David in doubt, dismay, and deceit

1 Samuel 27:1-12

David in doubt, dismay, and deceit

David communed with himself, rather than inquire of God, verse 1.

Saul will get me if I don’t get out of his jurisdiction. (When you only talk to yourself, you will often get the wrong advice.) David had fightings without and fears within.

David enquired of the Lord at other times (1 Samuel 23:2, 4; 1 Samuel 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19; 2 Samuel 21:1).

The heart is wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

Ye of little faith (Cf. I Samuel 17:29,37,45,46; Matthew 8:26; 14:31) Matthew Henry: “Though he had no reason to trust Saul’s promises, had he not all the reason in the world to trust God’s promises?” “Was he not anointed to be king? Did that not imply an assurance that he should be preserved to the kingdom?”

David moved to Gath in Philistia, verses 2-3.

Goliath was from Gath, 1 Samuel 17:4.

David had been there before, 1 Samuel 21:10-15. This resulted in a not-so shining moment.

The plan of David seems to work, verse 4.

Saul heard David had fled to Gath.

As David expected, Saul did not seek for him in Philistia.

Achish gave David and his men a place to dwell, verses 5-7.

David asked for a place away from the royal city.

Achish gave David and his men Ziklag (within Simeon’s territory, Joshua 19:5).

They stayed there one year and four months.

What David did while in Philistia, verses 8-9.

David and his army made inroads against various enemies, invading the Geshurites (cf. Joshua 13:13), and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites.

David’s method was to leave no inhabitants alive to tell what had happened. Cf. v. 11.

He took possession of the spoils of everything from cattle to clothing.

What David said he did while in Philistia, verses 10-12.

Achish: Whither have ye made a road to day?[i]

David: Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. Cf. 1 Samuel 30:26-31.

Achish believed David.

            He believed these actions made David abhorrent to the Israelites.

            He believed this condition secured David as a faithful servant to him.

Conclusion: Through a lack of faith, David placed himself in a compromising situation. He would be in a pickle when Israel fought the Philistines, yet God mercifully extracted him from it, though through much tribulation. See 1 Samuel 30:1-25.

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[i] Etymology of road: Middle English rode, from Old English rad "riding expedition, journey, hostile incursion," from Proto-Germanic *raido (source also of Old Frisian red "ride," Old Saxon reda, Middle Dutch rede, Old High German reita "foray, raid"), from PIE *reidh- "to ride" (see ride (v.)). Also related to raid (n.).