The Power of Strengthening Oneself
in the Lord

1 Samuel 29-30

The Bible Teaching Commentary

Paul J. Bucknell

Purpose

1 Samuel 29-30 presents a clear picture of God’s amazing grace and how He works with His people. Grace is found in our disobedience as well as during the period of chastisement. The point is that God is always with us.

1 Samuel 29 Handling Moral Dilemmas | 1 Samuel 30 Handling Difficult Testings
1 Samuel 29-30 Audio Podcast

This audio podcast allows us to learn much of Christian life from David's example here in 1 Samuel 29-30 as well as through the whole books of 1 and 2 Samuel.

In these chapters we learn how to strengthen oneself in the Lord. When we face trials, testings or even moral dilemmas, sometimes even because our own fault, we can strengthen ourselves in the Lord and find help in time of need.

Click below to listen or download.

Read the study the study as you follow this practical exposition on 1 Samuel 29-30! Below is the outline.

A) Handling Moral Dilemmas (1 Samuel 29:1-11) - David & King Achish

Did you ever feel like giving up?

• The Philistine army’s thoughts (29:1-3a)

• The Philistine king’s thoughts (King Achish) (29:3b)

• The Philistine armies’ thoughts (29:4-5)

• Resolving the problem (29:6-11)

Check out our Digital Old Testament Library for a huge collection of resources on 1 Samuel and all of the Old Testament!

B) Handling Difficult Testings (1 Samuel 30:1-31)

Did you ever think things couldn't get worse? Sometimes they can!

• What happened to David and his men in 1 Samuel 30:1-5?

• How did things get even worse for David (30:6a)?

• What was the turn about in David’s life at this time (30:6b)?

• How does one strengthen himself in the Lord? (1 Samuel 30:7-9)

• What happened afterwards? (1 Samuel 30:11-20)

• Handling Rewards (1 Samuel 30:21-31)

Conclusion

1 & 2 Samuel paint a beautiful picture of God’s amazing grace. These testings that David faced were largely because of his sin. They were, however, closely overseen by the Almighty God.

The Lord delivered David and his men from the moral quagmire. The Lord perfectly timed their return to see the devastation and be humbled. The Lord made sure that the Amalekites did not kill the people but took them alive. The Lord made sure there was an Egyptian on the road that could show them where the Amalekites were. God disciplines. He is not concerned with a blanket judgment upon our lives but effective training so that we ourselves can better reflect that wonderful mercy of God.

BFF -> Moving our generation's heart and mind closer to the Lord through the powerful truth of God!

Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell