S2: 1 Samuel 25–27: The Wilderness Years

Welcome to a year in the Bible with daily grace. From even to eternity, the Bible tells one big story of redemption. My name is Tiffany and I want to spend a few minutes with you every day walking through the Bible chronologically. Together, we will explore God's sovereign plan as the events of Scripture unfold and point to Jesus. Hey, you're in the Bible family. Welcome back. Tiffany here and today we head back to first Samuel and look at chapters 25 through 27. David is still on the run and we could easily categorize this time as the wilderness years. And anytime we face a season in the actual wilderness or the spiritual wilderness, there is much for us to learn. It is in the wilderness we learn valuable lessons and what it means to rely on the Lord. We will see this in David's life today throughout the various events we read. But we will also see how it points our hearts to Christ when we face wilderness seasons as well. When we were last in first Samuel, David had spared Saul's life. David could have easily killed Saul when he wandered into the cave where David was hiding, but David honored the Lord by sparing Saul's life. When we arrive at first Samuel 25, we're told that Samuel has died. Israel gathered to mourn him and David went to the wilderness of Peron. Even though Saul had promised not to harm David, David knew better. All in the wilderness, he looked to make a valuable ally with a wealthy man named Nebel. As we read about Nebel's disrespectful and contemptuous answer to David's men, we realize why his name means "stupid" or "foolish." Nebel was a Calebite, meaning he was from the line of Caleb, who helped conquer the Promised Land, which means he and David were from the same tribe of Judah. This would have been a valuable alliance for both men, but Nebel acted selfishly and irresponsibly. But while Nebel was foolish, Scripture tells us that his wife Abigail was both intelligent and filled with discernment. After her husband lacked as a leader, Abigail took action to make things right. She listened to the account of the young men who worked for her husband, and after their good report of David's men, she sought to rectify the situation quickly. We want to note that the amount of food and supplies she gathered and took to David was similar to what the caravan of a king would possess. This was a large and impressive gift. Abigail's actions not only saved her people, but she stopped David from taking unnecessary vengeance. Her actions reminded David that it is the Lord who takes vengeance. The Lord will always fight for his glory and his plan of redemption. Nebel's hardened heart truly becomes hardened as he likely experienced a heart attack or a stroke. And then the Lord struck him dead. David likely admired Abigail's wisdom and beauty, and he then asked her to marry him. But he also married another woman named Ahnoem. Sadly, David followed the cultural norms of that time when multiple wives were an accepted practice. For this was not the pattern for marriage that God instituted, and though David will face great trials in his life, none will be more painful than the ones that come from his many wives and children. God's plan for marriage was always to be between one man and one woman. The narrative moves forward in chapter 26 when we read that the Ziffites came to Saul and told him where David was hiding. The Ziffites were a fellow clan from Judah. In essence, they turned on their own tribesmen when they told David's whereabouts. Saul, once again, takes men to pursue David. And for this second time, David has the opportunity to kill Saul, but doesn't. We are introduced to Abishai, who goes with David into Saul's camp as his army sleeps. Abishai and his brother, Joab, will later play an important role. They are the nephews of David. The Lord placed Saul and his men in a deep sleep, and while Abishai wants to take Saul's spear and kill him, David honors the role of the king and trusts God's plan in the situation. If I were David, and I had been on the run for many years, this would have been a hard opportunity to pass up. But that has me thinking like Abishai. What we see is David's trust in the Lord in the way he handles the situation. He did not take the easy road. Instead, he took Saul's spear and water jug and followed the Lord's lead. When the confrontation comes, we can almost feel David's frustration and exhaustion in his speech to Saul. Which of the Psalms we've read so far gave us a glimpse of his distress and despair while on the run? He feels like he's been banished from the inheritance God gave to the Israelites, through both the land and worship at the Tabernacle. It is as if he should go and worship other gods because he can't worship and offer sacrifices while fleeing for his life. Saul's response is one of regret, not repentance. Though he believes he's made a grave error, his actions in the future will not display a changed heart. And though Saul tells David to come back, David knows better. But sadly, he tries an old tactic. He returns to the Philistines and Gaen. And though that plan didn't work the last time, it does seem to work this time when David presents himself and his men as mercenaries. Scripture tells us that David lived in Ziclac, the land given to him by Akish. He lived there for one year and four months. During this time, he went on many raids and killed every woman, man, and child in the towns of the Israelites' enemies. He would also have the opportunity to see the advanced military techniques of the Philistines, which would help later when he became king. God was nothing, even when we are in the wilderness of life. Though his flight and time in the wilderness was difficult, David learned many lessons. He was reminded that vengeance is the lords. David honored Saul's role as king and trusted that the Lord would fight for him. And even while living among the Philistines, David took advantage of the inside knowledge of the enemy. And though God utilized each of these events to teach and help David, we also see the beginning of David's sin patterns. First with marrying multiple wives, and through the lies he told Akish. Then and lies will be problematic in David's future, but God will still use him for his purposes and to further the plan of redemption. This provides believers with great hope. Even though we still sin and fail often, we are covered by the blood of Christ and God still uses us. Though we fail, we have the grace of God in our lives to enable us to repent and move forward in victory. And when we face seasons in the wilderness, we can trust that God is still there. Just as he spoke through the prophet Isaiah and Isaiah 43-19, "Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness." God's plans are best, even when we're in the wilderness. We can trust him because he is faithful, just as we'll see in the several Psalms we read tomorrow. Thanks for joining me today. I will see you tomorrow, friends. Bye!