Introduction:
A. The story is told of three men who began talking one day about their wives.
1. The first man said, “When we got married, I told my wife in no uncertain terms that from now on she would have to do all the cooking. Well, the first day after I told her, I saw nothing. The second day I saw nothing. But on the third day when I came home from work, the table was set, a wonderful dinner was prepared...and there was even dessert.”
2. The second man spoke up, “I sat my wife down and told her that from now on she would have to do all the shopping, and also do all the cleaning. The first day I saw nothing. The second day I saw nothing. But on the third day when I came home, the whole house was spotless, and in the pantry the shelves were filled with groceries.”
3. The third man sat up straight, pushed out his chest and said: “I gave my wife a stern look and told her that from now on she would have to do all the cooking, shopping and housecleaning. Well the first day I saw nothing. The second day I still saw nothing. But on the third day I could see a little bit out of my left eye.”
4. That’s how life is sometimes – it hits us right between the eyes, and we come crashing back to reality.
B. I’ve borrowed the title for today’s sermon from a catchy, funky song from the 1990’s recorded by En Vogue.
1. It’s a phrase we often sing, in our family, when we want to express the experience of getting back to reality.
2. That’s something that David surely experienced in the aftermath of killing Goliath the giant.
3. We might say that the toughest trials come just after the victory.
4. That’s certainly a time when we are often most vulnerable to temptation, and to discouragement – at least that’s been my experience.
5. Following David’s victory over Goliath, David stepped into an arena which was almost more than he could take.
C. How gracious of God to give both us and David only one day at a time.
1. I’m convinced that one of the best things that God does for us is to keep us from knowing what will happen beyond today.
2. We are to take life one day at a time – that’s the way God dispenses life, right?
3. I wonder how many people think that a few days after David killed the giant, he took the throne.
4. Well, in case you were one who thought that, you need to know it didn’t happen that way.
5. As a matter of fact, the aftermath of the giant-slaying led David into one of the deepest, longest, and darkest valleys of his entire life – David was 30 yrs old when he became king, so that was 10 to 15 years later.
6. This young man who had proved himself faithful among the sheep and on the battlefield went from the highest pinnacle of success and popularity, to the lowest point of despair as he became a fugitive on the run from a demented king.
D. I’m getting a little ahead of myself, let’s review last week’s lesson for just a minute.
1. Last week we witnessed the young David, not yet 20 years old, a man who had never worn a uniform in the army of Israel, who had never once run into the battlefield or had never carried a sword, ran out onto the battlefield, faced a giant almost 10 feet tall, and overcame him with one throw of a sling.
2. As a result, David gained instant prominence and popularity. He became a national hero.
3. The people began to sing his praises, and Saul made good on his promise to enrich the man who killed Goliath.
4. David became a permanent member of the king’s court.
5. All of this happened overnight – very few people could take all that in stride, but David did.
6. David really did have the right kind of heart. – humble, and faithful.
E. At this point, as David’s life unfolds, four different relationships become very significant.
1. God’s hand was on David, for sure.
2. Ultimately, God was going to use him as the greatest king in the history of Israel, but in order to do that, God had to shape him and sharpen him.
3. David was about to enter the crucible of pain and suffering – which is usually the best training ground for spiritual growth and preparation for leadership.
4. Let’s look at each of these significant relationships that developed in David’s life, and see what lessons the Lord would have us learn from them.
I. David’s Relationship of Submission with Saul.
A. One of the first things that happened in the aftermath of the victory over Goliath was that Saul would not let David return to his sheep.
1. The Bible says, “From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house…Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.” (1 Sam. 18:2, 5)
2. Notice that David is the champion of champions, the slayer of the giant, and yet he went wherever Saul sent him.
3. David lived in loyal submission to his king – he did so for the next 10 – 15 years in spite of Saul’s treachery. .
4. And what was the result? He prospered. Four times in this chapter it says David prospered.
5. David simply did what God led him to do – He submitted to authority and God lifted him up above his peers.
6. What an important lesson for all of us to learn.
II. David’s Relationship of Affection with Jonathan.
A. Meanwhile, standing in the shadows as David stood before the king, was another young man, Jonathan, the son of King Saul.
1. The Bible says, “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself…And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.” (1 Sam. 18:1,3-4)
2. What a wonderful gift from God was Jonathan.
3. God knew that David was going to need an intimate friend to walk with him through the dark valley that lay ahead of him.
4. This was a friendship that would become proverbial – both because of the intensity of it and the illogical nature of it.
5. If anyone should have felt threatened by David’s rise it was Jonathan, but none of that was ever evident.
6. In spite of the fact that Jonathan should have been the heir apparent, there was never a sign of pettiness, envy or anger.
B. In Jonathan we see some of the very best characteristics of friendship.
1. A good friend is willing to sacrifice.
a. You don’t have to beg a good friend for a favor, do you?
b. Here we see that Jonathan wanted to give David something that belonged to him and something that was meaningful to him.
c. So Jonathan gave David his robe, his armor, his sword, bow and belt.
2. Second, a good friend is a loyal defender before others.
a. A good friend is not a fair-weather friend – he doesn’t talk against you behind your back.
b. As we will see later, Jonathan defends David against his own father on numerous occasions, and it almost costs him his life.
c. Now that’s a good friend!
3. Another important characteristic of a good friend is being a constant source of encouragement.
a. Jonathan was a constant source of encouragement, and one of the best examples of that comes later in the story, when David is on the run from Saul and is at one of his lowest points.
b. Saul can’t catch up with David, but Jonathan is able to go to David and bring him encouragement.
c. The Bible says, “While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.’ The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.” (1 Sam. 23:15-18)
d. What a powerful and touching scene.
e. We all need a friend like that! We all need to be a friend like that!
