Samuel 18 – NEVER THE SAME
David: A Man’s Man, God’s Man – Lesson #3
(Complete Notes)
· How is a man “never the same” after he gets married?
· How is a man or woman “never the same” after the death of a spouse or a child?
· What are some other events that you were “never the same” after they happened?
· How would you be “never the same” if all of a sudden you became a national hero?
· What is the biggest change you anticipate in the near or not too distant future?
· React to this statement: Being “never the same” after a life changing event will affect us in the long haul either positively or adversely, depending how we handle the change.
Last week we saw the classic confrontation between David, the challenger, and Goliath the champion. As you know, David won. Israel had a great victory. Becoming a national hero changed David’s life forever. The purpose for this lesson is to examine the changes in David’s life, and how we might adapt to similar changes in our own lives.
COVENANT WITH JONATHAN – Vss. 1, 3-4
1. THEY WERE SOUL BROTHERS – Vs. 1
…the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David…
· What do you know about Jonathan?
· What would have attracted Jonathan to David or David to Jonathan?
· What attracts you in another person that motivates you to pursue friendship?
· Why should Christian men pursue Christian friendships?
· What makes solid Christian friendships special?
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
John 17:20-21 – Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
2. THEY WERE SOUL LOVERS – Vs. 2
…and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
· According to the passages below, what are the qualities of love that we should be developing in a Christian friendship?
John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
3. THEY WERE SOUL SUPPORTERS – Vs. 3
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant…
· This was a commitment to bear the burdens of the other. Jonathan interceded for, protected, and encouraged David in his problems with Saul. 1 Samuel 19:1-7, 20:1-42
1 Samuel 23:16 – And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
Galatians 6:2 – Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
· What unspoken agreements do Christian men have?
4. THEY WERE SOUL SHARERS – Vs. 4
· Jonathan shared what he had with David.
· What are some of the things that Christian men might share with their Christian friends?
CHANGE OF SERVICE – Vss. 2, 5
· Why was David no longer permitted to go home?
· How might we face a change of service as Christians?
· What should be our reaction to any change of service that God gives to us?
· Vs. 5 – What two qualities will help us handle change?
CHALLENGE OF POPULARITY- Vss. 6-7
· David became now the “matinee idol” of Israel.
· How do you think David handled praise?
· How should we handle praise, especially when it is lavish?
CONFLICT WITH SAUL – Vss. 8-16
· Saul was not happy with the praise that David received. Why?
· In these verses, who acted more like a king and why?
· What must we remember when we face conflict with others?
Matthew 5:44-45 – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Romans 12:16-21 – Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. [17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.