October 6, 2024 Service
1 Samuel 19 (Read the entire passage)
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)
David has slain Goliath and now all the families of Israel talk and sing about him. He has become a hero, the one who stands with God and fights for His people. David continues to go out to war on behalf of Israel and is successful as the Lord’s hand is upon him. Saul’s jealousy of David deepens by the day and this week we read, “a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul” and Saul rises up to kill David.
What are we to understand about the Spirit OF and FROM the LORD?
The Spirit OF Yahweh comes for a specific time and purpose to accomplish his will and plans. The Spirit of the LORD comes to bring strength for deliverance (Samson), to empower leadership (Gideon), for empowering a king (Saul), as an ongoing anointing (David), and to anoint for ministry (Jesus).
The Spirit FROM Yahweh comes as sovereign over every spirit. God’s Spirit and work will never contradict His righteousness or goodness. He will not do evil nor temp anyone to do evil. Yet, God will work within spiritual forces, even evil ones, to accomplish His sovereign will. He is sovereign over everything.
Why would God send a harmful spirit upon Saul?
· Is it punishment of Saul? Not likely. God has already sought to console Saul previously.
· Is it to reveal Saul’s heart? Yes, Saul’s heart at its core is ultimately against God and this must be revealed.
· Is it a provision for David to do God’s will? Yes, God’s spirit is on David and the distinguishing difference between an unrighteous and righteous king can now be seen as David enters Israel’s story, a foreshadowing of the true king Jesus Christ.
As Saul rises up against David, he alludes Saul and escapes. God protects David. Then the full undoing of Saul’s anointing occurs (19:22-24). This is the fulfillment of the word spoken that The Lord would tear the kingdom away from Saul. David runs to Jonathan where a covenant is made between them, establishing advocacy and leading to peace. How can there be peace for David if he is going into exile on the run from Saul? Because his hope and trust is in the Lord. Unlike Saul, David waits when God says wait and he acts when God says to act.
What does God want to show us in this part of the story? That God works with any and every means, good and evil, truth and deceit, sin and righteousness to accomplish his will, purposes and plans.
We are invited to see God as David does and to put all of our hope and trust in the LORD just as David did.
Reflection
Is your heart more like Saul’s or David’s in posture before God?
Where or in whom do you put your trust?
There are only 2 spirits at work in the world, God and Satan. Which do you desire to be formed and led by? How can this change how you might pray?
David is a foreshadowing of Jesus, but Jesus has full and complete trust in the Father. Why is this significant? What is your heart response?
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Review 1 Samuel 18-19 (and settle into 19:8-10 specifically) – What stands out to you?
Talk about how and why God’s Spirit is given. Talk about how and why God send a harmful spirit. Does this still happen? Does it happen with us today?
What has led to Saul’s heart changing toward David? What is the outcome of this heart change? How can this happen in us also?
How is David showing trust in the Lord?
God works with any and every means, good and evil, truth and deceit, sin and righteousness to accomplish his will, purposes and plans. Do you believe this? How do you see it today? Why does this matter?
Talk about David as a foreshadowing of Jesus. What is similar in their circumstances. How did Jesus demonstrate ultimate trust in the Father? Why does this matter?
Pray together
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor