Don't Settle For Ziklag

by Eli Miller

An eerie silence hung over the entire area. Wisps of smoke drifted upward from the smoldering rubble where homes had been just three days before. David and his band of 600 men stood mute with disbelief as they surveyed the devastating scene before them. Their wives, children, livestock, and everything of any value had disappeared in the few short days they'd been away.

Strong, courageous men wept as they picked through the smoldering ruins. These were mighty men who could swing their swords tirelessly from morning till evening. They'd been accustomed to hardship and adversity that would have crushed most men, but the scene before them was almost too much for them. Grief stricken, a flame of bitterness flickered in their hearts and a murmur began rippling through their ranks: "This is David's fault. Stone him."

Ziklag, situated comfortably among the Philistines, had been home for these men for 16 months. After being on the run for over a decade, the relative peace and quite they found here had been a refreshing break. The was just one problem: Ziklag was in the wrong country and among the wrong people! God had called and chosen this band of mighty men for another kingdom.

Israel's First King

The road to Ziklag began 38 years prior to the scene I've just described. Samuel, the aged Judge and Prophet, had appointed his sons as judges in Israel. However, "his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment." (1 Sam.8:3) Because of it, the elders of Israel came to Samuel asking for a king so they could be like the nations around them.

Their request displeased Samuel greatly, but the Lord told him to grant their wish. Even after solemnly describing the taxes a king would require of them, "the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, `Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.'" (1 Sam.8:19-20) In due time, Saul was anointed as their king.

Soon after becoming king, Saul launched an all-out effort to rid Israel of their Philistine bondage. Although Israel's weapons weren't appropriate for war (1 Sam. 13:19-22), two years into his reign, the new king conscripted an army for the task.

When Saul was later faced with mass desertion on the battlefield, instead of waiting for Samuel to arrive and offer a blessing from the Lord as he'd promised, he took matters in his own hands and offered a burnt offering. It was a fatal error.

Saul, moving presumptuously, had just finished offering the burnt offering when Samuel arrived on the scene! The king brazenly went out to meet the prophet, and when challenged for his actions, blamed the people for his misdeed! (1Sam.13:1-12)

Isn't that the way God does things? Whenever temptation is before us, He seems to be a million miles away. But as soon as we fail the test, guess Who shows up?

God does this because He's a righteous God. To be just, He must allow every man to make his own choice in everything he does. To do that, the Lord first gives instructions, then seems to withdraw Himself to give the opportunity for willing obedience. Though He might seem to be a million miles away, as soon as our choice is made, He shows up to reward us for our decision!

I'm sure Saul wasn't expecting what he heard coming from the mouth of Samuel: "Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which He commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." (1 Sam.13:13-14)

God made that profound statement eight years before David was born! (Saul had reigned two of his 40 year reign and David was 30 when he began to reign (1 Sam. 13:1; 2 Sam.5:4). David likely had several older brothers born after God gave that word!) This is positive evidence that God oversees the affairs of men. Thank God there were no abortion clinics around in those days!

Saul continued as the visible king in Israel for 38 more years. His reign, which typifies the fleshly religious systems of man, was filled with one wrong decision after another. One time his pride led to a senseless order that his exhausted and tattered army were not to eat anything until the battle was over! (1 Sam.14)

Then, on the heels of that blunder, came deliberate disobedience to the word of the Lord regarding the battle with the Amelekites. A self-righteous Saul even argued with Samuel that he had obeyed the word of the Lord, saying, "But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal."

Unimpressed and spiritually alert, "Samuel said, `Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.'" (1 Sam.15:21-23)

After giving Saul that devastating word, Samuel never went to see him again. Understanding the sobriety of the word he's given, the prophet grieved in his spirit because of Saul's actions, mourning for him until the day of his death. (1 Sam.15:34)

David is Annointed

Twenty four years passed before "the LORD said unto Samuel, `How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.'" (1 Sam.16:1)

Samuel, knowing Saul would kill him if he heard he'd anointed another king, inquired of the Lord how he was to do that. The Lord sent him to Bethlehem under the guise of offering a heifer in the presence of Jesse, David's father. There He would reveal who was to be anointed to replace Saul.

Jesse, honored beyond words that the Prophet had come to his town and had called him to the appointed feast, paraded seven of his sons before Samuel, beginning with the eldest. Puzzled that he'd not received the go-ahead from the Lord to anoint any of them, Samuel asked Jesse whether these were all of his sons. Reluctantly, he admitted he had one more son, a lad, watching his sheep in the wilderness. Samuel instructed Jesse to send for him.

