July 25, 2025 • 43 mins
Chapter 15 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 1 Samuel 27-29.
A Friend of the Enemy - Desperate, David finds himself befriending the very people God has called him to destroy. Is this where our hero truly falls from grace?
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Hebrews 12:2, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I am doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes
in the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends and help
us spread God's word. Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
(00:21):
if you know about David the Man. In this episode,
David takes a leap in the wrong direction. Fear of
Saul drives him out of Israel and into the arms
of the enemy. He makes an alliance with the Philistines,
built on a foundation of lies. We will have been
with our hero long enough to know lies are a
shaky foundation, causing everything to crumble. Eventually, his poor decision,
(00:46):
as calculated as it seems, will corner him between a
rock and a hard place. What will David do when
faced with two equally devastating options. How does this future
king act when there seems to be no way out?
This episode will focus our attention on the theme of grace.
When David fails and has no way out, will God
(01:07):
come to his aid or leave him like he left Saul.
This story begins with a prelude, but it is not
taken from a different time. Rather, this prelude takes place
while David and his men are moving out of Israel.
We will follow Saul into the dark underbelly of Indoor.
He seeks comfort in the din of a witch. As
(01:28):
you may have guessed, comfort is the last thing he
will find there. Nothing is easy in this episode, although
it may seem easy at times. As we listen to
David's journey, be reminded that lies always have a cost.
The end of this episode gives us a sigh of relief,
but I promise you it is a false sense of relief.
(01:50):
David is not going to get off as easy as
it seems. Before I give more way, let's dive into
our episode, A Friend of the Enemy.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Prelude to Chapter fifteen Silence. For all his inquiring, searching,
and praying, he was still met with a maddening silence.
The heavens were closed off to Saul, and all that
remained for him were the chaotic voices of his own demons.
He beat his fists against his chest and cried out
(02:25):
at the stars. Falling to his knees and weeping, he
looked upwards. He prayed into the vast universe, but his
words dissipated into oblivion. His arrogant and prideful inquiries would
receive no response from God. Saul had been cut off
and cast aside by the Lord, and all he had
(02:46):
left to do was live out the remainder of his
days in agony and welcome an inglorious death. Saul remained outside,
shaking his fists at the heavens. He raged against God
and cursed him for turning his head face from him.
He was in great distress, about to face an army
more vast than he had ever seen. The Philistine kingdoms
(03:08):
had united, and Saul was forced to gather his entire
army to march against them. He was afraid, and his
whole hardened body trembled. He sought guidance from priests and prophets,
yet even they could not hear from the Lord on
Saul's behalf. Unwilling to endure more tormenting silence, Saul called
for his servant, Davy. Saul whispered, Tave, I need you.
(03:33):
Tavy came out of the tent and stood at Saul's side.
The night air was cold and piercing. The king's servant
wrapped him in a blanket of fur and stood at attention.
I need you to seek out a woman for me
at this hour, my lord Tavvy asked, confused, not that
type of woman, Tavey, A woman of the ancient arts,
(03:58):
I seek to speak, which Tavvy gulped and bowed his head.
He immediately sent some of his servants to seek out
a woman of the ancient arts, some one that could
communicate with the evil spirits that crowded the Kingdom of
the Air. They found a woman in the city of Endor.
Saul took an old cloak, covered himself and left with Tabby.
(04:20):
Immediately they ventured into the city of Endor. The city
was asleep, and the only light that remained were that
of brothels and blacksmiths. Yet in the dark underbelly of
the city, lurking in a forgotten alley, was the Witch
of Endor. Saul and Tabby entered the woman's home. It
reeked of burnt incense and newly skinned animals. Saul uncovered
(04:44):
his hood and looked around. Dead ravens hung from the
ceiling and incense burned under carved images of foreign gods
The room was dark and lit only by a few
faint candles and a small fire burning in the middle
of the room. At the end of the room, lound
on a few pillows, was the witch. She was younger
(05:04):
than Saul had imagined, Although revolting in many ways, with
markings on her arms and legs and eyes as dead
as driftwood. There was something intoxicating about her. Saul felt
drawn to her, like a moth to flame. He stepped closer,
only to see the fear in her face. She recoiled
like a cat back onto the pillows.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Who goes there?
Speaker 2 (05:26):
The witch hissed. Saul still had his hood on, hiding
his identity. I need you to summon the spirit for me,
he said. The woman tilted her head in curiosity. She
gracefully stepped off of her pillow and slithered towards Saul.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
And what makes you think I can help you? Don't
you know that King Saul cut off the mediums and
necromancers from the land. If I were to tell you
I could help, certainly I would be laying a trap
for myself.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Saul understood what the woman was saying. He lifted his
hand and swore to her.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
I swear by the Lord. No punishment shall come upon
you for this.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
You swear by the Lord, all the while seeking the
help of a witch.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
The woman cackled.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
You are truly a conflicted soul, aren't you.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
The woman ran her fingers through her hair and down
her waist. Chills raced up sault spine at the sight
of it. The woman rubbed her hips, then reached behind her,
grabbing a flask of oil. She smelled the fragrant oil
and began dripping it into the fire. The sour fragrance
filled the room.
Speaker 5 (06:43):
Who do you need conjuring, she asked, bring me Samuel,
the prophet. He said, with a trembling voice, very well.
The woman took a step back and bowed her head.
Her hair covered her face. As she bent her neck forward,
Saul could hear faint mumbles from the woman. She shook
(07:04):
her shoulders back and forth, and her mumbles grew louder
and louder. The woman began to shake uncontrollably.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
And a loud scream count of her. Her eyes opened
and she pointed to Saul.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
You deceived me, she shouted, You are King Saul.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
The woman raged at Saul, screaming and hissing, Saul recoiled
and removed his hood. Did I not tell you no
harm would come to you?
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Now?
Speaker 2 (07:31):
What do you see? The woman sat back and rolled
her neck again. Closing her eyes. She recounted to saw
the visions she was seeing.
Speaker 6 (07:40):
I see a spirit in the appearance of a man,
she said, clothed in a white robe, coming up out
of the earth.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
The woman shook her head back and forth. Saul could
see her eyes moving underneath her.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Eyelids years old and coming up to you.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
It is Samuel, Saul said, with a trembling voice. It
is he. Please tell me what he says. Saul bent
to his knees and lifted his hands to the woman.
The woman tilted her head forward, then back, then forward again.
At last she was still, and her voice became very deep,
as though a man was speaking through her.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Who disturbs me?
Speaker 2 (08:25):
She said, in a hollowed out voice. Samuel Saul gasped.
His hands were shaking, and nervous tears fell from his face.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
It is I, Saul. I have asked this woman to
conjure you so I might seek out your wisdom. Ah,
I am in great distress. Saul's demeanor was like that
of a child's. He was desperate, afraid, and frantic. God
has turned his back from me. I have no answers.
(08:55):
I have summoned you so you can tell me what
to do.
Speaker 7 (08:59):
But the Lord's silence is his answer.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Song Samuel said.
Speaker 8 (09:05):
Why do you ask me a messenger of the Lord
when the Lord himself has turned from you and become
your enemy. Did I not tell you that he will
tear the kingdom out of your hand.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
And give it to David.
Speaker 8 (09:22):
You know this to be true, do not fight it.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Sal's face grew white as snow as he listened. It
was his worst fear realized before he could speak, The
spirit of Samuel continued, saying.
Speaker 8 (09:37):
Because you did not obey the Lord, he will give
Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your.
Speaker 7 (09:48):
Sons shall be with me.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
Me and my sons will be with you. Saul gasped, Samuel,
What is my fate? What will happen?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Saul fell to his face on the ground. His body
was sprawled out and prostrated before the witch. He was
trembling and ghostly in appearance. The witch was snapped out
of her trance only to see Saul laying face down
on the ground.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Ah, let me get you something to eat.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
She said, you do not look well. No, Saul said,
I will not eat. He propped himself back up and
stood to his feet. He gestured to Tabby, who was
sitting in the corner of the room. We will be
going now.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
Perhaps you should eat.
Speaker 7 (10:35):
Tabby said, rest, for if we are to prove Samuel's
prophecy wrong tomorrow, you will need your strength.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
So Saul ate. He mindlessly stared at the fire, thinking
about Samuel's words. Tomorrow he would march against the Philistines.
