1 Samuel - Chapters 27-30

The Amazing Bible. Book Club

After seeing Saul for the last time, David decided the safest place for him to be was in Philistine territory, so he and his men went to Gath, and this time they were welcome. Achish, son of Maoch king of Gath, welcomed this mighty warrior, and made him his right-hand man. David asked if it would be possible to live in a different city, since they were not worthy of living in such a royal city with the king, so Achish gave David Ziklag. David would attack the enemies of Israel, and bring the spoils to Achish and say it was from attacking Judah. We learn that the Philistines had plans of attacking Saul. Now what will David do? The story then flips and we read about Saul, and how he had become so afraid, and since he had hardened his heart and disobeyed the Lord so much plus with Samuel dead, who was he to turn to? He turned to a medium, which Saul had abandoned, and requested to speak to Samuel. She did, and Samuel said to Saul what he had told him in life, "Saul would die in battle, and tomorrow both he and his sons would join Samuel in death." Saul collapsed. Once he ate, he went home that night. The story then pops back to David and the Philistines who are about to attack Israel. Thankfully, the other commanders of the army did not want David to fight with them for fear that he would turn on them, which something similar happened in 14:20-21. David was sent home to Ziklag. Once they arrived, they found that the city had been burned, and the women, children, and goods were taken by the Amalekites. David and his men went searching, found an Egyptian slave who was abandoned due to sickness. He led them to the Amalekites and with a surprise attack, David and his men brought back everything that was theirs, as well as goods from other towns of Judah and cities of the Philistines. David shared the wealth with 200 of his men that were to exhausted to fight, but had protected their stuff, plus David shared with the leaders of various elders of Judah and those who had allowed David and his men to roam on their land. He was making allegiance when it was time for David to be king.