1 Samuel 8:1-20Seeking God's Guidance
1 Samuel 8:1-20Copyright © 2008, American Journal of Biblical Theology
www.biblicaltheology.com
Scripture quotes from KJV
Copyright © 2008,
American Journal of Biblical Theology
www.biblicaltheology.com
Scripture quotes from KJV
One thing that every Christian can agree on is that a life lived in obedience to God is not exempt from difficulties. Many teach and preach a false gospel that attracts converts by promising a life of prosperity and blessing. Though such arguments may sound attractive to those who are listening to the message, it is not long before the practicioners of such a doctrine become dissalusioned by the presence of difficulties and crises in their lives. Those who teach and preach such a doctrine become either dissallusioned themselves, or live a life of frustrated and rationalized hypocrisy. The truth is, the crises of life are still experienced by Christians. However, Christians have opportunitites and resources provided them by God to survive the storms that come their way rather than succomb to them, and in the end God can be glorified, and the Christian can grow to be stronger, more faithful, and more like Christ.
Any argument for such a doctrine must be based upon presuppositions applied to the translation of a few Biblical passages, and must ignore the preponderance of Biblical examples. As we study the lives of those Christians who are described in scrupture, we find a pattern that is consistent throughout Biblical history: these are normal people, many in extraordinary circumstances, who endure significant crises. Of the hundreds of faithful people illustrated in scripture, none live lives that are free of conflict. With very few exceptions (e.g. Daniel), the sinful practices of the faithful are recorded. We find that, without exception, the faithful have been persecuted for their allegiance to God. Those who we most admire are those who held to their religious practice and faith even under the most threatening of circumstances.
This lesson illustrates the faithfulness of David during the period of his persecution by King Saul. The nation of Israel desired a King so that they could be like the other nations, abandoning their allegiance to God as their King (1 Samuel 8:5.) God chose Saul, a man who had the personality and presence to be a King like those who reigned in other nations. However, no man can assume the Kingly position of God, and the inherent weaknesses in Saul’s humanity would later illustrate the folly of such a choice.
When Saul turned away from God, God, through the prophet Samuel, chose David to succeed Saul. David’s defeat of Goliath at the valley of Elah (1 Sam. 17) brought him into a relationship with Saul, and a very close friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan who clearly understood that David would be his father’s successor rather than himself (1 Sam. 18:4). This forms the basis for the conflict to come. Saul was violently jealous of the righteousness that was constantly displayed by David and his great success as a military leader (1 Sam 18:9), traits that he himself should be demonstrating. He was afraid the people would now demand that David be named King. Saul twice threw a spear at David with the clear intent to kill him (1 Sam. 18:11, 19:10). His anger and jealousy towards David because so intense that, upon learning of the friendship between Jonathan and David, he threw his spear at Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:33.) Apparently, and it is fortunate that, Saul was not a very accurate spear thrower.
At this point it was apparent that David would be killed by Saul. David fled from the presence of Saul and spent several years in exile while Saul pursued him. This study will look at David’s actions during this pursuit.
1 Sam. 21:1. Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
Saul had sent his soldiers to David’s house with orders to kill him. His wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, helped David escape through a rear window. From there David went to seek help from Ahimelech (great grandson of Eli) the leader of about 85 priests who fled to Nob when Shiloh was destroyed (22:8). At this point, David did not know who to trust, or who he could turn to, so he had confidence in the Priest, Ahimelech, a man who had always demonstrated faithfulness to God.
When we encounter a major crisis in our lives, to whom do we turn? All too often we try to deal with crises on our own, thinking that there is something demeaning about soliciting help from others. In our culture, men seem to be particularly susceptible to this pride-based, self-destructive behavior. David knew that the power of the King was far greater than his and went to seek help, turning to someone he could trust. Essentially, he turned to the church. Often the church can provide shelter to us also. Sometimes help might come from the pastor, from church staff, or more likely from close friendships that have been cultivated in the church setting.
Why was Ahimelech afraid when he met David? Ahimelech likely was aware of Saul’s plot to kill David, and knew that Saul had become an ungodly King. Ahimelech had to choose between David, who he knew to be God’s man, and Saul who was ungodly, but still King. Facing this dilemma, he chose to help David.
David was hungry and unarmed. Ahimelech gave David bread from the temple, bread that was consecrated to God and not intended for personal consumption. However, recognizing the situation, Ahimelech took the bread from the altar and ordered its replacement with new bread. This illustrates the folly of religious law that would keep David hungry by disallowing its use, and the brevity of the meeting, since David did not stay long enough to have bread made for him (vs. 2 – 6). Ahimelech also gave David the sword of Goliath that had been kept as a token. It was the large and exquisite sword that David had used to kill Goliath. David took the sword with him.
Ahimelech’s fears surrounding David’s visit were reasonable. Upon learning that the prophets helped David, Saul had them all killed (22:11-19). This was the first act that established Saul as an outright enemy of God. Saul had become entirely consumed by his power as King and sought to keep if for him and his sons at all costs. It is the turning point in Saul’s kingdom from which he would never return.
