Saul Pursues David: Lessons from 1 Samuel

Saul Pursues David: A 1 Samuel Bible Lesson

Have you ever faced a situation where the right choice wasn’t obvious? That’s exactly what we see in David and King Saul’s story. In this 1 Samuel Bible lesson, we’ll explore how David sought God’s guidance while Saul pursued his own agenda. We’ll also uncover valuable lessons about motives, decisions, and trusting God in the midst of challenges.

Saul and David’s Relationship

After David bravely defeated the Philistines and saved Keilah, Saul’s jealousy and fear of losing the throne grew. Scripture says:

“When it was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, ‘God has handed him over to me, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.’ So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.” – 1 Samuel 23:1-6 NASB

David, however, sought God’s counsel before making any moves. He asked Abiathar the priest for the ephod and prayed:

“Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to destroy the city on my account. Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him?” And the Lord said, “They will hand you over.” – 1 Samuel 23:10-12 NASB

So David and his men escaped to the wilderness, trusting God’s guidance rather than relying on their own strength.

Saul Pursues David

Saul’s obsession didn’t stop there. He chased David across the wilderness, seeking to take his life. Jonathan, Saul’s son, encouraged David:

“Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second in command to you.” – 1 Samuel 23:16-17 NASB

The two made a covenant before the Lord, and David continued to evade Saul while relying on God’s protection. Saul’s relentless pursuit illustrates the difference between acting from self-interest and seeking God’s will.

Saul vs David – Decisions

This story highlights two contrasting approaches to decision-making. David consistently sought God’s guidance before taking action. Saul, however, acted from fear and personal ambition, often ignoring God’s direction. As we study 1 Samuel, it’s clear that our motives matter as much as our actions.

From God – or Not?

When making important decisions, we can ask ourselves two critical questions:

• How much do I want this for myself?
• Is this God’s will or mine?

David’s example shows us the importance of seeking God’s guidance and listening carefully for His response. Before making a major decision, ask yourself:

“God, will this decision glorify You?”

Lessons for Today

Even though not everyone is called to face the challenges David did, we all can learn to:

• Trust God’s direction in our daily decisions.
• Seek His guidance before acting.
• Recognize when our motives may be self-serving rather than God-centered.

If you want to learn more about how God calls His people to action, you can read about David and the king or visit the homepage for more Bible lessons.

Let’s follow David’s example: pray first, listen closely, and act in obedience to God’s will. It’s a timeless lesson for David and King Saul’s story and for our own lives today.

Love in Christ,
Bob