The anointing of David as king of Israel took place in the privacy of the family of David. Samuel had come in response to the Lord's command to anoint, set aside for holy use, a new king of Israel.

"But the Lord said to Samuel, `Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1.Sam. 16:7. ESV.

Once the ceremony was over Samuel returned to Ramah and David to shepherding the flocks of sheep under his care. That means God blesses you right where you are.

The Rise of David and the Fall of Saul

What lessons did David learn from tending the sheep?

He learned to tenderly regard the needs of those under his watch care. As king it would be important to take the situation of the people into account.

"Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him." 1.Sam. 16:14.

What was the problem with Saul?

Saul thought highly of himself. He wanted to have the glory from his battles as we saw already.

He didn't understand the greatness of God.

"When we have right views of the power, greatness and majesty of God, and of the weakness of man, we shall despise the assumptions of wisdom made by earth's so-called great men, who have none of Heaven's nobility in their characters. There is nothing for which men should be praised or exalted. There is no reason why the opinions of the learned should be trusted, when they are disposed to measure divine things by their own perverted conceptions. Those who serve God are the only ones whose opinion and example it is safe to follow. A sanctified heart quickens and intensifies the mental powers. A living faith in God imparts energy; it gives calmness and repose of spirit, and strength and nobility of character." {3SM 308.3}

How would such an evil spirit affect Saul?

"And Saul's servants said to him, `Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.'" 1.Sam. 16:14.

More often than not the Bible translators seemed to always have tried to translate these passages to say that the evil spirit came from God. How are we to understand that?

"Those whose deeds are evil, will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved and their real characters revealed. If they continue in the path of transgression, and sever themselves entirely from the Redeemer, stubbornness, and sullenness, and a spirit of revenge will take possession of them, and they will say to their own souls, Peace, peace, when there is every reason that they should be alarmed, for their steps are directed toward destruction. As Saul resisted the reproofs of the servant of the Lord, this spirit took possession of him. He defied the Lord, he defied His servant, and his enmity toward David was the outworking of the murderous spirit that comes into the heart of those who justify themselves in the face of their guilt." {ST June 22, 1888; 2BC 1017.9}

The effects of evil surmising can also be devastating and make life more difficult or even ruin lives. In the life of Saul it showed itself when,

"He listened to every false witness, eagerly receiving anything that was detrimental to the character of David, hoping that he might find an excuse for manifesting his increasing envy and hatred of him who had been anointed to the throne of Israel. Every rumor was credited, no matter how inconsistent and irreconcilable it was with the former character and custom of David." {2BC 1019.2}

So, when we listen to evil-surmising and rumors about people we know, we partake of the sins of Saul. Let us not follow that route.

So, the "evil spirit" eating up Saul, who sent it? It was not sent of God, it filled a vacuum in Saul when he forsook being only faithful to God and became obsessed with the spirit of evil powers, those which Satan installs, the devil, who lurks about in the darkness and shadows of human imaginations, conflicts and failures. That is why "Saul's (own Satan installed) anger was kindled against Jonathan . . ." 1.Sam. 20:30; 18:8,29; that is why David said, "wickednes proceedeth from the wicked" 1.Sam. 24:13. That is why Solomon said, "The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly." Prov, 20:27. That is why it is said of pharaoh that he hardened his own heart, 1.Sam. 6:6; Ex. 10:20. It is man's spirit - if evil or good - which actuates man what he will do, for it says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6. Satan succeeded bringing sin into this world making man's heart evil continually, Gen. 6:5; and so man is by his own will evil, Dan. 11:16; but in some few scriptures it is written as if God sends the evil spirit (1.Sam. 16;18; Acts 19:15,16), since God does not prevent such spirit from influencing man - for God gave us free choice at Creation.

Once Saul entertained such a spirit, he brooded about his failures attributing them to anything and anyone but himself. His servants and all Israel noticed these changes. We read,

"Let our Lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well." 1.Sam. 16:15,16.

So God is blamed, by such writing, for that which He does not prevent. But God is God and He has no part in sending wickedness to everyone. God is a God of love and desires our services of love toward Him.

When Saul felt depressed and occupied with tormenting thoughts, he listened to David play and sing the songs which uplift, the words he would later include in his Psalms which always ended in hope, and it worked. Saul would recover. When Saul was distraught, "David took the lyer and played it with his hands. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him." 1.Sam. 16:23.

But what was the deeper problem which had gradually worsened to get Saul into this state of mind?

It was fear.

Saul had all kinds of fears. Fears to be judged and found wanting, to loose his reputation, his throne, his credibility. The one time successes as king and leader of the army had long worn off and not returned.

Why?

Because his spirit of selfishness grew when it should have died.

Saul craved that which he did not earn, the glory that only belongs to God.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. " 1.John 4:18.

There are many who desire to love and serve God, and yet when afflictions come upon them, they do not discern the love of God in it, but the hand of the enemy. They mourn and murmur and complain; but this is not the fruit of love to God in the soul. If we have perfect love, we shall know that God is not seeking to injure us, but that in the midst of trials, and griefs, and pains, He is seeking to make us perfect, and to test the quality of our faith. When we cease to worry about the future, and begin to believe that God loves us, and means to do us good, we shall trust Him as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, and our will be swallowed up in the will of God. {SD 193.2}

At first, when he felt good, Saul wanted David to live in his home. But the Lord was guiding His servant. By having access to the palace and be close to Saul, David saw the inner workings of the royal house and the work, problems and dispositions of everyone connected with the palace. Having seen this first hand would later equip him to know the character of Saul and save his own life.

David was, so to speak, able to look into Saul's refrigerator to see what `food' nourished his dispositions. He was God's man in training.

David was growing in favor with God and man. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he now set his heart more fully to do the will of God than ever before. He had new themes for thought. He had been in the court of the king and had seen the responsibilities of royalty. He had discovered some of the temptations that beset the soul of Saul and had penetrated some of the mysteries in the character and dealings of Israel's first king. He had seen the glory of royalty shadowed with a dark cloud of sorrow, and he knew that the household of Saul, in their private life, were far from happy. All these things served to bring troubled thoughts to him who had been anointed to be king over Israel. But while he was absorbed in deep meditation, and harassed by thoughts of anxiety, he turned to his harp, and called forth strains that elevated his mind to the Author of every good, and the dark clouds that seemed to shadow the horizon of the future were dispelled.

God was teaching David lessons of trust. As Moses was trained for his work, so the Lord was fitting the son of Jesse to become the guide of His chosen people. In his watchcare for his flocks, he was gaining an appreciation of the care that the Great Shepherd has for the sheep of His pasture. {CC 161.2.3}

Saul, David and Goliath

But while Israel was at war with the Philistines, David was herding sheep.[60]

17:19 "Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
17:20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
17:22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 1. Samuel 17.

This went on for 40 days (1Sam. 17:16). Among all the numbers of Israel, no one stood up to vindicate the name of the Lord, except this young shepherd boy.

It was the Lord's way to demonstrating the character actuating those He sought to put in positions of trust and importance.

"As he (David) talked with them (his brothers), behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, they fled from him and were much afraid." 1.Sam. 17:23,24.

What was the respons of Saul? Saul offered rewards for such a one who would help him out to overcome this situation, 1.Sam. 17:25. He offered his daughter in marriage for such a man who would save Israel.[100]

One of the reasons why Israel wanted Saul as their king was, because he was taller than anyone else. Yet, here was Goliath, even taller. Reaching into the sky for nine feet and some more, wearing a helmet that weight some 35 pounds and carrying a spear with a point weighing 15 pounds, Goliath put fear into Saul and his whole army.

It took someone who had implicit trust not in himself but in the mighty power of God - He who had delivered Israel out of Egypt and parted the sea and the River Jordan - made the walls of Jericho fall and delivered His people countless times.

Young David turned out to be such a man.

He, like Joseph and Moses, had decided early in his life to put his trust in the Lord God of Israel.

And so ...

"David said to Saul, `Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.'" 1.Sam. 17:32.

What was Saul's answer? He said, `No!'

Why, all his men of valor could not do it, why should a young shepherd boy do such a thing?

But somewhere in his thinking was the thought, well, its just one boy. If he dies, he dies, so what.

He would be willing to sacrifice one of Israel to see what happens . . . since he did not offer himself to do such a thing.

Soon Saul brought his armor for David to put on. But David saw it was too big and he was not used to wear such equipment as that. When he fought the lion and the bear, he was in his regular shepherd clothing and David knew that he was under the protective care of God. He knew God was the reason he won against the beasts.

So David goes to the brook and selects five smooth, well flying sling stones. He knew something about aerodynamics. He knew something about the science of flying objects from observing nature and through hours of practice. He knew for a stone to fly a straight path to the target it could have no irregularities - the rounder the better. He knew that God was like that in his life.

