We heard during the weekend sermon that "adversity is the grindstone of life." Everyone faces adversity, and everyone is shaped by it, for good or bad. When we face hard times, the question is, how will we respond? Will we respond positively, or will we be overcome by the difficulties we face? Today we will be encouraged by the life of David, a man who trusted God and remained faithful during a time of great adversity.
Growing up, which did you find most challenging: elementary school, middle school, or high school? Why?
Bible Study Questions
1. How are the obstacles and adversities that we face connected to our faith?
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2. Read 1 Samuel 16:5-13. Based on what we know from these verses, how would the world have perceived David? What was most important to God when it came to David's fitness for kingship?
1 Samuel 16:5-13 5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. 3. Read 1 Samuel 17:41-51. What evidence do you see of David accepting his calling of the future king of Israel, even at a young age?
1 Samuel 16:5-13
5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
3. Read 1 Samuel 17:41-51. What evidence do you see of David accepting his calling of the future king of Israel, even at a young age?
1 Samuel 17:41-51
41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
Application
1. What limitations have others tried to impose on you? What limitations have you imposed on yourself?
2. What adversity are you facing today? What voices have you been listening to amidst this adversity?
3. How can David's story encourage you as you face adversity this next week?
One of the biggest things we can do during the battles we face is praying for each other. Hopefully, by now, you have all shared what adversities you are facing right now. So, spend some time now praying for each other, asking God to strengthen and sustain you throughout the trials you are facing. As you pray, thank God for the promise that God fights for His people and never leaves us alone during our adversities and trials.
David's story tells all about his faithfulness to God, but it also tells us all about God's faithfulness to His people. So, let's take some time to look at Scripture to understand what David's story tells us about God's faithfulness.
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-3.
• What Did David want to do for God?
Read 2 Samuel 7:5-16.
• Summarize God's response to David?
• What stands out to you about God's response?
• How was God's response to David an act of grace, which is getting something that we do not deserve?
Instead of David building a house for God, God promised to build a house for David through his descendants. Now, part of this prophecy was about Solomon, David's son, who would be the next king. Solomon would end up building a temple, or a house, for God, but this was also speaking to something greater. You see, God promised in this passage of Scripture to build a house, or dynasty, for David that extended beyond Solomon and would, in fact, never end. So, let's look at what Scripture teaches about this promise and its fulfillment.
Read Isaiah 9:6-7.
• How is this prophecy connected to God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7?
Read Matthew 1:1-17.
• How is this timeline evidence of the fulfillment of God's promise to David?
• How was God's promise to David, and the fulfillment of the promise found in Matthew 1, not only evidence of God's faithfulness to David, but also to you and me today?
God's promise to David was not immediately fulfilled. Instead, after twenty-eight generations, at just the right time, God sent Jesus. This long time period did not mean God was not faithful in the waiting. Instead, He was waiting for the right time to send Jesus. Yet, all the while, He was faithful. Maybe this period of waiting resonates with you. Is there an area of your life where you are waiting to see evidence of God's faithfulness? If so, share this with your group. How does this story of David give you confidence in God's faithfulness and hope as you wait?
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. Romans 8:5
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