Burunche’s Blog

1 Samuel 30:1 – 31 “On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So, David and the troops with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken captive. And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.”

So Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?”

“Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”

So, David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind because two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the brook. But David and four hundred men continued in pursuit.

Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat— a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So, he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights.

Then David asked him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?”

“I am an Egyptian,” he replied, “the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me three days ago when I fell ill. We raided the Negev of the Cherethites, the territory of Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned down Ziklag.”

“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked.

And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.” So, he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah. And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels.

So, David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back. And he recovered all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!”

When David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him from the Brook of Besor, they came out to meet him and the troops with him. As David approached the men, he greeted them, but all the wicked and worthless men among those who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered, except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.” But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us. Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.”

And so it has been from that day forward. David established this statute as an ordinance for Israel to this very day.

When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.” He sent gifts to those in Bethel, Ramoth Negev, and Jattir; to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa; to those in Racal and in the cities of the Jerahmeelites and Kenites; to those in Hormah, Bor-ashan, and Athach; and to those in Hebron and in all the places where David and his men had roamed.”

Poor David and his men! David and his forces followed the Philistines to the battle with the Israelites, only to be sent back to Ziklag. But while Ziklag was left undefended, Amalekite raiders had pounced on the city, destroying it and carrying off all its inhabitants. Imagine what David and his men must have felt when they came over that last hill, only to see only smoking ruins. No wonder that these big tough soldiers wept until they had no tears left! But once the weeping stopped, the soldiers began screaming out their anger, threatening to stone David. If David hadn’t made those ridiculous promises to King Achish, they would have stayed in Ziklag and the Amalekites would never have had a chance. “The soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters.”

This must have been one of the low points of David’s life. The Amalekites had carried off both David’s wives and all his children, so David was grieving just as much as his men. “But David strengthened himself in the Lord.” Rather than giving way to despair, David turned to God, and God strengthened him. Under divine guidance, David pursued the raiders, catching up with them and killing all of them, except for four hundred young men who escaped on camels. Weeping turned to joy as men embraced their wives and children. And not only did David and his men recover everything that the Amalekites had stolen, but they also gained a great deal of plunder in addition. There was so much plunder that when David returned to Ziklag, he shared some of the loot with the elders of some of the main cities in Judah, especially those places that had helped David.

But a problem arose. As David and his men were pursuing the Amalekites, 200 men became exhausted and remained behind while 400 men continued with David and attacked the Amalekites. Once the battle was over, the 400 men who had fought wanted to deny the 200 men who had stayed behind any share of the plunder. But David insisted that the men who had remained behind should have an equal share.  “But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us. Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.”

APPLICATION: The Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart. This story graphically illustrates why men were willing to risk their lives to follow David. When faced with disaster, David sought guidance from God and then acted on it. David had compassion on all of his men, not only those who fought but also those who stayed behind. David was also generous in victory, sending gifts to the elders of the cities that had helped him.

The measure of a leader is not merely how successful he or she is, but also how well that leader cares for all of those working them at all levels. Good leaders care for the “little people” who make daily efforts possible, refusing to ignore them or to lord it over them. Another test of an effective leader is a willingness to help those immediately below them to fully develop. Great leaders encourage and applaud when those they have mentored succeed in outdoing their mentors. May God grant us the ability to encourage and mentor those around us!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us are facing low points in our lives. Help us to look to you for strength and guidance. And help us to be willing to encourage all those around us so that they can fulfill Your perfect will for their lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.    

1 Samuel 29:1 – 11 “Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.

Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.”

But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances:

‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright in my sight, and it seems right that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you have no favor in the sight of the leaders. Therefore, turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”

“But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’ Now then, get up early in the morning, along with your masters’ servants who came with you, and go as soon as it is light.”

So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.”

If the saying “You just dodged a bullet!” was popular in David’s time, David has just dodged a bullet – or perhaps a stone from a sling! David has taken his men and has fled to the Philistines, living in the city of Ziklag. All the time David has been raiding, he has lied to Achish, the king of Gath, telling Achish that he has been raiding in Israel when he has actually been swooping down on other tribes, but not on Israel. So far, David has managed to avoid fighting the Israelites; however, that might be about to change.

The Philistines are marching to war with the Israelites. As bodyguard for Achish, David is accompanying Achish to the battle. But the Philistine commanders want no part of David whatsoever! After all, David is the guy who killed Goliath with his slingshot several years ago when he was only a teen ager. Achish may have confidence in David, but the other Philistine commanders fear that once the battle starts, David and his men will fight a rear action, catching the Philistines between the Israelite army and David and his men.

What is David thinking as he and his men march out with King Achish? Perhaps David is feeling conflicted! It’s one thing to swear allegiance to Achish back in Gath, but what IS David going to do in this battle? As an Israelite, David should fight for Israel. But having given an oath of loyalty to Achish, David is bound to defend Achish and fight on the side of the Philistines. It’s at this point that God delivers David from his dilemma. The Philistine commanders demand David return to Gath.

