David Defeats the Amalekites

David has now avoided murdering Nabal, escaped Saul’s attempts to murder him, lived among God’s Philistine enemies, and continued walking together with God.  Now, God provided a way for David to avoid killing Israelites in battle.  God is good all the time.  All the time, God is good.

Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more. (1 Samuel 30:1-4 NLT)

David’s own family was among those who were captured.  He was hurt just like everyone else.  HIs first reaction would have been my first reaction: “Get the people who did this and get my family back!”  All of David’s men would have had the same reaction.  Even with these emotions, though, David had the presence of mind to stop are remember the most important part of his next step: walk together with God.

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God. Then he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring me the ephod!" So Abiathar brought it. Then David asked the LORD, "Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?" And the LORD told him, "Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!" So David and his 600 men set out, and they came to the brook Besor. (1 Samuel 30:6-9 NLT)

David didn’t proceed until he knew that this was The LORD’s will.  Then, he moved forward.

So he led David to them, and they found the Amalekites spread out across the fields, eating and drinking and dancing with joy because of the vast amount of plunder they had taken from the Philistines and the land of Judah. David and his men rushed in among them and slaughtered them throughout that night and the entire next day until evening. None of the Amalekites escaped except 400 young men who fled on camels. (1 Samuel 30:16-17 NLT)

Interestingly enough, the Amalekites were already supposed to be gone.  These are the people that God sent Saul to wipe out because of the way they attacked Israel back when they were first escaping from Egypt.  Saul didn’t do his part of God’s plan, so it affects David and many others further down the road.

Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anything else that had been taken. David brought everything back. (1 Samuel 30:19 NLT)

Two hundred of David’s men were too exhausted to go all the way into battle.  They stayed at the brook of Besor with their group’s provisions.  Now, David and the other four hundred are returning home after the battle and setting the captives free.

Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. But some evil troublemakers among David's men said, "They didn't go with us, so they can't have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone." But David said, "No, my brothers! Don't be selfish with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike--those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment." From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today. (1 Samuel 30:21-25 NLT)

Once again, David walks together with God.  He treats the whole team as a team.  This pattern is still followed to this day in God’s Church.  Each part of God’s Team is important and treated as such (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).  David didn’t just walk with God.  David equipped the people around him to walk together with God.

When he arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends. "Here is a present for you, taken from the LORD's enemies," he said. The gifts were sent to the people of the following towns David had visited: Bethel, Ramoth-negev, Jattir, Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, Racal, the towns of the Jerahmeelites, the towns of the Kenites, Hormah, Bor-ashan, Athach, Hebron, and all the other places David and his men had visited. (1 Samuel 30:26-31 NLT)

David too more steps in his walk, living a lifetime for The King.

How about you?  Do you check with God before following your emotional first reaction to a situation?  Do you follow through with everything the LORD tells you to do?  Do you build up God’s Team, Christ’s Body, the Church?  Do you walk together with God and equip others to do the same?

David and The Philistines

Samuel lived his lifetime for The King.  Saul, not so much.  Now, we get to watch David taking steps on his path.  Yesterday, we see David coming close to murder until Abigail stopped him.  Eventually, when it was appropriate, Abigail became his wife.  Now, David is facing another challenge.  Saul is trying to kill him again.  David has the chance to kill Saul but spares his life…again.

But David kept thinking to himself, "Someday Saul is going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to the Philistines. Then Saul will stop hunting for me in Israelite territory, and I will finally be safe." So David took his 600 men and went over and joined Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. David and his men and their families settled there with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives along with him--Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel. Word soon reached Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped hunting for him. (1 Samuel 27:1-4 NLT)

One problem is solved: Saul stopped hunting for him.  Another problem was created, though: David is living among the Philistines.  These are the same Philistines whom David is credited for killing his “tens of thousands.”  Goliath was a Philistine.  David is literally living among his enemies.  One of the Philistine kings, Achish, gives David the benefit of the doubt and even gives him a town: Ziklag.  Achish is going to be watching David closely, though, to decide if he can trust David or not.

David and his men spent their time raiding the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites--people who had lived near Shur, toward the land of Egypt, since ancient times. David did not leave one person alive in the villages he attacked. He took the sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing before returning home to see King Achish. "Where did you make your raid today?" Achish would ask. And David would reply, "Against the south of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites." No one was left alive to come to Gath and tell where he had really been. This happened again and again while he was living among the Philistines. Achish believed David and thought to himself, "By now the people of Israel must hate him bitterly. Now he will have to stay here and serve me forever!" (1 Samuel 27:8-12 NLT)

David does not kill God’s chosen people.  In fact, he continues to remove the groups from the land the LORD promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  David is continuing to do the work that Joshua and the earlier Israelites started.  David is clearing the land of the enemies of God, while living among other enemies of God.  David keeps walking together with God even in horrible circumstances.

