DAVID, HERO OF GATH
1 Samuel 27-31

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David: Free Agent (27)

1. David resides in Philistia
   • Protection from Saul
   • Goes to Achish, King of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15)
   • Ziklag – becomes a royal city
2. David becomes a raider
   • Amalekites (v. 8)

David: Double Agent

The Bible mentions the Kenites as living in or around Canaan as early as the time of Abraham. (Genesis 15:18-21.) At the Exodus the tribe inhabited the vicinity of Mount Sinai and Horeb. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses was a Kenite, (Judges 1:16) as was his wife, Jethro's daughter, Zipporah. (Exodus 2:21.) Elsewhere, however, Jethro is said to have been "priest of Midian" (Exodus 3:1) and a Midianite (Numbers 10:29), leading many scholars to believe that the terms are intended (at least in parts of the Bible) to be used interchangeably, or that the Kenites formed a part of the Midianite tribal grouping. The Kenites journeyed with the Israelites to Canaan (Judges 1:16); and their encampment, apart from the latter's, was noticed by Balaam. (Numbers 24:21-22.)
Amalekites – Exodus 17, 1 Samuel 15.

Israel vs Philistia (28)

1. David is dismissed
   • Achish’s commanders do not trust David
2. Saul seeks spiritual help
   • God is silent
   • Consults a medium to conjure up Samuel

Leaders in Crisis

1. Saul: Turns to a medium (28)
2. David: Turns to the ephod (30)
3. David vs. Amalekites – Victory and Rescue
4. Saul vs. Philistines – Humiliation and Defeat

Who is King in Israel?

• Saul and his sons are dead
• Israelite Army is scattered
• Israel is occupied by the enemy
• The pagan gods are honored, Saul is humiliated
• David is away in Ziklag
• Who leads Israel now?

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 2 August 2009

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