David on the Run

The wait

We’ve been in this latest lock down for about 6 weeks now. And yes I know that those in Sydney can double that - but we’re all at that point now of just wanting to get out.

And so comes the big wait.

Now, we’ve actually been given some indication of how this is all going to play out. Maybe you love the plan. Maybe you don’t. But either way, there’s a whole lot of waiting and biding our time.

And this can be hard.

It’s hard because something we so desperately want seems to be so close at hand yet we can’t grab hold of it.

It’s made even harder as we look around our little region and assess - the risk seems so small - so why can’t we have some of those freedoms now.

Waiting can be hard whatever the circumstances. We have to wait all the time.

Recently I had a covid test. It was nothing really. I just had a runny nose. But thought I should do the right thing. Well I remember 24 hours after the test, I still didn’t have the results. It wasn’t so much that I was worried about having Covid, but I just wanted to get that result. In the end, it came about 6 hours later, a total of 30 hours after the test. Not that long really, but yet shows the struggle we have with waiting.

Now I suspect each of you has a story about some pressing need in your life that you cried out to God. In hindsight, you might be able to look back and see that God’s timing was actually perfect, but at the time you wonder - why is God taking so long?

Even now, from our church perspective, we’re in a period where our finances are struggling. For various reasons, the number of young families have dropped. We don’t have sufficient leaders to run youth group. And we’ve been crying out - God, you seem to be doing something but why aren’t things falling into place like we might expect?

I can give God a list and say: look God, if you just give me these things, I could do amazing things for you!

But yet here we are waiting. The long…hard…agonising wait.

We are in good company though.

Go through your bible and you’ll find Abraham, having received a promise of being a father of nations had to wait decades. And even when the promised child arrived it was a long time before the new people group grew to anything that would even resemble a nation.

Or take Moses who found himself leading a nation in the wilderness for 40 years following a promise of a land flowing with milk and honey.

Well, today, as we continue our look at David, where going to find another example of someone waiting. I’m going to be exploring this period today and looking at what David learns and what posture he takes.

From this I want to think about what posture we should be taking into the periods of waiting that we have.

David’s wait

So what is it that David is waiting for?

Well, two weeks ago, we looked at 1 Samuel 16. The youngest son of Jesse was chosen, not because he was the strongest or smartest, but because God saw his heart - a heart prepared by God to see things differently.

And so the prophet Samuel annoints David. David is set to be king. David is God’s annointed.

But this annointing happens while King Saul is still on the throne. King Saul of course was the king that God had given the nation of Israel after they asked for a king just like the other nations.

King Saul was tall. He was fierce and determined. He was prepared to do what it takes to get a job done. He was someone people could look up to as a bold leader.

So David’s been promised the kingdom, but while Saul is on the throne, it would have to wait.

Last week we looked at perhaps one of the most famous stories from the Bible - David and Goliath. It was effectively like David’s break through moment. That moment where he distinguishes himself from the others.

And David does cause a stir. But King Saul remains on the throne.

And so begins the long, arduous, agonising even, journey that takes David into some rather desperate situations.

I’m going to do a quick survey through this time to give you a sense of what David goes through.

If you want to flick through the chapters with me, I’ll be starting at 1 Samuel 18, just after David’s victory of Goliath.

Saul’s paranoia

Well, we see that David start earning a reputation for being successful on military missions. So much so that the people form a song:

“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands”

Well, this is perhaps the start of the turn in the relationship between Saul and David.

In Saul’s mind, he starts thinking that the next step would be for the people to hand David the kingdom. And so starts a paranoia which we’re going to see grow quite substantially as this story continues.

By chapter 19, we see this paranoia grow to the point that Saul wants to kill David.

Firstly by asking others to do it, but then in 1 Samuel 19:9, we have the disturbing scene where Saul throws a spear at David while he is playing the lyre.

As you might imagine David doesn’t want to stick around, so he makes a escape with a bit of trickery. His wife Michal, who is also Saul’s daughter, pretends David is sick in bed while he makes a run for it.

David’s perspective

Now, I want you to try and put yourself in David’s position for a moment.

In one regard things are going amazingly well. You can’t put a foot wrong. Everything you are trying is successful. And what’s more, everyone loves you.

Everyone, that is, except the most powerful person in the country. So at the same time you’re enjoying great success, your also fearful for your own life.

Imagine the ways your thoughts will then turn towards that one person that bringing you down.

But what we’re going to see, is that David sees things differently.

Actually, if you were listening to my message on David and Goliath, this is exactly the point I was trying to make then.

David saw that battle in a very different light to everyone else.

And we’re going to see David look at Saul in a very different light too.

