Largeheartedness of David
421
on appearances and not at the promises of God. He doubted that he
would ever come to the throne. Long trials had wearied his faith and
exhausted his patience.
The Lord did not send David for protection to the Philistines, the
most bitter foes of Israel. Yet, having lost all confidence in Saul and in
those who served him, David threw himself upon the mercies of the
enemies of his people. God had appointed him to set up his standard
in the land of Judah, and it was want of faith that led him to forsake
his post of duty.
Another of David’s Mistakes
The Philistines had feared David more than Saul; and by placing
himself under the protection of the Philistines, David discovered to
them the weakness of his own people. Thus he encouraged these
relentless foes to oppress Israel. David had been anointed to stand in
defense of the people of God. The Lord would not have His servants
give encouragement to the wicked by disclosing the weakness of His
people.
Further, the impression was received by his brethren that he had
gone to the heathen to serve their gods. By this act, many were led to
hold prejudice against him. The very thing Satan desired to have him
do, he was led to do. David did not renounce his worship of God nor
devotion to His cause, but he sacrificed his trust in Him to his personal
safety.
David was cordially received by the king of the Philistines. The
king admired him and was flattered to have a Hebrew seek his protec-
tion. David brought his family, his household, and all his possessions,
as did also his men. To all appearance he had come to settle perma-
nently in the land of Philistia. This was gratifying to Achish, who
promised to protect the fugitive Israelites.
[489]
At David’s request, the king graciously granted Ziklag as a pos-
session. 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.
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