LIVING WITH THE ENEMY

PROCLAMATION

“And David arose, and he passed over with six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoh, king of Gath.  And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household …”  1 Samuel 27:2-3 (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.  After David had spared Saul’s life a second time, he did not believe that Saul would stop seeking to destroy him.  So he took his six hundred men and went to Gath in the land of the Philistines.  He settled with Achish son of Maok king of Gath. (1 Samuel 27:1-3)  When Saul heard that David had fled to Gath he stopped searching for him. (1 Samuel 27:4)  David asked Achish if he and his men and their families could settle in one of the small country towns on the outskirts of Gath.  Achish gave him the town of Ziklag and David lived there for a year and four months. (1 Samuel 27:5-7)  While he was there, David led his men against the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites.  These were the old inhabitants of Canaan, the remains of the Amorites whom Manasseh had never fully expelled from the land.  Whenever David attacked an area he did not leave a man or woman alive.  However, he took their livestock, clothing, and any valuables that they have had. (1 Samuel 27:8-9)  When Achish questioned David regarding his raiding activities, his answer pleased him. (1 Samuel 27:10-12)

 

APPLICATION

While we do not think of them this way, our enemies can be helpful.  The Lord God can use one enemy to protect us from another enemy.  People do not have to be believers in order to be used by God.  He can also have our enemies fighting among themselves, or fighting each other, for our benefit.  The Lord God “moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” (Hymn by William Cowper)  He protects His own, however He chooses to do it.  It does not matter what situation we find ourselves in, “The Lord will make a way somehow.” (Hymn by Thomas Dorsey) (1 Corinthians 10:13)  Don’t question Him, just thank Him.