May 14, 2001
EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Opposition from many prepared David to be king
___1 Samuel 26:1-31:13
___By Jeane Law
___First Baptist Church, Lubbock
___The theme of this week's lesson is opposition. David experienced it from several sources in the conclusion of 1 Samuel. In these six remaining chapters, he is opposed by his authorities, his allies, his enemies and his friends. But he overcame all of it.
___You will recall in chapter 24 when David spared the life of Saul and proved to Saul he had no desire to kill him, that Saul said to him, "I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands," 24:20. Saul then returned home. We might have hoped he would give up his pursuit of David, but chapter 26 begins with Ziphites going to Saul to tell him where David was hiding. This obviously renewed Saul's jealous desire to kill David. He ignored what he knew to be true--David would be king someday. Had Saul acted on that knowledge and remained at home, he might have been better prepared to fight the Philistines a little later. Consequently, he and his sons might have lived longer.
___The Scriptures tell us he took an army of 3,000 men to find David. I am not a military strategist, but I don't understand how 3,000 men are going to find one David! That army would be a little difficult to hide! David soon knew where they were and went in the night to the campsite and took Saul's water jug and his spear which were right next to Saul as he slept. The Lord had put them into a deep sleep, v. 12; and all the guards also were sound asleep and heard nothing. David's attendant wanted to kill Saul instantly by putting his spear through him as he slept, but again David refused to take the life of Saul because he was the Lord's anointed. They then went a great distance away from the camp and David cried out to them and they heard him. That is a pretty good indication God had removed their deep sleep from them.
___Saul and David talked across the distance, and David again reminded Saul he had not harmed him because Saul was his anointed king. Saul, one more time, acknowledged his sin and admitted to having acted like a fool. In verse 25 he said, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph." Saul returned to his home, and there is no written record of his ever seeing David again.
___David is opposed by unusual allies in a unique circumstance. He led his army to take refuge in Gath, which was Philistine country. He knew Saul would not follow him there in the event he decided to pursue him again. He was unable to trust Saul's words.
___King Achish of Gath welcomed David this time, for he had an army of 600 with him that could help him. At David's request, they were given a place to settle in Ziklag, away from the center of Philistine life. They lived there for 16 months. Achish felt they had turned against Israel and were now allies, and he commanded them to fight with his troops against Saul's army, but the Philistine military leaders didn't trust him and opposed his fighting with them. Therefore, they returned to Ziklag.
___When they returned, they discovered their village had been destroyed by fire and their wives, children and possessions were gone. David's men were so distraught about their families they turned on David in their grief and opposed him. These men were his friends--they had been with him for months and months, and he had taken care of them, but in their grief they needed to blame someone. What do you think their accusations were? Should David have stayed in Israel? Would this have happened if they had not marched with enemy forces?
___David turned to the Lord for comfort and advice. He asked permission to pursue the Amala-kites who had raided their village. God gave his permission and his blessing. With the help of an escaped Egyptian slave, they were able to locate the Amalakites. David and his men fought them for 24 hours and recovered everything that had been taken. (God surely caused the Amalakites not to kill the people, which was the usual custom.) He shared the plunder with leaders of the tribes of Israel. His message to them was, "Here is a present for you from the plunder of the Lord's enemies," 30:26.
___Meanwhile, Saul and his forces were facing the very powerful Philistine army. Jonathan and his two brothers were slain and their father, Saul, fearing he would be captured and tortured, took his own life by falling on his sword, 31:4. What a sad ending to the life of God's first anointed king. One commentary says Saul faced death the same way he faced life. He took matters into his own hands without thinking of God or asking for his guidance.
___What does that say to us?
___David had strong faith. He overcame all opposition by acknowledging God. He was a living testimony to the statement, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" God's second king is now ready to begin his 40-year reign.
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