1 Samuel 27
1 Samuel 27, Proverbs 4:23
Up until this point in 1 Samuel as Saul has pursued after David, David has trusted and obeyed the Lord through the challenges and afflictions. We don’t have to look any further than verse 1 to see a dramatic shift. Verse 1 begins “Then David said in his heart..” and it continues on. But pausing there for a second, what is the significance of that phrase? Take a second to ponder.
The significance of that phrase is that this was not something from God coming to him, nor a trusted servant, prophet, or even his own right mind. No, it was something he said to himself in his heart. Now this phrase could be a good thing if what was said was glorifying the Lord. But as the verse continues we read that he has decided in his heart that he will die at the hand of Saul and that his best bet to get away is to flee to the land of the Philistines. David has let fear, fatigue, and distrust into his heart. The David who was taking action in the last several chapters based off of what God asked of him is out of the picture for now. Due to being chased for so long worry and despair set in.
Some pretty uncharacteristic things happen throughout the rest of this chapter for David.
He flees to the land of the ungodly.
He lies to Achish about his purpose for living out in Ziklag.
Without the Lord’s direction he begins to raid surrounding cities (to note none of the cities are Israelite cities) sparing nobody and taking all of their things.
David’s heart is in a bad place of worry and despair. He begins to distrust the Lord and put trust in his own plan of what he believes is best. Look at what this state of being leads him to. It leads him to sin, brokenness, and destruction.
Sure, David found himself in a tiring, long, drawn out situation of Saul’s pursuit to kill him. I am unsure how any of us would fare in that situation, probably not very well. But a simple message is being shared here. The passage begins describing the state of David’s heart and the rest of the chapter lays out what happens as a result. The prior chapters painted a picture of David trusting the Lord and the Lord leading David to safety as a result. This chapter paints a picture of David trusting himself in worry which led to destruction and sin.
The state of our heart is so key. If we trust the Lord he will guide our way in His will. If we trust ourselves inevitably fear and worry will set in and it will lead to brokenness.
Let us keep our heart centered on the Lord with all vigilance, for from the state of our heart flows the springs of life. Let us pray that we each individually and altogether as a Church believe this and live it out.
