1 Samuel
1Sa_3:1
In the days of Samuel there was no open vision and the Word of the Lord was precious or scarce because God had not given it all and was not giving it at the time. God needed a man or wanted to use a man to get His Word to the people. I now say to you that the vision is sill not open or at least not much and it is still precious and scarce. When you consider that 40% of the world has no way of hearing the Word and 65% of the world doesn't know you will realize that things are scarce. What are we to do. God is still looking for a man. God is still looking for someone to take His Word to the world. Will He have to get rid of the old men who have gotten off track before He can do something. Will we have to wait until Samuel is born and raised to proceed. I hope not. Will you step forward and say Lord here am I send me? That is the question why is the world still without the Gospel? It is because we will not yield ourselves to be used? WAG
1Sa_4:7
What an accusation! God is come into the camp and there hath not been such a thing heretofore. I am afraid that this is the condition of much of the work we are doing around the world today. We are busy. Things are happening but is God in the camp. Are we doing it in the flesh or in the spirit. Do we have God's power or is it our ability? Amazingly when the Philistines knew that God was in the camp they were afraid. I believe even Satan will tremble when he knows that God is in the camp. We can stop the forward spread of the Muslim religion but we must have God in the camp. We will be able to see the world evangelized in our generation but we must have God in the camp.
To get God in the camp they went and brought the ark to themselves. We must be careful that we do not try to use God or His power for our own intents and purposes. Symbols and show will not suffice. He must really be in the camp. How much time do we spend with Him in Bible study and prayer? In this story the Ark doesn't make the difference. They lose the battle and the ark. I want to know that I am God's man and that I do have His power so that the demons of Hell know both Paul, Jesus and me. Act_19:15 WAG
1Sa_4:9
The time has come to be men. In the story the Philistines are challenging each other to act like men. They know that if they do not do something now, if they do not act now, they will soon be servants or slaves to the Israelites. They do quit themselves like men and win the battle. Isn't it about time that the people of God realize how late the hour is? Isn't it time that the church begins to act like men. Too long we have sat passively by as the church grows weaker, the crowd gets older, our own young people switch to the other team and the world goes to Hell. The Scriptures says, rise up and act like men or soon Satan and his crowd will be ruling over us. The world will beat the church back to a small dark corner of the globe but if we realize what the hour is we can still make a difference. WAG
1Sa_10:26
This must be the prayer of every man of God whether missionary or pastor. We need a band of men whose hearts God has touched. The first step towards discipleship and mentoring is to find the right men to work with. The best way to start is by asking God to touch their hearts and bring them forward to serve Him. Before you ever get to your place of service begin asking God to give you men. Get the right goal in your ministry. Numbers of people in attendance is not the answer to your ministry. The key will be the amount of men that you can train to do the work. God knows where the men are. As you prepare yourself to teach and train God will prepare men for you to disciple. Let God give you some men. Ask for them. WAG
1Sa_13:19
The Philistines got rid of the smiths so that the Israelites could not make swords or spears. Satan has effectively done the same thing to the church of God today. Pastors, missionaries and other leaders refuse to mentor or disciple young men today. There is little or no life on life discipleship taking place around the world. Therefore very few know how to use their sword today which is the Word of God. We have become helpless before our enemy. We do not know how to train our young. 2Ti_2:2 has become a strange doctrine and an even stranger practice in our churches. We wonder why the work of God does not go forward but we have forgotten His greatest teaching which is that to carry on the gospel we must teach others to observe whatsoever He has commanded us. Mat_28:19-20. If the Israelites want to effectively do battle with the Philistines and other enemies in the future they will need to get some smiths again. If we truly desire to evangelize the world in our generation we will have to develop life on life disciplers and mentors once again. WAG
1Sa_13:22
An amazing story. Only two swords and spears in the entire army of Israel and yet they were unafraid to go into battle. They realized that their victory would be determined by the power of God and not the greatness of their weapons. As you go forth to do world evangelism remember that God uses your walk with Him and His power to make the difference. We nothing more than Him and His power and we can be used to make a great difference around the world. Instead of complaining about what we do not have maybe it is time to use what we have even if it is only sticks, rocks and slings. God will provide more when He is ready. WAG
1Sa_14:6
