More of the Same, Except for the Medium

1 Samuel 26 CSB

1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon.” 2 So Saul, accompanied by three thousand of the fit young men of Israel, went immediately to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there. 3 Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon. David was living in the wilderness and discovered Saul had come there after him. 4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

We have met the Ziphites before, this is the clan that previously ratted out David to Saul - actually begging Saul to come get David and offering their assistance in killing David.

Here they are again, telling Saul where David is - not sure what the Ziphites have against David of if they just really love Saul - there is a theory that they might be jealous of David because of his marriage to the richest member of Calebite clan keeping one of their own from the opportunity.

Well Saul came down and again he brought his 3000 elite troops with him.

Saul arrived but David and his men were so well hidden they were inaccessible but as Saul camped with his troops David sent spies out to survey the situation.

1 Samuel 26 CSB

5 Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him. 6 Then David asked Ahimelech the Hethite and Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, “Who will go with me into the camp to Saul?” “I’ll go with you,” answered Abishai. 7 That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice!” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent?” 10 David added, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 However, as the Lord, is my witness, I will never lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.” 12 So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord came over them.

David took some men that night and went to Saul’s camp - most likely he went to scout the enemy camp and gather additional information.

His efforts were rewarded - David was able to identify key personnel leading the forces as well as the exact location and arrangement of the camp.

Saul was accompanied by his cousin Abner who led the army.

The camp was set up in such a way as to provide max protection - first it was on top of a hill (the high ground is always the best - this is what made the D-day invasion so deadly, the enemy was up on the cliffs firing down on the allied forces) - second the troops created a circle putting the king in the middle (we actually still use a similar set up today - either a circle or square but the enlisted are place on the perimeter while all the headquarter needs are in the center).

David used this opportunity to make a pre-dawn raid on the enemy camp - he asked Ahimelech and Abishai if they would go into the camp with him - Abishai, David’s nephew, agreed to go on this dangerous mission.

The duo was able to make it all the way into the center of the camp undetected - Abishai interpreted their remarkable success in getting so close that “God, has delivered” his enemy. As such, Abishai requested the honor of killing Saul, David’s enemy.

David responded to Abishai’s theologically based proposal with a convincing theological counterargument - “who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent?”

David saw this as a divine trial - an opportunity to demonstrate restraint and goodwill toward one of the Lord’s anointed leaders.

David affirmed he would not strike down Saul but the Lord will do so when the Lord decided either by natural death at his God appointed time or in battle as the Lord allows.

Instead of killing Saul, David commanded Abishai to take Saul’s spear - a symbol of his power in society - and a water jug - a symbol of life sustaining resources. Thus, symbolically stripping Saul of his social standing and life…

Verse 12 gives us the answer as to why they were so successful - it wan’t their stealth ability or military prowess - it was God who intervened and kept Saul and his force asleep.

1 Samuel 26 CSB

13 David crossed to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance; there was a considerable space between them. 14 Then David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner asked. 15 David called to Abner, “You’re a man, aren’t you? Who in Israel is your equal? So why didn’t you protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him? 16 What you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you deserve to die since you didn’t protect your lord, the Lord’s anointed. Now look around; where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?” 17 Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, my son David?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said. 18 Then he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What crime have I committed? 19 Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is the Lord who has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the presence of the Lord, for today they have banished me from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go and worship other gods.’ 20 So don’t let my blood fall to the ground far from the Lord’s presence, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, like one who pursues a partridge in the mountains.”

There is a switch here - previously we have seen the enemies of God begin by verbally assaulting the people of God before taking action. God on the other hand, took action first then leveled the verbal assault through David AFTER - the enemy has the ability to talk a big game but not the power to act, God has the power to act and receive praise for His action.

David put some distance between him and Saul’s army (always a good idea if you are going to taunt someone bigger than you) - he then called out to them shaking them from their supernatural sleep.

As they slowly groped their way to consciousness David began his taunts - but David wasn’t taunting like a child (nana boo boo) - David taunts them with 4 questions and a pronouncement of judgment.

