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DAVID ESTABLISHED HIMSELF IN ZIKLAG
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
1 Samuel 27

Psalm 101

 

“I will behave myself wisely
in a perfect way.

O when wilt thou come unto me?…”

 

DAVID ESTABLISHED HIMSELF IN ZIKLAG
 
As Gath was a royal city of the Philistines, David told Achish that it was not suitable for him. He thus asked Achish to give him another place. The king then gave him the city of Ziklag, which became a city of the kings of Judah. David annexed it to be part of Israel. Though he liked this place that offered him rest, he still had plans to return to his home city of Bethlehem in Judah. David dwelled in the land of the Philistines for a year and four months.
 
David was a man of war all his life. When he invaded those nations near Ziklag, he smote every living person and took the spoils (1 Sam 27:9). This included mainly livestock and anything valuable. In killing every living person, he obliterated all witnesses. No one could accuse him of what he did, and thus he could conceal his raid (1 Sam 27:11).
 
David returned with the spoils. When Achish inquired of David, David replied, “…Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites” (1 Sam 27:10).
 
1 Samuel 27:12 tells us: “And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.” Achish was glad for what David did, because it would cause Israel to hate David, and then David would have to remain in the land of the Philistines and be his servant forever.
 
THOUGHT: God prevails over man’s schemes.

PRAYER: Father, may I always trust in Thy Sovereignty.

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