IvoryEagle

From the Psalms of David, how does David seem to strengthen himself in the Lord when things are going bad? RETREAT INTO THE PURSUIT AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD. What devotional exercises does he adopt? PRAYERS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND PETITION What is the focus of his faith? GOD

Q1. (1 Samuel 30:1-6) Why do the men blame David? NO ONE ELSE TO BLAME; HE IS THE LEADER AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE LEFT VULNERABLE TO OTHERS BECAUSE THEY FOLLOWED HIS ORDERS. Why is the situation so explosive at this point. THE PAIN IS REAL. THE MEN WANTED TO STONE THE LEADER. THE LEADER FEELS THEIR PAIN. What does David do in the situation? HE TURNS TO GOD. What is David feeling? PAIN, PERPLEXITY, AND PONDERING. Why doesn’t he act immediately? IT IS A GOD THING...ONLY GOD CAN PROVIDE THE RIGHT RESPONSE.

Why do you think God condemns occult practices of communi-cating with the dead and channeling spirits of the dead? THERE IS ONLY ONE SPIRIT; THE HOLY SPIRIT. ALL ELSE IS JUST............ How might such practices open Christians to victimization and oppression by evil spirits? ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE MANIPULATED BY MAN FOR MAN'S PURPOSES. What should you do if you’ve been involved in such practices in the past? REPENT!!

What do we learn about David’s character in this incident with Nabal and Abigail? WHILE DAVID IS IMPULSIVE, COURAGEOUS, AND AGGRESSIVE; HE IS A REASONABLE MAN AND RESPONDS TO RATIONAL REASONINGS. What do we learn about Abigail’s character? INSIGHTFUL, RESPONSIVE, AND HUMBLE Nabal’s character? WHAT CHARACTER?????????????// Why do you think this story was included in 1 Samuel? TO SHOW THE FORMATION OF DAVID'S CHARACTER. What important knowledge does it add to our understanding? WHILE HE WAS THE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEARTS; HE WAS FAR FROM PERFECT.

How do we apply the principle of not lifting a hand against the Lord’s anointed in our day? DO NOT SPEAK AGAINST THE LEADERS TO THE PUBLIC. What provisions are there in 1 Timothy 5:19-20 for calling leaders to account. IF THEY DID IT ONCE, THEY WILL DO IT AGAIN; WHEN TWO OR THREE COMPLAIN, IT IS TO BE REVEALED TO THE PUBLIC BY GOD AND GOD WILL DEAL WITH IT HIS WAY; WHICH IS NOT OUR WAY. What do you think God will do to those who slander, persecute, and martyr his appointed leaders? SAME AS HE WILL DEAL WITH HIS ANOINTED.

Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance? THE FEAR OF GOD PERVADES HIS HEART What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? SURVIVAL OF THEMSELVES What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? HE IS GOD'S ANOINTED KING. What does this tell us about David’s character? HE CAN GET OVER HIMSELF IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD About his faith? IT DOMINATES HIM; HE IS TRULY A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART. What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul? STRONG LEADER!!

In these ascriptions to these psalms, how many celebrate happy occasions? NONE, THOUGH VICTORIOUS, WHO COULD BE HAPPY RUNNING FROM DANGER? How many arise from struggles? ALL OF THEM What does this tell you about David's relationship with God? WHILE HE WAS A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART; GOD STILL PUT HIM THROUGH THE TEST. What does this tell you about his faith during trials? THOUGH WE ARE TESTED, IF WE KEEP OUR EYES ON GOD, HE WILL BE WITH US. Which is your favorite among these psalms? 63. Why? THROUGH IT ALL, DAVID NEVER STOPPED PURSUING OR PRAISING GOD.

Why does Jonathan visit David in the wilderness? GOD DIRECTS IT TO ENCOURAGE DAVID. What risk is there for David? SAUL COULD FIND OUT AND BE LED TO HIM. HE COULD BE KILLED. What risk is there for Jonathan? SAME AS DAVID. What do you think it meant to David? EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! Have you ever received a visit from a friend when you needed it most? YES.

