Day #104

Sermon - Audio
1 Samuel 21-24 - Audio
1 Sameul 21-24 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

21

I found this map of David's "journeys" from Saul - Click Here to see it.

v1 - Ahimelech was rightly afraid. David was a prominent man who was wandering around. It doesn't seem like Ahimelech knows what is happening at this time.

v2 - "The king has charged me:" David deceived Ahimelech the priest by implying that he (David) was on official business for the king. David’s deception, however, resulted in the deaths of Ahimelech and the priests at Nob (22:9–19; cf. 22:22). Though David normally acted as an upright man, the Bible does not hesitate to record honestly his instances of wrongdoing. ESVSB

v4 - "holy bread" or "showbread" means "bread of faces."

v4-6 - David takes and will eat the showbread. Jesus uses David and Ahimelech as an example in Matthew 12:1-8.

v8 - the "king's business" is killing David. David is not about doing this business.

v8-9 - David acquires the sword he used to cut off Goliath's head...just in case. I can't help but notice that David hasn't really turned to God for help at this point. Is he relying upon his own strength, power, and provisioning at this point? Where's his faith?

v10 - I'm not sure why David thought he would find refuge among the Philistines...seems kind of stupid to me, plus you have the sword with you that killed Goliath!

v11 -16 - "David flees to the Philistine city of Gath, believing that there he will be out of danger, but he barely succeeds in saving his life." JSB

v11-12 - David realizes his fame, and also realizes that this is a problem. They recognize him as the king of Israel, not Saul.

Thought - Some believe that this is when Psalm 56 was written. In this Psalm we see that David understands that "he deserves to be where he is, but now he desires that God turn his face toward him."

v12-15 - Note on Achish from the ASB = "The narrative of 1 Sm presents two differing pictures of Achish’s relationship with David (cp. 29:6–9). Here David is afraid of Achish, who considers him a madman. In the later passage, David is Achish’s trusted ally and bodyguard (27:12; 28:2; 29:6–9). These accounts are not at odds with one another; evidently Achish changed his opinion of David over time. During David’s earlier career, Achish knew him only as a dangerous enemy of the Philistines and loyal servant of Saul. Later he learned that David had become Saul’s most feared enemy, which made him potentially a valued partner with the Philistines. Achish gladly modified his stance toward David, and accepted him as a comrade-in-arms."

v13-15 - David acts crazy enough for the plan to work.

Thought - Psalm 34 was written upon his escape. It speaks of blessing and joy. "I sought the LORD, and he heard me."


22


v1 - David is now in a cave. He really had nowhere to go. The Cave of Adullam, meaning "refuge," was right by where David killed Goliath. He'd come a long way, or a short way.

Thought - Psalm 57 discusses how God strengthened David in the cave.

v2 - God gathers another hodgepodge group up. This time in a cave. You can't make this stuff up, love it. Don't you feel like this is a perfect picture of Jesus and His followers? Not only are they called, but they are equipped, trained, and ready to go. Later they are called "mighty men of valor" (1 Chron 12:8). They needed a leader, and David was called to that responsibility. David is gathering a people, equipping them for a mission, and is preparing them...hmmmm, sounds familiar.

v5 - Thank goodness for God working through Gad to tell David the next step to take. Even better is that David obeys and trusts God. Saul didn't listen to God's words, David does.

v6-8 - Saul starts justifying his hatred toward David and the 400 people gathered. He has to believe that they have conspired against him, and not the other way. Saul can not accept the fact that David is "chosen."

v9-15 - Doeg points to the priests as the problem in this conspiracy against Saul. Ahimelech comes before Saul and tells him the truth. He even goes as far as praising David before Saul! Big mistake...The servants of Saul wouldn't kill the priests, but Doeg (eager to please) does so. This is pretty much rock bottom for Saul.

Thought - Psalm 52 was written after David found out about Doeg, themes of "hatred" and "judgment" run deep.

v20-23 - David ends by doing the only thing he could do. Admitting some guilt in the matter, and protecting Abiathar.



23


v1-v5 - Technically this should have been Saul's battle to fight, but since Saul didn't seemingly care, David asked the LORD if he should go. He did, and the Philistines were delivered to him.

Thought - Too many times we quickly jump into things or become involved without stopping to ask God if it is His will for us to be doing something...we need to slow down, stop and ask, thus seeking His will in all areas of life.

v7 - Saul has gone nuts. He believes that God is still with him.

Questions/Reflections:

How many of us are following after our own desires right now, while thinking that God is with us in them?
Have you stopped and had a conversation with God about this lately?
Is it your desires that are being lived out, or his?
Are we that much different than Saul?

v12-13 - Will the men of Keilah surrender me? Saul had destroyed Nob on a lesser pretext, so he was certainly willing and presumably able to destroy Keilah. From the standpoint of the men of Keilah, David had brought more trouble than relief for them. The Philistines, after all, had gone after only grain. See the similar situation in 2 Sam. 20:14–22. They will surrender you. Accepting the answer from God, David acted accordingly. Arose and departed suggests immediate action. They went wherever they could go, trusting in divine guidance each step of the way. -ESVSB-

v13 - The number of people in the "band" had grown to 600 by now.

v18 - David and Jonathan confirm their covenant again from 1 Sam 18:3, 20:16.

v21 - Saul still believes the LORD is on his side.

Thought - David writes Psalm 54

Ending of Chap 23 - David is being encircled by Saul and his army, but God sends the Philistines over to invade the land. Saul has to return to fight them, while David and his people can escape. It's not time to fight yet.


24


v3 - attending to his needs means "going to the bathroom."

v4-7 - It was not the appointed time for David to take over. He was well aware of this. He knew God didn't want him to touch Saul, but he did in a way. Still, this is AMAZING restraint in not killing his adversary.

Thought - David submits to God's leading when it doesn't make sense.
Thought - David is troubled over something that seems like a "minor sin," however is there such a thing?

v8 - David takes a huge gamble here by showing himself to Saul. David chooses to submit to Saul as the leader of Israel, since this was God's plan for now.

9-15 - David begins his speech to Saul. He could have killed him, but David states that he will rely on God to judge Saul. He will trust in God.

Saul's Response: A gentle word broke the bone...this time.

v20 - Saul admits what we already know...that David is destined to be king. This is a huge change in heart from Saul.

Thought - Interesting that David doesn't return with Saul. David may have known that Saul would eventually change his mind/feelings toward David. Saul seems to always forget the hard lessons learned. He's a recovering alcoholic on his 4th try.