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1st Samuel Chapter Twenty-Six

1. The Ziphites betray David’s location to King Saul yet again (1st Sam. 26:1; cf. 1st Sam. 23:19ff.).
2. David’s spies keep him informed of Saul’s movements, and his forces are able to shadow Saul’s forces (1st Sam. 26:2-5).
3. David sneaks into Saul’s camp in order to obtain evidence of his own innocence.
   1. He invites a companion to go with him, and Abishai steps forward (1st Sam. 26:6).
   2. Abishai does not know David’s intent, and volunteers to assassinate Saul (1st Sam. 26:7,8).
   3. David has to teach Bible class once again about not striking the Lord’s anointed (1st Sam. 26:9-11; cf. 1st Sam. 24:6-7).
   4. David takes Saul’s spear, and the jug of water by his head, and returns to his hideout (1st Sam. 26:12a).
   5. The Lord had provided for this opportunity for David & Abishai through a Divine sleep upon Saul’s soldiers (1st Sam. 26:12b).
4. David calls out a challenge to Abner, and highlights Abner’s faithlessness to protect the king (1st Sam. 26:13-16).
5. Saul then understands David’s faithfulness in not taking his life (1st Sam. 26:17-24).
6. David departs from Saul’s presence, at peace with Saul (1st Sam. 26:25), but not returning to Saul’s service as formerly (cf. 1st Sam. 19:7). Forgiveness does not equal return to former circumstances. Bygones may be bygones, but once they go by there may be no going back.

1st Samuel Chapter Twenty-Seven

1. A period of time comes in David’s life when his life as a fugitive produces a carnal mental attitude (1st Sam. 27:1).
   1. He mentally accepts his eventual death at the hands of Saul.
   2. He views a number of possible temporal-life circumstances, and selects what he believes to be the “best.”
2. David’s second sojourn in the land of the Philistines comes as the Captain of an elite mercenary force (1st Sam. 27:2,3,5-7).
   1. Achish, king of Gath, accepts David’s mercenary service.
   2. Achish appoints David as the Philistine Prince of Ziklag.
3. David has to lie to Achish in order to prove his loyalty to Achish (1st Sam. 27:8-12).  He has to massacre all the witnesses to his activity, though, to cover his tracks.

1st Samuel Chapter Twenty-Eight

1. The Philistines unite their city-states once again for a combined war against Israel (1st Sam. 28:1a).
2. Achish makes it clear to David that he will be a participant in the war against his own people, and David eagerly consents (1st Sam. 28:1b,2).
3. Saul is so desperate for Divine guidance that he uses Satanic methods in an attempt to obtain it (1st Sam. 28:37).
4. The Lord actually allows for a communications channel to be opened with Samuel in Sheol, and Samuel delivers one final Bible class after his physical death (1st Sam. 28:8-19).
5. Saul responds to his Divine rebuke with fear & trembling, and then he enjoys the witch’s hospitality (1st Sam. 28:20-25).

1st Samuel Chapter Twenty-Nine

1. The Lord steps in and overrules David’s negative volition.
   1. The other Philistine Lords are displeased with David’s presence, and order Achish to dismiss David from the pending war (1st Sam. 29:3-5).
   2. Achish defended David to the Philistine commanders, and lamented having to relieve David of duty (1st Sam. 29:3,6-10).
   3. David protests his dismissal, and desires to serve Achish in battle.
2. The Lord’s timing, however, is perfect for David, because it returns David to Ziklag in time to pursue the Amalekites (1st Sam. 30).

1st Chronicles Chapter Twelve

1. In Chapter 12, Ezra chronicles the blessings of God upon David, even before he became King over all Israel.
2. Men joined David at Ziklag during his Philistine exile (1st Chr. 12:17; 1st Sam. 27:17).
3. Men joined him in the wilderness strongholds (1st Chr. 12:8-18; 1st Sam. 22:2; 1st Sam. 23:14). Considered to be in distress, in debt, and discontent, these men are actually great heroes.

(Chapter Twelve continues tomorrow)

Psalm Fifty-Six

1. David composes the Psalm as an expression of gratitude for the Lord’s deliverance from the Philistines.
2. Regardless of human (demonic) activity against us, we can rejoice in the grace of God (Ps. 56:1).
3. Believers have the faith in God’s deliverance, as a provision against fear (Ps. 56:3,4,11).
4. Believers have faith in God’s limits—the extent to which we must suffer and cry (Ps. 56:8).
5. Believers must walk in the light of life, giving praise to God for each victory over darkness (Ps. 56:12,13).