Jonathan has a sword and will not rest until he uses what God has given him. There are very few swords in Israel yet Jonathan has one. He is determined to use it . He goes looking for a fight. He finds one and then determines that God can and will win a battle if he will but trust Him. His enthusiasm touches his armor bearer so much that he is willing to go into battle. Do you have a sword and the preparation to use it. Are you looking for a fight or just waiting on God to do something to call you or force you into His service. He is coming soon. Time is short. Go look for a fight. WAG
1Sa_14:52
Forming a Band of Mighty Men of God
1Sa_10:26, 1Sa_14:52, 2Sa_23:8-39
I. The Secret to doing something great for God on the mission field 2Ti_2:2
a. Train a Band of Mighty Men
b. Jesus did it this way
c. Paul did it this way
d. The prophets did it this way
e. Eli—Samuel
f. Elijah—Elisha
g. Your success is based on the success of the men you train. You are successful when you make others successful
II. Qualifications of the leaders, the one who prepares the group of might men
a. A man who will stand and be counted 1Sa_17:32
b. A man who is prepared to go on in the face of doubters 1Sa_17:33
c. A man who has won the small victories 1Sa_17:34-37
d. A man who will dream great things for God 1Sa_14:6
e. A man who knows whose power it is that the job done. There are no great men of God only men of a great God. 2Sa_23:10, 2Sa_23:12, 1Sa_14:6
f. A man who is willing to risk himself for the cause 1Sa_14:8
III. What to look for in those who will become mighty men of God
a. Men who will strengthen themselves with the man of God 1Ch_11:10
b. Men who are willing to be helpers 1Ch_12:1
c. Men who are worthy of the battle 1Ch_12:8
d. Men who want to be trained to become ready armed 1Ch_12:33 be experts in war, understand what they ought to do 1Ch_12:32, be faithful 1Ch_12:38 love only God—be loyal 1Ch_12:38
e. Men who risk their lives their all for the cause of Christ and the Kingdom 1Ch_11:19
f. Men who are willing to pay the price 2Ti_2:3-4
g. Men of compassion Heb_5:1-4
WAG
1Sa_15:11
God was sorry that He had ever made Saul king! Why was He sorry? Because Saul did not perform His commandments. This truth brings a question to mind. Do you wonder if God was ever sorry or is ever sorry that He has set us up as those in charge of the Great Commission and the ministry of reconciliation? Could it be that He is sorry or disappointed in us because we do not perform His commandments? 2Co_5:18-19. Was the Great Commission given as a commandment to be performed or just a truth to be discussed? Did He literally mean it when He said go and teach all nations or is it open to discussion? Mat_28:18-20, Mar_16:15, Act_1:8. Didn't Saul "mean well" when he saved some of the livestock alive or when he waited on Samuel to kill him?! Didn't it at least make sense to him when he had to offer the sacrifice before the man of God arrived? Don't be so quick to condemn Saul until you have made it your purpose to perform the commandment you have been given. WAG
1Sa_15:13
Did Saul convince himself that he was actually obeying God? Did he really believe that he had performed the commandment of the Lord? Is partial obedience obedience at all? That brings us to the World Evangelism question. How many churches believe that they are performing the commandment of the Lord when we speak of the Great Commission? How many believe that because they win souls or have a visitation program close to their church that they are performing the Great Commission? Is that real obedience? Can we redefine the words of the Great Commission to mean doing our part or blooming in the corner where we are planted? Can we do a reality check and see if we are really performing or just think that we are performing the commandment of the Lord? Do we need to sit down and make a plan about what is really performing the commandment or the Great Commission? I do not believe that the church nor the men of God even give the Great Commandment a lot of thought. I believe that we have strayed so far from the commandment that we have virtually forgotten it. What will you say when you see the one who gave us the Great Commission. WAG
1Sa_15:22
How often do we boast about our worship when we have not obeyed the Great Commission? God met with us! We had a good service! What about obedience? The question is not the sacrifice but the obedience. How can we truly worship if we are not performing the Great Commission. God is not as interested in our worship as He is in our obedience. The church needs to worry about obeying the voice of the Lord. It is not a question of how much we give or how well we sing but how well we obey Him. "Go", "ye shall be my witnesses", "so send I you", "go and teach" are all commands. How much does He desire our obedience compared to our burnt offerings and sacrifice. WAG
1Sa_15:23
what is our relationship with the king if we are not obeying the Word of the Lord about fulfilling the Great Commission. I know that it comes across as a major insult to hear not obeying God is rebellion or a comparison with witchcraft, stubbornness, iniquity and idolatry but that seems to be what the verse implies. I know it speaks of Saul and his partial obedience but what does that have to do with our partial obedience and the Great Commission. Maybe we should rethink our participation in the Great Commission and World Evangelism. How much are you doing to get the gospel to the world? WAG
1Sa_16:11
I find it interesting to know a little about what a shepherd carried with him, therefore David would have had this with him.
