Study Questions on 1 Samuel 27
Living in Less Than Ideal Situations
Paul J. Bucknell
David’s life at this point vividly illustrates a less-than-ideal situation. David possessed the gifts, the burden, and the call. He seemed to have everything except the opportunity to serve! David was the anointed but not yet enthroned King (similar to Jesus while on earth). From his profound love for God and how he faced these difficult circumstances, we can learn how to live better in less-than-ideal situations.
Background: (List the ways God has blessed David in the past.)
- Anointed king (1 Sam 16:13) God's will -> be king
- Faithful servant (1 Sam 16:21) Beloved armor bearer
- Brave warrior (1 Sam 17:54, 18:27) Marries Saul’s girl
- Merciful to King (1 Sam 26:25) Saul seeks his life
A. Decisions Extra-hard To Make (1 Sam 27:1-7)
27:1 Then David said to himself, “Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand.” 2 So David arose and crossed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s widow.
4 Now it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him. 5 Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” 6 So Achish gave him Ziklag that day; therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day. 7 And the number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.
- Why did David think of leaving Israel (1)?
- Why was King Saul persecuting David?
- Did David’s reasoning reflect God’s will (1)?
(a) How did David discern God’s will? ( 22:5; 23:2,10)
(b) What promises did David forget? (16:1; 24:20; 26:10) - List some advantages and disadvantages for David to go to Philistia.
- Would you conclude God led David there? Why or why not?
- Why do you believe God permits these “less-than-ideal” situations to happen in our lives?
- Is it possible to prepare ourselves for these “less-than-ideal” situations so we will not doubt God’s good purpose? Explain.
Summary: David’s major mistake was to think through his difficult situation (Saul’s pursuit of his life) without considering God’s promises and confirmation. For example, David could have recalled the special way God used him to demonstrate His mercy to Saul. God arranged several miraculous escapes. This would have helped David remember that God had not forgotten or forsaken him, even in the face of undeniable difficulty, and that he could trust in God’s protection.
B. Temptations Extra-strong To Face (1 Sam 27:8-12)
8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites; for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt. 9 And David attacked the land and did not leave a man or a woman alive, and he took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing. Then he returned and came to Achish. 10 Now Achish said, “Where have you made a raid today?” And David said, “Against the Negev of Judah and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites and against the Negev of the Kenites.” 11 And David did not leave a man or a woman alive, to bring to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” 12 So Achish believed David, saying, “He has surely made himself odious among his people Israel; therefore he will become my servant forever.” (NASB)
- Who did David and his men raid (8)?
- What relationship did these people have with the Israelites (1 Sam 15:17-20)?
- Do you think God was happy with these raids (1 Sam 15:17-20)?
- If what David did was proper, then was his deception wrong, right? Share some Bible verses that support your reasoning.
- Do we encounter similar issues where dishonesty appears to advance God’s purpose? Provide several examples.
- How should we react to such oppressive situations? What scriptures can guide us?
- Can you think of any personal examples where you faced especially strong temptation due to a decision made when feeling down?
Summary
No situation is too difficult for God, but our weak faith often collapses when we don’t see a way out. We need to understand the situation: Is this less-than-ideal circumstance because God is shaping me and telling me to wait, or because of a bad decision I made? No matter how bleak our circumstances are, God remains faithful and will listen when we call for help. Our current situations are God's design and serve to prepare us for better circumstances in the future. This was true for David as well, but he chose not to trust God.
Thought:
- The younger one is, the more he expects the ideal.
- The older he gets, the less he expects the ideal.
- Both young and old should place their ultimate hope in the world to come so that they can willingly surrender what is necessary to fulfill God’s will here on earth.