This week’s apologetic topic will focus on who Jesus is, according other religions, and why that is important to understand as we practice Christian Apologetics. We will look at a presentation by J. Warner Wallace on this topic. We will also continue our Bible study with the book of 1 Samuel, chapters 21-24.

Defending our faith and developing a Biblical worldview based on our understanding of God’s Word takes time and practice, and must be part of a lifetime commitment we make to the LORD. It should form our purpose and identity in everyday life as we grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, modeling Him to our family, friends and neighbors. As Christians, it is more important than ever to know what we believe, and why we believe it, and then apply that to who we are on a consistent basis, and this can only be done if we know Jesus and what His Word teaches.

All class sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, a presentation, and a Bible study section. You will find the presentation overview and Bible study questions below. Basic answers to the Bible study will be also be posted below for your review and, or as a leader’s guide.

THIS WEEK’S YOU TUBE CLASS PRESENTATION WILL BE UPCOMING

Watch J. Warner Wallace’s presentation on Jesus, according to other religions:

Presentation

APOLOGETICS BLUEPRINT

Session Seven – Who is Jesus (According to other religions)? 1 Samuel chapters 21-24

REVIEW AND DISCUSS

At your table groups, do the following:

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

Discuss:

What are some important take-aways from last week’s presentation on “the Gospel and Apologetics.”
Recite the memory verse from Genesis 3:15. Why it is an important foundational verse?

Genesis 3:15 Promise
(begins the Scarlet Thread)

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NIV)

From Genesis through Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus!

Bible Study

Each week, we are encouraging you to take some dedicated time and spend it in God’s Word. Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

REFLECT AND PRACTICE

1. Review and discuss this evening’s presentation. Do you have any questions or comments?

Bible Study Practice:

2. Read and discuss chapters 21-24 in the book of 1 Samuel.

CONTEXT: What does it say?

Chapter 21:

What did David do that was deceitful, what did he ask that was against the Mosaic Law, and how did the Priest respond? Cross-reference Mark 2:23-28: How did Jesus use this narrative of what David did to confirm His Authority over the Sabbath?
What did David take from Nob and who was there from Saul’s service to overhear what was going on?
Where did David go after this, and what did he do out of fear in front of Achish and his servants?

Chapter 22:

Where did David go next, who went with him and how did he protect his parents?
When Saul heard about what David was doing what did he say, and who gave him a bad report about the Priests at Nob?
Who refused, and who enforced, Saul’s orders concerning the Priests, and why? Who escaped and where did he go? Discuss Saul’s mental and spiritual state, and how it was affecting his leadership ability.

Chapter 23:

How did David save the city of Keilah, where did David go after that and why?
What happened when Saul pursued David; what did Jonathan do? In God’s sovereignty, how did He rescue David yet again from Saul’s pursuit?

Chapter 24:

Why did Saul pursue David, and why did David not take the opportunity to kill Saul when he had a chance?
How did David prove to Saul that he could have killed him, and what did Saul say in response?
Discuss what we see about David’s relationship with God versus that of Saul’s.

INTERPRETATION: What does it mean? (Chapters 21-24)

What is God showing the reader about who He is (His character)?
What is God trying to teach the audience from this narrative?
Do we see anything in this narrative that points towards Jesus (a picture, foreshadow, model, prophecy etc.).

APPLICATION: How can we use what we learned? (Chapters 21-24)

Are there things we can apply to our lives that we learn from people in this narrative (good or bad)?

Jot down and discuss any “shelf” questions you might have about chapters 21-24

BASIC ANSWERS FOR REVIEW AND LEADER’S GUIDE FOR 1 SAMUEL CHAPTERS 21-24

CONTEXT: What does it say?

Chapter 21:

David and the Holy Bread

In this chapter we read about David fleeing from the pursuit of Saul, and he comes to Nob, where the priests live. Ahimelech, fearful but willing to help, allowed David and his men to eat the holy bread, as long as they had not been with a woman. David did not tell Ahimelech that he was flee from Saul, but that he was on a mission that required him to leave quickly, without supplies. David also asks about a sword or spear and Ahimelech gave him the sword of Goliath whom David had struck down. The whole time Doeg the Edomite was overhearing these events (which would prove deadly to the priests).

