Introduction:
A. Let’s start with a Peanuts comic strip.
1. Peppermint Patty falls asleep at school.
2. When she awakes, she says: “OOPS! Sorry Ma’am! I guess I dozed off for a second.”
3. She continued: “I dreamed I had just been given a scholarship to Vassar.”
4. Then she mutters: “Well, back to reality!”
5. That’s how life is sometimes – after a moment of hopefulness or reprieve, reality can come crashing back upon us.
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 – “Back to life, back to reality.”
2. That’s something that David surely experienced in the aftermath of killing Goliath the giant.
3. People sometimes say that the toughest trials come just after a 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 a situation which was almost more than he could take.
C. One of the ways that God was gracious to David and is gracious to us is that God gives us 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 specifically what will happen beyond today, except for the general promises of His presence and provision, and eternal life.
2. We must take life one day at a time – that’s the way God dispenses life.
3. A person might think that after David killed the giant, then he immediately was given the throne, but that’s not what took place.
4. As a matter of fact, after the giant-slaying David faced some of the deepest, longest, and darkest valleys of his entire life.
5. David didn’t become king until he was 30 years old and that was 10 to 15 years down the road.
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, so 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 onto the battlefield or had never carried a sword, but he ran out onto the battlefield, faced a giant almost 10 feet tall, and overcame him with one throw of a stone from his 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 that point, as David’s life unfolded, four different relationships became very significant.
1. God’s hand was on David, for sure.
2. Ultimately, God was preparing David to become one of the greatest kings 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 often the best training ground for spiritual growth and preparation for leadership.
4. Let’s briefly 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 was 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? David 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. That is such an important lesson for all of us to learn – faithful submission and effective service will lead to promotion and prominence – if not in this world, then in the next.
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. Jonathan was a wonderful gift for David from the Lord.
3. God knew that David was going to need an faithful 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 counterintuitive nature of it.
5. If anyone should have felt threatened by David’s rise and prominence 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, his 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 defended David against his own father on numerous occasions, and it almost cost him his life – now, that is a good friend, wouldn’t you say?
3. Another important characteristic of a good friend is being a source of encouragement.
a. Jonathan was a source of encouragement and one of the best examples of that comes later in the story when David was on the run from Saul and was at one of his lowest points.
b. It is interesting that Saul couldn’t catch up with David, but without difficulty, Jonathan was 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 and 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 homosexual relationships.
1. Their relationship was a true, deep friendship that transcended the circumstances in which both men found themselves.
2. But their relationship 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. Their friendship is not a foundation or prooftext for homosexual relationships, but is a great example of what friendship is all about.
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. That 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 so he gave the glory to God.
4. He did not parade himself before the public to win their approval.
5. David allowed his exploits alone to speak for themselves – he didn’t have to toot his own horn.
6. David was wise enough to remain subservient to his king.
B. The fact that David conducted himself properly in the face of such exaltation, didn’t guarantee that Saul would react properly.
1. Ultimately, 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 a different story – which leads to the last relationship we want to discuss.
IV. David’s Relationship of Opposition with Saul.
A. If you didn’t already know the story, you 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 was right here – “from that time on…”
3. David had done nothing to warrant Saul’s suspicion and mistreatment.
4. David, in fact, had 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 the Lord – they do what’s right and other people just don’t like it.
6. Doing what is right doesn’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly, as a 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. But 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 would be 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, when 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 and cause David to be a fugitive, on the run for many years.
4. There is a Native American saying that 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 insure his own destruction.
Conclusion: Lessons for Our Lives
A. One lesson we learn from today’s study 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 and don’t worry about whether tomorrow will be a day of victory or defeat.
3. If today is a day of suffering or discouragement, then 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.
5. We must live life one day at a time – living in the present, not the past or the future.
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 to be 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 am I?
b. Am I trustworthy and steadfast in friendship?
c. Do I seek to give as much or more than I receive in friendship?
d. Do I take the initiative to stay in touch with my friends?
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. In future sermons, we will be looking to see how David dealt with his enemy, King Saul.
2. We will see that David refused to fight back or get even, rather he just kept doing the right thing.
3. And when things got too hot, he fled the scene – sometimes avoiding our enemies is the best strategy for our own protection.
4. Jesus told us to love our neighbors and to love our enemies – probably because sometimes they are 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!” (He knew that would mean his rival would lose both his eyes)
3. 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.”
4. I hope we can learn to trust in the Lord and be content with whatever the Lord gives to us and whatever the Lord gives to others, even if others receive more than us or have it easier than us.
5. Envy is so dangerous and destructive – so, beware of it!
E. Ultimately, walking in victory is the difference between doing what pleases us and what pleases the Lord.
1. Like David, we need to stand fast and do what is right with perseverance – for that’s what pleases God.
2. Sometimes reality stinks and reality can bite and be harsh, but God will carry us through if we will let Him – David trusted in the Lord and we can follow his example.
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
