August 1, 2025 • 44 mins
Chapter 16 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 1 Samuel 30.
Heart of a Shepherd - David and his men are forced to fight for what they care about most. In the heat of battle, amidst the blood and dirt, David is recognized for his true shepherd’s heart.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Ephesians 2:10, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
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Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, doctor Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you to
join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be sure
to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so you
get the newest episodes right as they come out. Welcome
to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:22):
and murder. While most people know David the myth, few
know about David the man. In this episode, David is
brought to the end of himself. In our last story,
David began a steep decline and was nearly caught in
a terrible situation. God delivered him from a complete moral collapse,
but there is still a price to pay for what
(00:44):
he's done. David is about to reach an all time low,
questioning his calling as a leader and value as a man.
God's chosen hero will be faced down in a pile
of ash, wondering if he should give up. This episode
explores the themes of strength, valor, and redemption. David's failure
(01:04):
gives way for more faith and the shepherd's heart within
him that, once vanquished, a lion awakens. There is less
philosophical or theological prose to be taken from this episode.
It is meant to be appreciated as an example of
the hero's journey. David will fall, rise, and then enter
(01:24):
into a new chapter of his life. Before the madness
of this episode ensues, we will be carried forward in
time to the peaceful shores of Galilee. Speaking to the
crowd with a gentle breeze at his back. Is Jesus
giving insight into the heart of God. Jesus's account of
the good Shepherd will provide the perfect lens for how
(01:46):
we see the character of David. He is, at his
core a shepherd, and a good shepherd always lays his
life down for the sheep. I'm glad you're here for
the halfway point of our David series. Heart of a Shepherd.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Prelude to chapter sixteen. The sea of Galilee was calm
and serene. The gentle breeze blowing in from the water
brushed up against Jesus's face as he spoke to the
crowd before him.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Let us say, a shepherd has a hundred.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Sheep, Jesus said, he.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Tends to them well within his pasture. However, one of
them falls astray and wanders off into the wilderness where
predators lie in wait. The shepherd takes action and leaves
the ninety nine sheep in search of the one. He
ascends into the mountains and risks injury and death to
(02:46):
save the one sheep who went astray. Then he finds
the sheep, and his entire household rejoices. That is the
heart of my Father in heaven. It is not in
his will that any one should perish.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Jesus spoke of a transcendent truth packaged in a simple story.
He revealed in his words the attentive heart of God,
a heart that saw the life of one person worth
risking danger and death for a good shepherd's loyalty and
love for his sheep would endure the thread of lions, wolves, storms,
and other dangers, all for the sake of the sheep's safety.
(03:28):
As Jesus spoke, the people received a new glimpse into
the heart of God. He cared for them like a
shepherd would his sheep, and he would lay down his
life to protect them. Jesus outstretched his arms to the
people and proclaimed.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays his
life down for the sheep. The hired hand sees the
wolf coming and leaves the sheep to save himself. He
cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd,
and I I will lay down my life for the sheep.
They will hear me and listen to my voice. Know this,
(04:08):
whatever may come in the future, nobody takes my life
from me. I lay it down willingly for the sake
of those that God has given to me. I have
the authority to lay down my life, and I have
the authority to raise it up again.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Jesus would lay his life down as the good shepherd.
The blood he spilled would be used as a ransom
for many. Through his suffering, toil and sacrifice, many would
come to be blessed. Jesus alone would have victory over
sin and death, and share in that victory for all
those who would want it. The spoils of his war
(04:47):
against darkness would be shared withal Chapter sixteen, Heart of
a Shepherd. David trudged through the mud, despondent and ashamed.
His men followed at a slower pace, keeping their distance
from him. He had nearly led them into a battle
against their own people, God's people. However, the Lord protected
(05:10):
them from marching up against Israel. He had saved them
from David's lies and brash decisions. Although his men were angry,
no one despised David as much as he despised himself.
He and his faithful six hundred waded through the marshes
between Aphek and zik Lag quietly. There was no laughter
or jabbing banter between them, only a painful and disgraceful silence.
(05:35):
For three days they marched back home. At night, they rested,
camp fires were set, and night watches were assigned. Yet
the pride and light heartedness of being under David had
lost its fluster. This was their first real defeat. Each night,
David curled into himself and slept. He did not want
(05:56):
to face any of his men. He did not want
to face himself. He did not want to face God.
It was the third day on their return home, and
the wet marshes slowly transitioned into lush, rolling hills leading
down into the farm land of zick Lag. David was
eager to fall into Abigail's arms. He longed for an
(06:17):
understanding ear to listen to his failures and lament with him.
He dreamed of her embrace every night, as did every man.
Towards his wife. For as mighty as the brave six
hundred were, many of them were husbands and fathers. They
were family men who dreamed of a day when they
would quietly tend to their farms without the threat of
(06:37):
being killed. Zick Lag had become a safe haven and
a refuge from the madness of the world. It was
their quiet oasis and humble bastion. As they drew closer,
David could see something eerie in the distance. Dark plumes
of smoke rose several miles away, and the men feared
the worst.
Speaker 5 (06:57):
We were fools to leave in march with King acre.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
A, Liaisar said to David. The two of them looked
out over the rolling hills towards their home.
Speaker 6 (07:06):
That smoke is right where our families are.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
David could not speak. It was as if a stone
had been placed in his throat. He held back nervous
tears and gestured for his men to quicken their pace.
Their brisk marching soon turned into a run. As zik
Lag came into focus, David's eyes began to fog with
frantic caress.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
He read down the hill.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Every house, every barn, and every armory they had.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Built was reduced to ash.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
The men fell to their knees and wept as they
scanned the desolate ash heap that was their home. There
was no sign of their wives or their children. They
had been taken, along with all the livestock and stockpiled goods.
A Liaisar and the other fathers in the group ran
into the wreckage, yelling their children's names. They dug through
(07:54):
the burnt wood and ash in desperate search for them.
Yet not even bodies could be found. It was clear
all of them had been taken, but by who. Still
in shock, David trudged around the village. He came to
the place where his home used to be. He had
longed to open the door and find Abigail. There, yet
(08:15):
there was only a pile of cinders. Something caught the
side of David's eye. A hilt of a sword had
been left. David leaned down and picked it up. He
brushed off the ash and dirt to see the seal
of the Amalekites. The sworn enemies of Israel had swooped
in when the men were away, while the women and
children were alone and vulnerable. The Amalekites had marched in
(08:38):
with ease and taken everything. They took what was most
precious to them, their families. David gripped the hilt and
squeezed it. His hands were trembling in his bottom lip quiver.
Falling to his knees, David cried louder than he had
ever before. This was his greatest failure, and now the
(08:58):
innocent women and Shilo were paying for his panguages. The
men howled after their families, the strong and noble warriors,
had been completely broken.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
David could hear their weeping. It broke his heart.
Speaker 7 (09:13):
It's it's what you wanted.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
David, shouted a voice from behind.
Speaker 7 (09:17):
You should be stoned, figures.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Another voice cried out, my child's blood will be on
your hands. The voices grew louder and louder. A choir
of insults resouted in David's ears as his men lashed
out in anger. The giant slayer remained on his knees.
He said nothing to defend himself, for he knew that
they were right. He had led his men to go
(09:41):
on a sinful mission. It was his poor leadership that
left the women and children vulnerable. If they had not
embarked on a pointless march, their families would not have
been taken. They are right, David thought to himself, I
should be stoned for this pous crime. He banged his
fist against the air, creating a cloud of smoke in
(10:02):
front of him. He had no answers for his men.
He had no song of hope to sing to them,
no words of comfort. The chosen champion of God was
completely and utterly broken. The men eventually left to salvage
whatever they could of the wreckage. They were all weary
from three days of marching, their bones ached and their
(10:22):
hearts were broken. The men made camp ate and stared
blankly into the night. Those who were awake murmured by
the fire, cursing David under their breath. Yet David remained
where he was, knees in the ashes of his destroyed home.
He stared blankly at the stars, wondering if God had
saved him from the war against Israel, all so he
(10:44):
could punish him with the Amalekites. David could hear footsteps
behind him, breaking them maddening silence. It was Abieshi. He
sat beside him and allowed the silence to resume. The
wind was light, carrying the smell of fire, and as
the two of them scanned the noiseless desolation. Then abish
(11:05):
I spoke with few words, hoping to get through to
his commander.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
When I was a soldier in Saul's army, there was
a legend that was often told to the men. We
all knew this story, yet somehow, every time it was told,
it seemed new to us.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
He began.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Although Abishai was a young man, his low and contemplative
voice revealed his old soul.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
It was a story of a young shepherd boy who
left his entire flock of sheep to rescue one lamb
from the jaws of a lion. This shepherd could afford
to lose one sheep, After all, lion's steal sheep all
the time. What is a small shepherd boy to do
when faced with a ravenous lion.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Abishi shook his head and smiled.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Yet this boy had a true shepherd's heart. Every sheep
was precious. He would sacrifice everything, even his own life,
just for one sheep.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Abish I turned to David and grabbed his shoulder.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Remember you were a shepherd before you were a giant slayer.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
He said.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
After saying this, Abishai stood to his feet and left
David to himself. David watched abish I leave, then walked
to the valley where the sheep once graced. The wind
shifted and David could no longer smell ash. He looked
up into the heavens and stretched out his hands. The
wind picked up even more, billowing against David's trembling body.
