Sunday, June 10, 2018

Making Friends of Enemies


I Samuel 29:1-11 



Good morning!  We’re coming to the end of our series about David.  Including today, there are four more messages to go.  Where are we now and where will we be going today?

Two weeks ago, we studied through I Samuel 27.  That chapter opened with this unfortunate analysis …

But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” –I Samuel 27:1


It is unfortunate because there is no evidence that David has come to this conclusion by consulting the Lord.  He didn’t seek God to see if this was the right direction.  Instead, he has grown weary of running from Saul.  His solution is to go where Saul is not likely to go … among the Philistines, the enemies of God’s people.  David was right.  Saul did not pursue him anymore once he lived among the Philistines.  However, it brought about other problems in David’s life.

For a short time, David lives in the Philistine city of Gath.  David then asks for a place in the country likely because it was uncomfortable for him, his family, and his followers as God’s people to live in one of the royal cities of the idol-worshipping Philistines.

David then works out a ruse that he will fight against the enemies of Israel but lie to Achish the Philistine king of Gath.  He tells Achish that rather than fighting the Amelekites or Geshurites or others, he has been fighting against his own people.

Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.” –I Samuel 27:12

This situation apparently was David’s steady state operation for a year or more.  It seems likely that it was a tenuous uncomfortable situation for David, but it allowed David walk a narrow path of deceiving a friendly enemy without betraying his own people.  But this situation would not last indefinitely.  I Samuel 28 opens up with the Philistines gathering their forces to fight against Israel.

Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.”

David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.”

Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” –I Samuel 28:1-2

Gulp!  What now?  David has been drafted into the Philistine army.  He gives a nice ambiguous response neither committing himself to support Achish or oppose Israel.

Let’s take a moment and pray before we get into today’s passage in I Samuel 29.

Lord God, it is so easy for us to get ourselves into trouble when we don’t seek You.  Help us to see what we individually need to see and learn as we go through this passage together.  I pray that You would speak to each one here.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Verse one I chapter 29 says,

The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. –I Samuel 29:1



Let’s look at few images about the area.  First off, the picture shows the Jezreel valley.  Jezreel means “God will sow.” It is a fertile area.  Even today, it is regarded as Israel’s breadbasket growing many different crops and even includes commercial fish ponds.


The next image shows a couple of maps.  From the map on the left, you get the idea of how far the Philistines have penetrated into Israelite territory.  Nearly all of our action through this series has happened in the southern part of that map, in Benjamin, Judah, and the land of the Philistines.  We don’t get a clear idea why exactly they chose to come to Jezreel.  Perhaps they have come here to raid this prosperous region.

Then, on the upper right, you see a topographical view.  In large part, Israel is a dry and mountainous land.  One article I saw said that less than 18% of the land is useable for agriculture.  This valley is the largest and one of the best watered of those areas in the land.

The Jezreel Valley is surrounded by significant mountain peaks.  On the north side there are the Nazareth Mountains and Mount Tabor.  On the east and south are Mount Gilboa and the mountains of Samaria.  On the west end is Mount Carmel.  All of these are significant Biblical landmarks.

Ancient caravans bringing merchandise and innovations from far-off cultures as well as the armies of antiquity passed through this valley.  As a result, there are famous ruins and excavations in more than twenty cities like Tel Megiddo, Tel Jezreel and other sites.

The last picture in the lower right is the spring at Jezreel.  It’s still there, and it is a spring.  It’s hard to see, but on the back left of the pool, there is small rock lined water course where the spring flows out.  From this site Mount Gilboa can be seen.  Mount Gilboa is the site of Saul’s final battle with the Philistines.

As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. –I Samuel 29:2

David indeed is marching with Achish.  David must be tormented.  Even if he is a wanted man, hunted by King Saul of Israel, there is nothing that has given us any inkling that he would want to fight against the armies of Israel.  He has repeatedly refused to harm Saul.  He has taken a covenant not to do harm to Jonathan.  He is the anointed future king of Israel.  How could he possibly become king after being in a battle against his own people?

Achish on the other hand seems to be an interesting character.  If you remember, David had fled to him first after his life was in danger from Saul.  But then after Achish’s servants recognized him, David pretended to be crazy, doing the whole foaming at the mouth thing.

Achish seems to be a Bingley sort of person.  If you’re not familiar with the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, I simply mean that Achish sees the best in others or at least he doesn’t see any danger to himself in those around him.

