Liturgy

  • Before Service Song – Ps. 133
  • *Votum & Salutation
  • *Song of Response – Ps. 40: 1, 3
  • Ten Words of the Covenant
  • Song of Response – Ps. 119: 6, 9
  • Prayer
  • Reading of Scripture – 1 Samuel 24
  • Song of Response – Ps. 143: 2, 3, 6, 7
  • Reading of the Text – 1 Samuel 24: 1-7
  • Ministry of the Word: The Will of the Lord as Revealed in David’s Sparing of Saul's Life
    1. David's dilemma
    2. David's resolution
  • *Song of Response – Hymn 63: 1, 4
  • Thanksgiving Prayer
  • Offertory – Bible League
  • *Song of Closing – Hymn 55: 1, 2, 3
  • *Benediction

Ministry of the Word: The Will of the Lord as Revealed in David’s Sparing of Saul's Life

(1) David's dilemma

  • In our lives every day God gives us choices. Some are easy, such as what to wear or what to eat for breakfast. But other decisions are very difficult.
  • Saul's motivations towards Saul were sinister. He tried to keep putting David in danger, but God kept David safe, and made David prosper.
  • Jonathan refused to help Saul, making Saul even more angry. Saul plotted to kill his own son Jonathan, and David knew he had to flee.

(2) David's resolution

  • David was given the chance to kill Saul. But David uses strong language to make sure no-one harms Saul. He recognizes that Saul was anointed by God.
  • David shows restraint. He fights the sinful nature of the flesh and chooses the right thing to do; the hard thing to do. David's choice means he must endure, and perhaps even suffer. David chose to wait for God to act according to God's timeline.
  • Saul's choices show that he was driven by sinful human nature. David's choices show that he was driven by a desire to serve God.
  • David teaches us that we need to make all of our decisions out of love.