David as an Outlaw (1 Samuel 25 - 30)

For Starters:

It's a familiar theme in fantasy fiction novels. The evil king constantly plotting the destruction of the good and rightful heir to the throne. Things begin to go bad for the evil king and his men while good things happen to the righteous, exiled heir. Eventually, the evil king is overthrown and the rightful heir reclaims his throne.

But in some stories the heir must wait for events to happen so that he can reign as he should. A time table must be respected. So life is lived on the run! David's story is like that. He had to wait for God to make things happen so he could claim the throne to Israel. Many years later, God's own son had to wait for the right time to become king (cf Psalms 2:6-7; Acts 2:36), and so would David. Still, trust and patience must be maintained as God works things out for His glory. David would learn to not trust in chariots, or horses, or his own men, or his own cleverness, but trust in the name of his Lord (Psalms 20:7).

What about us? Is not God still working out things for His own glory and our good? Yes!! See Romans 8:28. But what do we trust in while he works??

What's The Story?

The story begins with the death of Samuel the prophet. As all Israel mourns his death, David tries to acquire some food and stores for his men from a man named Nabal, who happens to own much land and many sheep. David reminds Nabal of the protection he has given to Naval all these years and of the good and honest treatment David's servants have given to Nabal's servants. Nabal's reply is less than courteous and he turns David's request down. David is enraged by Nabal's reply to the point of wanting blood. So he goes to deal with Nabal himself. On the way, Nabal's wife Abigail greets David with a generous amount of food, a terse comment about her wicked husband, and a humble attitude. David thanks her for her graciousness an kindness, and from keeping him from bloodshed. Abigail eventually tells her husband of that day's events, and subsequently, Nabal has a heart attack and dies. David hears of Nabal's death and asks Abigail to become his wife, which she does.

Meanwhile King Saul finds out that David and his men are hiding out in the Desert of Ziph and, once again, goes there to try and capture him. David hears that Saul has camped at the hill of Hilkiah. David, and some of his men go to Saul's camp at night to spy things out. In a bold move, David and his men go into the camp and take the spear and water jug of King Saul. The following morning, Saul wakes to the sound of David talking to Abner, Saul's commander, chiding him for not being more protective of the king. David shows them Saul's spear and water jug. Saul realizes David could have killed him but did not, so Saul concedes to David's victory and promises not to pursue him anymore.

But David does not trust Saul or his promise so he goes to stay among the Philistines. Israel's arch-enemy. David, with 600 men choose to settle down in the city of Gath with Achish the king. For the next few years David raids nearby towns with the king's blessings.

But soon the Philistines were at war with Israel again. The Philistines camped at Shunem while King Saul, and Israel, camp at Gilboa. Saul becomes frightened at the site of the enemy and seeks out the Lord -- but the Lord is not there for Saul. He then searches for a witch to call up Samuel from the dead to ask for advise. He finds a medium in Endor and Samuel is called up only to tell Saul that he is doomed. Saul goes away in horror and dismay.

As each side prepares for battle, the commanders of the Philistine army are anxious concerning David and his men being there in their camp. It doesn't seem right or prudent to have them there. They didn't trust David. Achish relents under pressure and sends David home.

David and his men stop at Ziklag on their way home only to find that it has been plundered and destroyed by the Amalekites. His wives and servants and all he owned had been taken. David and his men quickly pursue them until they come across an abandoned servant of an Amalekite commander in the desert. The servant, in exchange for his life, agrees to show them where the Amalekites went. David finds and destroys them, takes back what is his and plunders the Amalekites, giving away the booty to his men and some to the towns that had been previously attacked by the Amalekites.

Just the Facts:

* Samuel dies and is buried at Ramah
* Nabal is a rich man who live in Maon
* Abigail is Nabal's wife.
* Nabal dies and becomes David's wife.
* Saul tries to capture David in the Desert of Ziph.
* David takes Saul's water jug and spear, but spares Saul's life.
* Saul agrees to end the pursuit of David.
* David and his men go to live among the Philistines for protection.
* Israel and the Philistines go to war again.
* Saul searches for the Lord but God is not there for Saul.
* Saul calls up Samuel from the dead via a medium in Endor, only to be told he is doomed to be destroyed.
* David is forced to leave the Philistine camp and return to Gath.
* David returns to find his home, wives, and servants plundered by Amalekites who also destroyed Ziklag.
* David pursues, destroys, and plunders the Amalekites.

So What?

* A humble and reverent spirit can turn potential violence and bloodshed into peace and good judgment. Read 1 Samuel 25:23-34 where Abigail pleads with David for leniency in dealing with her husband. Catch the spirit here!!!
* Read 1 Samuel 26:9-11 and note David's attitude at a time when he could have made things right his way! Note the respect for authority and God.
* Note David's source of strength when disaster fell on him in 1 Samuel 30:3-6.