Taken from "Daily Bible Study" http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/shepherd.htm
Equipment typically carried by Biblical shepherds included:
1. a bag made of a full goat's skin, with legs tied, in which was carried food or other items.
2. a sling for defending himself and the flock against wild animals.
3. a flute for entertaining himself and the sheep.
4. a cloak that was also used for night-time bedding.
5. a stick (rod) about a yard/meter long with a knob on one end.
6. a staff, or "shepherd's crook," that looked somewhat like a modern cane. WAG
1Sa_16:13
God chooses to use David as the next king over Israel.
David is the son of Jesse the Bethlehemite 1Sa_16:1
Samuel arrives at Jesse's house preparing to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel prepares to sanctify Jesse and his sons and offer a sacrifice but David is not even invited to the meeting. 1Sa_16:5
In 1Sa_16:6 Samuel sees Eliab and by all outward appearance he will surely be the Lord's anointed but God rejects him as well as all the other brothers because God does not look on the outward appearance 1Sa_16:7 but on the heart.
All seven of David's older brothers pass before Samuel and each is rejected. Amazingly no one has thought to invite David in from the sheep -- no one thought that David apparently should even be considered. 1Sa_16:11 WAG
1Sa_16:18
David is a man of war in this verse. Possibly the idea that David was but a boy when he fought against Goliath is a mistake. The man of war apparently is a man of 20 years or above: Num_1:3, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45; 26:2.
The idea that he was a young might have come from what Saul said to David. 1Sa_17:33. But notice that Goliath was also a man of war from his youth. WAG
1Sa_17:18
David was sent to see how they were faring and to take their pledge. The commentators are not certain what the pledge refers to. One opinion is that it refers to bringing back proof that his brothers were alive and ok. The idea seems more logical to me and that is that David was carrying their pledge or whatever was needed for any debts that they had incurred as soldiers.
Either way this pledge that David was sent to take gives a good idea of the relationship of the responsibility of the spiritual father to the soldier who is on the field and in the battle. The father one the one hand may have been concerned for their welfare and sent to find out how they were. Pastor you serve as a spiritual father to your missionaries. How often do you concern yourself to send a gift at the hand of a special messenger and send them to find out just how well your missionary is doing? Many times in missions the idea is out of sight out of mind. Not so with a true father and it should never be so with a pastor or spiritual father.
If on the other hand this pledge refers to helping with what ever needs the brothers may have had it is of equal importance. Make sure that he was what he needs. Be sure that you spiritual son is not having to hock what he has to pay the bills. Take his pledge, your faith promise, and meet his needs. It is not enough to boast about having sent out a missionary you must be personally concerned for both their welfare and their financial burdens. After all they are your spiritual sons. WAG
1Sa_17:33
David is again being judged on outward appearances. It is not the size of the man in fight but the size of the fight in the man. What Saul doesn’t know is that David has learned to trust God. David knows that God has used him in the past and will use him again. Saul sees youth but David sees God using him even though he is but a youth. Would to God that we would begin to look on the character, desire, and heart of a man to know how God will use him. David may have been young but God had been preparing him for a long time. He may be but a youth but God has been preparing him for just such a time as this.
