1 Samuel 24, 25, 26 “Knowing Who You Are”

1 Samuel – Week 6 – “Knowing Who You Are”

1 Samuel 24:12
“May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you.”

1 Samuel 25:32-33

³² Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!

³³ May your discernment be blessed, and may you be blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.

1 Samuel 26:10

¹⁰ David added, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

PRAY

• Today, we are looking at a powerful truth that David understood,
• Which shaped his actions and reactions in life’s most challenging situations:
• His identity in the Lord.
• From the moment David defeated Goliath in 1 Samuel 17,
• His life became a whirlwind of favor and persecution.
• His victory over Goliath thrust him into the spotlight
• As Israel’s champion,
• But it also stirred deep jealousy in King Saul’s heart.
• Despite his faithfulness to Saul,
• Serving him as a musician and military leader,
• Saul’s paranoia only grew.
• Repeated attempts on David’s life forced him to become a fugitive.
• Now, David is on the run.
• He has gathered followers who are loyal to him,
• But he’s living in constant danger,
• Being hunted like a criminal by the very man he once served faithfully.
• Yet, despite all the betrayal, injustice, and uncertainty,
• David consistently responds to his enemies with mercy and trust in the Lord.
• Why?
• Because David’s identity was rooted in God’s calling and God’s approval,
• Not in the opinions or actions of others.
• He knew WHO he was
• And WHOSE he was.
• This security in his identity
• Changed everything about how he responded to those who wronged him.
• The question for us today is,
• Where do we find our identity?
• Is it in our circumstances,
• Our reputation,
• Or in what God says about us?
• We will examine three powerful episodes from David’s life
• In 1 Samuel 24, 25, and 26
• To see how his identity in the Lord shaped his actions.
• David’s story shows us that when our identity is anchored in the Lord, it changes everything.
• The truth is, as we will see
• The only way we can truly respond the right way in challenging situations
• Is if we understand our identity in the Lord.
• As I said without knowing Who we are and Whose we are,
• We will constantly strive for approval, justice, or validation from the world.
• What do I mean? Is your identity being a parent?
• What happens when your kids grow up and leave?
• Then you lose your identity
• Is your Identity in your Job and what you do?
• What happens when you lose your Job?
• Then you lose your identity
• But Jesus gives us a new identity through the gospel—
• One that is not earned by what we do but received by grace.
• When You and I get invited into a relationship with Jesus
• We are given titles of Identity
• They are a gift from God

Ephesians 2:4-10 says it this way

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,

⁵ made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,

⁷ so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

• We are also given the same pronouncement given to Jesus in

Matthew 3:16-17

¹⁶ When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

• You are his son…You are his daughter…and he is pleased with you
• Not because of what you have done…But because of Jesus and what he has done
• Let me illustrate it for you
• Through one of our discipling tools called “The Identity Triangle:”
• The Identity Triangle reveals
• That our understanding of “Who” we are
• Shapes everything about “How” we live and respond to the world around us.”
• Starts with God the Father at the Top
• And then about halfway down the side is Jesus
• When God the Father Looks Down
• He looks down through the filter of Jesus
• And Sees family
• What do I mean?

Ephesians 2:19

¹⁹ So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,

• He sees His sons and daughters
• Brothers and sisters of Jesus
• Why? Because of what Jesus did for us
• What did Jesus do? The Gospel!
• And because of this great Gospel
• I get my identity in Jesus
• And once I understand where my Identity comes from
• It secures me in who he is
• I no longer need validation from what I do (i.e., getting the promotion, getting vengeance)
• It no longer matters what I go through or what others think of me
• Because I am in him
• And now all that is left for me
• Is to follow and obey my king
• As I am now a son and daughter of the king
• My identity in Jesus drives me toward obedience
• How?
• Remember Jesus words

John 14:15

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commands.

• Through our obedience,
• We deepen our relationship with God,
• Living out of His love rather than striving for it.
• And ultimately bringing Joy to the father
• But the problem is we often get it wrong
• “I’m going to work hard to do it all right”
• “So, I can gain his approval”
• No, My identity comes from who he is and what he has done
• Nothing that I do or earn
• We define it with one word
• Covenant
• God the Father made a Covenant or Promise
• With Jesus…Jesus Kept the promise
• How? By doing what the father asked
• Going to the cross
• Now that we have laid this foundation of our identity
• Let’s see how David’s understanding of his identity
• Allowed him to respond to his enemies with mercy and trust in God’s justice.

