A Contrast in Dilemmas
I Samuel 27-29
July 23, 2000

            Often historians and biographers embellish their subjects to make certain heroes of their eyes better, wiser, braver, or stronger than reality.  The Bible paints glaringly accurate portraits of people.  We are able to often see ourselves in its pages through its characters.  

-         Assurance of God's mercy even when we cannot see it

-         Certainty of God's work even when we blow it

-         Horror of God's judgment once he has declared it

I. Questionable Decision 27

1.      David talks to himself v. 1

>          Convinced himself in spite of multiple deliverances (perish= "swept away," same as 26:10)

>          Overcome by a melancholy period, leans on his own arm.  Ellison calls it "faith's fainting fits"!

>          Overwhelmed by the relentless pressure

>          Weighted down by the care for everyone else vv. 2,3

(Spurgeon illustration 141-142 Davis)

>          David's assessment was right (v. 4) but was his decision right?  Biblical writer leaves that open

>          Reminder that we do talk to ourselves.  So what are you saying?

2.      David lives in deceit vv. 5-12

When you leave off wisdom you will resort to other tricks. 

>          Self-effacing humility v. 5

>          Silver lining for David v. 6

>          Looking over his shoulder vv. 8-11

>          Does not condone or condemn his actions

>          This is a call to exercise wise discernment and godly wisdom

>          Also the text mitigates against "David-worship"

>          (Gath and Ziklag may have been 23 miles apart)

3.      Deceit brings forth the horns of a dilemma 27:12-28:2

>          Achish believed David v. 12 (Old Testament portrays Philistines as dense and dim-witted)

>          David's worst nightmare 28:1 (this is not to be an example to follow, but an encouragement for hope that the Lord might work.

>          Sweat on top of sweat:  a) ruin reputation and kingship due to attacking Israel, b) surrounded and attacked by Philistines.

 

II.  A Hopeless Decision 28:3-25

            While David could have done something different, Saul had no sense of hope or direction.

1.      A rock and a hard place vv. 3-7

>          Battle of all battles converging

>          Saul has no hope v. 5.  Illustration:  great military leaders hide their fears.

>          God does not answer v. 6

>          "Yahweh's silence did not silence Saul's terror; hence he wrongly turned to what he had rightly prohibited" (Davis 148)

>          Pursuit of help from the forbidden:  Saul had been diligent outwardly (v. 3b), but he was empty inwardly

2.      Misplaced trust vv. 8-14

>          Saul never bares his soul before God, it seems

>          He always looks to use God, the quick answer, the need help without the corresponding obedience

>          Irony in verse 10 of swearing an oath by Yahweh while seeking help via what Yahweh had forbidden (Deuteronomy 18).

>          Added to this, Saul depended on Samuel not Yahweh

3.      An unusual message vv. 15-19

Was this a fake or real necromancy?  The reason God forbids this is not because there is no possibility of it working, but because it is wicked.

>          This text does not set a precedent

>          Saul knows his problem but does not pursue a solution v. 15

>          Saul wanted divine direction and aid without divine trust v. 16.  His need was Yahweh's face not battle information.

>          God has not changed his mind! Vv. 17-19:  the reason (v. 18) and the judgment

4.      Into the darkness vv. 20-25

>          Saul was emotionally and physically spent

>          The darkness never left his soul v. 25 (contrast with 29:11)

 

III. The Silent Hand 29:1-4

            Luck or divine providence?  Only mention of Yahweh is by Achish!  But Yahweh is throughout the text. 

1.      On the spot vv. 1-5

>          Achish's exaggeration v. 3

>          David's reputation v. 4-5

 

2.      Academy award vv. 6-8

 

3.      Deliverance vv. 9-11

 

4.      Behind it all...providence!

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