David’s first question was directed at Abner (Saul’s cousin and leader of the army) - “Aren’t you going to answer?” - to which Abner responded, “Who is it?”

David refuse to give his name but hits Abner with another question challenging his manhood, “You’re a man aren’t you?” - now many a dumb thing has occured throughout history after those words haven been uttered (parachuting off the roof with a sheet, jumping off a cliff into the water, eating ridiculously hot sauce… maybe that’s just me).

He didn’t let Abner answer but after challenging his manhood he challenged Abner’s competency as Israel’s most powerful soldier with two related questions, “Who in Israel is your equal? So why didn’t you protect the king?”

David then reminded Abner his failure was “not good” - then speaking as a judge in a court martial he declared that Saul’s entire force deserved death for the failure to protect the king.

Now I am sure at this point Abner is looking around trying to verify that nothing is wrong with the king. Of course Saul is standing there too. Both are probably confused, still a little dazed from their sleep but not immediately seeing anything wrong. You could imagine they are almost ready to laugh at the accusation until…

David tells them to look around, are you missing anything, say the king’s spear and his water jug?

You can imagine the sinking feeling Abner was having- Saul however, now recognizes David’s voice (either he is awake enough now or the similarity between the current event and the previous cave incident caused something to click).

Saul again calls David “My son” - the author is linking chapter 24 and 26 together.

David has to ask why the king is trying to kill him.

David very diplomatically lays out the issue - maybe it was his fault and so God is sending Saul after him or maybe it is men - David knows the answer and is implying that it is Saul who is responsible.

David puts the kings efforts into perspective - he was squandering precious national resources to “look for a flea” of to “hunt a partridge” - the conclusion is not worth the effort basically - David is no threat to the king as he had demonstrated twice so the king should stop.

1 Samuel 26 CSB

21 Saul responded, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David, I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I’ve committed a grave error.” 22 David answered, “Here is the king’s spear; have one of the young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord will repay every man for his righteousness and his loyalty. I wasn’t willing to lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed, even though the Lord handed you over to me today. 24 Just as I considered your life valuable today, so may the Lord consider my life valuable and rescue me from all trouble.” 25 Saul said to him, “You are blessed, my son David. You will certainly do great things and will also prevail.” Then David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

As before, David’s actions and words brought Saul to a temporary state of repentance and reconciliation.

This time, however, Saul’s words rang hollow not matter how vigorous his self-condemnation and his promise not to harm David again. (fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me).

David knows Saul so he tactfully turns down the kings offer to return and instead he asked to have on the king’s soldiers come and get the king’s stuff.

Verses 23 and 24 are the last recorded words David speaks to Saul - basically David says, “Because I did not harm you, even though the Lord gave you to me, the Lord will honor the mercy I showed with mercy toward me and deliver me from all trouble.

Verse 25 are Saul’s last recorded words to David in which he offers a blessing and a promise.

They parted way and each went to his own home.

1 Samuel 27 CSB

1 David said to himself, “One of these days I’ll be swept away by Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape immediately to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me everywhere in Israel, and I’ll escape from him.” 2 So David set out with his six hundred men and went over to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. 3 David and his men stayed with Achish in Gath. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal’s widow. 4 When it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him. 5 Now David said to Achish, “If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” 6 That day Achish gave Ziklag to him, and it still belongs to the kings of Judah today. 7 The length of time that David stayed in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.

David comes to the realization that if he stays in Israel Saul would continue to pursue him. The decision, move everyone to the land of the Philistines (the enemy of my enemy kind of thing)

This is the second time David escaped to Gath but the circumstances are different this time. The first time David was alone and armed coming from the royal household so he was seen as a potential threat. This time David is entering as an infamous outlaw - not that he had done anything against the throne but Achish see David as one Saul fears because Saul believes David will take his throne - Saul believes it so deeply that he repeated marched thousands of men into the desert to track down David.

David and his men all brought their families with them to protect them from Saul as well.

When Saul found out David fled to Gath he no longer searched for him, David’s plan worked.

