The Life of David: 1 Samuel 26-27

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost

Life is not a series of unrelated events. While we may not see it in the moment, every decision affects the next decision. If we took time to reflect on the past we would see how our choices got us to where we are today. This principle applies to both positive and negative aspects in our lives.

What decisions helped you get to where you are now?

This principle applies to both positive and negative aspects in our lives. People often start thei

As followers of Christ, our relationship with Him determines on the decisions we make. Strong Christians are not made overnight. Likewise, weak Christians are not created overnight.

The Road Not Taken

It is easy to get excited about following the Lord when we accept Him as our Savior, when He meets a need, or when everything is going great in our lives.

Launch Audio in a New WindowBY ROBERT FROSTTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

However, we must be diligent determine to draw closer to the Lord on a consistent basis. Sadly many times the first thing people compromise is consistency in their walk with Christ.

What causes people to compromise?

Background

After numerous attempts on David’s life, he has another chance to kill Saul. Last time he refused to harm him. Now Abishai, the brother Joab (David’s military captain) asks David if he can kill Saul for him.

David reminds everyone Saul is still God’s anointed. Instead of killing him with his spear, Abishai steals the spear and water jug while Saul is asleep. When they were at a safe distance, David calls out to Abner (Saul’s general), accusing him of sleeping on the job.

Saul hears David voice and speaks to David. David asks him why he continues to pursue and try to harm him. Saul confesses he is wrong and promises to stop attempting to harm him.

Why would David have a hard time believing Saul?

David is at his wits end. He doesn’t know what to do or where to go. At this point, David starts to make compromises that were detrimental to him.

Story

Notice David’s pessimism. God spared David time after time from the hand of Saul. Nevertheless, David determined, Saul will eventually kill me, I should escape and go to the land of the Philistines.

David leaves to go to the land of Gath, in the region of the Philistines.

Who was from Gath? (Hint: he was over nine feet tall).

David returned to the home of Goliath. The tried this once before in . He realized the foolishness of going to the home of his enemy. He acted foolish, scratched on the walls, and drooled at the mouth.

Now he returns to Gath hoping to get help from the king, Achish. David was not alone, he took 600 men with him and two of his wives.

When people compromise, who does it normally effect?

David’s compromise was a problem for him, but also those he led, including his family. The problem with compromise is it presents false security. When Saul heard David went to Gath, he stopped worrying about David, but David’s problems were just about to start.

Upon arrival in Gath to David meet with King Achish. He noticed David looked different this time. First, David chose not to act insane. Second, David did not come alone, he had 600 trained military men with him.

Achish made a good offer. I will give you the city of Ziklag. There you will be safe from Saul. You and your family can live there for free. There is one thing I want, raid some towns in the south of Judah. We can share all the proceeds and profits.

Why does Achish’s proposal sound good?

Why was his proposal bad?

The “kindness” of King Achish was nothing short of a way to control David. he was less interested in helping him and more interested in using him for selfish reasons.

The Philistines hated the Israelites, especially since God seemed to protect them. Achish reasoned he could not defeat Israel, but what if one of their own started to fight against them? Achish wanted to use David as a pawn in his goal of regional dominance.

True to his word David agreed to the plan, but with one caveat. David deeply loved the people of Judah. He could not bring himself to defeat the people he would one day lead. Therefore, David devised a plan.

He

Instead of going to Judah, he would go to other countries as far aways as Egypt. Then when he returned, Achish asked, where have you been?

David deceived Achish by replying, “the southern area of Judah.” They way he answered made Achish think he was defeating his own people.

How did David keep the truth hidden?

He killed everyone, men, women, and children. David’s compromise caused him to become a ruthless man, all for the sake of protection from Saul.

David was engrossed in compromise. He now lived a life of duplicity, meaning he deceived those around him by pretending to be someone he was not.

How does compromise cause Christians to pretend?

David was an excellent pretender, but he did not fool God. The Lord saw David’s compromise. We notice not once in the next couple chapters do we see David praying, praising, or singing to God.

For sixteen months David was in this position of compromise. He stayed in Ziklag and depended on the help of King Achish, instead of trusting God to prepare the way to the throne.

Application

Psychologist Rollo May explains, “Man is the only animal that runs faster when he has lost his way.”

Knowing every decision we make affects the next decision we make, we must be methodical and thoughtful in what we do. However, it can become difficult when we do not know the future and we seem stuck.

In those moments, we are tempted to act like David. Instead of trusting that God will lead us, we start making decisions without thinking out the possible outcomes.

Too often compromise becomes our first option. The problem with compromise is it takes us backward. For David, it led him back to Gath. For us, it could lead us back into temptation.Second, compromise makes us live a double life, pretending to be someone we are not.

Second, compromise makes us live a double life, pretending to be someone we are not.

Why do spiritual compromise take us backward?

What ways do we live a double life when we spiritually compromise?

How do spiritual compromises negatively affect our family?

What consequences await us if we stay on the track of spiritual compromise?

Eventually David got back on the right track, but not before his compromises wreaked havoc on his family and those he lead. Let’s avoid the pitfalls of spiritual compromise by looking for ways where our commitment to God lacks.

Challenge

Look for ways we have compromised recently.

Remember the negative consequences that accompany personal compromises.

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction when we start to compromise.

Pray for boldness to make the right choice in the face of compromise.

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