David, Hero of Gath
Posted by Chris on August 2, 2009 under Sermons
David: Free Agent (27)
- David resides in Philistia
- Protection from Saul
- Goes to Achish, King of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15)
- Ziklag – becomes a royal city
- 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)
- David is dismissed
- Achish’s commanders do not trust David
- Saul seeks spiritual help
- God is silent
- Consults a medium to conjure up Samuel
Leaders in Crisis
- Saul: Turns to a medium (28)
- David: Turns to the ephod (30)
- David vs. Amalekites – Victory and Rescue
- 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?