(12:35):
He clenched his fists and roared into the heavens. He
shouted praise to his God and allowed the spirit of
the Lord to rest upon him. He strengthened himself in
the Lord, allowing the full weight of his grace to
empower him. The breath of God that once breathed life
into Adam had rushed fresh wind into David's lungs. He
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breathed in, deeply, feeling the power, favor, and purpose of God.
He shook his head to clear the fog of his
mind and said.
Speaker 7 (13:06):
I am a man anointed by God, called by God,
and promised by God to be the next king of Israel.
I have a high calling and promise from God, and
he hasn't taken it away. I need to start living
according to that destiny.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
David raised his head. The cloud hovering above him completely vanished.
Revealing the vast expanse of the heavens. David beat his
fist against his chest and begged the Lord for forgiveness.
He howled into the evening wind, allowing himself to feel
the mighty hand of God upon him. He left for
camp and stormed into the tent of Abiathar, the priest,
(13:48):
bring me the ephought, David said, with a smile. Abiathar
was startled by David's abrupt entrance. There was an excitement
and fire in his eyes that he had not seen
yet in the young commander. In spite of all the
tragedy that had just befallen him, David seemed to him
like a man with passion and purpose. Abiathar brought out
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the effort so David could inquire of the Lord. He
held it in his hand and bowed to the Lord.
Speaker 5 (14:14):
Shall I pursue after the Amalekites? David whispered, if I
go up against them to rescue our loved ones, will
you allow me to overtake them?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
God's answer was clear and resolute. Pursue, he said, for
you shall overtake and rescue those you love. David's eyes
beamed with hope. He gave the effort back to Abiathar
and left the tent. He strapped Jonathan's armor securely to
his chest. He secured the sword of Goliath to his back.
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He rifled through his bag to retrieve his headband, tying
it around his forehead to keep his curls from falling
in his eyes. Lastly, he removed the sling from his
bag and held it in his hands. The first memory
that came rushing through his mind was not the memory
of slaying Goliath. No, he was protecting his sheep from
lions and wolves. He had always laid everything on the
(15:10):
line for his sheep. He did not consider his own
life more valuable than theirs. He risked his life for
them because they were his. David gripped the sling firmly
in his hand and strapped it to his belt. He
stood and went to his men, who were sitting by
the fire. I am going after them, he said. They
looked up at him with eyes red from tears.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
Do you plan on pursuing them alone?
Speaker 2 (15:35):
And Liazar asked he, out of all of David's most faithful,
was hurt the most. He feared for his family and
mourned their loss deeply. If I must fight alone.
Speaker 7 (15:47):
I will. The Lord has already promised victory, and I
trust him. I am going south. The Amalekites have left
a trail, and I want to begin my pursuit before
the trail is blown away.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
None of them had the strength to follow him, but
David cared not whether they went with him or staid.
David pointed to the horizon and said.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
The people God has entrusted to me are out there somewhere.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
They're like sheep that have been taken by.
Speaker 7 (16:17):
Wolves, and I plan on going after them. I do
not fear the enemy, for the Lord is my ship.
He prepares a table for me the presence of my enemies.
He will protect and guide me.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
David stormed off and began running into the night. It
was only a few hours before sunrise, and David was
determined to run until he found his lost sheep. His
mighty men, who had once sworn to fight alongside him
until the end, we remained by the fire. They were
dejected and bereaved. The evening breeze subsided, and the chirping
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of crickets was replaced with the silence of early morning.
The sun had not yet risen, and David had been
running for two hours in the dark, he stopped to
drink and regain his bearings. They were at least two
days in front of him, and it would take a
great deal of effort to bridge the gap between them.
As the morning light rose above the hills, David heard
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her rumbling behind him. He looked back and held his
hand above his head to block the sun. There, standing
with the sun rise to their backs were David's men,
all six hundred of them were behind Abeshire. David's heart
began to pound with joy. Tears streamed down his face
as he watched them descend the hill towards him. They
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would not leave him to fight the Amalekites alone. David
Shepherd's heart had been imparted on to them, and now
they would go to rescue those who were lost. David
said nothing. He simply nodded at his men and gestured
for them to move forward. They ran at a steady pace,
filled with the fire of God's spirit raging in their bones.
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David remained ahead of them, bent on retrieving the lost sheep.
The faithful men followed, but not all were physically ready
for the challenge. Eventually, David and the men came to
the brook Bessor. The water was deep and the recent
rains had caused the current to rage violently. David paused
and assessed the situation. If they were to go around it,
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they would fall behind for more than a day. David
secured his sword to his back and jump into the water.
The current thrashed against him and tugged him downstream. However,
he was determined and chopped at the water even more.
The brook was only fifty feet wide, but the rapids
made it feel like an eternity. After kicking and stroking forward,
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David finally made it to the other side. He rested
his hands on his knees and panted, then looked across
the brook to beckon his men forward. Four hundred of
them jumped in after him. However, two hundred of them
were too exhausted to continue.
Speaker 7 (19:02):
We cannot follow any further, David. We would exhaust ourselves
and water would consume us.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
One of them shouted, cowards, shouted a few others who
had swam to the other side.
Speaker 7 (19:15):
It won't take all of us to slay the Amalekites.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
David rebuked the men and waved the others on.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Go back to camp. To prepare a place for the
women and children. They will not want to come back
home to ash and debris. Pray for us that the
Lord would give us favor.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
The men bowed and turned back. David did not waste
any more time. He continued at a fast pace in
pursuit of the Amalekite wolves. The Faithful and Mighty Men
of David ran into the night, only pausing for short
periods of time to hydrate and rest their legs. The
sun rose the next day and David's worst fear had
been realized. He had lost their trail. All signs of
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the Amalekites had vanished with the e evening winds. The
men wandered the desert hills, slowly losing hope.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
Shall we turned back to retrace the.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Trail, Shama asked, no, David said, while shaking his head.
The two of them had scaled one of the hills
to get a better vantage point.
Speaker 7 (20:15):
If we turn back, we will lose precious time. We
cannot afford interruptions.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Shama and David remained up there for a few more moments,
speculating as to where they fell off course. As they
were debating on whether to turn back, the men called
for David from below. The two of them descended and
joined the others. Josh Obib was standing over a young
man lying on the desert floor unconscious. David knelt down
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and brought out his waterskin. The boy was young, with
no beard, and wore the clothing of a slave. Judging
by the markings on his skin, David could see that
he had a cruel master. He brought the water to
his mouth. Gently, drink, my son, you do not look well.
The young men groaned and took strained SIPs of the water.
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He opened his eyes to see David's bright smile. Even
amidst the harsh sun and exhausting conditions, David always managed
to give a kind smile to those who needed it.
The boy sat up and whispered, thank you, David. The
liaisar interrupted, you've given the boy his food.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Now let us leave him and be on our way.
Speaker 7 (21:24):
We must continue not until I.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Am certain this boy is all right, David replied. He
gestured for his men to get some food. They brought
him bread, a piece of fig cake, and two clusters
of raisins. The boy ate ravenously. Thank you, my lord,
the boy said, with a grin I.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
Have been without food for three days and three nights.
I was almost certain I would die out here.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Where are you from, David asked gently.
Speaker 6 (21:49):
I am an Egyptian. The boy replied, I was forcibly
taken as a slave and sold to an Amalekite.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
David's curiosity was sparked. He wondered if this young man
had been sent by God.
Speaker 7 (22:01):
Why are you away from your master?
Speaker 4 (22:03):
David asked, have you run away? The boy shook his head.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Three days ago, I grew ill and required more attention
and care than my master was willing to give. After
we raided Togebn Ziklag, I was left here to die.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
I am sorry, David said, sincerely.
Speaker 7 (22:18):
Your master made a poor choice in choosing his convenience
over your care.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
I am happy to be rid of him, even given
the circumstances.
Speaker 7 (22:27):
The boy replied, do you know where your master and
the other Amalekites are headed.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
David asked, I do, but I do not plan on
returning to them.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
David leaned over and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Speaker 7 (22:39):
I understand that you do not want to return, but
the Amalekites have taken our families. Will you lead us
to them.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
The boy was silent for a long moment. David grew
uncomfortable with the pause. He looked up at him with
a desperate gaze.
