
An Unlikely Peace | 1 Samuel 18-20
And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. 9 Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. 10 And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. (1 Samuel 19:8-10, ESV)
I. The Spirit of the Lord & Spirits from the Lord
II. Man’s Intention and God’s Provision
III. An Unlikely Peace
The Spirit of the Lord & Spirits from the Lord
“Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him.” (16:14)
The Old Testament Understanding of the Spirit of Yahweh
Samson: Strength for deliverance (Judges 14:6, 19)
Gideon: Empowered leadership (Judges 6:34)
Saul: Empowered as king (1 Samuel 10:10)
David: Ongoing anointing (1 Samuel 16:13)
Jesus: Anointed for Ministry (Matthew 3:16-17)
The Old Testament Understanding of Spirits from Yahweh
What Will God Not Do?
1. He will not contradict His goodness or righteousness
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his works.” (Psalm 145:17)
2. He will not tempt anyone by leading them to sin
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13)
The Old Testament Understanding of Spirits from Yahweh
What Will God Do?
He will use evil to accomplish His purposes
Joseph’s circumstances (Genesis 50:20)
Pharaoh’s hardened heart (Exodus 4)
The lying spirit (1 Kings 22)
The crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:22-23)
Why would God send a “spirit of evilness” upon Saul?
Is God punishing Saul for his disobedience and rejection of God’s Word?
Is God revealing something about Saul’s heart?
Is God providing a way for David to enter the story?
Man’s Intention and God’s Provision
God’s Hidden Hand of Provision
i. The Marriage Plot (18:18-27)
ii. The Friendship Plot (19:1-7)
God’s Not-So-Hidden Hand of Provision
i. David Runs to Michal (19:11-17)
ii. David Runs to Samuel (19:18-24)
iii. David Runs to Jonathan (20:1-42)
David Runs to Samuel (19:18-24)
What does Samuel represent to David?
What does Samuel represent to Saul?
The Undoing of Saul’s Anointing
The Well: (9:11 v. 19:22)
The Spirit of Prophecy: (10:10 v. 19:23)
The Robe of Royalty: (15:27-28 v. 19:24)
The Confirmation of Others: (10:11 v. 19:24)
David Runs to Jonathan
Appealing to the Covenant (20:1-11)
Confirming the Covenant (20:12-17
i. a covenant of advocacy
ii. a covenant of peace
The Cost of Covenant
The Assault on Jonathan’s Character (20:30)
The Assault on Jonathan’s Identity (20:31)
The Assault on Jonathan’s Loyalty (20:32-34)
An Unlikely Peace
Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. (1 Samuel 20:42, ESV)
The Promise of an Advocate
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
Paraklétos = advocate
The Promise of Suffering
Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. (John 16:20)
The Promise of Peace
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:32)