David Flees to Gath

At the end of this chapter, we read that David fled that day and went to Achish the king of Gath (of the Philistines) and they recognized him, so David acted like he was insane, and they paid him no attention.

What did David do that was deceitful, what did he ask that was against the Mosaic Law, and how did the Priest respond? Cross-reference Mark 2:23-28: How did Jesus use this narrative of what David did to confirm His Authority over the Sabbath?

In our summary notes above we see that David did not tell Ahimelech the whole truth and thus put him and the other priests in danger. He also ate of the consecrated/holy bread that was not meant for the common person, but for the priests to eat. Ahimelech, knowing the urgency for David, allowed them to eat it, as long as they had not been defiled (been with a woman).
If we fast-forward to the time of Jesus, we find Jesus, proving His authority over all things, allowing his disciples and himself to pluck and eat grain on the Sabbath (which was forbidden by their law); and when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees why He did this, He used this narrative of what David did, and said: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Thus, showing God’s Law (and the added laws of man) subservient to Jesus and His desire for relationship over Law.

What did David take from Nob and who was there from Saul’s service to overhear what was going on?

See summary notes above…

He took Goliath’s sword and Doeg the Edomite was there to overhear everything (he would go on to tell Saul and this would prove deadly for the priests of Nob).

Where did David go after this, and what did he do out of fear in front of Achish and his servants?

See summary notes above…

Chapter 22:

David at the Cave of Adullam

In this chapter we find David escaping to the cave of Adullam and his brothers and all his father’s house went there to be with him. David also took in all those who were in debt or troubled or bitter and he became commander over them. He also asked the king of Moab to take in his father and mother until everything was settled, and he did. Then David departed to the forest of Hereth.

Saul Kills the Priests at Nob

We now read about the consequence of Doeg the Edomite overhearing when Ahimelech, unknowingly, helped David escape. Saul was enraged at his people for not telling him about David, and when he summoned all the priests of Nob he commanded his servants to kill them, but no one was willing to do it. Then Doeg himself slew all the priests of the LORD from Nob, except Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech escaped and went to David, reporting all that had happened, and David took him in to protect him and to be with them now.

Where did David go next, who went with him and how did he protect his parents?

See summary notes above…

When Saul heard about what David was doing what did he say, and who gave him a bad report about the Priests at Nob?

See summary notes above…

Going Deeper: Who were the Edomites?

(from gotquestions.org)

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the firstborn son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob. In the womb, Esau and Jacob struggled together, and God told their mother, Rebekah, that they would become two nations, with the older one serving the younger (Genesis 25:23). As an adult, Esau rashly sold his inheritance to Jacob for a bowl of red soup (Genesis 25:30-34), and he hated his brother afterward. Esau became the father of the Edomites and Jacob became the father of the Israelites, and the two nations continued to struggle through most of their history. In the Bible, “Seir” (Joshua 24:4), “Bozrah” (Isaiah 63:1) and “Sela” (2 Kings 14:7) are references to Edom’s land and capital. Sela is better known today as Petra.
The name “Edom” comes from a Semitic word meaning “red,” and the land south of the Dead Sea was given that name because of the red sandstone so prominent in the topography. Esau, because of the soup for which he traded his birthright, became known as Edom, and later moved his family into the hill country of the same name. Genesis 36recounts the early history of the Edomites, stating that they had kings reigning over them long before Israel had a king (Genesis 36:31). The religion of the Edomites was similar to that of other pagan societies who worshiped fertility gods. Esau’s descendants eventually dominated the southern lands and made their living by agriculture and trade. One of the ancient trade routes, the King’s Highway (Numbers 20:17) passed through Edom, and when the Israelites requested permission to use the route on their exodus from Egypt, they were rejected by force.
Because they were close relatives, the Israelites were forbidden to hate the Edomites (Deuteronomy 23:7). However, the Edomites regularly attacked Israel, and many wars were fought as a result. King Saul fought against the Edomites, and King David subjugated them, establishing military garrisons in Edom. With control over Edomite territory, Israel had access to the port of Ezion-Geber on the Red Sea, from which King Solomon sent out many expeditions. After the reign of Solomon, the Edomites revolted and had some freedom until they were subdued by the Assyrians under Tiglath-pileser.
During the Maccabean wars, the Edomites were subjugated by the Jews and forced to convert to Judaism. Through it all, the Edomites maintained much of their old hatred for the Jews. When Greek became the common language, the Edomites were called Idumaeans. With the rise of the Roman Empire, an Idumaean whose father had converted to Judaism was named king of Judea. That Idumaean is known in history as King Herod the Great, the tyrant who ordered a massacre in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the Christ child (Matthew 2:16-18).
After Herod’s death, the Idumaean people slowly disappeared from history. God had foretold the destruction of the Edomites in Ezekiel 35, saying, “As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 35:15). Despite Edom’s constant efforts to rule over the Jews, God’s prophecy to Rebekah was fulfilled: the older child served the younger, and Israel proved stronger than Edom.