The entire Philistine army now mobilized at Aphek, and the Israelites camped at the spring in Jezreel. As the Philistine rulers were leading out their troops in groups of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched at the rear with King Achish. (1 Samuel 29:1-2 NLT)

Now, David is going to be tested again.  He is being asked to go to war against Israel.  This is going to be the battle where Israel’s king, Saul, and his sons will all die.  Will David be a part of that day of death and destruction for Israel?

But the Philistine commanders demanded, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" And Achish told them, "This is David, the servant of King Saul of Israel. He's been with me for years, and I've never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until today." But the Philistine commanders were angry. "Send him back to the town you've given him!" they demanded. "He can't go into the battle with us. What if he turns against us in battle and becomes our adversary? Is there any better way for him to reconcile himself with his master than by handing our heads over to him? Isn't this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances, 'Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?" (1 Samuel 29:3-5 NLT)

Once again, the LORD provided.  David would not sin.  God does the same thing for us, too.  Whenever we are tempted, like David was in yesterday’s story, or seemingly trapped, like today’s story, God promises to provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13).  God always promises to provide a way for us to walk together with God.

So Achish finally summoned David and said to him, "I swear by the LORD that you have been a trustworthy ally. I think you should go with me into battle, for I've never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. But the other Philistine rulers won't hear of it. Please don't upset them, but go back quietly." "What have I done to deserve this treatment?" David demanded. "What have you ever found in your servant, that I can't go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?" But Achish insisted, "As far as I'm concerned, you're as perfect as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders are afraid to have you with them in the battle. Now get up early in the morning, and leave with your men as soon as it gets light." So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to Jezreel. (1 Samuel 29:6-11 NLT)

David continues to live his lifetime for The King.

How about you?  When you are tempted or trapped, do you look for God’s way out?  Do you ask God to show you how to walk together with God?  Do you walk together with God, even among the “Philistines”?

David and Abigail

Samuel lived a lifetime for The King.  Saul, not so much.  Now, David is king.  He has already defeated Goliath, won in many battles, and spared Saul’s life.  What will his life reveal?  Will David live a lifetime for The King?

There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time. This man's name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings. When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep, he sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal: "Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own! I am told that it is sheep-shearing time. While your shepherds stayed among us near Carmel, we never harmed them, and nothing was ever stolen from them. Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true. So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David." (1 Samuel 25:2-8 NLT)

David’s walk with God is about to be challenged by a particularly difficult man: Nabal.  David and his men have treated Nabal and his men with respect and have even helped them out.  Nabal, however, doesn’t seem to care.

David's young men gave this message to Nabal in David's name, and they waited for a reply. "Who is this fellow David?" Nabal sneered to the young men. "Who does this son of Jesse think he is? There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I've slaughtered for my shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?" So David's young men returned and told him what Nabal had said. "Get your swords!" was David's reply as he strapped on his own. Then 400 men started off with David, and 200 remained behind to guard their equipment. (1 Samuel 25:9-13 NLT)

Sometimes people just know how to push our right buttons.  Nabal was pushing David’s.  David wanted him dead.  Remember, The LORD had already given the instructions about about murder.  It’s just wrong (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13, 22:2-3; Numbers 35:15-33; Deuteronomy 5:17, 17:8-9, 21:1-9, 22:8).  David was ready to commit murder.  Meanwhile, Abigail, Nabal’s wife, found out what had happened and she quickly jumped into action.

When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. She fell at his feet and said, "I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don't pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent. "Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The LORD will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the LORD's battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life. "Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the LORD your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling! When the LORD has done all He promised and has made you leader of Israel, don't let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won't have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance. And when the LORD has done these great things for you, please remember me, your servant!" (1 Samuel 25:23-31 NLT)

God often sends angels (messengers) into our lives to keep us from doing the wrong we have in our minds or hearts.  Abigail was just such an angel in David’s life.  David listened to her message.

David replied to Abigail, "Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands. For I swear by the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal's men would still be alive tomorrow morning." Then David accepted her present and told her, "Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband." (1 Samuel 25:32-35 NLT)

When we listen to our better angels, we take another step in a lifetime for The King.

How about you?  Do you have people or situations that push your buttons?  How do you react?  Do you let the button pushing drive you to do something you know is against our King?  Do you listen to the better angels (messengers) who are pointing you back to the King?  Will you take another step in a lifetime for The King?