A group of 600 men plus families would be around 1000 people or more - that is a large group and would have a very negative impact on the city of Gath (think about some of the modern issues we’ve heard about with immigration here). Plus David probably would not feel too comfortable being too close to this uncircumcised king who was as much his enemy as his ally.

David also knows of his prophetic destiny as the anointed, Spirit-empowered successor to Saul, he must be about his Father’s business and that will be easier to do away from Achish’s view.

David hides his true intentions under the cloak of humility basically calling himself unworthy to live in the royal city so he asks for a place in one of the outlying towns.

Achish was probably flattered and also relieved to have an excuse to move the group of foreigners away from the city’s food and water resources.

David was given Zklag a town about 25 miles southwest of Gath and was technically a territory assigned to both the tribes of Simeon and Judah.

David’s cleverness did what previous military campaigns failed to do, it brought Ziklag into Israelite hands.

David redeemed his time in exile, using it to resume Israel’s conquest of Canaan.

1 Samuel 27 CSB

8 David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. From ancient times they had been the inhabitants of the region through Shur as far as the land of Egypt. 9 Whenever David attacked the land, he did not leave a single person alive, either man or woman, but he took flocks, herds, donkeys, camels, and clothing. Then he came back to Achish, 10 who inquired, “Where did you raid today?” David replied, “The south country of Judah,” “The south country of the Jerahmeelites,” or “The south country of the Kenites.” 11 David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory. 12 So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself repulsive to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”

David and his men used the opportunity to pursue the Torah mandate to conquer the Promised Land.

God had given the land of the “Geshurites” located in Judah’s tribal allotment however, Israel failed to take control of that region.

The Lord also commanded Israel to eliminate the “Amalekites” but had failed to do so - even Saul failed (1Sam15).

The “Girzites” are otherwise unknown but like the other two lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt and were partially in territory that legitimately belonged to Judah.

These people groups were under the ban commanded by the Torah and no one was spared - he did however, take the spoils and gave some to the Philistine king.

When asked where David raided, David lied to the king, telling him it was lands under Israel control.

David’s conscious use of deceit was arguably the lesser of two evils - lying is wrong and to be avoided but in this case David’s deception saved lives and thus fulfilled the Spirit of the Torah.

David’s deception and the sharing of the spoils cause Achish to trust David and think that David’s country men hated him making him the king’s servant (boy was he wrong)

Again, we see a contrast between Saul and David - David killed all the Amalekites (as decreed by God) he encountered brought about blessing and life - Saul, on the other hand, Saul disobeyed the Torah and consciously spared an Amalekite he experienced a curse and loss of position.

1 Samuel 28 CSB

1 At that time, the Philistines gathered their military units into one army to fight against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You know, of course, that you and your men must march out in the army with me.” 2 David replied to Achish, “Good, you will find out what your servant can do.” So Achish said to David, “Very well, I will appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.” 3 By this time Samuel had died, all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his city, and Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines gathered and camped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and his heart pounded. 6 He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him in dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets.

The Philistines gathered to go and fight against Israel - maybe the king thought it was a good time because David had weakened Israel with his raids.

The king told David he would have to be going with him. David responds with a clever turn of phrase told the king “you will find out for yourself what your servant can do” - the king took it as David will fight for him saying that he would appoint him a “permanent bodyguard” or literally “keeper for my head” - the irony, David already kept a Gathite’s head, Goliath.

The writer drops in some info regarding Saul - Saul removed the mediums and spiritists from Israel. He also reminds us that Samuel has been dead and dead for a while.

Saul was afraid - he inquired of the Lord but the the Lord was not answering Saul (by any of the regular means - dreams, the Urim or the prophets).

1 Samuel 28 CSB

7 Saul then said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” His servants replied, “There is a woman at En-dor who is a medium.” 8 Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes and set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I tell you.” 9 But the woman said to him, “You surely know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you setting a trap for me to get me killed?” 10 Then Saul swore to her by the Lord: “As surely as the Lord lives, no punishment will come to you from this.” 11 “Who is it that you want me to bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel for me,” he answered. 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, and then she asked Saul, “Why did you deceive me? You are Saul!” 13 But the king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” “I see a spirit form coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered. 14 Then Saul asked her, “What does he look like?” “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “He’s wearing a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he knelt low with his face to the ground and paid homage.

