2 Samuel 1:17

2 Samuel 1:17 says, And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:  David lamented, or mourned, over Saul’s death, even though he had been trying to kill him, just as He did for Jonathan, who was his friend and was helping him.  People sometimes tend to mourn the death of their friends and celebrate the death of their enemies, but I am not sure that we should ever celebrate the death of anyone, especially those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  We shouldn't want even our worst enemies to spend eternity in hell, because Jesus died for them just as He died for us.  Verse eighteen adds, (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) David taught the people of Israel to use the bow. Matthew Henry says that this was likely a musical instrument instead of a bow used in war, and it was used in mourning Saul and Jonathan.  We are told this is written in the book of Jasher, which we have no copy of.  Not all things written by God's people became a part of the scriptures or are even preserved.  Still, Matthew Henry says it was written down so that we have at least fragments of it today.  The rest of the chapter is an elegy written by David. Verse twenty-nine states, The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!  David referred to Saul as the beauty of Israel who had fallen with the mighty, though Saul hadn't been beautiful in his relationship to David and God and the people hadn't been mighty in their fight with the Philistines.  I believe that even if they fail that we should look for the best in people today.  Verse twenty adds, Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. I believe this was a reference to not saying anything bad about Saul so that his enemies couldn't use it to rejoice in his death.  We should never give the enemies of God reason to celebrate the defeat of anyone who is identified as a part of the family of God, even if they haven't always lived up to that calling.  Verse twenty-one continues, Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.  David basically said to let the mountains of Gilboa, where Saul had fallen, be cursed.  Verse twenty-two states, From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.  David praises the valor of Jonathan and Saul in fighting the enemy, and Saul had been victorious in many battles with the Philistines.  David put Jonathan his friend and Saul who was trying to kill him in the same category.  Even if we don't always agree with them, we should mourn the loss of anyone who has been a part of the war against Satan and his forces just as much as we do those that we are close friends with.  Verse twenty-three adds, Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.  David continues to celebrate the lives of Jonathan and Saul together and speaks of their valor and might in war.  He also says that they died fighting together.  We as Christians, even when we disagree amongst ourselves, should be noted as having fought together with our fellow believers when we die.  Verse twenty-four continues, Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.  David called on the woman of Israel to weep for Saul, who had enriched their lives materially.  Though he was at times a very self-centered individual, Saul did lead the people to victory many times and enrich their loves.  Verse twenty-five says, How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.  David now praises Jonathan without mentioning Saul.  Jonathan and David had a covenant to support one another, and now Jonathan was dead.  This is but a personal observation, but David may have felt guilty for not being there to help Jonathan in the fight.  Verse twenty-six adds, I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.  David spoke of the great love that Jonathan had for him.  Again, this was not a sexual love, but a God given closeness to each other spiritually.  We too often want to view love in worldly terms instead of spiritual terms.  We should have a Godlike love for all our fellow Christians, and we will have a closer relationship with some than with others.  Verse twenty-seven continues, How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!  David closed by speaking of how the mighty had fallen and their weapons of war had perished.  We should lament anytime people of God fall in the battle against evil in the world, even if they are not always perfect in their faith.

2 Samuel 1:10

2 Samuel 1:10 says, Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:  David tore his clothes in mourning for the death of Saul and Jonathan and Saul's other sons and his men joined him in mourning.  David had never wished for Saul’s death and he certainly hadn't wished for Jonathan's death.  We should always mourn the death of our family members, even if they haven't been very kind to us.  Verse twelve adds, And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.  They mourned, wept and fasted all day for Saul and Jonathan, as well as all the people of Israel who had fallen by the sword.  Saul had been trying to kill them, especially David, but they did not rejoice in his death, but mourned it.  Jonathan had been a good friend to David, and they mourned his death as well.  The others who died likely fell somewhere in between, but they were all a part of God's Chosen People.  No matter our personal relationship with them, even if we don't have one, we should always mourn spiritually when one of our fellow believers dies.  Verse thirteen states, And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amelekite.  David sake the young man who brought the news who he was and where he was from.  It is always good to know who we are dealing with, especially if they are bringing us bad news.  The young man said he was a stranger and not an Israelite, but an Amalekite.  Verse fourteen adds, And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?  David asked the young man why he wasn't afraid to kill the LORD’s anointed.  Matthew Henry points out that the young man was an Amalekite, who Saul should have already destroyed and that he may have done what Saul’s armor bearer couldn't do or he may have just been boasting about something he really didn't do.  Either way, he showed no respect for Saul, David, or any of God's people since he thought he would bring honor to himself for having killed their king even if he presented it as an act of mercy.  People today often still try to present themselves as our friends even as they are doing things that harm us and are not God's will. Verse fifteen continues, And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.  David called on one of his young men and had him kill the young Amalekite.  We are not called on to kill those who are our enemies today, but we should always be aware that they are not our friends, even if they present themselves as such.  Verse sixteen concludes,  And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.  Before he died,  David told the young Amalekite that he was responsible for his death, because he had convicted himself by his own words.  Ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own relationship with God when they die, and if we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we will be convicted by our own words. 

2 Samuel 1:1

2 Samuel 1:1 says, Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;  After Saul’s death, David had returned to Ziklag and stayed there for two days.  David. who now certainly could claim the kingship of Israel, was still hiding out with the Philistines.  As Christians, we do not need to be hiding out with those who are not while our fellow believers are fighting against Satan and his forces today.  Verse two adds, It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.  On the third day after Saul's death, a young man, as he is later referred to as being, came to David from Israel.  He was in bad shape, and fell to the ground in in honor before David.  If people who are in bad shape come to us for help, they shouldn't have to come as though we are some how better than them.  As followers of Christ, we are all equal spiritually and should all be willing to help our fellow believers without them feeling inferior to us or our feeling superior to them.  Verse three continues, And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.  When David asked the young man where he was from, he said he had escaped out of Israel.  David knew the Philistines were going to war with Israel, had even offered to go with them, and was evidently not very concerned about the people of Israel.  He was more interested in protecting himself.  We know that many of our fellow Christians are at war with the world today and we are many times unconcerned because we are safe and that is our priority.  Even then, we at times may aid the enemy more than we do our fellow Christians.  Verse four states, And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.  David asked the young man how the war was going.  He told David the people had fled and many were dead, including Saul and his son Jonathan.  David may have been hiding from Saul, but Jonathan and he had made a covenant to protect one another.  If we run from our enemies, our fellow believers may fall even if our enemies do while we are safely sitting out the battle.  Verse five adds, And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?  David asked the young man how he knew Saul and Jonathan were dead.  If someone comes to us with news today, we should always ask how they know that it is true.  Verse  six continues, And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.  He told David that as he happened upon Gilboa, that Saul leaned on his spear and the chariots of the Philistines were hard after him.  Saul could have been a great king had he been obedient to God, but he wasn't and in the end, when he was standing by his own strength and power, they failed him.  We can be great in the battle against evil today as long as we stand under God's power, but if we attempt to stand by our own while we are out of fellowship with God, we will ultimately fall.  Verse seven says, And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.  The young man said Saul called him over and he went to him and told him he was there.  If people are calling on us when they are in trouble today, the first thing we must do is acknowledge that we hear them.  I believe that too often we are deaf to the cries for help from those around us because we fear that it will upset our peaceful life.  Verse eight adds, And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. Verse nine continues, He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.  The young man said Saul asked him who he was and he told him, and Saul then asked him to finish killing him because he was in anguish because he was still alive. I personally don't believe that we should ever be in such anguish that we want to end our life.  Verse ten concludes, So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.  The young man said he did as Saul asked because he was sure that Saul could not survive his injuries.  He said he then took the crown and bracelet from Saul and brought them to David.  I certainly don't believe that we should ever decide that someone is so bad off that we should kill them.  Still, if they are in a hopeless situation, we may be called on to decide whether to continue to attempt to keep them existing, even when there is no hope of improvement or quality of life. 

