Growing In Godliness
1 Samuel 26
1 Samuel 26:1 (ESV)
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?”
1 Samuel 23:19 (ESV)
Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?"
Saul: How Sin Becomes a Cycle
1 Samuel 26:1–2 (ESV)
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah...?” So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David...
1st Saul Didn’t Recognize & Reject Temptation
1 Samuel 26:2 (ESV)
So Saul arose and went... with three thousand chosen men...
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you... but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape...
2nd Saul Didn’t Turn From His Sin
1 Samuel 24:17 (ESV)
“You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil."
1 Samuel 26:2b (ESV)
So Saul arose and went... with three thousand chosen men...
1 Samuel 26:21 (NKJV)
“I have sinned... Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.”
David: How Godliness Grows
1 Timothy 4:7b–8 (ESV)
Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way...
1 Samuel 26:3–6 (ESV)
David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come... David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped... “Who will go down with me into the camp...?”
1 Samuel 26:8–9 (ESV)
Abishai said, “God has given your enemy into your hand...” But David said... “Do not destroy him...”
1st David Chose What Was Right Over What Sounded Right
1 Samuel 26:10–11 (ESV)
“As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him... The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.”
2nd David Responded to the Conviction of the Holy Spirit
1 Samuel 24:5 (NIV)
David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
3rd David Didn’t Stop Speaking The Truth
1 Samuel 26:13–14 (ESV)
David went over to the other side... “Will you not answer, Abner?”
1 Samuel 26:17–20 (ESV)
“Is this your voice, my son David?” ... “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? ... Let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord...”
