King David Series: The End of Saul

For the second time, David sought refuge from Saul in Philistine Territory. The once great conqueror of Philistines now had permission to live under to protection of King Achish of Gath. Previously, David had acted insane in front of this king. Evidently, Achish had forgotten that incident or had overlooked it in light of David's current situation. Achish certainly would have known about the split between Saul and David and would have been glad to shelter this Israelite traitor. In return, Achish would have expected military support from David and his 600 warriors. David further strengthened his position with Achish by leading Achish to believe that we was conducting raids on Israel and by pretending loyalty to the Philistine ruler.

"When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him." -- 1 Samuel 27:4

Saul finally stopped pursuing David. His army was not strong enough to invade Philistine territory just to seek one man. Besides, the immediate threat to Saul's throne was gone while David was out of the country.

David goes to Achish and asks for a city, Ziklag, in which he and his man and their families can make a home.

"If he has found favor with the king, let a place be assigned. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?" -- 1 Samuel 27:5

While David stayed in Gath, he conducted numerous raids. David probably conducted thesis guerrilla-style raids because these tribes were known for their surprise attacks and cruel treatment of innocent people. These desert tribes were a anger not just to the Philistines, but especially to the Israelites, the people, David would one day lead.

So, here stands David, God's anointed, declaring himself to be the servant of a pagan, idolatrous king. by relying on his own wisdom and trusting his own review of his circumstances, David has enslaved himself to sometime far darker that his life on the run from Saul. Saul is no longer chasing him, but David compromises his integrity for an illusion of peace and safety.

At one point, Achish asked David to go into battle with him against Israel. David agreed, once again pretending loyalty to the Philistines. Whether he would have actually fought Saul's army we can't know., but we can be sure that his ultimate loyalty was to God and not to Achish or Saul.

Achish trusts David so implicitly, he makes David his personal bodyguard. He lives in the city of Ziklag for 16 months. It is a time of silence between David and God. There are no recorded psalms or prayers during this time. David seems to be relying on his own strength, making his own way to escape the unending wrath of Saul.

During this time, the Philistines, see the Saul's army is deteriorating and determine it's the right time to attack.

David fears he will be forced to fight against his own people. God intervenes. As Achish prepares to face the Israelites with the Philistine army, the other commanders grumble about  David's presence. They refuse to allow David and his men to participate in the battle. Despite his praise for David, Achish sends them away from the battle site David and his men probably breathed a sign of relief as they returned him to Ziklag.

When David and his men returned home, they found smoke billowing from Ziklag. The Amalekites, knowing David and his men would be away with the Philistine army, mounted a daring raid. They captured all the women and children of Ziklag, including David's two wives. David and his men are overcome with grief and sorrow. They weep until their tears run dry.

Filled with bitterness and despair, the men begin to turn on David and talk of stoning him,. David stands utterly alone.

"But David found strength in the Lord his God." -- 1 Samuel 30:6

David and his men successfully mount a rescue with the help of an Egyptian slave. They save all of the women and children. He divides the plunder among all the men, as as making a fight to the elders of Judah.

While David and his men are chasing the Amalekites that captured their families, an important battle is taking place between the Israelites and Philistines on Mount Gilboa. In one tragic day, Saul watches the Philistines kill three of his sons, including David's beloved Jonathan. Mortally wounded, and without the help of his armor-bearer, Saul finally falls on his own sword and dies.

Saul faced death the same way he face life. He took matters into his own hands without thinking of God or asking for His guidance. If our lives aren't the way we would like them to be now, we can't assume that change will come more easily later. When nearing death, we will respond to God the same way we have been responding all along. Coming face to face with death only shows us what we are really like. How do you want to face death? Start facing like the way right now.

On the third day, David hears of Saul's death from an Amalekite, claiming to have killed him. David and his men mourn the loss of their king, then David has the Amalekite struck down for killing the Lord's anointed.

At this time in David's life, he writes Psalm 18. He describes God as: Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Sheld, Horn of my Salvation, Worthy of Praise, Savior

Psalm 18 is a song of relief, praise, victory, and the overwhelming awareness that God has made the difference in David's life.He remembers the number of times God's hand reached down and snatched him from destruction and death. He exalts the Lord for moving on his behalf, bringing him to a place of safety and rejoicing. David clearly understands the it is by God's strength, purpose and love that he now stands poised to take the throne. He exalts the Rock and Shield, who has blessed him and proceed him, and stands in wonder and praise before then heart of God.

Next in the King David Series: David's Ascent to the Throne

King David Series: David vs. Goliath

Do you remember the story of David vs. Goliath?

How many of you are old enough to remember the Sunday morning cartoon of Davey and Goliath? It was a claymation cartoon that started in 1960 and ended in 2004.

"In this stop-action animated series, young Davey Hansen and his best friend (and dog) Goliath live ordinary suburban American lives. In each episode, Davey and Goliath experience some form of moral conflict either in themselves or in their friends. Drawing upon the guidance of his parents, his teachers, and his own religious beliefs, Davey doesn't always do the right thing, but he does always come away from the experience having learned valuable moral and life lessons." 