"We can learn from this why scientific and historical evidences are like the five stones David used to kill Goliath. Winning the battle is not about the size or number of the stones. What is much more important is to know how to use them. It really does not take a lot of knowledge of science to refute evolution, but some knowledge of science can be very helpful if used properly. David knew how to use a slingshot properly; he had practiced. More importantly, he knew that mere weapons were not what would ultimately decide the fate of a battle; the victory would belong to God alone (1.Sam. 17:47). There is a lesson for modern apologists." [Dr. Jason Lisle, "The Ultimate Proof of Creation," 2009, p. 103. See under `worldviews', `laws of logic', `evidence,' in the online CIAS Encyclopedia ]

Finally the moment had arrived. David approached Goliath and ...

"The Philistine said to David, `Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?'"

Goliath saw David's shepherd stick but not the missile thrower in his hand.

"And the Philistine cursed David by his gods."

How often do people curse like that today? They are as blind as Goliath was.

"Then David said to the Philistine, `You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin (a throw spear), but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel (he reminds Goliath of what all people knew how God had led Israel) whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand." 1.Sam. 17:43-47.

We can almost see how Goliath couldn't believe his ears at these words and his hand tipped his helmet just a bit above his brows exposing his forehead . . . when a swish pierced the air and the sling shot missile hit him right there were it counts . . . and Goliath lost all his strength, his presence of mind, and all nine feet of him sank to the ground as if lifeless already.

Goliath fell heavily to the ground, "like some mighty oak (Quercus coccifera) overthrown by a lightning stroke. Consternation seizes upon the Philistines, and they make a confused and hasty retreat. The warriors of Israel, with a shout of triumph, follow the fleeing hosts, and the victory is complete.

Here we have an example of lofty courage, of a humble, but living faith. David's trust was not in himself, neither was his motive a selfish one, he knew of the need to humble himself rather than for God to humble him. It was his contrite spirit which availeth much. The realizing that Goliath doubted God's leading of His people and no one in Israel willing to defend the cause of God. He was ready, in the strength of God, to meet Israel's foe, to test Jehovah's might against a heathen giant, that he might "take away the reproach from Israel." This was the divine plan for distinguishing David, Israel's future king, and for humbling the adversaries of the true God." {ST, March 4, 1886 par. 8}

As it was on this day, so too today, faith can gain victories.

"Those who are loyal to God, keeping all of his commandments, will meet a spirit of opposition similar to that which David encountered. Learned men, proud and boastful in their supposed superiority, will feel, as did Goliath, to despise the little band who are loyal to God. Many of these never graduated from a college; but, with the Bible in their hands, they stand in defense of the truth of God, and vindicate his Sabbath, which has been trodden beneath lawless feet. But the Lord can make his strength perfect in man's weakness. If, like David, men will forget self, and seek to honor God and to vindicate his name and his truth, he will work mightily with them, and crown their efforts with success. But there are many who take the glory to themselves if the work of God is prospered in their hands. They become proud and self-sufficient, and flatter themselves that their success is owing to their own superior abilities. Prosperity would often prove the ruin of the one thus honored of the Lord. Our compassionate Father in Heaven pities the weakness of our nature, and bears long with our follies. If this were not the case, he would not have given his Son to come to a fallen world and bear the buffetings and temptations of Satan, that he might show men how to overcome.

The enemies of the truth will grow stronger and more bitter in their opposition to the law of God. They will resort to ridicule and insult; they will wrest and misinterpret the Scriptures, and will sustain their positions by human opinions and arguments. They will present things in a false light, and thus pervert even honest minds. They will glory in their strength, as did the Philistine giant, and for a time they may appear to prosper. But their triumph will not always last; they will themselves fall into the pit which they have digged for others.

When, in the providence of God, we are brought in contact with these revilers, and find ourselves in positions of peculiar trial, we should not allow ourselves to become irritated at their provoking taunts and insulting words, which are calculated to throw us off our guard, and lead us to reply in our own spirit. Neither should we make rash moves to free ourselves from these unpleasant positions, where we must suffer humiliation and defeat." {ST, March 4, 1886 par. 9-11}

Saul was impressed with the victory of David over Goliath and Jonathan loved David as his best friend.

"Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants." 1.Sam. 18:3-5.

Saul and David

"As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, `Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.'" 1.Sam. 18:6,7.

Would Saul be as happy with David now?

"And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, `They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?' And Saul eyed David from that day on." 1.Sam. 18:8,9.

"This made Saul very angry. Instead of manifesting humble gratitude to God that Israel had been saved out of the hand of their enemies by the hand of David, . . ." Saul could have represented the kingdom of heaven on earth for ever if he would have remained faithful. Instead, losing control ". . . a cruel spirit of jealousy comes upon him, and, as in times past, he yields himself to its control. `And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands; and what can he have more but the kingdom?' His fears were aroused, that this was indeed the man who would take his place as ruler. Yet because the people all esteemed and loved David, Saul was afraid to openly harm him." {4aSG 82.3}

Things changed rapidly. The old ills affecting the character of Saul came to the surface. He could not stand to share fame and glory.

Was it David's fault the way things turned out? No. He was innocent of any wrong doing.

Did David know that he was to become king? No, not yet.

So, what now? What options thought Saul he had?

"Not only did he seek David's life, but his causeless hatred of David was so great that He slew those who even unconsciously aided David to escape from him, as well as those who worked in any way connected with them. The spirit of murder possessed him. Eighty-five innocent and defenceless priests, with their families, were slaughtered by Saul at one time, because one of their number had been hospitable to David.

What was the cause of this? What had they done to Saul, that so roused his enmity? - Nothing whatever; he had been Saul's faithful servant, and Saul had loved him for his good qualities. One little thing led to this train of murders. When Saul and David were returning after David had slain Goliath, the women came out with instruments of music to celebrate the victory, and sang, "Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands." {October 17, 1895 EJW, PTUK 658.10}

"The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, `I will pin David to the wall.' But David evaded twice. Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul." 1.Sam. 18:10-12.

The music did no more good for Saul. He had stepped over another threshold.

"But self-love is an extremely sensitive plant. We naturally have an exaggerated sense of our own ability or importance. Then we are anxious to have others think better of us than we know ourselves to be; and if they should by any chance estimate us below our real value, that is fatal. How often we see Saul's pettishness duplicated? One person is offended because another is preferred before him. Somebody is given a position which he thinks he ought to occupy. `I'm as good as he is,' or, `I'm not treated fairly,' is said or thought, and bitter feeling is cherished against the favoured one, who may be entirely innocent of any self-seeking." {October 17, 1895 EJW, PTUK 658.13}

What is the source of the spirit which was embittering Saul now?

"Jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge." Proverbs 6:34, ESV.

What caused these problems of Saul to escalate? Being angry is dangerous, being jealous is worse.

"Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" Prov. 27:4, ESV.

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there will be disorder and every vile practice." James 3:14-16. ESV.

Saul's hate of David was first subtle. He was still in charge of it. But when jealousy became part of the equation, Saul sent David on missions hoping he would be killed. - A tactic, David would use later in his life as well.

But Saul has another problem. We remember the promise of marriage.

"And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them." 1.Sam. 18:15,16.

Saul owed David the reward he had promised for defeating Goliath.

But Saul worried, `How can he be my son-in-law?' Then he would be king! For the line of succession went through the female line as it was in Egypt.

"And the servants of Saul told him, `Thus and so did David speak.' Then Saul said, Thus shall you say to David, `The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 1.Sam. 18:24,25.

Saul, sinking lower and lower in his inhumanity resorted to devious plotting to get David killed. How did David respond? Did he wonder, what have I done to deserve this?

Was such a stipulation something the Lord agreed to?

We do not know. There is no record that David inquired of the Lord. We only know that the Lord had made circumcision a sign of belonging to the Lord (Gen. 17:11-14). Judging by that it must have seemed to David a request he could fulfill for that custom was not made unnecessary until in the days of the apostles (Christ fulfilled the law), however the Lord always rather saw a "circumcision of the heart", Dt. 30:6.

But David had become very famous. Many, many took note of him. His name and deeds were known everywhere.

18:27 "Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
18:28 And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.
18:29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by." 1.Sam. 18:27-30. KJV.

Did Saul know that David would be the next king?

Yes.

When Self is Large

Saul's self-worship, wanting recognition, in time was his undoing. It allowed Satan to put his image in Saul. The irony was, what Saul kept wanting David kept getting, while Saul's reputation was sinking. - And we remember to consider these case histories as types for what still can happen today in the government of countries, in churches and families. Saul was in a spiritual battle between God and Satan and we remember that the rich man had no friends, while the poor man did, Luke 16:19ff.

"Though Saul was ever on the alert for an opportunity to destroy David, he stood in fear of him, since it was evident that the Lord was with him. David's blameless character aroused the wrath of the king; he deemed that the very life and presence of David cast a reproach upon him, since by contrast it presented his own character to disadvantage. It was envy that made Saul miserable and put the humble subject of his throne in jeopardy. What untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our world! The same enmity existed in the heart of Saul that stirred the heart of Cain against his brother Abel, because Abel's works were righteous, and God honored him, and his own works were evil, and the Lord could not bless him. Envy is the offspring of pride, and if it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to hatred, and eventually to revenge and murder. Satan displayed his own character in exciting the fury of Saul against him who had never done him harm." {PP 651.3}

Satan harbored the seed of that same spirit while still in heaven. That and pride caused his downfall from among the stars of heaven. Therefore he goes around to cause us to look at each other instead of at Christ, for he knows without Christ in us he can prevent our salvation.

