Read: 1 Sam. 26-27:7; 1 Chron. 12:1-7: 1 Sam. 28-29:11; Ps. 56
Once again, God gives David the opportunity to take the kingdom or wait for Him to give it to him. David passes the test once again. Saul begged David’s forgiveness and begged him to come home but David could see through his fake apology. He knew that the only way he was going to be safe from Saul would be to deflect to the Philistines. Saul would not come into their territory. So, that is what David did. It took him further from his destiny.
He joins Achish and fights with him winning his devotion and favor. But, when it came time to fight the Israelites, other leaders didn’t trust David’s loyalty and refused to let him fight. This offended David greatly and his men.
In Saul’s camp, he is nervous about fighting the Philistines so he consults God. God doesn’t answer through dreams, lots, or the prophets so Saul seeks a medium or a witch. Samuel had Saul outlaw all mediums but his men knew of a witch who lived in Endor. He disguised himself and went to see her. We can learn some keys about the spirit world in this story.
First, we see that the dead went to sleep under the earth. No one went to heaven till Jesus rose. Secondly, we see that she could bring a dead person out of his grave. People see dead people today. It is called necromancy. God told us not to practice this and he wouldn’t have told us not to do it if it wasn’t possible to do. Samuel was able to continue prophesying even after he died. Our gifts are eternal.
What a terrible ending for Saul. He started in the spirit and ended in the flesh. His desperation led to asking the dark side for answers. God was in control of that too. His life could have been so different if he had only obeyed the Lord.
Lord, let us read this with fear and awe. Help us to obey the smallest request of your heart.
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