Originally, David fled to Gath because he was afraid of Saul and tired of being chased through the wilderness, even though God delivered him from Saul many times. Perhaps David has already regretted taking that decision. But one fascinating thing is the influence that David has had on King Achish. “So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright in my sight, and it seems right that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day.” “Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God.” WHAT? These statements are coming from a Philistine king, a worshiper of Dagon, but they sound like something an Israelite would say. From these statements, it would seem that God has used David’s fears to allow King Achish to come to know Him as the One True Living God through David. Amazing!

APPLICATION: God has delivered David from an impossible situation, one that David got into because his trust in God faltered. This story should give all of us a great deal of encouragement. David was a spiritual giant with much more faith than most of us; yet, David’s faith failed him and he ran to hide with the Philistines, rather than continuing to trust God to protect him. It’s quite likely that David was exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally when he made that decision. As a result of that poor choice, David found himself in a morally untenable position. It was likely a great relief when the Philistine commanders protested David’s presence, leaving his men and him free to return to Gath.

Sometimes we put ourselves in bad positions and sometimes we are stuck there by the actions of others. Before we ever left America for our first mission assignment, one of our supporters confronted us, demanding to know if the project to which we were being sent was going to benefit a private individual. We gave an unequivocal denial, only to find later on that someone in the situation was attempting to benefit financially. At one point, we went so far as to distribute copies of the brochure from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability to members of a management board. We pointed out the fact that monies raised for one purpose could not be re – directed to another purpose without the express written consent of the donors. Without such consent, such re – direction would constitute breach of contract. Although we succeeded in defending our stance, it was obvious that this problem would soon re – surface. When we refused to compromise, one of the key figures expecting to benefit reported us to our sending agency. The sending agency failed to investigate, removing us instead.

While this removal was quite painful, we later realized that God had delivered us.  We needed a way out, and God provided it. This experience taught us a number of lessons, so that when we interviewed with other mission groups, we could ask all kinds of difficult questions. Subsequently, we were accepted by a different sending agency, one with which we are still working thirty years later.

God specializes in the impossible! Are you stuck in a mess? No matter who created that mess, God can still deliver you from it. But be prepared. Sometimes deliverances are excruciatingly painful.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us may find ourselves trapped in situations from which we see no way out. Help us to turn to You, to trust You, and to hang on tightly, even when You take us through difficult passages. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

1 Samuel 28:1 – 25 “Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.”

David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.”

“Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritualists from the land. The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.”

“There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.

So, Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”

But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?” Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”

“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked.

“Bring up Samuel,” he replied. But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?”

“I see a god (a spirit, a divine being) coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.

“What does he look like?” asked Saul.

“An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.”

So, Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed face down in reverence.

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”

“I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by the prophets or dreams. So, I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.

When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me. Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.”

There is a BBC program on TV depicting some of the worst disasters in British history and the mistakes that led up to them. Sadly, many times, if a few wise men and women had been able to make their voices heard, these disasters could have been avoided. When we look at Saul’s life, we realize that Saul has made key decisions that have eventually led to his downfall. Saul’s life which began with so much promise from the anointing of the Lord is now on a steep downhill slope to destruction with no salvation in sight.

Saul has banned all the witches, wizards, and mediums from Israel in accordance with God’s commands in Deuteronomy 18:9-12. At the time, Saul did this, he could either consult Samuel or one of the priests who possessed the ephod with the Urim and Thummim. But Samuel is dead and Saul has massacred most of the priests. Saul himself has never established a relationship with God but has always depended on second – hand faith. Now Saul is frightened and desperate, so he goes to consult a medium, demanding that she bring up Samuel’s ghost. The medium goes through her rituals, perhaps expecting that some demon masquerading as a person will appear. But Samuel does appear; and the medium suddenly realizes that this man consulting her is the same king who has tried to banish her from Israel.

Why does God allow Samuel to appear to Saul? This is the only place in the Bible where a ghost appears. Perhaps Samuel begs God for one final chance to confront Saul and to advise him. This is Saul’s final opportunity to repent of all his wrong – doing and to humble himself before the Lord. If Saul will repent, he will still face his death but he will face death trusting in God. Samuel confronts Saul; however, Saul is crumbling spiritually and has practically no will left with which to make correct choices. Saul fumbles this final opportunity. The medium feeds Saul the best food in her house and he leaves.

