GREAT COURAGE: DAVID’S STORY

Week 3: Victory

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 27-31

Pilot text

1 Sam 30:6-10; 18-19 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?”
And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.
18-19 18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. 19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.

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.

1. [Understanding the definition of courage from week 1,] How do you think David ‘encouraged himself in the Lord’?
2. What would you say was the most important step (or steps) that David took in the situation described in 1 Sam 30?
3. Thinking back through the story of David in this study, identify and describe two examples that stand out to you, where he demonstrated great courage.

Closing thoughts:

As David comes toward the end of his time as king-in-waiting, we see him facing something that he had never before experienced. His men turned against him and even spoke of stoning him, and he was very distressed. How did David respond courageously?
First he encouraged (strengthened) himself in the Lord. David stubbornly took hold of the Lord and did not let go, until he prevailed. In taking hold of the Lord, David reminded himself of God’s character. Yes, God is able to save. But that in itself doesn’t mean that God is willing to do so. Therefore, the most important knowledge that David had in that situation, was the knowledge of Gods’ character (see Jer 9:23-24). David stubbornly held on to his knowledge of God as good, and exercising lovingkindness, justice and righteousness. In so doing, he found strength for the occasion.
Second, David sought guidance from God. These men were tired. They had been emotionally ravaged by loss, and many of them had given up all hope. They may have had the skill to fight, but did they have the strength to pursue, persevere and prevail? What they needed was a revival of courage, of hope, of strength to carry on; and hearing God’s voice gave that to them. As New Testament believers, we know that in Christ we have all that we need to prevail. But we still need to hear God’s voice regularly to remind us of these things and empower us to step out in courage. No wonder apostle Paul, writing in Eph 5:18 and Heb 10:25, connects the gathering together of believers with encouragement.
Finally, David stepped out in relentless pursuit. David did not know exactly how long the pursuit was going to last, or what they would be up against at the end of it. But he knew that God –good, kind and loving God – told him to “pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” This gave him the strength to keep going for as long as it took.
As you walk in courage from now going forward, remember that the work of courage is not done until you prevail. But courage must be anchored in the knowledge of God’s character, and therefore of His will. So let us be stubborn in holding unto God, even as we confidently pursue purpose in accordance with His will.

1 Jn 5:14-15 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. “It is possible to be courageous, yet foolish”. Agree / disagree with reasons.
2. “Courage is always relative. What may require courage from one person may not require courage from another. Knowledge is what makes the difference.” Agree / disagree with reasons.