He feared that his final breath would be released out
on the battlefield tomorrow, yet there was nothing he could
do to stop it. Ter fifteen a friend of the enemy.
(11:04):
The desert waste land was cruel and unforgiving. The heat
of the sun beat down on the back of David's neck,
yet he remained steadfast on his course. His men and
their families marched behind him, quietly and reluctantly. Following Saul's
last attempt on his life had been the final straw.
David would no longer remain within the borders of Israel,
(11:26):
only to be hunted like a dog. It was time
for him to move into a land beyond King Saul's reach,
the land of the Philistines. Joshabin walked beside David, trying
to keep up with his fast pace forward. He, like
many others, questioned his decision to leave Israel and venture
off into enemy territory. David and his men had killed
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many Philistines, and they feared an aggressive welcome.
Speaker 9 (11:52):
I know you are intent on leaving.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Israel, Joshubine said to David, but are.
Speaker 9 (11:57):
You sure that seeking refuge among the enimy of Israel
as a wise plan? What if they kill us on sight?
Speaker 5 (12:04):
We are hunted like animals by the King of Israel,
David said coarsely. The people of Israel have made their choice.
They have chosen to treat us as criminals and relentlessly
pursue us. It is far more unsafe for us to
stay within its borders than venture off somewhere else.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
David was resolute and unwavering. Saul's continual pursuit of him
had left him with no other options. While Saul was
still alive, David had no place within Israel's borders. He
and his tribe continued to march through the arid desert,
looking to the west for Gath, the birthplace of Goliath.
The desert sands slowly gave way some more rocky paths,
(12:47):
winding into a road tucked between two mountains. David had
a sinking feeling that they were being watched. A company
as large as his would not slip into the borders unnoticed.
They had to be cautious and on guard.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
And ambush may be just around the corner.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
David whispered to Joshubin, be on alert and keep your
spear close. David led his people through the ravine towards
the large city of Gath. David remembered the city well.
Its buildings were coarsely cut out of stone and stood
taller than most of the structures in Israel. The people
of Gath were obsessed with making their city large, even
(13:25):
at the costs of beauty and utility. It was a
roughly put together city, with strange alleyways and rough structures.
The ravine came to an end about half a mile
from the city. The exit was in sight, and David
halted his company. He waited for a moment, listening for
any shift in the stones above him. Finally, after a
(13:46):
few moments of silence, David heard the shifting of rocks
to his left. He drew his sword and yelled graceful attack.
His men drew their weapons, and a Philistine horde emerged
from behind the mouth of the ravine. The men formed
a wall in front of the women and children, and
David rushed to the front with his sword drawn. As
the Philistines advanced, David ran forward. He raised his hands
(14:11):
high in the air and fell to his knees. The
gesture surprised the Philistines, and they immediately ceased their attack.
David dropped his weapon and yelled.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
Wait a moment and listen. I am David. You know
me as the giant Slayer. I come here with my
men and their families. We do not come as enemies,
but as refugees. Please let me speak to your king.
You may bind me and take me to him if
(14:42):
you wish.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
The men approached with their spears still pointed outward. David
looked back at Abishi. You keep them safe until I return,
he whispered. Abishi nodded and had the men put down
their weapons. The rest of David's people watched as he
was bound in rope and a scor ordered away by
the Philistines. Fearful, they retreated back behind the mountains and
(15:05):
awaited their leader's return. David was escorted into the borders
of Gath. He had been there once before, when fleeing
for his life. He had feigned madness to get himself
out of trouble. Then he feared that King Akish's first
impression of him would prove harmful to his case. Yet
with faith, David allowed himself to be taken. It would
(15:25):
be the only way to gain favor from the King
of Gath. Once again, he was ushered into the palace
of King Akish. Firs decorated the stone walls, and fires
were raging in all four corners of the hall. It
was warm and smelled of burning meat and spilled wine.
King Aikish sat at his throne, leaning over intently as
(15:46):
David entered the room, bound in ropes. Like most Philistine kings,
Akish was large and battle worn. Years of warring against
surrounding nations for territory had hardened his body and his
heart knelt before him humbly. He knew he had a
lot of work to do to get Akish to trust him,
so he began with the simple plea King Akish, David began,
(16:09):
live forever.
Speaker 5 (16:11):
May the God of my forefathers bless you for your
kindness in releasing me. When we last met, I was
not in my right mind. Akish stood to his feet.
His large strides vibrated the ground beneath him as he
stepped down.
Speaker 7 (16:26):
To David, you're a raging lunatic when I saw you
last giant slayer, Akish said, Yet now you stand before
me in your right mind and with a small army
camped at my borders. Tell me which, David, am I
speaking to the commander or the madman.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
David continued to look at the ground, refusing to meet
Akish eye to eye. Neither, my lord, he said, I.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
Come to you as a servant and a refugee my
men of I have spent months in the wilderness being
pursued by King Saul. He seeks my life, so we
fled here. We know you are in many border disputes
with other nations. Allow us to reside here and we
(17:14):
will serve you well.
Speaker 7 (17:16):
I already have been protecting my borders.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Akish scoffed.
Speaker 7 (17:20):
Why do I need you.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
Because I have fought against your men. King Akish, your
army is vast but lacks the skill my men and
I have. Allow us to dwell in the countryside, and
we will prove to be useful.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
David was now looking up at Akish. Their eyes met,
and Akish was able to determine the honesty in David's voice.
Speaker 7 (17:44):
Shall I spare the man who has killed my people
and allow him to live in my kingdom?
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Akish said, with a firm voice.
Speaker 7 (17:52):
What kind of king would I be if I allowed
you to go unpunished?
Speaker 5 (17:56):
You would be a wise king. My lord, Know that
there is no army you have under you as skilled
and fierce as mine. Allow us to make raids for
you and protect your borders. All other philistine kings will
fear you, for you were able to tame the giants Layer.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
There was a long pause. David knew the next question
Aikish would ask. It was a question that David had
pondered himself many times when fleeing from Saul. Aikish leaned
over and asked.
Speaker 7 (18:29):
Would you be willing to fight against your own people
under my command?
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Yes, David replied, without hesitation.
Speaker 5 (18:36):
King Saul has made many attempts on my life. He
has threatened me, my men, and our families. Our loyalties
are severed from Israel.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
David lied, however, he had a plan and needed Akish
to trust him. King Aikish pondered David's words. He stroked
his beard and gestured for his guards to unbind him.
Speaker 7 (18:59):
Very well, Giant, since you have killed my last champion, Goliath,
I have been in need of someone to raid and
protect the borders of Ziglec. It is a herding country
and vulnerable to other nations. Dwell there and secure the
area on my behalf.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
David bowed in homage to the king, then left. As
he was exiting the large wooden doors, King Akish stopped.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Him, and giants lair I and the other Philistine kings
have not forgotten all your bloodshed towards our people. I
will be keeping close watch on you.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
David nodded, smiled, and departed the city back to the
mountains where he had left his men.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
There is no way I am serving that uncircumcised monster
of a.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
King, Shama yelled. The young man was passionate and angry
at David for brokering such a deal. The others were
outraged as well. David stood at the fire with Shama
Josh obim elizar Abersha, I am Beniah. He often held
counsel with them before making a decision. This time, however,
he would be immovable in his decision.
Speaker 5 (20:10):
I must agree with Shama.
Speaker 7 (20:12):
We have fought these Philistines and lost men.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
They are our enemies and cannot be trusted, Beniah said quietly.
Beniah was young, but had quickly become the most trusted
follower of David. He had been made captain over the
night Watch and David's personal bodyguard.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Who is to say he won't turn on us?
Speaker 2 (20:32):
David nodded in consideration.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
I understand your protests, faithful men, trust me, I do. However,
we are clearly in more danger within the borders of Israel.
Saul moved three thousand of his men from Gibea to
march against our six hundred three thousand. When I saw
how many men Saul was willing to mobilize against us,
(20:57):
I knew we were no longer safe near Judah or Israel. Besides,
I have a plan to raid the enemies of Israel
and bring the plunder to Akish. We can strike down
the Gesherites, Ghizites, and Amalekites and tell the king that
it was against Israel. This keeps Israel protected from its
(21:19):
enemies and us in the good graces of the Philistines.