When Samuel's eyes fell upon David, the Lord said, "`Arise, anoint him: for this is he.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah." (1 Sam.16:2-13)

David had no way of knowing how radically his life would change from that moment on. As he returned to the wilderness to watch his father's sheep, he began sensing a Presence with him he'd known only vaguely before. In the long, quite hours with the sheep, psalms began stirring deep within his spirit and the devotional training he'd received in his formative years took on new meaning.

Since his anointing, he had also noticed something else: though he was accustomed to being brushed aside by his older brothers, it seemed they were even more cool and distant toward him now. What had he done? What could it mean?

Is There not a Cause?

The armies of Israel were again gathered and set in battle array against the Philistines. The two armies were opposite each other with a valley between them. Every morning and evening for 40 days, Goliath, a heavily-armed giant of a man bellowed defiance toward the shaken men of Israel. Even from a distance, men trembled with raw fear as they looked upon this man. Who could possibly take on such an adversary?

Rumors of this terrorizing giant reached Bethlehem, some 14 miles to the east. Jesse, concerned for the well-being of his three sons serving in Saul's army, sent David to visit them so he could bring word back of their situation.

David arrived on the battlefield just as Goliath bellowed his daily slander against Israel. Infuriated that this uncircumcised Philistine should defy the armies of the Living God, he asked the men milling around, "What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine and taketh away the reproach of Israel?" (1 Sam.17:26)

Some of the men began telling him what the king had promised the man who'd kill this intimidator. Eliab, David's eldest brother, overheard the conversation and his anger was kindled against him. Enraged, he demanded, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."

Not expecting such an outburst from his brother, "David said, `What have I now done? Is there not a cause?'" (vs.28-29)

The rest of the story is history. The belligerent giant was no match for an anointed and well-aimed stone from David's trusty sling - he fell like so much timber. Then, as though to add insult to injury, David used Goliath's own sword to cut off his head!

Saul's Jealousy

News of David's victory spread fast. It wasn't long before women across the land were singing a new song in Israel:

"Saul hath slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands."

The popular new song didn't impress Saul much! After all, he was king and the greatest in the land! "And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, `They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?'" (1 Sam.18:8)

After such a decisive victory over Goliath and the Philistine army, protocol required that David to be brought into the king's company. "And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants." (1 Sam.18:5)

David's conduct in the courts of Saul brought him into favor with practically everyone except the king! Even Jonathan, Saul's son and heir to the throne, was so drawn to him that they entered into a covenant together and became closer than brothers.

But it wasn't long before the growing jealousy in Saul came boiling to the surface. Once, as David played his instrument attempting to cheer him, the depressed king cast a javelin at him, trying to pin him to the wall and kill him. Twice David narrowly evaded his outright aggression.

What brought on the king's irrational behavior? "Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul." (1 Sam.18:12)

Observing the anointing resting on David, Saul must have remembered the agonizing words of Samuel from so long ago: "Thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." Could this be the one Samuel had spoken of?

Saul now began resorting to schemes trying to get rid of David, and at first, he didn't want his own hand to be upon him. Hoping the Philistines would kill him, he asked David for a hundred Philistine foreskins as a dowry for his daughter's hand in marriage! (This was in spite of the fact David already had the right to her because of having killed Goliath. - 1 Sam. 17:25)

But David accommodated the king's request and brought him a double portion - two hundred Philistine foreskins! When Saul saw that, he could no longer deny what he had suspected for some time. He "knew that the LORD was with David. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually." (1 Sam.18:17-29)

On the Run

It wasn't long before Saul came right out in the open with his hatred of David and requested of his servants, and even of Jonathan, that they kill him. First Samuel 19 records nine attempts made on David's life. No longer able to remain in his own house, "David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth." (1 Sam.19:18)

Although we're not given details, the time David spent with Samuel must have given him a much deeper appreciation for the greatness of his God, and the way He worked in the affairs of men. Samuel had walked with God all his life and must have shared with David that what God really looked for in a man was a heart set on obedience. He might well have given David the word Solomon later penned in one of his proverbs: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov.4:23)

Samuel likely gave David some good advice about the reason people closest to him resented him so much. He would've drawn from the word the Lord gave him when Israel would not hear his warning regarding their desire for a king: "Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them." (1 Sam. 8:7) He probably told David God would put him on the throne in His own time, and that he shouldn't attempt to get there by his own doing.