APPLICATION: There are people who have told themselves that they want to go their own way now and that they will serve God later. But later never comes. Saul may have been one of those people. When all your life choices are leading you further and further away from God, it is foolish to expect that you will suddenly turn to Him. Nobody knows the day of his or her death. In the beginning, God chose Saul as king over Israel. There is never any record of Saul distinguishing himself spiritually; we only know that Saul LOOKED like a king. Things came easily to Saul, to the point that he felt entitled. Saul listened to Samuel when Samuel was saying what Saul wanted to hear, but when Samuel attempted to correct Saul, Saul wasn’t interested. Despite all Saul’s references to the Lord, he never actually humbled himself before God and worshiped Him as David did regularly.

Proverbs 29:1 tells us, “A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.” Saul is about to be shattered, and his son Jonathan and the armies of Israel will be shattered with him.

2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” (NLT)  DON’T BE LIKE SAUL!!! Even at the end of Saul’s life, God still gave him the opportunity to repent and to ask forgiveness for his disobedience, his acts of temper, and his denial of God’s will. Today is the “right time!” Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Thank You for living as a sinless man and dying on that Roman cross as a blood sacrifice for our sins. Lord, we confess that we have done wrong things and that nothing we do is good enough for us to earn our way into heaven. Please forgive us and help us to trust in You. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Amen.

1 Samuel 27:1 – 12 “David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

So, David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. David and his men settled in Gath with Achish, and each man had his family with him. David had his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah. And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.

Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) Whenever David attacked a territory, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but he took the flocks and herds, the donkeys, camels, and clothing.

Then he would return to Achish, who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerami,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”

David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory.

So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself repugnant to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”

David is getting fed up with Saul chasing him. Even though David has spared Saul’s life on two separate occasions and Saul has made great – sounding promises, David realizes Saul’s promises are worthless. Exhausted and discouraged, David makes a terrible decision: he takes his family and his men and their families and goes to live with the Philistines in Gath for sixteen months.

Has David consulted God on this decision? Almost certainly not! Despite the fact that God has consistently delivered David from Saul’s attacks, David has chosen to take matters into his own hands and work out his own deliverance amongst the idol – worshiping Philistines. David’s faith is lower than a ditch digger’s boot soles, and as a consequence, he is making a bad decision. The only good part of this situation is that Achish, the king of Gath, gives David the city of Ziklag as a separate city in which to live, essentially helping David and his men remain separate from the Philistines.

David goes out on raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, wiping out all the people so that nobody is left to report to Achish. David then lies to Achish, telling him that he has been raiding in various parts of the Israelite Negev, leaving Achish to think that David has totally alienated himself from the Israelites. But why has David gone to the Philistines in the first place?

APPLICATION: David is indulging in “awfulizing,” that is, projecting his fears so that they appear much bigger and more frightening than actual reality. Early on, David has already sent his parents to the king of Moab, who is evidently a friend. All this time, God has protected David’s wives and children. But David is giving way to his fears, not remembering all the ways God has delivered his family and him. God says in His Word that David is a man after His own heart; yet, here David is giving way to fear and acting as if he has to be his own providence.      

It is always wise to realize that nobody in the human race is exempt from temptation. Even Jesus Christ faced temptations of various kinds on a daily basis. Think about the soldier’s taunts to Jesus when they were scourging him. “Tell us who struck you!” Right then, had Jesus chosen to do so, he could have named the soldiers and all the previous generations in their families back to Adam and Eve. When Jesus spoke the words “I AM,” in the Garden of Gethsemane, the soldiers collapsed under the power of God.

Here David is facing the temptation to become his own amateur providence, and he does so because he has allowed fear to overwhelm him. The same man who has sung of God’s mercy and grace and provision in so many songs is now giving way to panic for the safety of his family. Graciously, God allows David and his men to occupy the city of Ziklag, so that they continue to dwell separately from the Philistines. (What the people of Ziklag had to say about this is never recorded!)

Perhaps you too are facing the same temptations as David. One problem believers commonly face is the question of whether or not to tithe. When your salary or your fixed social security income is so small, it is tempting to feel that you need to keep it for yourself. Surely others with more money will make up the difference. But that thinking is wrong. Money is actually a useless commodity; you can’t wear it or eat it. What you need are the things money will buy. Countless numbers of people have testified that when they have begun tithing, suddenly the money that is left stretches far further.

Many years ago, I faced a financial crisis through no fault of my own. I had been tithing and even supporting an orphan through a Christian charity. But now, I was sitting in church on a Wednesday night with $1.37 left in my checking account. That’s when God spoke to my heart, asking me how much I thought that $1.37 would do? I chuckled as I answered, “Not much!” and wrote a check, emptying my bank account. That’s when the miracles started. Friends who had never invited me to supper before suddenly were giving me invitations. Other friends left vegetables on my door step. I was working in a hospital across the street from my apartment, so I had little need for fuel and I had a nearly full tank of gas. I lived for three weeks on God’s miraculous provision until my next pay check arrived. I could have awfulized and kept that $1.37 for myself; however, that’s all I would have had – no invitations to share meals and no free veggies.

