Lesson 217 - Senior
Memory Verse
Cross References
I David in Philistia
1. Fear of Saul finally drove David into the land of the Philistines, [ISM:27:1-2]; [ISM:21:10-15]; [1KG:19:1-3].
2. King Achish made David his bodyguard, but the princes of the Philistines would not countenance the Hebrews, [ISM:28:1-2]; [ISM:29:1-11].
II Destruction at Ziklag
1. The Amalekites had invaded the south and had burned Ziklag, [ISM:30:1].
2. All the people who were in Ziklag had been taken captive, [ISM:30:2-3].
3. David's army wept for their loss and spoke of stoning David, but David encouraged himself in the Lord, [ISM:30:4-6]; [PS:34:4]; [PS:56:2-3], [PS:56:11]; [ROM:8:31]; [HEB:13:6].
III Pursuit and Victory
1. At David's inquiry, the Lord instructed him to pursue the enemy, [ISM:30:7-8]; [PS:91:15]; [PRO:3:5-6].
2. Two hundred men were left at the brook Besor, [ISM:30:9-10].
3. An Egyptian servant was found, who led Divides army to the camp of the Amalekites, [ISM:30:11-15].
4. The Amalekites were in a state of revelry so David and his men were afforded an easy victory, [ISM:30:16-19]; [DAN:5:1-4], [DAN:5:30] [LUK:12:19-20]; [LUK:17:27-30].
IV Division of the Spoil
1. David reserved for himself the flocks and herds of the Amalekites [ISM:30:20].
2. The 400 men who went with David did not want to share the spoil with the 200 men who stayed at the brook, [ISM:30:21-22]; [NUM:31:27].
3 David's proclamation became an ordinance for all Israel, [ISM:30:23-25]; [PS:68:12].
Notes
Troublesome Times
"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" (I Samuel 26:24). This was the last statement that David made to Saul, and it would indicate that David was content to let the Lord work out all problems; but then fear entered. "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." This was a rash conclusion. God had intervened in David's behalf so often that David had little foundation for his fear.
When fear comes into a heart, faith weakens; for fear and faith are dust as opposite as day and night. When light dawns, darkness flees; but when light is withdrawn, darkness is the inevitable result, so with fear and faith. Fear gains the upper hand only as the result of waning faith and imperfect love. "Perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4:18).
How soon a man runs into spiritual disaster when left to his own ways and devices! There is no evidence that David called upon God or asked His counsel in regard to this going into the land of the Philistines. Deep trouble soon followed.
David seemed to follow his own course, until he found himself in a very peculiar strait. Achish, the king of Math and David's protector appointed David to be his bodyguard. Soon afterward, the Philistines made preparation to Invade the land of Israel in warfare. Achish demanded that David and his men go along with the Philistines. If David refused to go against the Israelites, he would be betraying the friendship that had been given to him, and the loyalty that David had shown to Achish. On the other hand, if David went with the Philistines to fight against Israel, he would be betraying his own countrymen, and more, he would be fighting against God. This strait may have been the very thing that startled David from his lethargy and caused him to pray. David must have prayed, for God delivered him from this awkward situation in a marked way.
In the Wrong Place
"What do these Hebrews here?" the princes of the Philistines demanded of the king of Oath. These men of Israel were absolutely out of place in this Philistian army. The princes were quick to discern the inconsistency of the situation and prevailed upon Achish to dismiss David from their ranks. No doubt God caused the princes to do this.
Is not the same voice heard from the worldly minded men when the Christian tries to ally himself too closely to the affairs of this life? Most men have a high standard set up in their hearts for Christianity. When the world sees a so called Christian indulging in all manner of worldly pursuits and amusements, cannot they say with emphasis, "What does this man here?" When a man claims to be the child of God the world has a perfect right to expect that man to walk in newness of life according to the commandments of the Heavenly Father. God changes the heart of a sincere penitent, cleansing him from all sin and giving him power to live in this present world without sinning. The true Christian keeps himself unspotted from the world ([JAM:1:27]). "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Corinthians 6:17,18).
David's Encouragement
When David and his men returned to their city, they found that a band of Amalekites had invaded the south country and had burned Ziklag to the ground. All the people who had remained in the city when David went with the Philistines had been carried away captive. The grief that these hardened soldiers felt must have been great, for they wept "until they had no more power to weep." The people spoke of stoning David, possibly because he had allowed all the men to be away from the city with none to remain for its protection. Truly David's grieves and troubles mounted high.
