Enemies to Allies

1 Samuel 17:45-   1 Samuel 27:1-  2 Samuel 15:18

David first comes on the scene when he’s called on to fight Goliath—the Philistine giant. From the moment he steps into the picture, David makes it clear who his God is and where his confidence is placed. Not only does David defeat Goliath, Israel chases the Philistine armies all the way back to Gath.

Time passes and David finds himself fleeing from Saul. Where does David flee to? To the land of the Philistines and the city of Gath! For 16 months, David, 600 men of his army and their families, live and fight alongside the armies and for the very king, Achish, who’s hero and armies he had defeated. To the casual onlooker, this would seem ridiculous. But to God, it’s all part of a greater plan to glorify Himself.

More time passes and David is King of all the Jewish nations. But trouble is upon him and it’s the worse time in all of David’s reign as King. Absalom is ready to overthrow his father and take the throne as king. David is at the city gates reviewing those who would flee with him when Ittai the Gittite and his 600 armies and their families come to pass. (That’s Ittai the Philistine commander from Gath) David stops him and basically gives him a blessing with the OK to go back to the city. What Ittai says is amazing—“by God I will follow the king weather for life or for death!” (paraphrased)  HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?  How does a sworn enemy become an ally—even unto death?

Through David’s testimony—that’s how. From his first fight against Goliath through his time in exile and his reign as king over Israel, David had such a powerful testimony of his faith and love of God, it actually “converted” his enemies.

This is a very heavy concept to consider—is my testimony powerful enough to attract my “enemies” to Christ? Does my faith glorify Christ in all that I do? Who are my “Philistines”? – Steve Schmidt is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 33-34; Acts 16:22-40

Quote of the day: Do not waste your time bothering whether you “love” your neighbour act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less. C. S. Lewis

Verse to Memorize: Your promise is well tried and your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Psalm 119:140-141 ESV