DAVID IS KEPT FROM FIGHTING ISRAEL

PROCLAMATION

“And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, ‘Make the 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 …’ ”  1 Samuel 29:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  As the Philistines gathered all their forces to do battle against Israel, David and his men were at the rear with Achish and his men. (1 Samuel 29:1-2)  The commanders of the Philistines asked Achish, “What about these Hebrews?”  Achish replied that David had been with him for over a year and had served him well.  The commanders said he cannot go into battle with us, send him back to his home.  Then they said, “Is not this David, of whom they sang … Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” (1 Samuel 29:3-5)  Achish then told David that while he was pleased with him, the commanders were displeased with him and they will not let him join them in the battle against Israel.  Achish told David to leave in the morning as soon as it is light so as not to upset the Philistine commanders.  The next morning David and his men did as he was told and left and returned to Ziklag. (1 Samuel 29:6-11)

 

APPLICATION

Once again The Lord God “moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” (Hymn by William Cowper)  He kept David from fighting and killing his own people.  There are times when The Lord closes a door in front of us to protect us from an unseen danger or sin.  “… He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” (Revelation 3:7)  There is no need to stay and continue to look at the closed door.  Move on to the door that He has opened.  If by chance there are no open doors for you, then praise Him in the hallway or wherever you are until a door opens for you.  Then thank Him for opening the door and for protecting you from whatever it was that He kept you from.