Learn from David! God cared for David, even when David made a foolish decision to hide among the Philistines. But God would have cared for David in other ways, had David not given way to his fears. Whatever you are facing today, God already has a solution. Refuse to awfulize! Trust God to deliver you, but be ready for the unexpected.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, there are many of us who feel frightened, threatened, and in despair. Help us to trust that You have perfect solutions for all our problems and help us not to awfulize, making things seem worse than they really are. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

1 Samuel 26:1 – 12 “Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” So, Saul, accompanied by three thousand choice men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there. Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon, but David was living in the wilderness. When he realized that Saul had followed him there, David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.

Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him. And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”

“I will go with you,” answered Abishai.

That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him.

Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

So, David took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head, and they departed. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up; they all remained asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.”

The Ziphites are at it again! Despite the fact that their previous schemes to capture David have failed, the men of Ziph are still trying to curry favor with Saul by reporting David’s whereabouts. Saul isn’t very fond of wandering around in the wilderness, so he and his men have camped by the roadside; meanwhile, David sends out spies and verifies that Saul has arrived. That night David and his friend Abishai go down to Saul’s camp; meanwhile, God has cast Saul and all his men into a deep sleep. Even though Saul is sleeping inside the inner circle of his troops, David and Abishai have no problems reaching Saul because everyone is asleep. Saul’s spear is stuck into the ground by his head. Abishai thinks this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of Saul once and for all and is ready to seize Saul’s spear and to it through Saul’s heart, killing him instantly. But David forbids Abishai from doing anything to Saul.

David tells Abishai, ““Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

Even though David realizes that Saul may begin to attack him as soon as Saul and his men wake up, David refuses to touch Saul. God’s anointing is still on Saul, and therefore, Saul is God’s problem to deal with. But David does collect both Saul’s spear and his water jug that were right by Saul’s head as proof that he has been there.

What about this “deep sleep from the Lord?” Do such things actually happen? Yes. The Book of Acts describes a time when God delivered Peter from jail by opening doors and then throwing all the guards into a deep sleep. (Acts 12:3 – 17) More recently, many Christians in various parts of the world have reported times when police or guards slept while they passed through check points or walked away from bad situations.

Why did God put Saul and his men to sleep? Just because God had Samuel anoint David did not mean that David was free from testing. Early on, Saul failed the obedience test; now it was David’s turn. Would David respect God’s anointing on Saul and leave Saul for God to deal with, or would David yield to temptation and revenge himself? David was a man of faith and prayer and had received the anointing of the Holy Spirit at the hands of Samuel. The Holy Spirit caused David to recognize the anointing that remained on Saul and to respect that anointing. David passed the test!

APPLICATION: “You can’t touch me; I’m under the anointing.” A group of concerned church members were meeting with their pastor after hearing complaints that his counseling sessions with women had become opportunities for gratuitous sex. Such rumors might have no basis in fact, and these church members wanted the pastor to tell his side of the story. But the pastor referred to the story of David refusing to hurt Saul and then quoted Psalm 105:15, refusing to answer very reasonable questions. (Psalm 105:15 “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”) Given such an answer, the church leadership might well assume that the rumors were correct and that the pastor was guilty and was trying to dodge answering the question.

Are all Christian workers anointed? How can we tell? And how far should we go to respect the anointing? The first question that must be asked is this: Has this person been called into a certain ministry or has this person assumed a role that God has never asked them to play? There have been times when people have entered the ministry because they have felt called but have later gotten caught up chasing wealth and fame. There are some who have never had a calling but who have entered ministry because they can speak well and they anticipate rich rewards of wealth and notoriety. Such people tend to glorify themselves and not God. By contrast, Jesus told his disciples, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Later on, Jesus further warned his disciples, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.”

The second test of anointing is this: What are the fruits of the ministry? A true servant of God will always point people to the Master and not to himself or herself.  Recently, we witnessed a sermon entitled “The Power of the Resurrection.” But the sermon did not actually glorify God’s mighty power in raising Christ Jesus from the dead; instead, the one giving the message used this opportunity to boast about his power over witches and evil spirits, the number of times he had fasted, and to describe how many times he had been visited by angels. The speaker whipped the crowd into a frenzy by encouraging them to demand power from God, rather than emphasizing their need for repentance and humility.

Despite Saul’s rebellion and refusal to truly worship God, God’s anointing was still present. At any point in Saul’s life up to his death, Saul could have faced his sins and could have repented. Saul would have still lost the kingdom, but his life could have been completely changed. David respected that anointing and left Saul’s fate to God.

