Thanking Joan

David's character in this incident with Nabal and Abigail. David is a man of faith,a bold leader and good and a humble person. Despite all the good qualities he possessed,everyone also has certain weaknesses which can be seen in the face of a situation. Here David shows his anger when insulted and humiliated by Nabal and his anger provokes him to tell his people to take thier swords and march towards Nabal to kill him. He does not take time to think but angry impatient and impulsive and does not even think what consequences it follows. Acting according to his mind without thinking or even praying to God. Abigail is a woman of faith,wisdom and good undertanding. As her servants tell her the news that her husband Nabal is in danger she takes actions immediately and takes a wise action by going to David and advising about what he is about to do. She is a peacemaker of the family,stands by her husband though cruel and is willing to take the trouble and save her husband. She is wise and possesses maturity to speak and handle the situation. Her words do have a power on David and he is softened and humbled and realises what mistake he was going to commit.Abigails soft words and humility changed Nabal is a cruel and a selfish man and has no kindness for people. This story is included in 1 Samuel to know more about Davids nature and to know about Abigail This incident has added surely lot of understading to me. Davids nature shows how though we could be having faith and trust in God ,often when insulted or hurt we take matter in our hands and will have to end up facing bad results. We need to trust and run to God at all times.He will see us through. Abigails nature shows how a wise godly woman can prevent disasters. God helps us and protects us even when he do not go to Him . He sent Abigail to David as his counselor when he was about to harm Nabal. When we are faithful to God,he will cause his angels around us and direct our paths. When Davis sought the advise of Abigail,God took it up and struck Nabal. When we taking counsel of the godly and be patient and humble God will see us through and deal with our offenders

We are to respect God's annointed servants . We have to treat them well and not judge as we will be judged. In 1 Timothy we are asked not to entertain accusation against the elders unless there are witnesses to what they have done. If theysin they should be rebuked publicly If Gods people are slandered martyred pr persecuted God will surely deal with them with His wrath

David does not kill Saul because he believes Saul is the Lord's annointed servant. Also David was loyal to Saul as he was his master. David believed God and He obeyed his God by not touching his annointed. The motive to kill Saul is he was after their lives and wanted to kill them. The rationale of David to spare Saul is he believed Saul was God's annointed man. Davids character shows humility,obedience to God, forgiving and asking God to charge and judge his enemy. Marvellous faith in God. Bold and courageous asking God to deliver him form his enemies. Trusting on God and not his power or strength. David was a man of God and was therefore a bold leader .His leadership abilities helped him dissade his men from killing Saul.

Psalm 18 is the one which is a celebration psalm All the others arise from struggles. David always looks up to His God. His faith is so firm that He only cries aloud to God . He knows only His God and none can deliver Him. His faith is firm and he always trusts His God. Psalm 34 is my favorite psalm It gives me lot of strength as I say it and every word of it relates to my circumstances of life

Jonathan's visit to David is God led. Jonathan was aware of Davids struggle for his life. They had a covenant of love and to help each other in times of trouble. Joanathan visits his friend in the wilderness to assure him that he will be not harmed by his father Saul and no matter what he would end up being the King of Israel. It was risky for both David and Jonathan as they could be killed by Saul. Jonathan's visit to David meant everything. Here is David amidst such a big trial of life,running for his life .. probably weary and tired.. and here is Jonathan coming with words of love and ,encouragement . David is helped to find strength in his God. When we are alone and in the wilderness,a unexpected visit from a dear friend with words of comfort and assurance saying dont worry all is going to be well,you will come through it means quite quite a lot. Yes. presently I too am facing a challenging situation. I know my victory is close.. I have a dear friend who is reading the word of God and promises over me everyday.

Abiathar and the ephod both helped David to understand the will of God before taking any decisions. David believed in his God. Experiences of the past showed him that God will direct his paths when he seeks Him. Most assuredly victory was his when he sought the Lord. Therefore David inquired of the Lord before his move to attack his enemies. When a person goes to the Lord for his guidance and direction He is going to succeed. When we trust our flesh and our strength we fail but the one who goes to the Lord shall be blessed and prospered in all He does. Gods will can be found out by seeking him in worship and prayer. When we abide in his presence He will speak his will to us through his Holy spirit. Often a man of God would come our way to speak God's will over our life. When you constantly abide in the Lord .. he will direct our paths.

