When we are fearful, especially for our lives we default to seeking security in areas where we not normally consider. Such was the case with David as he seeks shelter with the Philistines. Saul seeks a witch and the Philistines reject David.
1 Samuel 27: David Flees to the Philistines
1 Then David said to himself, "Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand."
2 So David arose and crossed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's widow.
4 Now it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.
5 Then David said to Achish, "If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?"
6 So Achish gave him Ziklag that day; therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.
7 The number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.
8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites; for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt.
9 David attacked the land and did not leave a man or a woman alive, and he took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing. Then he returned and came to Achish.
10 Now Achish said, "Where have you made a raid today?" And David said, "Against the Negev of Judah and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites and against the Negev of the Kenites."
11 David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, "Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, 'So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.'"
12 So Achish believed David, saying, "He has surely made himself odious among his people Israel; therefore he will become my servant forever.".
1 Samuel 28: Saul and the Medium of En-dor
1 In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, "Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army."
2 David said to Achish, "Very well, you shall know what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."
3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.
4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.
7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at En-dor."
8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you."
9 The woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?"
10 But Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing."
11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me."
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul."
13 The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth."
14 He said to her, "What is his appearance?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe." And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.
15 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do."
16 And Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?
17 The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbour, David.
18 Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.
19 Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines."
20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, "Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me.
22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way."
23 He refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it,
25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.
1 Samuel 29: The Philistines Reject David
1 Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel.
2 As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish,
3 the commanders of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, "Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day."
4 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, "Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here?
5 Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"
6 Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you.
7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines."
8 And David said to Achish, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?"
9 And Achish answered David and said, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.'
10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light."
Things to think about…
1. 1 Samuel 27 is a description of one of the lowest points in David’s life. While later he would morally fall with Bathsheba, here we see him fleeing to the Philistines, the sworn enemy of the Israelites. Remember David had killed their champion Goliath, he killed 200 as a bride price for Micah (Saul’s daughter) and had gone out on many successful raids as a commander in Saul’s army against the Philistines. One wonders why the Philistines accepted him into their land. But ultimately the world will have us back if we reject and turn away from the promises of God. In this case it was David inheriting the Israelite kingdom and thereby fighting against them.
2. David continues to raid the enemies of Israel, 1Sam 27:9 but lies about it to Achish the Philistine king. God can still use us regardless of our wisdom or moral maturity. While this is not ideal, it shows that God’s grace is the only thing that is of everlasting worth. David is only sustained through this period of fear and uncertainty by God’s grace.
3. David by seeking protection with the Philistines was at this point setting himself up to be a direct enemy with the nation of Israel. We will see that this scenario starts to play out. Eventually our poor choices catch up with us. God uses these situations to humble us and bring us back to Himself.
4. David wouldn’t put Saul to death because he feared killing ‘the Lord’s anointed’, but here we see him fronting up to side with the Philistines who are about to go to war with Israel, 1 Sam 28:1,2. David’s fearful life on the run had led him to be in opposition to the very people God had called out for Himself. Have you ever been at war with other Christians? Who was at fault? Did you have a part to play? Was it ever resolved? Why/why not?
5. Samuel has died and the Lord had left Saul. He would not answer him by the common means of consulting prophets or the Urim. Saul had sent all the mediums out of the land, 1 Sam 28:3-6. The climax of his life was drawing near as he sees the army of the Philistines – he is fearful. When death is staring you in the face you would think this would be the primary time to repent and surrender to the Lord’s will. But Saul had hardened his heart over many years in false repentance, broken promises and lies. This pattern had seared his conscience. Do you know people like this? They have had many religious experiences, but their lives do not match up with having a conformity to Christ. May I ask the question - Is this you? If so, repent and be restored. Get a mature Christian to pray with you and keep you accountable for how you live, before it’s too late.
6. Saul had been forsaken by the Lord and turns to the only means available, a witch, 1Sam 28:7. It is interesting that Saul says “surely as the Lord lives…” 1Sam 25:10, as he promises protection to the witch at En Dor. It was on his lips but sadly not in his heart. May our words and heart devotion to Christ align.
