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The Agora
Bible Commentary
1 Samuel

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1 Samuel 27

1Sa 27:1

1Sa 27: "Yet for a further time, David sought refuge amongst the Philistines (vv 1-4), and it must have seemed that he was governed by a lack of faith. Even this great man reveals his moments of weakness. Achish, however, provided David with refuge in Ziklag (vv 5-7). This opened the way for David to weaken Israel's enemies (vv 8,9), and to bring Achish into confusion (vv 10-12). In these experiences, David reveals himself as a type of the Lord Jesus, who also faced trial from the enemies of Yahweh, and ultimately brought them into confusion" (GEM).

ONE OF THESE DAYS I WILL BE DESTROYED: During these last days of trials, David's faith falters somewhat. There was, in fact, no evidence that he would perish -- but much the reverse.

"The thought of David's heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no ground for thinking that God's anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty unmeaning act. On no one occasion had the Lord deserted His servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one instance had occurred in which divine interposition had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many -- yet in every case He who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, 'Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me,' for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very reverse. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would be his defender still. But is it not just in the same way that we doubt God's help? Is it not mistrust without a cause? Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father's goodness? Have not His lovingkindnesses been marvellous? Has He once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time. We have had dark nights, but the star of love has shone forth amid the blackness; we have been in stern conflicts, but over our head He has held aloft the shield of our defence. We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that He who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it" (CHS).

1Sa 27:2

DAVID... WENT OVER TO ACHISH: David should have remained in the land of Judah (1Sa 22:5).

1Sa 27:3

He that had killed Goliath sought refuge in Goliath's land. He received a very kindly reception from an enemy of God.

1Sa 27:6

ACHISH GAVE HIM ZIKLAG: Orig promised to Judah (Jos 15:21), then to Simeon (Jos 19:5). but prob retained by Philistines until David's day.

1Sa 27:8

David is seeking to remedy former sins by some fresh assault, rather than by repentance.

1Sa 27:9

WHENEVER DAVID ATTACKED AN AREA...: Proving that the righteousness of a course is not necessarily determined by its success.

THEN HE RETURNED TO ACHISH: Why not return to Ziklag instead?

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