When someone who claims to be under the anointing is derelict in his or her duties, it is the responsibility of those around them to correct them. Matthew 18:15 – 18 lays out the guidelines. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

In the case of the pastor in question, the church leaders had no choice other than to inform the church of the problem. When the pastor continued to deny any wrong – doing, despite the first – hand testimony of several witnesses, the congregation had no other option than to ask him to step down from his position. That pastor made the same mistake as King Saul, thinking that God’s anointing gave him license to behave any way he chose. Could this pastor yet repent and become a pastor at a different congregation? Only God and the pastor know the answer. But the lesson is clear: Don’t play with the anointing God gives you!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You that You have anointed each one of us for a certain purpose. Help us to respect that anointing and not to abuse it. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

1 Samuel 25:32 – 44 “Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.”

Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”

When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So, she told him nothing until morning light.

In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.

On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.”

Then David sent word to Abigail, asking for her in marriage. When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.”

She arose, then bowed facedown and said, “Here is your maidservant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

So, Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.

David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel. So, she and Abigail were both his wives. But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.”

Abigail has saved her household from destruction by her humility. David gladly receives Abigail’s presents and sends her home successful. Meanwhile, Nabal is holding a drunken orgy. The next morning, Abigail informs Nabal of David’s threat and how she has forestalled it. Nabal’s heart fails, and he “becomes like a stone,” perhaps suffering a stroke. Ten days later, Nabal dies.

When David learns that Nabal has died, he thanks the Lord that he has not taken revenge on Nabal. Now God has struck Nabal, and David’s hands are clean. David’s next act is to send for Abigail, proposing marriage. Why did Abigail marry Nabal in the first place? In an age when single women were at extreme risk for all kinds of attack, Abigail’s only option was to marry. It’s quite possible that Abigail’s parents arranged that marriage with Nabal, happy to marry off their daughter to a rich man and to collect a large dowry. Abigail probably had no say in the matter and could only hope that she would survive. From the respect the household gives Abigail, it is obvious that she is a woman of exceptional character. David recognizes this fact and proposes marriage, even though he already has one wife. Polygamy is relatively common, and David is no exception. (Is it possible that David was the son of a less – favorite wife? Was that the reason that Jesse sent David out to herd sheep?)

Abigail has already suffered as the wife of a rich and arrogant fool Now she has the chance to become a wife to the future king of Israel, a kind, brave, and honorable man. Little wonder that Abigail immediately tells David’s messengers that she agrees and mounts her donkey, accompanied by five of her maidens, leaving Nabal’s household behind. Even if Abigail winds up as a junior wife, her life with David will be far better than life with Nabal.

APPLICATION: Signs on many shops and tro-tros in Ghana read “God’s Time is the Best.” While this is a true statement, many of us get impatient and fed up with God. A sign I saw in someone’s office several years ago read, “Dear Lord, I want patience, AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW!!!”

Many times, we feel that we must take matters into our own hands when someone wrongs us. We are sure that if we can just force a little, we can pay back those who have hurt us. But only God knows all the details. Only God knows the circumstances surrounding those who have offended us, and only God knows the human heart. David was deeply offended by Nabal and was fully prepared to wipe out every male in the household. Only Abigail’s timely intervention saved David from making a tragic mistake.

How many years did Abigail spend married to Nabal? If Nabal was that stingy with David, he likely was equally stingy with Abigail. Nabal was probably the kind of guy who doled out housekeeping money in the smallest coins available. While Nabal swaggered around the community, his domestic staff knew to stay out of his way as much as possible and appeal to Abigail for protection when necessary. If Abigail’s parents were alive, they had probably already spent the dowry money and were unwilling to intervene between Abigail and Nabal. All that Abigail could do was to suffer in silence and to try to be the best wife she could under the circumstances.

God used what could have been a tragedy to deliver David from the consequences of a hasty decision. But at the same time, God also delivered Abigail from a loveless and bleak existence as the wife of a short – tempered miser.

The lesson for us is this: Pray before you act. Step back and allow God to move. You won’t regret it.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You to sort out the people who offend us. Help us to pray before we act and then to pray again. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Samuel 25:1 – 31 “When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran (Maon).  

Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel; he was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. So, David sent ten young men and instructed them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel. Greet him in my name and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and your house and to all that belongs to you. Now I hear that it is time for shearing. When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on the day of a feast. Please give whatever you can afford to your servants and to your son David.’” When David’s young men arrived, they relayed all these words to Nabal on behalf of David. Then they waited.

But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

So, David’s men turned around and went back, and they relayed to him all these words. And David said to his men, “Put on your swords!” So, David and all his men put on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s young men informed Nabal’s wife Abigail, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he scolded them. Yet these men were very good to us. When we were in the field, we were not harassed, and nothing of ours went missing the whole time we lived among them. They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”

Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, (33 dry quarts or 36.5 liters), a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them.

Now David had just finished saying, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one of his men survive until morning.”

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. My lord should pay no attention to this worthless man Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal.

Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you. Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.

When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised and has appointed you ruler over Israel, then my lord will have no remorse or guilt of conscience over needless bloodshed and revenge. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, may you remember your maidservant.”

