53 David’s Faith Falters

Much like the previous two chapters, in First Samuel chapter 27, we will see several instances which will recall similar situations in the lives of the participants.

Chapter 26 concluded with Saul apparently sorrowed over his treatment of David, and with both he and David departing and going their separate ways.

Chapter 26 also showed that David had experienced a spiritual renewal, as he was relying upon and trusting the Lord. But as chapter 27 opens, we find a dejected and forlorn David, whose faith was undoubtedly faltering.

1 David Counsels Himself

In First Samuel chapter 21, there’s the account of David fleeing from Saul, by going to the Philistine stronghold and capital city of Gath.

While the king, Achish originally welcomed him, some of Gath’s counselors, and others of the people, expressed great concern of having David in their midst. David then became fearful that he would be killed in the heart of Philistia, therefore, he pretended to be a madman. His ploy worked, as king Achish declared he didn’t need such an individual in his city, and allowed David to leave safely.

Here in chapter 27, instead of remembering the close call he’d experience previously in Gath, instead of seeking the Lord’s direction, or wise counsel from trusted individuals, David simply trusted what his own heart told him to do, and he therefore decided to relocate not only himself, but his two wives, and his six hundred men and their families to the enemy’s capital city:

1 Samuel 27:1

David’s seeking counsel from only his heart was unwise, since the Bible declares that our hearts are deceitful and wicked:

Jeremiah 17:9

It’s understandable that David would have been frustrated after having been a fugitive for over seven years. Yet, on other occasions when he was on the run, he wrote prolifically, as seen in many of the Psalms. Here is one example:

Psalm 61:2

2 David Returns to Gath

Because David had sought counsel only from his deceitful heart, he was now returning to the place where he had to pretend insanity to escape safely, and now he wasn’t only putting himself in danger, but his family and followers as well:

1 Samuel 27:2-4

Even though David was himself in great despair, he was still a strong enough leader, that all his six hundred men, and their families followed him to the Philistine capital.

As for David, he brought his two wives. Interestingly, Abigail had previously offered him strong and sound counsel, by reminding him of the Lord’s calling upon, and purpose for him. But here, we see she submitted to her husband, even though she would have seemingly been against the move, since she believed the Lord’s plan to establish David as the next king.

Despite his not having consulted the Lord, God’s hand was still upon David, working in an unseen manner, both directing circumstances, and protecting David.

The chapter stand out since David is never shown consulting or even referring to God.

We as believers however, are instructed to remain a close as possible to the Lord:

Jude 1:20-21

Interestingly, while in chapter 21, the Philistine King, Achish asked David to leave Gath, here in chapter 27, he welcomed not only David, by the large group of his followers and their families.

Despite the fact that he hadn’t consulted the Lord regarding his relocating to Gath, David was correct in his assertion, that Saul would no longer pursue him once he was in Gath.

3 David on Behalf of Achish

David, who of course had served as one of Israel’s military commanders, now found himself as a mercenary on behalf of Achish and the Philistines:

1 Samuel 27:5-12

David desired to find favor in the eyes of Achish, which hadn’t ultimately been the case after his first time fleeing to Gath. He suggested that he was unworthy to reside in the same town as the king, so he asked for a town where he and his large group might live, showing that it was his intent to remain in Philistia for a considerable time.

Achish gave David and his followers the town of Ziklag, which was an Philistine outpost town, which was located close to southern Israel (and the tribe of Judah) which is how the author was able to state that the town was even under the rule of the kings of Judah (southern kingdom) at the time the book was authored.

David dwelled un Ziklag for sixteen months. The city offered David and his men great protection, since it had been a Philistine fortified city at one time. That shows the Lord’s unseen provision and protection for David and his followers.

In verses 8-12, David’s apparent mercenary actions on behalf of Achish are seen.

However, since the Philistines and the Israelites had many common enemies, when David went on raids against many of the nations in the area, he was benefitting both Israel and the Philistines. Therefore, even though he was a fugitive, and had fled his homeland, David was still doing what Saul had been unable, and to some extent unwilling to do (fight against many of their enemies).

Whenever David would go on a raid, and would come back victorious, he lied to Achish telling the king, that he’d fought against and had been victorious over residents of cities in nearby southern Israel. Achish was overjoyed at the news, believing that David had indeed turned against his own people.

Achish therefore, began to look at David and his men as great military assets.

The chapter shows that the Lord protected and provided for David, even though he wasn’t in God’s perfect will. He was however, in what many theologians call, “God’s permissive will” which when the Lord will allow (permit) something in the lives of His people, which is not His best or “perfect will” for them. While the Lord, will continue to protect and provide for such a believer, it still must be noted, that they will miss out on His best for them, whenever they “settle”. And we can be certain, that we will settle if we don’t consult Him, but only follow our own counsel.