1 Samuel review concluded

We are told of Saul killing Abimelech and the priests who had innocently aided David after David lied to him.  Sometimes,  David’s actions were not guided by God's word and this brought consequences to others if not to himself.  We need to always be honest in our dealings with others as Christians.  Then, we have the account of David rescuing Keilah and God telling him that they would betray him to Saul.  Those that we help today in their times of distress, even our fellow Christians, may at times betray us.  We are told of Samuel's death.  Those who serve God will always die one day.  Then later on, we are told of Abigail keeping David from sinning by preventing him from killing Nahal her husband.  David was prepared to act out of anger instead of seeking God's guidance at this time, and we may at times act more out of anger than we do out of the love of God.  If we start to, we need to pray that we have someone who will stop us.  Then, we have the marriage of Abigail and David after her husband's death and David’s marriage to another at the same time.  We do know that God never endorsed marriage to more than on person at a time, and even this was supposed to last a lifetime.  Then, David was given the city of Ziklag by Achish of Gath, a Philistine.  David was hiding out among the enemies of God, and I don't believe that we should ever do this.  I don't believe David was really living by faith at this time, but was relying on his own instincts and we should also never do this.  We also are told off David's willingness to fight for the Philistines against Israel, and we certainly should never fight with the enemies of God against God's people.  Then, we have the account of David’s rescuing those taken captive,  including his two wives, and establishing the rule of shared spoils. If we fail to protect our home and family spiritually, we place them in danger of being taken captive by the forces of evil in the world.  Also, I believe that if we have gained riches in our fight against evil in the world that we should not hoard them but should share with those who are less capable of fighting.  Finally, we have the death of Saul and his sons, which included Jonathan, who had done nothing but help David.  If we engage in sinful actions, it may harm our family as well.  This was the end of the first king of Israel and three of his sons who could have claimed the throne.   Next,we will look at 2 Samuel. 

1 Samson eeview continues on

After God rejected Saul as the king because of his disobedience, Samuel was sent to anoint a son of Jesse as king.  All of his sons that Samuel saw were rejected, even though some seemed physically ideal to be a king.  God was not looking at the physical characteristics but at the heart of the sons.  David was tending sheep at this time and was called, and Samuel knew he had found the right man.  Samuel anointed David as king, but he did not demand to immediately claim the kingship.  He went back to tending sheep.  Even if we are called to be leaders in God's kingdom, our most important role is always to tend to His sheep.  Then after being anointed as king, David was called to play the harp for Saul, and he went and did so.  He did not believe this was beneath him.  We need to be willing to serve in any situation God leads us to without letting pride gat in the way.  After David returned to tending sheep,  Goliath, a giant, was taunting the Israelite army, including  some of David's brothers, when David came to bring his brothers some provisions.  He asked why they were allowing Goliath to do this, and said he would face him.  We should never allow things that we deem to be giants, or too big for us to overcome, to keep us from standing up to them under the power of the Holy Spirit.  David killed Goliath with a sling, cut off his head, and took his sword, but he still did not pronounce himself as the anointed king.  He still recognized Saul as God's anointed king and was content to serve Him.  We should never attempt to claim a place of service until we know for certain that the person filling it is no longer capable of filling it, but must wait for God's timing to be right.  Saul became jealous of David and spent years trying to kill him, but even on two occasions when David could have killed Saul, he didn't.  We also must never act just because an opportunity presents itself, but must rely on God's timing to act.  At one point, Saul promised one of his daughters to David  in marriage, and then had her marry someone else basically to try to humiliate David.  People of the world are still trying to humiliate Christians today.  Eventually,  David did marry one of Saul's daughters, and she loved him and saved his life on one occasion.  Saul later gave her to another man in marriage.  We have to have a lot of empathy for her since she had little say in the matter.  We may at times be treated like a pawn in a chess game, with little to say about the situation we are placed in, but if we remain faithful to God, our victory is assured.  We are told of Jonathan, Saul's son and apparent heir to the throne and his loyalty to David above his loyalty to his father.  We likewise should be more loyal to God and His his plan than we are to our earthly father.

1 Samuel Review continued

We are told of the great fear of the people of Isreal when God showed His displeasure at their demanding a king and also of Samuel giving them the assurance that God would not abandon His people because of their evil in asking for a king.  We need to realize that if we truly are followers of Christ that He will never abandon us.  After Saul reigned for two years, Jonathan his son attacked and defeated some Philistines, which led to the Philistines declaring war on Israel.  The people of Israel instead of standing firmly by  before God ran and hid.  When we face our enemies today, we can either stand firm in faith or run and hide.  Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days in Gilgal and he would come to him.  During the seventh day, Saul grew impatient and assumed the role of priest for himself and offered a burnt offering that the priest should have offered to God.  We then see Samuel telling Saul that he had acted foolishly and that instead of being established forever that the kingdom would be taken from him.  We will not lose our salvation if we act foolishly before God as Christians, but we may lose a lot of His blessings.  Then we have an account of Jonathan and his armor bearer sneaking into the camp of some Philistines and killing them under God's direction.  We need to never be afraid of the enemies of God today but must engage with them under God's direction.  We learn of Saul's foolish edict that no one could eat until the Philistines that they pursued were killed under a penalty of death, and of Jonathan defying that edict.  There may come times in our life when we have to choose between obeying the edicts of man and obeying the edicts of the world.   Saul calling on God's name said that Jonathan should certainly die after he confessed to what he had done, but the people prevented Saul from killing him. We need people who will stand with us if we come under attack today simply because we have been following God's guidance.  We have an account Saul's destroying the Amalekites, but not all of them and taking the spoils of war, which he wasn't told to do by Samuel.  Saul arose early the next morning and told Samuel to see what he had done following God's command, and Samuel asked him what the bleating of the sheep meant.  Saul confessed his sin to Samuel, and he often confessed his sins later on,but there was no real meaning behind his words.  If we are xerving God today simply for material gain,we need to sincerely confess our sins and ask for God's forgiveness.  After ths, Samuel never returned Saul.  If we reject God's call too many times, He may no longer come to us calling on us to repent and be forgiven by accepting Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. Of course, once we do, He will never reject us, though we may at times lose His protection in the world if we do fall back into sin.