The version in the Bible is not about a boy and his dog.

Even though the prophet, Samuel, had anointed David to become the next king of Israel, he was still too young and had much to learn. God would teach David many lessons before becoming king.

Saul remained king even though he'd been stripped of God's Spirit and Samuel's counsel.

Saul took his army to battle the Philistines. Each army stood on the top of an opposing hill with a valley between them.

Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, taunted Saul's army to send out a man to fight. In ancient times, wars were sometimes decided through champions from each side who met in combat in a location between the armies. It was thought that the outcome of the fight was controlled by the warrior's gods more than by the military strength of the two sides.

Goliath was over nine feet tall, massive, and extremely intimidating. Saul's army reacts with terror and dismay.  No one comes out to meet Goliath's challenge for forty days.

Was it coincidence that David appears on the battlefield to hear Goliath's latest challenge?

No, not at all. Once again, God's plans are set in place.

Jesse, David's father, sends him with food supplies for his brothers fighting in Saul's army. He gives the food supplies to to the keeper of supplies and runs out to the field and greets his brothers. While there, he hears Goliath's shouts.

The men in the army tell David that that Saul promises great wealth to the man who kills Goliath, his daughter, and the victor's family tax exemption.

David is disgusted that no one has defeated this disgrace to Israel who defies their Lord. David's oldest brother, Eliab, is angry that David is on the field and presumptuous enough to speak out. As the oldest of all David's brothers, Eliab was upset that he'd been passed over by Samuel during David's anointing.

Despite Saul's army losing faith in the size of their God and fearing the size of Goliath, David does not. David understands that God is everything -- He is ever-present, ever-powerful, and ever-watchful. He knows his God and knows that nothing is impossible for Him.

David tells the soldiers near his brothers that he can fight. He's overheard, a message is sent to Saul, and Saul sends for David.

"David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of their Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." - 1 Samuel 17:32

"Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." - 1 Samuel 17:33

David convinces Saul by telling him that he'd been keeping his father's sheep, he'd fought a lion and bear and he'd kill the Philistine who defied the armies of the living God. David convinces king Saul that the Lord has prepared him for this moment. God had tested David's courage, given him the opportunity to use his strength, and taught David to depend on Him in times of trouble.

Saul is convinced. He dresses David in his own tunic, puts a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. However, David can't walk in this gear, so he removes it all, picks up his staff, chooses five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his pouch,  and walks toward the Philistine, Goliath, with his sling in his hand.

Amused, Goliath looks at David, a boy, and "he said to David, Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" - 1 Samuel 17:43

David doesn't see a giant monster who intimidated Israel's army for forty days, he sees only the size of his God. He sees the victory before the battle has ever begun. His words to Goliath are:

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give all of you into our hands." - 1 Samuel 17:45-47

This is a lesson we can all learn. Our faith can be strengthened by the power of God's promises. Nothing is hidden from God's sight. He knows not only what is happening today, but what will be tomorrow. We must remember that our God is bigger than any problem, any struggle, and any circumstance. This helps us to face our giants and keep those distorted, dark, discouraging moments in perspective.

The battle was over in seconds. The Philistine, Goliath, moved toward David, intent on attacking him. However, David ran toward the battle line, reached into his pouch, removed a stone, put it in his slingshot and slung the stone toward Goliath hitting him in the forehead.

"So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him." - 1 Samuel 17:50


The Philistine army runs away and the Israelites army wins the day.

David took the dead Philistine's sword, cut off his head and took it to Saul. Saul asks about David's lineage. David tells him he is the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, Saul's servant.

David's battle with Goliath is a portrait of the battle that surrounds us every day. Like this ancient battle, the champions of each side are fighting. The representative of evil verses the representative of the godly. Whatever happens to the champion decides the fate of the people on their side.

The battle is not between us and Satan, it is between Christ and Satan. In the spiritual struggle between good and evil, Jesus has already won the battle. If we align ourselves with Jesus, then His victory is ours.

Next in the King David Series: Saul Fears David.

King David Series: The Boy After God's Heart

David's beginning starts with Ruth who married Boaz. Ruth was a trusting woman; advised by Naomi, her mother-in-law, whom she dearly loved.

Naomi trusted God. Even through all her tragedies, Naomi knew God would bring her great blessings. When Ruth married Boaz, then gave birth to a son, Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David, Naomi's life and legacy were significant. She lived in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of her life will extend beyond her lifetime. (Ruth Chapters 3-4)

David became her reward.

