February 7, 2025

Passage Read: 1 Samuel 29 - 2 Samuel 1
Meditation Verse: 1 Samuel 29:8

Thought

Was David planning to betray the Philistines who had sheltered him and his men? They could have done great damage if they turned against them in the battle. The other leaders were right to fear David and his six hundred men. They were a small force, but blessed by God in all they undertook. Did David think he could regain Saul's favor by turning against the Philistines and handing victory to the Israelites? Or was he ready to fight against his own people? Either way, God made sure to take him out of the battle, even keeping him otherwise occupied in retrieving his own people from the Amalekites.

Application

There are moral dilemmas I would rather avoid. The best thing for David would be to remain loyal to his own people, but that might have spared Saul and delayed the Lord's plan for him. On the other hand, it would be tragic for David to fight against his own people in loyalty to the Philistines; he would doubtless do them much harm. God graciously solved the problem for him, and even gave him something to keep him busy, in case he and his men were thinking about turning back to the battle in time to save Israel! Instead, they would be occupied in saving their families. God won't always spare me from facing such choices, so I need to be ready to do what is most right in any given situation, even if it costs me greatly. But when God does deliver me, even if it is just to distract me with a more pressing need, I need to be grateful even in the trial that delivers me.