1 Samuel 27:5-7 – David’s Dwelling in the Country of the Philistines
There’s an air of permanence as David disappears into the country of the Philistines. He goes with 600 men, their families, and his own wives. David settles and dwells there, making it his home.
We can easily imagine that over 1000 refugees arriving in Gath created its own problems, putting pressure on supplies, space, security, and society. David asks for his own turf (verse 5). This is not an unusual request. In a feudal society the lord or king would give land to his servants. It is a clever request, veiled in humility (why should little old David, a mere Jewish mercenary, live in the royal city of glorious Gath) but giving him space and privacy. It is a revealing request, in that, by it he gets Achish to reveal how much he trusts him (“if I have found favour”).
He is granted the town of Ziklag, far from the Philistines and far from Saul. It seems to work out well for David, but that word appears again and again: David “dwelt” or “lived” there. How can Israel’s (future) king be living among Israel’s enemies?
It’s just not right. Not only has he disappeared there, but he’s dwelling there. He disappeared because of doubts, and he dwells in Doubtsville. He stays put where he is not meant to be. If “home is where the heart is”, is David’s heart in Philistia? This is no short-term wobble of faith – it is 16 months of doubt.
Have you been there? A prolonged spell of doubt-fuelled disobedience? Failing to do your duty before God, crippled by fear? David could have argued that God was opening doors for him with Achish, granting him favour in his eyes. God was opening doors, but that doesn’t mean God wanted him to go through them. The right road was the road home. But sometimes we settle down on Sin Street in Doubtsville.
Questions
- How could David have tried to justify his prolonged stay in Philistia?
- Have you had a prolonged spell of doubt-fuelled disobedience?
Prayer Points
- Ask for God to awaken you to any areas of persistent and prolonged disobedience in your life.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.