Sermons on 1 Samuel
1 Samuel 30:21–31
1 Samuel 30:21–31 — Dividing the Spoil After David’s great victory over the Amalekites, an unexpected question arises: Who receives the spoils? Rather than rewarding only those who fought, David generously shares the victory with all his men—even those too exhausted to enter the battle. He also sends gifts throughout Judah, demonstrating his enduring commitment to God’s people despite the hardships and betrayals he had suffered. These actions are far more than examples of generosity. They foreshadow Jesus Christ. Christ…
1 Samuel 30:1–20
1 Samuel 30:1–20 — David and the Amalekites When David returned to Ziklag, he found the city burned and the families of his men carried away captive. What appeared to be utter disaster became the setting for one of David’s greatest victories. Rather than despair, David strengthened himself in the Lord, sought God’s direction, and pursued the Amalekites. In doing so, he succeeded where Saul had failed, defeating Israel’s ancient enemy and restoring everything that had been lost. This victory…
1 Samuel 28:1–25
Saul’s tragic end stands as one of the most sobering warnings in all of Scripture. Having rejected the word of God repeatedly, Saul finds himself abandoned, terrified, and seeking help from a witch in open rebellion against the Lord. In this sermon, we examine the downward spiral of unbelief, the terrifying reality of divine judgment, and the urgent call to flee to Christ while mercy is still offered.
1 Samuel 27:1–12
David has been rejected by his own people and forced once again into exile among the Philistines. Yet even in suffering and exile, David proves himself to be the true Israelite and the conquering king who fights for the people of God. In this sermon, we explore David’s growth through suffering, the morality of his actions in Philistia, and the way his life foreshadows Christ—the rejected Messiah who nevertheless rules, defends, and ultimately delivers his people into their inheritance.
1 Samuel 26:1–25
1 Samuel 26:1–25 — Returning Good for Evil Again David once again spares Saul’s life, showing the mercy, patience, and faith that marked the Lord’s anointed king. In this sermon from 1 Samuel 26, we consider why Scripture repeats events like this and how these repeated acts of mercy reveal the character of David—and ultimately the character of Christ. As Saul hardens his heart and continues persecuting David, David refuses to seize the kingdom through violence or revenge. Instead, he…
1 Samuel 25:1–44
What happens when even the righteous reach their breaking point? In this chapter, David—who showed remarkable restraint toward Saul—nearly falls into destructive anger against Nabal. This passage exposes the limits of even the godliest men and highlights our deep need for divine grace. Enter Abigail. Through her wisdom and intercession, she turns away David’s wrath and prevents bloodshed. Her actions not only demonstrate God’s restraining grace but also serve as a powerful type of Christ—the ultimate intercessor who turns away…
1 Samuel 24:1–22
How should the people of God respond to unjust suffering? In 1 Samuel 24, David has a perfect opportunity to take revenge on Saul—the man who has relentlessly sought his life. Yet instead of striking him down, David shows restraint, mercy, and honor toward the Lord’s anointed. This sermon explores the profound theological implications of that moment. David models a non-revolutionary disposition toward authority, a deep reverence for God-ordained office, and—most strikingly—a love for enemies. David’s actions ultimately point beyond…
1 Samuel 23:14–29
When the Lord’s anointed suffers, where do you stand? In this passage, David is pursued relentlessly by Saul while hiding in the wilderness. Yet the real focus is not merely on persecution—but on the contrasting responses to David. Jonathan humbly submits to him, while the Ziphites betray him. This sermon presses a central question: Where do your loyalties lie? We explore the theme of the righteous remnant, the nature of true faithfulness, and the danger of siding with the world…
1 Samuel 23:1–13
In this passage, we see one of the clearest Old Testament portraits of the Messiah: a Savior who delivers His people in the midst of suffering—yet is rejected by those He saves. David, though hunted and persecuted by Saul, does not withdraw into self-preservation. Instead, he risks everything to rescue Keilah from the Philistines. He is the true king in the wilderness—the Lord’s Anointed who saves while suffering. And yet, in a striking turn, the very people he delivers are…
1 Samuel 22:6–23
The contrast between Saul and David reaches a terrifying climax in this passage. Saul, the false king, turns his rage against the priests of the Lord, while David, the true anointed one, becomes a refuge for the persecuted. In this sermon on 1 Samuel 22:6–23, we trace the pattern of false messiahs persecuting the true Messiah and His people. Saul’s paranoia, Doeg’s betrayal, and the slaughter at Nob reveal the ugliness of rebellious power that outwardly belongs to the covenant…