Samuel was dead. One of the finest prophets and one of the most earnest prayer warriors Israel had ever seen since Moses was no more. David particularly must have felt the loss, since Samuel had anointed him and then had encouraged him on several occasions. In some respects, Samuel had served as a father figure for David. No matter how bad things had gotten, David had always been secure in the knowledge that Samuel was still there in Ramah, interceding for him. Now all of that relationship was lost.

While hiding from Saul in the wilderness, David and his men were running short on supplies, so David sent messengers to Nabal. Nabal was a very rich man with 1,000 goats and 3,000 sheep, and it was shearing time.   Nabal had planned a meal for those coming to shear his animals. Normally, such an occasion would be a community celebration with neighbors who had come to help sharing in a feast. But Nabal was one of those guys with a calculator for a brain; he had planned for exactly the number of shearers he expected to have and not for any additional people whatsoever. When David sent messengers with a modest appeal, Nabal exploded in rage. Notice that David’s men did not make any specific requests; they simply asked for whatever Nabal felt he could afford. Traditionally, most men would have responded generously, giving as a sign of their wealth and importance, but not Nabal.

David’s appeal was quite reasonable. According to Nabal’s men, David and his men had protected them all the time they were out on the pastures with the animals. David knew what it was like to be out there by himself, defending his sheep and goats from marauding animals and raiders; that was why his men and he had protected Nabal’s workers. But when Nabal reacted to David’s polite request by exploding in a rage, David became fed up and was ready to take by force what Nabal had refused to give graciously.

The true heroine of this piece was Nabal’s wife Abigail. It’s possible that Nabal may have had several wives, with Abigail being the chief; on the other hand, Nabal was so stingy that he may have settled for just one wife as a matter of economy. At any rate, Abigail obviously had the sympathies of the workers in the household, and they ran to her in alarm. Once fully informed, Abigail quickly grasped the dangers of the situation and immediately took action. Loading a large number of provisions onto several donkeys, she sent her young men with the donkeys ahead of her and she followed on her own animal, meeting David and his men on the way.

Abigail’s speech was remarkable for its humility. First, Abigail prostrated herself at David’s feet in a position of extreme supplication. Second, Abigail apologized, taking the blame on herself for not having seen David’s messengers so that she could respond appropriately. Abigail did tell David that her husband Nabal was a fool; however, she also advised David to pay no attention to Nabal since his folly accompanied him. Abigail again begged David to forgive her and to leave the innocent members of Nabal’s household alone so that when David became king, he would have nothing with which to reproach himself. Finally, Abigail also asked David to remember her when he became king. Abigail’s humility counteracted Nabal’s greed and arrogance.

APPLICATION:  Have you ever extended yourself for someone else, only to have that person scorn your efforts? David and his men could have ignored Nabal’s shepherds or even have taken some of the sheep and the goats for themselves, but they protected them without asking for any repayment. Even when David sent messengers to Nabal, he sent a very polite message, one that should have met with a generous response. David sent ten young men as a sign of respect for Nabal and also to enable them to bring back any donations Nabal might make. But Nabal lived down to the meaning of his name, “Fool,” speaking as arrogantly and obnoxiously as possible. Ingratitude hurts! And the more you have done for someone else, the more painful it is when they scorn your efforts. David was ready to wipe out Nabal and his entire household; however, Abigail saved them by her humility.

 Abigail succeeded in saving her household because she acted in the opposite spirit to that which Nabal had demonstrated. Satan was trying to use Nabal to tempt David to shed the innocent blood of Nabal’s household, but Abigail was actually speaking for God when she bowed before David and then predicted David’s success as king. Both David and Abigail gained spiritual victories that day.

When we are attacked in any fashion, it is very tempting to strike back as hard and as fast as possible. But if we allow God to guide us, we will be able to act as Abigail did. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 5:43 – 44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Thank You that You will help us so that when we are attacked, we don’t have to respond in kind but may respond in a loving manner. Lord, help all who read this devotional to know Your Love. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Samuel 24:1 – 22 “After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hands to do with him as you wish.’”

Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”

With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.

After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!”

When Saul looked behind him, David bowed face down in reverence and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.

Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”

When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?”

Then Saul wept aloud and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.

Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”

So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”

It’s an incredible story! David and his men are hiding in one of the many caves surrounding the spring at En – Gedi while Saul and his men are hunting David. Saul enters the cave “to relieve himself,” to rest or to defecate. While Saul is preoccupied, David sneaks up and quietly cuts off a small piece of Saul’s robe. Even though David’s men are urging him to capture Saul and perhaps even to kill Saul, David refuses. David feels that since Saul is the anointed of God, he (David) must respect that anointing, even if Saul has done wicked things.