(Story 1) David Spares Saul’s Life in the Cave (1 Samuel 24)

• When we pick up David’s story 1 Samuel 24
• Saul, driven by jealousy and paranoia,
• Hunts David down with three thousand men.
• David and his men are hiding in the wilderness of En-gedi.
• Saul unknowingly walks into the very cave where David is hiding.
• David’s men urge him to take revenge and kill Saul,
• But instead,
• David only cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe.
• And immediately, David’s conscience convicts him.

1 Samuel 24:5-6 (CSB)

“Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

 He said to his men, “As the Lord is my witness, I would never do such a thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.”

• David’s restraint was rooted in his understanding of God’s sovereignty
• And his own identity as God’s anointed servant.
• Instead of seeking vengeance,
• He left Saul’s fate in God’s hands.

1 Samuel 24:12 (CSB) –

“May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you.”

• This was not about David’s reputation or his future kingdom;
• It was about God’s will and God’s timing.
• His identity was grounded in who God said he was,
• Not what others said about him.

(Story 2) David and Abigail: Responding to Foolishness with Wisdom (1 Samuel 25)

• David and his men had been protecting
• The flocks of a wealthy but foolish man named Nabal.
• When David asks Nabal for food and hospitality,
• Nabal rudely refuses and insults him.
• In his frustration, David prepares to destroy Nabal’s household.

1 Samuel 25:13

¹³ He said to his men, “All of you, put on your swords!” So each man put on his sword, and David also put on his sword. About four hundred men followed David while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

• But God intervenes through Abigail, Nabal’s wise wife.

1 Samuel 25:23-28 (CSB) –

²³ When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey and knelt down with her face to the ground and paid homage to David.

²⁴ She knelt at his feet and said, “The guilt is mine, my lord, but please let your servant speak to you directly. Listen to the words of your servant.

²⁵ My lord should pay no attention to this worthless fool Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means ‘stupid,’ and stupidity is all he knows. I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

²⁶ Now my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live—it is the Lord who kept you from participating in bloodshed and avenging yourself by your own hand—may your enemies and those who intend to harm my lord be like Nabal.

²⁷ Let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.

²⁸ Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the Lord is certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lord because he fights the Lord’s battles. Throughout your life, may evil not be found in you.

• She quickly brings gifts and meets David,
• Humbly pleading for mercy.
• She acknowledges her husband’s folly
• She reminds David of God’s sovereignty and promises,
• Persuading him not to take matters into his own hands.
• David’s response to Abigail reveals his growth:

1 Samuel 25:32-33 (CSB) records David’s response:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! May your discernment be blessed, and may you be blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.”

• David was reminded that his identity was not as an avenger but as a servant of God.
• This is why our daily confession of “Jesus as Lord” is so important
• It resets our heart
• And takes us back to our Identity
• Being reminded of what he has done for us

(Story 3) David Spares Saul’s Life Again (1 Samuel 26)

• Despite Saul’s earlier repentance, he resumes his hunt for David.
• David finds Saul and his men sleeping but chooses again to spare Saul’s life, trusting God’s justice.

1 Samuel 26:10 (CSB),

“As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.”

• Trusting that God’s justice will be perfect and sufficient.
• Instead of killing Saul,

1 Samuel 26:11-12 (CSB) –

“But I will never lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.” So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way.”

• David takes Saul’s spear and water jug
• To prove that he had the power to kill him but chose mercy instead.
• Once again, Saul acknowledges David’s righteousness and promises to leave him alone.

1 Samuel 26:21 (CSB) – “I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Come back, my son David. I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I’ve committed a grave error.”

• David’s three responses reflect
• A deep faith that God will bring about justice without his intervention.
• His confidence came from his identity as God’s anointed and beloved.
• But how do we know so much about David’s Heart and motives
• Just with these stories?
• Because David Tells us

The Heart Behind David’s Mercy

• It is found in Psalm 57
• Which David wrote after his time being chased by Saul

Psalm 57:1-11

¹ Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you.
I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes.
² I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
³ He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends his faithful love and truth.
⁴ I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among devouring lions— people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
⁵ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.
⁶ They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! Selah

⁷ My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises.
⁸ Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
¹⁰ For your faithful love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
¹¹ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.

