1 Samuel 23
Four Ways to Endure Desperate Days
We all find ourselves in desperate days and difficult seasons of life. Whether it’s a job loss, the death of a loved one, a
failing business, a wayward child, or a marriage hanging by a thread, we all face difficult seasons. Life rarely turns out
how we would like or in the way that we plan. In John 16:33, Jesus reminds us that in this world we will have trouble,
but that we should take heart because he has overcome the world. Since we are all guaranteed to have difficulty in
this life, the question becomes what do we do when we find ourselves in one of these difficult seasons? How can we
find hope when everything seems hopeless? How can we endure during these desperate days? As we have been
studying the life of David, we have seen David at his best, and we have seen him at less than his best. In 1 Samuel
22, we see one of the worst moments of David’s desperate days as the priests of Nob are murdered by Saul for
offering aid to David. After seeing how Saul killed the priests and completely wiped out their city, no one would have
blamed David if he would have just given up. Yet, when we come to 1 Samuel 23, we see David finding hope in the
midst of his difficult circumstances. David does four things to endure and to find hope in the middle of his desperate
days. First, David takes the focus off of himself and his problems and focuses on the needs of others. In the midst of a
trial our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves look out for our own interests. We say things like, “How can I help
others if I can’t even help myself,” or “I have enough problems of my own to worry about.” While there is a place for
taking care of ourselves, putting our focus on others enables us to put our difficulties in their proper perspective.
Focusing only on ourselves and our problems can only lead to despair and depression. Second, David gets wisdom
from God. Many times when we are desperate, we get “advice” from many different sources—solicited and unsolicited!
Yet, we often fail to get true wisdom from the One who knows our circumstances and has the power to change them.
There is a place for wise counsel when we are facing a difficult situation, but often times we settle for the opinions of
others without ever seeking wisdom from God himself. Third, David is strengthened and encouraged by his friend
Jonathan. One of the tempting and dangerous things we can do when facing a difficult season is to isolate ourselves
from others. Jonathan’s friendship with David shows us the power of true biblical friends—those who strengthen and
encourage us in the Lord. Fourth, David gets his eyes on God and sees how God is at work in his situation. We cannot
always see how God is at work during desperate days. Most often, it’s only when we look back that we can see how
God was at work in our circumstances. Yet, we can know with certainty, that God is always at work—even when we
aren’t seeing it. It’s up to us as believers to respond in faith, continuing to move forward in anticipation of God working
in and through our desperate days.
Questions for Discussion and application:
1. The last few chapters of 1 Samuel have been challenging as we have seen David desperate and on the
run. As outsiders, it would be easy to see David’s situation as being hopeless. How might Pastor Brock’s
message this week bring hope to those who are feeling desperate and hopeless? Why?
2. Read 1 Samuel 23:1-5. In what way does David show concern for others in this passage? How does
focusing on others and serving help us as we are facing a difficult or desperate season? Why? Have you
ever seen this at work in your own life? Why or why not? If so, describe it to your group.
3. Read 1 Samuel 23:6-14. In this passage David uses the priests’ ephod to seek God’s will. How can we as
21st century Christians seek God’s will and his wisdom?
4. There’s no shortage of good “advice any time we face a trial or difficult season in life. How can we
separate godly counsel and wisdom from “advice?” (See James 1:5, 3:13-17)
5. Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18. What encouragement does Jonathan give David in this passage? Have you
ever experienced this type of friendship when facing a difficult season? Why is it tempting to withdraw and
isolate yourself during difficult seasons? How might biblical friendship help prevent this?
6. We have seen God at work in David’s desperate days. In what specific ways do we see God at work in
this chapter? (See 1 Sam 23:14, 24-29) Why is it important to look for the ways God is working in your
story even while you are going through a difficult season? How does knowing God is at work help you
endure and persevere through difficult days?
Questions for Accountability:
7. In what area of life do you find yourself being “desperate” and in need of hope? How might your life and
walk with Christ be different if you put the four things from our study into practice? What is one practical
step you can take this week?