Not-So-Quiet-Time: 1 Samuel 19-20

At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 8/16

Day 1: 1 Samuel 19:1-17
Jonathan was brave to speak up for David when Saul was looking to kill him. Even though Jonathan was aware that Saul was capable of murderous outbursts and foolish thinking, Jonathan called his father not to sin (4). Michal, David’s wife, also helped David in the face of danger from Saul: her father. They chose not to take the easy way, but to do what was right. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to follow the easy road instead of the right road? Ask God to help you follow Him.

Day 2: 1 Samuel 19:18-24
We have already seen God’s spiritual power many times in 1 Samuel. He has sent and removed his Holy Spirit. And He has sent evil spirits to do his will. Here we see God powerfully working as the Spirit of God came powerfully on Saul’s messengers and then on Saul. This is a good reminder that God is ultimately always in control. Yes, Saul was a bad king with murderous intent, yet God was still able to make Saul into a prophet. And just like God was in control of Saul’s life, He is in control of our lives as well. Thank God for how He perfectly works and leads us. 

Day 3: 1 Samuel 20:1-23
Though the situation was bad, Jonathan and David had not lost hope. They understood that God could open the door for David to return to his old life, or that God could send him on to a new chapter. And they would trust God either way. And through this process Jonathan was willing to risk his own life to help David. Why? Because he loved David “as he loved his own soul” (17). Ask God to help you to love those He has given to you as you love your own soul. And ask Him to help you trust his plans.

Day 4: 1 Samuel 20:24-34
In these few short verses, Saul insults his son, tempts his son, and then tries to kill his son. All of these happen in his anger (30). Saul was a bad person, and his anger amplified and magnified his evils. We too, even as born-again believers, battle against our own flesh and against the devil. And we can also more easily fall into sinful words and actions when we are angry. Ask God to help you to rightly control your emotions so that you can honor Him and love those He has given to you. 

Day 5: 1 Samuel 20:35-42
Jonathan could have been intimidated by his father so that he didn’t follow through on what he had promised to David. It would have been easy for him to say that the situation had changed and that it was no longer wise for him to help David. However, he was honorable and brave. He didn’t let Saul’s angry sins lead him to sin in fear. Instead, he boldly carried out the plan and honored the promise that he had made with David. Ask God to help you to live a holy and pleasing life regardless of the challenges or dangers. 

Catechism Connection: 42
“The summary of the ten commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves” (WSC 42). This is the kind of life that we see Jonathan living. Even in difficult situations, he is seeking to love the Lord and love his neighbor, even at great cost to himself. We should look to live this way too. Pray that He would help you love as He has loved you.

Monthly Memory: John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”