What did Abiathar and the ephod have to do with “inquiring of the Lord?” THE PREISTS WERE GOD'S SERVANT; THE EPHOD WAS GOD'S TOOL OF "LOTS." Why did David inquire of the Lord? THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S; HE WILL REWARD THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEKS HIM. What huge advantage does the person have who seeks God’s will before acting? GOD KNOWS ALL AND WILL NOT LEAD HIS PEOPLE ASTRAY. How can you find God’s will at key points in your life? SEEK GOD WHILE HE CAN BE FOUND; HE WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE. ipb.global.registerReputation( 'rep_post_77175', { domLikeStripId: 'like_post_77175', app: 'forums', type: 'pid', typeid: '77175' }, parseInt('0') );

Why were David’s men attracted to him? THEY HAD A COMMON ENEMY. What did they have in common? SAUL WAS IN PURSUIT OF THEM. Why kind of men were these? MEN WHO WERE IN DEBT AND DISAGREEMENT WITH SAUL. What difficulties do you think David probably had in leading them? REBELS REBEL. ipb.global.registerReputation( 'rep_post_77174', { domLikeStripId: 'like_post_77174', app: 'forums', type: 'pid', typeid: '77174' }, parseInt('0') );

Q4. (1 Samuel 20:35-42) What is the nature of the covenant between David and Jonathan? Mutual love and trust. What does David receive? Assurance that the custom destruction of family would not happen to his descendents. What does Jonathan receive? Assurance that the custom destruction of family would not happen to his descendents. Who benefits the most from this covenant? David. Jonathan has every thing to lose, even heir to the throne. Is it self-serving -- or not? Not; it is uncommon love and loyalty. What is the significance that God is witness to the covenant? They both recognize God as the final word.

Q3. (1 Samuel 19:18-24) What does it tell us about Saul's faith that he pursues David even when he has sought the sanctuary of the prophet Samuel? The same insanity that got him dethroned in the first place. He has "situational" reverence and caters to his own world. Why do people prophesy when the Holy Spirit comes upon them? The Holy Spirit is God' Spirit and will only do what God would have happen. What is the relationship between this incident and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)? When the Holy Spirit came upon them they all began to prophesy in cloven tongues.

Q2. (1 Samuel 18:18-22) Which of the following is David's chief motive for marrying Michal, in your opinion? Argue for the motivation that makes the most sense to you: (1) pride in his military prowess, David is most motivated by achievement. He knows Saul wants him dead so pleasing him is impossible sense his jealousy will be intensified. Thus far, David has not indicated a strong attraction to Michal, and while the assignment is killing 100 Philistines; doubling the bounty is just doubling the achievement. It as about achievement. (2) obedience to Saul's desires, (3) love or desire for Michal, or (4) enjoyment in killing Philistines.

Q1. (1 Samuel 18:13-16). Why does Saul send David into battle? He is in conflict; Jealousy,contempt, and fear of losing his kingdom. He wants David dead but can't justify killing him. He is counting on David dying and not having to accept responsibility for it. What is the result? God was with David and not only did David prevail, he gained more respect from the people. To what does the narrator attribute David’s success? God was with David.

Q3. (1 Samuel 17:47) Why do we so often forget that "the battle is the Lord's"? Information overload, arrogance, pride, and failure to read our Bible to "refill our TRUST AND BELIEF." What does that phrase actually mean? Regardless of how strong we are; this is God's world, we are here to provide flesh; His Spirit does the rest. All battles are his as Satan daily incites them to win us over to his world. How can we avoid the arrogance of pulling God into our battles ("God is on my side"), rather than engaging in His battles ("I am on God's side")? Remain humble, prepared, and informed. We must remember that it is His world. We are simply tools and clay in the Potter's hands.

Q2. (1 Samuel 17:34-37) What does David's explanation to Saul of his combat experience say about David's faith? He has gone against two of natur's most ferocious beasts and won; He know God is his source of power and is willing to expand it to Goliah. How lethal is David as a warrior? Very! He knows the he is just a figment of God's power; it will be God Goliah is fighting through David's FAITH! Why do you think Saul allows him to go out to battle Goliath? David's audacity, David's example, and David's opportunity to give him a psychological advantage. He has nothing to lose but a young unknown boy; he has everything to gain when this boy wins through the power of God. Does Saul have faith? I would call it desperation first with a prayer that what he did to the animals he can do to Goliah. He is prepared for the worse and praying for the best. If so, what is the source of it? Out of options. He chooses to win with a boy rather than lose with his men falling to the psychological warfare of Goliah.