So, if we choose to honor God - and He grants us favor and good success - will we too suffer, because of jealousy/fear/hatred?

Can we love someone we do not respect? - We can love such a one only with divine assistance.

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkeness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does." 1.Peter 4:1-8. ESV.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1.Peter 5:6-10.ESV.

But Saul still wants David dead. He keeps sending him on missions, hoping he would die. Yet, each time he returns with another victory for the Lord.

"And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David." 1.Sam. 19:1. ESV.

As time goes on, Saul becomes less and less subtle about his goal wanting to see David dead. He no longer cares what people think of him. So, what does he want Jonathan to do? He wants David to be sent against the Philistines.

What does Jonathan do?

19:2 "But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
19:3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
19:4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?" 1.Sam. 19:2-5. KJV.

What comes out of this `son to the father talk' in the royal house?

Saul listens and swears not to harm David, verse 6.

How Saul becomes a multiple murderer

For how long were things going well? Not for long.

"And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. - - Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul ... And David fled and escaped that night." 1.Sam. 19:9,10. ESV.

Do we have any such spear throwers today in entities of our days, like governments, rulers, churches, families, which may compare to the characters in the topic under discussion?

Next, Saul sends officers to kill David but Michal, his daughter, helps David so he can flee.

Saul wants to know why Michal, his daughter, tricked him.

Her excuse was that David told her,

"Let me go, Why should I kill you?" 1.Sam. 19:17.

Can such things, hopefully more generalized, go on in churches?

On another occasion, Saul sends his deputy to Naioth to arrest David. But . . .

19:20 "the spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
19:21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
19:22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
19:24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?" 1.Sam. 19:20-24.

Was Saul naked? No. It means he took off his royal clothes to be `naked' of his titular symbols. Jews would not decloth themselves completely.

So we ask, when you have enemies and you walk in the Lord, do you need to defend yourself?

No!

From his actions we learn that Satan does not give up. He keeps pressing his agenda to see it fulfilled.

But what does Saul do? He offers peace.

Can David trust Saul? What will he do?

"Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and went to Jonathan. . . ."

And now we notice how David breaks down after so much pressure. He becomes now concerned about himself, forgetting to trust the Lord in everything. He forgot how the Lord had faithfully taken care of him. He believes now that Saul will not tell Jonathan what he has in mind to do. He knows he will be hunted and hunted by Saul and that he is only one step away from death. He meets with Jonathan.

They plan out what to do depending on Saul's response to Jonathan speaking to him.

20:14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:
20:15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
20:16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies.
20:17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me for ever." 1.Sam. 20:14-17, 23. KJV.

What is the evidence of the Lord with us? If there is nothing between you and I, if there is nothing between the Lord and I, nothing can cause us to fail.

So, Saul asks Jonathan, `Where is David?'

Saul berates Jonathan over David four times. But Jonathan does not take it personally. Saul is trying to manipulate Jonathan. He is not really concerned that Jonathan might not be king. He throws his spear at Jonathan, his own son.

Saul talks about David. We have here a case of bribery and corruption. Saul is plotting something. He is now highly paranoid.

Why?

It has to do with his fearfull looking forward to the judgment - Jonathan is forging an alliance with David.

Saul thinks, no one is concerned about me.

Can such things be found in a church?

22:6 "When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
22:7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
22:8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?" 1.Sam. 22:6-8.

Could such attempts at bribery be cause for concern today? Perhaps even in churches?

But at first slowly, David too, left the path of truth. He came to rely on a lie instead of trusting the Lord.

We read,

21:1 "Then came David to Nob (just north of Jerusalem) to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
21:2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
21:3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.
21:4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
21:5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the showbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away." 2.Sam 21:1-6.

Did Saul ever send David on this mission? No. A reference cannot be found in the Bible. David's lie was one of inconsiderate convenience. As we shall see, it was a very dangerous lie.

What does the Bible say about he who lies? ....

"Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord. Rich people are always finding new friends, but the poor cannot keep the faith they have. . . . Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper." Prov. 19:3,4,8.

This single lie was to result soon into terrible events, it started David on a path of looking out for himself rather than trusting in the Lord. David did not know that a servant of Saul was hiding at the location, who would eventually report to Saul what happened.

"Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul." 1.Sam. 21:7.

The next event deepened the problem. But first David obtained some weapons from Ahimelech the priest before continuing on his flight from Saul and he proceeded to Achish, the king of Gath - that means David is now looking for protection by relying on man rather than God.

However, David encountered an immediate problem. The servants of Achish recognized David who was sore afraid now - he had lost touch with the Lord. Right away David thinking for himself now kicked in; he acted consequently on his own, using a degrading trick, in that he pretended to be a spittle foaming mad man (1.Sam. 21:11-15).

What happened to David? Did he forget how the Lord had led him? Did all the strange occurrences now seem to him as happenstance? Could he all of a sudden not see the guidance of God in his life anymore?

That is a danger we all may encounter when we leave trust in God behind.

What can result? Well. we may have trusted in what everybody else is doing, go through the school system, get good grades and aim for higher and higher training . . . then while sitting at the feet of unconsecrated teachers, learn how to doubt and quibble about matters of faith ... and soon what was a person living by faith becomes now an "educated" person living by human wisdom.

In the case of David, he became a fugitive because of fear of Saul.

After leaving Achish, the king of Gath, he escaped to a cave named Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down to check on him. Somehow, perhaps of God's willing providence(?), every one that was in distress like David, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Wow. David became a war lord. He was now a rebell leader. What did he do? Did he consult with God? No, at least not yet.

David went down to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, `Please, let my father and my mother, come out to stay with you, till I find out what God is going to do for me.' 1.Sam. 22:3, GNB.

We may want to say, `Amen. David is thinking of the Lord again.'

Well, the king of Moab obliged, and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. 1.Sam. 22:1-4.

At length the prophet Gad came to David and tells him what to do.

"`Don't stay here. Go at once to the land of Judah.' So David left and went to the forest of Hereth." 1.Sam. 22:5.

Did David do what the prophet told him? No, he did not. Why?

Why wanted the Lord for David to be king?

The Lord knew that David needed to learn the lessons of trusting in Him alone before he could become king. Such is the forbearance of God with us sinners. For you see, trusting in the Lord is not a 50 : 50 thing, a thing of chance.

In hindsight we notice when . . .

David was growing in favor with God and man. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he now set his heart more fully to do the will of God than ever before. He had new themes for thought. He had been in the court of the king and had seen the responsibilities of royalty. He had discovered some of the temptations that beset the soul of Saul and had penetrated some of the mysteries in the character and dealings of Israel's first king. He had seen the glory of royalty shadowed with a dark cloud of sorrow, and he knew that the household of Saul, in their private life, were far from happy. All these things served to bring troubled thoughts to him who had been anointed to be king over Israel. But while he was absorbed in deep meditation, and harassed by thoughts of anxiety, he turned to his harp, and called forth strains that elevated his mind to the Author of every good, and the dark clouds that seemed to shadow the horizon of the future were dispelled. {PP 643.3}

In times like that it is good for us to remember such words as these . . .

"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart." Psalm 95:7,8a.

But eventually Saul wanted to know where David was. While at Gibeah Saul spoke to his officers as follows, `Listen to me. Do you think that David will do you special favors like I do and give you fields and vineyards?' (1 Sam. 22:7)

But then he insinuated that his officers were plotting against him, not telling him where David was as soon as they knew it.

He complains,

"No one is concerned about me or tells me that David, one of my own men, is right now looking for a chance to kill me, and that my son has encouraged him!'" 1.Sam. 22:8.

What a change. The thing Saul tried to do to David, he accuses David now trying to do to him, his king - without reason. As Saul begins to listen to Doeg, who was not one of Israel, he gets further entangled in Satan's web and we recognize that Doeg acts more like a stealthy spy in Israel, and Saul, believing him, is losing his mind.

"How Satan exults when he is enabled to set the soul into a white heat of anger! A glance, a gesture, an intonation, may be seized upon and used, as the arrow of Satan, to wound and poison the heart that is open to receive it. If the Spirit of Christ possesses us wholly, and we have been transformed by His grace, there will be no disposition to speak evil, or to bear reports freighted with falsehood. The falsifier, the accuser of the brethren, is a chosen agent of the great deceiver. Ahimelech was not present on this occasion to vindicate himself, and to state the facts as they existed; but Doeg cared not for this. Like Satan his father, he read the mind of Saul, and improved the opportunity of increasing the misery of the king by the words of his mischievous tongue, which was set on fire of hell. He stirred up the very worst passions of the human heart." (ST Sept. 21, 1888). {2BC 1020.2}

Saul believes Doeg's report for he wants to believe it is so. In doing so he looses his own humanity - the respect for fellow man.

"Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Proverbs 22:24,25.

An angry man is a danger to all. Saul is getting ready to commit the unspeakable.

Saul asks the priest Ahimelech after he is brought before him,

"Why are you and David plotting against me?" 1.Sam. 22:13, GNB.

The king of Israel is starting to believe his own lies; to reason with such a one is impossible.

What would we say if we were accused like that by someone?

What did Ahimelech say?

"Ahimelech answered, `David is the most faithful officer you have! He is your own son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and highly respected by everyone in the royal court. Yes, I consulted God for him, and it wasn't the first time. As for plotting against you, Your Majesty must not accuse me or anyone else in my family. I don't know anything about this matter!'" 1.Sam. 22:14,15, GNB.

Ahimelech tells Saul, `I don't know what you are talking about.'

Saul, ruled now by Satan, commits his dastardly deeds . . .

"The king said, `Ahimelech, you and all your relatives must die.'" 1.Sam. 22:16, GNB.

At length, Saul uses Doeg to kill Ahimelech and all the priests of the city of Nob and the family of Ahimelech, who was the priest of the Lord in Israel, Verse 17, probably over a hundred people.

After accusing the priest and all of unproven conspiracy, Saul had no respect for anyone - not for man and not for God.

The true character of Israel's king has now emerged . . . and we are reminded of the words of Jesus where he says,

12:43 "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Matthew 12:43-45.

Israel had now a king, yes. They had a king just like all the other nations.

"This deed filled all Israel with horror. It was the king whom they had chosen that had committed this outrage, and he had only done after the manner of the kings of other nations that feared not God. The ark was with them, but the priests of whom they had inquired were slain with the sword. What would come next?" {PP 659.3}

What did come next?

22:20 "And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
22:21 And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests.
22:22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.
22:23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard." 1.Sam. 22:20-23.

David Comes Back to His Senses

Why would David take the blame? While fleeing from the wrath of Saul and `due to their lack of faith' in God, and using a lie, David did not trust the Lord in these moments.

"Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of faith. When shadows encompass the soul, when we want light and guidance, we must look up; there is light beyond the darkness. David ought not to have distrusted God for one moment. He had cause for trusting in Him: he was the Lord's anointed, and in the midst of danger he had been protected by the angels of God; he had been armed with courage to do wonderful things; and if he had but removed his mind from the distressing situation in which he was placed, and had thought of God's power and majesty, he would have been at peace even in the midst of the shadows of death; he could with confidence have repeated the promise of the Lord, "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed." Isaiah 54:10." {Ex. 19:5; PP 657.2}

What a promise has God in store for all, even all who live today!

How many promises are there in the Bible?

Someone who read the OT 69 times and the NT 70 times counted them and said there are 3573 promises or cluster promises in the Bible.

Can we use all these promises up and run out of promises? No, not really. But God wants us to know and read these promises, and you can read a promise to Him, and you can claim the promise and you say, `Lord, I believe I understand it!' Thank you Lord, I got it - if we abide in Him, John 15:7. When we abide in Jesus then our asking, what we will, and what we want, are the same. Why? Because we are then a praying people. To pray and surrender to Jesus is abiding in Jesus. When we claim God's promises our clouds of darkness will go away. (Promises to start with: 1.John 1:9; 1.John 1:7.) If you follow and do this, all your feelings of guilt will go away because you follow exactly what the promises say.

But you say, `Oh, I wish I could do that. I have so many problems - drugs, sex, tobacco, alcohol, all that - what shall I do?

You ask God for strength, stamina and determination - `Lord, help me, help me overcome my unbelief - my dependencies so I can learn to depend on Thee alone. The Bible teaches we are to cooperate with God in our own salvation, Hebr. 1:14; Phil. 2:16; Luke 14:23; 2.Cor. 10:5.

What next?

Your physical body needs cleansing. Here are some suggestions how to cleanse the body.

Get rid of your drugs, tobacco, match boxes, lighters, glasses, alcohol and everything that reminds you of the life you lived and now decided to escape from. Claim God's promises to strengthen you with the open Bible on your table.

Use God's fruits, a variety of fruits and drink their juices. Do not use commercial fruit drinks. Only fresh fruit juices from a juicer. Alternate with carrot, celery, spinach, grapes, apples, lemons, no sugar or frozen items. For some you may use a small amount of honey or salt. Drink juice every half hour, alternate with clean water: four ounces carrot juice (30 ounces per day), four ounces water, all day during waking hours for seven days. Interrupt only for a walk outside for fresh air, a little sunshine and showers to open and cleanse your pores - toxins have to escape from your body. Keep your mind constantly on God, His word and His promises. Listen only to hymn music, not the beat and rock variety. Only uplifting music, not anything that reminds you of Satan. Have in mind to constantly praise God and thank Him for His blessings. Always smile and pray.

Remember, most of us have no true idea what it means to obey God. Be true to His word 100%. Our greatest temptation is to forget God. That means Satan is on your case. - One hour without prayer, and you will sin. That tells us it is dangerous to go without prayer. That is being spiritual minded. "It is not safe to lose sight of Christ for one moment. His followers must pray, and believe, and love him fervently." {CTr 219.2; RH, May 14, 1908 par. 1; James 5:16}

The prayer of faith will be granted.

Let us read a line, "If men will walk in the path that God has marked out for them, they will have a counselor whose wisdom is far above any human wisdom." {CC 116.2}

So we ask, what good is it to have a counselor if we can never hear him? Can we hear God? What is the answer to that?

Well, you might say, we certainly can hear the devil loud and clear in our life, can we not?

The devil is determined that we hear no one's voice except his.

That we want to get away from.

So, to answer our question, If we can hear the devil's voice, we better learn how to hear God's voice.

How? We do that by reading the word of God, praying, claiming the promises, then being silent and listen . . . for that still small voice that every true Christian has got to learn to recognize in the silence of your home, car, office . . . That voice will never fight what the Bible teaches.

The word of God contains a wonderful promise, "... Thus saith the Lord ... I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." Isaiah 49:25. So, do not give in to doubt. Don't worry about the time element for answers to prayer and forget to doubt. God knows the right time.

"It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected." {SC. 98.2}

If we don't, "The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray." {SC, 94.2}

That is also the experience that David had as we learned already.

How can we reconcile that the world hates those who follow the Lord? Isn't there a way that they can have it both ways? Can they follow the Lord and want to be part of the Lord and of the world at the same time?

Can the followers of Christ have it both ways? Is that possible?

How many choices do we have? What does Jesus tell us?

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of this world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecute me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." John 15:18-20, ESV.

Satan got the king of Israel on his side. Satan scored a nation which God had set aside as His people.

What is the perspective of things which we should have now?

"The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan's temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His people." {GC 517.2}

David went wrong when he got out of touch of living under God's watch-care.

How are we able to live under this watch-care of God? What do we need to understand?

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." 1.John 3:1-3.

What has befallen God's faithful people in the past, and what can befall us?

They were being chased, assaulted and all those "d" words like, being made destitute, deceived, disturbed, destroyed . . .

"After his expulsion from Eden, Adam's life on earth was filled with sorrow. Every dying leaf, every victim of sacrifice, every blight upon the fair face of nature, every stain upon man's purity, was a fresh reminder of his sin. Terrible was the agony of remorse as he beheld iniquity abounding, and, in answer to his warnings, met the reproaches cast upon himself as the cause of sin. With patient humility he bore, for nearly a thousand years, the penalty of transgression. Faithfully did he repent of his sin, and trust in the merits of the promised Saviour, and he died in the hope of a resurrection. The Son of God redeemed man's failure and fall, and now, through the work of the atonement, Adam is re-instated in his first dominion." {GC88 647.3}

We ought not let remorse dominate us, but repent.

Looking back on David's life we notice, when he trusted the Lord, no one else suffered; when he did not trust in the Lord, it effected others greatly.

Learning from Mistakes

When Saul decided to kill David, he was really fighting against the Lord but in his darkened mind, he had come to the place where he was out of touch with reality.

We read,

"The monarch of Israel was determinedly opposing his will to the will of the infinite God. The will of God is the sole law to which the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament of heaven, yield obedience. At the mandate of Jehovah, they move in perfect order; and yet finite man will set up his will against the will of the omniscient One, and enter into conflict with him who rules the universe. . . ."

On reflection up to this point of the record, it is hard to imagine how mere men can enter such a stage, yet it is even happening especially in our days, in smaller scale church problems, in conferences, industry, politics, among the powers of the world, in many places.