David and Jonathan

Now during this time, we also see a growing friendship between David and Saul’s son Jonathan.

In fact, the bond that forms between the two of them is really quite extraordinary.

This is about as close as a friendship is going to get.

This close bond is made all the more extraordinary when you consider their circumstances. David has been annointed to replace Saul as king, but Jonathan is the natural successor, so while ever Jonathan is alive, there will be a problem with David’s claim for the throne.

It will become clear that they are well aware of this implication, and yet the bond doesn’t split. And I want to suggest this is because David, and also Jonathan in this situation, sees things differently.

You see, from a worldly perspective, this bond does not make sense. Both David and Jonathan should be wary of each other. They should be holding each other at arms length.

Well, I’m going to hold onto the question of why, while we continue our survey of this time.

You see, after Jonathan confirms without a doubt that his father wants to kill his friend David, David runs off again.

David on the run

In chapter 21, David goes to Nob and meets with the priest. David’s got a following of men now with him. Probably quite a small group at this stage, but we’ll see this grow throughout the time.

At Nob, David finds himself with Goliath’s sword.

It is interesting to note that when David went up against Goliath he had no sword at all. But it’s a different time now, so different measures are needed.

As David continues his run from Saul he find himself in none other than Gath.

Now I wonder if the name Gath is ringing any bells for anyone??

Do you remember where our Goliath came from? That’s right, this is Goliath’s home town.

Now this is a bold move by David, maybe even reckless - although I suspect it perhaps more out of desperation than anything else.

Unfortunately David is actually recognised in this town - but in a twist that you would never have seen coming, David starts scratching at the gate and drooling in the pretence of a madman.

And in this bizarre way, he escapes.

Next stop is a cave in Adullam (and if you’re following along, I’m now in chapter 22).

Now remember I said he had a small group with him earlier. Well here in this cave we start to see that grow. And in 22:2 it tells us that it is those who were in distress or in debt or discontented that were gathering.

And we’re told a number now - he has about 400 men with him.

It’s interesting to note that when Israel first asked for a king back in 1 Sam 8, Samuel warned them what it would be like, and that’s exactly why we’re seeing all those disaffected people.

Growing paranoia

Well, as chapter 22 continues, we see Saul’s paranoia grow. He’s intent on killing David, and even when he’s told by others that David is loyal, he doesn’t listen.

And that’s just the thing. David is loyal. David has every reason to take vengance on Saul after the way he’s been treated. But he doesn’t.

Unfortunately in chapter 22, when the priest himself tries to tell Saul that David is no danger, the priest ends up murdered - and this is when we see how bad things have really got for Saul.

While David is going to become to Christ figure later (something I’ll explore more in a few weeks), Saul is becoming the anti-Christ figure.

David saves Keilah

Now there’s a lot of extraordinary things in these chapters we’re exploring today, but another one happens in chapter 23 which when you think about it, shows how different David is. I want to show how it’s because of how differently David sees things.

You see, David is informed that the Philistines are fighting against Keilah. Keilah is an Israelite town near the border of Israel and Philistia.

Now let’s just think about this. David is already in danger. Fighting the Philistines should be Saul’s job - after all, what’s his purpose if not to look after his people.

And what’s more, David’s group is just a rag tag bunch of disgruntled followers.

In other words, David has no reason to help out, and every reason to look after himself.

But he doesn’t. He saves them.

And guess what he gets for his efforts. Well, if you’re in chapter 23, you’ll see the citizens of Keilah informing Saul about David!

Before I move on, it’s interesting to note that the group of 400, has now swelled to 600. There’s certainly something about David that is drawing people to him.

The chase

Well, the chase is now on, and chapter 23 narrates it for us.

Saul is on one side of the mountain. David on the other.

Saul’s men are closing in.

As clever as David is, if these men catch him, they will stand no chance.

So what happens?

Well, what do you know. At just the right moment, Saul receives word that the Philistines are raiding a land and so he has to call off the chase.

Now let’s just step back a moment. Remember we’re in this period where David is waiting for that fulfillment of his annointing. With this relentless chase it’s seeming more and more hopeless, yet God keeps turning up at just the right time.

We might ask, why doesn’t God just make this happen a much quicker way - after all, it would be well in his power to do so. But let’s just keep watching to see what happens.

David spares Saul

Well, in chapter 24 we get the first of two very similar stories - the second being chapter 26.

Some people suggest that perhaps this is recording issue - that is, that over time the story changed, and it was written down as two stories, but really it just happened once.

But I don’t think that’s the case. I think there were two occasions. In fact, there are plenty of other times in the Bible where two very similar stories occur close to each other. I think when this happens, God is really trying to draw our attention to it. And so that’s what I want to do now.