1 Samuel review.

Samuel was a miracle baby we might say, born to Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, and she had prayed to God and asked Him for a child after being barren for many years.  She also dedicated the child, Samuel, to God.  Of course, all children are really miracles from God, and we as followers of Christ should dedicate our children to God.  As soon as Samuel was old enough, his mother took him to Eli the priest and left him with him.  She fulfilled her vow to God, and so must we.  Samuel grew up serving God under Eli's guidance, and our children should grow up serving God under our guidance.  Eli's own sons were perverted priests, and Eli was told that his house would be cut out of the priesthood.  Not everyone who is a priest, as we all are as Christians, is truly obedient to God and thereby pervert His law.  One night while Samuel was still, young, God called him to serve Him, though at first he did not recognize God's voice.  We today after we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord will be called to serve God in a particular way, and we like Samuel need to say yes to His call,but first we must have acknowledged that it was God Who called us.  When the Philistines attacked at one point, the people demanded that the Ark of the Covenant be brought into the battle, without consulting God, and the Israelites were defeated, Eli's two sons were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was captured. Just having things associated with God with us doesn't guarantee our victory over our enemies.  We also have the record of the statue Dagon, the god of the Philistines, falling on its face before the Ark of the Covenant and the Philistines returning the Ark to Israel.  We can be certain that there is coming a day when all false gods will fall on their faces before God.  Of course, they could have acknowledged God instead of sending the Ark back along with sacrifice offerings.  After the Ark was returned, the Israelites defeated the Philistines and reclaimed their lost land.  If we have fallen away from God and return to Him in repentance,  He will restore our lost relationship with Him, and material things will never matter. After Samuel had grown old, the people came to Him demanding that he give them an earthly king, even though they had always had God to rule them through His priests and still did.  Samuel warned the people of the problems of having an earthly king, but they still insisted on having one.  They had not talked to God about this, even though they were His chosen people.  Today, people are still putting more faith in earthly rulers than they are in God, even some who at least  profess to be Christians.  The people chose Saul, who seemed to be an ideal candidate, even to Samuel.  Again, God was not consulted about their decision.  When we elect leaders today, we should always pray about our decision.  Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel.  Saul was disobedient to God, and God rejected him. We may be a powerful authority in the world, but if we turn away from God we will one day find out how powerless we are.  God did not reject Saul until Saul rejected Him, nor will He with anyone today.  

1 Samuel 31:1

1 Samuel 31:1 says, Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.  When the Philistines fought against the Israelites, the Israelites fled and fell down and were slain at Mount Gilboa.  As Christians, we may be slain for our stand for God, as Christians often have been, but I don't believe that we should ever be running if this happens.  Had Saul, and the people of Israel stood firm in their faith in God, I don't believe this would have been the outcome.  Still, there may come a day that even if we do stand firm in our faith that we will lose our physical life, but we are forever secure spiritually, so there is no need to run.  Verse two adds, And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.  The Philistines chased the men of Isreal hard, and they slew Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul’s son.  Jonathan had been loyal to David and to God, but he was still killed.  Again, we may be faithful to God and still lose our physical life to those who oppose God, but we already have everlasting life with God spiritually if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse three continues, And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.  The battle went badly for Saul and he was wounded by the archers of the Philistines.  Things had really been going badly for Saul since he failed to be obedient to God.  If we fail to accept the salvation made available by Jesus Christ, no matter how successful we may be materially, things will always be going badly for us spiritually.  Verse four states, Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.  Saul asked his armor bearer to take his sword and kill him, because he was afraid of falling into the hands of the Philistines.  I believe that Saul could have still sincerely repented and turned to God and even if he were captured and killed he would not have been afraid and have wanted to kill himself.  Since his armor bearer wouldn't kill him, Saul killed himself by falling on his sword.  I also believe that things should never become so bad that as long as we have hope of getting better physically that we should ever kill ourselves.  Verse five adds, And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.  When Saul’s armor bearer saw what he had done, he killed himself as well.  Our actions may lead others to make bad decisions.  If we are afraid of the enemies of God, this may lead others to be as well.  Verse six continues, So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his men, that same day together.  His men, his three sons, and Saul wee all killed that day.  I have to wonder how different Saul’s story would have been had he chosen to be faithful to God.  Though it may seem that God rejected Saul and Saul had no choice but to fail, I believe that he and we always make the choice about our relationship with God.   He does not reject anyone but calls all to salvation, and we then make the choice of whether to accept His call to salvation or not.  Verse seven states, And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.  When the other people of Israel saw that his men and Saul fell to the Philistines, they left their cities and fled.  The Philthen moved in to live in their abandoned cities.  If we abandon our position with God, we should not be surprised if sinful men move into what should be our place in the world.  Verse eight adds, And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.  The next day, the Philistines found Saul and his three sons fallen at Gilboa.  Though they were already taking possession of the cities, they evidently did not know the Saul was dead until now.  Verse nine continues, And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.  The Philistines cut off Saul’s head and sent it and his armor into their land to publicize his defeat to the people and their idols.  Not only were they taking credit for Saul’s defeat, they were giving credit to their gods as well.  There are still people today who are killing Christians and giving credit to the gods when they do.  Verse ten concludes, And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.  They displayed Saul’s armor in the house of Ashtaroth, one of their gods, and his body on the wall of another, Bethshan.  Saul had killed himself to avoid being abused by the Philistines, but his body was still abused along with the bodies of his sons we find out later on.  We will find that people of the world today will still do all that they can to discredit Christians.   Verse eleven says, And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;  Verse twelve adds, All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.  When the brave of Jabeshgilead heard what had happened, they went all night and recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons, and they then burned them in Jabesh.  If the bodies were burned, the Philistines couldn't recapture them and abuse them any more.  It is better to be totally destroyed physically than to allow anyone to use our life and death to bring honor to false gods.  Verse thirteen continues, And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.  They then took the bones of Saul and his sons, buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted for even days.  Saul may nor have been a great king, biput he was their first earthly king, so they mourned his loss.  

