1 Samuel 28 Desperation
The Philistines are at Israel’s door. Saul and David are on opposite sides of the battle lines. Both are facing situations of desperation.
Saul is in the hardest position of his life. The Philistines are attacking in mass, he knows that David is in the land of the Philistines, and God is silent. Saul needs God’s favor now more than ever. In his heart, he KNOWS that God is going to rip the kingdom from his hands, but is that time now? Saul tries every avenue he knows to reach God, but they all fall flat. Our of desperation, a plan is hatched. He will seek God through means that the Lord has forbidden. If he were honest with himself, he would admit that he already knew the answer before asking the question. This will be is final sin.
While Saul is seeking the Lord, David and his men are called to join the battle. The king of Gath chooses David as his bodyguard. David has fooled the king of Gath for more than a year, making him think that he is attacking Israel. But David will not kill an Israelite. He has to hatch a plan QUICK to prevent this from happening.
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David and his men have returned home to Ziklag after another successful raid. Upon arrival, David sees three of Achish’s soldiers waiting for him. They stand apart from the inhabitants of the camp. David drops the bundle he is carrying at his wives’ feet before going to meet them.
“Have you news for me?” David asks.
“King Achish wants to see you. You are to bring your men, for we go to war.”
“I will follow as soon as we tend to our families.”
“No. You will follow now.”
“May we at least partake of a meal before embarking? You are welcome to join us.”
The soldiers have been on the road all day too and the smell of the roasting meat has stirred their appetites.
“For a speedy meal we may delay. But it must not reach Achish that we delayed.”
David smiles and silently thinks of all the things that Achish doesn’t know. “Not everything must be reported to our king. Join me.” David turns and calls out to the camp. “We feast for we march to battle beside Achish when satisfied.”
The women of the camp begin laying out the meal. There are roasted grains, bread, roasted kid, and vegetables grown from their own gardens. It is truly a feast fit for a king. David and his three visitors are served first. Food and wine flow freely among all the people of Ziklag. David and his men, along with the three soldiers of Gath, limit themselves on the wine for they must remain clear headed. It would not do to appear before Achish drunk on wine.
Once their repast is complete, David gathers his weapons that had been set aside while at table. His men quickly follow suit. All set off for Gath where Achish awaits. David talks with Achish’s soldiers along the way.
“Tell me of Achish’s war. Who are we to face?”
“We are to face Israel.”
David stumbles in surprise but is able to recover quickly. “Surely Achish does not have enough forces to take on Saul and his army alone.”
“He does not. But he does not fight alone. All the Philistine lords join with him. We are but a small part of a much larger force.”
David knows the size of the Philistine armies and of their prowess in battle. Israel will need all the help it can get. David is silent for a while as he contemplated how to handle this situation. He will NOT kill Hebrews but he cannot refuse to go to battle with Achish on those grounds. That would expose his deception over the past year. He also cannot allow the Philistines to march into Israel unimpeded. Maybe it is time to give up the ruse and strike against the Philistines. But that is not an option when he stands among them in preparation for battle.
David and his escort along with his men reach Gath before nightfall. Achish is waiting for them in his throne room.
“Good of you to come” Achish says sarcastically as David and his escort enter.
“Forgive me my king as we were out raiding when your envoy arrived. We came as soon as we could.”
“Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army” (1 Samuel 28:1b).
“Very well, you shall know what your servant can do” (1 Samuel 28:2a) replied David.
Achish is very pleased with David’s response and his character since entering his service. Achish bestows David with the greatest complement he can. “’Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life’ (28:2b). We march at daybreak for Aphek.”
While David and the king are occupied, David’s men discuss the situation among themselves. They move a short distance away from Gath to prevent being overheard by Achish’s soldiers.
“David said we wouldn’t have to kill Israelites. How are we going to avoid it now?”
“I don’t know about you, but there are a couple of Israelites I wouldn’t mind killing. It would stop all this running.”
“We have sworn to David never to raise our hand against Saul. ‘He is the Lords’ anointed.’”
“And those who follow him and pursue us? Are they the ‘Lord’s anointed’ also?”