Speaker 6 (22:56):
Swear to me, by your God that you will not
kill me or send me back into.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
The hands of my master, he begged.
Speaker 6 (23:01):
Swear to me that no harm will befall me, and
I will take you to them.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
David's heart ached for the young man. What a cruel
and painful life he must have had so far. David
nodded his head and smiled.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
You have my word, take me to them, and you
may be free to do as you please. Leave for Egypt,
remain in the desert, or join us if you desire.
It is your choice.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
The boy's face lit up with hope for the first
time since he had been taken as a child, abandoned,
left for dead, and cast aside. He had thought death
would be a welcomed change. Yet now as the boy
stood before David, he felt alive with hope for the future.
He stood to his feet and limped forward. David laughed
(23:49):
and rallied his men. They cheered and followed the boy
through the hills, overlapping over another. Eventually they were able
to spot a camp nestled in a valley between two
large mountains. David had found his enemy, and the warrior
heart of God's chosen hero raged like a forest fire.
Speaker 8 (24:07):
Get ready, men, he shouted, we will take these Amalekite dogs.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
At twilight, the drunken cackles of the Amalekite soldiers echoed
through the canyons. They were celebrating their victory, completely unaware
that David and his men were lurking in the shadows,
ready to attack. Like a pack of wolves. David listened
to the sounds of music, dancing, and debauchery until the
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sun set. Their inebriated swaying and loud singing gave David
a good idea of how the battle would go. If
they were able to get the jump on them, the
battle could be decided quickly. However, by the looks of
their camp, the Amalekites outnumbered them five to one. If
even half of them were in a sober state of mind,
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they would be in great danger. David watched the final
rays of light tuck in behind the hills. The bright
splashes of orange and reds faded into the dark blue night.
As the final light left the horizon, David stood to
his feet and began a slow pace towards the camp.
His men walked behind him, quietly, making their way towards
(25:14):
the enemy. They drew their swords. There was no battle cry,
no sounding of trumpets or drums of war. They did
not deserve such a warning. Like the Angel of Death,
David and the rest of the Mighty Men drifted into camp.
The first strike was a silent strang across the throat
of an Amalekite guard. David was the first to draw blood,
(25:37):
and once he did, the entire band of warriors behind
him began their onslought. David was filled.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
With a quiet rage, like the rumbling of the volcano.
A belt around. Without so much as a grunt, he
slashed through every a Palekie he saw it.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
They fell at his feet before even noticing he was there.
Snow the entire camp and cut on to what was happening.
Hundreds of the drunk and the Malakite soldiers ceased their
drinking and dancing to take up arms. Like a swarm
of locusts, they emerged from their tents and began to run.
Speaker 4 (26:12):
Towards David and his men.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
David, stead of his breathing, ripped his sword firmly and
ran towards the Alam. He ran with reckless abandon with
his sword poised for a battle. His men rushed in
behind him, emboldened by his brave The two armies clashed,
and the sound of clanging iron filled the air like thunder.
David's volcanic rage had finally boiled over. He erupted with
(26:38):
unbridled fury, cutting down every man who.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
Came in his way.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
No Amalekite lasted longer than five seconds against him.
Speaker 4 (26:47):
He was a man possessed.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
With a greater power, and there would be no stomping him.
A group of Amalekites rushed at him at once. One
came above, but David ducked.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
And slashed him at the calves.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Another came in from David's left, but his jab was dodged,
followed by a swing of David's sword to his neck.
Each killed brought him further to the center of camp,
where the families had been tied up. Captive, with a
sea of blood behind him, David broke through the final
wall of men keeping him from his beloved. At the end,
they came at him like ravenous animals, However, even the
(27:22):
fiercest of wolves are no match for a shepherd coming
after his sheep.
Speaker 4 (27:27):
From twilight until.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
The evening of the next day, David and his men
completely slaughtered the Amalokates.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
Not one soldier was left standing except for the young
men who had fled on their candles.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
As the dawn finally broke, David stood in front of
a large tent standing in the center of camp. His
face was caked with blood and dirt. All the screams
of his enemies and sound of clanging swords had ceased,
and all that was left was silence. He slowly approached
the entrance of the tent and opened it, afraid of
(28:00):
what he might see inside. Would his family be killed,
would the children be hurt? David feared that he may
have been too late. However, when he entered the large
canvas structure, he was relieved to see all of the
family safe, huddled together in the corner of the tent.
The heavy weight on his heart had fallen off him,
(28:22):
and David fell to his knees and wood in the
sight of them. Abigail lanced again and held him. She
stroked his hair and hushed she was safe. They were
all saved, and it was the Lord that had saved them.
The morning came and the sunrise was blocked by clouds
gliding across the eastern plains. The crisp morning air filled
(28:45):
David's lungs. He breathed in, feeling the full weight of
God's grace upon him. Once again, despite his foolishness, the
Lord had shown him mercy. David awoke, thankful and filled
with joy at the goodness of God. He walked among
the Amalekite camp, taking inventory of all the spoils they
had taken. Not only were all of the stolen livestock
(29:08):
and items still there, but there was even more spoil
to be taken. David and his men took donkeys and
carts and filled them to the brim with the Malakite riches, gold, silver, livestock, clothing, weapons,
and an abundance of food was loaded to be taken
back home. The men and their families ventured off that morning,
following close behind their shepherd David. They were delighted at
(29:31):
their riches they had just acquired. It felt like a
worthy trophy for the hard fought battle they had won.
To them, it was a reward for their bravery. The
group ventured back towards zick Lag, this time taking the
long way around the brook Besor. Zick Lag came into
view and the clouds began to break above them. The
men who had been left at the brook Besor were
(29:54):
back home, rebuilding the homes and mending the broken fences.
They looked up the hills above them, and so saw
their families descending down to them. They dropped their tools
and ran after them. The wives and children could not wait.
They ran ahead to greet their husbands and fathers. Tears
rolled down their faces, and laughter rose up into the skies.
(30:15):
David smiled with his arm around his wife, content to
sit back and watch his people enjoy a moment of bliss.
The warriors who fought the Amalekites began to unload the
spoils of war. They tied up the livestock and began
to count with the head whined. The men who which
stayed back began helping unload. They seemed elated at the
sight of so many riches won for their community, but
(30:37):
the other men were defensive of the spoils.
Speaker 8 (30:40):
What makes you think you can share in the riches
we won, they shouted, We were the ones who pressed
on and followed David to fight the Amalekites. We were
the ones with enough strength to continue. Much of the
spoil is what was stolen from all of us. We
must share if we are to prosper.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
The others reached hoarded, bickering and infighting emerged from the
ranks of David. A spirit of division rose like boiling water.
If David was not careful, he would have his own
civil war break out among his men. Among the furious
men was Dov, a brutish and wicked man who had
managed to stay among the ranks of David. He savagely
(31:20):
threw some of the men away from the spoils, insisting
that they had no right to them. He rowed up
some of the other men against them and suggested that
they take their families and leave. David watched the fighting
continue for a short while. He was thinking, praying, and
considering what the next move shall be. The next decision
he made would determine what type of king he would become.
(31:44):
Shall he signed with the strong or share the wealth
for the sake of prosperity.
Speaker 4 (31:49):
He had little time to.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Consider these things, since Dob and the other worthless fellows
among the men stormed up to him.
Speaker 7 (31:55):
Commander David a word.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Dov asked with rage.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
David nodded and gestured for him to speak.
Speaker 8 (32:02):
These weeklies were not able to cross a simple river
to fight with you. They were cowards and ran when
you needed them most.
Speaker 7 (32:09):
They should not receive any of the spoil we labored
so hard to capture.
Speaker 8 (32:13):
In fact, each man should lead his family out of
our sight.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
A crowd had gathered around Dove and David. They were silent,
awaiting his final decision. David shook his head and smiled. Oh,
how he sometimes longed for the sheep pastures again. The sheep,
as wildly as they may have gotten from time to time,
were much more simple and easy to understand. David could
empathize with Dov and the others. They had bled for
(32:39):
the rewards and felt a great deal of pride in
what they had accomplished. The thought of sharing it with
those who did not earn it could cheapen the experience
for them. He stood up tall and placed a hand
on Dov's shoulder.
Speaker 7 (32:51):
You shall not cast them out. You shall share the spoil.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
There was a murmuring among some of the men. David
could say, them wrestling with their own selfish natures. He
waited for them to silence, then spoke again.
Speaker 7 (33:05):
It is the Lord who has given us what we have.
