In these final chapters, Saul finally gives up his pursuit, while David goes to live among the Philistines. As a result, we no longer have accounts which show David and Saul facing off, but the narrative alternates back and forth between events with David and events with Saul. Tonight’s lesson focuses on David’s decision to live among the Philistines.

The Setting: The end of chapter 26 included Saul “repenting” of trying to kill David and promising not to harm him. David kept his conscience clean though tempted three times to take the life of his enemies. He defended himself with logic and spiritual reasoning and trusted the Lord to reward his “righteousness and faithfulness” (26:23). In the final verse, Saul returned to his place and David goes back to waiting for the kingdom.
It is not clear how much time passes, but the Bible makes it clear that David remained under significant stress and threat for a long period of time, and chapter 27 reveals that it effected his heart and mind. He ends up living in Goliath’s hometown with some of the greatest enemies of God and His people.

 

1. Why did David live among the Philistines?
a. David followed the reasoning of His heart more than the promises of God. – 27:1
God had promised that David would be king and had proven He would protect Him and defeat David’s enemies.
David’s heart reasoned that one day Saul would kill him. (perish)
David said, “There is nothing better for me…” (no good for me here)
The consistent threat of Saul seems to wear David down. He finally gives in. (compare with 26:19-20)

Apply: When our faith waivers, our thoughts become informed by things that speak contrary to God’s Word. This leads to a lack of hope even after moments of spiritual growth or victory. Satan and sin will try to wear us down.

b. David chose to compromise his identity as one of the Lord’s servants in the Lord’s land. – 27:2
There is something ominous when David “passed over”.
David calls himself the servant of Achish in 27:5.
In chapter 29, David was ready to fight with the Philistines even against Israel. (vs. 2)

Apply: When our faith waivers, we are willing to identify with the things of the world to find peace, support, and provision. Are there areas in our lives that we have become willing to align ourselves with things that are contrary to God and His Word.

 

2. What was his time among the Philistines like?

a. David resorted to desperate measures that left him and those around him in dangerous and tempting positions. – 27:3-12
David probably has 1,500-3,000 people with him. (27:2)
Though it is not clear what, David has done something to have favor in Achish’s view. (27:5-7)
David and his men provide for themselves and earn favor by attacking other enemies of Israel. They killed every person in the raids (27:8-9).
David lied to Achish saying that he had been raided portions of Judah.
To keep this lie in tact, David killed anyone that could have been left as a witness (27:11).
Apply: Life is complicated, but the Bible speaks with simple truth. When we stray from God’s principles and place for our lives, we quench His work and are left in dangerous and tempting places.

 

b. The initial results appeared that David’s decisions were working.
Saul stopped chasing him (27:4)
– Though David did not have to run from Saul, he bound himself to
another enemy. His problems did not go away, they changed.
Achish believed David and took him in as one of his own. (27:12).
– The approval and opinion of an evil man became how David measured
himself (29:6-9).

Apply: Success in the world’s structure or economy is never a good metric for the child of God.

 

c. David’s time with the Philistines led to horrible consequences. – 29:1-30:8
David nearly went to war with His own people, God’s people all so that he could stay at a comfortable distance from Saul.
– God in His mercy used the pagan leadership to keep David from even
worse decisions. (Be grateful to God when He saves us from ourselves.)
Apply: Have your ever been so tripped up in your own mind and heart that you didn’t know which way was up spiritually? God is good to bring us back to Him.

David’s family and people were captured and taken. This should have been a lesson to David of how bad things can get when we stray from Him.

Think about it: Does this echo another time in David’s life when he strayed from God’s purpose, made bad decisions, deceived to cover himself, and ended up with horrible consequences?

 

Apply: Yesterday’s victories do not ensure today’s success. 1 Peter 5:6-11 – guard your heart and stay close to God daily. What fear is drawing you away from Him?