“They are merely soldiers doing as their leader commands.”
“We have sworn to follow David. We will do as he commands.”
This was the final word as far as David’s men were concerned. They trust him with their lives.
David rejoins his men. “We have been called to war with the Philistines as they face Israel.”
“We overheard as much as we marched here. But what are we really going to do?”
“I have been named Achish’s personal bodyguard. We are to follow on his heels in battle.”
“But what of Israel? Are we to attack our brothers?!”
“No. We will not spill Hebrew blood. We have kept from doing so thus far, and I will not change that command. What we will do is to wait until the fighting is at its peak and rejoin our brothers against the Philistines.”
Relief washes over David’s men as he lays out his plan. “We must be careful to maintain the illusion of allegiance to Achish. He must not doubt us or we may be prevented from accompanying them in battle. Saul can use all the help he can get, for the Philistines are bringing all their forces. Our attack from the rear may be the act that saves Israel from Philistine rule.”
While David is busy on his side of the coming battle, Saul is assessing his own position.
It has been more than a year since Saul last laid eyes on David. He stopped searching for him when he learned that David had gone to the land of the Philistines. Now those same Philistines have come to wage war against Israel. He suspected David is among their number. He also knows that the Lord fights for David.
The Philistines are encamped at Shunem. They are as flees covering the sand. Saul gathers all from Israel who can hold a weapon, and they are encamped at Gilboa. Saul’s heart trembles when he sees the army of the Philistines.
Saul is desperate to know what will come of this encounter. Will the Lord stand behind Israel? Will the Lord stand with David and give the Philistines victory? Saul calls for his prophets.
“Seek the Lord for me. I must know if He fights for Israel against the Philistines.”
The prophets close their eyes and wait. “He is not answering my king.”
“Bring the Urim and Thumin. Entreat the Lord with them.”
The prophets are reluctant to use these as they are used by the priests, but there are no priests left after Saul destroyed them in Nob. Saul will entertain NO excuses. The prophets must try. “What is your question my king?”
“Shall I go up against the Philistines?”
The prophets almost laugh at this question as they are across the valley from one another at this moment. This would have been better asked before summoning all Israel to war. Also, if they don’t stand against the Philistines, they will be trampled when they march in unimpeded. The prophet will pose Saul’s question as asked. “Shall my king go up against the Philistines?” He puts his hand in the bag to retrieve a stone. He removes his hand and the stone falls to the ground and rolls away without anyone being able to see which stone it was.
Saul is furious! “You dropped it deliberately!”
“No sire it was pulled from my hand. I could look to see which stone remains, if you wish.”
“No. If the Lord had designed to answer thusly, He would have made it plain.”
Saul thinks for a few moments. He has another idea to try. “Have any of you received a dream from the Lord?”
“No, my king. If we had, we would have said so. Have you had a dream that requires interpretation?”
“No. I have had no dreams for many months. Even my dreams desert me.”
There remains only one last option. Saul is loath to consider it but his desperation drives him towards this end. “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her” (1 Samuel 28:7b).
Everyone falls silent. Saul had chased out, or killed, all those who practiced this ‘art’ some time ago. Even to know of someone who still lived in Israel could be a death sentence to both.
Finally, one of his servants steps forward and offers a location. “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor” (1 Samuel 28:7c).
Saul cannot go openly to this woman. She would refuse to help him. She would likely believe he came to punish or possibly kill her as he has done to others of her trade in the past.
Saul and two of his men travel to En-dor. Here he dons a disguise. He removes his royal robes, his band upon his arm, and his crown. He puts on a beggar’s robe that covers his head and obscures his face. He rubs dirt upon his hands and feet to add credence to his status as a beggar. He exchanges his exquisite sandals for a tattered pair. Finally, he stoops his shoulders to hide his height as they approach the woman’s home.
Saul raps upon her gate. She appears quickly and Saul speaks his request. “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you” (1 Samuel 28:8b).
The woman is cautious. This man is a stranger to her. She looks at him with suspicion and answers him carefully. “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” (1 Samuel 28:9).
