Mistrust, Men of Belial, and Mélange

1 Samuel 29, 30, 31

- the chapter opens with David and his men Marching with Achish and the Philistine army on their way to fight against King Saul and David’s kinsmen.

This is quite the sticky situation for David and his men, the commanders and others of the Philistine army don’t trust David or his men and they are now in the position to prove their loyalty to Achish, but in doing so they my have to kill kinsmen. 

- GOD has been watching over David from the very beginning from Goliath, Saul‘s murderous attempts on his life, keeping David’s hand from killing Nabal and now providing an out from having to choose between loyalty to Achish and his own people.

- David and his men pack up early the next morning and head back to philistine territory.

- In chapter twenty-nine we read about the attacking the Negev and Ziklag, almost like they knew the philistine army was gone. They burned the places and carried off woman and children and everything else, a perfect crime of opportunity?  

-All the men were distraught and they wept, cried, battle hardened men, they cried, don’t move to quickly past that one. For men, what does it say about warriors, it’s ok to cry. They wept and then they were mad, they wanted to stone David, they blamed him, this was all his fault. A leaders burden is never easy.

- Notice what David does in verse six - David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. David found strength in GOD and his immediate next move wasn’t to chase down the kidnappers, instead he asked Abiathar the priest to ask the LORD if he should pursue them? And will they overtake them?

- Another option could have been returning to Achish and the Philistine army to tell them what had just happened, which would also give Saul and his men a respite. This however was not given as an option because Saul’s time had come to an end. David first reaction was to ask for GOD's help and direction. What is your/my first response to a emergency situation? Is it action or asking? (prayer)

- David and his men chase down and defeat the kidnappers and get everything back. Some of David's men had to remain behind because they were too exhausted to go on the chase, they remained in Besor valley.  When David and his men returned with everyone and everything some of the men with David, evil men said that the men who stay behind would get no share of the plunder that was recovered, but they could have their wife and kids only. David reminds them it was the LORD who protected them and gave them the victory.

- Let this serve as a reminder to us that evil men or as scripture also calls them men of Belial, were riding alongside of David, GOD’s anointed, doing the LORD’s will. So don’t be surprised when they show up to Church, prayer services, praise and worship, missions trips etc. If they were riding with David they can also be travelling/working with you.  It is written in Jude 1:4 

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Don’t be surprised, don’t let it rock your faith and be on guard, remember it’s not a question of if, its a question of when.

- In Chapter 31 we read about King Saul’s demise. The fighting grew fierce, he was critically wounded by archers so he tells his armor-bearer to draw his sword and kill him so the Philistines can’t capture him and torture him.

The armor-bearer refuses so Saul falls on his own sword taking his own life.

The armor-bearer after witnessing this does the same thing. That day Saul, Johnathan and his two other sons all died just as the ghost of Samuel had predicted. 

- Here in Canada where I live our government has passed something called MAID – Medical assistance in dying. Saul sought to prevent suffering and lack of dignity in his death, just as others want the same for themselves or loved ones. The problem with Saul’s choice was instead of falling on his sword he should have fallen on the mercy and grace of GOD. When we decide to take things into our own hands and eliminate GOD from our life, instead us say to him your will be done, GOD says to us your will be done. Unfortunately this can be a decision that haunts a person later on, especially when eyes opened and we are not where we hoped to be.

Take away – Be like David and go to GOD first trusting his way is best. Please don’t be like Saul, choosing to fall on your own sword, you'll get the point.

Next – People are dying to hear about Saul