“The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. The commanders of the Philistines asked, ‘What about these Hebrews?’ Achish replied, ‘Is this not David, […]
“They have now driven me from my share in the LORD’S inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods’ ” (1Sa 26:19). David’s sad words here demonstrate that his greatest sense of loss in exile was not that of his personal comfort or material prosperity, but rather his opportunity for fellowship with God. By making […]
Commenting on the example of Abigail — the faithful wife of the wicked Nabal — Jane Roberts writes: “It sometimes happens that the husband is overbearing, and forgets the conditions which engender a loving and ready service on the part of his wife. He neglects the working out of his pattern, and takes to admonishing […]
“Saul continues his relentless pursuit of David, irrespective of the divine determination that the young man who defeated Goliath was Yahweh’s anointed-elect. It is a sad commentary on human nature that it acts in opposition to the divine will, even within the community of the faithful. The Lord Jesus himself was pursued to his death […]
David saved Keilah (men of his own tribe) from the Philistines, but then found himself, with his men, in a walled town. To Saul this was a splendid opportunity to capture or kill David — it was so much easier than hunting him in the open wilderness. And the men of Keilah, mindful of what […]
“All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader” (1Sa 22:2). Here is the beginning of David’s new flock — these were the “sheep” he was to protect from the beasts of prey! In the fulfillment of this Old Testament type, the New Testament finds […]