• David’s understanding of his identity is captured beautifully in Psalm 57,
• He shows us five truths that anchor and secure him
• They can do the same for us
• Let’s look at them

1. God’s Sovereignty:

• David trusted God’s plan,
• Acknowledging that God “fulfills His purpose” for him
• This means that we are not moved by our circumstances
• And We do not let our circumstances rob us of our identity

Psalms 57:2

² I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

• Even though those around him encouraged him
• To take matters into his own hands,
• David chose to trust God’s timing.
• When we trust the Gospel
• That what Jesus did for us Counted for us
• It builds our faith in his sovereignty…
• That he really is in control of all things…
• Even the situations that don’t bring the outcome I want
• Next, we see

1. His Faithful Love:

• David understood God’s Faithful love

Psalm 57:3;10

³ He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends his faithful love and truth.

¹⁰For your faithful love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds.

• The word Faithful is an all-encompassing word
• Meaning, steadfast love or long-lasting love,
• It means His Goodness and mercy,
• It was covenantal like we learned early a promise
• A promise that cannot be broken
• Again, the power of the Gospel
• Tells us God Loves us no matter what is happening around us
• David understood that what was happening to him
• Was not some man-made idea of blind fate
• But a God who had a loving purpose for his life.
• Next

1. Satisfaction in God Alone:

Psalm 57:7

“My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises.”

• This verse expresses a deep,
• Unwavering trust and joy in God
• Despite the surrounding danger.
• David’s confidence is not in his circumstances changing
• But in who God is—
• And that brings him such satisfaction
• That he begins to worship in the middle of the trial.

1. Selflessness:

• Despite his circumstances,
• David’s prayer is not only for deliverance
• But for God to be exalted

Psalm 57:11

⁵ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.

• His concern is for God’s glory,
• Not just his own safety or desired outcome.
• The Gospel will lead us to deny self
• And think of What Brings God Glory first
• Instead of what we can get out of it (revenging, Justice)
• Or what we think others should get
• We don’t get to decide who gets grace (the gospel changes our thinking)
• Here is the bottom line

When We Know Who We are in Jesus, We are Freed to Trust God’s Justice and Show Mercy to Others.

• But that is easier said then done
• You don’t know my stuff
• You are not walking in my shoes
• Your right
• But Jesus Has!

Hebrews 4:15

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Isaiah 53:3-4

³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him.

⁴ Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Philippians 2:6-8

⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
⁷ Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man,
⁸ he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.

• Jesus became like us and understands us
• And now because of what he has done through the Gospel
• He empowers us to live out our identity as beloved children of God.
• How? Just a few verses down from where we are reding

Philippians 2:13 (CSB) tells us

“For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”

• Do you know Who you are?
• Do you Know Whose you are?

Call to Action

• Knowing who you are in God changes everything.
• Just as David’s identity as God’s anointed servant
• Freed him to respond to injustice and persecution with mercy,
• We are called to find our identity and security in what Jesus has done for us through the Gospel.
• Here’s how we can respond:

Release Your Need for Vengeance:

• Just as David released Saul’s fate into God’s hands,
• We must release our hurt, anger, and need for vengeance to God.
• Reflect on Romans 12:19 – “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Rest in God’s Approval:

• Recognize that your identity is not earned by your efforts or shaped by the opinions of others.
• Your identity is rooted in being a beloved son or daughter of God,
• made secure through Jesus.
• As we saw earlier in Matthew 3:17, God says of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
• Because of Jesus, God says the same to you.

Daily Remind Yourself of Your Identity:

• Use the Identity Triangle tool.
• Remember that God the Father sees you through the filter of Jesus.
• You are His child, and He is pleased with you.
• Rest in that identity
• And let it shape how you live, love, and respond to the world.

Live from Your Identity, Not for It:

• Instead of striving to earn approval from God or others,
• Live from the identity that God has already given you through Jesus.
• Out of that identity, let obedience and love flow naturally.

Prayer Prompt:

Take a moment and pray, “Lord, help me to release my need for vengeance and rest in Your approval.

Help me to walk in my true identity as Your child.

Empower me to respond with mercy and grace, just as You have shown me through Jesus.”

• This week, let’s leave here, knowing who we are in Christ
• And allowing that truth to shape every action and response we have.