Once Saul has left the cave and is safely away, David calls to him, showing the piece of Saul’s robe that he has cut off as an indication of how close Saul has come to destruction. “See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.”

But David also says something in addition. “May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.

Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”

Although David has not taken revenge on Saul, David calls on the Lord to judge between the two of them, to deliver David, and to take vengeance on Saul.  Make no mistake! David is not ignoring Saul’s attempts to kill him, nor is David making any excuses for Saul. But David tells Saul that it is God who will settle their matter.

In the past, Saul has prophesied while under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Now once more, Saul prophesies over David. ““You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.

Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” David gives his oath, and Saul returns home; however, David and his men return to the stronghold. David has witnessed enough of Saul’s scenes of remorse before to be wary of Saul’s promises.

APPLICATION: If someone has been persecuting you and you have them in your power, what will you do? In this day of social media, many of us might be sorely tempted to at least post something embarrassing. If David had had Facebook or Twitter, he might have posted a selfie holding that piece of Saul’s robe. Certainly, David has good reasons to take revenge and few if any reasons to be kind to Saul or to respect him. But Samuel has anointed David, and David recognizes the power and the authority of the anointing on Saul. David is acting out of respect for God as much as for Saul.

David might also be familiar with Deuteronomy 32:35 which says, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense…” David doesn’t trust Saul at all; however, he trusts God implicitly.

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 5:43 – 45, ^“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

David’s example teaches us that we may safely leave vengeance to God. Jesus was beaten, tortured, humiliated, and dragged through the streets of Jerusalem to be crucified. Yet, while dying on the cross, Jesus begged his heavenly Father to forgive the people who had done these terrible things because they had no idea what they were doing.

Has someone hurt you? Leave vengeance to God! “But,” you ask,” what kind of prayer can I possibly pray for someone who has damaged my health, my family, or my career?” Pray for those people, that they will come to know the One True Living God and that they will serve Him for the rest of their lives. PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, each of us can name people who have deeply hurt us. Guide us to pray the prayers you want prayed over these people. We soak these people in the Blood of Jesus, the Love of Jesus, and the Fire of the Holy Spirit for complete salvation and cleansing from sin. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.   

1 Samuel 23:19 – 29 “Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon? Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hands.”

“May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have had compassion on me. Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning. Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”

So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon, and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there.

Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.

Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth (Rock of Escape.) And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En-Gedi.”

This photo shows the strongholds of En – Gedi along with their springs. It was here that David fled after escaping from King Saul once again.

Despite Saul’s erratic behavior, there are still groups in Israel that are trying to curry favor with him by reporting David’s whereabouts. The men of Ziph are the latest informers. Saul makes one of his sweeping dramatic statements about searching David out “among all the clans of Judah.”

There are some tense moments when David and his men are on one side of a mountain while Saul and his men are on the other. Just as it looks as if Saul will catch David, a messenger runs up, informing Saul that the Philistines are raiding again. Saul’s vendetta against David is a private one while protecting Israel from the Philistines is a national problem. Saul has no choice except to break off his pursuit of David and attack the Philistines. In honor of this episode, the people of the area rename the place “Rock of Escape.” David now goes to En – Gedi, close to the Dead Sea, where there are springs of water and where he and his men may hide among the rocks and caves.

APPLICATION: It sounds like a scene from a thriller action movie. David and his men are on one side of the mountain and Saul and his army are on the other. Just as Saul is about to catch up with David, a new threat appears. Saul leaves to attack the Philistine raiders and David quickly takes off for a nearly impregnable stronghold on the banks of the Dead Sea.

The name “En – Gedi” or “Ein – Gedi” means “spring of the kid.” En – Gedi is an oasis on the west shore of the Dead Sea, near Masada and the Qumran caves. At various times, the oasis has held palm trees and even vineyards. Certainly, En – Gedi would be a great hiding place, since there are an almost unlimited number of caves in which to shelter.

While David is in En – Gedi, he writes the verses we now know as Psalm 63.

“1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.”

Perhaps you can identify with David! You feel that events have pursued you to the point that you have had to find shelter in a “dry and parched land where there is no water.” You are longing for rest and respite. Take heart! The same God who delivered David from King Saul is still on the throne. God’s power is just as great today as it ever was. You must make certain that you are truly suffering for righteousness’ sake and not because of any wrong – doing. Had David not honored God, God would not have delivered David. But because David did honor God, he could sing that he was “in the shadow of God’s wings.” You can also take heart that eventually “the mouths of liars will be silenced.”

Generally, our biggest problem is that we want God to act IMMEDIATELY! Patience is not in our vocabulary.  

