Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.
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Days 106 - 107
David goes to the land of the Philistines ~ goes to Gath again ~ Achish gives Ziklag to David ~ David's activity while at Ziklag.
Saul's downfall - third war against the Philistines ~ David prevented from fighting against Israel. I find this passage interesting...for several reasons. One, David is given yet another opportunity to slay Saul (in battle) and is restrained by the Philistine lords from being put in the position of taking out his king. Additionally, David has submitted to the headship of Achish. David is properly anointed a king, yet submits to Saul as his head (king) and then does the same when he comes into the land of the Philistines. Even those who are in authority are to submit, if one can not submit well, one can not lead well either.
Men that joined David on trip back to Ziklag ~ David's victory over Amalekites. The Amalekites had attacked Ziklag while David was being excused from fighting with the Philistines. The Amalekites did not kill anyone or thing, but took all hostage. David and his men regain all...while some of the warriors stayed behind to guard the 'stuff', those who went to regain the people and possessions - men of Belial - want to short change them. Only give them their wives and children. David, like the rest of us, have those unsaved people in our lives who test us to walk in ways not pleasing to the Lord. To say or do something that would run contrary to the sovereign will of God. Lord, please help me to pass these tests that you allow in my life.
Positions for coming battle ~ Saul's visit to the Witch of Endor ~ Death of Saul (80) and Jonathan (58). There are several items in here which intrigue me. First, there is a witch, she knows Saul has rid the land of witches, yet he knows where to find her. She is still willing to practice her 'craft'. All of the commentaries, except one which I reviewed state that it was NOT Samuel...that Samuel was at rest in Abraham's bosom. The 'vision' that the witch saw was either of her own making or a manifestation of a demon. She would have been controlled by a demonic spirit regardless of whether it was her 'vision' or a physical manifestation. Interestingly in the commentaries it is remarked that had it truly been Samuel he would have told Saul to repent...instead he gives him no hope "tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me" and Saul, when wounded commits suicide.
Accident to Mephibosheth causes lameness ~ David hears of deaths and laments. An Amalekite comes to David stating he has put Saul out of his misery. Frankly if I were an Amalekite and David had just whipped 'my people' up one side and down the other I would be fearful of coming anywhere near him. Foolish man...and he pays for his boastful 'victory' in dispatching Saul. David has him slain.
O' Lord, keep us from our own thoughts and devices...help us to NOT be entangled with the ways of the world, but to be set apart and holy unto You. Desiring always to give a proper estimate of how YOU are in all that we say, do and think. Help Your people Father to desire to walk in truth and mercy.
David goes to the land of the Philistines ~ goes to Gath again ~ Achish gives Ziklag to David ~ David's activity while at Ziklag.
Saul's downfall - third war against the Philistines ~ David prevented from fighting against Israel. I find this passage interesting...for several reasons. One, David is given yet another opportunity to slay Saul (in battle) and is restrained by the Philistine lords from being put in the position of taking out his king. Additionally, David has submitted to the headship of Achish. David is properly anointed a king, yet submits to Saul as his head (king) and then does the same when he comes into the land of the Philistines. Even those who are in authority are to submit, if one can not submit well, one can not lead well either.
Men that joined David on trip back to Ziklag ~ David's victory over Amalekites. The Amalekites had attacked Ziklag while David was being excused from fighting with the Philistines. The Amalekites did not kill anyone or thing, but took all hostage. David and his men regain all...while some of the warriors stayed behind to guard the 'stuff', those who went to regain the people and possessions - men of Belial - want to short change them. Only give them their wives and children. David, like the rest of us, have those unsaved people in our lives who test us to walk in ways not pleasing to the Lord. To say or do something that would run contrary to the sovereign will of God. Lord, please help me to pass these tests that you allow in my life.
Positions for coming battle ~ Saul's visit to the Witch of Endor ~ Death of Saul (80) and Jonathan (58). There are several items in here which intrigue me. First, there is a witch, she knows Saul has rid the land of witches, yet he knows where to find her. She is still willing to practice her 'craft'. All of the commentaries, except one which I reviewed state that it was NOT Samuel...that Samuel was at rest in Abraham's bosom. The 'vision' that the witch saw was either of her own making or a manifestation of a demon. She would have been controlled by a demonic spirit regardless of whether it was her 'vision' or a physical manifestation. Interestingly in the commentaries it is remarked that had it truly been Samuel he would have told Saul to repent...instead he gives him no hope "tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me" and Saul, when wounded commits suicide.
Accident to Mephibosheth causes lameness ~ David hears of deaths and laments. An Amalekite comes to David stating he has put Saul out of his misery. Frankly if I were an Amalekite and David had just whipped 'my people' up one side and down the other I would be fearful of coming anywhere near him. Foolish man...and he pays for his boastful 'victory' in dispatching Saul. David has him slain.
O' Lord, keep us from our own thoughts and devices...help us to NOT be entangled with the ways of the world, but to be set apart and holy unto You. Desiring always to give a proper estimate of how YOU are in all that we say, do and think. Help Your people Father to desire to walk in truth and mercy.
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