C. I think it is shameful that some have tarnished this beautiful story by trying to claim that the friendship between David and Jonathan provides a biblical basis for homosexuality.
1. Their relationship was a true, deep friendship that transcended the circumstances in which both men found themselves.
2. It was a wholesome, God-honoring relationship that God used in the lives of both men – and their friendship even blessed the future lives of their families.
3. It certainly is not a foundation for homosexual relationships.
III. David’s Relationship of Elevation and Exaltation with the People of Israel.
A. The plot thickens as we observe the reaction of the people of Israel to the success of David.
1. The Bible says, “Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul’s officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’” (1 Sam. 18:5-7)
2. This kind of adulation would be disastrous for most people – it would go to their heads, and lead to all kinds of problems – but not with David.
3. David had the right kind of heart, and he gave the glory to God.
4. He did not parade himself before the public to win their approval.
5. David was wise enough to remain subservient to his king.
6. David allowed his exploits alone to speak for themselves.
B. The fact that David conducted himself properly in the face of such exaltation, didn’t guarantee that Saul would react properly.
1. We are not responsible for the actions and reactions of others, but we are responsible for our own actions and reactions.
2. David certainly handled it in stride, but Saul was another story – which leads to the last relationship we want to discuss.
IV. David’s Relationship of Opposition with Saul.
A. If we didn’t already know the story, most of us could probably guess where all of this was headed.
1. The Bible says, “Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’ And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (1 Sam. 18:8-9)
2. The turning point in their relationship is right here – “from that time on…”
3. What had David done to warrant Saul’s suspicion and mistreatment? Nothing at all.
4. David, in fact, has done everything right – He had served God, killed an enemy giant, submitted himself to his superior, and behaved properly.
5. I know it’s not fair, but that’s often how it goes for those who obey God – they do what’s right and other people don’t like it.
6. Doing what is right doesn’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly, matter of fact, it probably guarantees that it won’t.
7. Paul said, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12)
B. Let me say one thing in Saul’s defense.
1. We know that the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and that an evil spirit was tormenting him, but even if that were not the case, this is a tough situation for anyone.
2. Let’s be honest – how many of us would be able to see one of our subordinates receive that kind of adulation?
3. Saul went from numero uno, to numero dos, or worse, in an instant.
4. This situation would be a challenge for most of us, no matter how spiritual or humble we might be.
C. Unfortunately for David, Saul was neither spiritual, nor humble at this point, and it was more than he could handle.
1. As we will see, as we look at the rest of the story in future lessons, Saul’s madness will cause him to make David’s life miserable.
2. Saul will lose sight of all wholesome and responsible objectives.
3. He will make David, the object of his jealousy, a fugitive, on the run for many years.
4. A saying of Native Americans was true for Saul and David, “The hated one looks upon the hater and watches him destroy himself.”
5. Saul’s hatred and desire to destroy David will in fact bring about his own destruction.
Conclusion: Lessons for Our Lives
A. One lesson we learn from today’s text is - Live life one day at a time.
1. Jesus taught, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mt. 6:34)
2. If today is a day of victory, rejoice in it, don’t worry about whether tomorrow will be a day of victory or defeat.
3. If today is a day of suffering or discouragement, don’t worry about whether tomorrow will be the same.
4. We must trust that God will provide what we need for each day and each situation.
B. Another lesson we learn is - We need good friends.
1. If you really don’t have a good friend then ask God to give you one.
2. Friends can really help us face whatever comes our way.
3. Solomon the wise man said,
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Eccl. 4:9-12)
4. Hopefully those of us who are married will be able to consider our spouse our best friend.
5. And certainly, those of us who are Christians, should find that we have no friend like Jesus.
a. Like the old song says, “There’s not a friend, like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no not one!”
6. This is probably a good time to ask ourselves some important questions:
a. What sort of a friend are you?
b. Are you trustworthy and steadfast in friendship?
c. Do you seek to give as much or more than you receive in friendship?
d. Do you take the initiative to stay in touch and to keep the friendship fresh?
7. As you have probably heard before – the best way to have a good friend is to be one.
C. A third lesson for us to consider is – Being positive and wise is the best reaction to an enemy.
1. We will be looking to see how David dealt with his enemy, King Saul.
2. David refused to fight back or get even. He just kept doing the right things.
3. And when things got too hot, he fled the scene – sometimes avoiding our enemies is the best strategy.
4. Jesus told us to love our neighbors and to love our enemies – probably because they are sometimes the same people.
5. Oscar Wilde said, “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
6. Paul put it this way, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)
7. Sometimes it possible to turn enemies into friends by loving them – but even if we can’t turn them into friends, loving them is the right thing to do.
D. One final lesson I want to leave us with is – Beware of the danger of envy.
1. Saul was jealous of David and it destroyed him.
2. The story is told of two shopkeepers who were bitter rivals.
a. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other’s business.
b. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival.
c. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much.
Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?”
d. The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, “Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!”
2. For many of us it is easier to show sympathy, and therefore, “weep with those who weep,” than it is to exhibit joy, and therefore, “rejoice with those who rejoice.”
3. Can we learn to trust in the Lord and be content with whatever the Lord gives to us and to others?
4. Envy is so dangerous – so beware of it!
E. Ultimately, walking in victory is the difference between doing what pleases us and what pleases God.
1. Like David, we need to stand fast and do what is right without tiring of it – that’s what pleases God.
2. Sometimes reality stinks – it can be a harsh reality – but God will carry us through if we will let him.
Resources:
David – A Man of Passion and Destiny, by Charles R. Swindoll, Word Publishing, 1997.
David I, by W. Phillip Keller, Word Books, 1985.
The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1962.
I and II Samuel, David F. Payne, The Daily Study Bible Series, Westminster Press, 1982
