I Samuel 30: God Guides David Through Ziklag

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Most things are not what they appear to be. They certainly were not for David when, after being rejected by the Philistines, he finds that another enemy of Israel, the Amalekites, had “attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire.” I Samuel 30:1

Ziklag was laid waste but the people that were there, the women and the sons and daughters of David’s warriors had all been kidnapped, most likely to serve the Amalekites as slaves. This was devastating to all of the men of David’s fighting force, and also to David, whose own wives were also taken.

Rightly or wrongly, David’s warriors laid all the blame at David’s feet. Such was their distress at losing their families they spoke of stoning David. But David, displaying signs of a great and abiding faith, “strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6

David consults what was likely the Urim and the Thummim from the priest’s ephod for help. The guidance that he gets from God is as follows: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” Weary and emotionally drained, David pursues the Amalekites with six hundred men. When the men get to the body of water called Brook Besor, two hundred of the men are too weary to continue, so they stay behind to rest and guard the supplies.

As providence would have it, David’s four hundred in pursuit of the Amalekites find a weak Egyptian servant in a field and he is nursed back to health with food and water. Once the man regains his strength, he tells David that he will lead him and his men to the group that burned Ziklag and kidnapped their families. The servant does as he says and David and his men attack this group by surprise. Through God’s guidance, and David’s faith and bravery, the outcome is overwhelmingly positive:

“So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all. Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.” I Samuel 30:18-20

But there is still a hitch to address: When the men who accompanied David to recover what was theirs come into contact with the two hundred men that were too weary to continue beyond Brook Besor, they do not want to share the spoils with the men that they now looked down upon as weak. The judgmental men are referred to as “wicked and worthless” or “sons of belial” in verse 22. But David, once again with a decision of sound judgment and admirable leadership, commits to sharing with the men that had stayed behind, saying in verses 23 and 24: “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.”

David’s sense of what was right and his sense of fairness win the day as this common-sense decision sets a standard for Israel as a statute and an ordinance.

Lastly for this chapter, David ingratiates himself with the leaders of Israel by sending them a portion of the spoils that were retrieved from the Amalekites. This smart move was done in a timely manner, as David will have the need to be on good terms with these political factions very soon.

What can we learn from this chapter? Here are some thoughts:

  • No matter is too great nor too small to consult God on: He is trustworthy to lead us through that which He decides is worthy
  • Mercy and compassion within a team is a very valuable component: We ought to extend grace towards those weaker than us, even if it is against our impulses
  • Never lose hope: When it seems obvious that all is lost, God can be relied upon to lead us to salvation, even if it seems hopeless from our perspective

Tonight I urge you to keep hope alive, rely on God, and have compassion for the weak. When we allow ourselves to be a conduit for God’s love and blessings, we are accomplishing His will and letting His light shine forth for other men, women, and children to see.

I Samuel 29: David’s Feelgood Rejection

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You will remember from chapter 28 how David was expected to fight with the Philistines on behalf of King Achish, who was impressed with his prowess in battle.

Throughout his life, David has been able to maintain profitable relationships with his enemies. The first and most obvious is King Saul, but we should also look at how David handled his relationship with King Achish. He never got too close so as to make himself an obvious enemy of his people, but he stayed close enough to the Philistines so that he could personally benefit from them.

David used the Philistines as a form of protection as Saul hunted for him and he also fought under the guise as a part of the Philistine army, but he did so to selectively defeat those other peoples that were enemies to Israel. We look at David and his political, strategic, and spiritual savvy: how did he do it? He was shrewd yet godly. David was smart and capable in both brains and brawn and he used both to his advantage. It should prompt us to wonder – how are we using our talents and blessings to bring attention to the glory of God?

In this chapter, David finds himself at a loss. Even though Achish values and trusts David, the princes of the Philistines remember all too well how effective David was in battle against the Philistines early on. They fear that he will become their adversary, so it is safe to say that they do not trust him. They know where his true allegiance lies, even if Achish is blind to it:

“But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men? Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”

The depth of the relationship between David and Achish seems genuine. See how Achish can testify of David even in light of the displeasure of the lords of the Philistines: “Then Achish called David and said to him, “Surely, as the Lord lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight. For to this day I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me. Nevertheless the lords do not favor you. Therefore return now, and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.”

Achish seems to understand David. I do not think that we can think that he is blind to David’s true allegiances, but I could be wrong. I think it is interesting that a man like David could have a civil relationship with his enemy without being duplicitous. After all, he did impress upon Achish that he was devoted to God: “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God.”

