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1st Retreat: A Friend Loves At All Times Session 3

29 May 2005

YAG RETREAT 29 May 2005
Session #3
Sunday Evening (8.00pm)
Text: 1 Samuel 16-18
Failed Friendships

1. The Royal Hand of Friendship

a) David recommended to King Saul          1 Samuel 16:18

b) Request of Saul to employ David          1 Samuel 16:19

c) David: Armour-bearer of Saul          1 Samuel 16:21

d) David’s special role of soothing the troubled king          1 Samuel 16:23

e) Saul’s love for David          1 Samuel 16:21

2. The Subtle but deadly changes in Relationship

a) In happier times

i) Saul’s offer of his personal armour to David          1 Samuel 17:38

ii) Promotion of David          1 Samuel 18:5b

b) Subtle and Deadly Changes

i) Anger of Saul over David’s growing popularity          1 Samuel 18:8

ii) Displeasure of Saul          1 Samuel 18:8

iii) Saul marked David          1 Samuel 18:9

iv) Saul feared David          1 Samuel 18:12

v) Saul removed David from his court          1 Samuel 18:13

vi) He attempted to slay David          1 Samuel 18:11

vii) Saul becomes an enemy of David          1 Samuel 18:29

3. Analysis of Failed Friendships

a) Saul

i) Rashness          1 Samuel 13:11;14:24, 44

ii) Disregard for God’s commandments          1 Samuel 15:9

iii) Disobedience          1 Samuel 15:17

iv) Pretence          1 Samuel 15:20

v) Excuses          1 Samuel 15:24-25

b) David

i) Victim

ii) Innocent (poor political savvy)

iii) Immaturity (young)

4. Other Failed Friendships (Psalm 55)

a) “Not an enemy”          Psalm 55:12

b) “My companion and acquaintance”          Psalm 55:13

c) “We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God”          Psalm 55:14

5. Where was the Lord when things went wrong?

a) Significance of the Davidic psalms

i) Imprecatory

ii) Depressive

iii) Penitential

iv) Meditative

v) Depth

vi) Victorious

b) These describe the many lessons that David learned through the tough times he experienced. The lessons include the following: –

i) Prayer

ii) Trust

iii) Discernment

iv) Growth

v) Maturity

5. Discussion

a) Share experiences of failed friendships

b) What were some of the vital lessons learned?

c) Have the wounds healed completely?

d) Have we emerged the wiser and stronger?

e) Have we become embittered towards people and life?

f) Have we learned how to exercise our faith in God?