Not-So-Quiet-Time: 1 Samuel 21-22

At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 8/23

Day 1: 1 Samuel 21:1-9
David is officially on the run from Saul. He stayed as long as he could. Spears had been thrown at him, soldiers had been sent to kill him at home, and Saul told Jonathan that David must die. Where did David go for help? To the Tabernacle. When David was in trouble, he ran to the house of God. And there he found help for his journey. Where do you run when you are in trouble? Ask God to help you turn to Him when struggles come your way.

Day 2: 1 Samuel 21:10-15
David was afraid. Sometimes when we read about the heroes in the Bible, we can imagine that they were spiritual superheroes. However, this is not the case. David, along with all saints, experienced real challenges and real pain. Additionally, they dealt with real sin and had real uncertainty. While they weren’t superheroes, they did have supernatural help from the Holy Spirit. And we have that Helper too! When we don’t have the answers, and when we are fearful, we can lean on the truth that God is good and He is in control. Pray that God would give you confidence in the faithful work of his Holy Spirit in the face of all your troubles and questions. 

Day 3: 1 Samuel 22:1-5
When David was on the run, others ran to him. He was no longer a commander for the king. He had no palace or power. But he was the kind of down-and-out person that attracted others who were down-and-out too: “Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him” (2). God was still using David to give hope, meaning, purpose, and second chances to those in need. Ask God to make our church a place of second chances like this.

Day 4: 1 Samuel 22:6-19
“Doeg the Edomite…  stood by the servants of Saul” (9). Saul was a bad king and we find him here in bad company. An evil king had surrounded himself with evil people, and together they did evil. This clearly shows that we must be careful about who we surround ourselves with. Christians should interact with the lost and love the lost. Jesus was a friend of sinners. However, we must be careful to influence those lost with the Good News, rather than being influenced by those who do not follow Christ. Ask God to help you seek out and keep godly influences.

Day 5: 1 Samuel 22:20-23
Where could a priest run when the king and his soldiers wanted to kill him? He ran to David. It is interesting that Saul couldn’t find David, but everyone who was in trouble—like Abiathar—was able to run to him. Here we see the powerful providence of God in gathering together his people for his work. And God still does this today. The local church is a band of redeemed and rescued sinners who are now on God’s mission together. Pray that God would work in your church to gather those who are struggling and in need of help, and mobilize them for his kingdom.

Catechism Connection: 11
“God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful acts of preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions” (WSC 11). God worked providentially in David’s life to supply for his needs and gather needy people to him. God is working providentially in your life and the life of your family too.

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.”