We don’t want to be out in this desert! We want instant deliverance. But God used the desert to form David’s character, and He still uses trials to shape us and mold us into His Image. Remember this: David sang to the Lord, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.” David was sitting in a rocky cave at En – gedi looking out on a broiling landscape when he spoke those words. If we will follow David’s example, we will find that God can transform our desert into His temple.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, there are many people who feel as if they are stuck in a desert permanently. They see no way out and they see no help. Lord, open the eyes of these people to see that Your deliverance is at hand, although it might not look like it at the time. Thank You for Your divine provision. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Samuel 23:1 – 18 “Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?”

And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”

Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah. (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”

Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”

And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.”

“He will,” said the LORD. So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?”

“They will,” said the LORD.

Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth.

And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.

While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.”

So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.”

The men of Keilah are certainly very foolish! The Philistines are attacking Keilah and looting the threshing floors, leaving no grain behind. If someone does not intervene, the people of Keilah will be starving in a few months, assuming they are not murdered by the Philistines. Moving in the Spirit of God, David goes to Keilah and defeats the Philistines, delivering Keilah. Are the men of Keilah grateful? Are you kidding? Even though David has delivered Keilah from the Philistines, the men of Keilah now seek favor from Saul by plotting to hand David and his men over to Saul.

Having escaped the slaughter of the priests at Nob, Abiathar has brought the ephod with the Urim and Thummim with him. Now David prays and consults the Lord and the Lord advises him to leave Keilah.  David realizes that he and his men are far safer in open country than they are in a town where they can be locked up. David moves his army to Horesh in a wilderness area south of Hebron. The name “Horesh” means a wooded area. Somehow, despite the fact that Saul has elected not to pursue David, Jonathan finds David at Horesh and encourages him. Such encouragement would be incredibly precious, coming at a time when it seems that everything and everyone is against David. Sadly, only part of Jonathan’s prediction will eventually come true; Jonathan will never serve under David; instead, Jonathan will meet his death on the same day as his father Saul.

APPLICATION: CAN YOU TRUST GOD TO PROTECT YOU? For the citizens of Ukraine right now, that question is certainly uppermost in their minds. There are amazing stories of God’s protection coming out of Ukraine; however, there are also stories of destruction as well. Why are some people being spared but not others? Does God play favorites?

If you are familiar with the story of David, Saul, and Jonathan, you know that eventually Saul and Jonathan both die in battle. There is nothing in the story to indicate that Jonathan is wicked; why does he die while David lives?

One of the most difficult questions we face is the question of why good people are allowed to suffer. Edith Schaeffer has written a book entitled Affliction. In that book Mrs. Schaeffer contends that at the end of time, we will see that God’s grace has been sufficient for every occasion. There are those who are miraculously healed, proving that God can heal. There are those who are not healed miraculously or who have to endure other forms of suffering; however, God gives them the grace to endure triumphantly, proving that once again, God’s grace is sufficient for those problems as well. In Ukraine, there are those who have been delivered miraculously and who have made it to other countries. On the other hand, there are those who have died while trying to provide medical services and other forms of humanitarian assistance.

Several years ago, we served in a Catholic hospital with Sister/Dr. Veronica Rackova, a nun from the SSPS sisters. Veronica was a vibrant Christian whose faith and positive outlook was evident to all. Eventually, Veronica wound up in Southern Sudan. Seven years ago this month, Veronica was returning from having sent a patient to a nearby hospital when drunken soldiers decided to target her speeding pickup truck for their entertainment. Sadly, Veronica was badly injured and only lived four days before dying and joining the Lord whom she had served for so long. Veronica was a highly experienced and compassionate doctor; why did she have to die? We don’t know; however, we do know that God’s grace was sufficient for that situation.

Five months ago, we lost one of my brothers with COVID pneumonia. My brother was a loving husband and father, a man of great faith who had taught Bible studies of all kinds for years. At the time my brother died, he was leading online Bible studies regularly and was the mainstay of his aging mother – in – law. We cannot understand why my brother died when he did; however, we can trust that a loving God knows more than we do.

We limit God when we insist that the only form of protection He offers is physical protection. Spiritual protection is far more important; after all, if we turn away from God, we will lose for eternity.

God’s protection and a friend’s encouragement – these are the two themes of this passage. Romans 8:31 tells us, “ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” and Romans 8:37 -39 assures us, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Yes, there are believers suffering and dying in Ukraine and in other places. Yes, dear Dr. Veronica was murdered while helping the defenseless. Yes, my brother died, adding one more number to the COVID statistics. But in all these things, the believers of Ukraine, Dr. Veronica, and my brother have been MORE than conquerors! Their suffering and their deaths have not been in vain! No matter what has happened, nothing has been able to separate them from “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, why not? Let us pray.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to earth, for living as a man, for dying a cruel death on the cross, and for defeating death and the grave when you rose again. Lord, many of us want to believe, but we have doubts and fears. Cast out those doubts and fears and help us to truly trust you to deliver us out of our sinful messes. Thank you that you are eager to help us. We pray to the praise and glory of your holy Name. Amen.