1 Samuel 30:21

1 Samuel 30:21 says, And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.  David returned first to where the two hundred men who had to drop out were.  Verse twenty-adds, Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.  When they reached the men who had been too weak to continue those who had gone on with David, who were referred to as wicked men and men of Belial, said they weren't going to share anything with them except their wives and children and then they could leave. They didn't want them to remain as a part of the nation, much less the army of David.  Sometimes, Christians can have the same attitude toward weaker Christians today, believing that those who have been unable to do as much as they have are somehow less deserving of God's blessings.  Verse twenty-three declares, Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hate given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.  David said this was not going to happen and gave credit for their victory to God and not to the four hundred men and himself.  As long as we acknowledge that God is responsible for our victories as Christians, we should never have a problem with becoming too self-important.  Verse twenty-four adds, For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.  David said that those who had remained to guard the stuff would share equally with those who had gone on.  As Matthew Henry points out these men had not remained behind because they didn't want to go but because they were physically unable to go,  Also, they served a purpose in remaining behind and that was to guard the stuff.   We cannot all be on the front lines in the battle against evil today, but if we are, we need to realize that there are many people behind the lines guarding our stuff.  Verse twenty-five continues, And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day. David, who was anointed king though he had yet to assume the throne, made the sharing of the spoils equally a statute and ordinance from that day forward.  We as followers of Christ have God's directive to share with the less fortunate to today, but we often fight against it.  Verse twenty-six concludes, And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;  When David returned to Ziklag he sent some the spoils to the elders of Judah and told them he had a present for them and shared the spoils with them as well.  I am sure this really didn't make some of the four hundred happy.  They would have even less for themselves, but what we need to realize is that as Christians, we are all in this together.  The next few verses simply tell us who those were that shared in the spoils.  Verse twenty-seven states, To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,  Verse twenty-eight adds, And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,  Verse twenty-nine continues,  And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,  Verse thirty adds, And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach,  Verse thirty-one adds, And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.  We are told at last that David shared with all those where his men and he were likely to travel. 

1 Samuel 30:11

1 Samuel 30:11 says, And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;  While pursuing those who had burned Ziklag and taken the women and children captive, David’s men encountered an Egyptian in a field.  They brought him to David and gave him water since he was in bad shape.  At least David’s men had enough compassion to bring him to David.  There are people today who are abandoned by the world and in bad shape physically and spiritually that we need to have compassion on and bring to Christ.  Verse twelve adds, And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.  They then fed the Egyptian lad and his spirit returned to Him.  He had been without food or water for three days.  When we met people in need today, we need to feed them physically, but more importantly we need to point them to Jesus, the Living Bread and Water.  Verse thirteen continues, And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.  When David asked the lad who he was, he said he was an Egyptian who had been a servant, or slave would probably be more accurate, to an Amalekite.  He said he had fallen sick three days ago and had been abandoned by his master.  When people are of no use or a burden to those who have been the ones to provide for hem, even if they had to work for their provisions, we will find that they are often abandoned, especially if they would become a burden.  We as Christians need to help them and not ignore or condemn them.  Verse fourteen concludes, We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.  The lad had been a part of the force that destroyed Ziklag.  David could have just seen him as part of the enemy force and killed him, but the lad didn't realize this.  We need to make certain that we do not judge all people to be enemies just because of where they are from or even what they may have been involved in.  This lad had no choice about being involved in the raid on Ziklag.  Verse fifteen states, And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.  David asked the lad if he could bring him to this company.  As we may imagine, the lad had some concerns and asked for some assurances from David.  He first asked that David not kill him, and he then asked that David not return him to his master.  Even if we are helping non Christians today, they may be wary of our help.  Verse sixteen adds, And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.  When they reached the camp of the raiders, they were celebrating their great victory over Ziklag and the spoils that they had gotten.  Those who are not Christians often celebrate what they see as victories over Christians and have little fear of this victory ever being taken away.  Verse seventeen continues, And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.  David and his men killed the Amalekites from the morning of one day until evening the next day.  No one escaped, except for four hundred young men who fled on camels.  David only had four hundred men with him, but after destroying a much larger force an equal number of men escaped.  Of course, this time David had gone under the direction of God and thereby under His power.  If we are engaging the enemies of God today, they will often be a larger force, but if we are acting under the authority and leadership of God, we will always be victorious, though it might not be in this lifetime.  Of course, we are not sent out to destroy the lost but to reach them with the gospel instead.  Verse eighteen says, And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.  David and his men rescued everything that had been taken, including his two wives. We can be certain that anything we lose in the battle against evil today will one day be returned though not necessarily physically  but with an even greater reward.  We will be with God forever.  Verse nineteen adds, And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.  Everything was recovered because David had acted under God's direction.  If we are acting under God's direction.  Today, we will never lose anything spiritual as Christians, and the physical or material doesn't matter.  Verse twenty continues,  And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.  David took everything with him and said that it was his spoil.  We will find that he restored everything to his men that they had lost and didn't just keep it all for himself.  Matthew Henry says that David could have said this to point out how wrong the people had been when they sought to stone him.  When we have victory over the world today, we need to give God the glory and never attempt to claim that glory or rewards for ourselves. 

1 Samuel 30:1

1 Samuel 30:1 says, And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;  Three days later, when David and his men got back to Ziklag, it had been burned to the ground by the Amalekites in his absence.  Our enemies today will take advantage of every opportunity to harm us when they see the opportunity.  We must stay alert to the best of our ability at all times, led by the Holy Spirit.  Verse two adds, And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.  Not only had the Amalekites burned the city to the ground, they. Had taken the women and children captive.  David had made enemies of the Amalekites and had left his city without proper defenses when he had gone to join the Philistines in their battle against Israel, his own people.  If we join the battle against God's people, who are are own people as Christians today, we will leave our families without proper defenses against those that would destroy them.  Still, as Matthew Henry points out, if Saul had done as he should have and had destroyed all the Amalekites, this wouldn't have been a problem.  We cannot allow certain sins to remain in our life as followers of Christ, but we must work to destroy them all.  Verse three continues, So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captive.  When David and his men returned to the city, they saw what had happened.  The city was buried to the ground and their women and children had been taken captive.  If we stray away from God, we may find our families have also become captives of sin.  If we are not faithful to God, we should not expect them to be.  Verse four states, Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. David and those with him cried until they could cry no more.  If we have strayed away from God, and I don't believe God would have ever approved of David fighting for the Philistines, when we see the devastation that it can cause, then we should cry until we can cry no more, but we first need to ask for God's forgiveness and guidance.  Verse five  adds, And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.  David’s two wives were among those taken captive.  Though I don't think we can defend David having two wives, we can expect that he would have put their safety above his loyalty to the Philistines.  Even if we are guilty of some other sin, as Christians we must put the safety of our family first under God's guidance.  Verse six continues, And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.  David was distressed, and the people were ready to stone him,blaming him for what had happened.  They may have been willing to follow David into battle, but when things went wrong they were also ready to stone him.  Some people may be willing to stand with us in our fight against evil in the world today until it costs them something personally and then they may turn against us.  David then did what he should have been doing all along and that was to turn to God for guidance and encouragement, and we should do the same today.  Verse seven says, And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.  David asked Abiathar the priest to bring him the ephod which contained the urim and thummin used to seek God's guidance.  We as Christians today just have to turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance.  Verse eight adds, And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.  This time, unlike when he left to join the Philistines, David asked God if he should pursue the Amalekites, and God answered that not only should he pursue them, but He gave David assurance that he would recover everything.  When we return to God after straying away, spiritually we will, recover everything important, which is being in fellowship with God.  Verse nine continues, So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.  David and his six hundred men caught up to the rear forces at the brook Besor. Verse ten concludes, But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.  David went on with just four hundred men, since two hundred were too weak to go on.  If not physically, then at least spiritually, we may find that some who have been with us n the fight against evil become to weak to carry on.  We should not allow this to keep us from continuing the fight under the guidance and power of God.  