Who refused, and who enforced, Saul’s orders concerning the Priests, and why? Who escaped and where did he go? Discuss Saul’s mental and spiritual state, and how it was affecting his leadership ability.

See summary notes above…

Note: Saul’s mental and spiritual state was so low that he even commanded the death of the LORD’s priests, which none of his servants would enact, except Doeg the Edomite. The fact that this is yet another time that the servants/people of Saul would not follow through on one of his commands (they would not let him put his son Jonathan to death earlier) shows his inability to be an effective leader, and even worse, and unstable one who acted out on emotion rather than common sense, and his complete loss of a relationship with the LORD is evident in the fact that he could kill off the priests so easily.

Chapter 23:

David Saves the City of Keilah

In this chapter we find David inquiring of God about helping the city of Keilah against the Philistines, and God tells him to go, and David assures his men that God was with them, as he had inquired of God twice, so they went and defeated the Philistines, saving Keilah. Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, so David again inquired of God through Abiathar who had an ephod that David used. God again instructs David and tells him to flee because the men of Keilah would give him into Saul’s hand. Then David fled into the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph, and Saul continued to pursue him daily, but God did not allow him to succeed.

Saul Pursues David

We then read that David, seeing Saul come out after him, meets up with Jonathan and they solidify their covenant with each other, with Jonathan pledging his full support of David. Then the Ziphites told Saul where David was, and Saul pursued him, but just as it seemed that Saul would catch him, God intervened by sending a messenger to Saul to say that the Philistines had raided the land, so Saul returned from pursuing David, and David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.

How did David save the city of Keilah, where did David go after that and why?

See summary notes above…

What happened when Saul pursued David; what did Jonathan do? In God’s sovereignty, how did He rescue David yet again from Saul’s pursuit?

See summary notes above…

God’s sovereignty is seen over and over again in his protection of David, either by directly speaking to him, or through the Priest’s ephod, or intervening by directing David and his men and even sending a messenger to deter Saul back home to fight another battle.

Chapter 24:

David Spares Saul’s life

In this chapter, Saul again pursues David when he’s told that David was in the wilderness of Engedi. Saul took 3000 men and to seek David, but when Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, David and his men were in the innermost part of that particular cave, and David snuck up to cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, but he immediately regretted it and told his men not to hurt the LORD’s anointed. But David did call to Saul after he went out, and showed him the piece he cut and convinced him that he was not a threat to the king. Saul immediately wept and promised not to pursue David, admitting that he would eventually be king, but Saul had him promise not to cut off his descendants (David had already done that for Jonathan); and Saul returned home.

Why did Saul pursue David, and why did David not take the opportunity to kill Saul when he had a chance?

See summary notes above…

In addition, David respected God so much that he did not want to kill Saul as God’s anointed king, even though David knew God had promised him the Kingdom, he waited on God’s timing and did not take matters into his own hands (as Saul had previously done with many things).

How did David prove to Saul that he could have killed him, and what did Saul say in response?

