1 Samul 27:1-28:2 | Food for Thought
1 Samuel 27:1-28:2
Food for Thought:
Living in a Place That’s Not Your Home | Once again, David feels the need to flee to enemy territory in order to escape the clutches of Saul. This isn’t a temporary move; David asks the Philistines for a plot of land to call their own, which - to the contemporary time of the writer! - belongs to “the kings of Judah.” David’s personal stay in the land was 16 months.
One of the most interesting things about this chapter is the absence of God’s explicit voice, action, or perspective. Is David’s decision right or wrong? …wise or unwise? …faithful or faithless? What do you think?
Regardless of how you feel about his decision, David refuses to be owned by his enemies on “either side” (Saul or the Philistines). He won’t let Saul get him, and he won’t live under the gaze of the Philistines. Have you ever made the conscious decision to not put down roots, wave the flag, sign on the dotted line, or be all-in somewhere because of your convictions? Has it ever cost your relationships, opportunities, ease, etc.?
Is there any way in which you feel homeless - literally, socially, politically, spiritually, etc. - right now? Tell us more. What do you think you need to be at peace?
Just like the land that David asked for became a future home for his people, Jesus is busy preparing a place for us to dwell with him. Is it any comfort that this earth - while it isn’t our home in so many ways - will one day be remade to be the home we long for with Jesus and his people?
Living for a Purpose That’s Not the World’s | As the Philistines were accustomed to do at that time, David led his men on raiding parties of their own. However, instead of taking out the Philistines’ enemies (David’s own allies and people!), David used the opportunity to take out Israel’s enemies - and when he did, he left no survivors. His reports to the Philistines were vague enough, though, to make them think David was doing their dirty work, leading them to believe that he’d surely crossed the point of no return and could never go back home.
What do you think about David’s ruthlessness in eliminating Israel’s enemies? In one sense, he’s taking to heart the mission that Saul was given by the Lord to wipe out their enemies. In another sense, he’s also covering his own tracks. Is that selfish or shrewd Faithful or fearful? Why?
Do you have any thoughts / feelings about David’s “vague” reports to the king?
Consider all the communities you’re a part of: church, school, work, family, neighborhood, friends, etc. Do you ever feel like their expectations of what you should be doing with your life (time, energy, money, talent, goals, accomplishments, etc.) is different than what the Lord would call you to? Does that create tension or friction? How do you navigate doing “loyal work for the Lord” in the contexts of people expecting you to do work for the world?
Now consider the nature of the gospel and the kingdom of God. How is it encouraging that the very nature of those things is to take root, transform, and thrive in the midst of people and places hostile to the Lord?
Submitting to a Leader That’s Not a Country’s. The last vignette shows Achish making sure David and his men “know their place” among the Philistines. As the Philistines muster to fight the Israelites, he doesn’t want their to be any question about where David’s allegiance should lie: with them and against Israel. As he did before, David gives the king a vague assurance that leaves his wiggle room with the Lord.
What do you think about David’s answer to the king? Is David climbing the ranks with dishonesty, or is he being shrewd in the position he happens to find himself in? What would you say or do in his position?
Our political affiliations are infinitely less important than our spiritual allegiance to Jesus. While fear and flesh love to say that some topics are taboo within the church, we shouldn’t view any topic as a threat to Jesus, the church, or community. Do you bristle at the idea of letting spiritual, biblical, theological conversations brush up against politics? Why? How is avoiding politics altogether making as big of a deal about politics as those who always talk about it?
Jesus is our one and only king, and we are citizens of heaven first and foremost and forever. Whether you’re politically passionate, apathetic, or somewhere in the middle, how are you making intentional efforts to not be owned by anyone or any party? How does that show up in who / what you’re for and against, as well as the way you talk about and interact with folks on all sides?
David tells Achish that the king will find out what he can do on the battlefield. How is this particular year - and time of year - not a liability for Christians and the church, but an opportunity for us to say and see what Jesus can do? Apart from any candidate winning or losing, what do you want him to do in the midst of your group, church, etc.? How can you be a part of making that happen?