As long as we bring back plunder, they will be
none the wiser.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
The men began to come around. David leaned in even
more and whispered.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
If I can get Aikish on our side, he will
defend us to the other Philistine kings. If we sense
any trouble, we are already in the countryside. We can
flee at a moment's notice.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
The men considered David's reasoning. As passionate and emotional as
David was, he had a sober mind. He had clearly
thought of all the angles that mattered. They were weary
from so so many months of wandering in the wilderness
and fleeing Saul. It would be refreshing for them to
settle in one place. Their wives and their children needed
(22:08):
a space to call home. So the men agreed they
would follow David to Ziklag and fight on behalf of
King Akish against the Jesuites, Ghizites, and Amalekites. They ventured
off to Zicklag, a fairly desolate countryside with the occasional
farming village. David and his men were happy there. They
(22:31):
and their families built homes and created a safe haven
for themselves. For a year and four months they dwelled
within the borders of Gath. Weekly David would lead his
men into the surrounding cities. The men became famous in
the land for their quick swords and tactical ambushes. There
was not a group of men in the land quite
(22:51):
like David and his mighty warriors. They would go into
the cities and strip them of their sheep, oxen, donkeys, camels,
and garments. Everything they raided they would bring back to Akish.
Weekly David and his men would come before the king
with the spoils of war. Akish would grin from ear
to ear and yell.
Speaker 7 (23:10):
My warrior, David, where have you made a raid today?
Speaker 2 (23:15):
David would bow and respond with against the Israelites or
against the tribe of Judah, But they were all lies.
David was fighting against the enemies of Israel and raiding
their cities. This kept the people of Israel safe and
King Akish rich. David and his men were silent defenders
of Israel, striking down their enemies before that even had
(23:38):
a chance to march up against their borders. Thousands died
at the hand of David and his mighty men, and
the people of Israel were completely unaware of their defender,
and Aikish trusted David completely. With each passing day, the
king of Gath grew more wealthy because of David's exploits.
He reveled in his new found friend, and the army
(24:00):
of outcasts had finally created a place for them to belong.
It was early morning and David was scanning the rich
fields of sheep grazing on the rolling hills of zick Lag.
It calmed him to watch the shepherds tend of their flock.
It reminded him of more innocent times before raids, wars, violence,
and politics. He breathed in the crisp morning air, taking
(24:24):
in the smell of wet grass. He breathed out a
sigh of praise to God. It had been a year
of rebuilding, rebuilding his men and his family, rebuilding of
faith in God's calling over his life, and rebuilding confidence
in himself after months of being pursued by Saul. Added
to this, he was able to protect Israel and gain
(24:46):
wealth by attacking their enemies. He was able to keep
his people safe while also prospering in the land of
the Philistines. David was content in many ways and felt
truly blessed. For now. David stood up, stretched and made
his way back to his village. He walked down the
hill into the stretch of land that he and his
(25:07):
warriors had built upon. They had built homes, dug wells,
and fences to keep their live stock. They had planted
gardens and fields of wheat for food, and barracks to
keep their weaponry. Ziklag was an oasis flowing with favor
and wealth. David marveled at the faithfulness of God. He
and Abigail enjoyed their lives together, with enough food, water, wine,
(25:30):
and friendship to last a lifetime. All seemed at peace.
David entered his home and the savory smell of stew
and bread was wafted in from the fireplace. The pod
and bull were waiting for him, so he scooped some
into his bowl and began to eat. Not even two
bites in, there was a knocking at the door. Abigail
(25:52):
opened it to a distressed Abeshid. He was fighting to
catch his breath. After running to him, my Lord David
abitsh I gasped for air, I need to speak with you.
David stood to his feet and had Abashi I sit.
He refused and lifted his arm.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
We are in trouble. Israel is in trouble.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
What is it, David asked, swiftly, tell me now.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
The Philistines are marching up to attack Israel. The Philistine
kings have combined their armies to march up against Saul
at Aphek.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
They have done this before, David said, matter of factly,
we have done all we can to protect Israel. Are
you saying we should come to their aid?
Speaker 3 (26:34):
No, David, you do not understand. King Akish has requested
that we march up with him to join the other
kings and fight against Israel.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
David's stomach dropped when he heard the words leave Abishai's mouth.
He sat back and grabbed his long hair. What have
I done? He whispered to himself. What am I going
to do? All the color left David's face. He began
to feel faint and dizzy at the thought of marching
up against Israel. But what choice did he have. If
(27:02):
he refused, King Akish would wipe them out. He had
spent a year gaining his trust, and if he did
not march with him, surely he and his men would
be doomed.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
What are we going to do, David.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Abish I asked solemnly. David was silent. All the line
to King Akish had finally caught up to him, and
now he was faced with a decision that could alter
the history of Israel. Would he march with the Philistines
to destroy Israel or would he refuse and be slaughtered
by the entire Philistine army. David said nothing. He gripped
(27:37):
his hair tightly and shook his head in dismay. Leave me,
he whispered.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
But David, we needed answer, not I said lathe, David shouted,
you will have your answer. Now go and tell no
one of this until I have found you.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Ambish I bowed and left without another word. David stood up,
strapped his sword to his back, and left, with the
door slamming behind him. He climbed the hill overlooking the
village and sat on a stone. The cool morning breeze
was still cool and refreshing. David closed his eyes and
listened for the voice of God. He needed direction. Any
(28:12):
decision he could make seemed to lead down a bad path.
David was so accustomed to choosing between a good decision
and a bad one. Until now. He lived in a
world that was black and white. All choices were between
evil or good, righteousness or wickedness, life or death. Yet
now he was faced with two terrible decisions in which
(28:35):
both could lead to utter humiliation and destruction. Finally David
knew what it was like to be a king. He
prayed to God for guidance, yet no voice responded. He
was left with the chaotic ramblings of his own mind.
He stood to his feet and left the mountain. A
decision had to be made, and David trusted that God's
(28:56):
mercy would follow him either way. David retre shrieved Abeshi
and Benaiah with a somber yet resolute tone. David lifted
his eyes and said, we marched tomorrow morning with the Philistines.
Gather the men, do not ask questions. I trust the Lord,
(29:16):
our God will deliver us. So the men gathered themselves
and marched behind King Akish and his army. They trudged
along the countryside, silently anticipating what was to come. David
held his head low, lamenting that he may have to
shed blood against his fellow Israelites. The allied Philistine army
(29:36):
was as vast as the sea itself. Thousands of men
were stationed across the plains of Affec. David and his
men resided behind the rest of the encampments a few
hundred yards away. Aikish kept them separate from the rest
so as to not stir any unnecessary trouble. David was
grateful for the separation. He did not want to feel
(29:58):
like a part of the Philistines. Something in his body
cried out against it. David, Abeshi, Eliezar, and Benaiah scaled
the mountain overlooking the Israelite camp. Saul had amassed an
army unlike any they had seen before. Clearly Saul had
anticipated the unification of Philistine kingdoms against him. They were
(30:18):
certainly not outnumbered or outmatched. Saul had gathered an impressive response,
and David could not help but long to be in
their midst.
Speaker 5 (30:27):
It seems as though Saul has come prepared.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
David whispered. Maybe so, said josh Obein.
Speaker 9 (30:34):
But if we marched with the Philistines tomorrow and fight,
it may be the very thing that swings the fight
in their favor.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
David nodded. He knew it was true. The presence of
David and his six hundred trained warriors could absolutely shift
the fight in Akish's favor. He cringed at the thought,
praying somehow he would not have to fight come daybreak tomorrow.
The men left the mountain and returned to their camp.
David was summoned to join Akish and the rest of
(31:01):
the Philistine kings at a meeting. He rode at Aikish's
side into the center of the Philistine encampment. A large
red tent had been erected. Inside were iron fire pits
raging with flames, and bronze idols erected to dagon. Being
in the room made David feel uneasy. Akish sat down
at the round table. Sitting in the center of the tent,
(31:24):
He was joined by the other kings and their commanders.
He did not take long for them to notice David's presence.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
What is he doing here, Akish? Isn't this the giant
slayer one of the mast he is, but he has
offered his services to aid our battle.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Akish said, slapping David's back and smiling.
Speaker 7 (31:42):
I trust him with my life. He has been raiding
the Israelites for over a year now on my behalf,
and has not failed me yet.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
David forced a smile, feeling an intense amount of pressure
in his chest. One of the kings drove his dagger
into the table and yelled.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
I what this smack? And his small army out of here.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
He spat and raged at Akish.
