1 Samuel #27: an exposition of 1 Samuel 27:1-12. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, September 9, 2012.
Intro:
The Bible is an extremely honest and real book. If you come to the Scripture hoping to find sentimental, romantic heroes you are going to be disappointed. The Bible is about real people and their encounters with the real God. Real people are flawed. They are capable of great good and profound wickedness. The word of God is not afraid to set forth its heroes worts and all. Biblical heroes are not god-like creatures forever exhibiting truth, justice and holiness. They are frail children of dust who one moment soar to great heights and in the next instant plumb to alarming depths. They are just folk, like you and me. David was a man after God’s own heart. A man of great faith and courage. A man of tremendous abilities. He was a great warrior, a gifted poet and musician, a loyal friend and faithful servant. He was also a great sinner. Twice he had opportunity to take the life of king Saul. Twice the king’s life was in his hands. No one would have blamed David if he had ended Saul’s life and assumed the throne. In fact, they would have applauded! God had rejected Saul. He had chosen David. Yet Saul remains in power while David hides in caves and lives the fugitive life. David’s companions urged him to seize power. “The Lord has delivered our enemy into your hands.” David responded, “I’ll not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” David understood the kingdom was God’s to give not his to take. David showed such character, such strength, such control. That’s what makes chapter 27 so disturbing. Our text this evening is found in 1 Samuel chapter 27.
Text: 1 Samuel 27:1-12
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable says the apostle Paul. There are times when I read a passage and wander, “Did Paul read this?” Maybe you read this different than I do but this chapter bothers me. For one thing it is incomplete. We are left hanging at the end of the chapter. But the main concern is that it is full of deceit and butchery. I find the opening words discouraging in light of chapter 26. David expresses such confidence in God’s grace, protection and provision in chapter 26 then he says, “I know I’m going to die one day at the hand of Saul.” Further there is no reference to God in this text. What can we possibly learn from a godless text?
The text raises all kinds of questions.
What was David doing among Israel’s arch enemy?
How is it he got along so well with them?
What was he doing for that 16 months?
How does this fit into God’s plan?
I have more questions than I have answers but there are some lessons to be learned.
I want to point to three of them.
- David’s failure reminds us that it is often difficult to to trust in God’s ability to keep and secure His promise. (27:1-3)
- David’s failure reminds us of the folly of trusting in our own ingenuity. (27:4-12)
- David’s failure reminds of the absolute necessity and the wonder of God’s grace.
Conclusion:
The chosen and anointed servants of the Lord are made of the same stuff we are. As Ralph Davis reminds us, “The living God doesn’t have clean material to work with…as long as we wallow in some idea of human worthiness we will never understand the Bible, never tremble before this God, and never delight in this God.”
David’s failure reminds me that there is hope even for a sinner like me.