DBG - April 7 - I Samuel 28-31

In this chapter Saul resorts to using a witch to seek guidance in his desperate hour.

vs. 1-2 – The Philistines prepare for a major offensive campaign into Israel through the valley of Megiddo.  David is caught up in this and initially expected to join in the attack. 

vs. 3-25 – Saul is desperate as the Philistines advance.  Samuel is gone and God is no longer aiding him.  To his credit, he had before this worked to eliminate the practice of witchcraft in Israel.  But now he panics and seeks to use it as a means of contacting Samuel for counsel.  There is much debate about whether it really is Samuel that appears.  I believe that it is and that the Lord allowed this to happen to convict Saul.  Saul is rejected for the third time here and the doom of he and his family is pronounced. 

In this chapter David is dismissed from Philistine campaign.

vs. 1-11 - God providentially removes David from the battle that is to come.  David has been careful while on the run not to raise his hand against Saul.  While Achish trusts David, the other Philistines leaders do not.  David is forced to leave and heads back to his base at Ziklag.

In this chapter David recovers the lost families and possessions from Ziklag taken by the Amalekites.

vs. 1-2 – Choices, even if not inherently sinful, have consequences.  I believe it was a mistake if not a sin for David to seek refuge and partner with the Philistines.  Had he not left to go on campaign with them he would not have left his home unguarded.  The Amalekites raided Ziklag, burning the city and taking its inhabitants captive. 

vs. 3-20 – David’s return to Ziklag is one of the lowest points of his life.  His men that have faithfully stood by him now mutiny and speak of stoning hum.  In this desperate hour, He turns to the Lord for encouragement.  He seeks the Lord’s direction through Abiathar the priest.  He and his 600 men leave to pursue the Amalekites.  200 were too weary to continue and remained behind at the brook Besor.  David finds an Egyptian that had been left behind by the raiders.  He leads them to the Amalekite camp.  David leads the attack and all their families and possessions are recovered, plus other spoils.

vs. 21-31 – How the spoils are divided is a very important part of this story.  Some wanted to punish the 200 men that were unable to carry on the pursuit until the battle was won, allowing them to take their families and depart in shame.  David refused to do this and set a principle that would continue in Israel’s rules of warfare.  Those that must remain behind are given an equal share as those that went to battle.  The spoils they captured that were not from Ziklag are divided and sent to various cities in Judah that had aided David.  While this is happening in southern Israel, David is certainly unaware of what is happening northward in the Philistine advance. 

In this chapter the Philistines deliver a terrible defeat to Israel and Saul is killed.

vs. 1 – The Philistines decisively defeat the forces of Israel.  Saul and his men make a stand at Mt. Gilboa, maybe hoping the hillier terrain would slow the Philistine chariots. 

vs. 2-6 – It is an ages old practice in warfare to target your opponent’s leaders.  The Philistines focus their attack on Saul.  His sons including Jonathan that are in the battle are killed.  Saul is wounded by an arrow.  He fears being made a prisoner of the Philistines, likely remembering the treatment of Samson at their hands.  Saul commits suicide to avoid this fate.  This is the true account of his death.

vs. 7-13 – In the aftermath of the battle, the Philistines discover the bodies of Saul and three of his sons.  They desecrate the bodies, cutting off Saul’s head as a trophy and displaying the bodies on the wall of Bethshan (“house of ease”).  There is a beautiful epilogue to this tragic story.  Saul had begun his reign by rescuing the town of Jabeshgilead from the Ammonites in I Samuel 11.  Forty years later, the men of that city repay that act by recovering the bodies of Saul and his sons.  They burn the remains lest they be defiled again, and bury the ashes at Jabesh.   

What a contrast we have in these chapters once again between David and Saul. When Saul was hard pressed, he panicked and sought aid through a witch.  When David was hard pressed, he found encouragement and direction in the Lord.  Both of these reactions befit the men and their lives.  It is obvious which is the better way.

Our hymn today was written by Anne Steel and published in 1760 under the heading “Hope encouraged in the contemplation of the Divine Perfections”.  Like we saw David do at Ziklag, we are encouraged to find encouragement in the greatness of our God.

Why sinks my weak desponding mind?
Why heaves my heart the anxious sigh?
Can sov'reign Goodness be unkind?
Am I not safe when God is nigh?

He holds all nature in his hand;
That gracious hand on which I live,
Does life, and time, and death command,
And has immortal joys to give.

'Tis he supports this fainting frame,
On him alone my hopes recline;
The wond'rous glories of his name,
How wide they spread! how bright they shine!

Infinite wisdom! boundless pow'r!
Unchanging faithfulness and love!
Here let me trust, while I adore,
Nor from my refuge e'er remove.

My God, if thou art mine indeed,
Then I have all my heart can crave;
A present help in times of need,
Still kind to hear, and strong to save.

Forgive my doubts, O gracious Lord,
And ease the sorrows of my breast;
Speak to my heart the healing word,
That thou art mine—and I am blest.