Day 118: King Saul Despairs

 Today's readings: 1 Samuel 27-28 and Psalm 34.

I. 1 Samuel 27 recounts how David fled to Gath to seek refuge with Achish again. David asks for, and is granted, the frontier town of Ziklag in the Negev as the place where he and his men can reside. From there, he raids the Geshurites, Gezerites, and the Amalekites, longstanding enemies, and "did not leave a man or woman alive." Achish inquires as to whom David was attacking, and is led to believe that it was against Judah and her allies. As there were no survivors from the raids to say differently, and being misled, Achish concluded: "He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant."

In the next chapter, Achish tells David that he and his men will accompany the Philistine army to fight against Israel. David tells him cryptically, "You will see what your servant can do." Achish thinks that David is his loyal servant at this point, appointing him as his personal bodyguard. Interesting how such enemies can intermingle like this at times.

The narrative then switches to Saul, who is terrified about the gathering storm from the Philistines. He fervently seeks God's guidance, but receives no answer. Saul had expelled all those who practiced the forbidden dark arts, like necromancy. Yet in his desperation, he goes to the Witch of Endor in disguise to have her summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. She does so and is terrified when it seems the prophet appears. Samuel tells Saul that God had abandoned him due to his disobedience, and that he with his sons would die the next day when the Philistines defeat Israel. Saul, of course, has a breakdown, but after resting a bit, leaves.

II. Psalm 34 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A thanksgiving psalm with elements of a wisdom psalm. It gives personal testimony to the power of prayer as well as ethical instruction on the benefits of righteousness. Psalm 34 is also an acrostic psalm, meaning each poetic line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (p. 858)

That's it for today!