Tito de S. Lyro
The Captain of Our Salvation
1 Samuel 22:1-2 (read through v. 5)
Oly a.m., 4/10/2016
Introduction
David has hit a really rough patch in his life. He is running for his life. Saul, the king of his people, has a pathological desire to kill him. He no longer has a place to live. A common feature in his life from now on is that people he helps will turn on him (as implied in v. 6). The Philistines have free range in Israel. Everything seems to be in disarray. We know that that's not the case because we know the end of the story. But for the people living the story, life seems to be coming apart at the seams. Have you ever been there? The place where life seems to be coming apart? Do you know who lives there? Jesus does! More on that in a little bit. First, let's review what has happened in 1 Samuel.
I. Review of 1 Samuel.
A. The book started with Eli as a judge and chief priest.
1. That's really the context of the first 10 chapters of the book.
2. The period of the judges when every man was doing what seemed right in his own eyes.
B. Samuel followed Eli as the chief priest and ruler of Israel.
C. The people weren't satisfied with the government that God has established and demanded a king of their own choosing that would lead them just like the kings of the other nations.
D. Saul is the answer to their prayers, though they weren't aware of the gravity of what they were asking for.
E. When Saul proved to be exactly the kind of king they had asked for, a king like the kings of the nations, God in his mercy anointed David as the king after his own heart – though at this point in the book it doesn't seem like David will ever ascend to the throne.
II. The Passage in Its Context: David's Wanderings.
A. David narrowly escaped imprisonment, perhaps even death, at the hands of Achish by pretending that he was crazy, 21:10-15.
1. He was so desperate that he thought he would find better protection with the Philistines in Gath, then among his own people.
2. As absurd as that thought may have been, David will do it again in chpt. 27.
3. We have to be careful when making decisions in times of desperation because what may seem as the immediate relief may bring us down further into the pit.
B. From Gath (west of Jerusalem toward the Mediterranean Sea), David goes back to the territory of Judah.
1. He sets up camp in a cave in Adullam.
2. Living in caves will become a trend for David when in trouble.
3. While there, people start flocking to him including his family.
C. David decided that it wasn't safe for his parents to remain in Israel, so he took them to Moab, 3-4.
1. Moab is east of the Dead Sea.
2. Perhaps he chose Moab because of his great-grandmother, Ruth, Jesse's grandmother.
3. Whatever the reason, the king of Moab took David's family in and he himself remained there till Gad the prophet told him to leave, 5a.
4. More on his taking care of his parents next week.
D. We last see David at the forest of Hereth, 5b.
1. This is back in the territory of Judah, about 10 miles south of his nativity town of Bethlehem.
2. All in all David has traveled close to 200 miles in these 5 verses.
III. An Application of the Passage: David as the Captain of Our Salvation.
A. This is not necessarily what the passage means, but what it might remind us of and point us to.
B. When I read v. 2, particularly the type of people that David attracted, I couldn't help but think of Jesus's ministry.
C. Sinners flocked to David.
1. The passage doesn't say why, just that they did.
2. Look at the list of people that were attracted to David.
a. People who were in distress – going through hardship, anguished.
b. People who were in debt – the idea of bondage.
c. People who were discontented – literally people who were bitter of soul.
3. David welcomed them and became their captain.
D. Isn't this exactly what Jesus does as the ultimate son of David?
1. Think of the type of people who gathered around Jesus.
Mt. 9:10 – Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, thatbehold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
Lk. 7:37-38 – And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped themwith the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
Lk. 14:34-15:1– Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.
2. Listen to Jesus's teaching.
Mt. 9:12-13 – When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Lk. 15:7 – I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Lk. 18:9-14 – Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified ratherthan the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
E. David became the captain over a bunch of misfits – Jesus is the captain of our salvation.
Heb. 2:10 – For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
1. The one who created all things and for whose glory all things exist is our captain, the commander of our salvation.
2. A salvation made perfect through his suffering.
F. We don't know why a bunch of misfits flocked to David.
1. Maybe they found safety with him.
2. Maybe they saw an opportunity to rebel against Saul's government.
3. Maybe they liked caves.
G. We do know why sinners flock to Jesus – he invites and compels them to come!
Mt. 11:28-20 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
1. The invitees – only those who are tired or weary under the yoke of sin.
a. Those who have never believed in Christ for their salvation.
b. Those who do believe, but often forget to look to him and are laboring under the weight of sin.
2. The invitation – to take Christ's yoke and learn from him.
a. We are always under yoke to something, either Christ or self, Satan, and world.
b. Christ's yoke, Christ's rule in our lives is pleasant (easy) – joyful (one of the fruit of the Spirit).
c. Christ's yoke is light because he helps us carry it.
d. Learn from me = become my disciple.
3. The promise – I will give you rest and you will find rest for your soul.
Heb. 2:10, 15 – For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings…. and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Conclusion
Jesus invites you and he compels all who are his to come to him. So come to him and bring all your baggage with you. If you are believer listen to what Peter says,
1 Pt. 5:6-7– Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
If you are not a believer, Jesus came to save sinners such as yourself. He will not turn you away. Hear the call of the Jesus!
Rev. 22:17 – And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-captain-of-our-salvation-1-sam-221-2.html
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