"But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." This is the first instance that is recorded where David sought the help of his God in the land of the Philistines. God was present to help David out of his difficulties even in this heathen land. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8). David wept along with his men about the destruction of Ziklag; but, without doubt, more than sorrow for the loss of his worldly possessions was included in David's tears.
David must have remembered now the many times that God had been his help in times of danger. He possibly thought of the day when the lion and the bear came out of the wilderness to rob his father's flock, that God gave power in that day to overcome these fierce animals. The memory of the giant Goliath may have passed through David's mind. He remembered how the Lord had delivered the defier of Israel's God into David's hand, thus taking away the reproach from God's people. David's tears probably included the tears of repentance for the recent fear that was found in his heart.
The God of the past is just as truly the God of the future, so David encouraged himself in God. The Christian will find that the quickest way out of the valley of doubt or fear is to stop and count the blessings that God has previously showered upon him.
The Successful Way
Gone were David's own ways. From this time onward, David was ready and willing to seek God's counsel. No sooner did David begin to seek God's counsel than David's reverses were turned into successes. Abiathar, the priest (who apparently had been with David all this while), was called, and David inquired of the Lord. The Lord instructed David and his men to pursue the Amalekites, for without fail all their possessions would be recovered.
Men pursue their own ways in the world until they have lost everything. When the last item is taken from their grasp, then they are willing to call upon God for help. It is the mercy of God that He answers prayer at a time like this, but He does. Could not a much greater end be attained if men would pray at the outset of their lives and allow God to direct their every step! "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6). Do not try to follow God in some ways, and trust to your own understanding in all the rest, for this will not avail. God must be acknowledged in all the phases of a Christian's life.
Victory for David
The victory over the Amalekites was complete. Two hundred men had been left behind at the brook Besor, because they were too faint to make the crossing; however, the 400 men who continued with David were enough to complete the victory, with God's help. The Amalekites were found in their camp, revelling in the spoils they had taken. They felt secure but woe to any worldling when he feels secure in his ways! "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them" (I Thessalonians 5:3).
David and his men not only recovered their wives, children, and their own possessions, but won a great amount of spoil that the Amalekites had taken from the other countries of their invasion. Sadness was suddenly turned into gladness, weeping and mourning were turned into laughter and song, because one man encouraged himself in the Lord his God. That all these soldiers were not praying men is proved by the event that followed.
When the victorious band returned to the brook where the 200 men had been left with the "stuff," the 400 soldiers proposed to pay off the 200 men by restoring each man's wife and children, and then to send them away. David would not accept this proposition, however. He made a decree that stayed with the Children of Israel during the rest of their history as a nation. "As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike." This principle has been carried on by the Christians.
Not all Christians are called to go into evangelistic work, missionary fields, or other lines of active duty in the Kingdom of God; but every Christian is called to pray. Jesus needs prayer warriors as much as He needs any other type of soldier. The Christian who remains in his place and prays earnestly for the one who is labouring in the field of Christian endeavor will receive a reward. "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).
Darkest Before Dawn
This period of time that David spent in the land of the Philistines was probably one of the darkest intervals of all his life. David went through a great deal of suffering, but he brought it largely upon himself. Had David remained within God's boundaries, none of these troubles would have come upon him. However, God was merciful and faithful to the man whom He had called to be king of Israel. "For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14).
The Lord desired that David be back in the land of Israel, that the Children of Israel might soon crown him king. Ziklag was burned, David's wives and children were taken captives, and all his earthly possessions were gone; but this darkest hour preceded the crowning day of David's life. Through these events David was again brought to the place where he could trust God in every circumstance before the day of success came. The means that God sometimes has to use may seem severe, but God knows the heart and does the thing that is necessary to bring a man to the place where he can be used in God's service.
The coronation day of the full overcomers is not far distant. It seems that God is burning the last bit of dross out of the hearts of His saints, to get them ready for that event. It may be that the "Ziklags" necessarily will go up in smoke, or that worldly possessions will suddenly vanish. Whatever the Lord sees in the lives of His children that makes them unfit for Heaven, He will remove, if they will allow Him to do so. The testing times may be dark, but the light is just beyond for those who put their full confidence in God and come through the test. The crown of righteousness is laid up for all who love Christ's appearing (II Timothy 4:8).
Questions
1. Why did David and his men escape into the land of the Philistines?
2. Did David ask counsel from God about this move?
3. In what strait did David and his men find themselves?
4. How did David get out of this predicament?
5. What did David find when he returned to his city?
6. What did the army speak of doing? What did David do?
7. How successful was the battle with the Amalekites?
8. How did David decide that the spoil should be divided?