Sermons on Righteous Sufferer

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…

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…

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…

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…