Manly Men Bible Study, 3rd May 2007!

Reconciliation

1 Samuel 26: 1-25

Qualities of men of God

• Faithfulness (David believed God would solve this conflict)
• Mercy (David spares Saul’s life)
• Righteousness (Pursuit of being righteous. Admits may be at fault)
• Humility (David never places himself above Saul)
• Forgiveness- “forgiving-ness” according to Jeff. LOL. (David must first forgive)

Application

• Be faithful to God. In resolving conflict it’s how God wants to see it resolved.
• Be merciful
• Humility as a sign of good will, do not assert authority over the other.

TEXT:

Saul feels wronged and pursues David. To me seems unjust. But how did David respond?

v. 8 David is in Lord’s favor. He has the opportunity to take “eye for an eye”

v. 9 But doesn’t take revenge
why?
1 possible interpretation Romans 14:1-4
not judge fellow brothers?
Saul- weak. But David recognizes that Saul is still anointed by God.
David- stress

v. 12. God always delivers David’s enemies to him.

v. 15-16 Jeff’s only criticism- David taunts Abner- Sign of not being humble. But Matt Ku brought up that David does sometimes have a streak of ego.

v. 17-19 Shows his humility
Contrasting fear of God vs. fear of man
David appeals to Saul by Appealing to God.
Acknowledges he may be in the wrong.
Doesn’t accuse Sault but his advisors.

v. 20 Saul is still anointed by God (right now)
If Saul sees david as a traitor, then he isn’t part of God’s covenant
David is saying Saul is blowing this situation out of proportion.
Metaphor is humbling
David doesn’t point out what Saul’s doing wrong, but simply asks Saul to question his motives.

v. 21 Fruits of humble reconciliation.
By being humble, Saul is able to look past his anger and david’s faults.
Saul says “I have sinned” not blaming david

v.22 Handing Spear back, giving back his loyalty
1 interpretation of asking servant to come: Cautious
2nd (Albert Hsu’s): David is saying he’s not worthy to hand the spear back to Saul himself.

v. 23 Respect of God’s authority and authority figure.
Still shows loyalty to his king who “wronged” him.

v. 24 By David reconciling with Saul, he can come to the throne of God. (N. T. reference)
And deliver me from all trouble, not just himself with Saul. At first I thought David was using himself as an example for Saul to follow. But rather, David was Exemplifying God’s forgiving nature in this and hopes God would do the same with him.

Ephesians 4:26- don’t let the sun go down w/out making reparations.

Ultimately reconciliation with Humility and Blessing of God, then the end will result with the person in conflict blessing the other.

Much thanks to Jeff-fairy for the bible study.
(And to Andrew for taking notes and typing them up!)
(And to Petrina for making it pretty and posting it! hehe)