settle permanently in the land of Philistia. This was gratifying to Achish, who promised to protect the fugitive Israelites. {EP 488.4} At David’s request, the king graciously granted Ziklag as a possession. In a town wholly separated for their use, David and his men might worship God with more freedom than in Gath, where heathen rites could prove a source of evil. {EP 489.1} While dwelling in this isolated town David made war upon the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, and left none alive to bring tidings to Gath. He gave Achish to understand that he had been warring against his own nation, the men of Judah. By this dissembling he strengthened the hand of the Philistines, for the king said, “He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever.” David was not walking in the counsel of God when he practiced deception. {EP 489.2} “And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.” David answered the king evasively, “Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do.” Achish pledged his word to bestow upon David a high position at the Philistine court. {EP 489.3} But although David’s faith had staggered somewhat at the promises of God, he still remembered that Samuel had anointed him king of Israel. He reviewed the mercy of God in preserving him from Saul and determined not to betray a sacred trust. Even though the king of Israel had sought his life, he would not join his forces with the enemies of his people. {EP 489.4}
Chapter 66—Saul Takes His Own Life This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 28; 31. “The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem,” while Saul and his forces encamped but a few miles distant at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Saul felt alone and defenseless, because God had forsaken him. As he looked abroad upon the Philistine host, “he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.” {EP 490.1} Saul had expected that the son of Jesse would take this opportunity to revenge the wrongs he had suffered. The king was in sore distress. His own unreasoning passion to destroy the chosen of God had involved the nation in great peril. While pursuing David, he had neglected the defense of his kingdom. The Philistines, taking advantage of its unguarded condition, had penetrated into the very heart of the country. While Satan had been urging Saul to destroy David, the same malignant spirit inspired the Philistines to work Saul’s ruin. How often the archenemy moves upon some unconsecrated heart to kindle strife in the church, and then, taking advantage of the divided condition of God’s people, he stirs up his agents to work their ruin. {EP 490.2} On the morrow Saul must engage the Philistines in battle. Shadows of impending doom gathered dark about him. He longed for guidance; in vain he sought counsel from God. “The Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” {EP 490.3} The Lord never turned away a soul that came to Him in sincerity. Why did He turn Saul away unanswered? The king had rejected the counsel of Samuel the prophet; he had exiled 274
