The Hidden Hand: A Divine Plot in the Shadows

There’s an older Gospel Song that says:

THERE IS AN UNSEEN HAND TO ME THAT LEADS THROUGH WAYS I CANNOT SEE. WHILE GOING THROUGH THIS WORLD OF WOE THIS HAND STILL LEADS ME AS I GO.

                         CHORUS

I'M TRUSTING TO THE UNSEEN HAND THAT GUIDES ME THROUGH THIS WEARY LAND. AND SOME SWEET DAY I'LL REACH THAT STRAND STILL GUIDED BY THE UNSEEN HAND.

There are times God leads in our lives in ways we cannot see, or appears that God isn’t working at all.

This is a hard lesson to learn

Trusting God's providence means recognizing His control and presence in our lives, especially when our plans falter or are threatened.

It seems David has to learn this lesson over and over again.

Tonight we find that David is hiding in the hill of Hachilah [hawk-ee-la}

Hachilah is a hill in the Judean hill country where David hid from King Saul on at least two occasions. (1 Sam 23 and 1 Sam 26)

The writer of 1 Samuel left this record for us in 1 Sam 26.

1 Samuel 26:1–6 KJV 1900

1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? 2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. 5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him. 6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

Notice especially Ahimelech the Hittite

Now there was an Ahimelech earlier in the story of David - a priest at Nob - but he was murdered in cold blood at the cruel and hateful hands of Doeg.

This is another Ahimelech and he is identified as Ahimelech the Hittite.

There had been a failure during the Hebrew conquest of Canaan to eliminate all of the “ites” of the land. This is especially clear in the introduction to this man in David’s camp named Ahimelech, who is identified clearly and precisely as a Hittite.

What is fascinating is the name Ahimelech means My brother is king

Obviously Ahimelech had become so assimilated into Hebrew culture and society that he was one of them - he may have even been a proselyte - but Ethnicity was extremely important to the Jewish community and so Ahimelech will forever be remembered as a Hittite.

You might remember another famous Hittite connected to David - a mercenary soldier named Uriah - but that is a story for another time.

Notice also the other man David calls to go with him - Abishai [Ah-bye-shy]

This young man is David’s nephew and will later be called one of David’s Mighty Men - a title given to some of the most gallant and bravest warriors in David’s army. Again another story for another time.

Ahimelech stays at the camp - but Abishai goes with David - we pick up at 1 Sam 26:7.

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 26:7–12

1 Samuel 26:7–12 KJV 1900

7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

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.

Now the KJV uses the term “bolster” Today a bolster means something different:

“Bolster: a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support.”

But during this time - a stuffed pillow would not have even been thought of - rather it means the head-place or head-support of a sleeping person.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the spear was a royal or military emblem — an extension of the king’s person and power. Having it at his head was symbolic: it was the mark of his identity and kingship, even while he slept.

1 Samuel 26:7–12 KJV 1900

8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. 9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? 10 David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. 12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

Background: This is David’s second chance to kill Saul (compare 1 Sam 24).

David once again refuses to seize power by force, showing faith in God’s providence.

Theme: God’s hand often works in unseen ways, calling us to patience, trust, and humility.

Notice that a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them -

God had orchestrated that everyone in the camp was in a deep sleep - Oh God put our enemies to sleep so we can accomplish the tasks God has before us.

Unlike the enemy who God caused to sleep, we are called to be alert, awake, and sober as God’s people.

Scott, C. J. (2017). Daily truth: study and application notes for the 365 day connect the testaments bible reading plan. Humble Majesty.

God has used a deep sleep before there are at least four uses of this term in the Old Testament:

God brought it upon:

Adam (Gen 2:21)

Abram (Gen. 15:12)

Saul and his army - our text (1 Sam 26:12)

The people of Judah (Isa. 29:10) (A metaphorical and spiritual sleep)

This sleep...seems always to be a divinely induced insensitivity to surrounding conditions, so that a God-ordained purpose can be achieved.

There is a warning in Proverbs 10:5 “5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

It is the same word used - but only here does a source other than the Lord bring this deep stupor on a person - in this instance its the lazy man himself - Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary (19:15)

2. Prayerful Confrontation (1 Samuel 26:13–20)

Read 1 Sam 26:13-20

1 Samuel 26:13–20 KJV 1900

13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: 14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? 15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. 16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster. 17 And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 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? 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. 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.

David confronts Saul not with violence, but with prayerful humility and truth.

A. A call for accountability

David calls out Abner and Saul from a distance (vv. 13–16).

B. Respectful confrontation

David bows before Saul and pleads his case (vv. 17–19).

NIV 19 Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have driven me today from my share in the LORD’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods

20 Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

Matthew 18:15 – confront a brother with gentleness and truth.

C. A Christ-like model

David entrusts justice to God, not himself (vv. 19–20).

1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus, when reviled, entrusted Himself to the Father’s justice.

3. Providence in Reversal (1 Samuel 26:21–25)

1 Samuel 26:21–25 KJV 1900

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. 22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. 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. 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. 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.

God turns Saul’s pursuit into a moment of recognition and reversal.

A. Saul’s remorse

Saul admits, “I have sinned… I will no more do you harm” (v. 21).

I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL - The first most truthful and honest thing Saul has said so far -

B. David’s vindication

David’s righteousness is acknowledged by Saul himself (vv. 22–24).

Psalm 37:6 – God will bring forth your vindication like the dawn.

C. God’s providence at work

Saul blesses David, confessing his future kingship (v. 25).

1 Samuel 26:25 “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.”

Lesson: God can reverse situations and turn enemies into witnesses of His plan.

Notice David doesn’t buy this confession and blessing -

1 Samuel 27:1 KJV 1900

1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

1 Samuel 27 – In Essence:

David, weary of fleeing from Saul, decides to seek refuge with the Philistines.

He goes to Achish, king of Gath, with his 600 men and their families.

Achish gives David the town of Ziklag, where David settles for over a year.

While living in Philistine territory, David raids surrounding groups (Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites).

He kills everyone in those raids to leave no witnesses.

David deceives Achish, making him believe the raids are against Israelite territories.

Achish trusts David and thinks he has completely turned against Israel.

1 Samuel 27:12 “12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.”

Conclusion

Summary: David teaches us patience, prayerful confrontation, and trust in God’s providence.

Application:

When tempted to seize control, wait on God’s timing.

When wronged, confront with humility, entrusting justice to the Lord.

When plans unravel, remember God’s hidden hand is guiding all things for His glory and your good.

Closing Thought: The hidden hand that guided David in the wilderness is the same hand that guides us today—seen most clearly in Christ, our Savior and King.

Next time we will see the final demise of Saul and the struggle of David to the throne.