The Betrayal of the Messiah (1 Sam. 23-24)

In these central episodes of 1 Samuel we hear of what will happen to all of David's enemies. They will be destroyed - not because of David's might and power, but because the LORD was with David.

It is not David's military might, but his faith and trust in Yahweh that gave him the victory! "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD!" And as that was true for David, so was it most powerfully true for our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore it is true for us as well! Wait upon the LORD and he will accomplish his purposes for you.

It is important to point out that "waiting on the LORD" does not mean that you never do anything! Rather, it means that you wait for the LORD to do what he has promised – and then, when God says "Go!" you go.

But sometimes it is the tempter who says "now is the time!" David in the wilderness reflects the three temptations of Deuteronomy 6-11, "Do not say in your heart, these nations are too great for me." (Dt 7:17) "Do not say in your heart, my power has gotten me this wealth (Dt 8:17) "Do not say in your heart, it is because of my righteousness} (Dt 9:4)

These three temptations come back in the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. And we will see how Satan's temptation of Jesus is prefigured when David's men say, strike down Saul, and you can have the kingdom now!!

But David refuses. Why? Because David knows what God has said: You don't strike down the LORD's Anointed! When you know what God has said – and what God calls you to do and to be – the temptations of the wilderness do not have nearly so much power over you! And you can have simple confidence in God that he will do what he has promised...