1 Samuel 29:1

1 Samuel 29:1 says, Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel. Both armies were gathered together to go to war with each other.  We may not like to admit it, but we are at war with Satan and his forces today, and we need to always be ready to engage in the battle under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse two adds, And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.  The Philistines passed by in hundreds and thousands.  This was a large, organized army.  David was in a bad situation.  He was ready to go to war against his own people out of loyalty to Achish, but if he did and Saul was killed in the battle, then the people of Israel would say he was just out to kill Saul so that he could claim the throne.  Remaining neutral would have brought his courage into question.  We can not just remain neutral in the battle against evil today.  Verse three continues, Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day? The Philistines asked what David and his men, who were Hebrews and therefore the enemy, were doing in the camp of the Philistines.  Achish said it was David, who had never done anything to harm him.  We might be safe in the enemy camp today, but that doesn't mean that we should be or that they will ever truly trust and respect us.  Verse four states, And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?  The other Philistine leaders told Achish to send David back to where he had been staying.  They were afraid that in the battle David might decide to be loyal to Saul and fight against them from within.  They were providing David with a way out of his dilemma without even realizing it.  Of course, I believe that God was at work in the situation, just as He will be in any situation that we find ourselves in today, even if it is of our own making.  Verse five adds, Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?  They pointed out that David had killed many more Philistines than Saul had, not to mention killing Goliath when Saul was afraid to face him.  As Christians we should be known for standing up to the forces of evil today.  Verse six continues, Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.  Achish called David and told him that he had always been upright in his dealings with him,and then said that the lords of the Philistines didn't favor David being in the battle.  Of course, David had done some things that Achish did not know about.  I believe that we as followers of Christ should always be open and honest in our dealings with the people of the world, but even if we are, some are still going to see us as a threat, whether we really are or not.  Verse seven says, Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.  Achish told David to return to where he had been staying and to go in peace.  He told David to do this so that the lords of the Philistines would not be displeased.  God was providing David with a way out, even if He may not have been behind David’s decision to go to the Philistines to start with.  As Christians, if we get ourselves into a bad situation, as long a we remain faithful to God, He will be at work to get us out of it.  Verse eight adds, And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?  David swore loyalty to Achish, calling him his lord and king and asking what he had ever done to make Achish distrust him.  It seems that even though David would not kill Saul when he twice had the chance that he was willing to go to war against his own people.  I don't believe this was something that God would have ever endorsed, just as He doesn't endorse His people being at war with each other today.  If we are, we are helping the enemies of God.  Verse nine continues, And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.  Achish said he knew David had been faithful to him, but the rest of the lords of the Philistines didn't want David in the battle with them.  It would be a good thing if those who oppose God would see us as a threat to them, even while we are in their midst and haven't really done anything to harm them.  Verse ten states, Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.  Achish told David to get up early the next day and take his men and leave.  Verse eleven adds, So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.  David and his men got up early and returned to where they had been staying in the land of  the Philistines, who went up to Jezreel to get ready to make war against Israel.  Again, I don't believe that we as Christians should ever be hiding out in the enemy camp, even if we are physically safe there.  In the war with the enemies of God comes, we need to be standing firmly with our fellow Christians. 

1 Samuel 28:15

1 Samuel 28:15 says, And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.  Though we are told Samuel answered Saul and asked him what he wanted, we know that it really wasn't Samuel.  Even if the spirits of the dead could be called back, which they cannot, the spirits of the righteous wouldn't be called back by witches.  Saul then told him about the Philistines coming and his being unable to find a prophet or to hear from God what to do.  Had Saul truly repented and trusted God, he wouldn't have had this problem.  Verse sixteen adds, Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?  Even though this wasn't Samuel, Saul was asked a good question.  If Saul was outside of God's will, then why did he think Samuel who was dead was going to be able to answer him.  If we have turned our back on God and He is not answering us, no one living or dead is going to be able to tell us what God would have us do, other than to repent and ask His forgiveness.  Verse seventeen continues, And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:  Again, as Matthew Henry says, this apparition told Saul what Samuel had already told him God had said.  The kingdom was going to be taken from him, but God had not said it was going to be given to the Philistines, but to David.  This apparition never mentioned repentance nor God's mercy to those who do repent, but only added to Saul’s fear.  The people of the world are never going to point us to God and His forgiveness, but will always portray Him in a negative way.  Verse eighteen states, Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.  This spirit seemed to know a lot about Saul, just as Satan knows a lot about Christians and their weaknesses today.  When we are attacked by Satan it will be at our weakest point and designed to lead us away from doing God's will or even seeking His forgiveness.  Verse nineteen adds, Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.  Saul was told tomorrow, which Matthew Henry says meant soon and not necessarily the very next day, that the Philistines would be victorious and Saul and his sons would be killed.  This just made Saul even more afraid.  I don't believe that God will ever tell us things that make us more afraid if we are truly followers of Christ, and even the gospel is not deigned to make us afraid but to lead us to salvation, hope and a fearlessness in the face of adversity.  Verse twenty says, Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.  When Saul heard this ,he fell to the ground, partly in fear and partly because he had eaten nothing all day.  Fear can keep us from eating or sleeping if we allow it to, making us even more susceptible to the lies of Satan.  Verse twenty-one adds, And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.  The woman came to Saul and said she had put her life in his hands by doing what he asked, and she may have really thought she had.  There are still people in the world today who think they have some sort of psychic ability, and there are also people who believe them.  Verse twenty-two continues, Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.   She then begged Saul to let her feed him before he left.  Whatever she was, she did have compassion for Saul and wanted to feed him so that his strength would return.  Even those who are living contrary to God's word can have compassion on others.  Verse twenty-three states, But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.   Saul at first refused to eat, but his servants and the woman compelled him to eat.  Saul was the king of Israel, but he was so weak physically that he had to be compelled to eat, but he was even weaker spiritually and there was no Bread of Life in his eating the food.  Having our physical needs met is never going to feed and strengthen us spiritually.  Verse fourteen adds, And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:  The woman to her credit prepared a good meal for Saul.  It is possible she was doing this out of fear that Saul might decide to banish or kill her, but whatever her motive, she was concerned about Saul.  Verse twenty-five continues, And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.  She fed Saul and his servants, and they went away that night.  Saul may have been physically strengthened, but he was spiritually weaker than ever.  We may be physically strengthened today while at the same time being spiritually starving.