David, the “man after God’s own heart” knew how to live in such a way with friends and enemies so that they believed him, trusted him, and perhaps even saw God in him. David was an imperfect man, but he was great in much. Tonight let us meditate on our own lives, on our own relationships, and ask ourselves how we can make peace with our enemies in a way that glorifies God.

I Samuel 27: In Hiding

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After David’s second “reconciliation” with Saul, David fled with his 600 fighting men to the land of the Philistines. David chose this place, called Gath, because he knew that Saul would not pursue him there. While there, David met with Achish, the king of Gath. This is unlikely to be the same Achish as from I Samuel 21, due to the mention of this Achish being the son of Maoch.

Now the Philistines were profane idol-worshippers, and David did not want to stay in the royal city. As a way of seeking a place to stay away from the main population, David said to Achish in verse 5: “If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”

Achish sent David to Ziklag and made him to rule over it. Ziklag had originally been part of the the tribe of Judah, but from the context of this chapter, we can assume that the people of Ziklag no longer worshipped God but were now idol-worshippers, having been assimilated into Philistine culture.

Verses 8-10 tell about how David led raids against surrounding territories. David used his position for two purposes:

  1. Deceptively convince Achish that he was raiding the surrounding territories in the interest of the Philistines. This assured that David would continue to reside in Philistia
  2. Actively seek and destroy people and territories that were against the kingdom of Israel

David used his position to both fortify his nation and to ensure his continued personal protection until the time was right for him to return to Israel proper. Did he do it honestly? No. As great a man of faith in action as David was, he was far from perfect.

Let’s review some questions that will help reveal the true motives behind David’s actions in I Samuel 27.

Q: Did David seek to sin for his own personal gain?

A: No. He lied to assure his continued protection and to kill enemies of Israel.

Q: What was David’s motive based on his actions?

A: To protect His nation.

Q: Were David’s actions the actions of a king? How so or why not?

A: David’s fleeing was not kingly, but it was necessary given the fact that he still respected Saul as the king that God appointed over Israel. David’s actions were kingly in that even when he was weak, he still found a way to fortify the protection of the nation that he knew he would one day lead.

Q: If you were David, what would you do in this situation?

David, like us, was far from perfect. But it is hard for us to look at his actions in this chapter and accuse him of having bad intentions or a weak or selfish heart. Even though David lied, he did so at the benefit of his nation and for his own protection. This is not an endorsement to say that sometimes it is okay to lie, but sometimes we must have the ability to recognize that life can be so complex as to usher in the necessity for solutions that are neither black nor white.

I Samuel 26: Cat & Mouse?

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Another profound chapter in the midst of a profound book, I Samuel 26 has us watching David and Saul playing cat and mouse once again. But which is which? Saul pursues David, but despite this David always comes away with the upper hand. Who is chasing whom?

Saul is told of David’s whereabouts and seeks to track him down. Ultimately, David has the chance to take Saul’s life for a second time, but he relents. David again has to restrain a fellow soldier in Abishai, who desires greatly to kill Saul as he sleeps. Later, they will converse across a great distance, David speaking from the top of a hill.

In the big picture, David knew that it is not up to him to decide when Saul should be removed as King. This was of course up to God to determine. These events flow according to the pattern His will, under which nothing happens that He does not allow.

At this point, we can ask ourselves, to what extent do we behave like David and let events take their course, behaving righteously? Or do we sometimes take matters into our own hands when they are not ours to take? Naturally there are times when intervention is needed, and in these situations, we must not hesitate. But David knew that in this situation, and in the cave of chapter 24, it was not appropriate to act. How do we know the difference? How did David know the difference?

The answer is that David was close to God in thought, prayer, and action. Because of his closeness to God, his faith was great. Because his faith was great, he was better attuned to the right course of action, being sensitive to what was most appropriate and what was right or wrong. We can of course experience the same thing today, and we should strive for it every morning.

Notice that Saul, when speaking with David in verse 17, refers to him as “my son.” What does this say about Saul, when we consider the totality of his actions? Is this endearment sincere?  

David, understanding how impressionably weak Saul is, appeals to Saul asking him if he is following the directive of God or of men when he decides to pursue David. It must have been surprising to David to find that Saul had pursued him yet again (with three thousand men). Surprising or not, David understands the foolishness in Saul’s pursuing him. He seems to have an understanding that Saul is motivated by jealousy and the chiding words of men close to him. He says openly to Saul in verse 20 that he is not worth Saul’s time: “So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

This statement is not based on the character of the two men, but rather on the fact that one has been chosen as king and the other, his subject. Now of course David knows, having already been anointed king by Samuel in chapter 16, that he would likely replace Saul. But until that time, David remains in full respect of God’s will and the natural flow of events as he sees them dictated by God.