David's men were attracted towards him because they believed in Davids leadership ,his past victories and his faith in God. They wanted a leader to lead them and also free them from Saul who was pursuing them. They were all in trouble,in debt,discontented and were pursued by Saul. These were all men who were pusued by Saul,rebelled against him. David would definetley have some trouble leading them because they were all of different backgrounds.He also had to maintain them and their families. Not a easy task to lead a group of 400 all of different kind

The nature of covenant between David and Jonathan is one of love,mutual trust and and strong bond with each other. David receives protection over his life and Jonathan is protecting David from his intentions of killing david. Jonathan receives favour for himself and his future desecendants when David is to become the King. I think David benefits much more since his life his spared and He is able to make it to become the future King. No its not self serving. Both have genuine love and trust for each other and both are willing to give more of themselves to each other and help each other They valued their friendship so much they made God their witness ..

Saul has become disobedient,lost his faith in God and even more does not want David to live as he is jealous. all this drives him to pursue David even when David sought the sanctuary of Samuel. People prophesy when the Holy spirit is upon them because they are annointed by the spirit of God to prophesy. Thats a gift of the Holy spirit. At the day of Pentecost, the Holy spirit came upon the disciples and they also speaking in tongues.

I personally feel the chief motivation of David want to marry Michal could be love or desire for Michal . He was aware that Michal loved him. Also could be his pride in his military prowess. David always won the battles and he was confident that he would win this battle with the Philistines.

Saul was getting jealous with David's success. David was praised more than Saul by the women when the battle was won. David becomes a threat to Saul and so he plans to send him to battle with the Philistines so that he would die. David is man of God. Truly, the Lord is with him and what Saul meant for his harm turns out for the good of David he returns back winning the battle. The Lord his God gives him success. Davids success is attributed to his faith in God.

Q3. (1 Samuel 17:47) Why do we so often forget that "the battle is the Lord's"? What does that phrase actually mean? How can we avoid the arrogance of pulling God into our battles ("God is on my side"), rather than engaging in His battles ("I am on God's side") We tend to forget that battle is the Lord simply because we fail to put that matter into the hands of the Lord. We are rather proud,arrogant and not submissive to the Lord. We take it in our hands and do everything to fight it out because we chose not to trust God. The phrase actually means is when you have committed yourself entirely to the Lord.all thats concerning me is the Lords. He will fight it out for me ,rather deal with me and equip me with power and grace and strength to march on and fight the battle. He is with me all the time and through Him I can win . Obedience,trust and submitting totally to the will of God reduces my arrogance of pulling Him into our battles. Prayer praise and worship and spending time daily with the Lord and his word makes me hear more of Him. The spirit of the Lord will guide us ,instruct us and help us face any battle provided I abide and remain in the Lord. Childlike faith in the Lord and submitting my will to Him will surely help us win any battles

2. (1 Samuel 17:34-37) What does David's explanation to Saul of his combat experience say about David's faith?David explains how God had helped him fight the lion and the bear. They are dangerous animals to be fought with yet God helped David and kept him from all harm. David is testifying God's power ,and that God is able to resucue and deliver usfrom the most dangerous animals. How lethal is David as a warrior? He is very lethal as a warrior. His faith in God had helped him win fights against dangerous animals,he has all the qualities of a true warrior,and that is why he is just not scared to face a huge giant like Goliath. Faith in God can help fight giants. Why do you think Saul allows him to go out to battle Goliath? Saul probably now wants some one to fight this man Goliath. He and his army are around there 40 days and Saul was in need of a man with courage. Here is David who testifies to Him that how God delivered him and the courage David shows is tremendous. His powerful testimony of Gods power in his life made him send David to fight Goliath. Does Saul have faith? Saul yes,knew his God. David instills courage in him and talks about his faith in God. This would have increased Saul's faith. If so, what is the source of it?Saul believed more of Davids words and saw this young boy's determination and courage. Saul like most of us did not dare to believe that God would help him fight Goliath. When we are faced with huge giants of trouble its difficult to understand Gods power as we chose to see Goliath and not our God.

Q1. (1 Samuel 17:26-30) Why is David so upset about Goliath's taunt? David loved his God. David also loved God's people. He was upset because here is man Goliath who was shouting insults against the people of Israel. It was hurting for him to hear his taunts and he is upset.Goliath thought there was none who was able to fight against him in the army of Israel. David was angered probably for this reason as Goliath thought the Israelites were weak and wouldnt fight against him. Why is Eliab, David's brother, so upset with David? Eliab thought being the eldest,he was able to fight the Philistines and not David. He looked down upon David as his younger brother moreover only a shepherd boy. He probably also envied the courage and faith David had. In Eliab's eyes he wasnt fit to fight the war or ask such questions or even speak to the other men of the army. What does this teach us about David's faith? David's faith in God is unshakeable. He does not fear the giant but through his faith he sees how big his God is. Absolute faith in God that He is surely able to help him fight such a huge giant. Faith with no doubts and trust in God not in self. What does it teach us about Eliab's character? Eliab though the eldest and chosen by his father to be in the army to fight the war,he lacks faith courage and trust as David did. More a man who believes in self and his strength.

David was a musician and therefore Saul found comfort when the evil spirit was tormenting him. He appointed Saul to sing and play music tp drive the evil spirit away. God used this particular situation in Davids life for a higher purpose. God chose David to be the future king of Israel and hence placed him in the training camp of Saul's court so that David could learn the art of governing and everything that a King was supposed to know about ruling.God puts us in places we think we are there for somebody,but God uses these places of training camps for us to learn things to be put in future use according to our calling. What prevents us from learning from God in our circumstances is unbelief,faith in other people and things,doubts etc. We tend to go everywhere and to everything rather than first running and seeking the presence of God. What makes us more teachable is a humble and a childlike spirit. We must be open to teaching and correction. This can come only with a repentant heart and a heart of humility. Recognising that God is above all and the Spirit of the Lord is the teacher,I humble myself everyday to learn and be taught rather than believing in my strength

When Samuel annoints David he becomes the King. The annoiting of God changes David from a ordinary person into a King. The annoiting makes David Gods chosen king over Israel and He is now under Gods care. The annointing sets him apart for Gods work and Gods purposes to be fulfilled through Davids life.The annointing takes him to a different level and an authority over Gods own people. David is annointed with the oil and the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God enabled David to accomplish huge and mighty things which he could do not do otherwise. The Spirit of God would lead him guide him,empower him strengthen Him and grant him success in all he would do. As believers in Jesus Christ , the Spirit is promised to us as our Comforter and Counselor. We are not alone at all,but we have the glorious Spirit of God within us to walk this christian walk. The Holy spirit helps us and leads us and we are able to do all things in Christ. Through the Spirit of God we are blessed and able to serve the God according to the calling He has placed in our lives.

We must always have a listening ear and sensitive to the voice of the Holy spirit in us. In this story Samuel was careful to listen and not do hwat he thought wpuld be the best to do. Our flesh and mind may sometimes be against the Spirit and we may tend to do and hear things what our flesh would direct us than actually hearing God. By hearing God we will do what God wants us to do and it will result in a blessing. If we do not hear him we end up in wrong doings and failures. Samuel annointed David as he heard God and not his intellect to chose the right King Our insinctive way of discerning is to follow our mind in a given situation. We tend to take immediate actions rather than spending time in the presence of God and hearing Him what he has to say and guide us to do. God is teaching us to discern by being calm and getting into His presence,and reading His word to know what he wants us to do. A continual spirit of praise thanks and worship keeps me in tune with Gods word and his teachings and I am able to hear his voice more clearly. We learn to listen to the Holy spirit when we surrender ourselves totally to God. We put Gods word first and do accordingly though we may be tempted to do things our way. Prayer praise and worship reading the word will help us to listen to the Spirit of God. We must be filled with his Spirit thorough prayer daily so that we can hear Him

Q1. (1 Samuel 15:22-23). What is rebellion? In what way is rebellion as bad as witchcraft or occult practices? What does rebellion have to do with arrogance? What can we do when we find rebellion against God in our hearts? What happens if we do nothing? According to the Word of god rebellion is like the sin of divination and arrogance like the evil of idolatory. It is as bad as witchcraft and occult practices because it is a sin which turns one away from God and rely on his or her own evil practices .When we find rebellion against God we must go Him immediately acknowledge our sin before Him and ask him to forgive us and restore us. If we do nothing we will continue to be more deep in sin,we will lose the Spirit of God in our lives and end up with more sin.