When Saul heard David was with Samuel, he sent messengers to take him, then went after him himself. Familiar with the king's wrath, "David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, `What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?'" 1 Sam.20:1

This was David's second plea to someone close to him as he tried to understand the reason he was so disliked. First his brothers had turned against him, and now, king Saul. Why did they hate him so? What had he done to turn them against him?

The truth was, David had done nothing to turn anyone against him: he was hated because God had called and anointed him. As man sees, he was an unlikely candidate for God's purposes. But God doesn't see as man does: God looks on the heart -- man looks at the external. (1 Sam.16:7)

Jonathan and David pledged their allegiance to each other and renewed their covenant. They decided Jonathan would try to find out whether Saul's anger toward David had cooled any since the Spirit of the Lord had come upon him at Ramah. (1Sam.19:23-24) It hadn't. When Saul learned that Jonathan had helped David get out of his reach, his seething anger really exploded:

"Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die." (1 Sam.20:30-31)

Now that David was fully aware of Saul's bitter intention toward him, he headed for the wilderness. Along the way, he stopped just long enough to pick up a sword. It was the very same sword he had used to take off Goliath's head. (1Sam.21:1-9)

Adullam and Beyond

A band of men began joining David in the cave called Adullam, among them, his brethren and all his father's house. None of these men were on anyone's "Who's Who" list to say the least! They were all making "D's" in life: they were in distress, in debt, and discontented (1 Sam. 22:1-2)! None of them were wimps either! Names and some of their deeds are given in 1Chronicles 11:10-47.

At this time David was in his late teens. While at Adullam, he "became a captain" over the band of men gathered there. I'm sure such a choice was not made by drawing lots, nor by "winning friends and influencing people"! David became captain because of the anointing on him.

For more than ten years, David and his band of faithful men, along with their families, would live in the wilderness on the run from Saul. And tragically, "Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand." (1 Sam.23:14)

Think of it. Saul was no longer interested in domestic or foreign affairs, or caring for the people of Israel. Though there were times when he had to give attention to the pesky Philistines and other warring nations assembled against him, his consuming passion was to get rid of David.

Why was Saul driven against David with such vehement passion? Because the very thought of him brought conviction to his own heart. Seeing the anointing on him was a painful reminder of what he himself had lost through compromising disobedience. Because of Samuel's prophetic word, he was also painfully aware that his dynasty would not be passed on to Jonathan, especially not as long as David was alive.

God had David in training during the time he was on the run. He would later be responsible to rid the land of the nations the fathers under Joshua had not removed. For that to happen, David would first need to be transformed from a shepherd boy to a man understanding warfare. From that vantage point, he would go on to ascend the throne.

That transition would test and refine the heart and faith of David until the Lord, speaking prophetically of these days, could say of him years later; "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it." (Eze.34:23-24)

Ezekiel wasn't implying that God would bring David back from the dead so he could be a shepherd over His people. Neither was He only pointing forward to the Great Shepherd Who would come from the lineage of David.

God looked down the corridor of time to the present age when He would raise up a five-fold spirit ministry which has a true shepherd's heart for His flock. It would be a ministry who would not use the flock to feed themselves, neither would they use them to build their own kingdoms. Being under-shepherds to the Great Shepherd and moving in the spirit and heart of David, their primary concern would be for the flock over which God had made them responsible.

David's Heart Tested

Saul sought David relentlessly. When he heard that David was close at hand, "Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats." (1 Sam.24:2) Sometime during that pursuit, Saul had a "nature call" and went into a cave to relieve himself, unaware that it was the very cave in which David and his men were hiding!

David was so close to Saul that he could have reached out and touched him. "And the men of David said unto him, `Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.'" Momentarily tempted, "David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily." (1 Sam.24:4)

We have a glimpse into David's heart and integrity right after he cut off that piece of Saul's robe. "And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, `The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.'" (1 Sam.24:5-6)

Saul left the cave, not knowing he had been within arm's reach of his enemy. David remained in the cave briefly, then followed him outside and cried out, "My lord the king." Saul stopped in his tracks, and turned in time to see David bowing to him with his face to the earth.

David then made his first appeal to Saul, asking why he sought to kill him. He told the king how the Lord had given him the opportunity to avenge himself, had he chosen to do so. Instead, he chose to commit himself to the Lord, and told Saul, "The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand." (1 Sam.24:15)

David's response smote Saul's heart. Weeping, he replied, "Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand." (1 Sam.24:17-20)

Momentarily smitten and convicted by David's innocence and integrity, Saul turned and went to his place. However, David and his men were not entirely convinced that the chase was over, so they returned to their stronghold to wait.

