Life of David
Discipleship Lessons from 1 and 2 Samuel

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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Bible study tentatively scheduled to begin about September 21, 2012

Lesson Outline

1. Samuel Anoints David as King (1 Samuel 15-16). Saul, previously anointed king by the prophet Samuel is rejected by God for disobedience. In his place, David, the shepherd son of Jesse, is anointed king and filled with the Spirit. David plays his harp at Saul's court to soothe the troubled king with his music.
2. David and Goliath: Bold Faith (1 Samuel 17). David's bold faith contrasts with the fear and low morale of the Israelite army when they are challenged by the Philistine champion Goliath. David rejects the offer of Saul's armor, but slays Goliath with a well-placed sling stone in the name of Yahweh and cuts off his head.
3. Jonathan's Friendship, Saul's Jealousy (1 Samuel 18-20). David and Saul's oldest son Jonathan become fast friends, but Saul grows increasingly jealous of David's popularity. He seeks to kill him with his spear and at the hand of the Philistines. Jonathan warns David and the two covenant with each others.
4. David Flees from Saul (1 Samuel 21-23). David visits the tabernacle at Nob in his flight and receives help from Ahimelech the high priest. But Ahimelech and the priests are slain by the paranoid King Saul; only Abiathar flees to David with 400 might men. David and his men hide in the cave of Adullam and in the desert of Ziph.
5. David Spares the Lord's Anointed (1 Samuel 24-28). David hides from Saul in the Wilderness, and providentially has two opportunities to kill Saul, but refuses since Saul is 'the Lord's anointed.' He also spares Nabal, takes Abigail as wife, seeks asylum from Saul with the Philistines, but is spared going into battle with Saul. Finally, Saul seeks a medium to seek guidance from Samuel, but receives condemnation instead.
6. David Strengthens Himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 29-2 Samuel 1). While Saul and Jonathan are slain at the battle of Gilboa, David and his men attack the Amalekites and recover their families who had been captured at Ziklag. David sends plunder to the elders of Judah.
7. King David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 2-6).  David moves to Hebron where the elders of Judah anoint him king over them. Later Saul's son Ish-Bosheth is assassinated and David is anointed king over all of Israel. He captures Jerusalem, makes it his capital, and brings the ark into the city.
8. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)
9. David's Fall and Punishment (2 Samuel 8-12)
10. David's Family Pain (2 Samuel 13-20)
11. The Legacy of David (2 Samuel 21-1 Kings 2)

Appendix 1. Genealogy

• Genealogy of the Priesthood in David’s Time
• Genealogy of the House of David
• Genealogy of the House of Saul

Artwork of David the King
It's Not Your Fight Any More - The David and Goliath Story
Life of David: Maps and Graphics
Historical Ascriptions of the Davidic Psalms
Chronology of David's Life

Here's how we'll study together.

• This is our 37th online Bible study since 1996. If you've participated in one before, you know how God can use them in your life. If not, then you have a treat in store for you. This is an cross-denominational study designed to help you grow as a disciple of Christ. -- Dr. Ralph F. Wilson. About the leader.

  Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
• If you sign up for the daily questions version, on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you'll receive a question from that week's lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use these lessons to work real and permanent change in your life. (You can opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking about these passages constantly over these weeks -- long enough for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
• You can respond to the questions and exercises using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
• With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20- to 30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage you've been studying that week. Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
• Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.

Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at one time. Each of them is pretty intensive. Also, please don't sign up for your friends; let them decide for themselves.

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Life of David Bible Study: Discipleship Lessons

 

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