He is the one who preserved us and gave us
victory over our enemies. The Lord causes the sun to
shine on those who fight and to those who remain
at home. So shall we not withhold blessing from our
brothers who did not fight with us?
Speaker 6 (33:26):
Shall we reward cowards?
Speaker 7 (33:29):
Dove shouted, what message are you giving? Shall weakness be
the prevailing posture.
Speaker 4 (33:35):
Of this army?
Speaker 2 (33:36):
David turned his head to Dove. His intense glare silenced
him at once. The future king of Israel stepped forward
towards his angry soldier and held out a finger.
Speaker 7 (33:47):
Grace is never weak, he said. All the victories I
have acquired in my short life have benefited the people
I love and care for. It brings my heart gladness
that the blood I pour out on the battlefield brings
blessing to my Kinsmen, do you fight only for yourself? No,
(34:14):
you fight for your brothers, your wives, your children, and
your people. I will share my victory with others, as
the Lord shares his victory with me.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
David then turned to his servants and gesture towards one
of the carts of gold and silver.
Speaker 7 (34:31):
Not only will all of us receive some of the spoil,
but also the tribe of Judah. Go and present the
elders and Bethel Ramoth of the Negeb, Jatir Erroer seifhmoth Esh,
Temoah Raisel, the cities of the Jeremi Lights and Kennites
Hormah borishen Athich and in Hebron tell them that David
(34:56):
and his mighty men have taken it from their in semies.
Speaker 2 (35:01):
So the servants departed and shared the spoils of war
with the elders of Judah. They shared the wealth with
the families in need, encouraged that they had a shepherd
out in the fields watching over them. David would soon
be named their king. He would be honored, respected, and
revered by many. However, David's men were the ones who
were able to see a glimpse into his heart. They
(35:23):
were able to see what the Lord saw, not just
a man who knew how to wield a sword, but
a true servant of the Lord and his people, a
shepherd willing to lay his life down for his sheep?
Speaker 1 (35:38):
Why does God compare himself to a shepherd? All throughout
the Old and New Testament, God is drawing parallels between
him and a shepherd. Shepherds were not particularly noble back then,
nor were they respected professions. In fact, it was the opposite.
Shepherds were often social outcasts, living on the fringes of
society because they traveled so much with their sheep. They
(36:01):
were transient and unknown people that drew much skepticism from
merchants and traders. So I will ask the question again,
why does God compare himself to a shepherd? It might
not be because he is exactly like a shepherd in
the worldly sense, but because we are so much like sheep.
Sheep are vulnerable creatures and the perfect target for predators.
(36:23):
They have large, puffy bodies and small, skinny legs. They
can't outrun, outfight, or outwit wolves alliance. Because they are
so vulnerable, they're also extra skittish and prone to wonder.
Sheep could also become very unhealthy if not cared for
properly by shepherds. Most conventional sheep wouldn't be able to
(36:45):
survive on their own in the wild. They are completely
dependent on the shepherd's guidance, provision, and protection to survive.
So Jesus doesn't compare himself to a shepherd because he
shares qualities with the shepherds of his time, but rather
because we are so much like sheep in need of guidance, provision,
and protection. Considering how difficult sheep can be, it is
(37:08):
a wonder wise shepherd would care so much about any
of them, let alone astray. But a good shepherd does
anything to protect and provide for his sheep. Jesus demonstrated
the heart of a shepherd on the Cross, and David
demonstrated the heart of a shepherd by venturing off on
his own to save his people. After the prelude, we
(37:30):
pick up where we left off in the last episode.
David and his men dragged their feet back to Ziglag
after being saved from a life altering mistake. David is
ashamed beyond consolation and spends most of his nights curled
in a ball. We can have a little sympathy for David,
but he is correctly brooding over his failure. He was
(37:53):
steps away from murdering his own people to save his
own skin. This is the opposite of a shepherd, which
which is why David takes it so harshly. Have you
ever experienced anything like this? I hope you haven't been
on David's level, but perhaps on a smaller scale, you
have known this type of pain. David has become the
(38:14):
opposite of who he is meant to be. He nearly
became the enemy he fought so hard to destroy. There
are times when we look in the mirror and realize
our past selves would have hated the person we become.
David is right to be ashamed, but shame ought always
to be given to God. When the men return, their
(38:37):
worst fears are realized their homes have been reduced to ashes,
and their families have been taken captive. Their painful mourns
fill the skies, and they collectively curse David for causing this.
Why is it David's fault? Well, there are two reasons. First,
he rated the Amlekites unprovoked. Two, he led his men
(38:58):
away on a sinful mission and leaving the families vulnerable.
As if David couldn't be brought lower, his own men
say he should be stoned. David retreats and falls into
a pile of ash. The ash is symbolic, and it
is imagery we are all very familiar with. It is
a cliche to portray heroes rising from the ashes, but
(39:20):
that is exactly what it is about to happen to David.
As David sits in the ash metaphorically soaking in a
pool of his own loathing, a dear friend approaches him.
Abishad does the same thing Jonathan once did in the Caves,
reminds David of his calling. Abershah tells him about a
shepherd boy who sacrifices everything to save just one sheep.
(39:45):
Abishad reminds David of who he is and what he
is called to do. He ties a lasso around our
hero's heart and tries to pull him back to a
simpler time. We need people like Abashur and Jonathan in
our lives, people who tell our souls to their roots
and holds us accountable to our convictions. Life can get
complicated and we can lose ourselves in the rushing tide
(40:08):
of life, which is why we need anchors to keep
us from drifting away. Abashaw acts as an anchor for David,
and he takes it to heart. When Abersha leaves, David
has a profound moment of clarity. He says for the
first time out loud, I am a man anointed by God,
called by God, and promised by God to be the
next King of Israel. I have a high calling and
(40:31):
promise from God, and He hasn't taken it away. I
need to start living according to that destiny. There is
power and declaration. Sometimes we have a hard time believing
anything until we're willing to say it out loud. There
is profound power in praise, proclamation, and profession. What God
has shown you in the dark, speak in the light.
(40:53):
Have you been running from your calling? Have you been
keeping things bottled up inside? Afraid to speak up and
speak out? Take a cue from David and shout to
the heavens. David has been reminded that deep down he
is still the shepherd who chased after the lion. He
is still the righteous and ready boy who ran after Goliath.
He equips himself with Jonathan's armor, the sword of Goliath,
(41:16):
his headband, and his sling. These are icons used to
demonstrate what's happening inside of David. He is going back
to the core values he strayed from. With all these
things secured to him. He runs off with or without
his men. He knows God has his back, so he
doesn't feel the need to beg his men to follow him.
(41:38):
He runs into the darkness as if he's racing the
sun to rise. His men eventually follow, but they are
really following the anointing of God. The rescue was swift
and decisive, but not for the feign of heart. Two
hundred men had to go back because they were unable
to complete the journey. This turned out to be an
important wrinkle for the end of the up So when
(42:01):
they bring back the women, children and spoils, and argument
erupts about whether they should share the plunder or if
it should only go to those who fought, it is
a tense moment that throws a wet blanket on what
should have been a unifying experience. David had a tough
decision to make. Should he side with the strongest men
and let them keep the spoils, or should he divvy
(42:22):
up the spoils or everyone can share in the victory.
It is not an easy decision. As a ruler, David
does not want to incentivize hard working carriage. However, he
does not want to isolate anyone or leave them without means.
He makes the case that nothing is earned, rather, everything
is given by God. Since we are all recipients of
his grace, we should not take undue ownership over our wealth.
(42:46):
We are to be generous to others as God has
been generous to us. This naturally irks a few people.
Shall we reward cowards? Dove shouted, what message are you giving?
Shall weakness be the prevailed posture of this army. David
responds with a decisive declaration that becomes the ethos of
(43:07):
his reign as king. Grace is never weak, he said,
All the victories I have acquired in my short life
have benefited the people I love and cared for. It
brings my heart gladness that the blood I poured out
on the battlefield brings blessing to my Kinsmen, do you
fight only for yourself? No, you fight for your brothers,
your wives, your children, and your people. I will share
(43:30):
my victory with others, as the Lord shares his victory
with me. David makes one of his first kingly decisions
here and shares the spoils with the tribe of Judah
as well. This episode is a turning point in David's life.
His identity as a shepherd is re established and confirmed,
but he is also blossoming into a king. The episode
(43:52):
after this will not just feature David the shepherd Boy,
but David the King of Israel. From this moment forward,
the state will be higher. God will never stop being
faithful to his anointed. But will his anointed stop being
faithful to God? We will find out in the coming episodes.
Stay tuned for our next episode, the Death of a King,
(44:13):
as the throne finally shifts and changes forever. 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 the
Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tony Evans dot org.
Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify
(44:35):
to get the newest episodes right as they come out,
and always be inspired by the Bible. God bless
Hi, doctor Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you to
join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be sure
to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so you
get the newest episodes right as they come out. Welcome
to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
(00:22):
and murder. While most people know David the myth, few
know about David the man. In this episode, David is
brought to the end of himself. In our last story,
David began a steep decline and was nearly caught in
a terrible situation. God delivered him from a complete moral collapse,
but there is still a price to pay for what
(00:44):
he's done. David is about to reach an all time low,
questioning his calling as a leader and value as a man.
God's chosen hero will be faced down in a pile
of ash, wondering if he should give up. This episode
explores the themes of strength, valor, and redemption. David's failure
(01:04):
gives way for more faith and the shepherd's heart within
him that, once vanquished, a lion awakens. There is less
philosophical or theological prose to be taken from this episode.
It is meant to be appreciated as an example of
the hero's journey. David will fall, rise, and then enter
(01:24):
into a new chapter of his life. Before the madness
of this episode ensues, we will be carried forward in
time to the peaceful shores of Galilee. Speaking to the
crowd with a gentle breeze at his back. Is Jesus
giving insight into the heart of God. Jesus's account of
the good Shepherd will provide the perfect lens for how
(01:46):
we see the character of David. He is, at his
core a shepherd, and a good shepherd always lays his
life down for the sheep. I'm glad you're here for
the halfway point of our David series. Heart of a Shepherd.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Prelude to chapter sixteen. The sea of Galilee was calm
and serene. The gentle breeze blowing in from the water
brushed up against Jesus's face as he spoke to the
crowd before him.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Let us say, a shepherd has a hundred.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Sheep, Jesus said, he.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Tends to them well within his pasture. However, one of
them falls astray and wanders off into the wilderness where
predators lie in wait. The shepherd takes action and leaves
the ninety nine sheep in search of the one. He
ascends into the mountains and risks injury and death to
(02:46):
save the one sheep who went astray. Then he finds
the sheep, and his entire household rejoices. That is the
heart of my Father in heaven. It is not in
his will that any one should perish.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Jesus spoke of a transcendent truth packaged in a simple story.
He revealed in his words the attentive heart of God,
a heart that saw the life of one person worth
risking danger and death for a good shepherd's loyalty and
love for his sheep would endure the thread of lions, wolves, storms,
and other dangers, all for the sake of the sheep's safety.
(03:28):
As Jesus spoke, the people received a new glimpse into
the heart of God. He cared for them like a
shepherd would his sheep, and he would lay down his
life to protect them. Jesus outstretched his arms to the
people and proclaimed.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays his
life down for the sheep. The hired hand sees the
wolf coming and leaves the sheep to save himself. He
cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd,
and I I will lay down my life for the sheep.
They will hear me and listen to my voice. Know this,
(04:08):
whatever may come in the future, nobody takes my life
from me. I lay it down willingly for the sake
of those that God has given to me. I have
the authority to lay down my life, and I have
the authority to raise it up again.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Jesus would lay his life down as the good shepherd.
The blood he spilled would be used as a ransom
for many. Through his suffering, toil and sacrifice, many would
come to be blessed. Jesus alone would have victory over
sin and death, and share in that victory for all
those who would want it. The spoils of his war
(04:47):
against darkness would be shared withal Chapter sixteen, Heart of
a Shepherd. David trudged through the mud, despondent and ashamed.
His men followed at a slower pace, keeping their distance
from him. He had nearly led them into a battle
against their own people, God's people. However, the Lord protected
(05:10):
them from marching up against Israel. He had saved them
from David's lies and brash decisions. Although his men were angry,
no one despised David as much as he despised himself.
He and his faithful six hundred waded through the marshes
between Aphek and zik Lag quietly. There was no laughter
or jabbing banter between them, only a painful and disgraceful silence.
(05:35):
For three days they marched back home. At night, they rested,
camp fires were set, and night watches were assigned. Yet
the pride and light heartedness of being under David had
lost its fluster. This was their first real defeat. Each night,
David curled into himself and slept. He did not want
(05:56):
to face any of his men. He did not want
to face himself. He did not want to face God.
It was the third day on their return home, and
the wet marshes slowly transitioned into lush, rolling hills leading
down into the farm land of zick Lag. David was
eager to fall into Abigail's arms. He longed for an
(06:17):
understanding ear to listen to his failures and lament with him.
He dreamed of her embrace every night, as did every man.
Towards his wife. For as mighty as the brave six
hundred were, many of them were husbands and fathers. They
were family men who dreamed of a day when they
would quietly tend to their farms without the threat of
(06:37):
being killed. Zick Lag had become a safe haven and
a refuge from the madness of the world. It was
their quiet oasis and humble bastion. As they drew closer,
David could see something eerie in the distance. Dark plumes
of smoke rose several miles away, and the men feared
the worst.
Speaker 5 (06:57):
We were fools to leave in march with King acre.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
A, Liaisar said to David. The two of them looked
out over the rolling hills towards their home.
Speaker 6 (07:06):
That smoke is right where our families are.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
David could not speak. It was as if a stone
had been placed in his throat. He held back nervous
tears and gestured for his men to quicken their pace.
Their brisk marching soon turned into a run. As zik
Lag came into focus, David's eyes began to fog with
frantic caress.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
He read down the hill.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Every house, every barn, and every armory they had.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Built was reduced to ash.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
The men fell to their knees and wept as they
scanned the desolate ash heap that was their home. There
was no sign of their wives or their children. They
had been taken, along with all the livestock and stockpiled goods.
A Liaisar and the other fathers in the group ran
into the wreckage, yelling their children's names. They dug through
(07:54):
the burnt wood and ash in desperate search for them.
Yet not even bodies could be found. It was clear
all of them had been taken, but by who. Still
in shock, David trudged around the village. He came to
the place where his home used to be. He had
longed to open the door and find Abigail. There, yet
(08:15):
there was only a pile of cinders. Something caught the
side of David's eye. A hilt of a sword had
been left. David leaned down and picked it up. He
brushed off the ash and dirt to see the seal
of the Amalekites. The sworn enemies of Israel had swooped
in when the men were away, while the women and
children were alone and vulnerable. The Amalekites had marched in
(08:38):
with ease and taken everything. They took what was most
precious to them, their families. David gripped the hilt and
squeezed it. His hands were trembling in his bottom lip quiver.
Falling to his knees, David cried louder than he had
ever before. This was his greatest failure, and now the
(08:58):
innocent women and Shilo were paying for his panguages. The
men howled after their families, the strong and noble warriors,
had been completely broken.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
David could hear their weeping. It broke his heart.
Speaker 7 (09:13):
It's it's what you wanted.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
David, shouted a voice from behind.
Speaker 7 (09:17):
You should be stoned, figures.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Another voice cried out, my child's blood will be on
your hands. The voices grew louder and louder. A choir
of insults resouted in David's ears as his men lashed
out in anger. The giant slayer remained on his knees.
He said nothing to defend himself, for he knew that
they were right. He had led his men to go
(09:41):
on a sinful mission. It was his poor leadership that
left the women and children vulnerable. If they had not
embarked on a pointless march, their families would not have
been taken. They are right, David thought to himself, I
should be stoned for this pous crime. He banged his
fist against the air, creating a cloud of smoke in
(10:02):
front of him. He had no answers for his men.
He had no song of hope to sing to them,
no words of comfort. The chosen champion of God was
completely and utterly broken. The men eventually left to salvage
whatever they could of the wreckage. They were all weary
from three days of marching, their bones ached and their
(10:22):
hearts were broken. The men made camp ate and stared
blankly into the night. Those who were awake murmured by
the fire, cursing David under their breath. Yet David remained
where he was, knees in the ashes of his destroyed home.
He stared blankly at the stars, wondering if God had
saved him from the war against Israel, all so he
(10:44):
could punish him with the Amalekites. David could hear footsteps
behind him, breaking them maddening silence. It was Abieshi. He
sat beside him and allowed the silence to resume. The
wind was light, carrying the smell of fire, and as
the two of them scanned the noiseless desolation. Then abish
(11:05):
I spoke with few words, hoping to get through to
his commander.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
When I was a soldier in Saul's army, there was
a legend that was often told to the men. We
all knew this story, yet somehow, every time it was told,
it seemed new to us.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
He began.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Although Abishai was a young man, his low and contemplative
voice revealed his old soul.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
It was a story of a young shepherd boy who
left his entire flock of sheep to rescue one lamb
from the jaws of a lion. This shepherd could afford
to lose one sheep, After all, lion's steal sheep all
the time. What is a small shepherd boy to do
when faced with a ravenous lion.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Abishi shook his head and smiled.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Yet this boy had a true shepherd's heart. Every sheep
was precious. He would sacrifice everything, even his own life,
just for one sheep.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Abish I turned to David and grabbed his shoulder.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Remember you were a shepherd before you were a giant slayer.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
He said.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
After saying this, Abishai stood to his feet and left
David to himself. David watched abish I leave, then walked
to the valley where the sheep once graced. The wind
shifted and David could no longer smell ash. He looked
up into the heavens and stretched out his hands. The
wind picked up even more, billowing against David's trembling body.
