1 Samuel 27:1-12

Responding to Fear and Desperation

In the Bible we find many of God’s people who have fallen into fear, discouragement, desperation, and depression. We remember Job who lost everything, Elijah who fled from Jezibeel, Moses who

David’s fear and desperation from Saul’s threat caused him to make decisions which put himself in a situation that compromises his identity and integrity.

Introduction - v.1 - David decided to escape from Saul by going to the land of the Philistines.

“One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul” - David believed that as long as Saul is King, he will not stop looking for him until he is killed. David’s desperation led him to get out of Israel and go to Saul’s enemies - the Philistines.

where is the faith he expressed in 26:10? It seems like David’s focus was on his problem and not with God’s promise of protection and preservation.

Problem - vv.2-7 - David and his men lived with King Achish at Gath.

Covenant between David (vassal) and Achish (Lord) in exchange for a land.

“My enemies enemy is my friend”.

David asked Achich to give him a city and Achich gave David a city named Ziklag. (v.5) Probably so he could stay safe from Achish or so that Achish will not know his plans and actions.

Ziklag was alloted to the tribes of Simeon and Judah but was never conquered by the Israelites, so David was able to get it without fighting.

David lived 1 year and 4 months (v.7). After which David became King, after Saul’s death.

They are not supposed to go there! David already told God in the past to go back to Israel (22:5). Although David’s plan is practical, but it was not aligned to God’s plan.

Rising Action vv.8-9 - David raided enemy cities.

David has to feed his people hence they need to raid enemy cities and to provide spoils of war as offering to Achish (his lord).

It could also be the David wanted to fulfill the Lord’s command to Israel to destroy the enemy nations (Ban) that his ancestors were not able to - Deuteronomy 20:16–18 .

This has benefited the people of Israel. David was able to get rid of the neighboring enemies who have been a source of pain for them.

Climax vv.10 - Achish asked David about the places he raided.

As David presented his gifts from the plunders of war, Achish asked David where he raided.

Was he aware of David’s actions?

Resolution vv.10-11 - David lied to Achish and told him that he raided cities belonging to Israel.

David killed all the inhabitants so they can’t report to anyone. His doing this for more than a year.

Was it right for David to kill the men and women of enemy nations and then lied about it to Achish? Why is he hiding it from Achish?

From the Christian standpoint, we don’t agree with using deception and cruelty. The passage is not commending lying and cruelty. Lying is wrong and to be avoided. In this case David’s deception of Achish saved lives of Israelites and fulfilled the commandment of God to destroy the enemy nations in Canaan.

David’s duty as their leader was to protect his people (600 men and women, family) and he felt no obligation to his enemies.

Conclusion: v.12 - Achish believed David and taught that David would become his servant forever.

Because of the gifts of clothing, sheep and cattle, and camels, Achish was convinced.

What: David’s fear and desperation from Saul’s threat caused him to make decisions which put himself in a situation that compromises his identity and integrity. But even in his time of weakness, God intervened to make David a blessing to Israel by defeating enemy nations that his ancestors were not able to defeat and at the same time protected the people who supported him from Saul.

Why: the writer shows that even in David’s weakness, he is still better than Saul. David was able to drive out the Amalekites while Saul spared an Amalekite (King Agag) that resulted to his curse and loss of position.

The events in the Bible were written to teach us. To follow what they have done right and to avoid what they have done wrong. In this event in the life of David, the man after God’s own heart, we learn that even those who knew God are not exempt to fear and desperation. Fear and desperation can drive a believer to waiver in the faith and make compromising decisions.

For us believers who may experience fear and desperation (unavoidable), to avoid putting ourselves in a compromising situation, we can respond in 3 steps:

I. Surrender your fears to God.

David’s fear drowned his faith. David’s thought was a false thought. Kanus-a gud siya gipasagdan sa Ginoo?

His response to fear and anxiety - escape! But that is not the answer nor the right response.

David later learned from this experience. In fact he made a Psalm where he speaks the truth about God to his heart, and this restores his faith and hope. To take one example: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God” (Psalm 42:5). Let us learn from this.

What are your fears and desperation?

Fear of death? - turn to Christ. He will give you eternal life.

Fear of being alone? - turn to Christ. He will always go with you.

Fear of failure? - turn to Christ. He alone can give you contentment.

Application:

To overcome fears and desperation, recall the grace-filled works of God in your life. Drown your fears with God’s grace.

To overcome fears and desperation, remember the promises of God.

Transition: The first step to responding fears and desperation is to surrender your fears to God. The second is to surrender your PLANS to God.

II. Surrender your plans to God

- We have all plans how to get rid of our problems that causes us despairs. The question we must ask when we make plan is not how good our plan is, but how is this plan aligns the will and the word of God. For example, Students can plan to get rid of their anxiety in taking exams by cheating and so they pass the exam. But is that plan pleasing to God?

In the past, David was told by God to go back to Israel instead of hiding outside of Israel (22:5). David responded and went back to Israel. In this chapter, David somehow made a plan against the plan and direction of God. As a result, he compromised his identity (servant of Achish), and integrity (deception).

When planning to get rid of your fears and desperation:

Application:

1. Always include God and His will in your plans so you will avoid sinning against God.

2. Consult godly people.

The second step is to surrender your plans to God. But what if you have already put your self in a compromising situation? The third step is to:

III. Seek to right the wrong.

When you are already in the compromising situation and you have compromised your identity and integrity. Do not lose hope. We may have showed weak faith, but God also shows strong grace. So, start seeking to do what is right.

Though you cannot see in the passage God’s thoughts or actions, I believe that it was God who intervened why Achish gave the city of Ziklag to David and why David was able to destroy the enemy nations without interruption. God was working to bring about the fulfillment of his command to destroy the nations that were part of the Ban.

While in that compromising situation, God did not forget David and David did not forget God and God’s purpose for Him as the future King of Israel - to protect and save his people. He right his wrong by raiding the enemy nations while preserving his people.

From wrong to right - Doubt in God to Trust in God, Serving man (Achish) to serving God.

Application:

The Gospel:

In this chapter we find that God can turn something bad into something good. Not even David’s mistakes can stop God from fulfilling His purpose and plan.

In the same way, our sins did not stop our Lord Jesus Christ from giving his life as a sacrifice rescue us from the penalty of our sins - eternal damnation in Hell.

The love of Jesus is greater than our sins.

The grace of God is greater than our weaknesses.

Conclusion:

In this chapter, we learn that even God’s people are not exempt to feel fear and desperation. Fear and desperation can drive a believer to waiver in the faith and make compromising decisions. But let us not lose hope.

We have a gracious Savior who is not limited by our mistakes nor discouraged by our sins. We have a gracious savior who will rescue us and turn our mistakes into something good. Let us respond to fear and desperation by