Notice also that Saul believes that he can’t be used because he is a youth but Goliath had also been a man of war since his youth. Could it be that we spread doubt and fear instead of faith and power? Are we guilty of scaring the youth instead of motivating them? Do you shrink people or stretch them? I would have no desire to cause fear when God could use me to encourage. WAG
1Sa_17:37
David is prepared to fight the giant because God has prepared him by giving him experience in battle. The other battles were minor compared to this one. He had killed the lion and bear in hand to hand combat. He had used the simple elements that his father and profession had placed in his hands. He grabbed him by his beard and struck him maybe with his rod or even his bare hand. But the most important thing is that he knows full well that it wasn’t his power but the power of God that wrought the victory. It was the Lord that delivered him. It was the Lord that gave him the victory. With his pastoral position had come the responsibility of protecting his sheep. He had done so risking his very life. He knew that all responsibility brings great risk. Now he hears a giant cursing his God. He is responsible before God to defend His name. He knows that God is seeking someone who will stand for Him, David knows that if he will but be used God will in great power deliver him.
Now as a missionary or one preparing for missionary service you need to remember that you will have to fight the small battles before you can be used to topple the giant. In your local church begin to kill the lions and bears now. Can you defeat your own laziness and lack of discipline? Can you stand for God and His man when others doubt, criticize and do not do their responsibility? You need not consider going over seas to win souls and disciple believers until you are successfully doing so where you are. If you can not manage the money that you now have for His honor and glory do not expect Him to give you more. Do you pay your bills on time? Are you are man of your word.
Be faithful in the little things before you expect God to trust you will the big things, Luk_16:10-12 WAG
1Sa_17:39
Prove your talents. Don’t make the mistake of trying to do something just because that is how others do it. Prove your own talents. Test your calling and your weapons. Have a fervor for God but do not try to avoid getting all the necessary training to do what God has called you to do. WAG
1Sa_17:42
Think of it. David has now been disdained by his dad and family, by Samuel the prophet, by Saul the king and now by Goliath his enemy. Each have seen only what the human eye can see. God is seeing a very different story. They see a red headed or red faced, good looking boy. (The word ruddy indicates the color red. Some think that it was talking about his skin color and other his hair color) God saw a warrior and a future king. If you will disciple men you must see beyond the outward and to the man or woman that will be after God does a miracle work in their lives.
If you are the youth that is reading this note then hang on to what God is doing in your life. Do not be discouraged by the opinions of family, friends, leaders, and even spiritual leaders. God is the one that will do the work. Do not be cocky but be certain that God has called you and that God will use you if you will but obey Him and honor His word.
If you are the discipler or leader trainer then get involved in building confidence in your disciple. Help him to prove his weapons by much practice. Help him to kill the lions and the bears so that he will be able to stand against the onslaught of doubt and fear that will be hurled at him. Pastor be an encourager and not a discourager. WAG
1Sa_17:46
That all the world may know!
I Samuel 17:46
Exodus 7:5, 17; 8:10; 9:14, 16, 29; 10:2
Joshua 4:24
I Kings 8:43
II Kings 19:19
I. The Purpose of the battle I Samuel 17:46
a. Matthew 28:19-20
b. Mark 16:15
II. The Price he paid
a. He had to risk his life for God’s glory
b. He had to give all that he had
c. He had to be humble to learn all that God had for him
d. He had to be disciplined to practice
e. He had to swallow his pride and give up his reputation
III. God’s Power at work in His life I Samuel 17:45, 47
a. It is the power of God that we must have to get the gospel to the world Luke 24:49
b. Acts 1:8
IV. The Potential—all the earth would know I Samuel 17:46
a. Every knee shall bow Philippians 2:10
b. Every Creature Mark 16:15
c. To the uttermost Acts 1:8
WAG
1Sa_17:47
David has learned a truth that all of us must learn if we desire to be used of God. The Lord does not save with the sword and spear. That is a blessing because the nation of Israel is standing there before the Philistines with very few swords and spears. Almost certainly the Philistines were mocking them. They had a giant. They had weapons. The Israelites are standing their side of the valley with slings, sticks, and rocks plus no hero to fight for them, Possibly others saw what was lacking but David saw not the lack but the strength that he had that no Philistine had. He had the power of God. He knew that God could and would win the battle without earthly weapons or wisdom. God doesn’t call many mighty, wise, or noble but He does give those that He calls power to do His work plus the Living Word that works effectually in the lives of men and women.
