Kingship, Repentance, and the Promise of Christ

 

Summary

In exploring the books of First and Second Samuel, we delve into the themes of kingship and repentance, which are central to understanding the biblical narrative and the gospel. These books, originally one, tell the story of Israel's transition from judges to kings, focusing on Samuel, Saul, and David. Samuel, the last judge, anoints Saul as the first king, but Saul's reign is marked by his failure to repent, leading to his downfall. David, though flawed, is a man after God's own heart because he repents, highlighting the power of repentance in the life of a believer.

The concept of kingship is deeply rooted in the biblical storyline, with the anticipation of a king who would deliver and transform the people. This expectation is first hinted at in Genesis 3:15, where a deliverer is promised to crush the head of evil. Saul and David, despite their roles, fall short of being the ultimate deliverer, pointing to the need for a king beyond human capability. David's reign, though significant, reveals his imperfections, underscoring the need for a perfect king, a role fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

First and Second Samuel contribute to the gospel narrative by illustrating that salvation is by grace, not by human effort. No human king or deliverer can rid us of sin and evil; only Jesus can. The books also emphasize the importance of repentance, as seen in the contrasting lives of Saul and David. Repentance is crucial to the gospel, as it is not our good works that save us, but our willingness to turn back to God.

These books point us to Christ through key images, such as David and Goliath, where David's victory is imputed to the Israelites, just as Christ's victory is imputed to us. Jesus, the son of David, is the promised king who reigns forever, fulfilling the prophecy in Second Samuel 7. He is the true king and our champion, who not only risked but gave his life for us, transferring his victory to us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Kingship and Repentance: The books of First and Second Samuel highlight the themes of kingship and repentance. Saul's failure to repent leads to his downfall, while David's willingness to repent, despite his flaws, aligns him with God's heart. This teaches us the importance of repentance in our spiritual journey. [03:19]

2. The Anticipation of a True King: The narrative of these books points to the need for a king beyond human capability. While Saul and David play significant roles, their imperfections highlight the anticipation of a perfect king, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who delivers and transforms us. [04:17]

3. Salvation by Grace: First and Second Samuel illustrate that salvation is by grace, not by human effort. No human king or deliverer can rid us of sin and evil; only Jesus can. This underscores the gospel message that we are saved by grace through faith. [05:12]

4. The Power of Repentance: The contrasting lives of Saul and David emphasize the power of repentance. Saul's lack of repentance leads to his downfall, while David's repentance restores him. Repentance is crucial to the gospel, as it is not our good works that save us, but our willingness to turn back to God. [05:38]

5. Christ as Our Champion: The story of David and Goliath serves as a powerful image of Christ as our champion. Just as David's victory was imputed to the Israelites, Christ's victory is imputed to us. Jesus, the son of David, is the promised king who reigns forever, fulfilling the prophecy and offering us salvation. [06:57]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - Understanding the Books
[01:21] - Themes of Kingship and Repentance
[01:37] - Samuel: The Last Judge
[01:52] - Saul: The First King
[02:05] - David: The Second King
[02:18] - The Anticipation of a King
[02:38] - The Deliverer in Genesis
[03:19] - Saul's Downfall and David's Repentance
[03:52] - The Need for a Perfect King
[04:30] - God's Promise to David
[04:54] - Salvation by Grace
[05:38] - The Importance of Repentance
[06:21] - David and Goliath: A Foreshadowing
[07:26] - Jesus: The Son of David
[07:40] - Jesus: The True King and Suffering Servant

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Saul's disobedience and lack of repentance.
2. 2 Samuel 12:1-13 - David's repentance after his sin with Bathsheba.
3. 2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's promise to David about his descendant who will reign forever.

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the key differences between Saul's and David's responses to their sins, as highlighted in the sermon? [03:19]
2. How does the story of David and Goliath serve as a foreshadowing of Christ's victory for us? [06:21]
3. What role does repentance play in the lives of Saul and David, according to the sermon? [05:38]
4. How does the promise in 2 Samuel 7 point to the coming of Jesus as the true king? [07:26]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is repentance emphasized as a crucial element in the gospel narrative, as seen in the lives of Saul and David? [05:38]
2. How does the anticipation of a perfect king in the books of Samuel enhance our understanding of Jesus' role in the biblical storyline? [04:17]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that human efforts are insufficient for salvation, and how does this relate to the concept of grace? [05:12]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that Jesus is both a king and a suffering servant, and why is this significant? [07:40]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you failed to repent for a mistake. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to practice genuine repentance in your life? [05:38]
2. How can you actively anticipate and recognize Jesus as the true king in your daily life, especially in moments of decision-making and leadership? [04:17]
3. In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts rather than God's grace? How can you shift your focus to trust more in His grace? [05:12]
4. Consider the story of David and Goliath. What "giants" are you facing in your life, and how can you rely on Christ's victory to overcome them? [06:21]
5. How does understanding Jesus as both a king and a suffering servant change the way you view your own role in serving others? [07:40]
6. Identify a specific area where you need to turn back to God. What practical steps can you take this week to seek His guidance and forgiveness? [05:38]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace the themes of kingship and repentance in their spiritual journeys? [03:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Heart of Repentance
Repentance is a central theme in the books of First and Second Samuel, as illustrated by the contrasting lives of Saul and David. Saul's failure to repent leads to his downfall, while David, despite his flaws, is known as a man after God's own heart because of his willingness to repent. This highlights the power of repentance in aligning oneself with God's will. Repentance is not merely about feeling sorry for one's actions but involves a genuine turning back to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance. It is a transformative process that restores our relationship with God and aligns us with His purposes. [03:19]

2 Samuel 12:13-14 (ESV): "David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said to David, 'The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and turn back to Him today? What steps can you take to genuinely repent and restore your relationship with God?


