David, the misfit
Introduction
Have you ever felt like you didn't belong? You have felt like you just are not accepted and do not fit in? We all have felt this way at times. Perhaps we are looking in the wrong places, for approval? Why are we so concerned to please others? Perhaps we just feel rejected? David had made some wrong decisions and had found himself in a place where he just did not belong. Choose who you will serve, choose wisely, the only choice is the LORD God. He alone is worthy of our trust and our life's hopes. Yes, by serving others we serve God. But, never is it right to serve the enemies of God and to obey them. God must be the one we worship and obey. He will reward us and his word is true.
1 Sam 29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
1 Sam 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
The Philistines are ready for battle, having penetrated into Israel. What is David and his men doing among the Philistines, going into battle against God's people? Remember how he got his start, defending God's people?
1 Sam 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
David was in a place he never thought he would be; serving the enemy king and ready to go into battle against God's people. He was backslidden so far, that it was incredible. How many of us have found ourselves where we never thought we would be. He was worse than a lowly shepherd, he was actually serving the enemy against Israel. This was against everything he had committed his life to uphold. God is not finished with us, even when we are backslidden, God has his hand on us.
1 Sam 29:3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
The princes of the Philistines, (Palestinians) did not trust David. They remembered what he was, a legend, and a renown enemy. Usually the enemy will not let you forget your past. But, in this case they remembered the exploits of David, the things David had left behind. They would not receive him as an equal. This prevented David from destroying his future as king of Israel. The holy spirit works in our favor, keeping us from completely falling.
The king had seen an excellent spirit in David. He found no fault in him.
1 Sam 29:4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
Make David return, they did not trust him. He might turn on them, to look good in Israel's eyes.
1 Sam 29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
Saul feared David and was envious because the women sang this song. The song was also known among the Philistines, who also feared and hated their enemy. Could they so easily forget this enemy man of great exploits? He had risen to fame by destroying their Philistine warriors.
1 Sam 29:6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
The king liked David, but because of the unhappy princes, David must return to Ziglag. The Lord knew that David was in the wrong place going in the wrong direction. He put a road block up to stop him.
Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psa 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Psa 139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
1 Sam 29:7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
David wanted to be accepted, but why? He was not accepted in Israel, because of Saul. He was not accepted by the Philistines, because of the princes. Why was David trying to please everyone? This is as the world seeking to be tolerant, only tolerance never really was for all, but for those who were not true Christians. We must know where we belong and who we serve. God does not tolerate sin. No sinner or devil will be tolerated by God in his presence. Why was David willing to serve his enemies?
1 Sam 29:8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
Too many seek the worlds favor. Who cares if we are rejected by the world? It is the favor of God that is important. David had sunken to a low place, begging to fight his own people.
1 Sam 29:9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
1 Sam 29:10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
David, king Achashes angel was told to return to his place in Ziglag. Had David become so confused that he had become of no use? No direction in life? He needed to seek the LORD. He was wide open to satan and his destruction.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deu 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;...He will not forsake thee.
1 Sam 29:11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
No doubt David was feeling useless. We should never allow discouragement, we should remember who we are in God and count our blessings. God is our strength, he cares for us.
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