In this chapter David receives tragic news. The Philistines have defeated Israel, and Saul and Jonathan are dead. Jonathan was his greatest friend. Saul was his greatest enemy. Yet, David’s response was to grieve for both in a very godly and gracious way. We’ll be looking at 3 lessons from David on how to respond biblically to death.  

Doctrine: God would have us grieve graciously for departed loved ones  

Q: What does gracious grief look like? It is:  

I. Sincere mourning in accordance with God’s Word  

II. Generous and honest in loving tribute  

III. Forgiving and merciful in response to offenses  

Doctrine: The Lord’s Supper calls for our deepest love and worship toward Christ  

Q: What should our posture be at the Lord’s Supper?  

I. Come adoring the true Presence of Christ at His table 

II. Eat and drink worthily at His table 

Guest Speaker: Garrett Soucy, Pastor of Christ the King Church in Belfast, ME

Doctrine: God’s afflictions are God’s mercies for our good  

Q: How should we respond to our afflictions? The text shares 4 ways David responded:   

I. Strengthen yourself in the Lord 1-6  

II. Inquire of the Lord 7-8 

III. Adjust your life to God’s Direction 9-19 

IV. Share generously the gain God gives you 20-31 

1 Sam. 29, 27:1, 28:1-2   

Doctrine: You never know what a day will bring, but you can trust the God who brings it  

Q: What can we learn from David’s falls & failures?   We learn to:  

I. Guard our hearts against initial wrong steps  

II. Be watchful of Satan’s snares 

III Behold the glory of God in our deliverances

Doctrine: God’s Spirit will not always strive with a rebellious heart  

Q: Why is rebellion such a dangerous sin? 

I. It casts a bewitching spell on its subjects 

II. It cuts off all communication with God 

III.  It produces a terrifying harvest 

Doctrine: We can never trust ourselves too little, nor our God too much 

Q: What can we learn from David on how to avoid the pitfall of unbelief? 

I. A spiritual high can be a gateway to a spiritual low 

II. Do not allow circumstances and feelings to govern your decision-making 

III. Spiritual compromise breeds spiritual compromise   

Theme: God has put us here, now, in this culture to glorify Him by engaging our communities with Gospel-centered living. 

Q: How can I engage my community with God-glorifying, Gospel-centered living?

I. Carry the conscious Presence of Christ with you always

II. Build abiding, Redemptive relationships

III. Be ever Gospel-ready

Rob Estes is an elder at Cornerstone.

Garrett Soucy is the pastor of Christ the King Church in Belfast, ME.