1 Sam. 21:10. And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
It was clear to David that he could not receive any help from his allies without further endangering them, so he went to Achish, king of Gath, a city of the Philistines. As an enemy of Saul, David hoped that he would be safe among Saul’s enemies. His strategy did not work in Gath when he was recognized as the one who killed Goliath, and was known as the primary military leader of the Jews. To protect himself, he feigned madness and escaped (21:10 – 22:1).
When we are faced with desperate situations, we may have to take desperate measures that we otherwise would avoid. Seeking shelter among the Philistines was a dangerous and desparate act. Sometimes we face crises that call for desperate action. Natural disasters, job loss, unexpected financial or health problems can all motivate us to “grab at straws,” seeking any solution that presents itself. We might get bad advice from well-meaning friends and then, in desperation, follow that advice. Some of the decisions that we make during this time can radically change our subsequent future. In conflicts, desperation can often lead to blame that leads to anger, destroying relationships by building barriers between people that can take years to overcome. Sometimes people take hatred to the grave with them over circumstances that occur in their lives.
When called upon to make desperate decisions, we can still take moral, ethical, and responsible measures as we seek to survive the crisis. God hears our prayers, without regard to our ability to overcome our stumbling blocks when we cannot seem to hear Him. Circumstances do not obviate our call to live God-centered lives, and can serve to motivate us to draw upon God at such times rather than upon our own resourses. The bulk of the book of James is written to encourage us to face crisis with confidence in God and sensitivity to His purpose in all of our experiences.
1 Sam. 22:1-2. David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
Adullam is on the southwestern border of Judea near Phillistia, about 12 miles from Bethlehem. There are many gullies and caves there within which to hide. He could not stay with the prophets, or the people of the church. He could not stay with the Philistines, since they recognized him as an enemy. David was, essentially, alone. However, his plight was known by others, and other people responded, on their own, to his need.
Often, when we are in crisis, we do not let others know of the needs that the crisis has created. Sometimes people will complain that they were not visited while in the hospital when they failed to let anyone know they were there. Sometimes, again, our pride will motivate us to hide the crisis. People came to David from four sources.
First, David’s family was aware of the conflict between him and Saul, and came to be with him, to support him in any way they could. Alone, David and his brothers were self-sufficient, but could hardly defend themselves against Saul. Likewise, when in times of crisis, we can often rely on our family members to help. Just as we are blessed by helping others in our family, they are blessed by helping us. Refusing that help is a form of stealing, when you are stealing from them that opportunity to be of help.
Second, those who were “distressed” came to him. In other places in the New Testament this word is used to describe those who are in a beseiged city. They are facing starvation and thirst because of the oppression of their enemies. Likewise, when we enter a period of crisis, we might be helped by those who have experienced, or are experiencing the same crisis. We see this take place when people face specific, and possibly rare, disease. We, as a society, have organized support groups for almost every crisis imagineable. This group was Davids’ support group.
Third, those who were in “debt” came to join him. These were people who, themselves, sought relief from a burden that they thought an association with David would provide. If he were to become King, he might possibly cancel their debt out of recompense for their efforts. In a sense, we might consider this group as profiteers who might be taking advantage of David’s situation. David was able to take advantage of their loyalty as they did assist him in his coming experiences. We should, however, be wise and aware of those who seek to profit from our distress. Many who have been in a publicly-acknowledged accident have received phone calls from “ambulance chasers,” typically lawyers, who want to profit from your experience.
Fourth, those who were “discontented” joined him. Again, David was able to take advantage of their presence. However, when we face an obstacle, often the critics come to join us. Like the friends of Job, they only serve to push us deeper into dispair as they use us to vent their critical spirit.
Since David needed protection from Saul, he was able to organize all of these groups into a little army of 400 men, soon to become about 600.
Often in times of crisis we find who our true friends are. Those who we thought were close are suddenly distant from us, and we find friends that we never knew we had. This is particularly true in the church where people share God’s love for each other. My secular career has never allowed us to live close to blood family, and we have always accepted the church as our local family. We have always been amazed how members of our church responded when we were in times of need. As a leader in the church, often I never would have opportunity to get to know each person in the church on a personal basis, yet when crisis arose, there they were with assistance in their hands and love in their hearts. The church became an army of assistance, not entirely different from that experienced at this point in Davids’ life.
1 Sam. 23:19. Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
The Ziphites were from Ziph, a city settled by the tribe of Caleb. These were Judeans, not enemies of God. However, their loyalty was to the ungodly king, Saul. Many of us have suffered betrayal from those from whom we expect support. Unfortunately, sometimes those who we think are close to us show that their proximity is only an illusion. In times of need they sieze that opportunity to exercise an agenda of hatred that we never expect. The people of Zith told Saul of David’s exact location, and offered to turn him over to Saul at any time he desired. Saul’s reponse is quite instructive:
1 Sam. 23:19. And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. 22Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly. 23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.