1 Samuel 28:7

1 Samuel 28:7 says, Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.  Saul couldn't get an answer from God, so he told his servants to find a witch, though he had banished all of them.  I believe the only prayer that God hears from those who are not his people spiritually is the prayer of repentance asking for forgiveness.  People will always be looking for answers elsewhere when they don't acknowledge God.  Saul was told that there was a witch at Endor.  Verse eight adds, And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.  Saul went to her in disguise at night.  He didn't want people to know what he was doing evidently and he may have also thought she would be afraid of him if she knew who he was.  People still often want to go disguised in the darkness of night seeking answers to life's problems instead of going into the light of Christ where they can be found.  Verse nine continues, And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?  The woman asked Saul if he knew of Saul's edict to cut off all those who had a familiar spirit from the land and asked if he were trying to trap her so that she too would die.  Either she didn't recognize Saul and thought that he was someone who was sent to get her to reveal that she was a witch, or she did recognize him and wanted to find out his motive for coming to her.  Matthew Henry points out that she was more afraid of Saul's edict than she was of God's law.  Many people today are still the same way, more afraid of man's laws than God's laws.  Verse ten states, And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.  Saul made an oath to God that nothing would happen to her because of her doing what she asked him to do.  Of course, since Saul no longer really put his faith in God, invoking His name in the oath really meant very little.  If people don't believe in God today, they make take oaths or make vows invoking His name, but they really have no meaning.  A person cannot swear by the name of God if they don't believe in Him and are not spiritually a part of His family and it have any real meaning.  Verse eleven adds, Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.  The woman then asked Saul who he wanted her to bring up, and he said Samuel.  Instead of repenting and going to the God of the living, Saul had was seeking God's will among the dead.  The woman really couldn't call up Samuel after he died, and no one can call up the dead today though many claim to have that ability.  We do all have the ability to call on the Living God by faith though.  Verse twelve says, And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.  The woman at least thought she had called up Samuel, but as Matthew Henry points out, Satan is the great deceiver and can make things appear to be true that aren't.  Still, the vision she saw revealed to her who Saul was.  This would at least lead Saul to believe that she was in contact with the spirits of the dead.  She was still more afraid of Saul than she was of God.  Too many people still fear earthly authorities more than they fear God.  Verse thirteen says, And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.  When Saul told her not to be afraid, she then said that she saw gods ascending out of the earth.  Of course, we know that there is but one God, and He is in Heaven and not buried in the earth.  Verse fourteen adds, And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.  Saul asked her what the person she had called up looked like, and she said he was an old man covered with a mantle.  Of course, living in Israel and having been told by Saul to bring up Samuel, it would have been easy for her to describe what he looked like whether she saw anything or not.  Saul believed this to be Samuel, and he stooped himself to the ground before the woman.  Of course, we as Christians are never to worship anyone, living or dead, except for God Himself.  We never have to go to anyone else to speak to God for us.  As a matter of fact, if we do, then we really don't understand Who Jesus Christ is and what He did for us.  If we put our faith in Him, we have direct access to God, because the Holy Spirit indwells us.  Saul would have had that same access had he repented and turned to God by faith.

1 Samuel 28:1

1 Samuel 28:1 says, And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armiestogether for warfare, to fight with Israel.  And Achish said to David,  Know thou assuredly that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.   After some time, the Philistines gathered to go to war with Israel, and Achish asked David if he was not surely going to fight on the side of the Philistines and him against Israel.  If we are pretending to be on the side of the world today, we should not be surprised if they expect us to fight on their side against God.  Verse two adds, And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.  David didn't really tell Achish that he would fight against Israel, but simply said Achish was aware 0of what he could do.  Achish took David’s answer as a yes, and told David he would put him in charge of a lot of his troops.  Matthew Henry said Achish was going to make David like a prime minister.  Though I don't believe that God expects us to lie about our intentions of whether or not we as followers of Christ support someone or some action that goes against God and His law, at times we might be okay in allowing them to draw their own conclusions.  Of course, this should never include allowing them to think that we are not a follower of Christ.  Verse three states, Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.  We are reminded that Samuel was dead and buried, and Saul had driven all those who practiced witchcraft out of Israel.  Matthew Henry says this could have been early in Saul’s reign when he was still listening to Samuel and following God, but that it seemed to be a more recent event, possibly brought about by Saul fearing that he was under the influence of evil spirits himself.  It is possible for those who do not believe in God to do good things, even if they are done for the wrong reason.  Verse four adds, And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.  The two armies gathered their forces.  Matthew Henry also points out that Saul would not have been having this problem had he been obedient to God.  The Philistines would have already been destroyed, but Saul had spent most of his time chasing David.  We may be forced to fight battles today that we never would have had if we had only been obedient to God instead of chasing our own desires or being driven by our own fears.  Verse five continues, And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.  When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was very afraid.  This was because the Spirit of God had left him because of his disobedience to God.  As long aswe are following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have no reason to be afraid, no matter how big the enemy may seem.  Verse six concludes, And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.  When Saul inquired of God, God didn't answer him.  Of course, part of the problem may have been that Saul had killed so many priests that there was no one near him to go to God for him.  If God is not answering our prayers today because we have strayed away from Him, we need to hope that we have our fellow Christians interceding for us.  Of course, I also believe that if we repent and ask God's forgiveness, He will always hear our prayers, no matter how far away we have strayed. I believe this was still possible for Saul, but he never did.  God had not just arbitrarily rejected Saul, but Saul had rejoiced God and was still thinking only about himself. 

1 Samuel 27:8

1 Samuel 27:8 says, And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. After being given a city to operate from, David and his men began to make war against those around him.  These were enemies of Israel that Matthew Henry says were so evil that God had already decided on their destruction and that David was ordained to destroy them.  In my understanding of God's word, we as followers of Christ today are not called on to destroy any group of people, even if they are our enemies, but like Jesus Himself are to reach out to them with the love of God.  This is not to say that at times we may not find ourselves having to go to war with them to keep God's word from being destroyed.  Verse nine adds, And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.  David and his men killed all the people of the Geshurites and Gezrites and took all their possessions.  They may have needed these things, but we are not told that David consulted God before doing this.  Just because we see someone as an enemy and may need what they have doesn't mean that it is God's will for us to attack them and take it.  Verse ten continues, And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.  When Achish asked David where he had been fighting, he lied to him.  David said he had been fighting against his own people.  Matthew Henry said David may have lied to keep the Philistines from fearing him and also to make Achish think his actions would have made the people of Israel hate him.  I don't believe there is ever a time when we as Christians can make people think we hate and have been attacking other Christians just to keep ourselves safe.  If we are following God's will in what we do, we need to be honest about what we are doing.  Verse eleven states, And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.  David had killed everyone so there would be  no one left to take the news of what he had done to the Philistines.  David certainly wasn't acting like an honorable man of God in this whole situation.  I believe that we as followers of Christ must act honorably in all that we do.  Otherwise,  God's name could be disparaged.  Verse twelve adds, And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.  Achish believed David,  and saw what he thought David had done as giving him an advantage over David.  Achish said David’s own people would hate him, and David would be his servant forever.  Though lying brought about a good result for David, that does not mean that it was justified before God.  We need to remember that Satan is the father of lies and God is the God of truth.

1 Samuel 27:1

1 Samuel 27:1 says, And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. David still wasn't putting much faith in God, it would seem to me.  He said if he stayed in Israel that Saul would surely kill him, even though this could not happen if God had already anointed him king.  David said going into the land of the Philistines was the only way for him to survive Saul’s wrath.  We need to pray that there never comes a time when we have to leave those who are supposed to be God's people and go to those who are His enemies in order to survive.  Verse two adds, And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.  David and his six hundred men went to Achish, the son of Maich, king of Gath.  This was a decision that David had come to on his own, without consulting the ephod or a prophet, as Matthew Henry says, and he put his plan in action.  We need to make sure that whatever we do as Christiaans today is done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and is not just our plan.  We certainly should never make plans based on fear.  Verse three continues, And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, David’s wives. his men, and their families, and David dwelt in Achish.  This really wasn't what God had called David to do nor where God had called David to be, not to mention the two wives.  David was called a man after God's own heart, as has been stated, but David was far from perfect.  We as followers of Christ are called to be people after God's own heart, but even when we are called to a specific purpose, we often fail to live up to that calling at all times.  Still, just as God didn't give up on David, He doesn't give up on us.  Verse four concludes, And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.  When Saul heard that David had fled to Gath, he quit hunting him.  David may have been safe from Saul, but I don't believe but he was where God wanted him to be.  We may decide to just live like the rest of the world if we feel persecuted as Christians so that we will be physically safe, but this will never be God's will.  We must have faith that He will protect us no matter what, even if we lose our life because of our faith.   Verse five states, And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?  David asked Achish to give him a place in the country where he could live, because there was no reason for him to live in the royal city.  Matthew Henry says this was partly done to keep Achish from becoming envious with David and partly so David and his men could freely exercise their religion.  As Christians, we should never attempt to compromise with the world just to remain safe.  Verse six adds, Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.  Achish gave David the city of Ziklag.  This had been a part of he tribe of Judah, so Israel regained what had once been their's anyway.  Even if we are not acting under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, God can still bring good from our actions.  Verse seven continues, And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. David lived in the land of the Philistines for sixteen months.  He may have been safe, but he wasn't living by faith in God at this time, but instead by faith in the goodness of his enemies and faith in himself and his plan.  We may devise a plan on our own that keeps us physically safe, but that doesn't mean we are following God's plan for our life.

1 Samuel 26:17

1 Samuel 26:17 says, And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.  When David called out to Abner, though he didn't recognize David’s voice, Saul did.  Saul asked if this was his son David, though he was trying to kill him and had given his wife to another man.  I guess he wanted to make himself sound friendly to David, and people who really hate Christians today often want to make themselves sound friendly.  David told Saul that it was him, even though that left him fairly close to Saul who was doing his best to find and kill him.  We as followers of Christ should never be unwilling to identify who we are, even to our enemies.  Verse eighteen adds, And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?  David once again asked Saul why he as trying to kill him and asked what evil had he ever done to Saul.  If people are out to destroy us as Christians today,  it should never be because we are out to harm them.  Verse nineteen continues, Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.  David said if God was behind Saul’s actions, then together they would bring an offering to set things right.  All we can do ultimately is ask people to examine their reasons for hating us and attempt to make things right under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  If they will not listen to reason, there is little more that we can do. David also said he was forced to live away from God's people in the land where idols were worshipped, which could lead him into temptation to stray away from God.  We should never allow anyone or anything to drive us away from the fellowship of our fellow Christians.  Verse twenty concludes, Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.   David compared himself to a flea or a partridge, insignificant to be hunted by Saul with the intention of killing him.  We should offer no physical threat to people today as Christians.  Verse twenty-one states,Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.  Once more,  Saul said he had played the fool and asked David to return to him.   I don't believe he was sincere, but for that moment he may have been. We may receive sincere apologies from people of the world today, but they probably will never last.  Verse twenty-two adds, And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.  David then told.Saul to send a young man to get Saul’s spear.  He still did not go into the camp to return it.  If our enemies make promises of peace to us today, that doesn't mean we are to let our guard down and move into their camp.  Verse twenty-three continues, The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed.  David said that God would deliver to every man his righteousness, and that God had delivered Saul into his hand that day, but he would not put forth his hand against God's anointed.  Today, even if we have an opportunity to physically destroy our enemies, that doesn't mean that we should, even if it seems that God put us in that position.  Verse twenty-four says, And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.  David said just as he delivered Saul from death that day, he would ask that God deliver him from all his tribulations as well, and most of David's tribulations were caused by Saul.  Ultimately,  we can only place the outcome of our tribulations in God's hands.  Verse twenty-five adds, Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.  Saul then asked that David be blessed and said that he would do great things and prevail.  Of course, this was the source of the problem to start with.  Saul thought David was going to take the kingship away from him and his family.  Of course, God had already done this, just as He has already taken His kingdom away from everyone who will not accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord today.  Then, David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.  Though Saul had once again made promises, David did not just immediately return to fellowship with him.  Just because people make promises of peace with us as Christians today doesn't mean that we are to blindly put our life in their hands.  We may go on our way while they go on their's, but we cannot just accept their words of peace. 

1 Samuel 26:8

1 Samuel 26:8 says,Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.  Abishai asked David for permission to stab Saul through just once with his own spear.  He said that this would be justified because God had delivered Saul into David's hand.  This was the second time that God had placed David in a position where he could have easily killed Saul, and since David had already been anointed as the new king, it would have been easy to justify doing so.  Just because God places us in a position to do something doesn't mean that we are to do it.  Verse nine adds, And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?  David told Abishai not to kill Saul, because no one should put their hand forth against the Lord's anointed.  We as followers of Christ should never be out to destroy those that God has placed in positions of authority in His church today.  Verse ten continues, David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.  David said that God would be in charge of when and how Saul died.  If we believe that someone needs to be removed from their position in the church today, we need to be in prayer about the situation but leave it up to God to control when and how they are removed.  Verse eleven concludes, The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.  David said that the LORD prevented him from destroying the LORD’s anointed, and then told Abishai to take Saul’s spear and water and they would leave.  If we truly believe that someone needs to be removed from a position of authority in the church today, and Saul after all was the leader of God's chosen people, there is nothing wrong with letting them know that we think so and maybe even that we had the opportunity to make it happen had we chosen to do so.  Verse twelve states So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.  David took Saul’s spear and water and they left and they left undetected, because God had caused Saul and all his men to fall into a deep sleep.  We could contend that since God had done this that David should have killed Saul, but I believe that David was doing what he felt God was leading him to do.  We should never just take advantage of an opportunity, even if we believe that God has placed us in a position to do so without making sure that God wants us to do so.  Verse thirteen adds, Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:  David went to the top of a hill a great way off from Saul.  Verse fourteen declares, And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?   David called out to Abner then asking if he were not Abner, the head of Saul's army.  Abner asked who it was that cried out against the king.  He didn't recognize David’s voice, nor did he know that David had been in the camp next to Saul, whom Abner and Saul’s men should have been protecting.  If we call out to those in power today under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, they may not recognize who we are to be doing so.  Verse fifteen adds, And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. David then asked Abner if he wasn't a valiant man and then asked him why he hadn't protected the king from those who could destroy him.  I believe that David may have been taunting them at this point, and don't believe this is something we should ever do.  Of course, it would once again prove that David was not trying to destroy Saul.  Verse sixteen continues, This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.  David told Abner that he deserved to die, because he had not kept Saul safe, and he offered the evidence of where Saul’s spear and water were as proof.  As Christians, we should always be alert and ready to defend the gospel and God's people, but I believe we are too often asleep on the job.

1 Samuel 26:1

1 Samuel 26:1 says, And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?  The Ziphites once again came to Saul to tell him where David was.  They seemed to be intent on gaining favor with Saul, even though David had done nothing to harm them.  Matthew Henty says Saul might have been content to leave David alone if the Ziphites had not stirred his hatred of David up again.  Some people today are still willing to do all that they can to destroy Christians, even if Christians have never done anything to harm them.  They especially seem to be ready to do this if it will make them look better to those in power.  Verse two adds, Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. Once again, Saul took three thousand men in search of David in the wilderness of Ziph.  Saul seemed to have spent much of his time hunting David, who still had done nothing to attempt to harm him nor to replace him.  It seems that people of the world today spend a lot of time either trying to kill Christians or to at least limit their power, even if we have done nothing to harm them.  Verse three continues, And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.  Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, but David was in the wilderness and saw him coming.  It is hard to move three thousand men without being seen, especially if you aren't trying to hide their movements.  If we are spiritually alert, the Holy Spirit will keep anyone from ever sneaking up on us to destroy us, but we must always be alert spiritually.  Verse four states, David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.  David sent out spies to see if this force was really Saul and his army.  Matthew Henry says that David wanted proof that Saul had so quickly forgotten his repentance for trying to kill him.  We are always better off getting proof of the facts than we are if we just make assumptions.  Verse five adds, And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.  David came to where Saul was, and got close enough to see him and Abner the captain of Saul's band lying in a ditch, even though they were surrounded by troops.  I believe this was possible because God was with David.  God is still with us today, and at times will lead us to do what seems impossible.  Verse six says, Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.  David then asked Abimelech and Abishai who would go with him into Saul’s camp.  This could be a very dangerous thing to do, but Abishai said he would go.  We need to be ready to go into what may seem to be a dangerous situation to support our fellow Christians, as long as we know that God is behind what they are doing.  Fear for our own safety should never hold us back.  Verse seven adds, So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.  David and Abishai came into Saul’s camp at night, when Saul was asleep with his spear in the ground nearby.  Abner and the rest of Saul's troops were asleep, even though we would assume that someone should have been on guard.  Spiritually speaking, the enemies of God are always going to be sleeping, but we as followers of Christ must always be spiritually alert.  

1 Samuel 25;39

1Samuei 25:39 says, And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.  After David heard that Nubul was dead, he gave thanks to the LORD for keeping him from doing evil.  I don't believe that God is going to destroy our enemies just to keep us from doing evil, but I do believe that if our enemies that we may have been thinking about doing evil to are destroyed that we should praise God for it.  David then communed with Abigail to take her as his wife.  She had helped David and evidently had impressed him.  Verse forty adds, And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.  Though it said David communed with her, he sent his servants to tell her his plan to marry her.  Matthew Henry says that his affairs may have kept David from being able to come himself.   Verse forty-one continues, And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.  Instead of going to David to become his wife, she at first humbled herself before his servants and asked that she be allowed to be his servant.  She certainly had not planned to end up being David’s wife when she helped him, but had helped him to benefit Nabal as well as David.   We need to be humble in our attitude about ourselves today as well, and do things that will benefit others instead of just us.  Verse forty-two states, And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.  After the messengers left, Abigail hurried after them with her damsels, or maids I would assume, and became David’s wife.  Of course,  David was married to Saul's daughter, who loved him, so I am not sure how he was able to justify marrying someone else, but the next verses do shed some light on this.   I do know that God's plan is never for us to be married to two people at a time, even if it did happen in the Old Testament.  Verse forty-three adds, David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.  David not only married Abigail, but he married Abinoam as well.  So, as we see, David no problem marrying more than one woman at a time, though he was known as a man after God's own heart and I know this was never God's plan for marriage.  As followers of Christ, it is possible for us to still sin, but if we do, we should never attempt to justify it as God's will.  Verse forty-four continues, But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.  As far as Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, Saul had already given her to Phalti to be his wife.  Michal is the overlooked one in this story I believe.  She loved David and had saved him from her father, and now David was married to someone else and so was she, but I don't believe that it was by her choice.  Sometimes, we a Christians may get caught up in the actions of others that will affect us and have little say in the matter.  At such times, we simply need to remain true to God.