Achish also has a reputation of something like compassion.  For one thing, he didn’t have David killed, but released him back when he pretended to be crazy.  Then, David has returned to Achish again in his flight from Saul.  Even much later, at the end of David’s reign as king, some slaves run away from a man named Shimei, and they flee to Achish at Gath.  Achish is trusting of others, and certainly more trusting than his servants, and as we will see, than his fellow commanders.

The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.” –I Samuel 29:3

David’s tactic to deceive Achish had been completely successful.  Achish sees no danger in David.  In I Samuel 27, it mentions that David remained in the land of the Philistines for a year and four months.  We have to be closing in on that amount of time.

Why did the commanders of the Philistines even take notice of David and the Hebrews?  I didn’t find an exact count of the Philistine armies, but Saul was able to field an Israelite army of 200-300 thousand soldiers for major battles.  Assuming the Philistines might have a similar sized army, David’s troop of 600 would have seemed small among so great a number.

The Philistine commanders recognize what David perhaps does not.  “We are not on the same side.”  They worship a different God.  They are our enemies.

But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master's favor than by taking the heads of our own men?  Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances:  ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” –I Samuel 29:4-5

The fears of the Philistine commanders are not unfounded.  I Samuel 14:21 explains that about twenty years earlier when Jonathan had started the rout of the Philistines that the Israelites who had gone over to the Philistines had turned against them in the middle of the battle.  If it happened before, then surely, it could happen again.

It’s interesting too that David’s hit song is still on the lips of the Philistines.  David’s faith-filled victory over Goliath may seem like a distant memory now that he’s on the run from Saul and even hiding among the Philistines, but the Philistines still remember.

So Achish called David and said to him, "As surely as the LORD lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don't approve of you.  Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers." –I Samuel 29:6-7

Achish addresses David in a startling way.  He swears by the God of Israel.  This is an incredible gesture of humility and it certainly proves Achish’s sincerity toward David.

You have to wonder how these words must have sounded to David.  There must have been a jumble of emotions.  There has to be some feeling of esteem.  If a king complements you, you would probably feel honored.  He would feel some sense of rejection since the other rulers didn’t approve of him.  Of course, there must be a big sense of relief that he was released from his dilemma of fighting for or against Israel.

This jumble of emotions exemplifies David’s situation.  He doesn’t have a home.  He couldn’t be happy or at peace in Israel, so he fled to Philistia.  This same sort of thing happened to Naomi and her family at the beginning of the book of Ruth.  They fled Israel because of a famine to live among the Moabites.  However, things did not get any better for them, and in fact got even worse.  Upon her return to Israel, Naomi observed that she had gone away full but come back empty.  I imagine that David is coming to this point as well.  He fled because he could not find peace, but now apart from God he has less peace than ever.

The last phrase is the most jarring.  Achish says, “Don’t do anything to displease the Philistine rulers.”  Author and pastor David Guzik expressed it this way, “Is this the same David who fought Goliath? Could you imagine someone coming to David before that battle, and saying, ‘Excuse me David, I don’t think you should do that. You might displease the lords of the Philistines.’ What do you think David’s response would be? He might say, ‘Of course I will displease the lords of the Philistines. I want to displease the lords of the Philistines. I can’t wait to displease the lords of the Philistines. Let me know if I ever stop displeasing the lords of the Philistines.’ ”

Instead, how does David respond to Achish?

 “But what have I done?” asked David.  “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can't I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” –I Samuel 29:8

David could go quietly.  He could say, “As you wish …” running off to Ziklag.  Instead, he appears genuinely disappointed.  “Why can’t I go and fight?”  His language can still be interpreted at ambiguous.  Who does he mean by “my lord the king?” Achish or Saul?  It sure sounds like he’s disappointed not to get to fight on the side of the Philistines though.  David’s victories against the Philistines seem like a distant memory.  David is in a compromised position.  His behavior no longer seems to be one of clear devotion to the Lord.

And yet, God has not abandoned David.  It is God’s providence which has delivered David from having to make a choice between betraying Achish or fighting his own people.

Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’  Now get up early, along with your master's servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”  So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel. –I Samuel 29:9-11

Achish’s answer to David demonstrates that wise and good men gain respect wherever they go.  As Romans 12:18 says, “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Interestingly, Achish speaks what is later given as a divine promise in Zechariah 12:8.  “In that day … he that is feeble shall be as David; and the house of David shall be … as the angel of the Lord before them.”

I want to share one other passage which is connected to the events we’ve read about today.  It comes from I Chronicles 12:19-20.


Some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul.  (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, "It will cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.")  When David went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh.  They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army.  They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army.  Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God. –I Chronicles 12:19-22

This is such a remarkable thing.  Men of Israel, leaders of Israel, continued to join David even themselves being regarded as defectors.  These men will no doubt be crucial helps to David in the next chapter though we will not see them mentioned by name.  God’s provision for David does not stop only with keeping David from great sin, God provides for David by sending him needed help for the challenges which lie ahead.