On both occasions, Saul is told about the whereabouts of David.

In chapter 24, David is in a cave in En Gedi. In chapter 26, David is on the hill of Hakilah.

Both times, Saul sets out with three thousand men. David’s number might have grown, but they would be no much for Saul’s army.

The stories then diverge a bit.

In chapter 24, Saul goes to relieve himself in the cave.

In chapter 26, Saul and all his men are in a deep sleep.

But both times, David finds himself with the same dilemma. Saul is a sitting duck.

Saul can be killed with the greatest of ease.

So how would you read such a situation?

Well let’s think about it.

Saul is very explicitly and actively trying to kill David. Perhaps God has placed Saul there so David can act decisively.

This is certainly the way that the men who are with David read the situation.

Particularly the first time, I think David had a hard time not thinking this way too.

He creeps up unnoticed, but whether it was a change in mind, or his intention all along, he just cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe.

But even this action leaves David feeling conscience-stricken.

After Saul leave the cave, David calls out. He tries to allay that paranoia that had been growing in Saul. He tries to convince him that even though he had the chance, he did not kill him, because it would not be right.

Saul seems to agree, and calls off the chase, but given we have the same thing happen in chapter 26, you have to doubt the sincerity of Saul’s words.

Now in chapter 26, remember I said that Saul and his men were all in a deep sleep. Again David’s men urge him to kill Saul, but David instead takes Saul’s spear and water jug that were next to his head.

Again, David calls out. Again David insists on his innocence.

A new perspective

Now we really need to stop here and figure out, what is David doing?

You need to recognise this has nothing to do with David being a pacifist. David is clearly a man of war and has no qualms about killing.

This is different.

It’s different in the same way that David formed this strong bond with Saul’s son against good common sense.

David acts differently because he sees things differently.

So what is the perspective that David has?

Righteousness and Faithfulness

Well, I think we get a hint in two words David says towards the end of the chapter. Two words which are very easy to just gloss over.

Now remember, David has just taken the spear and jug, and now he invites one of Saul’s men to come over and get it.

But it is in the next line, verse 23, that we find the two words I want to highlight.

He says, “The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness”.

We might gloss over that because perhaps it just seems like David is rubbing their nose in the situation.

But I think there is actually an insight here to the way David is thinking.

You see, I think these two words, righteousness and faithfulness, really highlight the difference between how David think and how others think.

With both words, you need to take yourself out of the situation and think of others.

Being righteous doesn’t mean doing the thing that is right to get you ahead. It is about doing what is right in the eyes of God.

And faithfulness is really the opposite of living for yourself.

You see, righteousness and faithfulness is the result of when your eyes are firmly fixed on God.

David had a perspective where he could see something bigger than him.

If his perspective was on himself, things would have been very different. Because he would have done the things that would have served him. And this would have meant taking the chances he had to rid the challenge against him.

David had a following. Even beyond the 600 that were with him at this point in the story, the reality is that people everywhere, including in Saul’s own family, really adored David - because they saw God’s annointing on him.

He could have milked it for all it’s worth.

But instead he allowed this period to develop a sense of doing what is right rather than what is expedient.

So let’s take this back to our situation now.

Often we might find little ways to get out of our little waiting pattern.

If you cheat on your taxes, you could save yourself quite some money.

If you manipulate people for your own end, you can often get ahead.

The temptation can be very great.

And don’t pretend the temptation isn’t real.

Even Jesus himself was faced with similar temptation. Remember, just after Jesus was baptised, he spent forty days and forty nights in the wilderness being tempted by the devil.

On three separate occasions we read of the devil trying to make a deal with Jesus. Effectively the temptation was - I can make you mission a whole lot easier if you just concede a little to me.

We’re tempted because sometimes it seems so small.

The wrong is so insignificant… it’s better I do this little wrong now and cut my waiting time, than to hold the whole system up.

These times of waiting are hard, but they help us to become more Christ like.

During this period that I’ve described this morning, we have no less than seven Psalms that have a direct attribution of one of these occurences.

If you were to look at these, you see how David was shaped.

But we can only do it when we see differently.

Conclusion

I don’t want to pretend this is easy. No one likes waiting.

So why does God make us wait? Well, the answer probably depends on your set of circumstances, but at least in part it is to shape us to be Christ like.

The reality is that we rarely see the full perspective of what is going on. Even in hindsight when we have a much better view of what has just happened, we still don’t see everything.

But we can know that God is always in control.

The best way to focus on this time of waiting is, rather than thinking what is right for me, to think, what is right in God’s eyes.

Things do change for David. And because he did it the right way, we see a very different king to all the others that we see.

Let me pray...