If God calls you to do battle for Him or if you will simply say "Here am I send me" you may go forth with faith and confidence. The enemy may have more of some things than you do but the enemy lacks the one great ingredient to success. He has no personal intimate walk with the "Great I AM." WAG
1Sa_17:48
David ran not only towards the giant but towards the enemy army. While others cowered David charged. He didn’t just talk a good fight he lived it. When problems arise you need not flee. The one you serve will give you great power and success as you honor his name by taking a stand and hurrying to the Lord's battle. The philistine in his pride and anger thinks that by his loud roaring he can strike fear deep into the heart of David. 1Pe_5:8 I wonder what he thought when instead of fear David showed faith. The devil may go about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour but victory is already our. We simply must stand on the promises. 1Jo_4:4 WAG
1Sa_17:51
When you prove the weapons that you have God will give you bigger and better weapons. The weapon will be there when you need it. Amazingly the shepherd had all that he needed to get the job done of killing the giant but after killing the giant God gave him a sword that he uses the rest of his life.—I Samuel 21:9 WAG
1Sa_17:54
David took the head and traveled to Jerusalem. Imagine the scene: David has killed the giant. He has taken his head. He will show it to Saul and the army of the Lord. He then travels with it to show to the nation what God can do with one man that will trust him and run to the battle. God has shown His power. David has proven that God can over other gods. David has proven that the youth can be used when all disdained him. What is on the inside is starting to show on the outside.
That head will win the hearts of the nation and his dearest earthly friend, Jonathan. As you go out to do battle dear missionary prepare to fight the giant. When you defeat him more enemies will come but so will the army that God will give you to win great battle for Him. WAG
1Sa_18:1
Do you seek to have a disciple that you can teach and train? Something will have to be done that will cause the one that you will teach to desire to allow you to teach them. You have to earn the right to teach them. It is not just a normal and natural thing that they would allow you to disciple them. They are looking for someone that will be able to really help them. In this Bible story Jonathan is the prince. He knows that he is the man. Who could lead him? Who can teach him? The answer is the one that brings the giant's head in his hand when even his dad was unable to win the battle. You can win his heart and love but you must prove your spiritual walk, power and victory before they will want to follow you. Do you have the victory in your spiritual life? Is God blessing you in a visible way? He will be willing to acknowledge your ability and wisdom when he sees God's hand on your life. WAG
1Sa_18:9
What a horrible way to live! Always afraid that David would get his spot. Hurting every time he heard someone brag on David or congratulate him. If you intend to disciple others you must remember that your goal will be to make them a success. Your goal will be to promote them to a position higher than your own. Obviously God is going to use this attitude to remove Saul from his position and to train David to withstand criticism etc but as a discipler you must learn a different attitude.
David seems to have had a different attitude. He sat at the table with other leaders and men who had done as great a work as he had or even greater. Of his mighty men we find stories that rival the killing of the giant with even greater exploits yet David is able to work with them and trust them.
Remember if he is not strong enough to hurt you if will, then he is not strong to help you if he will. If you are to put 2Ti_2:2 into practice then you must be willing to see men surpass you in ministry and influence. John the Baptist said that he must decrease so that the one who followed him could increase. Joh_3:30. Can you deal with such a blow to your pride. If you can then God can use to make a major difference in other people's lives and in World Evangelism. WAG
1Sa_19:5
Nothing great happens until someone is willing to put their life into their hand. David saw the Lord bring a great salvation and cause great rejoicing even on the part of Saul the king who hates him. It all starts with someone that loves God enough to be willing to risk their life. It is God that brings the victory but victory doesn’t come until someone steps out by faith and lets God do something.