(12:35):
He clenched his fists and roared into the heavens. He
shouted praise to his God and allowed the spirit of
the Lord to rest upon him. He strengthened himself in
the Lord, allowing the full weight of his grace to
empower him. The breath of God that once breathed life
into Adam had rushed fresh wind into David's lungs. He
(12:57):
breathed in, deeply, feeling the power, favor, and purpose of God.
He shook his head to clear the fog of his
mind and said.
Speaker 7 (13:06):
I am a man anointed by God, called by God,
and promised by God to be the next king of Israel.
I have a high calling and promise from God, and
he hasn't taken it away. I need to start living
according to that destiny.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
David raised his head. The cloud hovering above him completely vanished.
Revealing the vast expanse of the heavens. David beat his
fist against his chest and begged the Lord for forgiveness.
He howled into the evening wind, allowing himself to feel
the mighty hand of God upon him. He left for
camp and stormed into the tent of Abiathar, the priest,
(13:48):
bring me the ephought, David said, with a smile. Abiathar
was startled by David's abrupt entrance. There was an excitement
and fire in his eyes that he had not seen
yet in the young commander. In spite of all the
tragedy that had just befallen him, David seemed to him
like a man with passion and purpose. Abiathar brought out
(14:08):
the effort so David could inquire of the Lord. He
held it in his hand and bowed to the Lord.
Speaker 5 (14:14):
Shall I pursue after the Amalekites? David whispered, if I
go up against them to rescue our loved ones, will
you allow me to overtake them?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
God's answer was clear and resolute. Pursue, he said, for
you shall overtake and rescue those you love. David's eyes
beamed with hope. He gave the effort back to Abiathar
and left the tent. He strapped Jonathan's armor securely to
his chest. He secured the sword of Goliath to his back.
(14:47):
He rifled through his bag to retrieve his headband, tying
it around his forehead to keep his curls from falling
in his eyes. Lastly, he removed the sling from his
bag and held it in his hands. The first memory
that came rushing through his mind was not the memory
of slaying Goliath. No, he was protecting his sheep from
lions and wolves. He had always laid everything on the
(15:10):
line for his sheep. He did not consider his own
life more valuable than theirs. He risked his life for
them because they were his. David gripped the sling firmly
in his hand and strapped it to his belt. He
stood and went to his men, who were sitting by
the fire. I am going after them, he said. They
looked up at him with eyes red from tears.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
Do you plan on pursuing them alone?
Speaker 2 (15:35):
And Liazar asked he, out of all of David's most faithful,
was hurt the most. He feared for his family and
mourned their loss deeply. If I must fight alone.
Speaker 7 (15:47):
I will. The Lord has already promised victory, and I
trust him. I am going south. The Amalekites have left
a trail, and I want to begin my pursuit before
the trail is blown away.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
None of them had the strength to follow him, but
David cared not whether they went with him or staid.
David pointed to the horizon and said.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
The people God has entrusted to me are out there somewhere.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
They're like sheep that have been taken by.
Speaker 7 (16:17):
Wolves, and I plan on going after them. I do
not fear the enemy, for the Lord is my ship.
He prepares a table for me the presence of my enemies.
He will protect and guide me.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
David stormed off and began running into the night. It
was only a few hours before sunrise, and David was
determined to run until he found his lost sheep. His
mighty men, who had once sworn to fight alongside him
until the end, we remained by the fire. They were
dejected and bereaved. The evening breeze subsided, and the chirping
(16:57):
of crickets was replaced with the silence of early morning.
The sun had not yet risen, and David had been
running for two hours in the dark, he stopped to
drink and regain his bearings. They were at least two
days in front of him, and it would take a
great deal of effort to bridge the gap between them.
As the morning light rose above the hills, David heard
(17:18):
her rumbling behind him. He looked back and held his
hand above his head to block the sun. There, standing
with the sun rise to their backs were David's men,
all six hundred of them were behind Abeshire. David's heart
began to pound with joy. Tears streamed down his face
as he watched them descend the hill towards him. They
(17:41):
would not leave him to fight the Amalekites alone. David
Shepherd's heart had been imparted on to them, and now
they would go to rescue those who were lost. David
said nothing. He simply nodded at his men and gestured
for them to move forward. They ran at a steady pace,
filled with the fire of God's spirit raging in their bones.
(18:02):
David remained ahead of them, bent on retrieving the lost sheep.
The faithful men followed, but not all were physically ready
for the challenge. Eventually, David and the men came to
the brook Bessor. The water was deep and the recent
rains had caused the current to rage violently. David paused
and assessed the situation. If they were to go around it,
(18:25):
they would fall behind for more than a day. David
secured his sword to his back and jump into the water.
The current thrashed against him and tugged him downstream. However,
he was determined and chopped at the water even more.
The brook was only fifty feet wide, but the rapids
made it feel like an eternity. After kicking and stroking forward,
(18:47):
David finally made it to the other side. He rested
his hands on his knees and panted, then looked across
the brook to beckon his men forward. Four hundred of
them jumped in after him. However, two hundred of them
were too exhausted to continue.
Speaker 7 (19:02):
We cannot follow any further, David. We would exhaust ourselves
and water would consume us.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
One of them shouted, cowards, shouted a few others who
had swam to the other side.
Speaker 7 (19:15):
It won't take all of us to slay the Amalekites.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
David rebuked the men and waved the others on.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Go back to camp. To prepare a place for the
women and children. They will not want to come back
home to ash and debris. Pray for us that the
Lord would give us favor.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
The men bowed and turned back. David did not waste
any more time. He continued at a fast pace in
pursuit of the Amalekite wolves. The Faithful and Mighty Men
of David ran into the night, only pausing for short
periods of time to hydrate and rest their legs. The
sun rose the next day and David's worst fear had
been realized. He had lost their trail. All signs of
(19:57):
the Amalekites had vanished with the e evening winds. The
men wandered the desert hills, slowly losing hope.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
Shall we turned back to retrace the.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Trail, Shama asked, no, David said, while shaking his head.
The two of them had scaled one of the hills
to get a better vantage point.
Speaker 7 (20:15):
If we turn back, we will lose precious time. We
cannot afford interruptions.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Shama and David remained up there for a few more moments,
speculating as to where they fell off course. As they
were debating on whether to turn back, the men called
for David from below. The two of them descended and
joined the others. Josh Obib was standing over a young
man lying on the desert floor unconscious. David knelt down
(20:41):
and brought out his waterskin. The boy was young, with
no beard, and wore the clothing of a slave. Judging
by the markings on his skin, David could see that
he had a cruel master. He brought the water to
his mouth. Gently, drink, my son, you do not look well.
The young men groaned and took strained SIPs of the water.
(21:03):
He opened his eyes to see David's bright smile. Even
amidst the harsh sun and exhausting conditions, David always managed
to give a kind smile to those who needed it.
The boy sat up and whispered, thank you, David. The
liaisar interrupted, you've given the boy his food.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Now let us leave him and be on our way.
Speaker 7 (21:24):
We must continue not until I.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Am certain this boy is all right, David replied. He
gestured for his men to get some food. They brought
him bread, a piece of fig cake, and two clusters
of raisins. The boy ate ravenously. Thank you, my lord,
the boy said, with a grin I.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
Have been without food for three days and three nights.
I was almost certain I would die out here.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Where are you from, David asked gently.
Speaker 6 (21:49):
I am an Egyptian. The boy replied, I was forcibly
taken as a slave and sold to an Amalekite.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
David's curiosity was sparked. He wondered if this young man
had been sent by God.
Speaker 7 (22:01):
Why are you away from your master?
Speaker 4 (22:03):
David asked, have you run away? The boy shook his head.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Three days ago, I grew ill and required more attention
and care than my master was willing to give. After
we raided Togebn Ziklag, I was left here to die.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
I am sorry, David said, sincerely.
Speaker 7 (22:18):
Your master made a poor choice in choosing his convenience
over your care.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
I am happy to be rid of him, even given
the circumstances.
Speaker 7 (22:27):
The boy replied, do you know where your master and
the other Amalekites are headed.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
David asked, I do, but I do not plan on
returning to them.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
David leaned over and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Speaker 7 (22:39):
I understand that you do not want to return, but
the Amalekites have taken our families. Will you lead us
to them.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
The boy was silent for a long moment. David grew
uncomfortable with the pause. He looked up at him with
a desperate gaze.
