David, Hero of Gath

Posted by on August 2, 2009 under Sermons

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?