Saul continues to follow David to kill him, and David continues to keep from being killed. David finds ways to show Saul he can not be harmed while Saul lies to David, pretending his love. God had placed Saul in the kingship and David honored the Lord's decision, knowing that someday, when Saul died by someone else's hand, then it would be time for his own kingship, if the Lord still willed it. David would not run ahead of God's purposes.
Now, one day, David had set out to a place where Saul and his army were camped. It was nighttime, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. His favorite guards were lying near him. David's men wanted to kill Saul, but David forbid it, saying, "Just bring back his spear and water jug that lay near his head." And so it happened. But David wasn't above heckling Saul about it, and stood across the space between them, heckling Saul's right hand man, Abner, "Why didn't you guard the lord your king? Here is his spear and water jug in my hands." Saul said, "Is that you, David, my son?" And David replied, "Yes it is, my lord and king!" And he added, "Why are you pursuing your servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? Now let my lord king listen to his servant's words. If the Lord God has incited you against me, then let me give an offering. If men have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! I have now been driven from my share in the Lord's plan for me. You, the king of Israel, have come out to look for a flea--as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."
Saul answered, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted a fool and have erred greatly." But it took David just a moment to consider Saul's words, sad that his old friend had once again followed him to kill him..and lied about it to cover his sin. And David just went on his way, with Saul returning home.
David thought to himself, "One of theses days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines, for Saul will not find me there. So, David and his men with him went over to Achish, son of the king of Gath. The men settled there, each with his own family, and David with his two wives, Abigail and Ahinoam of Jezreel. And Saul did not search for David in Gath.
David said to Achish, "If you have found favor with me, let a place be assigned to us in one of your country towns, where I and my people may live. I am your servant and should not live in the royal city with you." And Achish was flattered and granted David to live in Ziklag, which since that time has belonged to the kings of Judah. David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months.
Although David was safe for a while from Saul, he raided many of the Philistine territories, leaving no person alive and taking the clothing and animals from the people. Why would a hero do that?
Study/He had a huge group of people to care for and needed the animals to feed them, and wanted no one alive in these places to tell Achish the reality of their deeds. Also, Achish expects military support from David when it is needed. And is therefore, not going to find blame; but is glad to shelter an Israelite traitor.
The world is different today, but in some ways the same. There are still wars for selfish reasons, and wars for taking care and keeping safe one's own. Personally, I hate war.
Hoping and praying there will never be a World War III.
Jo INMN
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