Speaker 6 (22:56):
Swear to me, by your God that you will not
kill me or send me back into.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
The hands of my master, he begged.
Speaker 6 (23:01):
Swear to me that no harm will befall me, and
I will take you to them.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
David's heart ached for the young man. What a cruel
and painful life he must have had so far. David
nodded his head and smiled.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
You have my word, take me to them, and you
may be free to do as you please. Leave for Egypt,
remain in the desert, or join us if you desire.
It is your choice.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
The boy's face lit up with hope for the first
time since he had been taken as a child, abandoned,
left for dead, and cast aside. He had thought death
would be a welcomed change. Yet now as the boy
stood before David, he felt alive with hope for the future.
He stood to his feet and limped forward. David laughed
(23:49):
and rallied his men. They cheered and followed the boy
through the hills, overlapping over another. Eventually they were able
to spot a camp nestled in a valley between two
large mountains. David had found his enemy, and the warrior
heart of God's chosen hero raged like a forest fire.
Speaker 8 (24:07):
Get ready, men, he shouted, we will take these Amalekite dogs.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
At twilight, the drunken cackles of the Amalekite soldiers echoed
through the canyons. They were celebrating their victory, completely unaware
that David and his men were lurking in the shadows,
ready to attack. Like a pack of wolves. David listened
to the sounds of music, dancing, and debauchery until the
(24:31):
sun set. Their inebriated swaying and loud singing gave David
a good idea of how the battle would go. If
they were able to get the jump on them, the
battle could be decided quickly. However, by the looks of
their camp, the Amalekites outnumbered them five to one. If
even half of them were in a sober state of mind,
(24:52):
they would be in great danger. David watched the final
rays of light tuck in behind the hills. The bright
splashes of orange and reds faded into the dark blue night.
As the final light left the horizon, David stood to
his feet and began a slow pace towards the camp.
His men walked behind him, quietly, making their way towards
(25:14):
the enemy. They drew their swords. There was no battle cry,
no sounding of trumpets or drums of war. They did
not deserve such a warning. Like the Angel of Death,
David and the rest of the Mighty Men drifted into camp.
The first strike was a silent strang across the throat
of an Amalekite guard. David was the first to draw blood,
(25:37):
and once he did, the entire band of warriors behind
him began their onslought. David was filled.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
With a quiet rage, like the rumbling of the volcano.
A belt around. Without so much as a grunt, he
slashed through every a Palekie he saw it.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
They fell at his feet before even noticing he was there.
Snow the entire camp and cut on to what was happening.
Hundreds of the drunk and the Malakite soldiers ceased their
drinking and dancing to take up arms. Like a swarm
of locusts, they emerged from their tents and began to run.
Speaker 4 (26:12):
Towards David and his men.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
David, stead of his breathing, ripped his sword firmly and
ran towards the Alam. He ran with reckless abandon with
his sword poised for a battle. His men rushed in
behind him, emboldened by his brave The two armies clashed,
and the sound of clanging iron filled the air like thunder.
David's volcanic rage had finally boiled over. He erupted with
(26:38):
unbridled fury, cutting down every man who.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
Came in his way.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
No Amalekite lasted longer than five seconds against him.
Speaker 4 (26:47):
He was a man possessed.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
With a greater power, and there would be no stomping him.
A group of Amalekites rushed at him at once. One
came above, but David ducked.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
And slashed him at the calves.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Another came in from David's left, but his jab was dodged,
followed by a swing of David's sword to his neck.
Each killed brought him further to the center of camp,
where the families had been tied up. Captive, with a
sea of blood behind him, David broke through the final
wall of men keeping him from his beloved. At the end,
they came at him like ravenous animals, However, even the
(27:22):
fiercest of wolves are no match for a shepherd coming
after his sheep.
Speaker 4 (27:27):
From twilight until.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
The evening of the next day, David and his men
completely slaughtered the Amalokates.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
Not one soldier was left standing except for the young
men who had fled on their candles.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
As the dawn finally broke, David stood in front of
a large tent standing in the center of camp. His
face was caked with blood and dirt. All the screams
of his enemies and sound of clanging swords had ceased,
and all that was left was silence. He slowly approached
the entrance of the tent and opened it, afraid of
(28:00):
what he might see inside. Would his family be killed,
would the children be hurt? David feared that he may
have been too late. However, when he entered the large
canvas structure, he was relieved to see all of the
family safe, huddled together in the corner of the tent.
The heavy weight on his heart had fallen off him,
(28:22):
and David fell to his knees and wood in the
sight of them. Abigail lanced again and held him. She
stroked his hair and hushed she was safe. They were
all saved, and it was the Lord that had saved them.
The morning came and the sunrise was blocked by clouds
gliding across the eastern plains. The crisp morning air filled
(28:45):
David's lungs. He breathed in, feeling the full weight of
God's grace upon him. Once again, despite his foolishness, the
Lord had shown him mercy. David awoke, thankful and filled
with joy at the goodness of God. He walked among
the Amalekite camp, taking inventory of all the spoils they
had taken. Not only were all of the stolen livestock
(29:08):
and items still there, but there was even more spoil
to be taken. David and his men took donkeys and
carts and filled them to the brim with the Malakite riches, gold, silver, livestock, clothing, weapons,
and an abundance of food was loaded to be taken
back home. The men and their families ventured off that morning,
following close behind their shepherd David. They were delighted at
(29:31):
their riches they had just acquired. It felt like a
worthy trophy for the hard fought battle they had won.
To them, it was a reward for their bravery. The
group ventured back towards zick Lag, this time taking the
long way around the brook Besor. Zick Lag came into
view and the clouds began to break above them. The
men who had been left at the brook Besor were
(29:54):
back home, rebuilding the homes and mending the broken fences.
They looked up the hills above them, and so saw
their families descending down to them. They dropped their tools
and ran after them. The wives and children could not wait.
They ran ahead to greet their husbands and fathers. Tears
rolled down their faces, and laughter rose up into the skies.
(30:15):
David smiled with his arm around his wife, content to
sit back and watch his people enjoy a moment of bliss.
The warriors who fought the Amalekites began to unload the
spoils of war. They tied up the livestock and began
to count with the head whined. The men who which
stayed back began helping unload. They seemed elated at the
sight of so many riches won for their community, but
(30:37):
the other men were defensive of the spoils.
Speaker 8 (30:40):
What makes you think you can share in the riches
we won, they shouted, We were the ones who pressed
on and followed David to fight the Amalekites. We were
the ones with enough strength to continue. Much of the
spoil is what was stolen from all of us. We
must share if we are to prosper.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
The others reached hoarded, bickering and infighting emerged from the
ranks of David. A spirit of division rose like boiling water.
If David was not careful, he would have his own
civil war break out among his men. Among the furious
men was Dov, a brutish and wicked man who had
managed to stay among the ranks of David. He savagely
(31:20):
threw some of the men away from the spoils, insisting
that they had no right to them. He rowed up
some of the other men against them and suggested that
they take their families and leave. David watched the fighting
continue for a short while. He was thinking, praying, and
considering what the next move shall be. The next decision
he made would determine what type of king he would become.
(31:44):
Shall he signed with the strong or share the wealth
for the sake of prosperity.
Speaker 4 (31:49):
He had little time to.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Consider these things, since Dob and the other worthless fellows
among the men stormed up to him.
Speaker 7 (31:55):
Commander David a word.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Dov asked with rage.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
David nodded and gestured for him to speak.
Speaker 8 (32:02):
These weeklies were not able to cross a simple river
to fight with you. They were cowards and ran when
you needed them most.
Speaker 7 (32:09):
They should not receive any of the spoil we labored
so hard to capture.
Speaker 8 (32:13):
In fact, each man should lead his family out of
our sight.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
A crowd had gathered around Dove and David. They were silent,
awaiting his final decision. David shook his head and smiled. Oh,
how he sometimes longed for the sheep pastures again. The sheep,
as wildly as they may have gotten from time to time,
were much more simple and easy to understand. David could
empathize with Dov and the others. They had bled for
(32:39):
the rewards and felt a great deal of pride in
what they had accomplished. The thought of sharing it with
those who did not earn it could cheapen the experience
for them. He stood up tall and placed a hand
on Dov's shoulder.
Speaker 7 (32:51):
You shall not cast them out. You shall share the spoil.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
There was a murmuring among some of the men. David
could say, them wrestling with their own selfish natures. He
waited for them to silence, then spoke again.
Speaker 7 (33:05):
It is the Lord who has given us what we have.
He is the one who preserved us and gave us
victory over our enemies. The Lord causes the sun to
shine on those who fight and to those who remain
at home. So shall we not withhold blessing from our
brothers who did not fight with us?