Saul has done many things wrong during his reign - he has violated Torah but he is now making a deliberate choice to violate one of the most serious prohibitions in the Torah - Saul called for a medium.

Saul, in disguise, went to this medium and asked her to call up a spirit - at first she refused thinking it might be a trap.

Saul swore to her again by the life of Yahweh that there would be no ramifications - Saul’s oath invoked the Lord to grant immunity to one who broke the Lord’s command - it turned God against Himself - such an oath was not only foolish but actually blasphemous.

Saul asked to see Samuel.

Okay so let’s address the elephant in the room - are mediums legit, could one actually contact the dead? A straightforward reading of the biblical account suggests the possibility that mediums may possess the capacity to contact dead persons and establish lines of communication between the living and the dead. This view is NOT explicitly rejected elsewhere in Scripture; the Torah prohibits necromancy not because it is a hoax but because it promotes reliance on supernatural guidance from some source other than the Lord. I would say the majority of experiences with mediums are fake and/or demonic in nature and as scripture commands should be avoided at all costs…

First, the plain statement of the Hebrew text is that she did in fact see Samuel. Second, the medium reacted to Samuel’s appearance as though it was a genuine—and terrifying—experience: she “cried out at the top of her voice.” Her strong reaction also suggests that Samuel’s appearance was unexpected; perhaps this was the first time she had ever actually succeeded in contacting the dead. Third, the speeches attributed to Samuel contained allusions to a prior interchange between the two, allusions that would have been appropriate only for the real Samuel to have made. Fourth, Samuel’s role and message as a prophet, so much a part of his ministry in life, was unchanged in his encounter with Saul here.

1 Samuel 28 CSB

15 “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Samuel asked Saul. “I’m in serious trouble,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He doesn’t answer me anymore, either through the prophets or in dreams. So I’ve called on you to tell me what I should do.” 16 Samuel answered, “Since the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy, why are you asking me? 17 The Lord has done exactly what he said through me: The Lord has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. 18 You did not obey the Lord and did not carry out his burning anger against Amalek; therefore the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me, and the Lord will hand Israel’s army over to the Philistines.” 20 Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he had not eaten anything all day and all night. 21 The woman came over to Saul, and she saw that he was terrified and said to him, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. 22 Now please listen to your servant. Let me set some food in front of you. Eat and it will give you strength so you can go on your way.” 23 He refused, saying, “I won’t eat,” but when his servants and the woman urged him, he listened to them. He got up off the ground and sat on the bed. 24 The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. 25 She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Afterward, they got up and left that night.

An alternative reading of this passage suggests that it was not the skill of the medium but rather a unique act of God that brought Saul into contact with Samuel.

The passage indicates that Saul could not see Samuel but could communicate with him. Samuel’s first question is why am I here and what do you want?

Saul explained the situation and asked for guidance.

Samuel basically asks Saul - if you know God has turned away from you for disobedience then why diid you choose to make the Lord even angrier by using a medium.

Samuel did not wait for an answer but proceeded to fulfill his role as prophet - basically he tells Saul, “I’ve already explained all this to you but because you have been disobedient and carry out the Lord’s commands your throne has been taken from you. You are going to lose the battle against the Philistines. Not only are you going to lose but you and your sons will also be killed.

The news of the lack of food caused Saul to collapse. The woman convinced Saul to eat something so she prepared a meal for him - she prepared a fatted calf and unleavened bread.

A meal that included meat was special in ancient Israel but one that included meat from a stall-fed animal was truly exceptional - a feat fit for a king.

Here again the writer is making a comparison - Abigail gave a more bounteous gift to David but the real comparison is of the women - Saul was nurtured by a woman under the Lord’s curse but David was nurtured by a woman under the Lord’s blessing.

After the meal the men left and returned to their camp.