Tonight we close a chapter on David’s long rise as the last of his rivals for the throne of Israel are removed. In the thick of schemes and statecraft, polygamy and politics, conspiracy and murder, the grand sweep reveals God’s careful and decisive providence in moments when his absence seems most keenly felt. But cracks in the new administration and its policy begin to show even as David’s grip on the nation consolidates. As we look forward to David’s accession in the chapters to follow, we cannot help but ask: will he prove a better king than Saul? God help us!

Saul has died, but David’s path to the throne is far from clear. How will David navigate the delicate politics and what will guide his decisions? How will Abner, commander of Saul’s army, respond? How will the Lord orchestrate the protection of his people and the fulfillment of his promises to David in the midst of it all? Join us for 2 Samuel 2!

David and his men have retrieved their wives and children back from Amalekite bandits when yet another Amalekite stumbles into their camp. He brings along surprising news, betting everything that what he has to say will please Israel’s next king. It’s a deadly wager that costs him his life and displays for all to see that David’s respect for Saul’s position as the Lord’s anointed was real and that his affection for Jonathan ran deep.

Driven by fear, Saul dies in as ignoble a fashion as he often reigned. And, in the aftermath of Saul’s tragic demise, the kingdom of Israel is left at a low point mirroring the turbulent times of the judges.
As we move forward in our study, we must ask:
How will David, the anointed one, respond to the news?
How will the tribe of Judah react to the changing political landscape and David’s claim to the throne?
And, perhaps most crucially, how will the rest of Israel respond to David and Judah?
The fates of the nation and the monarchy hang in the balance as power shifts, alliances form, and a new era of leadership is about to unfold.

As we approach the end of 1 Samuel the cliffhangers mount, and each resolution leads to new questions. Leaving Saul in the dark we turn to 1 Samuel 29 and consider David’s predicament, in the pay of a Philistine commander as their armies muster to attack Israel. Will he end up on the wrong side of the battlefield? And if so, what will he do when the arrows begin to fly?

God intervenes to settle David’s difficulty, only for him to stumble into a whole new set of challenges in chapter 30. But through a maze of layered contrasts David is shown to be the king Israel needs, though not the one who rules them right now.
Meanwhile, back in the north, what will become of Saul and the armies of Israel? Stay tuned!

In 1 Samuel 26, the passage tells the story of how David chose to spare rather than spear King Saul. In a critical moment, David refrains from harming his enemy, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty not to Saul but to the Lord who anointed them both. This passage underscores David’s reliance on God, and the heartache he faces at the prospect of leaving the Lord’s presence because there is clearly no safe place for him within Israel’s’ boundaries.

Join us in exploring 1 Samuel 25, where David encounters Abigail, likened to a Proverbs 31 woman, and her husband Nabal, a fool.
Abigail, described as beautiful and discerning, demonstrates wisdom by preventing David from taking matters into his own hands.
In contrast, Nabal embodies the fool, marked by his harsh, rude, and selfish behavior. Despite David’s protection of Nabal’s flocks, Nabal refuses assistance, provoking David’s initial intent for revenge.
Abigail’s intervention, providing food and asking David to remember her when Nabal faces his rightful end, can certainly be seen as the Lord’s intervention through her.

In 1 Samuel 24, we encounter a unique situation where there are two anointed figures, David and Saul, face off once again. David, is confronted with a moral dilemma and the angst of his men when he finds Saul vulnerable in a cave but chooses not to harm him. Instead, he cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe, bringing to mind the words of Samuel in 1 Sam 15:27–28. Truly the kingdom is being ripped away from Saul but David does not chose to play the hand that brings it down. Instead, David relies on God’s providence, spares Saul’s life, and leaves the outcome in God’s hands. David exemplifies his faith in divine justice and the belief that God will ultimately establish His chosen ruler.

David’s flight persists as he returns to his home territory, Judah, where he should expect to find safety. However, upon his arrival, he is immediately confronted with news of a Philistine assault on the town of Keilah. Now, he faces crucial decisions. Should he intervene and rescue the town? Or should he leave the matter for Saul to handle? And, perhaps more importantly, will his men join him in this perilous venture? How will the town will respond when Saul comes looking?
As the chapter unfolds, it leads us to another town, a second pursuit, and an unexpected encounter with the Philistines—this time in David’s favor. Amidst these challenges, Saul relies solely on human intelligence, while David relies on the watchful protection of the LORD.