Day 2: The Anticipation of a Perfect King
The narrative of First and Second Samuel points to the need for a king beyond human capability. While Saul and David play significant roles in Israel's history, their imperfections highlight the anticipation of a perfect king. This expectation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who delivers and transforms us. The longing for a true king is deeply rooted in the biblical storyline, beginning with the promise of a deliverer in Genesis. Jesus, the son of David, is the promised king who reigns forever, offering us salvation and transformation. [04:17]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore."

Reflection: In what ways do you see Jesus as the perfect king in your life? How can you allow His reign to transform you today?


Day 3: Salvation by Grace Alone
First and Second Samuel illustrate that salvation is by grace, not by human effort. No human king or deliverer can rid us of sin and evil; only Jesus can. This underscores the gospel message that we are saved by grace through faith. The stories of Saul and David remind us that human efforts and achievements are insufficient for salvation. It is only through God's grace, demonstrated through Jesus Christ, that we can be truly saved and transformed. This grace is a gift, not something we can earn or deserve. [05:12]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How can you embrace the truth that your salvation is a gift of grace, not something you can earn? What changes might this understanding bring to your daily walk with God?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Repentance
The contrasting lives of Saul and David emphasize the transformative power of repentance. Saul's lack of repentance leads to his downfall, while David's repentance restores him. Repentance is crucial to the gospel, as it is not our good works that save us, but our willingness to turn back to God. This turning back involves a change of heart and mind, leading to a renewed relationship with God. It is a powerful act that brings healing, restoration, and alignment with God's purposes. [05:38]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: Is there a specific area in your life where you need to experience the refreshing power of repentance? How can you take steps today to turn back to God and seek His restoration?


Day 5: Christ as Our Champion
The story of David and Goliath serves as a powerful image of Christ as our champion. Just as David's victory was imputed to the Israelites, Christ's victory is imputed to us. Jesus, the son of David, is the promised king who reigns forever, fulfilling the prophecy and offering us salvation. He is our true champion, who not only risked but gave His life for us, transferring His victory to us. This victory over sin and death is a gift that we receive through faith, empowering us to live victoriously in Him. [06:57]

1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience Christ's victory today? How can you rely on Him as your champion to overcome challenges and live victoriously?

Quotes


First and Second Samuel is a book about two things in particular: it's about kingship and it's about repentance. If you're going to break down First and Second Samuel, it's fairly easy. The first seven chapters are about Samuel, who was the last of the judges of Israel. [00:01:21]

The story of First and Second Samuel is that the first king doesn't do that at all. Saul, because he doesn't repent, he does many things wrong, but he doesn't repent. And the second King, David, does a much better job because he also does things wrong, but unlike Saul, he repents. [00:03:19]

By the end of First and Second Samuel, you begin to realize, you know what, a human King is not going to do it either. We need a king who can make us all that we are. We need a king who can deliver us from all oppressive forces, but even David, who is the best of the Kings, was quite imperfect. [00:03:52]

The gospel is, number one, that we're saved by grace, not by works. No human effort can save us, only Jesus' effort can save us. And of course, First and Second Kings is setting us up to see that no human effort, no human King, no human deliverer, nothing that human beings do can really rid us of our sin and evil. [00:04:54]

The power of repentance because you see it in Saul, he's guilty of envy, self-deception, all kinds of problems, but he can't solve them because he doesn't repent. David has many, many problems, but he solves them because he repents. And as we know, repentance is crucial to understanding the gospel. [00:05:38]

There are key images that point us to Jesus. The one is David and Goliath, the most famous chapter in the book is where little David stands forth as a champion against Goliath. A champion was someone if two armies put a champion forward and the champion who beat the other Champion, that meant that the one Army wins. [00:06:21]

When David kills Goliath, his victory is imputed, it's transferred to the Israelite army. They win without lifting a finger. In the same way, of course, Jesus Christ is our substitute, he's our champion. He, of course, puts himself forward and fought for us not at just the risk of his life but at the cost of his life. [00:06:57]

The son of David that is predicted in Second Samuel 7 is Jesus. God tells David there's going to be one of your descendants who is going to reign forever. And so, ever after that, the Messiah, the predicted Messiah, was known as going to be the son of David. [00:07:26]

Jesus is a true king, but as we're going to see, he's also a suffering servant. And at this point, that's not yet to be seen. It won't come out until we get into the prophets, but right now we do know that he is the king that you're, that you need, that I need, and that all of our hearts need. [00:07:40]

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Transcript
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