Speaker 7 (32:04):
He may have made you rich, but he is still
an Israelite dog who cannot be trusted.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
The others murmured in agreement. However, Akish pushed back even more, saying, I.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Find no fault in David or his men. They have
lived peacefully with us and already proven they are willing
to spill Israelite blood. Will not his presence discourage King
Saul and the others.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
David desperately desired for Akish to stop talking, but he
could say nothing. He was forced to hold his tongue
and await their decision. The others pondered Akish's words, yet
were still not convinced David was telling the truth.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
Send a man back. He shall not march down with us,
lest in the battle he becomes our enemy.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
The tall, thin king leaned over to David and peered
him in the eye.
Speaker 7 (32:53):
I know of your devotion to your God. King David,
I know you could not reconcile yourself before your God
if you spill the Israeli blood. I will not have
you turn on me and my men just because you
couldn't live with the guilt.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
The Philistine king's words were cutting and true. There would
be no way David could reconcile himself before God if
he spilled the blood of his children. Another Philistine king
agreed and said, have you heard the.
Speaker 7 (33:23):
Songs they sang about him? Akish? Saul has killed his thousands,
but David his ten thousands. Who do you think those
ten thousands are? They are us. This man has been
made famous in Israel by slaughtering Philistines. We must not
have him fight with us.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
The rest of them began to murmur and complain. Aikish
finally had enough and rose his hand.
Speaker 7 (33:48):
Enough he said, I will send him back.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
Akish took David by the arm and let him out
of the tent. The king sighed and shook his head.
Speaker 7 (33:59):
David, I know you are an honest and loyal man.
You would have marched with me and come to my aid.
Oh how I longed to fight alongside you and battle,
my friend. But alas I must respect the other lord's wishes.
Go back now to Ziglach. I fear the land may
be vulnerable to attack with all of us gone. Anyways,
(34:21):
Be careful, my friend. Rise early in the morning with
the servants of your lord who came with you, and
start early in the morning, and depart as soon as
you have light.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Akish embraced David tightly. The hug was more than David
could bear. He could feel the trust of the king,
and it crushed him. He had been lying all this
time to a man who seemed to be good. Deep down,
David was conflicted. He shook Akish's hand and retreated back
to camp. On his way back, David stopped and fell
(34:52):
to his knees. He gripped the dirt below him tightly
and closed his eyes. His entire body was shaking, and
he could know longer hold back his tears. The hero
of Israel wept bitterly on the ground. Unable to console himself.
He buried his face in the dirt, crying aloud to
God for forgiveness. In his sin and arrogance, he had
(35:14):
almost led his men into a sin. He could not
retreat from Yet God was faithful to his chosen one.
He did not allow David to commit such a hideous
crime against him and his people. Despite all of his
flaws and foolishness, God would not abandon David. He would
remain at his side, always following after him with grace
(35:35):
and mercy.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
Well, we have seen David make mistakes before, but this
mistake seems to stand above the rest. Can you imagine
what would have happened if David marched against the army
of Israel. I'm glad we didn't have to find out,
as was David. This episode took us on a journey
of false security. David thought he could have it both ways.
(36:01):
He thought he could befriend the enemy while still being
the hero of God. For a while, it seemed to work,
but we know by now lives always cause chaos. Eventually,
when we deceive others than ourselves and our lives are belief,
we can be lulled into a false sense of security.
When we get away with lies, the comfort we feel
(36:21):
is like sleeping on a bed that is teetering on
the edge of a skyscraper. The pillows are fluffed, the
blankets are warm, but we are not safe. There can
be no real peace when you live a double life. Eventually,
the growing chasm between your values and your actions become
too wide a distance to hurdle. We see a lot
(36:41):
of double mindedness in this episode. The first perpetrator is Saul,
who seeks the will of God in the presence of
a witch. The witch points out the irony herself, saying,
you swear by the Lord all the while seeking the
help of a witch. You are truly a conflicted soul.
This witch doesn't know how right she is. Saul is
(37:04):
a walking contradiction at this point. He leads the armies
of God's people without the favor of God. He leads
God's nation without the guidance of God. He claims to
be a man of integrity while harboring bitterness in his heart.
Saul's very presence and endure speaks to his confusion, and
at the same time it gives us clarity. We are
(37:25):
not sure if who Saul speaks to through the witch
is actually Samuel or not. This portion of scripture is
admittedly confusing and controversial. However, the words spoken are true.
Saul is going to die in the next battle. It
is an unavoidable fact. There is no more escape for Saul.
The time has come for him to die. While Saul
(37:49):
is hiding in the shadows of endure, David is hiding
in the shadows of God. He leads his men and
their families in the enemy territory despite the warnings from
his trusted advisers. So far, David has made every decision
by consulting God and his friends. But this decision seems
to be one hundred percent David, which does invode well
(38:10):
for him. The word of God and the counsel of
friends are supposed to be a strong foundation for a
leader to rely on, but the giant Slayer is set
on his course and nobody can challenge him on it.
As a side note, leaders who can't be questioned do
questionable things. Be wary of leaders who dig their heels
in and can't be moved with wise counsel. Gaff isn't
(38:34):
initially welcoming to David and his crew, but King Akish
falls for David's life. His plan is admittedly brilliant. He
will raid Israel's enemies and bring back wealth for Akish.
He will claim Israel is who he's hunting, and Akish
won't question it because he's getting rich. His plan works.
David has been a shepherd, a commander, an exile, a vigilante,
(38:58):
and now he adds raider to his resume. David is
increasingly bold to make this move, and the plan seems
well thought out. He is going to build wealth and
security for his people while also secretly helping Israel. David
thinks he can have it both ways. He thinks he
can be in an alliance with the enemy while being
(39:19):
loyal to his country. This is the trap we can
all find ourselves in. We think we can have hidden
sin in our lives while also being faithful to the
people around us. But these things tend to catch up
with us eventually. Jesus once said no one can serve
two masters, for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the
(39:39):
one and despise the other. This turns out to be
true for David. He tries to keep an alliance with
Gath and Israel, but at some point he is forced
to choose between the two, and when the time finally
comes to choose, he is in an incredibly compromising position.
By the end of the episode, David has put too
much on the line. The choice between marching with Gaff
(40:03):
or refusing isn't as simple as it seems. If David
fights with Akish, he will be killing his own countrymen
and subjugating his own people. However, if he refuses to
march against Israel, his lives will be exposed and Akish
will kill him, his men, and their families. You see
how complicated the problem has become. David is faced with
two devastating options. This is an important theme in scripture
(40:26):
and in life. Not every decision is a choice between
good and bad. Wouldn't that be easy? If everything were
a matter between choosing a clearly wrong path versus a
clearly right path, then life would be a lot less complicated. No,
The decisions we make are often choices between two equally
bad options or equally good options. This is when desernment
(40:51):
and wisdom are most needed. David is paralyzed by the
idea of marching against his own people, yet unable to
refuse Sikish. There is a brief moment when David becomes
like Saul. The prely reminded us that Saul's mind was
dark and chaotic. Years of compromise and prideful decisions caused
(41:12):
Saul to be closed off to the voice of God,
and now, in the midst of turmoil and lies, David
finds himself in the same position. Without clear guidance, David
takes his men to march against Israel. David doesn't necessarily
plan to actually fight Israel. His plan is to go
with Akish and trust that the Lord will cover his sins.
(41:33):
It isn't a well thought our plan, but I guess
it is David's planning that got him into this mess
in the first place. The once bold hero follows the
Philistines with his head held low, but God's grace is
close behind him. David wrote in Psalm twenty three, Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life. This is definitely the case for David, who
(41:56):
is asked to leave the battle rather than participate in it.
Through God's providence and grace, David doesn't have to fight Israel.
The other Philistine kings don't trust him, so David gets
to leave and maintain the trust of King Agish. Christ
is averted right wrong. We should know better by now.
(42:17):
Remember the themes we explored in episode ten Lives have unseen
ripple effects. There is no way of prescribing how our
dishonesty can affect the future. In our next episode, David
sees those ripple effects and is forced to take action. However,
heroes are often forwards in the fire of their mistakes.
(42:37):
Will David learn from his mistakes and make things right
or will the pressure be too much for him to bear?
Find out next time in episode sixteen, Heart of a Shepherd.
Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers
and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.
And to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download
(42:59):
the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.
Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with a family member
or friend and help us spread God's word. God bless
Hi, I am doctor Tony Evans, your host for Heroes
in the Bible. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends and help
us spread God's word. Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David,
a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the myth,
(00:21):
if you know about David the Man. In this episode,
David takes a leap in the wrong direction. Fear of
Saul drives him out of Israel and into the arms
of the enemy. He makes an alliance with the Philistines,
built on a foundation of lies. We will have been
with our hero long enough to know lies are a
shaky foundation, causing everything to crumble. Eventually, his poor decision,
(00:46):
as calculated as it seems, will corner him between a
rock and a hard place. What will David do when
faced with two equally devastating options. How does this future
king act when there seems to be no way out?
This episode will focus our attention on the theme of grace.
When David fails and has no way out, will God
(01:07):
come to his aid or leave him like he left Saul.
This story begins with a prelude, but it is not
taken from a different time. Rather, this prelude takes place
while David and his men are moving out of Israel.
We will follow Saul into the dark underbelly of Indoor.
He seeks comfort in the din of a witch. As
(01:28):
you may have guessed, comfort is the last thing he
will find there. Nothing is easy in this episode, although
it may seem easy at times. As we listen to
David's journey, be reminded that lies always have a cost.
The end of this episode gives us a sigh of relief,
but I promise you it is a false sense of relief.
(01:50):
David is not going to get off as easy as
it seems. Before I give more way, let's dive into
our episode, A Friend of the Enemy.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Prelude to Chapter fifteen Silence. For all his inquiring, searching,
and praying, he was still met with a maddening silence.
The heavens were closed off to Saul, and all that
remained for him were the chaotic voices of his own demons.
He beat his fists against his chest and cried out
(02:25):
at the stars. Falling to his knees and weeping, he
looked upwards. He prayed into the vast universe, but his
words dissipated into oblivion. His arrogant and prideful inquiries would
receive no response from God. Saul had been cut off
and cast aside by the Lord, and all he had
(02:46):
left to do was live out the remainder of his
days in agony and welcome an inglorious death. Saul remained outside,
shaking his fists at the heavens. He raged against God
and cursed him for turning his head face from him.
He was in great distress, about to face an army
more vast than he had ever seen. The Philistine kingdoms
(03:08):
had united, and Saul was forced to gather his entire
army to march against them. He was afraid, and his
whole hardened body trembled. He sought guidance from priests and prophets,
yet even they could not hear from the Lord on
Saul's behalf. Unwilling to endure more tormenting silence, Saul called
for his servant, Davy. Saul whispered, Tave, I need you.
(03:33):
Tavy came out of the tent and stood at Saul's side.
The night air was cold and piercing. The king's servant
wrapped him in a blanket of fur and stood at attention.
I need you to seek out a woman for me
at this hour, my lord Tavvy asked, confused, not that
type of woman, Tavey, A woman of the ancient arts,
(03:58):
I seek to speak, which Tavvy gulped and bowed his head.
He immediately sent some of his servants to seek out
a woman of the ancient arts, some one that could
communicate with the evil spirits that crowded the Kingdom of
the Air. They found a woman in the city of Endor.
Saul took an old cloak, covered himself and left with Tabby.
(04:20):
Immediately they ventured into the city of Endor. The city
was asleep, and the only light that remained were that
of brothels and blacksmiths. Yet in the dark underbelly of
the city, lurking in a forgotten alley, was the Witch
of Endor. Saul and Tabby entered the woman's home. It
reeked of burnt incense and newly skinned animals. Saul uncovered
(04:44):
his hood and looked around. Dead ravens hung from the
ceiling and incense burned under carved images of foreign gods
The room was dark and lit only by a few
faint candles and a small fire burning in the middle
of the room. At the end of the room, lound
on a few pillows, was the witch. She was younger
(05:04):
than Saul had imagined, Although revolting in many ways, with
markings on her arms and legs and eyes as dead
as driftwood. There was something intoxicating about her. Saul felt
drawn to her, like a moth to flame. He stepped closer,
only to see the fear in her face. She recoiled
like a cat back onto the pillows.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Who goes there?
Speaker 2 (05:26):
The witch hissed. Saul still had his hood on, hiding
his identity. I need you to summon the spirit for me,
he said. The woman tilted her head in curiosity. She
gracefully stepped off of her pillow and slithered towards Saul.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
And what makes you think I can help you? Don't
you know that King Saul cut off the mediums and
necromancers from the land. If I were to tell you
I could help, certainly I would be laying a trap
for myself.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Saul understood what the woman was saying. He lifted his
hand and swore to her.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
I swear by the Lord. No punishment shall come upon
you for this.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
You swear by the Lord, all the while seeking the
help of a witch.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
The woman cackled.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
You are truly a conflicted soul, aren't you.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
The woman ran her fingers through her hair and down
her waist. Chills raced up sault spine at the sight
of it. The woman rubbed her hips, then reached behind her,
grabbing a flask of oil. She smelled the fragrant oil
and began dripping it into the fire. The sour fragrance
filled the room.
Speaker 5 (06:43):
Who do you need conjuring, she asked, bring me Samuel,
the prophet. He said, with a trembling voice, very well.
The woman took a step back and bowed her head.
Her hair covered her face. As she bent her neck forward,
Saul could hear faint mumbles from the woman. She shook
(07:04):
her shoulders back and forth, and her mumbles grew louder
and louder. The woman began to shake uncontrollably.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
And a loud scream count of her. Her eyes opened
and she pointed to Saul.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
You deceived me, she shouted, You are King Saul.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
The woman raged at Saul, screaming and hissing, Saul recoiled
and removed his hood. Did I not tell you no
harm would come to you?
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Now?
Speaker 2 (07:31):
What do you see? The woman sat back and rolled
her neck again. Closing her eyes. She recounted to saw
the visions she was seeing.
Speaker 6 (07:40):
I see a spirit in the appearance of a man,
she said, clothed in a white robe, coming up out
of the earth.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
The woman shook her head back and forth. Saul could
see her eyes moving underneath her.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Eyelids years old and coming up to you.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
It is Samuel, Saul said, with a trembling voice. It
is he. Please tell me what he says. Saul bent
to his knees and lifted his hands to the woman.
The woman tilted her head forward, then back, then forward again.
At last she was still, and her voice became very deep,
as though a man was speaking through her.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Who disturbs me?
Speaker 2 (08:25):
She said, in a hollowed out voice. Samuel Saul gasped.
His hands were shaking, and nervous tears fell from his face.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
It is I, Saul. I have asked this woman to
conjure you so I might seek out your wisdom. Ah,
I am in great distress. Saul's demeanor was like that
of a child's. He was desperate, afraid, and frantic. God
has turned his back from me. I have no answers.
(08:55):
I have summoned you so you can tell me what
to do.
Speaker 7 (08:59):
But the Lord's silence is his answer.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Song Samuel said.
Speaker 8 (09:05):
Why do you ask me a messenger of the Lord
when the Lord himself has turned from you and become
your enemy. Did I not tell you that he will
tear the kingdom out of your hand.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
And give it to David.
Speaker 8 (09:22):
You know this to be true, do not fight it.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Sal's face grew white as snow as he listened. It
was his worst fear realized before he could speak, The
spirit of Samuel continued, saying.
Speaker 8 (09:37):
Because you did not obey the Lord, he will give
Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your.
Speaker 7 (09:48):
Sons shall be with me.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
Me and my sons will be with you. Saul gasped, Samuel,
What is my fate? What will happen?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Saul fell to his face on the ground. His body
was sprawled out and prostrated before the witch. He was
trembling and ghostly in appearance. The witch was snapped out
of her trance only to see Saul laying face down
on the ground.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Ah, let me get you something to eat.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
She said, you do not look well. No, Saul said,
I will not eat. He propped himself back up and
stood to his feet. He gestured to Tabby, who was
sitting in the corner of the room. We will be
going now.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
Perhaps you should eat.
Speaker 7 (10:35):
Tabby said, rest, for if we are to prove Samuel's
prophecy wrong tomorrow, you will need your strength.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
So Saul ate. He mindlessly stared at the fire, thinking
about Samuel's words. Tomorrow he would march against the Philistines.
He feared that his final breath would be released out
on the battlefield tomorrow, yet there was nothing he could
do to stop it. Ter fifteen a friend of the enemy.
