1 Samul 29:1-11 | Food for Thought
1 Samuel 29:1-11
Food for Thought:
The Importance of Trust in the Trenches • As David and his men line up to fight alongside the Philistines against Israel, the Philistine commanders question the presence of the [in]famous warrior David among their ranks. Despite Achish ignorantly vouching for David’s loyalty, the commanders insisted that the Israelite deserters were too big a risk. “What if they turn on us in the middle of battle?”
Have you ever been in a situation in which your life, job, well-being, health, etc. was in other people’s hands? How important was it for you to trust the person / people around you? What was at risk if you didn’t trust them?
It’s hard to argue with the Philistine commanders’ reasoning. What was at stake for them if David and his men couldn’t be trusted? What would’ve / could’ve happened if David and his men marched into battle with them?
If trust in the trenches is so important for an earthly conflict, how much more important is it for eternal matters? Spiritually speaking, what’s at stake in the trenches you put yourself in, as well as the hands you put your life in?
Consider the “trenches” that you’re currently in. It might not be a struggle or fight of some kind, but simply the goals, ways, and aims of your life. Where are you headed? What are you striving for? How are you going about your life day-to-day? Are they shaped by Jesus, others, or yourself?
Consider who are in those trenches with you. Who are “your people” that you’re trusting to be there, support you, etc. along the way? What specifically do you trust them with or for? What can’t you trust them with or for?
Challenge: Like the Philistine commanders did with Achish, let your group, Christian friends, pastors, etc. give their honest perspective about who you’ve chosen to be your closest friends, confidants, etc. Does that make you nervous? Would you be willing to hear their opinion?
The Mercy of Being Rejected by the Enemy • The Philistine commanders win the day and get David and his men kicked out. Achish apologetically delivers the news to David that he has to leave, still having no idea that David’s been deceiving him from the get-go. Funny enough, even though David’s now relieved from being put in a situation in which he has to fight his own people, he initially pushes back against Achish’s decision to send him away.
Have you ever been in a desperate situation, make the best decision you knew how, and then realized that you’d put yourself between a rock and a hard place? Tell us about that time! What pickle did you put yourself in?
Why do you think David resisted the opportunity to sit out this battle against his own flesh and blood? Was David wanting the opportunity to turn on the Philistines at the last moment? Had his allegiance really turned? Was he just feeling “stuck” and didn’t know where he’d go next? What do you think?
Can you relate with David at all? Have you ever resisted relief from a relationship (friendship, community, dating, etc.) that would only come if you let it come to an end? Have you ever held onto something too long to your own detriment because you didn’t know where you’d go next?
Jesus was friends with sinners. He calls us to bring good news to our neighbors. The church gets to be a blessing to the nations. But do you every find it difficult to make, build, and maintain relationships (co-workers, neighbors, friends, classmates, etc.) with non-Christians who are “on different missions,” even though you (and Jesus!) couldn’t be more “for them?”
How do you balance / prioritize investing in Christian community and neighborly relationships with your schedule, time, etc.? Do you have different boundaries, commitments, etc. with fellow followers of Jesus vs. non-Christians?
The Peace of “Sitting This One Out” • David and his men return back to camp (still a Philistine camp!) the next morning, sitting this battle out. They weren’t wanted on those front lines, and the Lord made sure that they wouldn’t have to fight their own people.
Have you ever felt the relational push and pull of letting non-Christian friends / acquaintances lead you “into battle” against your fellow Christians or the church at large? Has that shown up recently given the political climate of the country? …popular perspectives (accurate or exaggerated!) of what Christians are like or should be like?
What’s the appeal inside of you to forsake the church for the sake of those not in the church? What’s the appeal inside of you to forsake the mission of the church to those not in the church for the sake of those already in the church?
Are there fights that friends, community, etc. are calling you to “sit out?” Are there fights that they’re calling you to “join in?”
How is Jesus offering peace to you by helping you discern which trenches to hop OUT of, which ones to hop INTO, and how much of the whole thing ultimately rests in HIS hands versus your own?
How can you find peace by acknowledging Whose trenches you’re in, Whose people are yours, and Whose victory you get to share in… even when that means acknowledging whose you’re NOT?