I           Introduction

Begin your sermon by reminding God’s people that 1 Samuel 23 is part of a section where David’s life is presented to us as a model of what will happen to the Christ when he comes. Specifically, how the Christ would suffer.

Along with Christ’s suffering, there is also a broader application. From the life of David and those around him, we also see what we can expect as ordinary Christian believers who follow God’s King. With Jonathan’s declaration of loyalty (1 Samuel 20), we saw that it is our duty to confess Christ as Lord. With David’s lies and pretend madness (1 Samuel 21), we were reminded that God is gracious and does not abandon us when we fail the tests of faith. With the evil plans of Saul, we also affirmed that God controls the world in such a way that he uses evil for good. Now, in 1 Samuel 23, we will see how the LORD guides his people on their Christian life. How he helps us to make the right decisions and how he encourages us when those decisions prove to be costly.

II          Guidance and encouragement for the Christ

A          Explain: What is the situation of David and his men? Why are they reluctant to go to Keilah? How did David inquire from the LORD?

B          Explain: How would David feel after the betrayal of Keilah? How does the LORD encourage and prepare him for the difficulties that lay ahead?

C          Explain: What is the contrast between Saul and David that this chapter seeks to emphasise? What does David’s betrayal confirm about his rise to power in Israel? 

D          Explain: How was Jesus Christ guided in his decision making during his time on earth? What does this confirm about his life? (It was blameless/perfect). What did Jesus do for those who betrayed him?

III         Godly decision making today

A          Explain: Why is the attitude of our heart to important when it comes to godly decision making? What do we kneed to know and believe before we will be able to make God honouring decisions?

B          Apply: What is the question that we ought to ask when we have to make decisions? Where has God revealed his will to us? How are we to grow in our understanding of God’s will? 

C          Apply: How can we encourage each other as a church family to make God honouring decisions?

IV      Prayer of response

Heavenly Father,

Hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Thank you for what you have shown us from the life of David about how you guide and encourage your people. Thank you that our Lord Jesus Christ perfectly submitted to your will in all things, and that he died to pay the penalty that we deserve for our disobedience. Please help us by your Spirit to meditate on the truths of your Word and grow in our understanding of Scripture. Help us to speak your truth to one another. Help us to make decisions that are in keeping with the principles that you teach us in your Word. Specifically, to ask what is your will and then to submit to what you have revealed. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.