Israel demanded a king. Samuel, the prophet heard God and prepared Saul as Israel's first King. By anointing Saul, indicating that Saul was God's representative to the people. This special anointing oil was a mixture of olive oil, myrrh, and other expensive spices. It was poured the king's head to symbolize the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God in his life. This anointing ceremony was to remind the king of his great responsibility  to lead his people by God's wisdom and not his own. (1 Samuel Chapters 8, 9, 10)

Saul presented the ideal visual image of a king, but the tendencies of his character often went contrary to God's commands for a king. Saul was God's chosen leader, but this did not mean he was capable of being king on his own.

Saul's greatest successes were when he obeyed God. His greatest failures were a result of disobeying God and acting on his own.

God loved His people, the Israelites. He granted their request for a king, but His commands and requirements remained the same. God was to be their true King and both Saul and the people were to be subject to His laws. No person is EVER exempt from God's laws. No human action is outside His jurisdiction. God is the true King of area of life. We must recognize His kingship and pattern our relationships, work life, and home life according to His principles.

God rejects Saul for his disobedience and rejects Saul as King. The Lord guides Samuel to a new leader. A new King. (1 Samuel Chapters 13, 14, 15)

In secret, God sends Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem and his sons to consecrate themselves and sacrifice with him. Samuel knew he was there to choose the next king. Jesse paraded seven of his oldest sons before Samuel, but God did not choose any of them. (1 Samuel 16: 1-10)

Saul was tall and handsome; a very impressive looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who look like Saul to be Israel's next King. But God warned Samuel against judging by appearance alone.

When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who last the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn't reveal what people are really like or what their true value is.

Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not appearances. And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately judge people. Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; they should do even more to develop their inner character. While everyone sees your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.

What steps are you taking to improve your heart's attitude?

Samuel asked if Jesse had any other sons. Jesse replied that his youngest was in the fields tending the sheep. Samuel asked that this son be sent for and brought forth.

David appeared in glowing health, with a fine appearance and handsome features. God spoke to Samuel saying,"this is the one. Anoint him." (1 Samuel 16:11-12)

Samuel uses the horn of oil to anoint David in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. (1 Samuel 16:13)












While Saul was still King, God prepared David for his future responsibilities.

What are your first impressions of David?

• Shepherd
• Poet
• Giant-killer
• King
• Ancestor of Jesus

One of the greatest men in the Old Testament.

David also had failures:

• Betrayer
• Liar
• Adulter
• Murderer

However, above all else, David is known, respected, and admired, for his heart for God.

Acts 13:22 "God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, he will do everyone I want him to do.'"

David, more than anything else, had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God. He was a man who lived with great zest. He sinned many times, but he was quick to confess his sins. His confessions were from the heart, and his repentance was genuine. David never took God's forgiveness lightly or His blessing for granted. In return, God never held back from David either His forgiveness or the consequences of his actions. David experienced the joy of forgiveness even when he had to suffer the consequences of his sins.

We tend to get these two reversed. Too often we would rather avoid the consequences than experience  forgiveness. Another big difference between us and David is that while he sinned greatly, he did not sin repeatedly. He learned from his mistakes because he accepted the suffering they brought. Often we don't seem to learn from our mistakes or the consequences that result from those mistakes.

What changes would it take for God to find this kind of obedience in you?

The King David Series continues. Up Next: David's Service to Saul.

Do You Know the Significance of the Number 12 in the Bible?

Signs occur throughout the Bible. One of the greatest of all scriptures is in Luke 2:12 "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger."

What a glorious sign that was for those shepherds that night.

But what about the number 12 and its significance in the Bible? Do you know how many times it is used and why?



1. In Genesis 35:22
...Jacob had twelve sons...

2. Genesis 49:28
All of these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.

3. Matthew 10:1
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

4. Mark 3:14-16
He appointed twelve that they might be with him that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means "sons of thunder"), Andrew Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5. Luke 8: 42
because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying

6. Luke 8: 43
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years but no one could heal her

7. Luke 9:17
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

8. Revelations 21:12
It had a great wall with twelve gates ...

9. Revelations 21:12
... and with twelve angels on the gates ...

10. Revelations 21:12
... On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

11. Revelations 21:14
The wall of the city had twelve foundations ...

12. Revelations 21:14
...and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Twelve times the number twelve is mentioned in the Bible.

So, why did Jesus only choose twelve apostles or disciples? Why were there only twelve tribes of Israel?

Did Jesus choose these men because of their faith? No, their faith faltered many times. He didn't choose them because of any special talent or abilities. They had no more leadership capabilities than any other man at that time. Then what was it about them?

They all shared one quality. A willingness to obey Jesus. Being a good disciple is simply a matter of following Jesus with a willing heart. Do you have a willing heart? Could you drop all your possessions and follow Jesus at a moment's notice?

So, why the number twelve?

Twelve is both literal and symbolic. There were twelve tribes and twelve apostles, however the number twelve also symbolizes the fullness and completeness particularly when it refers to the relationship between God and His people.

So, next time you are thinking about how you can fulfill your duties for Christ, don't discredit yourself for what you lack, or think of qualities you don't have. Obedience to Jesus and a willing heart is all you need.

Can you think of any better reason?






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