“As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing” (1 Samuel 28:10) assures Saul.
Still cautious, the woman invites her visitor in. Once he is seated, she asks the next important question. “Whom shall I bring up for you?” (1 Samuel 28:11a).
With certainty he doesn’t really feel, Saul gives her the name. “Bring up Samuel for me” (1 Samuel 28:11b).
The woman closed her eyes and began her ritual. “I call to the spirit of Samuel. Make your presence known.” The spirit of Samuel began to move up from the ground. Upon seeing him the woman screamed. Saul’s disguise fell away before her eyes. She knew him! And he terrified her! “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” (1 Samuel 28:12b).
Saul attempted to calm her. “Do not be afraid.” He pleaded for information. “What do you see?” (1 Samuel 28:13a).
The woman answered; “I see a god coming up out of the earth” (1 Samuel 28:13b).
“What is his appearance?” (1 Samuel 28:14a) Saul asks breathlessly.
“An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe” (1 Samuel 28:14b).
Saul knows immediately that it is Samuel. He quickly bows with his face to the ground in homage and waits.
Samuel recognized Saul and addressed him directly. “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” (1 Samuel 28:15a).
“Saul answered, ‘I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I summoned you to tell me what I shall do” (1 Samuel 28:15b).
Samuel is angry. “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done to you as He spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines’” (1 Samuel 28:16-19).
Overcome with fear, Saul falls flat out on the ground. These are NOT the words he desired to hear Samuel speak. What little strength Saul had departs his body. He was running on hope. With it snatched away, he is unable to rise.
The woman comes over to where Saul lies. The look on his face clearly speaks of his terror. Moved with compassion, she offers him what she is able. “Behold, your servant obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way” (1 Samuel 28:21-22).
“Leave me. I will not eat.”
His companions join her in urging Saul to eat. “You haven’t eaten all day and all night sire. You need your strength.”
“Yes sire, please eat” she adds.
Saul is touched by their concern for him. With difficulty he pushed himself up from the ground. A man on each side assisted him to the woman’s bed where he sat while she prepared him a meal.
No simple meal would do for the king. There is a fatted calf in her home, which she had been saving. It would serve as a meal for Saul. She quickly killed it and separated a portion of it to cook for Saul. As it was cooking, she took flour and kneaded it into dough. She baked it as unleavened bread. When both are ready, she placed them before Saul and his servants. They all ate and then rose and disappeared in the night.
Only after they left did the fear she experienced at seeing Samuel leave her. She would not soon forget the fear she saw on Saul’s face after he communed with Samuel. Samuel must have said something great to Saul, but she would likely never learn of if, as he refused to speak. She also knew the king could still order her killed, but that fear she was accustomed to living with.
(to be continued)
I’m curious to know how things would have played out if Saul hadn’t sought this avenue of answers. What if he went in faith that the Lord would fight for Israel? What if he stayed home? What if he sent word to David to lead this charge? The old adage “Desperate times call for desperate measures” surely applies to Saul’s situation. But desperate measures rarely result in positive outcomes.
David has to deal with desperate times too. He is in a place where he is expected to act one way, but his conscious won’t allow him. Some might have gone with it, but David was a man of integrity. He had other plans that would come out, in due time.
I know I have faced desperate times too. I would like to say that I relied on the Lord in all of them, but I can’t promise that. I remember calling on Him and stepping out in faith a couple of those times. I also remember my ‘assertive personality’ coming to bear in a few others. I can say that, in the times I leaned into the Lord, they turned out better than I could have hoped.
I’m facing desperate times right now with my husband’s health. I have NO options BUT to lean into Him. I KNOW that He holds both of us in the palm of His hand. And that is what I’m clinging to.
Father God, thank You for holding me. Thank You that I can trust You with ALL the areas of my life. I don’t have to go looking anywhere You have forbidden me to go for the answers. You provide what I need, when I need it. I have to admit that this is trying my patience though. Hold us both tight to Your chest and let us hear Your ‘heartbeat’. Allow me to see Your ‘fingerprints’ too. We are in YOUR hands.
