GREAT COURAGE: DAVID’S STORY
Week 1: Adversity
During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.
Study Chapters: 1 Sam 30; 18-23; Psa 61-62, 1 Cor 10:4
Pilot text
1 Sam 18:8-11 [KJV] 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
1 Sam 30:3-6 [KJV] 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
Discussion Points
Take time to explore and understand the word ‘courage’ as used in the bible, and within the context of bible language. Use your Hebrew dictionary, Strong’s concordance or similar resource.
- In the original Hebrew language, what does the word ‘courage’ mean as used in 1 Sam 30:6? [See here]
2. Where else do you see the same original Hebrew expression used in the book of 1 Samuel? [You should see it used 6 times here]
3. Briefly consider other places where this expression was used in 1 Samuel. What can you see about the nature of courage?
4. Looking at David’s life in the study chapters, what can you say about the relationship between adversity and courage?
Closing thoughts:
We see courage throughout this story of David, right from when he faced and defeated Goliath (1 Sam 17) to when he recovered what he had lost (1 Sam 30). In each case we see that David’s courage came from outside himself, from what He knew about God.
The word ‘courage’, as used in the original Hebrew and reflected in our reading, focuses on being obstinate (stubborn) in seizing upon strength. Courage is stubborn. Courage takes hold of strength and doesn’t let go, not matter what. Why? Because of adversity. Imagine adversity as a storm with strong winds blowing away everything in its path – including you. It’s pulling at your self-esteem, faith, sanity, and peace. You don’t have enough weight to stand on your own against it. But there’s a rock, a cave right beside you that cannot be moved by the storm. So what do you do? You can choose to fight it out and stand your ground by yourself, likely getting swept away. Or you can hold on to the rock – firmly and stubbornly. Even better – you can walk into the rock and sit down in peace, overcoming the storm. Remember, the work of courage is not done until we prevail.
The bible uses this same imagery of a rock. David wrote about the Rock of refuge and salvation in Psalms 61 and 62. He knew the scriptures about this Rock, of which we are first told in Genesis, and which we learn in the New Testament to be Christ Himself (1 Cor 10:4). As new testament believers, we are in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), and have access to everything we need to rise up in courage and prevail against every adversity.
2 Pet 1:3-4 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [c]corruption that is in the world through lust.
Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):
- “Some people are naturally more courageous than others”. Agree/disagree with reasons.
- A friend confides in you that they feel that they are not courageous. They point to the big things they see other people achieving and are sad that they do not have sufficient courage to make the bold decisions they feel are needed. What would you say to them?