(11:04):
The desert waste land was cruel and unforgiving. The heat
of the sun beat down on the back of David's neck,
yet he remained steadfast on his course. His men and
their families marched behind him, quietly and reluctantly. Following Saul's
last attempt on his life had been the final straw.
David would no longer remain within the borders of Israel,
(11:26):
only to be hunted like a dog. It was time
for him to move into a land beyond King Saul's reach,
the land of the Philistines. Joshabin walked beside David, trying
to keep up with his fast pace forward. He, like
many others, questioned his decision to leave Israel and venture
off into enemy territory. David and his men had killed
(11:48):
many Philistines, and they feared an aggressive welcome.
Speaker 9 (11:52):
I know you are intent on leaving.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Israel, Joshubine said to David, but are.
Speaker 9 (11:57):
You sure that seeking refuge among the enimy of Israel
as a wise plan? What if they kill us on sight?
Speaker 5 (12:04):
We are hunted like animals by the King of Israel,
David said coarsely. The people of Israel have made their choice.
They have chosen to treat us as criminals and relentlessly
pursue us. It is far more unsafe for us to
stay within its borders than venture off somewhere else.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
David was resolute and unwavering. Saul's continual pursuit of him
had left him with no other options. While Saul was
still alive, David had no place within Israel's borders. He
and his tribe continued to march through the arid desert,
looking to the west for Gath, the birthplace of Goliath.
The desert sands slowly gave way some more rocky paths,
(12:47):
winding into a road tucked between two mountains. David had
a sinking feeling that they were being watched. A company
as large as his would not slip into the borders unnoticed.
They had to be cautious and on guard.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
And ambush may be just around the corner.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
David whispered to Joshubin, be on alert and keep your
spear close. David led his people through the ravine towards
the large city of Gath. David remembered the city well.
Its buildings were coarsely cut out of stone and stood
taller than most of the structures in Israel. The people
of Gath were obsessed with making their city large, even
(13:25):
at the costs of beauty and utility. It was a
roughly put together city, with strange alleyways and rough structures.
The ravine came to an end about half a mile
from the city. The exit was in sight, and David
halted his company. He waited for a moment, listening for
any shift in the stones above him. Finally, after a
(13:46):
few moments of silence, David heard the shifting of rocks
to his left. He drew his sword and yelled graceful attack.
His men drew their weapons, and a Philistine horde emerged
from behind the mouth of the ravine. The men formed
a wall in front of the women and children, and
David rushed to the front with his sword drawn. As
the Philistines advanced, David ran forward. He raised his hands
(14:11):
high in the air and fell to his knees. The
gesture surprised the Philistines, and they immediately ceased their attack.
David dropped his weapon and yelled.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
Wait a moment and listen. I am David. You know
me as the giant Slayer. I come here with my
men and their families. We do not come as enemies,
but as refugees. Please let me speak to your king.
You may bind me and take me to him if
(14:42):
you wish.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
The men approached with their spears still pointed outward. David
looked back at Abishi. You keep them safe until I return,
he whispered. Abishi nodded and had the men put down
their weapons. The rest of David's people watched as he
was bound in rope and a scor ordered away by
the Philistines. Fearful, they retreated back behind the mountains and
(15:05):
awaited their leader's return. David was escorted into the borders
of Gath. He had been there once before, when fleeing
for his life. He had feigned madness to get himself
out of trouble. Then he feared that King Akish's first
impression of him would prove harmful to his case. Yet
with faith, David allowed himself to be taken. It would
(15:25):
be the only way to gain favor from the King
of Gath. Once again, he was ushered into the palace
of King Akish. Firs decorated the stone walls, and fires
were raging in all four corners of the hall. It
was warm and smelled of burning meat and spilled wine.
King Aikish sat at his throne, leaning over intently as
(15:46):
David entered the room, bound in ropes. Like most Philistine kings,
Akish was large and battle worn. Years of warring against
surrounding nations for territory had hardened his body and his
heart knelt before him humbly. He knew he had a
lot of work to do to get Akish to trust him,
so he began with the simple plea King Akish, David began,
(16:09):
live forever.
Speaker 5 (16:11):
May the God of my forefathers bless you for your
kindness in releasing me. When we last met, I was
not in my right mind. Akish stood to his feet.
His large strides vibrated the ground beneath him as he
stepped down.
Speaker 7 (16:26):
To David, you're a raging lunatic when I saw you
last giant slayer, Akish said, Yet now you stand before
me in your right mind and with a small army
camped at my borders. Tell me which, David, am I
speaking to the commander or the madman.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
David continued to look at the ground, refusing to meet
Akish eye to eye. Neither, my lord, he said, I.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
Come to you as a servant and a refugee my
men of I have spent months in the wilderness being
pursued by King Saul. He seeks my life, so we
fled here. We know you are in many border disputes
with other nations. Allow us to reside here and we
(17:14):
will serve you well.
Speaker 7 (17:16):
I already have been protecting my borders.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Akish scoffed.
Speaker 7 (17:20):
Why do I need you.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
Because I have fought against your men. King Akish, your
army is vast but lacks the skill my men and
I have. Allow us to dwell in the countryside, and
we will prove to be useful.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
David was now looking up at Akish. Their eyes met,
and Akish was able to determine the honesty in David's voice.
Speaker 7 (17:44):
Shall I spare the man who has killed my people
and allow him to live in my kingdom?
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Akish said, with a firm voice.
Speaker 7 (17:52):
What kind of king would I be if I allowed
you to go unpunished?
Speaker 5 (17:56):
You would be a wise king. My lord, Know that
there is no army you have under you as skilled
and fierce as mine. Allow us to make raids for
you and protect your borders. All other philistine kings will
fear you, for you were able to tame the giants Layer.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
There was a long pause. David knew the next question
Aikish would ask. It was a question that David had
pondered himself many times when fleeing from Saul. Aikish leaned
over and asked.
Speaker 7 (18:29):
Would you be willing to fight against your own people
under my command?
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Yes, David replied, without hesitation.
Speaker 5 (18:36):
King Saul has made many attempts on my life. He
has threatened me, my men, and our families. Our loyalties
are severed from Israel.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
David lied, however, he had a plan and needed Akish
to trust him. King Aikish pondered David's words. He stroked
his beard and gestured for his guards to unbind him.
Speaker 7 (18:59):
Very well, Giant, since you have killed my last champion, Goliath,
I have been in need of someone to raid and
protect the borders of Ziglec. It is a herding country
and vulnerable to other nations. Dwell there and secure the
area on my behalf.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
David bowed in homage to the king, then left. As
he was exiting the large wooden doors, King Akish stopped.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Him, and giants lair I and the other Philistine kings
have not forgotten all your bloodshed towards our people. I
will be keeping close watch on you.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
David nodded, smiled, and departed the city back to the
mountains where he had left his men.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
There is no way I am serving that uncircumcised monster
of a.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
King, Shama yelled. The young man was passionate and angry
at David for brokering such a deal. The others were
outraged as well. David stood at the fire with Shama
Josh obim elizar Abersha, I am Beniah. He often held
counsel with them before making a decision. This time, however,
he would be immovable in his decision.
Speaker 5 (20:10):
I must agree with Shama.
Speaker 7 (20:12):
We have fought these Philistines and lost men.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
They are our enemies and cannot be trusted, Beniah said quietly.
Beniah was young, but had quickly become the most trusted
follower of David. He had been made captain over the
night Watch and David's personal bodyguard.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Who is to say he won't turn on us?
Speaker 2 (20:32):
David nodded in consideration.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
I understand your protests, faithful men, trust me, I do. However,
we are clearly in more danger within the borders of Israel.
Saul moved three thousand of his men from Gibea to
march against our six hundred three thousand. When I saw
how many men Saul was willing to mobilize against us,
(20:57):
I knew we were no longer safe near Judah or Israel. Besides,
I have a plan to raid the enemies of Israel
and bring the plunder to Akish. We can strike down
the Gesherites, Ghizites, and Amalekites and tell the king that
it was against Israel. This keeps Israel protected from its
(21:19):
enemies and us in the good graces of the Philistines.
