QT 1/17/2023 1 Sam 27:8-12, Planning and prayer

1 Samuel 27:8–12 (ESV) —

8 Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt. 9 And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. 10 When Achish asked, “Where have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.” 11 And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’ ” Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines. 12 And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.”

 

NOTE: The passage is difficult and there are a number of things that seem questionable. We need to remember Israel never finished conquering the promised land. David attacked only groups that God had commanded Israel to extinguish, so killing all occupants fulfilled the original commandment and, at the same time, provided cover for his actions. His lying to the Philistine king kept his men and their families alive. In this case, the loving thing was to not tell the Philistine leader the truth. His living in Ziklag was actually territory given to Judah/Simeon by God. Ultimately his actions recovered that city for Israel. Technically, he did not leave the promised land, but he lived in parts that had not yet been conquered. And lastly, by leaving Israel "proper," that is the land Israel had conquered, he stopped Saul from hunting him down and potentially put Saul in a position of doing something good for Israel instead of wasting his resources hunting David.

 

Up to now, David's actions have been driven by Saul's actions. He waited, but acted prudently to what Saul did. This story is different. David seems to scheme and take things into his own hands. The plan is brilliant. He finds a secure base. He stops the constant chasing by Saul. He can feed and pay for his troops by raiding. And he expands the borders of Israel by conquering areas in the promised land.

 

My biggest question has nothing to do with the lying, living with the enemy, or destroying towns -- where do we draw the line in terms of waiting and acting on our schemes? It doesn't say that David prayed and then came up with this plan. But given the number of psalms that David wrote during this time, he was clearly walking with God. And, He had positive feedback in his life now with Abigail. Maybe this was the result of walking with God and developing a plan of action.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I take my plans to God before I act?
2. Do I ask God for wisdom before I plan?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me wisdom as I make plans for the future. Help me choose my actions and words wisely. Use me for a good work and to make a difference in people's lives.