7. 1Sam 28:7-25 is about Saul’s hypocrisy in consulting the medium at En dor. Whiles there are issues surrounding mediums and the calling up of spirit’s for the Christian, we must consider the passage. The passage says “the woman saw Samuel”, vs 12 and then was fearful. She knew who Samuel was and was afraid as she would have known of his ministry and connection with Saul. Saul reveals himself to the woman but assures her of his protection. The spirit comes up out of the earth. Surely Samuel would have come from above, being in the Lord’s presence. But this could also mean that he has departed and hence being risen. The word in the ESV interpreted as “god” simply means spirit or soul. The witch described his appearance to Saul and Saul affirmed it was Samuel, vs 14. The spirit affirms that he is indeed Samuel. Although we know Satan is a liar and the Father of lies, this whole passage affirms truth and even the future regarding Saul and his sons, vs 19. Things of which Satan has limited knowledge. The interaction affirms the truth of Samuel’s earthly ministry, vss 16-18. There is no reason to believe that this was none other than Samuel and that the Lord allowed this to occur. We are to commune with the Lord through His Spirit and His Word. Even though departed family and friends are sadly missed, they should never be consulted after death. Christ, His Spirit and Word are all the counsel we need. Saul even at this point I believe still had an opportunity to repent and be restored. Where there is life there is hope. But his heart was too hard at this point because he had reaped the fruit of living a life in rebellion to the Lord. His conscience was seared and he was unable to repent. Although you do hear of it, the reality is, death bed conversions are a rare occurrence because of this reason. Praise God they do happen though. It says he was full of fear at the words of Samuel. Samuel’s ministry did not change in life or in death towards Samuel. Jesus said even though one rise from the dead they will not believe. Here is an example in Samuel’s post death experience with Saul.
8. Look at chapter 29. What was David thinking!? He had not only deceived Achish, the king of the Philistines, he had deceived himself. Fortunately God in his mercy and grace, through the counsel of Achish and the Philistine lords had not allowed David to fight against His people Israel. Can you remember a time when the Lord restrained you from doing something really dumb or dangerous? What lessons did you learn as a result?
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s sermon “Samuel the Judge” – reading 1 Samuel 7:3-17
1. Who is that person that has spoken into your life? They might be a patent, or close friend or a lifelong mentor. They can tell you anything whether you appreciate hearing it or not?
2. Some people are spiritual guides/mentors for nations. Billy Graham is an example in more recent history. Samuel the prophet and the last Judge of Israel fulfilled such a role. Do you remember some of the characteristics about Samuel’s ministry that made him fit for the role?
3. Israel wanted a king. They had rejected God’s rule over them. What was the physical sign of God’s displeasure at the decision they made? Jay spoke about this on Sunday. What about recent flood events along the east coast of Australia. Is this just a case of a natural weather event or is it a judgement of God? Discuss.
4. Samuel was summoned by a witch at Saul’s request after Samuel died. Samuel’s message didn’t change. We will all die and breathe our last breath. But we will live on. Does this encourage or frighten you?
5. Pray for each other and current events locally and around the world.
Prayer Points
1. Mariupol in Ukraine had a theatre bombed by the Russians. It is belied 1200 women and children were seeking refuge inside.
2. Pray about your support to the floods in Qld and also to the Polish Baptist Church in Chelm efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. This is the church we will be supporting. You will need google chrome to translate https://baptysci-chelm.pl/kontakt .
3. Pray for the flood clean-up and all those affected a second and third time round.
4. Sally Gauntlett in care. Please pray for Richard and the family through this challenging time.
5. Ross Goltz is in constant pain. Has constant hip and joint pain. Seeking specialist help. Please pray for relief.
6. Families that have just started attending CBC.
7. Ukraine to repel Russia and peace to come.
8. Christ to be seen through us in our community.
9. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
10. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. People visiting church on Sunday.
2. Folk returning after being stranded by the floods and Covid.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
4. Flood cleanup is restoring communities around Ipswich and Brisbane.
Announcements
1. Donation funds been set up to assist a Polish Baptist Church with Ukrainian refugees. Please label your donation – Ukraine appeal. The same will be the case for those who have gone through the floods in Qld. Label Flood appeal.
2. A new cell group has started at the church for residents around Karalee. Wed 7pm at church.
3. Kidz@Church every Sunday
4. Members Meeting next Sunday after the service.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for March...
Q. 1. Did Christ remain in the grave after his crucifixion? A. No; he rose from the grave on the third day after his death.
Bible Reference – Luke. 24:45-47; 1Cor.15:3&4.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
