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Dealing with Baggage

1 Samuel 22:1-2

INTRODUCTION: I don’t know that there has ever been when fallen man has been so fallen. Each of us in this room deal with baggage, insecurities, or inward struggles and concerns. Our struggles often become the lens through which we view everything in the world. These complexities often cause difficulties for us in our decision making and our relationships with others.

I. THE BAGGAGE BROUGHT (1 Samuel 22:1-2)

A. The Nature of the Baggage

1. Those in distress
2. Those in debt
3. Those discontented

B. The Responsibility for the Baggage

1. Government
2. Failed civilization
3. Parental failure
4. Self-inflicted

C. The Number with Baggage

1. “Every one”
2. About four hundred men
3. Later “about six hundred” (1 Samuel 23:13)

II. THE BAGGAGE UNVEILED (1 Samuel 24:1-8)

A. The Desire of Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-2)

1. He heard that David was in the wilderness of Engedi (1 Samuel 24:1).
2. He took 3,000 chosen men (1 Samuel 24:2).
3. He went to seek David and David’s men (1 Samuel 24:2).

B. The Desire of David’s Men (1 Samuel 24:3-4)

1. Saul went in to cover his feet (1 Samuel 24:3).
2. David’s men assumed that God delivered Saul into David’s hands (1 Samuel 24:4).
3. The men encouraged David to take action (1 Samuel 24:4).

C. The Effect on David (1 Samuel 24:4-8)

1. David’s actions (1 Samuel 24:4)
a. He responded to the men’s suggestions.
b. He cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe.
2. David’s sorrow (1 Samuel 24:5)
3. David’s confession (1 Samuel 24:6-8)
a. He acknowledged his wrongdoing (1 Samuel 24:6).
b. He encouraged his servants (1 Samuel 24:7).
c. He humbled himself before Saul (1 Samuel 24:8).

III. THE BAGGAGE OVERCOME (1 Samuel 24:9-22)

A. The Cause of Saul’s Hatred (1 Samuel 24:9)

1. Saul had been listening to men
2. Men suggested that David sought the hurt of Saul

B. The Appeal of David’s Choice (1 Samuel 24:10-15)

1. His opportunity (1 Samuel 24:10)
2. His choice (1 Samuel 24:11)
3. His appeal to Saul (1 Samuel 24:12-15)

C. The Conviction in Saul (1 Samuel 24:16-22)

1. His sorrow (1 Samuel 24:16)
2. His view into reality (1 Samuel 24:17-19)
3. His request of David (1 Samuel 24:29-22)

D. The Next Encounter (1 Samuel 26:1-25)

1. Saul’s desire (1 Samuel 26:1-5)
2. The desire of David’s men (1 Samuel 26:6-8)
3. David’s victory (1 Samuel 26:9-20)
4. Saul’s departure (1 Samuel 26:21-25; 1 Samuel 27:4)

CONCLUSION: At first, David allowed the complexities of the men surrounding him to cause him to err in judgment, but in the end, David learned some great lessons about baggage: 1.) a true leader seeks to understand other men’s baggage without acting on it or getting caught up in it and 2.) a true leader eventually helps others to see that their baggage causes them to make unrealistic choices. God help us to never let our baggage get in the way of our service to God.

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