1Samuel 24 / Leaders Guide week of 12-7-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
December 7, 2008

Series: Go Big
Message: Act Big When Others Act Small
1Samuel 24

Getting Started:
1. How do you think David was able to cut a piece of Saul’s robe off without getting busted?

• Saul may have laid his robe down in one part of the cave, and attended to his needs in another part, so David did not have to get right next to Saul to cut off a corner of his robe. Or, it may also be that there was enough noise and commotion from the thousands of men outside of the cave, along with their horses, so that David was simply undetectable.

Going Deeper:
2. Read verses 1-4. What made David decide, “I won’t kill Saul; instead I will just cut off the corner of his robe”?

• He knew that God’s promise said, “You will inherit the throne of Israel.” He knew that Saul was in the way of that promise. But he also believed it was disobedient of him to kill Saul, because God put Saul in a position of authority, and it was God’s job to take care of Saul, not David’s. David wanted the promise to be fulfilled, but he refused to try and fulfill God’s promise himself.
• Sometimes, when we have a promise from God, we think we are justified in sinning to pursue that promise. A husband may say, “God has promised me abundant life according to John 10:10. God wants me to have fullness of joy according to Psalm 16:11. I can’t have abundant life or fullness of joy being married to my wife, so I am going to leave her because I have found someone who does give me fullness of joy and abundant life. Thank you Lord for Your promise!” This is always sin. God will fulfill His promises, but He will do it His way, and do it righteously. Instead, we should be like Abraham, who obeyed God even when it seemed to be at the expense of God’s promise, willing to sacrifice the son of promise (Genesis 22).

3. In verse 5, it says David was conscience-stricken. What does that mean and why does he feel that way? Have you ever felt that way after something you had done?

• David saw Saul as the anointed of God and therefore, his leader. He was grieved that he had done something against a person whom God placed in authority over His people and accordingly, was worthy of the utmost reverence, respect and honor.
• David knew better than anyone that Saul was a troubled and corrupt leader, yet it was in God’s power to take him away - and David would not put his hand to do what was only the Lord’s to do.

4. Look at the question David asks in verse 9. Did Saul’s fear/hatred of David come from others or from Saul himself? Why does David ask the question in this way?

• I don’t know for sure why David asks this way but here’s a thought: David showed great kindness and tact to Saul. Saul’s fear of David came from Saul himself, and not from anyone else. But David puts the blame on nameless others, so that it is easier for Saul to say “They were wrong” instead of “I was wrong.”
• Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
• 1Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

5. What are some Bible verses or passages that teach about how we should respond to those who trouble us?

• Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 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. 20 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." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

6. God told David he would be king. God also told him that He would deliver Saul into his hands to do whatever he pleases. When David had the chance to kill Saul with God’s permission, why didn’t he do it?

• 1Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?

7. Wouldn’t David have been in the right to kill Saul? When has feeling like you are “in the right” caused you to do something, or consider doing something wrong?

8. Read verses 8-10. David wouldn’t lift his hand against Saul because he was the “Lord’s anointed.” What does this say about David’s perception of his relationship with Saul? What does this say about our relationships with those God has placed in authority?

• The phrase “touch not the Lord’s anointed” is popular among some Christians, and in some leadership circles. Often, to them, it means this: “You should never speak against a pastor or a leader. Sometimes it is used even to prevent a Biblical evaluation of a man’s teaching. They like to use David’s actions here as an example. But when David recognized that Saul was the Lord’s anointed and refused to harm him, what David would not do is kill Saul. But he did humbly confront Saul with his sin, and hope to God that Saul would change his heart. But it is entirely wrong for people to use the idea of “touch not the Lord’s anointed” to insulate a leader from all evaluation or accountability.

9. In verse 16, Saul weeps aloud. How do you explain his behavior? Did Saul change his opinions about David after this encounter?

• Nope. Keep reading.

Putting it into practice:
10. Do you find it difficult to act big when others act small? What situation are you dealing with right now that need a "big" response? Pray about that in your groups.

Quote Of The Week:
We win most when we appear to have yielded most, and gain advantages by refusing to take them wrongfully. The man who can wait for God is a man of power.
--F.B. Meyer