DAVID STUDY (#5)---------
"WHAT IS YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING?"
(1 Samuel 18:1-9)
Most of us in this building are middle class Americans, and , most of us possess about the same material things.  We think that to increase our income we can raise our STANDARD OF LIVING- (i.e.-a BETTER car, a BIGGER house, a MORE SECURE retirement).... but have we considered the biblical standard for life?  In this passage, David is just a young lad. He is a kid fresh from his first battle; but he has already achieved what so few people ever achieve in this life: David has achieved true greatness!
(Isaiah 62:10-"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones;m LIFT UP A STANDARD FOR THE PEOPLE.")
(1)-A STANDARD in his ACTIONS- (v.5, 14, 30) 
(v. 5)- He Behaved Himself Well In Spite Of Life’s Promotions 
Three times in this chapter we are told, “David behaved himself wisely.” This phrase speaks of someone “walking properly.” It refers “to a person who knows how to carry themselves.” It is speaks more than mere manners.  It speaks of a person who watches what they say, what they do, and how they act; because they know they are being watched. 
(v. 14)- He Behaved Himself Well In Spite Of Life’s Problems 
Beware of the snare of pride. It has a way of telling us that we are greater than we actually are. Thank God for the victories He gives, but be careful that they do not go to your head.  Even when Saul tried to kill him, David still carried himself the right way. David could have become bitter, or he could have been overcome by a desire for revenge.
A sign of true greatness in one’s faith is the ability to continue to walk the right way in the right path, even when things are not going well in your life. (Paul – Phil. 4:11-13; or Job – Job 1:20-21.)
(v. 30)- He Behaved Himself Well In Spite Of Life’s Possibilities 
David is in a position to attempt an overthrow of Saul’s kingdom. After all, he is the king! But, instead of trying to elevate himself; David is content to wait on the Lord. David continues to carry himself well in spite of the opportunity to promote himself.
Be very careful when it seems that you are on the way up because our duty is to live for Jesus and make a proper presentation of our lives before others!  The Bible says, “charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,” 1 Cor. 13:4-5.)
(2)-A STANDARD in his ASSIGNMENTS-(v.10-13)
These were not easy days for young David. He has been uprooted from his home and found instant fame from killing Goliath; and now, he has found a bitter enemy in the person of King Saul-(v. 9). Still David remains faithful in his priorities. He carried on with his assignments in spite of all the difficulties he faced. Notice how David demonstrated faithfulness to the priorities of his life.)
A. v. 10 David Was Surrendered – David knew the king was against him, still David walked into that throne room, picked up that harp and played his music. He had a job to do, and he did it faithfully.
B. v. 11 David Was Steadfast – In his hatred, Saul attempted to kill David. But, notice the phrase, “And David avoided out of his presence twice.”   Even though Saul tried to kill him, David returned to his post and continued doing the job he had been assigned to do.  
C. v. 13 David Was Submissive – Even after Saul attempted to take his life, David kept on serving the evil king. David took his new assignment and carried to out to the best of his ability.
Each of us does the things that are important to us.  Those things you attach value to determine the priorities of your life. Everything in your life is touched by this principle. For instance, your church attendance will be determined by what priority it holds in your life. The same is true of prayer, Bible study, witnessing, etc, etc. You do what you think is important.   At some point, David had determined to be faithful in spite of injury; in spite of trouble; in spite of difficulty.  We need to make up our minds that He will be the first priority of our lives.
(3)-A STANDARD in his AWARENESS- (v.17-23)
David’s standard of living is one from which we could all take a lesson. At some point, David had determined to be faithful in spite of injury; in spite of trouble; in spite of difficulty. He had made up his mind that he was going to be surrendered, steadfast and submissive to the king, regardless of what took place in his life.  This is how we should all be!
A. (v. 7-9; 15; 29)- The Private Perception Of David’s Life – How King Saul perceived David.   Saul hated David, but he hated him because God was with David and not with Saul. He hated David because David walked with God.
B. The Public Perception Of David’s Life –How the people of Israel perceived David  
1. (v. 5)- Saul’s Servants – The people in the king’s palace saw how David carried himself and they were impressed with David.
2. (v. 5, 16, 30)- Saul’s Subjects – All of the people saw God’s hand on David’s life and they were impressed with him.
3. (v. 1-4, 20, 28)- Saul’s Son and Daughter – Even Saul’s own children, Jonathan and Michal love David!
C. The Personal Perception Of David’s Life – How David perceived himself - The only person in Israel who seems to be unaware of David’s greatness is David.  David isn’t nearly as impressed with David as the others were.  The person who possesses true greatness will be the last one to know it! 
*The Bible has something to say about this matter of self-perception:
Proverbs 27:2, “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
Proverbs 26:12, “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.”
2 Cor. 10:12, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
2 Cor. 10:18, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” 
(4)-(v. 12, 14)- A STANDARD in his AFFECTIONS 
David’s Relationship With The Lord – David was in a faith relationship with God. He was able to say this in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” David knew God is a personal way. 
David’s Resources In The Lord – It is said “God was with him.” David was able to do all that he did because God was with him. He had favor with man because God was with him. He had humility and grace in his life because God was with him. 
*David’s life was great, not because of what he did, but because of who he was.  The same applies to you and to me!  It's not what you do, but who you are inside...do you have the right standard for living?