Q1. (1 Samuel 17:26-30) Why is David so upset about Goliath’s taunt? David is looking through the lens of God and wondering why noone else is. Why is Eliab, David’s brother, so upset with David? Shame and jealousy. The youngest is the most courageous. What does this teach us about David’s faith? It is solid and unshakeable. What does it teach us about Eliab’s character? He has no character, only fear, resentment, and jealousy.

Q4. (1 Samuel 16:14-23) From Saul's perspective, why is David summoned to court? To soothe him when troubled by evil spirits. From God's perspective, what seem to be the reasons for this service in Saul's court? Familiarity with his new territory. What things tend to prevent us from learning from God in the midst of the circumstances in which we find ourselves? Since we don't understand, we reject. What might make us more teachable? Trusting that God knows what He is doing.

Q3. (1 Samuel 1:13) What is the significance of Samuel anointing David? It solidifies God's direction and desire. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit coming upon David? Empowerment to do what God has called him to do. How does this explain his success? If God is in it, he will win it!!!!!!!!! How is the Holy Spirit upon us vital for our own success as disciples? Same as David; without Him, we can do nothing.

Q2. (1 Samuel 16:3-12) How does this story teach us the importance of listening carefully to God's voice? It shows that we can only see through human eyes which does not reveal the heart. What is our instinctive way of discerning? Appearance & voice How is God teaching us to discern? Showing that it is the heart He searches not the skin How do we learn to listen to the Spirit? Study, pray, and listen

Q1. (1 Samuel 15:22-23). What is rebellion? Going against known commands of God In what way is rebellion as bad as witchcraft or occult practices? Places something in authority besides God. What does rebellion have to do with arrogance? We rise above God and put self first. What can we do when we find rebellion against God in our hearts? Pray, repent, obey. What happens if we do nothing? God will do SOMETHING; we won't like it.

What about Moses' strengths have inspired you? The strength to keep on keeping on in spite of the fact that he himself was sometimes discouraged. He had the strength do deliver God's messages even though he had no idea how God was going to deliver. What about his weaknesses have been a warning to you? His frustration led to anger. Minimize frustration and keep my eyes on God. Never let the ignorance of others dictate my intelligence. If there is one primary thing God has taught you from Moses' life that you seek to apply to yours, what is it? If you listen and obey; God will deliver.

Numbers 25; Revelation 2:14) Though Balaam wouldn't prophesy evil against Israel, he was willing to counsel the Moabites how to hurt Israel. How did Balaam's counsel lead Israel into sin? WORSHIPPING IDOLS & SEXUAL IMMORALITY Why was Aaron's grandson Phinheas so honored for his action? HE DEFENDED GOD'S WILL What was his reward? LIFETIME PRIESTHOOD Why are we so often zealous to defend the rights of God's enemies and so slow to defend God's honor? FEAR OF MAN

What precipitated the plague of snakes? COMPLAINING AGAINST GOD Is being impatient with God's provision a sin? YES Why or why not? IT MEANS WE DON'T TRUST GOD AND IT IS PRIDEFUL UNGRATEFULNESS What are the points of comparison between the bronze snake in the desert and Christ on the cross? FAITH TAUGHT BE LOOKING AT GOD AND HIS POINT OF CONTACT IN FAITH.

(Numbers 20:1-13) What did God tell Moses to do to bring water out of the rock? SPEAK TO THE ROCK What did Moses actually do? HE STRUCK THE ROCK In what way did he sin? DID NOT DO AS HE WAS TOLD AND DID NOT HONOR GOD What emotions and attitudes were behind his sin, do you think? ANGER, IRRITATION, FRUSTRATION What must leaders do when they sin in these ways? IMMEDIATELY REPENT AND ASK GOD'S FORGIVENESS