". . . Saul had not learned, while ruling the kingdom of Israel, that he should rule his own spirit. He allowed his impulses to control his judgment, until he was plunged into a fury of passion. He had paroxysms of rage and madness, when he was ready to take the life of any that dared oppose his will. From this frenzy he would pass into a state of despondency and self-contempt, and remorse would take possession of his soul. Satan displayed his own character in inciting the fury of Saul against the humble subject of his court. Saul had the sympathy and support of all the reprobate host of evil; for it was David's blameless character and noble fidelity that had aroused the wrath of the king; and he deemed that the very life and presence of David cast a reproach upon him, and presented him in unflattering contrast before the people." {ST, August 24, 1888 par. 5}

Now we learn a reason for Saul's determined efforts to kill David had to do with his intense mental and emotional problems, his inability to fasten wrongs on to the character of David.

"Well," we may say, "people may get mad, but seeking to take a life because of such things?"

Are people today so mad that they may try to take a life as Saul did? That is hardly possible.

How about worldwide. If we cannot see it here, how about everywhere else?

Right, then we cannot be quite so certain, because we do not know what sort of things occur everywhere else.

So are the following words relevant? Do they apply?

"Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect the life of such a person." Proverbs 29:10, GNB.

Do these words apply even today?

Let us investigate the issue some more.

3:19 "This is how the judgment works: the light has come into the world, but people love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil.
3:20 Anyone, who does evil things hates the light and will not come to the light, because he does not want his evil deeds to be shown up.
3:21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light in order that the light may show that what he did was in obedience to God." John 3:19-21, GNB.

In other words, evil doers shy away from the bright spot lights of investigation, while right doing people welcome it. They have no such fears.

Saul was ever intending to keep his job, his royal throne. He had learned to love his uplifted status. His ego was pleased to see what he had become.

Even though he had become a murderer many times over, he still saw that as par of the course compared to rulers in other lands all around Israel. The presence of God in Israel had vanished from his mind. Now his own will was the only will that he considered. Self was now his master. That meant, that Israel was now without spiritual leadership.

Now the following truism emerges,

"Whoever sows injustice, reaps calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail." Proverbs 22:8, ESV.

Saul lost his humanity. He had now no respect for anybody but himself.

This is what happens as a result. Men who end up in such an alley in life have

1. no fear of God
   
2. no respect for others
   
3. they love materialism
   
4. they believe a perverted gospel
   
5. they become persecutors

Moses had instructions to warn Israel of such affairs back in Deuteronomy.

"What an example was Saul giving to the subjects of his kingdom in his desperate, unprovoked persecution of David! What a record he was making to be placed upon the pages of history for future generations! He sought to turn the full tide of the power of his kingdom into the channel of his own hatred in hunting down an innocent man. All this had a demoralizing influence upon Israel. . . ."

All this pre-occupation of Saul with his nemesis, had effects not immediately obvious to onlookers. What where they?

". . . while Saul was giving loose reign to his passion, Satan was weaving a snare to compass his ruin, and the ruin of his kingdom. While the king and his councilors were planning for the capture of David, the affairs of the nation were being mismanaged and neglected. While imaginary foes were constantly presented before the minds of the people, the real enemies were strengthening themselves without arousing suspicion or alarm. By following the dictates of Satan, Saul was himself hastening the very result which, with unsanctified ability, he was endeavoring to avert." {2BC 1019.5}

Inexhorably the demise of Saul crept closer and closer - even though he reigned for 40 years - it kept coming closer and closer.

There was now no love, no peace, no inclusion of the divine in the universe of Saul.

But the object of Saul's hatred, David, the newly anointed, realized that he was the cause of the fear in Saul and the disastrous developments ensuing.

"And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard." 1.Samuel 22:22,23, KJV.

What were the differences between Saul and David?

Saul was concerned only with himself,
David thought of God and His people.

Providence and Patience - The Rock of Escape

Are the following words applicable?

"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11, ESV.

Yet David is on the run. He hears that the Philistines attacked Keilah. The Lord directs David to attack the Philistines.

We read,

"Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah: for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand." 1.Sam. 23:4, KJV.

What would the people of Keilah do? Would they tell Saul where David was?

Yes. That is exactly what they did!

Why?

Because Saul threatened them and now the fate of the Nobites were on their mind. They did not want that to happen to them.

In this account, we read a significant difference in the character of Saul compared to David.

We recall how Saul offered a sacrifice dressed in his battle dress. But David, hearing about the anger of Saul, what does he do?

Saul was on the way to besiege David in Keilah. David asks Abiathar to bring him the ephod, 1.Sam. 23:6-9. The proper attire of the officiating priest in those days consisted of the priest wearing white linen and over it the blue coat and upon his chest the ephod with the twelve stones on each of which was inscribed the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel, and the two onyx stones each of which had 6 names of the tribes of Israel inscribed on it ...

David wanted to approach the Lord properly dressed. He wanted to plead his situation before the Lord. Samuel was now an old man.

"Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.
Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up." 1.Sam. 23:10-12, KJV.

So David flees from Keilah and the Lord hides him in the wilderness of Ziph, an area perhaps 4 miles south of Hebron. But the people of Ziph tell Saul where he is hiding but the Lord helped David. When Saul was searching on one side of the mountain, David was on the other. David knows he is experiencing the blessing of the Lord's protective care.

"Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them." 1.Sam. 23:25,26.

How did it end? Saul heard that the Philistines had invaded the land causing him to turn from pursuing David.

" . . . a messenger came to Saul saying, `Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.' So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi." 1.Sam. 23:27-30, ESV.

Even today, God's people should know that the Lord will prepare a `Rock of Escape' (`Selahammahlekoth') for them and probably has already many times.

"The power of Satanic agencies is great, and the Lord calls upon His people strengthen one another, "building up yourselves on your most holy faith." Jude 1:20.
Instead of co-operating with Satan, let everyone learn what it means to co-operate with God. In these depressing times He has a work to be done that demands the firm courage and faith which will enable us to sustain one another. All need to stand shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart as laborers together with God. What might not be accomplished in and through the grace of God if the members of the church would stand together, to sustain His workers, to help with their prayers and their influence when discouragement presses in on every side! Then is the time to work as faithful stewards." {7T 184.2,3}

Thank God, he provided a `Rock of Escape' for David and lets us know all these events so we can know how continually the Lord works unseen behind the scenes preserving His people.

From this time we learn something about David.

We learn that David would ask the Lord at one juncture, `Lord, which way? Shall I do this or shall I do that?' And then he followed what he put in Bible words, it says, "Be still, and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10. There was no loud voice from heaven, just the sweet still influence of the Spirit of God which in such silence becomes more distinct and we want to learn to recognize God's voice by dwelling in His word. Then he waited upon the Lord and you leave the time element up to the Lord entirely. When God's time comes to answer it, it will come. It needed that time to germinate like a seed, the word of God is like a seed. When the right answer came to David, he would get to the next juncture and ask, `Lord, shall I do this or shall I do that?'

That is what the Lord wants us to do. The Lord wants us to know, oh, so many promises, read, them, put your finger on them and pray, `Lord, I am claiming this promise. . . Then what will happen? "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7.

So you read a promise and claim it. [200]

We read,

"David composed many of the psalms in the wilderness, to which he was compelled to flee for safety. Saul even pursued him there; and David was several times preserved from falling into the hands of Saul, by the special interposition of Providence. While David was thus passing through severe trials and hardships, he manifested an unwavering trust in God, and was especially imbued with his Spirit as he composed his songs which recount his dangers and deliverances, ascribing praise and glory to God, his merciful preserver. In these psalms is seen a spirit of fervor, devotion, and holiness. He sung these songs, which express his thoughts and meditations of divine things, accompanied with skillful music upon the harp and other instruments. The psalm contained in 2 Samuel 22, was composed while Saul was hunting him to take his life. Nearly all the sacred songs of David were arranged in the earlier period of his life, while he was serving the Lord with integrity and purity of heart." {1SP 386.1}

"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3, ESV.

Here in this Psalm we read David's experience recorded in 1.Samuel chapter 22.

Saul knew that David was at Engedi.

24:4 "And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
24:6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord." 1.Sam. 24:4-6, KJV.

What happened next?

24:8 "David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
24:9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.
24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
24:12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
24:14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
24:15 The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
24:16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
24:17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
24:18 And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
24:20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
24:21 Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
24:22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold." 1.Sam. 24:8-22.

There are lessons to be learned from these accounts. Let us read what the Apostle Peter said about such events and how they help God's people - even today.

"For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering, even when you have done right, God will bless you for it." 1.Peter 2:20, GNB.

All through the ages, people who suffered for their faith, remembering these accounts, were greatly helped.

We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As we become interested in the salvation of souls we cease to mind the little differences that so often arise in our association with one another. Whatever others may think of us or do to us, it need not disturb our oneness with Christ, the fellowship of the Spirit. "What glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." 1 Peter 2:20.
Do not retaliate. So far as you can do so, remove all cause for misapprehension. Avoid the appearance of evil. Do all that lies in your power, without the sacrifice of principle, to conciliate others. "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Matthew 5:23, 24.
If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that "a soft answer turneth away wrath." Proverbs 15:1. And there is wonderful power in silence. {MH, 285.2,4}

God's saints knew all these accounts of the lives of the kings of Israel. They read the lessons revealed in the lives of their forefathers.