Verses 23 and 24 encapsulate the highly righteous attitude of David. Who else but God’s true anointed could see events and capture them in speech so perfectly?

“May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” I Samuel 26:23-24

Based off of these verses, here is what David knows:

  • Man is repaid for his righteousness and faithfulness
  • God rewards mercy
  • To request mercy is not foolish
  • The true giver of mercy is Almighty God

Saul’s meager rejoinder betrays a shallow heart and lips that want to please. It is difficult not to see Saul as a hollow man because that is exactly what he appears to be based on his words and actions. Saul was a long way from the condition Paul expounds on in Ephesians 4 as he addresses kingdom unity, for Saul was “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind…” Saul was not swayed by doctrine however, but by the persuasive words of evil cohorts.

Saul is a great case study of how not to act, how not to think, and who not to listen to. When we seek God as our primary source of truth and excellence, we ourselves put on the attributes of truth and excellence, much like the armor of God of Ephesians 6.

This would be the last meeting between Saul and David.

I Samuel 25: Nobody’s Perfect

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At the beginning of this chapter, we learn that Samuel has died. He was given a proper sendoff and David flees to the wilderness of Paran.

The remainder of this chapter deals with David’s dealings with Nabal and Abigail. Nabal was harsh and evil. The word Nabal means “fool.” Abigail was of wisdom and beauty. A contrasting couple, to be sure.  

While David was hiding in the wilderness from Saul, he and his men had worked hard to protect Nabal and his thousands of sheep. Nabal would have needed this protection as he lived in the wilderness and was vulnerable to thieves. David also implies that he and his men could have taken advantage of Nabal while they were in the surrounding wilderness. David sends his men to Nabal to request a form of payment for this protection. As Nabal was shearing his many sheep, he would have had a lot of money on hand.

Nabal resists payment, citing that he does not know where these men are from. Plus, he has to feed his own men. David meets this response with the act of taking four hundred men with him, ready for battle, presumably to take what he feels he and his men are owed and to decimate Nabal’s household. At this, we may see into a fault of David. Why does he need to answer Nabal’s rebuke with violence? Was his pride hurt? Did he feel that he and his men deserved the money and that it was worth fighting for? David says as much in verses 21-22: ““Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light.”

One of the young men that work for Nabal goes to Abigail and tell her of the situation, mentioning also how well David and his men protected Nabal’s sheep during their time in the wilderness. Immediately Abigail collects an appropriate amount of goods for payment to David and his men and goes to intercept David before he can bring violence to Nabal and the family. Abigail is showing shrewd wisdom and dedication to protecting her own, and she does so without the knowledge of her wicked husband.

But God’s grace comes in many forms. In this chapter, Abigail is the instrument, and also one of the beneficiaries of His grace. David is softened by Abigail’s entreaty and gift and does not pursue killing the house of Nabal.  After this event, things go very well for David and his men. Abigail tells Nabal of how she interceded to protect the family, and Nabal dies about ten days later. David wholly ascribes Nabal’s death to God’s intervention: “Blessed be the Lord, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept His servant from evil! For the Lord has returned the wickedness of Nabal on his own head.”

David then marries Abigail and likely takes ownership of all of Nabal’s former wealth. This lengthy chapter is a brief interlude into the story of David, and it teaches us a few things:

  1. David’s judgment is fallible
  2. The grace of God benefits the righteous
  3. God can protect us from our own weaknesses

These are the primary lessons, although there are more. The underlying lesson for each one of us today is to witness David’s consistent dedication to God and to living righteously. David’s misstep in this chapter show us God’s longsuffering mercy towards those that love, serve, and fear him. This gives us confidence to love and serve God and not to fear for the loss of His providence and blessings when we make mistakes. We are only human after all. We all have sinned and will continue to sin, not willfully, but our place in the flesh leaves us vulnerable to temptation. If David can sin (and this instance is not his worst), and still remain in God’s graces, surely, we can and will too. God’s grace can, but also often will not, remove the real-life consequences of sin that follow misdeeds.

The secret to spiritual balance is knowing that we will not be perfect, accepting it, and continuing to work harder than ever to please God in every situation we are in. When we make mistakes, we need to take our lumps, move on, and redouble our efforts to please God again, ashamed that we have let Him down, but also knowing that He understands and accepts our spirits of repentance, our fear, and our worship.