1 Samuel 16-18, 24, 31
2 Samuel 6, 22
1 Chronicles 17
Psalm 59

A temptation is the desire to do something right or wrong. Sometimes we look at that word and think of the biggest and worst possible temptation. But the truth is this: many times they are actually much smaller desires that we experience everyday. It could be cheating on a test, not following the rules on the road, or saying something mean about someone else when they aren’t around or listening. We all experience temptations every day.

What are some temptations that you might experience on a normal day of your life? 

Have you experienced a temptation to do something good or bad today?

The story of David running from King Saul in the Desert of En Gedi is one that has temptation in it. It looked like this: King Saul was getting very frustrated that a majority of Israel liked David more than him. How could this be? Saul was the King! To fix this, Saul set out to kill David, but David fled.

One day, while he searching for his enemy, David, Saul needed to take a break. So he walked into a cave for some privacy. He had no idea that this is where David and His men were hiding. In fact, they were so close to Saul, the could even touch him!

David’s men put David in a very tough position. They said: “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” (1 Sam. 24:4)  Basically, now’s your chance to stop all this running and hiding. Saul is right here in front of you. Kill him! 

It must have been tempting for David. They’d been running for a long time. Wouldn’t it be nice to go home and not worry about being caught and killed anymore? This was the temptation. But was man’s path and suggestion, not God’s.

Instead of killing Saul, David snuck up close to him and cut off a corner of his cloak. David knew that Saul was God’s anointed leader right now, and it would stay that way until God changed it. The story says that David then “sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.” (1 Sam. 24:6-7)

I wonder what David was feeling as his friends tempted him to do something that was not from God? Have you ever felt those feelings in your life?

Think deeper into the story: we know that after Saul and David agree to stop their fighting, Saul again tries to kill David. 

Do you think David ever wished he had made a different choice in that cave? 

Have you ever looked back on a tempting decision and wished you had done something different?

With every temptation comes an opportunity to trust in God. It might feel like we are on our own making a decision that God wants, but “God does not leave those who seek Him”. (Ps. 9:10 ) Because of that, and because our Salvation comes from Jesus Christ, not our own choices and actions, we can “trust, and not be afraid; the Lord God is our strength.” (Isa. 12:2) We can trust Him above all others during any trail and temptation!

It still might be tempting to listen to what the world around us says is good or the fun thing to do. But following God’s leading from his Word will give us a life that avoids sin and does not stumble or fall. The Bible says this: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” (Ps. 37:23)