Identifying with David

Perhaps as you read the account of David's appeals, first to his brethren, then to his closest friend, and finally to the religious system of his day, you can identify with his plight. Possibly you've also found yourself rejected from the people you've felt closest to without knowing the reason.

As I said earlier, David had done nothing to bring this rejection and animosity on himself. The only thing that had changed was that God had anointed him, and that anointing separated him for the specific task for which God had called him (Acts 13:35a). His brethren didn't understand it, his friends didn't understand it, and David certainly didn't understand it. But God's ways are not man's ways.

If God has called and anointed you for a specific purpose, especially sonship, He must wean you from all dependence on the arm of flesh -- yours or someone else's. One of the ways He does that is by allowing conflict with the people you would be most likely to turn to in a time of trouble or need. He wants you to learn to trust the anointing on you, and His Presence with you, rather than trusting in man.

Once the Lord begins the separation process, the first thing He tests is your heart. He wants to know whether you'll react to your situation in the natural, or whether you'll commit your way completely to Him. You might not understand what's happening to you, or why it's even happening, but that's not the issue. The issues is, will your heart stay right toward the Lord regardless of the situation you're in?

Unless your closest family and friends understand how the Lord deals with those He calls, they won't understand the reason they feel about you as they do. They might even think you consider yourself better than they are, or perhaps that you're filled with pride. If there's truth in either of these, you've failed the heart test.

It shouldn't be that you love your family and friends any less than you ever have: but you've been "harnessed" by the Lord and your priorities have changed. Your interests and ambitions are not the same. You recognize that your life and the fulfillment of your calling depends on staying in a close relationship with the One Who's called you. You're no longer free to just do what "everybody else is doing."

When I meditate on these things, I'm often reminded of Aaron, Israel's first high priest. There he was, a happy Levite, minding his own business, delighted to be out of Egyptian bondage and on his way to the Promised Land. Then it happened! God told Moses to anoint him and set him aside for the priesthood. Suddenly everything changed. It seemed like every time he turned around, the Lord gave him another word, saying, don't do this or don't do that, lest ye die! His discipline got so intense that he couldn't even mourn over the death of two of his sons. (Ex.28:35; Lev.10:1-10; etc.)

Aaron hadn't asked for that kind of separation any more that David had -- it was God's doing. Both of these men (and others I could relate, including the Lord Jesus) could only commit their way to the Lord Who had called them and "follow on to know Him" (Hos.6:3) in obedience to their calling.

If you find yourself in a similar situation where you're misunderstood and set aside by people you are close to - don't fight it. Unless you've acted in some way to bring such action on yourself, it's probably the Lord's training and discipline for you. Look to Him for consolation and rejoice that you've been called, then "give diligence to make your calling and election sure." (2 Pet.1:10)

David's Integrity Tested

It wasn't long before Saul again heard where David was. He immediately arose, and with 3000 of his chosen and loyal men, went into the wilderness looking for him. As Saul gave chase, the Lord apparently gave David a vision or a dream showing where Saul was and revealed his plan. Wanting to make sure that what he'd seen was correct, "David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed." (1 Sam.26:3-4)

David and his men drew close to Saul's army after they made camp for the evening. Saul had already retired as David looked over the scene before him. Waiting until nightfall, he and Abishai slipped through the armed guards and came to Saul's side.

As they came, Abishai told David, "God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time." (vs.8)

All Abishai could see was that the man who was responsible for keeping David and his men on the run was sleeping right there before them. Surely the Lord had delivered him into their hand and he was more than willing to bring an end to the adversary - be he the king or not!

We see the difference in the perspective of the two men as "David said to Abishai, `Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?'"

Think of it! The Lord had rejected Saul from being king approximately 35 years earlier, and had anointed David as the king to succeed him, but he still honored Saul as the anointed of the Lord! He would not lift his hand to take matters into his own hand, but said, "As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go." (vs.9-11)

David could have thought that because he'd been anointed to be king, God had certainly given him the opportunity to eliminate Saul and ascend the throne. But no, his integrity and commitment to wait on the Lord's appointed time would not allow him to act so foolishly. He would not touch the anointed of the Lord; he'd wait for the Lord to make the transition His way.

Taking Saul's water canteen and spear from beside him as he slept, David and Abishai "went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them." (vs.13)

From that safe vantage point, David called out to Abner, Saul's chief bodyguard: "Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster." (vs.15-16)

This caused quite a stir in the camp! Saul could hardly believe his ears, and cried out, "Is this thy voice, my son David?"

