Study Guide
June 9-June 13

This week’s study guide will review the sermon and give you an opportunity to take a closer look at the biblical narratives of King David. Throughout this week, notice the places in which David’s story connects with your own spiritual journey.

Monday, June 9.Read 1 Samuel 16. Saul, Israel’s first king still occupies the throne. God speaks to the prophet Samuel who is troubled because Israel has no future with Saul. While David tends sheep in the grazing land of Bethlehem, God asks Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Bethlehem to anoint the next King, who is a son of Jesse. When Samuel arrives in town, seven of Jesse’s sons are present at the altar. Samuel passes over all seven of them. Samuel sends for David, the youngest son, who had been left to guard the sheep. David is anointed, and the spirit of the Lord comes upon him. The story reminds us of the unlikely vessels of God’s grace. God’s choice is David, a shepherd, and 8th son from the village of Bethlehem, and a family that has no pedigree. What are the similarities you see in Jesus’ story, (Matthew 1:1-6; Luke 2:4-7)?  Meditate on 1 Samuel 16:7 throughout the day today.

Tuesday, June 10. Read 1 Samuel 17. Goliath is a 9 foot tall soldier from Gath. He bragged you could beat any Israelites solider who would fight him. All the Israelite soldiers are afraid to fight him except for David, a young shepherd boy who believes in God. David takes his sling and five smooth stones from the brook and goes to fight Goliath. King Saul wants to put his heavy armor and helmet on David and give him a big sword, but David was too small. He knows that his strength and protection comes from God. Goliath curses the boy coming out to fight him. David throws a stone with his sling and hits Goliath in the forehead and the giant falls face down. Without a sword in his hand he strikes down the giant and kills him. David believes in God, and God helps him defeat the giant. David trusts God to help him even though the giant was much larger. Do you have any “giants” in your life? Is there something so big that you don’t see a way to overcome it? Ask God to help you in meeting this rival.

Wednesday, June 11. David makes some key political changes throughout his reign. He consolidates his kingdom, uniting Israel and Judah, moving from tribe to state, and increasing economic and political security (2 Samuel 5:11-8:18). He moves the Ark of God to the tent of worship in Jerusalem; this Jerusalem becomes not only the royal capital, but also the religious center of Israel’s life. (2 Samuel 6:1-23). The prophet Nathan is now David’s trusted counsel. With the kingdom secure and his own house built, David wants to build a house for the Lord. God’s word comes to Nathan in the night, which he conveys to David. The Lord has chosen and cared for David and, instead, the Lord will establish a house (dynasty) for David. Nathan’s oracle speaks to us of the necessary risk of deep faith help close to political ideology. What does Nathan’s wisdom say to us today? Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17. Focus on the outpouring of God’s unconditional grace (verses 9-11).

Thursday, June 12. Read 2 Samuel 11 & 12. David spies a beautiful woman bathing in the public bath. He calls for her, sleeps with her, conceives a child, orders her husband on the front line of a battle, and her husband dies. David thought he had managed to build an effective cover-up plan. He overlooked one small detail; you can’t hide your heart from God. Nathan confronts David and literally risks his life bringing this accusation before the king. The king is the sole power-broker of government; Nathan could have been killed on the spot. Nathan understands the risk, yet also understands that obedience to God, even to the point of death, is better than a long life of rebellion and disobedience.  

Friday, June 13. Read Psalm 51. This is David’s prayer of repentance. Let this be your prayer at times when you give in to temptation. This is a story of grace, restoration, and hope for those willing to admit their sin and accept God’s judgment, grace and restoration. It has been used to illustrate the downward spiral of sin, and to illustrate the upward climb of healing. Remember times when God has healed you emotionally or spiritually. Remembering will bring hope for the future.