1 Samuel 21-24

[Josh]

Post your comments, questions, and discussion starters on 1 Samuel chapters 21-24 as replies to this post.

[Josh]

Okay-

Here's a challenge for this Sunday's 1 Samuel study-

see how many parallels you can find between David and Jesus in these 4 chapters.

[Josh]

I can count at least 7. How about you?

[Josh]

My list (oh, and the bolded one is one I forgot to mention on Sunday)

1. 1 Samuel 21:1-9

Both David and Jesus overturn conventional notions of what is sacred

2. 21:10-15

“David’s masquerade as a madman reminds us of the odd form holiness can sometimes take. The Philistines discern the truth of David as Israel’s future king, but they dismiss its significance because his madness does not fit their definition of a threat to their interests. Likewise, we may often see God’s holy purpose at work in the world, but ignore its significance because it does not fit our expectations…. Many great figures in the history of the church have been considered “mad” for their actions, only to have history judge them to have been instruments of God’s holy purposes. To the Philistines, God’s anointed one seems a harmless madman. To proclaim a crucified criminal as God’s anointed one must have seemed equally mad in Jesus’ time” - NIB commentary

3. 22:1-5

Who does David gather around him? The same as those who gathered around Jesus: the disenfranchised.

4. 22:6-23

Sauls killing of the priests of Nob is similar to Herod’s (unlawful king) slaughter of the children of Bethlehem (city of David).

5. 23:1-14

Like David, Jesus battles the forces of darkness even while his own countrymen seek to take his life.

6. 23:15-19

Jonathan’s words of encouragement and affirmation that David will be king are like Peter’s prophetic proclamation of Jesus’ true kingship.

7. Chapter 24:

David's bold act of compassion toward Saul echoes Jesus' in “loving your enemy” and extending outrageous mercy