Difference between revisions of "Sermon for June 28th, 2015"

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Last week's scripture passage was a really long one--almost an entire chapter of the Bible--and yet it covered only one brief episode in the life of young David.  Today's scripture passage, by contrast, is short.  Just two verses, and yet it summarizes a long period of time--several years in the rise of King David.
 
Last week's scripture passage was a really long one--almost an entire chapter of the Bible--and yet it covered only one brief episode in the life of young David.  Today's scripture passage, by contrast, is short.  Just two verses, and yet it summarizes a long period of time--several years in the rise of King David.
  
I say "King" David, but David is nowhere near being king yet. In fact, at this point in his life, he's an outlaw, a banditThe stories from this time in his life, both before and after today's scripture reading, describe a man who is more like Robin Hood than King Arthur.   
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I say "King" David, but David is nowhere near being king yet. In fact, at the beginning of this passage, he is nothing more than a refugee, on the run from a raving and jealous king Saul, who has tried many times to have David killed. The reason David's brothers and all his father's house come to him in hiding is probably because their lives are in danger too, on account of their connection to David.   
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This is a low point in David's career, once filled with so much promise, but now so much uncertainty:  He was the one anointed by the prophet Samuel as God's chosen King.  He was the one who defeated the giant, Goliath.  The one who once led the armies of King Saul to victory after victory, as his fame and fortune grew.   
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Now, he has lost everything.  He has no country. No Kingdom. No army. No resources.  Just a cave, near the ruins of Adullam, overlooking the valley of Elah, the site of his victory over Goliath.  I can imagine David sitting at the mouth of the cave, looking intently for any sign of those who are hunting him.  Looking...and thinking...and remembering.
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David is on the run from King Saul, who is paranoid and jealous
 
 
*No country
 
*No country
 
*No Army
 
*No Army

Revision as of 21:41, 27 June 2015

1 Samuel 22:1-2

1David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; when his brothers and all his father’s house heard of it, they went down there to him. 2Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Those who were with him numbered about four hundred.

Give Us A King: Adullam's Cave

Last week's scripture passage was a really long one--almost an entire chapter of the Bible--and yet it covered only one brief episode in the life of young David. Today's scripture passage, by contrast, is short. Just two verses, and yet it summarizes a long period of time--several years in the rise of King David.

I say "King" David, but David is nowhere near being king yet. In fact, at the beginning of this passage, he is nothing more than a refugee, on the run from a raving and jealous king Saul, who has tried many times to have David killed. The reason David's brothers and all his father's house come to him in hiding is probably because their lives are in danger too, on account of their connection to David.

This is a low point in David's career, once filled with so much promise, but now so much uncertainty: He was the one anointed by the prophet Samuel as God's chosen King. He was the one who defeated the giant, Goliath. The one who once led the armies of King Saul to victory after victory, as his fame and fortune grew.

Now, he has lost everything. He has no country. No Kingdom. No army. No resources. Just a cave, near the ruins of Adullam, overlooking the valley of Elah, the site of his victory over Goliath. I can imagine David sitting at the mouth of the cave, looking intently for any sign of those who are hunting him. Looking...and thinking...and remembering.


  • No country
  • No Army
  • No resources

And who does he get? The dregs of society.

  • Wilderness times in our lives, times of retreat and growth, expanding our vision and forming our values
  • Who comes to David? The same people who come to Jesus. Outcasts. David's family would be outcasts now, too. (Matthew 11:9)
  • Adullam's Cave as the church
  • Three Categories
    • (מָצ֜וֹק) (matzoq) Distressed - Oppressed, in trouble, refugees (today's immigrants?)
    • (נֹשֶׁא֙) (n'sheh) In Debt - (Acts 2:44-45)
    • (מַר-נֶ֔פֶשׁ) (mar-nephesh) "bitter souls," Discontent, broken people.

Leadership principles:

  • When God calls you, usually the cave comes before the palace.
  • When God calls you, he doesn't send you the professionals. He sends the broken rejects.
  • But God uses the Cave. God uses the people. Read a few chapters later to see how David's "mighty men" turn out.
  • Talk about Supreme Court ruling? Gay Marriage?
  • Talk about AME Church shooting?
  • Talk about Confederate Flag?