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21, ESV.

And David wrote,

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noon day." Psalm 37:5,6, ESV.

But while out there in the wilderness, David's hiding spot was revealed.

The Faithless will Fail

David had spared the life of Saul two times, even though Saul tried to kill him repeatedly. One might conclude, in that case it is safer and easier to eliminate the problem, but is that the way the Lord works?

Studying these passages in the Bible, we soon realize that David respected the Lord's anointed king of Israel, and how he believed that the Lord would deal with Saul in His own way and time.

"... David said to Abishai, `Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? And David said, `As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. ..." 1.Sam. 26:9-11, ESV.

Later David would holler to Abner, Saul's officer,

26:18 "And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
26:19 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.
26:20 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.
26:21 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.
26:22 And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
26:23 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.
26:24 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.
26:25 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." 1.Sam. 26:18-25.

We read here how greatly Saul was astonished at David's kindness. He whom he persecuted, remained kind after all he had done to him - so very unlike, Saul knew, then he himself was.

Despite being pursued, David remained patient, gracious and kind.

What is the lesson for us today?

When opposed, we can honor God in emulating the character of David.

We recognize that we must have temperance, before we have patience. And the words of the Apostle Peter reverberate in our thoughts where he says,

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

`Whoever desires to love life and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, not be troubled, . . . "

On the part of Saul, he had said to his people, David was hunting him; yet, David would not co-sign his name to murder Saul or do anything to make it possible that his own alibi of innocence in the outcome of this affair would make it impossible to keep from violating his conscience, for Satan will always use a violated conscience against us.

". . . but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil." 1.Peter 3:8-17, ESV.

What is the answer, Can you trust someone you love and respect?

Check it out what had happened between Saul and David.

"The second instance of David's respect for his sovereign's life made a still deeper impression upon the mind of Saul and brought from him a more humble acknowledgment of his fault. He was astonished and subdued at the manifestation of such kindness. In parting from David, Saul exclaimed, `Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail.' But the son of Jesse had no hope that the king would long continue in this frame of mind." {PP 671.2}

You can react that way only if the trust is mutual. David could trust Saul never again after the king had repeatedly returned trying to kill him even after speaking kind words to David.

We may conclude, a student is not better than the teacher, or, a slave is no better than his master.

Jesus addressed this as follows,

"No pupil is greater than his teacher; no slave is greater than his master. So a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher, and a slave like his master. If the head of the family is called Beelzebul, the members of the family will be called even worse names.
So do not be afraid of people, Whatever is now covered up will be made known. What I am telling you in the dark you must repeat in broad daylight, and what you have heard in private you must announce from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell." Matthew 10:26-28, GNB.

We learn here that the fearful will fail. It is better not to be fearful of death but instead be more fearful of denying God in our life for then we also lose out on eternal life in the future. If you do that you learn the following truths.

"You can go safely on your way and never even stumble. You will not be afraid when you go to bed, and you will sleep soundly through the night. You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm. The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.
Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help him now." Proverbs 3:23-28, GNB.

So we may ask, how would David's fear of the attacks by Saul affect him?

Would David continue leaning and trusting in the Lord's guidance regarding events in his life? Or would he now lean on his own understanding about what was happening in his life?

These were critical times and issues in the life of both men. They are issues we may encounter in various shapes and forms in our own lives too.

Well, we find out that David decided to now lean on his own understanding. He decided to go and hide among the Philistines, the enemies of Israel.

Are such issues occurring in churches? Do people attend services elsewhere when issues arise or do they seek the Lord to help sort them out?

Do church members continue to trust in God's guidance on similar issues and not lean on their own understanding?

We may conclude, David, going over to the cities of the Philistines for protection may be similar in our days to when church members go church hopping, or new ministries spring up, because they don't like this or that in the church they are members of. So we try to carefully learn more about what can happen along these lines.

And so David said to himself,

"Then David said in his heart, `Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.
So David arose and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath." 1.Sam. 27:1,2, ESV.

What was David's chief concern now?

Whose help did he trust in now? Did he trust in God for his life? No, he did not. Was his relationship with the Lord severed? No, it was not. Could he go back and have a mutual trust again? Or was it based on other factors than straight honesty?

From God's point of view he could come back. Would David start to think straight and right again? Or would he try out his own solutions?

By nature we consult self.

When we go church hopping because some things at the home church are not to our liking? Do we not then leave out God's will in our thinking? That may be God wants to teach us a lesson on how to handle problems so we can grow in trust and faith in Him?

Will we not go and hide somewhere else for a lot less than danger to our life?

Do we not in many ways lean on our own understanding, rather then go to the Word of God and look for answers in its pages, thus waiting upon God to put clarity of thoughts and motives into our life?

In the case of David, the fear that Saul would eventually succeed in killing him, became more dominant. His motivations and decision making were affected by these fears crowding in on him. That is always the way Satan tries to crowd in on God's people, thus preventing them to experience the sure leading of the Lord and His saving methods and blessings.

If we would recall how the Lord has led us in the past, only then can we escape the temptations of Satan. In the case of David, he must have at times gone over the experiences in his mind, recalling how, when his faith was strong, the Lord had led him. We know that he reflected on his own history because he wrote this down in his writings, in the Psalms. He left a record of his decision making processes for much of his life. Today so few write poetry, or keep journals, that could lead them to one day decide to trust the Lord again for everything.

So, if we remain distraught, can Satan come any time, any place and ruthlessly shove us around in our feelings and emotions so that we can hardly keep a clear mind?

Can it be, that, like David sought protection in the Philistine camp, today people seek refuge in the world when personality conflicts arise? Is that not the same as fighting ourselves for our own interests rather than letting the Lord do the fighting for us? Has the Lord not given us all the tools to handle such problems when He gave us His Word? Why then do we refuse to take the time and read and study it?

Dear reader, these issues are among the most important in the life of every human being on earth. Please do not feel that we try to wear you out reading all these lines, we are not. But the members in the many churches need to be brought back to trust in the Lord for everything instead of trusting in their own cleverness or shrewdness.

Fighting our own battles on these issues is really against our own larger interests.

In the case of David, he was dishonoring God because of his self-willed ideas on how to solve his problems. We detect him compromising instead of trusting in the Lord for his personal safety.

"David's conclusion that Saul would certainly accomplish his murderous purpose was formed without the counsel of God. Even while Saul was plotting and seeking to accomplish his destruction, the Lord was working to secure David the kingdom. God works out His plans, though to human eyes they are veiled in mystery. Men cannot understand the ways of God; and, looking at appearances, they interpret the trials and tests and provings that God permits to come upon them as things that are against them, and that will only work their ruin. Thus David looked on appearances, and not at the promises of God. He doubted that he would ever come to the throne. Long trials had wearied his faith and exhausted his patience.
The Lord did not send David for protection to the Philistines, the most bitter foes of Israel. This very nation would be among his worst enemies to the last, and yet he had fled to them for help in his time of need. Having lost all confidence in Saul and in those who served him, he threw himself upon the mercies of the enemies of his people. David was a brave general, and had proved himself a wise and successful warrior; but he was working directly against his own interests when he went to the Philistines. God had appointed him to set up his standard in the land of Judah, and it was want of faith that led him to forsake his post of duty without a command from the Lord." {PP 672.2,3}

We learn here again that relying and acting on "feelings" is a sure way to follow a wrong road in a Christian's life. Our decisions should be patterned on the Word of God. Only knowing the Word of God can accomplish that, and that is the reason why so many shipwreck in life for they do not know where to find solutions to the problems in their life. They were not raised trusting in the Lord, but everyone, who still has breath, can turn around and follow the Lord henceforth.

As for David,

"... when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him." 1.Sam. 27:4, ESV.

In the following accounts the sad results of David's own course of action are delineated, how he now heaped one sin on another in his life.

"While dwelling in this isolated town David made war upon the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, and he left none alive to bring tidings to Gath. . . ."

David, relying on his own understanding, was now willing to commit acts of murder, he who before would not touch God's anointed.

". . . When he returned from battle he gave Achish to understand that he had been warring against those of his own nation, the men of Judah. (He was deceptive and lying) By this dissembling he was the means of strengthening the hand of the Philistines; for the king said, "He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever." David knew that it was the will of God that those heathen tribes should be destroyed, and he knew that he was appointed to do this work; but he was not walking in the counsel of God when he practiced deception." {PP 673.3}

1. Staying with the Philistines, David developed a false sense of security in his mind, for the ultimate question was, `Could he ever truly trust these people?'
   
2. Staying with the Philistines also dishonored the Almighty God of Israel in their eyes.
   
3. It made it appear to them that their gods were now stronger than the God of Israel.
   
4. Under those conditions Israel could not win any over to faith in the true God at all.

`Could the Lord bless David under these circumstances - while he was trying to save himself?

