04/07/2020 - A HERO´S STRANGE DECISION

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And David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand.” 1 Samuel 27:1

We will begin a study of ten lessons about David’s going to Achish the Philistine king. The great hero of Israel, in an attitude taken without any of the 600 men who always followed him, decided to escape to the land of the Philistines. Was it a moment of weakness, or a life-saving strategy? We will know the answer in eternity, but for those who trusted in the Lord, it was right.

David was led by the continued persecution of Saul, who was chasing after him three thousand men day and night. After all, he was hunted as the number one enemy of Saul’s kingdom. Now, as long as this king sought him, God gave David shelter and security. So why did you choose to enter the land of Israel’s eternal enemies? Right or not, did he make the decision after praying and trusting in the Most High?

It seems that the choice was only from David, because the biblical text reports that he spoke in his heart. However, he could have sought the Omnipotent in prayer and asking for guidance, as he always did before battles. We can examine his attitude without condemning him, so that we will not be found judging the Lord’s servant. Remember that Jesus sent the persecuted in one city to flee to another (Mt 10:23).

Those days were difficult for the son of Jesse. Saul intended to kill him; therefore, to escape alive, David went from place to place, accompanied by 600 men and their families. In addition to keeping them alive, as well as producing means for their livelihoods, he had to constantly move in order not to be discovered, which would mean his death. He was a daily miracle of God!

The fact that David withdrew from Israel and sought refuge in Philistine lands is interpreted by some as a demonstration of depression. How did someone who had the Lord as his Shepherd — and therefore lacked nothing — come to this state of mind? This proves that he was just like anyone else. I believe the Most High had a plan for His servant to fulfill in the land of the Philistines, so he sent him to Achish. God knows what he does.

A Christian who does not stand in the divine presence will see the threats against his life differently than he sees the Lord. We cannot but stand at the Saviour’s feet, seeking His will and enjoying the mercy of the One who says that no evil will come to us, and no plague will come to our tent (Ps 91.10). Make sure that things in the world have shaken you by making you go wrong. Watching and praying is the secret!

When we are right with God, there is no Saul who will find us and fulfill his desire to destroy us, because the Lord keeps us from evil. But it is indispensable to obey the heavenly Father!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares