25-0423wc - Detailed Summary

Mike begins by announcing the start of a lesson focused on 1 Samuel 26, specifically reading verses 18 through 20 to set the context. The passage involves King Saul pursuing David, who is aware of Saul’s location and intentions. David, positioned on a hill opposite Saul, questions why Saul is pursuing him, asking what wrong he has committed or what evil he has done. David pleads for Saul, referred to as "my Lord the King," to listen to his words, seeking to understand the cause of Saul’s hostility. David suggests two possible reasons for Saul’s pursuit: either God has stirred Saul against him, in which case an offering might appease God, or men have influenced Saul, in which case David curses them for driving him away from his rightful place in the Lord’s inheritance, forcing him to serve other gods. David compares himself to a partridge hunted in the mountains, emphasizing the relentless nature of Saul’s pursuit and his own vulnerability.

Mike outlines the structure of the lesson, which will be divided into three parts over three sessions due to a scheduling conflict on the third Wednesday. The first two parts will draw from the Old Testament, while the third will focus on the New Testament. The central theme of the lesson is the concept of being "stirred up," particularly whether God has stirred Saul against David. Mike explains that the term "stirring up" can have negative connotations, such as inciting a mob to unlawful actions or creating a riot. The idea for the lesson was inspired by a video mentioning "stirring the pot," which led Mike to explore biblical references to God stirring people for various purposes. The lesson will examine instances in the Old Testament, starting with 1 Samuel 26, to understand who or what God stirs up and why.

The narrative returns to 1 Samuel 26, detailing the events leading to David’s confrontation with Saul. The Ziphites inform Saul of David’s location in the hill of Hachilah, prompting Saul to pursue him with 3,000 chosen men into the wilderness of Ziph. David, aware of Saul’s approach, sends spies to confirm Saul’s presence. David and his men locate Saul’s encampment, where Saul is sleeping, surrounded by his army, including Abner, his commander. David, accompanied by Abishai, sneaks into the camp at night. They find Saul asleep with his spear and a jug of water by his head. Abishai urges David to kill Saul, arguing that God has delivered Saul into their hands. However, David refuses, citing that no one can harm the Lord’s anointed without guilt. He insists that Saul’s fate is in God’s hands, whether through natural death, battle, or divine intervention. Instead of killing Saul, David takes the spear and jug of water as proof of his mercy.

David and Abishai leave the camp undetected, as a deep sleep from the Lord has fallen over Saul’s men. This marks the second time David spares Saul’s life, the first being when he cut a piece of Saul’s robe. David then moves to a distant hill and calls out to Saul and Abner, rebuking Abner for failing to protect the king. David questions Abner’s competence, noting that someone infiltrated the camp to potentially harm Saul, and declares that Abner and his men deserve death for their negligence. To prove his peaceful intentions, David reveals he took Saul’s spear and jug of water but spared his life. This act demonstrates David’s lack of ill will, despite Saul’s jealousy and desire to harm him. David again questions Saul’s pursuit, asking what he has done to deserve such treatment and reiterating his plea for Saul to explain his actions.

Saul recognizes David’s voice and addresses him as “my son,” prompting David to repeat his questions about the cause of Saul’s pursuit. David suggests that if God has stirred Saul against him, they should offer a sacrifice to appease God. However, if men have influenced Saul, David curses them for exiling him from the Lord’s inheritance and pushing him toward idolatry. David likens Saul’s pursuit to hunting a partridge, emphasizing its futility. Saul, confronted with David’s mercy, acknowledges his sin, admitting he has acted foolishly and erred greatly. He promises not to harm David further, recognizing that David valued his life. David responds by affirming his refusal to harm the Lord’s anointed and prays that God will reward his righteousness. He calls for a young man to retrieve Saul’s spear, reinforcing his peaceful intentions.

David prays that just as he valued Saul’s life, God will value his own and deliver him from tribulation. Saul blesses David, prophesying that he will achieve great things and prevail. This encounter marks the final time Saul pursues David, as subsequent events shift Saul’s focus. Mike notes that in the following chapters, Saul and his army face the Philistines in battle. Despite Saul’s earlier decrees against sorcery, he consults the Witch of Endor to summon Samuel’s spirit, seeking guidance about the impending battle. Samuel’s appearance shocks the witch, and he reaffirms his earlier prophecy that Saul and his sons will die in the battle against the Philistines. True to this prophecy, Saul, his sons (including Jonathan), and his army are defeated, and Saul meets his death, effectively ending his pursuit of David.

Mike concludes the narrative of Saul’s fate, describing how Saul, wounded in battle against the Philistines, requested his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword to avoid a dishonorable death. The armor-bearer refused, unwilling to strike the king. Consequently, Saul took his own life by falling on his sword, and the armor-bearer then killed him as well. This event fulfills the prophecy delivered by Samuel through the Witch of Endor, as Samuel had foretold that Saul and his sons would die in the battle. Mike emphasizes that Saul’s death, as predicted, marks the end of his pursuit of David and aligns with Samuel’s earlier warnings, bringing closure to the conflict central to the lesson.

Mike transitions to a closing prayer, addressing God with gratitude for the lessons learned from the study of 1 Samuel 26. The prayer acknowledges God’s ability to “stir up” people and events, expressing a desire for divine guidance to be stirred toward doing good and obeying God’s voice. Mike also intercedes for those in need, specifically mentioning Tom Freed’s mother, who is in hospice care, and asks for strength and support for her family. The prayer concludes with a request for future opportunities to gather and study God’s word, emphasizing the importance of searching and following scripture to live in a manner pleasing to God. The congregation responds with “Amen,” signaling the end of the session.