9 Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ 10 Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.” -1 Samuel 29:9-10 Living with integrity gains the attention of even one’s enemies. David had been living among the Philistines and had... Read more
3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or... Read more
“So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath.” -1 Samuel 27:2 An Israelite would never live in Philistine territory in ancient Israel–or would he? In one case, six hundred men did. Why? They were following their leader, David. David’s encounters with the Philistines began on the day he killed the giant Goliath and led a victory against Israel’s enemy. Now, years later, his followers were willing to... Read more
Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.” -1 Samuel 26:25 After David had spared Saul’s life a second time, Saul made a strange but important announcement, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.” Saul admitted David would win and do great things. Why? David walked with integrity, but that was not all of the story. We are all called... Read more
32 David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have... Read more
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. -1 Samuel 24:5-7 David’s enemy stood within... Read more
When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” 2 he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” -1 Samuel 23:1-2 Many people wonder why God would permit or encourage war and death in the Old Testament. At least in this chapter, there is a clear reason–to save the people of a city. David probably did not... Read more
David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him. -1 Samuel 22:1-2 Difficult times are those that bring forth some of our world’s greatest leaders. David was one of those leaders. On the run, fleeing for his... Read more
2 David answered Ahimelek the priest, “The king sent me on a mission and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the mission I am sending you on.’ -1 Samuel 21:2 The Ten Commandments are clear that lying is wrong. Yet in 1 Samuel 21, David, a man after God’s own heart, lies twice in order to save his life. Is lying ever acceptable? Scripture does not explicitly say so, but it seems to approve David’s lies in... Read more
42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” -1 Samuel 20:42 Jonathan stood next in line as king of Israel. Only David stood in the way. But there was one thing that kept Jonathan and David together regardless of the politics. It was their friendship. These two men shared a... Read more
Holy Writ
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