THE FEAR OF GOD'S SPIRIT
1 Samuel 18-20

Saul against David

1. Saul has slain his thousands ...
2. Reaction: Angry, galled, jealous
3. Tormented despite David’s music

   Once the people praise David, Saul loses his cool and his graciousness.
   He is troubled by the evil spirit even though David is ministering to him through music.

Saul’s Violence

1. Throws Spear Twice – 18:10
2. Sent to battle – 18:16
3. Price for the Bride – 18:24
4. Jonathan/Truce – 19:1-7
5. Spear again – 19:9
6. Assassination at Night – 19:11-17
7. Pursuit – 19:18-24

Outcome

• David benefits Saul and Israel with his success
• Saul grows more fearful and jealous
• Saul is afraid of God’s Spirit upon David

The Triumph of God’s Spirit

• Saul and his troops are overwhelmed by the Spirit of God
• Saul is reduced to ecstatic prophesy – He is “among the prophets.”
• Saul will not finally be able to resist God’s Spirit

Another Truce? – 1 Samuel 20

• Jonathan advocates for David
• Arrow message
• Covenant between David and Jonathan
• David hides out from Saul

Flight or Fight

• David does not seek advantage
• David will not retaliate
• Maintains innocence
• Oath with Jonathan

  David does not seek advantage by marrying Saul’s daughter or by taking advantage of the military.
  David could easy fight Saul – he defeated Goliath
  He chooses to elude Saul
  Question of who has the Spirit ...

A House Divided – Psalm 55

12. If an enemy were insulting me,
    I could endure it;
    if a foe were raising himself against me,
    I could hide from him.
13. But it is you, a man like myself,
    my companion, my close friend,
14. with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 7 June 2009

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