1 Samuel

1 Samuel 27: Fear sends David to Gath

Begin in prayer

Before we see David run to Gath in fear, and learn that the LORD keeps His chosen king alive even then, let us pray together. Ask Him to keep us when we are afraid, and to show us Jesus.

A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep Your chosen ones, and help us to trust You when we are afraid. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David said in his heart that Saul would one day kill him, so he went with six hundred men to Achish of Gath. Achish gave David the town of Ziklag, and David lived there for a year and four months. From Ziklag David raided the nations nearby, and he told Achish that his raids were against Judah. Achish believed David, and he said David would be his servant forever. Saul stopped seeking David, and Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah from that day.

As you read 1 Samuel 27, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD keeps His chosen king alive, even when fear leads David away.

David said in his heart that Saul would kill him, so he went to Achish king of Gath (verses 1 to 3). Gath was Goliath's city, and David had once fled from it in fear (chapter 21 verses 10 to 15). Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he sought him no more (verse 4). Achish gave David the town of Ziklag, and David lived in the Philistine country a year and four months (verses 6 and 7). From Ziklag David raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites, and told Achish he had raided Judah (verses 8 to 10). This chapter does not name the LORD or say David asked Him. Samuel had anointed David king, and Saul later said he knew David would reign (chapter 16 verse 13 and chapter 24 verse 20). The Bible says the LORD directs a man's steps (Proverbs 16 verse 9). He kept His chosen king alive even when fear led David away.

How does 1 Samuel 27 show us that the LORD keeps His chosen king alive, even when fear leads David away?

Fear makes David plan his own way.

David said in his heart that he would die by Saul's hand one day (verse 1). He decided the best thing was to escape to the Philistines, so that Saul would stop looking (verse 1). The chapter does not say David asked the LORD first. He went with his six hundred men and their households to Gath, the city of Goliath (verses 2 and 3).

The LORD still keeps His promise.

When Saul heard David was in Gath, he stopped looking for him (verse 4). Achish gave David the town of Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah from that day (verse 6). The LORD had chosen David to be king (chapter 16 verses 12 and 13). Saul's hunt had ended for now.

Jesus is the Son of David who reigns forever.

David lived among the Philistines a year and four months and raided the peoples around Ziklag (verses 7 to 9). He told Achish a lie about where he had raided (verse 10). The King of David's line had no deceit in His mouth (1 Peter 2 verse 22). God will give Jesus the throne of His father David, and He will reign forever (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33).

Memorise

Saul was told that David had fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

1 Samuel 27:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I am afraid, what do I run to first, and is it Jesus?

David was afraid and made his own plan, and this chapter does not say he asked the LORD. Yet Saul stopped hunting him.

We run in fear and make our own plans too. Our unfaithfulness deserves God's judgment. Yet He did not give up His purpose. He sent David's greater Son, Jesus, who never ran from the Father's plan. On the cross He gave His life for His people, and Jesus rose from the grave. He reigns as King forever, and His work needs nothing more.

Stop running to your own plans. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus, the King who reigns forever. He gives forgiveness and a place in His kingdom to everyone who trusts Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD keeps what He has planned, and that Jesus is the Son of David who reigns forever. Parents, you may want to explain verses 8 to 11 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He keeps what He has planned, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

Psalm 138:8

Father, You keep Your promises and You direct our steps. Forgive us when we fear and run to our own plans. Thank You that Jesus is the Son of David who reigns forever. Help us trust You in every fear this week. Amen.