1 Samuel 16 – FEELING ADEQUATE 

David: A Man’s Man, God’s Man Lesson #1

(These are my complete notes for a men’s study.)

· What are some areas in which men sometimes feel inadequate?

· What do you think are some of the root causes for feelings of inadequacy?

· When is it good to feel inadequate?

· Why is feeling adequate in the ways listed below important?

1. Feeling adequate as a husband

2. Feeling adequate as a father

3. Feeling adequate as a friend

4. Feeling adequate as a Christian

5. Feeling adequate as a church member

· How do feelings of inadequacy go back to our younger days?

· What events in the life of David would indicate that he had some healthy feelings of adequacy?

David was all man. We might say that he was “A man’s man”. And although David was by far not perfect, David had another quality that distinguished him. David was God’s man. He was chosen by God and he lived for God.

In this lesson we want to examine some qualities from David’s youth that helped build a feeling of adequacy within him.

1. DAVID WAS TENDER Vss. 1-12

· King Saul had disqualified himself from being King. We must be careful not to disqualify ourselves from being useful to God. 1 Samuel 15:24-28

· Vss. 1-5 – Samuel was sent to anoint a new king of God’s choosing from among the sons of Jesse.

· Vss. 6-12 – Of Samuel’s 8 sons, only one passed the requirement God had for the next king. Verse 7 tells us that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 13:14 – But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. 

· How would you describe being “a man after God’s own heart”?

· 2 Chronicles 16:9 (N.A.S.B.) – For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…

· What are some of the things we need to remove from our hearts in order that they may be “completely His”?

· What are some of the positive attitudes found in a heart that is “completely His”?

· There are at least two qualities found in the person whose heart belongs to God:

1. Salvation – 2 Corinthians 5:17

2. Consecration – Romans 12:1-2

· Why does it take a real man to have a heart that’s tender towards God?

2. DAVID WAS TOUCHED Vs. 13

· How did the presence of the Holy Spirit help David feel adequate?

· How did the Holy Spirit help when David faced Goliath?

· How is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives superior to the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Old Testament?

· John 14:16-18 – And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

· Romans 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

· What do we lack when we do allow the Holy Spirit to control us? Ephesians 5:18-21, Galatians 5:22-23, Acts 1:8

3. DAVID HAD A TESTIMONY Vss. 14-19

· Vss. 14-16 – Because Saul had a sin problem he was open to the attacks of Satan. I imagine that Saul knew that he had a problem and was open to the suggestion that he get someone who could soothe his “frazzled nerves” with music.

· Vss. 17-19 – One of Saul’s servants had met David. What were the positive qualities on David’s resume?

· Someone is always watching us. Our current testimony can affect our future usefulness. How?

4. DAVID WAS TRAINED – Vss. 11-12, 20-23

· Why did David need training?

· Why do we need training? 1 Timothy 3:6, 10

1 Timothy 3:6 – Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:10 – And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

· Why should men desire training in the things of God?

· Vss. 11-12 – What training came with being the youngest of eight sons?

· What training came from being a shepherd?

· Vss. 20-23 – What vital training did David receive in Saul’s court?

· We should be open to training even when we aren’t even sure why we need to be trained. Why?

This week consider what God requires for us to feel adequate for whatever He will call us to do. Ask Him to:

· Give you a tender heart.

· Touch you.

· Give you a good testimony.

· Train you.