Again David appeals to Saul; "Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand" (vs.18)? He continued his appeal, saying that if the Lord had stirred up Saul against him, he would accept it. But if the people were responsible for his actions, let them be cursed.

Saul's heart was touched as he realized that David had once again spared his life. He was convicted for his actions toward him and promised that he'd not pursue him any more. He admitted David was blessed by the Lord and destined for great things. (vs.21-25)

"So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place."

David Falters

A period of time passed with relative quiet. The daily burden to feed the families of 600 men in the wilderness was a constant concern. The men were getting restless. With no word from the Lord about Saul's thoughts toward David, he could only imagine the worst.

Earlier, David's confidence that the Lord would keep him alive had been firm, but the test of time had taken its toll. Now, tired, discouraged, and a bit disoriented, "David said in his heart, `I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.' And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath. And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household." (1 Sam.27:1-3)

All of heaven must have held its breath that dark day! Here was David, anointed to be king in Israel, going to the Philistines for fear of his life. And where'd he go? To Gath, the hometown of Goliath!

This was the second time David had fled to the Philistines. Several years earlier, before others had joined him at the cave of Adullam, he had a brief stay with them. But even then his reputation had gone before him, and he had to feign madness to get away alive! (1 Sam.21:10-15)

Word soon got back to Saul that David had gone to Gath. Confident that the Philistines would take revenge on him for slaying their champion, "he sought no more again for him." (vs.4b)

The Philistine Sojourn

The Philistines were one of the nations the Lord had left in the Promised Land "to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses." (Jud.3:1-4) They were a powerful nation governed by five princes, and proved to be a constant thorn in Israel's side. The many wars with them make them a perfect pattern and example of our own war against the flesh nature. Their five princes also typify the five senses attempting to rule over us.

David asked Achish, king of Gath, for a place of refuge for himself and his men and was granted permission to settle in Ziklag, an outpost of Gath. They would live there for the next 16 months. (vs.7) Finally it seemed that life for these men and their families could return to some semblance of routine and order.

David had to live under a certain amount of pretense to keep the peace with the Philistines. When he and his men invaded the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, all old enemies of Israel, he told them they'd been raiding southern Judah! Although this wasn't entirely false geographically, it wasn't entirely true either! "And Achish believed David, saying, `He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.'" (vs.12)

David and his men seeking refuge from Saul among the Philistines depicts us getting tired of our spiritual battle and taking a "flesh break" for some relief. It typifies returning to status quo and forgetting about the anointing and calling on our lives - a consecration that always seems to cause us problems.

Living in Ziklag, David could relax from the rigors and stress of the front lines of battle. As long as he minded his own business, no one seemed to care that he had been anointed and called as the next king of Israel. Finally he could be just like everyone else and enjoy life. It wouldn't have been difficult for him to settle down and get comfortable right there!

But God had other plans. Samuel had been dead for two years, war with the Philistines was again in the making, and the time had come for Saul to be physically removed from the throne. God had enough when the king crossed the point of no return, when, in desperation for a prophetic word, he consulted with a woman having a familiar spirit. In doing so, Saul violated the very purge that he himself had implemented throughout the land. (1 Sam.28:3-9)

Saul was desperate for a word from the Lord regarding the impending battle. When the Lord didn't accommodate his efforts to get such foresight, he took matters into his own hands. The word he got devastated him! Not only would Israel lose the up-coming battle and his sons be killed, he too would die. (1 Sam.28:15-25)

Saul's action is typical of the religious systems of men. Not willing to pay the price for a hearing relationship with the Lord, they turn to other means for their answers. (1 Chron.13:3) They're not really concerned that their methods violate the principles of God and become "strange fire" in their hands. (Lev.10:1-3) All they're interested in is that their programs are successful, and that they look good in the end. But, just as He did with Saul, God will deal severely with all who employ such degenerate practices.

Battle Lines are Drawn

The Philistine armies gathered for the greatest campaign against Israel since the defeat of Goliath. David and his men came with them - somewhat apprehensively, I'm sure. The question that must have been foremost in their minds was how they were going to fight against their own people - or would they?

As division after division of Philistine soldiers marched past the royal princes on the parade grounds, they suddenly realized they had a fighting band of Hebrews among them! This brought an excited exclamation, "What do these Hebrews here?" (1 Sam.29:3) King Achish tried to calm the princes, assuring them that David was on their side.