As we have been through this chapter, it would seem that God has made it clear to David that He’s still there taking care of David.  These unlikely words and events should have been a wake-up call to David to draw near to God.  David could have heard God speaking in many ways, but he didn’t. Instead, he quietly makes his return to the land of the Philistines. It will take a dramatic crisis to bring David back to where he should be in his dependence on the Lord, and we will see that next week.

In the time which we have left, let’s consider some of the takeaways from this passage.

Maybe more than anything, what we might learn from this chapter is to think about what’s missing.  What is missing in the chapter?

David does not inquire of God.  He did not inquire of God before he sought refuge in the land of the Philistines.  Was this the state of affairs during his 16 months in Philistine territory, depending on himself rather than God?  Based on the sorts of things David says and does, it sure does appear that David has drifted away from a close relationship with God.

We went over to Brookdale yesterday afternoon, and a few of our group began singing some songs acapella as others invited the residents to join us for singing some hymns.  They sang one song which I hadn’t heard before.

If you read your Bible and pray everyday you will: grow, grow, grow.
But if you neglect your Bible and forget to pray you will : shrink, shrink, shrink.
So we will read our Bible and pray every day so we grow, grow, grow.

Of course, you’re supposed to start all scrunched up and then get taller and taller as you sing about growing.  Then, when you go the other way, then you shrink down.  Sometimes kids’ songs say it best by keeping the message simple.

We need fellowship with the Lord every day.  We need to talk to God in prayer.  We need to read his word and be spiritually fed.  If we don’t do these things, then we can struggle to understand how to deal with the circumstances in a Christ-like way.  Rather than growing in maturity and confidence, we shrink into discouragement and doubt.  We start to follow the wrong things.

When David gave up seeking God’s counsel, it put him into an impossible situation.  He was stuck where he could not refuse Achish, and yet he could not fight against God’s people either.  If you’ve found yourself in a place like that, I encourage you to turn back to God. 

We face difficult circumstances.  I don’t mean to imply that if you follow God, then everything will be easy.  However, following God will give us faith amid difficulty that God is there and that He will lead us through.  I Corinthians 10:13 explains it this way,

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. –I Corinthians 10:13

Even the word there translated tempted has a bigger meaning.  It does mean tempted but it also can mean tested or facing a trial.  If we are connected to the Lord, we don’t lose sight of His faithfulness.

David’s departure from Israel into the land of the Philistines seems to coincide with a departure from seeking God.  This opens a pathway for sin to come into David’s life.  It is important to note that when a child of God steps out of the will of God, they do not lose their salvation, but that person will experience trouble.  We will see more of this next week.  If you want to avoid needless trouble, stay near to God.

Let us not live in fear, just as we saw in the verse from I Corinthians, we see that God will not leave us.  J. Vernon McGee explained it this way, “We do not realize how many times God intervenes in our lives.  We sometimes overstep the boundaries God has set, and we are not where we should be, or we are not doing what we should be doing.  When we make errors in judgment, many times God graciously intervenes to keep us from committing a terrible sin that we would regret the rest of our lives.”

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. –I Peter 3:15-17

We as God’s people should behave ourselves as inoffensively as possible to gain the good opinion of those we have interaction with.  In those relationships, we will find the opportunity to give the reason for the hope that we have.

I thought about a couple of plays on the words of today’s title:  Making Friends with Enemies.

1.      It’s a bad idea to make friends with enemies on their terms.  It will set us up for situations for sinning that we cannot avoid.
2.      If you are a child of God, then He is working out all things to our good.  In David’s case, we saw that the opposition of the Philistine rulers was actually a kindness.  God used those enemies and their distrust to provide David a way of escape.
3.      It is a good idea to live at peace with everyone so far as it depends on you.  When we treat others with gentleness and respect, we open doors for the good news of Jesus Christ to touch people.

Finally, God is for us in ways that we don’t fully see or understand.  Even if you may feel separated or far from God, He is not far from you.  God is intervening continually in our circumstances.  Let us comfort and encourage one another.  Let us endure the challenges we are facing together.  Let us look to the future with hope.  And, let us pray.

Lord God, help us to remember the kids’ song that when we read our Bibles and pray in faith we do indeed grow.  Grow us in our love for You, our love for one another, and our love for those who do not know You.  I pray that You will bring to our hearts and mind the truths that we need today.  Help is to walk in the light as You are in the light.  We pray in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

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