As long as we bring back plunder, they will be
none the wiser.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
The men began to come around. David leaned in even
more and whispered.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
If I can get Aikish on our side, he will
defend us to the other Philistine kings. If we sense
any trouble, we are already in the countryside. We can
flee at a moment's notice.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
The men considered David's reasoning. As passionate and emotional as
David was, he had a sober mind. He had clearly
thought of all the angles that mattered. They were weary
from so so many months of wandering in the wilderness
and fleeing Saul. It would be refreshing for them to
settle in one place. Their wives and their children needed
(22:08):
a space to call home. So the men agreed they
would follow David to Ziklag and fight on behalf of
King Akish against the Jesuites, Ghizites, and Amalekites. They ventured
off to Zicklag, a fairly desolate countryside with the occasional
farming village. David and his men were happy there. They
(22:31):
and their families built homes and created a safe haven
for themselves. For a year and four months they dwelled
within the borders of Gath. Weekly David would lead his
men into the surrounding cities. The men became famous in
the land for their quick swords and tactical ambushes. There
was not a group of men in the land quite
(22:51):
like David and his mighty warriors. They would go into
the cities and strip them of their sheep, oxen, donkeys, camels,
and garments. Everything they raided they would bring back to Akish.
Weekly David and his men would come before the king
with the spoils of war. Akish would grin from ear
to ear and yell.
Speaker 7 (23:10):
My warrior, David, where have you made a raid today?
Speaker 2 (23:15):
David would bow and respond with against the Israelites or
against the tribe of Judah, But they were all lies.
David was fighting against the enemies of Israel and raiding
their cities. This kept the people of Israel safe and
King Akish rich. David and his men were silent defenders
of Israel, striking down their enemies before that even had
(23:38):
a chance to march up against their borders. Thousands died
at the hand of David and his mighty men, and
the people of Israel were completely unaware of their defender,
and Aikish trusted David completely. With each passing day, the
king of Gath grew more wealthy because of David's exploits.
He reveled in his new found friend, and the army
(24:00):
of outcasts had finally created a place for them to belong.
It was early morning and David was scanning the rich
fields of sheep grazing on the rolling hills of zick Lag.
It calmed him to watch the shepherds tend of their flock.
It reminded him of more innocent times before raids, wars, violence,
and politics. He breathed in the crisp morning air, taking
(24:24):
in the smell of wet grass. He breathed out a
sigh of praise to God. It had been a year
of rebuilding, rebuilding his men and his family, rebuilding of
faith in God's calling over his life, and rebuilding confidence
in himself after months of being pursued by Saul. Added
to this, he was able to protect Israel and gain
(24:46):
wealth by attacking their enemies. He was able to keep
his people safe while also prospering in the land of
the Philistines. David was content in many ways and felt
truly blessed. For now. David stood up, stretched and made
his way back to his village. He walked down the
hill into the stretch of land that he and his
(25:07):
warriors had built upon. They had built homes, dug wells,
and fences to keep their live stock. They had planted
gardens and fields of wheat for food, and barracks to
keep their weaponry. Ziklag was an oasis flowing with favor
and wealth. David marveled at the faithfulness of God. He
and Abigail enjoyed their lives together, with enough food, water, wine,
(25:30):
and friendship to last a lifetime. All seemed at peace.
David entered his home and the savory smell of stew
and bread was wafted in from the fireplace. The pod
and bull were waiting for him, so he scooped some
into his bowl and began to eat. Not even two
bites in, there was a knocking at the door. Abigail
(25:52):
opened it to a distressed Abeshid. He was fighting to
catch his breath. After running to him, my Lord David
abitsh I gasped for air, I need to speak with you.
David stood to his feet and had Abashi I sit.
He refused and lifted his arm.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
We are in trouble. Israel is in trouble.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
What is it, David asked, swiftly, tell me now.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
The Philistines are marching up to attack Israel. The Philistine
kings have combined their armies to march up against Saul
at Aphek.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
They have done this before, David said, matter of factly,
we have done all we can to protect Israel. Are
you saying we should come to their aid?
Speaker 3 (26:34):
No, David, you do not understand. King Akish has requested
that we march up with him to join the other
kings and fight against Israel.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
David's stomach dropped when he heard the words leave Abishai's mouth.
He sat back and grabbed his long hair. What have
I done? He whispered to himself. What am I going
to do? All the color left David's face. He began
to feel faint and dizzy at the thought of marching
up against Israel. But what choice did he have. If
(27:02):
he refused, King Akish would wipe them out. He had
spent a year gaining his trust, and if he did
not march with him, surely he and his men would
be doomed.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
What are we going to do, David.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Abish I asked solemnly. David was silent. All the line
to King Akish had finally caught up to him, and
now he was faced with a decision that could alter
the history of Israel. Would he march with the Philistines
to destroy Israel or would he refuse and be slaughtered
by the entire Philistine army. David said nothing. He gripped
(27:37):
his hair tightly and shook his head in dismay. Leave me,
he whispered.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
But David, we needed answer, not I said lathe, David shouted,
you will have your answer. Now go and tell no
one of this until I have found you.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Ambish I bowed and left without another word. David stood up,
strapped his sword to his back, and left, with the
door slamming behind him. He climbed the hill overlooking the
village and sat on a stone. The cool morning breeze
was still cool and refreshing. David closed his eyes and
listened for the voice of God. He needed direction. Any
(28:12):
decision he could make seemed to lead down a bad path.
David was so accustomed to choosing between a good decision
and a bad one. Until now. He lived in a
world that was black and white. All choices were between
evil or good, righteousness or wickedness, life or death. Yet
now he was faced with two terrible decisions in which
(28:35):
both could lead to utter humiliation and destruction. Finally David
knew what it was like to be a king. He
prayed to God for guidance, yet no voice responded. He
was left with the chaotic ramblings of his own mind.
He stood to his feet and left the mountain. A
decision had to be made, and David trusted that God's
(28:56):
mercy would follow him either way. David retre shrieved Abeshi
and Benaiah with a somber yet resolute tone. David lifted
his eyes and said, we marched tomorrow morning with the Philistines.
Gather the men, do not ask questions. I trust the Lord,
(29:16):
our God will deliver us. So the men gathered themselves
and marched behind King Akish and his army. They trudged
along the countryside, silently anticipating what was to come. David
held his head low, lamenting that he may have to
shed blood against his fellow Israelites. The allied Philistine army
(29:36):
was as vast as the sea itself. Thousands of men
were stationed across the plains of Affec. David and his
men resided behind the rest of the encampments a few
hundred yards away. Aikish kept them separate from the rest
so as to not stir any unnecessary trouble. David was
grateful for the separation. He did not want to feel
(29:58):
like a part of the Philistines. Something in his body
cried out against it. David, Abeshi, Eliezar, and Benaiah scaled
the mountain overlooking the Israelite camp. Saul had amassed an
army unlike any they had seen before. Clearly Saul had
anticipated the unification of Philistine kingdoms against him. They were
(30:18):
certainly not outnumbered or outmatched. Saul had gathered an impressive response,
and David could not help but long to be in
their midst.
Speaker 5 (30:27):
It seems as though Saul has come prepared.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
David whispered. Maybe so, said josh Obein.
Speaker 9 (30:34):
But if we marched with the Philistines tomorrow and fight,
it may be the very thing that swings the fight
in their favor.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
David nodded. He knew it was true. The presence of
David and his six hundred trained warriors could absolutely shift
the fight in Akish's favor. He cringed at the thought,
praying somehow he would not have to fight come daybreak tomorrow.
The men left the mountain and returned to their camp.
David was summoned to join Akish and the rest of
(31:01):
the Philistine kings at a meeting. He rode at Aikish's
side into the center of the Philistine encampment. A large
red tent had been erected. Inside were iron fire pits
raging with flames, and bronze idols erected to dagon. Being
in the room made David feel uneasy. Akish sat down
at the round table. Sitting in the center of the tent,
(31:24):
He was joined by the other kings and their commanders.
He did not take long for them to notice David's presence.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
What is he doing here, Akish? Isn't this the giant
slayer one of the mast he is, but he has
offered his services to aid our battle.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Akish said, slapping David's back and smiling.
Speaker 7 (31:42):
I trust him with my life. He has been raiding
the Israelites for over a year now on my behalf,
and has not failed me yet.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
David forced a smile, feeling an intense amount of pressure
in his chest. One of the kings drove his dagger
into the table and yelled.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
I what this smack? And his small army out of here.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
He spat and raged at Akish.