Speaker 6 (33:26):
Shall we reward cowards?
Speaker 7 (33:29):
Dove shouted, what message are you giving? Shall weakness be
the prevailing posture.
Speaker 4 (33:35):
Of this army?
Speaker 2 (33:36):
David turned his head to Dove. His intense glare silenced
him at once. The future king of Israel stepped forward
towards his angry soldier and held out a finger.
Speaker 7 (33:47):
Grace is never weak, he said. All the victories I
have acquired in my short life have benefited the people
I love and care for. It brings my heart gladness
that the blood I pour out on the battlefield brings
blessing to my Kinsmen, do you fight only for yourself? No,
(34:14):
you fight for your brothers, your wives, your children, and
your people. I will share my victory with others, as
the Lord shares his victory with me.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
David then turned to his servants and gesture towards one
of the carts of gold and silver.
Speaker 7 (34:31):
Not only will all of us receive some of the spoil,
but also the tribe of Judah. Go and present the
elders and Bethel Ramoth of the Negeb, Jatir Erroer seifhmoth Esh,
Temoah Raisel, the cities of the Jeremi Lights and Kennites
Hormah borishen Athich and in Hebron tell them that David
(34:56):
and his mighty men have taken it from their in semies.
Speaker 2 (35:01):
So the servants departed and shared the spoils of war
with the elders of Judah. They shared the wealth with
the families in need, encouraged that they had a shepherd
out in the fields watching over them. David would soon
be named their king. He would be honored, respected, and
revered by many. However, David's men were the ones who
were able to see a glimpse into his heart. They
(35:23):
were able to see what the Lord saw, not just
a man who knew how to wield a sword, but
a true servant of the Lord and his people, a
shepherd willing to lay his life down for his sheep?
Speaker 1 (35:38):
Why does God compare himself to a shepherd? All throughout
the Old and New Testament, God is drawing parallels between
him and a shepherd. Shepherds were not particularly noble back then,
nor were they respected professions. In fact, it was the opposite.
Shepherds were often social outcasts, living on the fringes of
society because they traveled so much with their sheep. They
(36:01):
were transient and unknown people that drew much skepticism from
merchants and traders. So I will ask the question again,
why does God compare himself to a shepherd? It might
not be because he is exactly like a shepherd in
the worldly sense, but because we are so much like sheep.
Sheep are vulnerable creatures and the perfect target for predators.
(36:23):
They have large, puffy bodies and small, skinny legs. They
can't outrun, outfight, or outwit wolves alliance. Because they are
so vulnerable, they're also extra skittish and prone to wonder.
Sheep could also become very unhealthy if not cared for
properly by shepherds. Most conventional sheep wouldn't be able to
(36:45):
survive on their own in the wild. They are completely
dependent on the shepherd's guidance, provision, and protection to survive.
So Jesus doesn't compare himself to a shepherd because he
shares qualities with the shepherds of his time, but rather
because we are so much like sheep in need of guidance, provision,
and protection. Considering how difficult sheep can be, it is
(37:08):
a wonder wise shepherd would care so much about any
of them, let alone astray. But a good shepherd does
anything to protect and provide for his sheep. Jesus demonstrated
the heart of a shepherd on the Cross, and David
demonstrated the heart of a shepherd by venturing off on
his own to save his people. After the prelude, we
(37:30):
pick up where we left off in the last episode.
David and his men dragged their feet back to Ziglag
after being saved from a life altering mistake. David is
ashamed beyond consolation and spends most of his nights curled
in a ball. We can have a little sympathy for David,
but he is correctly brooding over his failure. He was
(37:53):
steps away from murdering his own people to save his
own skin. This is the opposite of a shepherd, which
which is why David takes it so harshly. Have you
ever experienced anything like this? I hope you haven't been
on David's level, but perhaps on a smaller scale, you
have known this type of pain. David has become the
(38:14):
opposite of who he is meant to be. He nearly
became the enemy he fought so hard to destroy. There
are times when we look in the mirror and realize
our past selves would have hated the person we become.
David is right to be ashamed, but shame ought always
to be given to God. When the men return, their
(38:37):
worst fears are realized their homes have been reduced to ashes,
and their families have been taken captive. Their painful mourns
fill the skies, and they collectively curse David for causing this.
Why is it David's fault? Well, there are two reasons. First,
he rated the Amlekites unprovoked. Two, he led his men
(38:58):
away on a sinful mission and leaving the families vulnerable.
As if David couldn't be brought lower, his own men
say he should be stoned. David retreats and falls into
a pile of ash. The ash is symbolic, and it
is imagery we are all very familiar with. It is
a cliche to portray heroes rising from the ashes, but
(39:20):
that is exactly what it is about to happen to David.
As David sits in the ash metaphorically soaking in a
pool of his own loathing, a dear friend approaches him.
Abishad does the same thing Jonathan once did in the Caves,
reminds David of his calling. Abershah tells him about a
shepherd boy who sacrifices everything to save just one sheep.
(39:45):
Abishad reminds David of who he is and what he
is called to do. He ties a lasso around our
hero's heart and tries to pull him back to a
simpler time. We need people like Abashur and Jonathan in
our lives, people who tell our souls to their roots
and holds us accountable to our convictions. Life can get
complicated and we can lose ourselves in the rushing tide
(40:08):
of life, which is why we need anchors to keep
us from drifting away. Abashaw acts as an anchor for David,
and he takes it to heart. When Abersha leaves, David
has a profound moment of clarity. He says for the
first time out loud, I am a man anointed by God,
called by God, and promised by God to be the
next King of Israel. I have a high calling and
(40:31):
promise from God, and He hasn't taken it away. I
need to start living according to that destiny. There is
power and declaration. Sometimes we have a hard time believing
anything until we're willing to say it out loud. There
is profound power in praise, proclamation, and profession. What God
has shown you in the dark, speak in the light.
(40:53):
Have you been running from your calling? Have you been
keeping things bottled up inside? Afraid to speak up and
speak out? Take a cue from David and shout to
the heavens. David has been reminded that deep down he
is still the shepherd who chased after the lion. He
is still the righteous and ready boy who ran after Goliath.
He equips himself with Jonathan's armor, the sword of Goliath,
(41:16):
his headband, and his sling. These are icons used to
demonstrate what's happening inside of David. He is going back
to the core values he strayed from. With all these
things secured to him. He runs off with or without
his men. He knows God has his back, so he
doesn't feel the need to beg his men to follow him.
(41:38):
He runs into the darkness as if he's racing the
sun to rise. His men eventually follow, but they are
really following the anointing of God. The rescue was swift
and decisive, but not for the feign of heart. Two
hundred men had to go back because they were unable
to complete the journey. This turned out to be an
important wrinkle for the end of the up So when
(42:01):
they bring back the women, children and spoils, and argument
erupts about whether they should share the plunder or if
it should only go to those who fought, it is
a tense moment that throws a wet blanket on what
should have been a unifying experience. David had a tough
decision to make. Should he side with the strongest men
and let them keep the spoils, or should he divvy
(42:22):
up the spoils or everyone can share in the victory.
It is not an easy decision. As a ruler, David
does not want to incentivize hard working carriage. However, he
does not want to isolate anyone or leave them without means.
He makes the case that nothing is earned, rather, everything
is given by God. Since we are all recipients of
his grace, we should not take undue ownership over our wealth.
(42:46):
We are to be generous to others as God has
been generous to us. This naturally irks a few people.
Shall we reward cowards? Dove shouted, what message are you giving?
Shall weakness be the prevailed posture of this army. David
responds with a decisive declaration that becomes the ethos of
(43:07):
his reign as king. Grace is never weak, he said,
All the victories I have acquired in my short life
have benefited the people I love and cared for. It
brings my heart gladness that the blood I poured out
on the battlefield brings blessing to my Kinsmen, do you
fight only for yourself? No, you fight for your brothers,
your wives, your children, and your people. I will share
(43:30):
my victory with others, as the Lord shares his victory
with me. David makes one of his first kingly decisions
here and shares the spoils with the tribe of Judah
as well. This episode is a turning point in David's life.
His identity as a shepherd is re established and confirmed,
but he is also blossoming into a king. The episode
(43:52):
after this will not just feature David the shepherd Boy,
but David the King of Israel. From this moment forward,
the state will be higher. God will never stop being
faithful to his anointed. But will his anointed stop being
faithful to God? We will find out in the coming episodes.
Stay tuned for our next episode, the Death of a King,
(44:13):
as the throne finally shifts and changes forever. 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 the
Heroes of the Faith devotional at Tony Evans dot org.
Forward slash Heroes. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify
(44:35):
to get the newest episodes right as they come out,
and always be inspired by the Bible. God bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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