Bible Verse Synopsis 6-11-25

1st Samuel 27

David fled to Gath with his men. Gath was in the territory controlled by the Philistines. Saul could not follow him there without a war, which Saul could ill afford at the moment. David knew this and chose to go there for his safety. Verse 1 begins, "And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." Where does this belief from David come from? David was just saved again by the Lord and now he flees? David has fallen victim to his weakness and into fear. Fear is the greatest motivator. Fear stands in contrast to Faith. Faith would have led David deeper into Israel, and fear has steered him away from the very place he should be. Fear is an instrument of the flesh and of the Devil. Faith is THE Instrument of the spirit. Which music do you want to hear?

David and his men were living amongst the king of Gath. David asks for his own place to reside with his men. We can see David's descent into sin in verse 4, "for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?" This is addressing Achish, the king of Gath. David calls himself a servant of Achish. This is against everything we know about God and His teachings. We know that David is without God for certain now. He has replaced God with man. When do we fall into the same trap, or is it a fork in the road? Either way, if we leave our faith, we allow the Devil in. When we don’t serve God, He cannot steer. Have you given God the wheel?

So David and his men were granted a city, Ziklag. Verse 7 "And the time David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months." David was gone from Israel and from God for 16 months. How would your life look different if you left God for 16 months? That is a scary thought for me. Sit with this for a moment and reflect.

David in these 16 months away from God, has changed his outlook and his purpose. He invaded the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites. "And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achsih." - Verse 9. David gave utter destruction to these places. While they were enemies of God, I highly doubt that this would have been God's way. The flesh was in control. As a man of the spirit, David wouldn't hurt Saul, the man trying to kill him. But now when he is of the flesh, David slaughters with no regard. It is amazing the contrast of the flesh and the spirit. Which of these 2 guides your life? Do you have to "justify" your actions? If you do it’s a sign of the flesh.

Achish is deceived by David. David says that he has been invading villages in Judah, even though he was not. He brings no prisoner as he is wiping them out (or so he tells Achish). Verse 12 - "And Achish believed David, saying, He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever." This cannot be a positive for David in the long run. He has partnered with the enemy and used deceit to gain favor and standing amongst the enemy. The road of the flesh leads to all sorts to unlikely events. David has followed the fork and made many wrong turns. Will God provide David with the way back to righteousness? Does He not offer us this exit every day? The stairs to the church are the turn lane. Are you ready to repent and take the off ramp from the road your are on?