See summary notes above…

Discuss what we see about David’s relationship with God versus that of Saul’s.

David: He always inquired of God before he did anything; and he did not harm God’s anointed king out of respect for God. He honored God in all things before thinking of himself.

Saul: Just the opposite of David. Saul eventually slipped deeper and deeper into evil, yet he had opportunity to return to God, he did not, nor did it appear he wanted anything to do with God

INTERPRETATION: What does it mean? (Chapters 21-24)

What is God showing the reader about who He is (His character)?

We see God’s sovereignty and power over the events in His protection of David from Saul’s pursuit and intention to kill him.
We see God’s love for David and His protective power over all things.
We see God’s patience again for Saul and the people of Israel as Saul goes against God’s Laws and commands over and over again, which not only affects him, but the people.

What is God trying to teach the audience from this narrative?

By preserving this record, the people of Israel (and us today) can remember what God did for His people and especially His promised “Seed” line of Judah through David.
This narrative serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty over all things, both physical and spiritual.
This narrative also serves to show the consequence of disobedience to God, His Law and His specific directions.

Do we see anything in this narrative that points towards Jesus (a picture, foreshadow, model, prophecy etc.).

David is the ancestor of Jesus, and assumes the role of King as promised by God that pictures the ultimate King that we will find in Jesus.

APPLICATION: How can we use what we learned? (Chapters 17-20)

Are there things we can apply to our lives that we learn from people in this narrative (good or bad)?

Answers here will vary…

We can learn from the mistakes made by Saul (bad); and we can learn the importance of following God with all our hearts, no matter the cost, like David.

Jot down and discuss any “shelf” questions you might have about chapters 21-24

Answer here will vary…

I find a couple of things hard to explain, but goes to the depth of evil that can infect human nature because of the Genesis 3 Fall: 1) Saul’s willingness to kill all of the Priests from Nob (only one excaped); and 2) Saul’s relentless pursuit of David and desire to kill him even though David had been nothing but loyal and faithful to Saul.

Homework

Read 1 Samuel Chapters 25-28 and write out titles and sub-titles for each section
Write a short summary (3-5 sentences or bullet points) for each chapter or chapter section to help in our weekly table discussion

Going Deeper:

Share your summary and/or answer these questions for each chapter:

CONTEXT: What does it say?

Chapter 25:

What happened to Samuel and how did the people of Israel respond?
Who was the man of Maon (how was his character described); who was Abigal (how was her character described); and what happened between them and David?
Going Deeper: Who were David’s wives by the end of this chapter? Why did kings often take multiple wives, and what does Scripture say about this (or does it)?

Chapter 26:

What happened when Saul again pursued David in the wilderness of Ziph with 3000 men, what did David do, and how do we see God’s hand in this event?
Research the following people and individuals in this narrative: Ziphites, Ahimelech, Joab, Abishai and Achish (in the next chapter)

Chapter 27:

What did David decide to do so that Saul would not pursue him again; what city was he given and how long did he stay there?
What did David do during this time; who did he deceive about what he was doing and why?

Chapter 28:

What did Achish want David to do, and how did David respond? (the story will continue in chapter 29)? Discuss why you think David would accept this offer of Achish against his own people.
Why did Saul go up to En-dor and what happened when he went there?
What did the apparent spirit of Samuel say to Saul, and how did he respond?
Going Deeper: Research what mediums and necromancers (spiritists) are; and how the Mosaic Law addresses this kind of practice. Discuss how we see this kind of activity still today, and as Christians, how we should respond when we are confronted with similar practices.

INTERPRETATION: What does it mean? (Chapters 25-28)

What is God showing the reader about who He is (His character)?
What is God trying to teach the audience from this narrative?
Do we see anything in this narrative that points towards Jesus (a picture, foreshadow, model, prophecy etc.).

APPLICATION: How can we use what we learned? (Chapters 25-28)

Are there things we can apply to our lives that we learn from people in this narrative (good or bad)?

Jot down and discuss any “shelf” questions you might have about chapters 25-28

Join us next week as we continue our Apologetics Blueprint Class and a study in the book of 1 Samuel!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15