1 Samuel 27:8-12 – David’s Deceit in the Country of the Philistines
These verses are hard and murky – David is raiding, robbing, massacring (verse 9), and deceiving (verse 10).
The first thing we have to say is that in striking down the Geshurites, Girzites, and the Amalekites, David is striking down those who were to be struck down. In Deuteronomy 20:16-17 God passes the death sentence on pagan, sinful people. This is not genocide – they are not killed on the basis of race, but of sin. It is God’s own judgement on them for idolatry and immorality. It is a bringing forward of the Day of Judgement, and it is no less than they, or we, deserve because of sin. God has been very patient – see Genesis 15:16, spoken 1000 years earlier. In carrying out God’s judgement on the Amalekites David stands in contrast to Saul (chapter 15). God’s king (in waiting) is carrying out the just judgements of God, like a king should.
Yet, these verses are still troubling. The writer doesn’t note that God’s judgement is being carried out; it is left unspoken and somewhat ambiguous. If David were properly carrying out God’s judgement then the animals should have been slaughtered as well; instead, they are spared (verse 9). David’s reasoning for these attacks is not based on fulfilling God’s judgement; it is merely pragmatic (verse 11). God’s command, guidance, approval, and even his name are all absent. Here is a murky picture of a massacring marauder. The writer neither condemns God for allowing this to happen nor vindicates David – it is murky.
Then there is the outright deceit of verse 12. David tells Achish that he’s been raiding Judah, and conveniently there are no survivors to tell any tales. Achish is sold the dummy and banks on David’s treachery to his own people.
Despite all this, David ends up in quite a comfortable condition. He has an income stream; he is safe, trusted, and able to spend his time removing threats from Israel. All through his deceit.
Questions
- David seems to do quite well out of his doubting and deceiving stay in the country of the Philistines. How do we explain this?
Prayer Points
- Thank God for his grace to deceivers and doubters.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.