30:1 "Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the 3rd day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb (a settled desert region) and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire
30:2 and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way.
30:3 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive." 1. Sam. 30:1-3.

As we can tell, things became quickly complicated for David. Even today we see such cause and effect issues happen in the wars fought by countries and we see strong dislikes among people, and they think that is normal fair. It is not!

"In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, `Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.' David said to Achish, `Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.' And Achish said to David, `Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.'" 1.Sam. 28:1,2, ESV.

Wow, what a change. It appears David changed sides to fight now against his own people. Did he? Let us consider his initial answer to Achish. We notice the word "shall". What does `shall' indicate? Does that have the ring of a `noncommittal' answer?

Clearly, Achish assumed David was on his side. Would David join the Philistines in battle against Israel?

We may reflect on this. We may have it heard said before that the most miserable people are those who have one foot in Egypt and one in the Promised Land.

It is like saying if you are not committed to God, you are committed to the world.

Did David seek for a way how to get out of this situation? Did he engage in `situation ethics?' Was he committed, yet acted like he was not committed?

Could he get out of this as easy as he got into it? Let us find out.

"... David had no intention of lifting his hand against his people; but he was not certain as to what course he would pursue, until circumstances should indicate his duty. He answered the king evasively, and said, "Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do." Achish understood these words as a promise of assistance in the approaching war, and pledged his word to bestow upon David great honor, and give him a high position at the Philistine court.
But although David's faith had staggered somewhat at the promises of God, he still remembered that Samuel had anointed him king of Israel. He recalled the victories that God had given him over his enemies in the past. He reviewed the great mercy of God in preserving him from the hand of Saul, and determined not to betray a sacred trust. Even though the king of Israel had sought his life, he would not join his forces with the enemies of his people." {PP 674.1,2}

So what happened next?

"The commanders of the Philistines said, `What are these Hebrews doing here?'" 1 Sam. 29:3.

These commanders did not see things the way Achish had seen things. They did not trust the Hebrews. Why should they?

In effect they said to Achish, you may trust the Hebrews, but we don't. They considered that he might turn against them in the heat of battle.

They said,

"Is this not David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, `Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands?'" 1 Sam. 29:5, ESV.

"David's faith in God had been strong, but it had failed him when he placed himself under the protection of the Philistines. He had taken this step without seeking the counsel of the Lord; but when he had sought and obtained the favor of the Philistines, it was poor policy to repay their kindness by deception. In the favor they had shown him they had been actuated by selfishness. They had reason to remember the son of Jesse, for his valor had cost them their champion, Goliath, and had turned the tide of the battle against them. The Philistines were glad of an opportunity to separate David's forces from the army under Saul. They hoped that David would avenge his wrongs by joining them in battle against Saul and Israel." {ST, November 16, 1888 par. 4}

Achish thought, "... He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant." 1.Sam. 27:12.

In the thinking of unbelievers that sounds logical, but God's people know that God is patiently waiting for those on erroneous ways to come back. When David realized his errors and focused again on the how the Lord had led him, how else did he react?

Rallying for Causes

David remembered that he had been annointed by Samuel; and he remembered God's goodness and faithfulness to him. So he pressed on forward.

"How many would have yielded to the temptation that Achish presented to David! How many have fallen, and how many will fall, into the snare of Satan for temporary advantages! Ambitious for exaltation they will . . ."

How about those who hold up signs to get people to think of their cause for a project, a change in the way things were before. Some are trying this way to get women in the ministry. Have they consulted and waited upon the Lord on that? What it means to be annointed?

Or is it that they are. . .

". . . Ambitious for exaltation?"

Do they want their candidates in positions to do their bidding like those in the world do?

Have they asked themselves first some honest questions about motives? Have they studied these case histories in the Bible or can't they find them? Does their spiritual eyesight not realize what the Bible is talking about and where to find case histories?

. . . and then, what if the following takes place, "they will unite their influence with the avowed enemies of God's truth if they can only be honored among those who are honored of men. For present advantages, they will sacrifice the eternal good that God has in store for them. They will not endure the proving of God, and show themselves true in every place, and under all circumstances. . . ." {ST, November 16, 1888 par. 7}

Oh, no, they will say, is that a possible danger in such attempts to get one's own thing passed, without having waited on the Lord and let Him only lead?

Yes, dear church members. To become one of our Lord's annointed, we must know these things that happened in the life of those who were among the annointed. It is not enough to be encouraged by ranking brethren. Your hearts must be searched, God's word and His messenger must be consulted. For you see . . .

"... God has promised that his faithful, obedient servants shall be exalted to be priests and kings. "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?'" {ST, November 16, 1888 par. 7; 1.Cor. 6:2}

Back to David among the Philistines. Were the commanders of Achish right in their cautious approach about David fighting on their side in the conflict with his people Israel?

Would David wisen up and think . . .

6: "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7: The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." Psalm 118:6-9.

Meanwhile, Samuel had died (1.Sam 25:1).

A bit ago we read that the Amalekites had burned the cities in the Negeb, the homes of the men of war of David. Yet, while their properties were destroyed, their families were not. Was the Lord still kind and merciful to them? None of their people had been killed. What happened next?

"Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. . . . David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord, his God." 1 Sam. 30:4,6.

Here we see how even the Amalekites showed mercy when Saul would not. So David asked for the ephod and during these stressful days we are reminded of the words,

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do they friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

Finally David asks the Lord through Abiathar the priest whether he should pursue his enemies.

"And David inquired of the Lord, `Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them? and shall I surely rescue?'" 1 Sam. 30:8.

What was the Lord's answer?

"Pursue, you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue." 1 Sam. 30:8.

This answer was obtained via the ephod brought by Abiathar to David. You can read about it in 1.Sam. 30:7,8. For more on the ephod see Exodus 28:15ff, especially verses 29, 30; Numb. 27:21.

At any rate, David got ready to pursue the Amalekites. How many of his men were willing to follow him? Only 400 were willing to go with David, 200 stayed behind because they were too exhausted, verse 10.

David had been led to the camp of the Amalekites by an Egyptian slave. He did not have to hunt around trying to find his objective. The suffering of the captives were thus minimized and the Lord was with David.

As they came in sight of the encampment a scene of revelry met their gaze. The victorious host were holding high festival. "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." An immediate attack was ordered, and the pursuers rushed fiercely upon their prey. The Amalekites were surprised and thrown into confusion. The battle was continued all that night and the following day, until nearly the entire host was slain. Only a band of four hundred men, mounted upon camels, succeeded in making their escape. The word of the Lord was fulfilled. "David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them: David recovered all." {PP 693.4}

As if David had not enough on his mind, out of all this disagreements developed on how to share the loot of the Amalekites. The `worthless' among the 400 who followed David were unwilling to share the loot with the 200 who had stayed behind.

How did David solve this? He said those who fought and those who stayed behind guarding their baggage deserved equal shares - an equitable judgment.

So then, the Bible means to tell us that the Lord was faithful and blessing his people. Therefore, the key lesson for us today is, never loose sight of what God has done for his faithful people already.

When David's faith had wavered and he thought to protect himself, does that remind us when we experienced such modes of operation in our own life?

Are we like David?

Do we (individuals, leaders) seek refuge in self-devised methods?

When we pray for forgiveness of sins, do we pray for one by one forgiveness of those sins? Or do we pray for it by categories?

Do we realize like David that our decisions affect everybody within our sphere of influence?

Are we willing to learn to live the Lord's way so we can maneuver safely through tests and trials?

Let us listen to these words,

"I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the paths of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong, they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." Proverbs 4:11-18, ESV.

Remember it is Satan who always wants us to go back to the world. Do it not!

Saul and the Witch of Endor

So it came about that war was in the air.

"And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa." 1.Sam. 28:4.

Saul hearing about this was afraid. Yet, did he seek the Lord?

28:3 "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. . . .
28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
28:6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets." 1.Sam. 28: 3, 5,6.

Why did the Lord not answer Saul? Did he take steps so that the Lord could answer him?

Had Saul forgotten his unfaithfulness?

"Saul had learned that David and his force were with the Philistines, and he expected that the son of Jesse would take this opportunity to revenge the wrongs he had suffered. The king was in sore distress. It was his own unreasoning passion, spurring him on to destroy the chosen of God, that had involved the nation in so great peril. While he had been engrossed in pursuing David he had neglected the defense of his kingdom. The Philistines, taking advantage of its unguarded condition, had penetrated into the very heart of the country. Thus while Satan had been urging Saul to employ every energy in hunting David, that he might destroy him, the same malignant spirit had inspired the Philistines to seize their opportunity to work Saul's ruin and overthrow the people of God. How often is the same policy still employed by the archenemy! He moves upon some unconsecrated heart to kindle envy and strife in the church, and then, taking advantage of the divided condition of God's people, he stirs up his agents to work their ruin." {PP 675.2}

Saul had thoughts of doom coming over him, thus effecting him in such a way that his madness, a malignant spirit, took hold of him.