Saul: A Lifetime for The King?

Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa. The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons--Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua. (1 Samuel 31:1-2 NLT)

Yesterday, we watched as Saul consulted a medium.  This is something that was clearly forbidden earlier in the Levitical Law.  This act of rebellion against God will turn out to be his last.  The LORD told him that his children would die in this battle.  The prophecy came true.  Now, the next part of the prophecy will come true as well:  Saul will die in battle.

The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely. Saul groaned to his armor bearer, "Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me." But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day. (1 Samuel 31:3-6 NLT)

Earlier this week we began with the death of Samuel, the prophet and judge.  We asked ourselves the question, “Did Samuel live his lifetime serving God, The King?”  The answer was a resounding, “Yes!”  Now, with Saul’s death, we can take a step back and review the life of Israel’s first human king.

• Saul Anointed as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9:1-10:1)
• Saul Given Prophetic Proof and The Spirit (1 Samuel 10:2-10:12)
• Saul Hides, but Declared King. (1 Samuel 10:13-25)
• Saul Defeats the Ammonites - Victorious King. (1 Samuel 11)
• Saul Disobeys The LORD, Loses Legacy (1 Samuel 13:1-14)
• The LORD Saves Israel through Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:1-23)
• Saul Makes Rash Rules (1 Samuel 14:24-46)
• Saul Fought Philistines His Whole Life (1 Samuel 14:47-52)
• Saul Defeats Amalekites, Disobeys The LORD (1 Sam. 15:1-35)
• Saul’s Tormenting Spirit Against David (1 Samuel 16,18-24)
• David Spares Saul Again (1 Samuel 26:1-15)
• Saul Consults the Medium of En-dor (1 Samuel 28)
• Saul Dies in Battle (1 Samuel 31)

We can ask the same question: “Did Saul spend a lifetime for The King?”  The answer, unfortunately, needs to be, “Not so much.”  Saul had the potential, yes.  Saul was even given the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower him to be king.  With all the potential, wisdom, and power from God, though, Saul did not do the one thing he needed to do to be a good king:  He didn’t let The LORD be his King.

How about you?  Do you see your God-given potential?  Do you have God’s Spirit ready to give you all the wisdom and power you need to fulfill that potential?  More than all of that, do you allow God to be your King?  Will you live a lifetime for The King?

Saul Consults a Medium

About that time the Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel. Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all the army of Israel and camped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. He asked the LORD what he should do, but the LORD refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. (1 Samuel 28:1a, 3-6 NLT)

Sometimes we struggle in prayer because it seems like God is not answering.  Either God does not give us what we are asking to receive or, as Saul is experiencing here, God just seems to be silent.  God’s silence, though, is speaking volumes to Saul.  The LORD is getting Saul’s attention in a different way because Saul was not listening to God’s instructions the other ways.  You see, God had been clearly communicating with Saul over and over again.  Saul kept ignoring God’s clear instructions, though, because he kept thinking he had a better way.  Finally, God just stopped talking.

Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do." His advisers replied, "There is a medium at Endor." So Saul disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing instead of his royal robes. Then he went to the woman's home at night, accompanied by two of his men. "I have to talk to a man who has died," he said. "Will you call up his spirit for me?" "Are you trying to get me killed?" the woman demanded. "You know that Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead. Why are you setting a trap for me?" But Saul took an oath in the name of the LORD and promised, "As surely as the LORD lives, nothing bad will happen to you for doing this." (1 Samuel 28:7-10 NLT)

The story here says that Saul made the rule about consulting mediums.  Since Saul made the rule, then Saul can revoke the rule, too…right?  That’s what he did to save his son, Jonathan, from death.  He removed his own rule (1 Samuel 14:24-46).  The problem here, though, is that the warning against mediums came from the LORD (Leviticus 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:9-14), not from Saul.  The LORD made this rule, so Saul does not have the power to remove it.

Finally, the woman said, "Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?" "Call up Samuel," Saul replied. When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, "You've deceived me! You are Saul!" "Don't be afraid!" the king told her. "What do you see?" "I see a god coming up out of the earth," she said. "What does he look like?" Saul asked. "He is an old man wrapped in a robe," she replied. Saul realized it was Samuel, and he fell to the ground before him. "Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?" Samuel asked Saul. "Because I am in deep trouble," Saul replied. "The Philistines are at war with me, and God has left me and won't reply by prophets or dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do." But Samuel replied, "Why ask me, since the LORD has left you and has become your enemy? The LORD has done just as He said He would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David. The LORD has done this to you today because you refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites. What's more, the LORD will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The LORD will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat." (1 Samuel 28:11-19 NLT)

Once again, Saul completely went against The LORD.  Even when God was not speaking, The LORD had already spoken.  Even when God is silent, The LORD was not silent.  Even if The LORD seems silent today, God still expects us to remember and listen to what He has said before (Deuteronomy 13:1-3, James 1:5-7).  God doesn’t waste His breath.

Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel's words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. When the woman saw how distraught he was, she said, "Sir, I obeyed your command at the risk of my life. Now do what I say, and let me give you a little something to eat so you can regain your strength for the trip back." But Saul refused to eat anything. Then his advisers joined the woman in urging him to eat, so he finally yielded and got up from the ground and sat on the couch. The woman had been fattening a calf, so she hurried out and killed it. She took some flour, kneaded it into dough and baked unleavened bread. She brought the meal to Saul and his advisers, and they ate it. Then they went out into the night. (1 Samuel 28:20-25 NLT)

How about you?  Do you turn to God for wisdom?  Do you trust The LORD to give you that wisdom?  Do you take the time to learn what God has already said in the past?  Does it help you gain wisdom for today?  Who do you consult?

Saul Tries to Kill David…Again

Samuel just passed away and at his funeral they could remember a man who lived a lifetime for The King.  Saul, however, is not representing Israel or God very well.  He has been going on a downward spiral away from God and against David.

Now some men from Ziph came to Saul at Gibeah to tell him, "David is hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which overlooks Jeshimon." So Saul took 3,000 of Israel's elite troops and went to hunt him down in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul camped along the road beside the hill of Hakilah, near Jeshimon, where David was hiding. When David learned that Saul had come after him into the wilderness, he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul's arrival. (1 Samuel 26:1-4 NLT)

Saul’s life is haunted by the word “again.”  Saul is tormented by the evil spirits again.  Saul gets angry at David again.  Saul starts obsessing over David again.  Saul hunts down David again. Once again, David needs to run for his life.

David slipped over to Saul's camp one night to look around. Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were sleeping inside a ring formed by the slumbering warriors. "Who will volunteer to go in there with me?" David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother. "I'll go with you," Abishai replied. So David and Abishai went right into Saul's camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him. "God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!" Abishai whispered to David. "Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won't need to strike twice!" "No!" David said. "Don't kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD's anointed one? Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The LORD forbid that I should kill the one He has anointed! But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let's get out of here!" So David took the spear and jug of water that were near Saul's head. Then he and Abishai got away without anyone seeing them or even waking up, because the LORD had put Saul's men into a deep sleep.  (1 Samuel 26:5-12 NLT)

David, once again, calls out to Saul, and his bodyguard, Abner, from a safe distance.  Once again, David points out that he could have killed The LORD’s anointed one.  Once again, David tries to convince Saul that what he is doing is wrong.  Finally, Saul sees it again.

Then Saul confessed, "I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong." "Here is your spear, O king," David replied. "Let one of your young men come over and get it. The LORD gives His own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the LORD placed you in my power, for you are the LORD's anointed one. Now may the LORD value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May He rescue me from all my troubles." And Saul said to David, "Blessings on you, my son David. You will do many heroic deeds, and you will surely succeed." Then David went away, and Saul returned home. (1 Samuel 26:21-25 NLT)

How about you?  Is your walk with God haunted by the word, “again?  Do you fight off the temptations, the evil spirits, or the desire to do wrong?  Do you win the battle against the word, “again”?

Samuel: A Lifetime for The King

Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah. (1 Samuel 25:1 NLT)

Samuel had lived a good life.  From the beginning of his life until he drew his last breath, Samuel clearly lived a life dedicated to the LORD.  Take a look at some of the highlights we see in Samuel’s life.

• Gift from the LORD, Dedicated to the LORD (1 Samuel 1)
• A Prophet of the LORD (1 Samuel 3)
• A Judge on behalf of The LORD (1 Samuel 7:3-17)
• Warned Israel @ Having a King (1 Samuel 8)
• Anointed Saul as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9-10)
• Points Israel to The LORD (1 Samuel 12)
• Delivers Message: Saul’s reign will end. (1 Samuel 13:8-23)
• Delivers Message: The LORD rejects Saul now. (1 Samuel 15)
• Anoints David as king (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
• Samuel Protects David, the king (1 Samuel 19:18-24)

Samuel anointed two of Israel’s kings.  All that time, Samuel knew The LORD was their only true King.  Not only that, Samuel lived his lifetime for The King.

How about you?  Do you get distracted by lesser “kings” or to you recognize God as your only true King.  Do you live your lifetime for The King?