How many people never give their live to be a missionary for fear of learning a language, leaving home, getting involved in another culture, raising their support etc? Great blessings will not come until you step on nothing and allow God to prove Himself in your life. WAG
1Sa_22:2
The question is often asked "where can I find disciples?" The people who ask this question are most often looking for men or women who are in good shape and have tons of potential. Maybe we are looking in the wrong place. David is going to build a great kingdom and accomplish great things for God but the men that he is going to use will come from this group. Look at the description. The Bible says that "everyone" was in distress, debt and / or discontent. The men that will soon rule the world and win battle after battle were men who had no where else to go. They were defeated men. They ran to David in the wilderness. They gave up what little they had to be used of God and serve with David. Later we will read about a group of mighty men that serve with David. Where did they come? Could it be that there is a mighty man underneath all that mess? Could it be that inside the discontented, in distress, and in debt there is the potential to be a leader of leaders. Have double vision. See deeper than others see. Meet their needs and give them something to do and the rest will be history. WAG
1Sa_22:22
Doeg the Edomite
1. He was a man of responsibility 1Sa_21:7
a. Saul's chief herdsman
b. He is at least some what religious because he has stopped to worship.
2. He is loyal to the wrong king to a fault 1Sa_22:9
a. It is one thing to obey the king and even inform the king
b. He will end up being so loyal to the king that he will lift his hand against the Lord's anointed
3. Doeg kills the men of God. 1Sa_22:18
a. When no one else will raise their hand against the Lord's anointed Doeg does so. Everyone else knows that you are not to raise your hand against the Lord's anointed no matter what. 1Ch_16:22 Psa_105:15
b. He kills 85 of God's men
c. David would not harm the man of God even to protect or better his life. 1Sa_24:6, 1Sa_26:9; 2Sa_1:14
4. David saw something in Doeg that let him know about his character
a. Maybe it was that he was associated with Saul.
b. Maybe it was his reputation
The thought of going down in the history books as a wicked man that would want prominence enough to kill 85 innocent men of God would destroy me. Each day we are all writing history. What will you have accomplished in your lifetime? How will you be known when they write your life story? Doeg had a position. He had power and influence. He preferred to be approved by an earthly king than by the heavenly king. He wasn't wise in making choices because I feel sure that he helped Saul because he wanted a secure future. I think that he thought he was moving on up in relationship with the king and the kingdom but what he didn’t realize was that he was destroying his life, his family, his future, and his reputation. WAG
1Sa_23:17
What kind of character did Jonathan have to have to be willing to step down from the position of leader, future king of Israel, to allow David to lead? His father is afraid of losing his position but Jonathan willing gives up his position. Jonathan was much more likely to have a position by surrendering his position and trusting God than Saul was. Saul fights to keep what God is taking from him while Jonathan gains by giving up his position.
Here is a tremendous message for families and the relationship between a man and his wife. The wife like Jonathan is of no lesser value, importance, intelligence etc. Jonathan was born to be a king. He was trained to be a king but realized that God had someone else in mind to lead and was willing to submit to him. Interestingly David never asks him to submit. Jonathan submits because he sees that it is the will of God for his life. A good family message can be developed from this verse and Biblical principle.
Jonathan's willingness to step down is also a major leadership lesson. He realized that to accomplish God's will for the kingdom he would have to give up what was his. He was willing to put aside his name, his goals, and his own good for the good of the kingdom.
Another principle to consider is that Jonathan could submit because he had seen the power of God exhibited in the life of David. I doubt that he could have or would have been willing to submit to a regular person but then David was a giant killer. David was a man that obviously had the power of God on his life.
Please remember that Jonathan is a real man's man. He is no weakling. He has won a great victory for the cause of Christ in Israel. His willingness to step down is not an indication of weakness but strength and maturity. WAG | 