And desparate men do desparate things.

"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." 1.Sam. 28:7.

By this time Saul has fallen far from the Lord. Seeking comfort from a witch reveals his full departure from God. Saul is now seeking support from Samuel who was dead already. He opens himself up to the artistry of demonic powers to fully ruin Saul.

" When the Philistines again make war with Israel, Saul is afraid. He has no rest in any season of peril, and the people are divided, Deut. 28:65-67. Some go with Saul in all his wickedness. Others cannot trust to his judgment, and wish a righteous ruler. Saul's last acts have been so cruel, presumptuous and daring, that his conscience is as a scourge, continually upbraiding him. Yet he does not repent of his wickedness, but pursues his relentless course with despairing desperation, and at the prospect of a battle, he is distracted and melancholy. He presumes, with his load of guilt upon him, to inquire of God; but God answers him not. He has barbarously massacred the priests of the Lord, because they suffered David to escape. He destroyed the city where the priests lived, and put a multitude of righteous persons to death, to satisfy his envious rage. Yet in his peril he dares to approach God, to inquire whether he shall make war with the Philistines. But as God has left him, he seeks a woman with a familiar spirit, who is in communion with Satan. He has forsaken God, and at length seeks one who has made a covenant with death, and an agreement with hell, for knowledge. The witch of Endor had made agreement with Satan to follow his directions in all things; and he would perform wonders and miracles for her, and would reveal to her the most secret things, if she would yield herself unreservedly to be controlled by his satanic majesty. This she had done." {1SP 375.1}

Saul's badly injured conscience leaves him frequently in fits of despair and melancholic moods. When he `presumes' his thought processes come into view. He knows he is guilty of awful things but he overlooks them, he hopes they are forgotten. That is why God does not answer his prayers.

What do we learn for our time or situation from this dark experience in the life of Saul?

Can we learn perhaps something about the dangers hidden in praise worship services? How they can be of that nature? How people just want to be lifted up? Yes, they want to be made to feel close to the Lord when He is afar off - for their is no prayer of repentance and for forgiveness of sins and turning away from sin paralleling the praises they want to hear and participate in. But there is no repentance and therefore no relief.

Saul went to the witch in a disguise. Did it work?

"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." 1.Sam. 28:7.

It was only the woman who `saw' Samuel, not Saul.

"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." 1.Sam. 28:15.

Saul thinks aloud, God is punishing me for what I am doing.

28:16 "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
28:17 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:
28:18 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.
28:19 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." 1.Sam. 28:16-19.

Samuel said, `Why are you coming to me.'

Would Saul find what he was looking for? Would Saul find relief from distress and despair? What message would he receive?

"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:19,20.

Saul had decided some time ago, to turn against the will of God. Does that mean God turned against Saul? No.

"What bondage so terrible as that of him who is given over to the control of the worst of tyrants - himself! Trust in God and obedience to His will were the only conditions upon which Saul could be king of Israel. Had he complied with these conditions throughout his reign, his kingdom would have been secure; God would have been his guide, the Omnipotent his shield. God had borne long with Saul; and although his rebellion and obstinacy had well-nigh silenced the divine voice in the soul, there was still opportunity for repentance. But when in his peril he turned from God to obtain light from a confederate of Satan, he had cut the last tie that bound him to his Maker. . . ." {CC 171.3}

Who is the worst of tyrants?

It is `Self.' Our own `selfishness.'

It may be of passing interest that Ellen White wrote the next quotation around the time when Alistair Crawley was active in the service of the evil powers.

"The demon's message to Saul, although it was a denunciation of sin and a prophecy of retribution, was not meant to reform him, but to goad him to despair and ruin. Oftener, however, it serves the tempter's purpose best to lure men to destruction by flattery. The teaching of the demon-gods, in ancient times, fostered the vilest license. The divine precepts condemning sin and enforcing righteousness, were set aside; truth was lightly regarded, and impurity was not only permitted, but enjoined. Spiritualism declares that there is no death, no sin, no judgment, no retribution; that "men are unfallen demigods"; that desire is the highest law; and that man is accountable only to himself. The barriers that God has erected to guard truth, purity, and reverence, are broken down, and many are thus emboldened in sin. Does not such teaching suggest an origin similar to that of demon worship?" {Signs of the Times, June 30, 1890; Ev 608.1.}

31:1 "Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. . . .
31:4 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. . . .
31:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together." 1.Sam. 31:1, 4, 6.

Saul sacrificed all the goodness of heaven he had once known, and ended up setting his will against the will of heaven.

When God created man he was to participate with all heavenly beings in glorifying God in praises and heavenly music. A faint echo of such music, we might say, did the world experience during the approximate period of the churches of Sardis and Philadelphia, the latter of which was not reprimanded. During this time composers like Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) and George Friedrich Haendel (1685-1759) wrote what we might call elevating, spiritual music.

Ever since, the world intruded into the churches more and more. Christians who were to love the Lord, loved the world.

In the case of Saul, some of his characteristics make it seem that he wanted to sit as a god.

Love of the world is what caught Saul's attention for much of his life when he lived by sight and not according to the spirit.

2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." 1.John 2:15-18.

Our next scripture is saying, we are to put away the evil things which remind us of sin so we can face the Lord again.

11:14 "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
11:15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
11:16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
11:17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
11:18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.
11:19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
11:20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost." Job 11:14-20.

Job is saying, you may be a sinner but never give up on the Lord. Turn your whole life over to Him and let the past be past and aim for the salvation that comes from above with all your mind.

10:35 "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Hebrews 10:35-39.

We are not to see ourselves as people who turn back and are lost, instead we have faith and are saved.

But Saul never chose to come to terms with God again. He never considered to bow before the throne of God by repenting, seeking forgiveness and trust and faith in God's guidance. When the war with the Philistines started, he was unable to lead the troops with any confidence and words of encouragement. He was a shell of a man with nothing left inside. So Saul and the house of Saul died that day.

31:1 "Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons.
31:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
31:4 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.
31:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
31:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together." 1.Sam. 31:1-6.

A sad ending. But may the lessons we learn from these characters of long ago serve us not to fall into similar traps. May they serve us to remain true to God and let Him lead us and not ourselves.

Peace be to all of you who are in Christ.

[60] The word `Philistines; comes from the Hebrew word, "pelishtee" (Strong's #6430), which comes from "pelesheth" (`rolling'), which comes from "pawlash" (Strong's #6428)) (`roll in dust'). - Which seems to mean, they represent a people who were inclined to be selfish at heart and demeanor.

[100] Is it true to say, "God helps those who help themselves"? Finally David was compelled to flee for his life from the presence of Saul. But why did he submit to such injustice? Why did he not stand his ground, and claim his rights? The throne was his by right, and the people respected and loved him. Why did he not assert his right to the throne, rally the people around him, and take possession of the place to which God had anointed him? The reason why is that "God was with him," and he was a man after God's heart. Christ was the manifestation of God to men, and He, "when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously." 1. Peter 2:23.
Thus did David. Twice Saul was completely within his power, yet no advantage did he take of it. It was not because David restrained himself, that he did not kill Saul, but because he had no desire to do so. This is shown by the fact that when at one time he had cut off the skirt of Saul's robe, his heart smote him even for that. The Lord hath anointed David to be king, and David was determined to leave it wholly with the Lord to bring him to the throne.
It is easy for men to say that their case is in the Lord's hands, and at the same time to persuade themselves that God has left all the details to them. The pagan idea that "God helps those who help themselves," has a large place in the creed of many Christians. So the friends of David tried to persuade him. When Saul was in the cave where David was, they said, "Behold, the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee." But David was not to be persuaded to take the Lord's work out of His hands. God had said that David should be king, and it was the Lord's business to perform His own promise.
On another occasion David found Saul asleep. "Then said Abishai (brother of Joab) to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day; now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, and with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time." 1. Samuel 26:8. How many of us are there who could have resisted so specious an argument? How natural it would be to persuade ourselves that in refusing to act we should be neglecting the clearly-indicated will of God. But David knew the Lord better than that. He said:
"As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the Lord's anointed."{October 17, 1895 EJW, PTUK 660.4} David knew the 6th commandment prohibited killing or murdering someone, therefore he would do nothing against God, like Joseph determined to do nothing which would estrange him from God.

[200] But then there are those who say, `Never mind, no one ever hears the voice of God.' But, friend, then you will hear the devil's voice. The devil who may say to you, `You can't pray for yourself. That is selfishness, a sin' - and you stop and say, God help me, how do I pray to you? And you remember the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6, where Jesus prayed, "... and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." That is a perfect prayer of faith, the whole prayer has everything in it that you ever need and the devil cannot complain anymore. There is not one selfish word in it. God wants us to humble ourselves. - It is important not to neglect to pray so the darkness of the evil one cannot surround us for Satan is determined that nobody hears no other voice but his - and we hear Satan's voice all the time. Therefore, we better get to know God's voice - and we recall, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God.