Scripture:
1 Samuel 27:1-7; 21:10-22:5
Tue, 16 November 2021

David Fled to Gath — Again!

Observation:

What do David’s two flights to Gath to escape from Saul tell us about him?

Deeper Reflection
IN ESCAPING FROM SAUL, David was quite convinced that his only security rested in “the land of the Philistines” (v.1). So, he went to “Achish, king of Gath” (v.2) – the second time David fled to Gath. At his first flight (1 Sam 21:10-15), David took a great risk, because Gath was where Goliath whom he killed came from (1 Sam 17:4). But it was also then, as now, his best option (v.1). Back then, to save his own life, David disguised his sanity, which led to Achish rejecting him. What made David think that Achish would receive him now? At the first time, David was alone. But now, he came with his own private army of 600 battle-tested men (v.3; cf. 1 Sam 23:13). Was David putting confidence in the flesh in this instance? It is true that David’s objective that Saul “will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel” was achieved (vv.1, 4). But that does not mean that it was God’s will for David to flee to Gath. Clearly, it wasn’t God’s will for David to do so the first time. God spoke to David clearly: “Go [back] into the land of Judah” (1 Sam 22:5) – “the land where his destiny was to be realised”25. David had used the phrase “your servant” in relation to God (1 Sam 23:10) and to God’s anointed king (1 Sam 17:32, 34, 36). But now he referred to himself as Achish’s “servant” (v.5), “as if his allegiance has shifted”26. David had strayed off course from God’s will.
25 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 1 & 2 Samuel, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Baker, 2013), 178 26 Robert B. Chisholm Jr., 178
Application:

How will I know that I have strayed off course from the will of God in my life?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise:
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To stay on course in God’s will
  • Pray for significant people:
  • Pray for those in need:
  • Pray for self:

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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