Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
November 1, 2026
[8] And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” [9] And Saul eyed David from that day on.
[10] The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. [11] And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.
[1] When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” [2] Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. [3] And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. [4] And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. [5] And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. [6] He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed.” [7] So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
[8] Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. [9] And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? [10] Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’ [11] See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. [12] May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.
Saul’s obsessive jealousy started with just an observation of David’s success. Left unchecked, it turned into full-blown attempted murder. Let’s talk this out. First, how would you define jealousy or envy?
It’s easy and natural to have jealous thoughts. But Saul let a jealous observation turn into a fixation/obsession. How did his jealousy evolve?
Left unchecked, how will jealousy or envy evolve in our lives?
[15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
What does this verse teach us about sin in general?
[7] Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”
Why is this statement disturbing?
David could have taken a shortcut to the throne, but he didn’t. Where are we often tempted to take sinful shortcuts to get praise, comfort, or success?
How was David’s heart different from Saul’s?
[9] How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
[10] With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
[11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
How are you storing God’s Word up in your heart? If you aren’t already, how can you start?
[8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10] Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
[7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— [8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
