Hey guys! Keep the comments coming. I enjoy hearing what you have to say!
1st Samuel chapter 29.
David was faithful to the King of the Philistines. He served him and was welcomed by the king. He was embraced by the king. He was treated so well that David was willing to go into battle with the Philistines and against his own people of Israel. It doesn't say, but I have to entertain the thought that God did not allow him to go into battle because it was against God's chosen people. David was so willing to be loyal to a King who embraced him and welcomed him. Unlike Saul who made life constantly miserable for David and even wanted to kill him. David wanted to serve King Saul but was not embraced by Saul but instead Saul hunted him down.
Personally, I don't see David as a traitor. I see him as a man of respect.
- David showed it to Saul (God's anointed) even when Saul was trying to kill him.
- David showed it to the King of the Philistines (God's enemy).
Am I a man of respect?
- Am I a man of respect when working alongside my Christian friends in and outside the church?
- Am I a man of respect when working alongside non-Christians?
- Am I willing to invest my time and energy and be committed to ensure both parties get the same respect without compromising my faith with God?
- Perhaps God new fighting with the Philistines against Israel was going too far and made sure David did not find favor with the commanders of the Philistine army.
- We need to be aware of our surroundings when with Christians and non-Christians. We need to ensure we don't make decisions that compromise our faith.
Perhaps, the moral of the story is: ALWAYS RESPECT BUT NEVER COMPROMISE ONE'S FAITH. I'm reminded of Romans 12:1-2
I think that David was a man of respect.
Would he fight against his own people?
Would he turn on Achish when they went into battle?
He might have been considered a traitor with either choice. It turned out that he didn’t have to do either this time.
The commanders of the Philistines knew about David’s reputation and the risk that it would be for them to have him there so God kept David from being part of that. David didn’t know it yet, but he was about to go on a rescue mission instead.
I thought I would share what I read today from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
In another Bible Study, I am learning to read God’s Word and then note what it tells me about God. Yes, there is almost always application to my own life but first I try to recognize what it tells me about God’s character. It helps me to know Him better.
Reading today’s passage, immediately God’s sovereignty stands out. God in His great mercy kept David from having to fight against Saul and his brother Israelites. Our Lord is faithful even when we are not.
Whether I’m faithful or faithless, good or bad, glad or sad, He does exactly what He promised … He never leaves or forsakes me no matter what. He is trustworthy; He is faithful; we are so blessed.
God saved David from having to make the difficult choice of fighting against his own people or fighting against the army he marched with and against Achish. I believe because David was a faithful man that God was truly watching over him to avoid having to make a decision either way. God rewards those who are faithful.