Bible Chapter: I Samuel 29 & 30

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The Philistines were preparing for battle.  As the troops were parading before the princes, when David went by, it caused a problem.  They recognized who David was.  They knew his reputation and that the people had sung  'Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands'.  They wouldn’t let David go with them to battle for the fear that he would renew his loyalties to Israel and then turn on the Philistines.  He was forced to go home.  I find one statement of Achish troubling as he describes what David had done.   "Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected to me."  The statement that David had defected is a sad statement.  May that never be said about anyone who is a follower of Jesus.
    As David and his men returned home they discovered the town has been burned to the ground and all their wives and children had been taken captive.  At first there was an uprising against David for their loss.  Then the whole group went after the raiding party to regain their families and possessions.  They were successful in their mission and all their families were restored.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Do what is right in God’s eyes.  There are parts of this story that are discouraging.  Why did David go to the enemy’s territory in the first place?  How could he agree to fight with them?  Why did he leave all the women and children unprotected?  Each follower of Jesus must work to be obedient and actually apply what God wants them to do in life.  When the hard times come it is easy to want to run.  That doesn’t win for the Lord.  Stick with what God calls each one to do.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Learn from the mistakes of others.  A piece of advice I heard one time: learn from other people’s mistakes. You will never live long enough to make them all yourself.