In the next 3 episodes starting in 1 Samuel 24, while David is in the wilderness, he is going to have 3 tests. The first test is the temptation to avoid suffering. The second test is the temptation to avenge himself. The last test is a temptation, like the first, to avoid suffering. Will he pass all three?
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Most scholars believe there is an important New Testament parallel with these 3 tests. David’s temptations in the wilderness, foreshadow the temptation of Christ. Jesus was tempted 3 times in the wilderness. The 40-day scene is recorded in Luke 4 and Matthew 4.
Listen to Matthew’s version:
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
All 3 of David’s temptations occur while he is in the wilderness, alone without the support of his family, suffering physical discomfort and all 3 involve bloodshed to become king or to prove that he is God’s chosen King. All 3 of Christ’s temptations occur while he is in the wilderness, alone without the support of his disciples, suffering physical discomfort, and all 3 involve avoiding his own bloodshed to become or prove he is the king of kings, the Son of God who will rule forever!
Both David’s test and Christ’s test were temptations to skip suffering for immediate power. David was tempted by men urging him to take that power. Christ was tempted by Satan, urging him to take that power. Both David and Christ resisted. David resisted the temptation of becoming king through the bloodshed of others. Jesus resisted the temptation and became king through his own bloodshed.
What an awesome comparison!
Scene 1: David’s First Wilderness Test
Verses Mentioned:
Show Notes:
The Path to Good or Evil
David’s Flight from Saul
The author of this article is Hayley Mowatt, producer of Bible Book Club.
