he told me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything about the mission I’m sending you on or what I have ordered you [to do]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .’ I have stationed [my]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. young men at a certain place. 3 Now what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever can be found.” 4 The priest told him, “There is no ordinary bread on hand. However, there is consecrated bread,[1] Ex 25:30; Lv 24:5–9; Mt 12:3–4 but the young men may eat it[2] DSS; MT omits may eat it only if they have kept themselves from women.”[3] Ex 19:15 5 David answered him, “I swear that women are being kept from us, as always when I go out [to battle]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .[4] 2 Sm 11:11 The young men’s bodies[5] Lit vessels are consecrated even on an ordinary mission, so of course their bodies are consecrated today.” 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated [bread]* [** Below] The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , for there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the Lord. When the bread was removed, it had been replaced with warm bread. 7 One of Saul’s servants, detained before the Lord, was there that day. His name was Doeg (DOH ehg) the Edomite, chief of Saul’s shepherds. 8 David said to Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword on hand? I didn’t even bring my sword or my weapons since the king’s mission was urgent.” 9 The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah,[6] 1 Sm 17 is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the • ephod. If you want to take it for yourself, then take it, for there isn’t another one here.” “There’s none like it!” David said. “Give it to me.”
[Showbread or Holy Bread was on constant disply, thus show bread. It was baked fresh each week. One loaf for each tribe thus 12 loves of bread. The week old bread was eaten by the priests and any leftover bread was burned. Showbread was to symbolize the presence of GOD and HIS provision for HIS people. JESUS was aked about David and his men eating the showbread by the Pharisees. HE told them that it was fine because David and his men were hungry. Often Christians strain at a gnat and shollar a fly. JESUS in essence was saying, "Be practicle and do not observe ritual at the detriment of others.]

This brings us to our scripture. Ahimelech the priest at Nob, helped David. David leaves but in comes King Saul. We see in verse 7 in our previous scripture that Doeg the Edomite was Saul’s chief of shepherds. He could not wait to tell Saul what had happened. It cost eighty-five (85) priests their lives plus the lives of all the woman, children and livestock. Sometimes it cost to help a servant of GOD. This wiped out all of the priest except one, Abiathar (a BY uh thar). Abiathar escaped and went to David. Years later after David was made king, he appointed Abiathar as his high priest. Abiathar served David as high priest during his reign as king.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 22:17-20:

17 Then the king (Saul) ordered the guards standing by him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord because they sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they didn’t tell me.”[10] Lit didn‘t uncover my ear But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to execute the priests of the Lord. 18 So the king said to Doeg, “Go and execute the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite went and executed the priests himself. On that day, he killed 85 men who wore linen • ephods.[11] 1 Sm 2:28; Ex 28:4 19 He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword—both men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. 20 However, one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped. His name was Abiathar, and he fled to David.

There was one survivor from this massacre. It was one of the sons of the priest, Ahimelech. His son’s name was Abiathar. He went straight to David and gave him the grim news.

David had 400 men with him. We see in our next scripture that David learned that the Philistines were robbing grain from the Israelites. The question was, “What should he do about it?” Should he remain less visible in consideration of the fact that Saul was out to get him or should he help out those being ravaged by the Philistines?

Let’s read 1 Samuel 23:1-5:

Deliverance at Keilah (kih IGH) or (kee EYE luh) - Keilah was a fortified city in the lowland plain of Judah. It was about 18 miles from Jerusalem.

1 It was reported to David: “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding the threshing floors.” 2 So David inquired of the Lord: “Should I launch an attack against these Philistines?” The Lord answered David, “Launch an attack against the Philistines and rescue Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we’re afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” 4 Once again, David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will hand the Philistines over to you.” 5 Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, drove their livestock away, and inflicted heavy losses on them. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.

David needed to know what the LORD would have him to do. The Philistines were robbing grain from the inhabitants of Keilah. They would starve or have to leave that area to survive. David asked HIM what he should do. The LORD answered him. Attack the Philistines and rescue Keilah. David’s men were afraid to go into battle.

David inquired a second time of the LORD what he should do. Had he heard the LORD correctly the first time? When we are not certain about the LORD’S response or when we receive additional information, it is no problem checking to make sure you are doing the will of the LORD. He inquired of the LORD and received the same answer, “Go fight the Philistines and deliver the city of Keilah, which is located in Judah. As you may recall David is from the tribe of Judah.

David and his men were obedient to the LORD’S command and victory was won. This gave David assurance as well as David’s men. David’s inquiry to the LORD was accurate. This invokes trust and confidence in David and his men. It also reinforces the fact, before you take an important step, inquire of the LORD. If you are not sure, it is never a problem inquiring of the LORD a second time.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 23:6, 9-13:

6 Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, and he brought an • ephod with him.[1] 1 Sm 22:20; 30:7

Abiathar brought the ephod with him. The ephod is a colorful priestly vest the priests wore over their blue robe when he presided at the altar. It some scholars claim that the ephod had a place to hold the Urim and the Thummin, two objects David used to petition GOD. It is interesting that David used the priestly garment when he inquired of the LORD. (Notice verse 9, below) Christians have been born-again and can go directly to GOD, it HIS very throne room to petition HIM. HE is available 24/7 and always listens to HIS children’s petitions. What a heritage Christians have in CHRIST.

7 When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with barred gates.” 8 Then Saul summoned all the troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 Then David said, “Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down as Your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” The Lord answered, “He will come down.” 12 Then David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” “They will,” the Lord responded. 13 So David and his men, numbering about 600, left Keilah at once and moved from place to place. When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he called off the expedition.
Notice in verse 7, Saul was also looking for confirmation from GOD. We have two (2) men, Saul and David, looking to GOD for direction. One was in favor with GOD and one was not. This is a message to us as Christians. When we inquire of GOD, are we being obedient to his will or are we using GOD as a good luck charm?
David went before GOD with an earnest request for guidance. Saul saw that David was in a walled city and concluded that GOD had placed him there for Saul to capture and kill.

David was told that Saul and his men were coming to Keilah. David could have reasoned that since they had just delivered the city from the Philistines, the inhabitants of Keilah would fight with him to defeat Saul. David did not depend upon assumptions. He inquired of the LORD. The LORD answered him and they left the city. Saul heard that David was gone and terminated his plans.

When we serve the LORD, we must be careful how we interpret things that happen to others or circumstances. Always go before the LORD and ask HIM for direction in your life in all matters. David had experienced communication with GOD as a shepherd. He knew that GOD heard him and would answer him. Do you have that same confidence?

Many Christians long to hear GOD speak. How does HE speak to HIS children? Anyway HE chooses – in a still small whisper, through HIS Word, through others, through some mighty things or simple things to name a few.