Speaker 7 (32:04):
He may have made you rich, but he is still
an Israelite dog who cannot be trusted.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
The others murmured in agreement. However, Akish pushed back even more, saying, I.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Find no fault in David or his men. They have
lived peacefully with us and already proven they are willing
to spill Israelite blood. Will not his presence discourage King
Saul and the others.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
David desperately desired for Akish to stop talking, but he
could say nothing. He was forced to hold his tongue
and await their decision. The others pondered Akish's words, yet
were still not convinced David was telling the truth.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
Send a man back. He shall not march down with us,
lest in the battle he becomes our enemy.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
The tall, thin king leaned over to David and peered
him in the eye.
Speaker 7 (32:53):
I know of your devotion to your God. King David,
I know you could not reconcile yourself before your God
if you spill the Israeli blood. I will not have
you turn on me and my men just because you
couldn't live with the guilt.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
The Philistine king's words were cutting and true. There would
be no way David could reconcile himself before God if
he spilled the blood of his children. Another Philistine king
agreed and said, have you heard the.
Speaker 7 (33:23):
Songs they sang about him? Akish? Saul has killed his thousands,
but David his ten thousands. Who do you think those
ten thousands are? They are us. This man has been
made famous in Israel by slaughtering Philistines. We must not
have him fight with us.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
The rest of them began to murmur and complain. Aikish
finally had enough and rose his hand.
Speaker 7 (33:48):
Enough he said, I will send him back.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
Akish took David by the arm and let him out
of the tent. The king sighed and shook his head.
Speaker 7 (33:59):
David, I know you are an honest and loyal man.
You would have marched with me and come to my aid.
Oh how I longed to fight alongside you and battle,
my friend. But alas I must respect the other lord's wishes.
Go back now to Ziglach. I fear the land may
be vulnerable to attack with all of us gone. Anyways,
(34:21):
Be careful, my friend. Rise early in the morning with
the servants of your lord who came with you, and
start early in the morning, and depart as soon as
you have light.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Akish embraced David tightly. The hug was more than David
could bear. He could feel the trust of the king,
and it crushed him. He had been lying all this
time to a man who seemed to be good. Deep down,
David was conflicted. He shook Akish's hand and retreated back
to camp. On his way back, David stopped and fell
(34:52):
to his knees. He gripped the dirt below him tightly
and closed his eyes. His entire body was shaking, and
he could know longer hold back his tears. The hero
of Israel wept bitterly on the ground. Unable to console himself.
He buried his face in the dirt, crying aloud to
God for forgiveness. In his sin and arrogance, he had
(35:14):
almost led his men into a sin. He could not
retreat from Yet God was faithful to his chosen one.
He did not allow David to commit such a hideous
crime against him and his people. Despite all of his
flaws and foolishness, God would not abandon David. He would
remain at his side, always following after him with grace
(35:35):
and mercy.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
Well, we have seen David make mistakes before, but this
mistake seems to stand above the rest. Can you imagine
what would have happened if David marched against the army
of Israel. I'm glad we didn't have to find out,
as was David. This episode took us on a journey
of false security. David thought he could have it both ways.
(36:01):
He thought he could befriend the enemy while still being
the hero of God. For a while, it seemed to work,
but we know by now lives always cause chaos. Eventually,
when we deceive others than ourselves and our lives are belief,
we can be lulled into a false sense of security.
When we get away with lies, the comfort we feel
(36:21):
is like sleeping on a bed that is teetering on
the edge of a skyscraper. The pillows are fluffed, the
blankets are warm, but we are not safe. There can
be no real peace when you live a double life. Eventually,
the growing chasm between your values and your actions become
too wide a distance to hurdle. We see a lot
(36:41):
of double mindedness in this episode. The first perpetrator is Saul,
who seeks the will of God in the presence of
a witch. The witch points out the irony herself, saying,
you swear by the Lord all the while seeking the
help of a witch. You are truly a conflicted soul.
This witch doesn't know how right she is. Saul is
(37:04):
a walking contradiction at this point. He leads the armies
of God's people without the favor of God. He leads
God's nation without the guidance of God. He claims to
be a man of integrity while harboring bitterness in his heart.
Saul's very presence and endure speaks to his confusion, and
at the same time it gives us clarity. We are
(37:25):
not sure if who Saul speaks to through the witch
is actually Samuel or not. This portion of scripture is
admittedly confusing and controversial. However, the words spoken are true.
Saul is going to die in the next battle. It
is an unavoidable fact. There is no more escape for Saul.
The time has come for him to die. While Saul
(37:49):
is hiding in the shadows of endure, David is hiding
in the shadows of God. He leads his men and
their families in the enemy territory despite the warnings from
his trusted advisers. So far, David has made every decision
by consulting God and his friends. But this decision seems
to be one hundred percent David, which does invode well
(38:10):
for him. The word of God and the counsel of
friends are supposed to be a strong foundation for a
leader to rely on, but the giant Slayer is set
on his course and nobody can challenge him on it.
As a side note, leaders who can't be questioned do
questionable things. Be wary of leaders who dig their heels
in and can't be moved with wise counsel. Gaff isn't
(38:34):
initially welcoming to David and his crew, but King Akish
falls for David's life. His plan is admittedly brilliant. He
will raid Israel's enemies and bring back wealth for Akish.
He will claim Israel is who he's hunting, and Akish
won't question it because he's getting rich. His plan works.
David has been a shepherd, a commander, an exile, a vigilante,
(38:58):
and now he adds raider to his resume. David is
increasingly bold to make this move, and the plan seems
well thought out. He is going to build wealth and
security for his people while also secretly helping Israel. David
thinks he can have it both ways. He thinks he
can be in an alliance with the enemy while being
(39:19):
loyal to his country. This is the trap we can
all find ourselves in. We think we can have hidden
sin in our lives while also being faithful to the
people around us. But these things tend to catch up
with us eventually. Jesus once said no one can serve
two masters, for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the
(39:39):
one and despise the other. This turns out to be
true for David. He tries to keep an alliance with
Gath and Israel, but at some point he is forced
to choose between the two, and when the time finally
comes to choose, he is in an incredibly compromising position.
By the end of the episode, David has put too
much on the line. The choice between marching with Gaff
(40:03):
or refusing isn't as simple as it seems. If David
fights with Akish, he will be killing his own countrymen
and subjugating his own people. However, if he refuses to
march against Israel, his lives will be exposed and Akish
will kill him, his men, and their families. You see
how complicated the problem has become. David is faced with
two devastating options. This is an important theme in scripture
(40:26):
and in life. Not every decision is a choice between
good and bad. Wouldn't that be easy? If everything were
a matter between choosing a clearly wrong path versus a
clearly right path, then life would be a lot less complicated. No,
The decisions we make are often choices between two equally
bad options or equally good options. This is when desernment
(40:51):
and wisdom are most needed. David is paralyzed by the
idea of marching against his own people, yet unable to
refuse Sikish. There is a brief moment when David becomes
like Saul. The prely reminded us that Saul's mind was
dark and chaotic. Years of compromise and prideful decisions caused
(41:12):
Saul to be closed off to the voice of God,
and now, in the midst of turmoil and lies, David
finds himself in the same position. Without clear guidance, David
takes his men to march against Israel. David doesn't necessarily
plan to actually fight Israel. His plan is to go
with Akish and trust that the Lord will cover his sins.
(41:33):
It isn't a well thought our plan, but I guess
it is David's planning that got him into this mess
in the first place. The once bold hero follows the
Philistines with his head held low, but God's grace is
close behind him. David wrote in Psalm twenty three, Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life. This is definitely the case for David, who
(41:56):
is asked to leave the battle rather than participate in it.
Through God's providence and grace, David doesn't have to fight Israel.
The other Philistine kings don't trust him, so David gets
to leave and maintain the trust of King Agish. Christ
is averted right wrong. We should know better by now.
(42:17):
Remember the themes we explored in episode ten Lives have unseen
ripple effects. There is no way of prescribing how our
dishonesty can affect the future. In our next episode, David
sees those ripple effects and is forced to take action. However,
heroes are often forwards in the fire of their mistakes.
(42:37):
Will David learn from his mistakes and make things right
or will the pressure be too much for him to bear?
Find out next time in episode sixteen, Heart of a Shepherd.
Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers
and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to pray dot com.
And to expand your heroes in the Bible journey, download
(42:59):
the Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tonyevans dot org.
Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with a family member
or friend and help us spread God's word. God bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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