The princes didn't accept the king's story! They insisted that he send David and his men back to Ziklag, saying, "Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?" (vs.4)

David made an inquiring plea to Achish: "But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king." (vs.8)

Achish tried to pacify David, but he was bound by the counsel of the five lords. "So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel" to begin the battle. (vs.11)

Israel's army was severly beaten in the battle. The slaughter covered an area as far as the eye could see. Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchishua, three of Saul's sons, were slain in the fighting, and Saul also was wounded. Not wanting to fall into the hands of the Philistines, he committed suicide -- a disgraceful end for a man who had been anointed of the Lord. (1Sam.31)

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; And inquired not of the LORD: therefore He slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse." (1 Chron.10:13-14)

Return to Ziklag

The long march back to Ziklag was uneventful, although David was discouraged and felt totally rejected. Everyone he'd turned to for consideration and comfort had thrust him aside. He wondered whether there was anyone who understood his dilemma? At least he still had his family and his band of faithful men - or did he?

"And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives." (1Sam.30:1-3)

It's impossible for me to describe the thoughts that must have gone through the minds of those men as they looked with disbelief at the scene before them. Everything was gone: all their wives, children, homes, goods, and dreams - gone. When they'd left Ziklag just three days earlier, everything seemed so comfortable and stable. Now, everything had changed! The empty silence greeting them was overwhelming.

Valiant and fearless men wept aloud until they had no more strength to weep. As they wept, more than a decade of anxious frustration rose in their hearts and boiled out in the form of bitterness toward David. Their numb minds could only conclude that allegiance to him had caused God to forsake them all.

Was this the reward they were to receive for their loyalty to him? Was David really anointed to be the next king in Israel, or had they wasted years of their lives? They could see only one solution: stone him, and perhaps their troubles would be over.

David was as confused and distressed as any of the men -- if not more so. What had he done to warrant this utter devastation and total loss of all that he held dear? Was the dreadful scene before them really his fault? Was he destined for despair? Had God forsaken him?

Now, men who'd been faithful to him through the perilous wilderness years were whispering of stoning him. And these were men who could use either hand to hurl stones with deadly and precise accuracy. (1 Chron.12:1-2) David had no one to turn to for encouragement and comfort but the Lord.

Reaching deep into his spirit, "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." Then he turned and called for the priest and the ephod. (vs.6-7)

The word "encouraged" does not convey the full impact and meaning of what David did here. The Hebrew word means "fasten upon, to seize, or to strengthen." The result is that it brings help, strength, a cure, and etcetera.

David didn't just encourage himself in the Lord - he got hold of God! No longer looking for relief and understanding from others, he must have cried out to the Lord in anguish and repentance, "O God, what have I done? Everything is gone! You took better care of me in the wilderness than in this place! If only I had not gone to the Philistines!"

God heard David's cry! For the first time since coming to Ziklag, David received a word from the Lord! Now he could draw upon that deep inner strength of spirit and the anointing upon him. Encouraged, "David inquired at the LORD, saying, `Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them?' And He answered him, `Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.'" (vs.8)

Don't Settle for Ziklag

If you find yourself in a personal "Ziklag," know that you're not called to stay there! You might feel no one understands you, or that you're standing alone in the word you've received. You might have retreated to Ziklag because of personal disappointment or failure. Perhaps you just got tired of the battle with your flesh and decided to give in to it and "eat, drink, and be merry" because tomorrow we die.

Whatever the reason you find yourself living in the relative quiet of fleshy indulgence, don't settle for it! If you're called to sonship and beyond - don't compromise with the Philistines. God WILL FULFILL His word. It might not be done as soon as you think it should, but remember that He Who knows the end from the beginning "works all things according to the counsel of His will" that He might do you good in the end.

If you're called and anointed for better things, but can't get spiritually motivated out of your complacency, God Himself will destroy the comfort zone you've come to rely on. And as David learned, that can be a devastating experience.

Oh yes, God restored to David and his men everything that had been lost: "And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all." (1 Sam.30:19)

God restored everything because in that place of bending, (the meaning of Ziklag) David allowed his will to be bent and entwined with the will and purpose of God. No longer would he look to his own resources for sustenance and protection. He'd learned the painful lesson that the Lord is ultimately the only One Who can both provide and recover. That valuable lesson served him many years as king of Israel.

Learn that lesson yourself. Regardless of the battle you're faced with, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God,... strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather healed." (Heb.12:2, 12-13 NKJV)

Don't settle for Ziklag!