This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo)) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to 1 Samuel Chapter 29, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In 1 Samuel Chapter 29 David is summoned to war with the Philistines who are going to attack Israel in the north. We don't know how long David and his men were mercenaries for Achish up to this point, but it was at least for two years minimum.
Though Achish trusts David, some of the Philistines commanders have doubts, so they push for David to be left behind. The Lord is very gracious to David and delivers him from his dilemma of being a double agent. It's no wonder David later writes in the Psalms that the Lord delivers the righteous from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:19)
David isn’t really wanting to go to war, but has to be annoyed to support his position of double agent. But the Lord is so gracious to him here for multiple reasons. Not only is he saved from his position as double agent, but his home town of ziklag has been raided, and God is freeing him to go save his family. The Lord is always in the detail.
Having said that... if David went to war, what would he actually have done? Undoubtedly he would have turned and fought the Philistines, and the Lord didn’t want that to happen either. God wanted to put Saul to death. In our trickiest moments of life, the Lord is in the detail, and we must trust Him.
Oct 4, 2021 | Message by David Alley