Just Send Him Back

O. T #657  "Just Send Him Back"
December 17, 2015
1 Samuel 29
After much discussion, they sent them back, for they said, "It will cost us our heads if David switches loyalties to Saul and turns against us."  1 Chronicles 12:19

LET IT GLOW

When a child continues to act up, complain, disobey, respond in a hateful tone, do we think, for only a second, "just send him back?"  The Philistine commanders to send David back. Want to know why? Keep on reading then.

Well, King Saul found out, the wrong way, that he and his sons were soon going to die, and that the Philistines would defeat Israel. David and his men were marching with the Philistines, toward Israel for battle, at the rear of the King Achish's army. Some of the Philistine commanders questioned what those Hebrews were doing with them. David was a servant of King Saul of Israel.

How did this king take up for David?

• He said that David, a servant of King Saul of Israel, had been with him for quite some time.
• He added that he found not one single fault in David since he arrived in their land.

What were the  commanders' reactions to the king's answer?

• That did no suffice those commanders.
• They became angry after hearing their king defend one that was from their enemy. 
• These commanders protested that David might turn against them and become their adversary. Switch loyalties is the term used in 1 Chronicles 12:19, NLT.
• Send him back where you've gotten him.
• Is there any better way for him to reconcile with his master than by handing our heads over to him?
• Isn't this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands?"

Apparently King Achish was outnumbered by his commanders, who strongly desired David to leave them. He spoke to David concerning this new decision:

• He swore by the Lord that David had been a trustworthy ally. (verse 6)
• He thought David should have gone into battle with him.
• He had never seen a single flaw in David since he arrived in their camp.
• He blamed the other Philistine rulers for this decision.
• He asked David to please not upset them, but go back quietly.
• When David asked the king what he had done that he couldn't go.
• As far as he was concerned, David was as perfect as an angel of God. (A general meaning of "messenger of the gods," perhaps applies here since Achish was an unbeliever.)
• He told David

Falwell suggests that David was not able to join the Philistines in battle against the Israelites because of the suspicious Philistines, as well as this being within the providence of God.

Do we stand up the innocent? Are we ready to encourage the discouraged who are accused? Are we being as innocent and perfect as an angel? (Giggle) Who wouldn't like that description read at your funeral?

LET IT GROW

David and his men headed back to Ziklag, while the Philistine army went on to Jezereel, which was located only 56 miles north of Jerusalem. No wonder Saul was nervous.

This was a narrow escape for David. Had God not intervened, David would have done something that he would have regretted the rest of his life. Perhaps the same has happened to us. When we were headed down the wrong path, He intervened so we did not commit a terrible sin or make the wrong choice.

LET IT GO

Thank the Lord for "no" answers to prayers when it would have been disastrous.

Praise Him for the interventions in my life.