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Davod flees from Saul to Philistia, land of enemies
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
Don't kill him! part four!
“David, you are a threat to King Saul!”
“How strange! Once I was a shepherd boy. With God’s help I defeated the giant Goliath. Saul was not happy when women sang praises to me after the battle. Still, he took me to live in his palace. I played the harp for him when he was tormented.
Now I am successful in battle and Saul is becoming murderous with jealousy. His daughter tried to protect me. His son Jonathan tried to protect me; Saul threw a javelin at him.
“Twice I could have killed Saul, but I did not do so. I do not have the right to kill the man God chose to be king of Israel.
“God knows Saul is overcome with jealousy. You will be killed by him, unless you escape.
“I am going to the country of Saul’s enemies, the Philistines! I will live among them and Saul will give up chasing me.”
“David, my warrior-husband, 600 men follow you with their wives and children. The Philistines know that for years Saul has craved your death and pursued you with his best warriors. Maybe a Philistine leader will believe that you want nothing to do with King Saul and will help the Philistines.”
“Abigail, wise-wife, often I have asked God what I should do. I have asked if my men and I would be delivered into Saul’s hand. He has guided us and not delivered us into Saul’s hand.
“Jonathan encouraged my faith in God. He told me, ‘Do not be fearful my friend, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel. I will be next to you; and that my father knows.’”
David with his household, his men and their families, travelled to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath.
“King Achish, if I have your approval, please give me a town in the country.”
Achish gave David the town of Ziklag. He believed David wanted nothing to do with his people, the Israelites. He would become the servant of Achish.
Unknown to Achish, David had no desire to desert the people of Israel. He was an Israelite. Philistines had been his country’s enemies since the time of Abraham. David’s desire was to escape from Saul.
David and his men began to attack towns that were not Philistine or Israelite. They were allies of the Philistines. David led his men in taking the livestock and killing the people in each town. No one was left alive to report to Achish.
During those months the Philistines were preparing for war against Israel. Achish said to David, “You and your men will go to war with me.”
David replied, “You will see what your servant can do.”
Achish responded, “You will be my personal bodyguard for life.”
The Philistine and Israelite troops gathered for war. Saul was terrified when he saw the huge host of Philistine soldiers. He prayed asking God for direction, but he received none. Earlier he had disobeyed God’s counsel.
Then Saul asked his servants, “Find me a woman that is a medium.”
His servants knew King Saul had earlier ordered that mediums and wizards be put out of the Israelite nation. Moses had written in the law that no guidance was to be sought from psychics.
In these challenges Saul and David had moral choices to make that impacted their nation. What would they do now?
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