David "questions"?

⁸ “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
⁹ Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ ¹⁰ Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”
¹¹ So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

 David wanted to fight with the Philistines. As for why he thought that, that is another question. Why he wanted to just go out with them and fight? The Philistines are fighting against the Israelites. But, what was David thinking? David betraying God? No. He was God's secret agent in this land. He was "hidden" in the midst of Philistines and when the time comes, come out and bring God glory. It was not mentioned that David wanted to participated the war just to kill Philistines, neither did it say that David wanted to kill his own people. But after being rejected by the Philistines' elders, he seemed genuinely disappointed that he could not join the war. David is still a man of God dispute all these. We know that, that David lives on God's grace and mercy and on nothing else. That is the reason why he can survive this tough times. It is only God. Interesting point to note that Achish the Philistine mentioned God. God with a CAPS G. Funny thing huh. Maybe David spoke life into him, who knows.

Philistines worried

29 The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. ² As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. ³ The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”
⁴ But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? ⁵ Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances:

“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands’?”

⁶ So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. ⁷ Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”

The Philistines are blinded by their own pride and god. Israel has God, while they were against God. They worshipped idols and gods. Achish wanted David to follow the Philistines into battle, though the elders do not think thats a good idea! And they were right, David would kill them in the middle of battle. But they did not get the facts totally right. David would not kill for the glory of Saul, but for the audience of one, the almighty king, God. David's relationship with God was so deep that nothing can shake it. Not the Philistines and not Saul. He knows what He have to do, to kill God's enemies. Even though this was talking about a lot of killing and brutality. But today, we are spared from all that because Jesus Christ died for us and His blood covered for all our sins. All. If David have gone with the Philistines, i am sure that David would just kill all the Philistines there, without batting an eyelid.

lateness

³ Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.
⁴ The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. ⁵ When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. ⁶ He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. ⁷ Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”
“There is one in Endor,” they said.
⁸ So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”
⁹ But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”
¹⁰ Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”
¹¹ Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”
“Bring up Samuel,” he said.
¹² When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
¹³ The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”
The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure^[a] coming up out of the earth.”
¹⁴ “What does he look like?” he asked.
“An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said.
Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.
¹⁵ Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”
“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
¹⁶ Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? ¹⁷ The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. ¹⁸ Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. ¹⁹ The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

I learnt one thing here. The Lord can deliver the enemy to you, but if we don't act it out, don't do it, the Lord will turn to some other person to carry out His will. Beyond that, obey the Lord and keep His covenants and promises. Because without keeping them, we would be sinning against God. Most importantly people like us, we have one greatest command - to love. To keep the commandments? Beyond that, do it because we love God, because we feel His love. In this case, Saul failed repeatedly to follow God, to walk with Him and obey His commandments. By that, Whatever that he have and all the things that God gave Him would be given to David. God gives us a chance and we dont take it, in turn God gives that chance to someone else. Do we want someone else to do what God wanted us to do? Obey God, follow through, keep His promises and greatest of all love. Love like He love. That is the most important. I really like what samuel said :"why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy". now that the Lord has departed from you. Now that, NOW. means that there was a time when God was still with you and you did not do it, Now is too late. To seek my council now is too late. Do we want to be late?

David and Saul

27 David thought to himself, “Sooner or later, Saul’s going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to Philistine country. Saul will count me a lost cause and quit hunting me down in every nook and cranny of Israel. I’ll be out of his reach for good.”

^2-4 So David left; he and his six hundred men went to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. They moved in and settled down in Gath, with Achish. Each man brought his household; David brought his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, widow of Nabal of Carmel. When Saul was told that David had escaped to Gath, he called off the hunt.
⁵ Then David said to Achish, “If it’s agreeable to you, assign me a place in one of the rural villages. It doesn’t seem right that I, your mere servant, should be taking up space in the royal city.”
^6-7 So Achish assigned him Ziklag. (This is how Ziklag got to be what it is now, a city of the kings of Judah.) David lived in Philistine country a year and four months.
^8-9 From time to time David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites—these people were longtime inhabitants of the land stretching toward Shur and on to Egypt. When David raided an area he left no one alive, neither man nor woman, but took everything else: sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, clothing—the works. Then he’d return to Achish.
^10-11 Achish would ask, “And whom did you raid today?”
David would tell him, “Oh, the Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.” He never left a single person alive lest one show up in Gath and report what David had really been doing. This is the way David operated all the time he lived in Philistine country.
¹² Achish came to trust David completely. He thought, “He’s made himself so repugnant to his people that he’ll be in my camp forever.”

David a light in a dark place was the first thought I have, David was in a Philstine country. Hiding from the king of Israel. Yet, David is still doing God's work, killing off Israel's enemies. He ran away to Philistine country just to be out of reach of Saul. Out of reach for good. He did not say: "I am tired of running away" or "I am afraid of Saul that he may catch up with me" but he said "I will be out of reach for good"

In another version,
One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.

He did not say it out of fear, but a matter of fact. That if he dont run, Saul would keep persuing him. Then Saul would spend time chasing David and David would spend time running away from Saul. Basically, he knows its better for both of them to be in this state: Just not chasing each other. and this Chasing is something that God has not called them to do.

David and Saul, Again?

The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?” So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David. Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived. Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him. (1 Samuel 26:1-5 NIV)

This is David's "second encounter" with a Saul who really wants to hunt him down and kill him. One thing I really do not understand is that why did Saul continue to persue David even after his first encounter? We remember him saying:

“You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.” (1 Samuel 24:17-21 NIV)

Saul understood and see the point that David is not to be Persued and still continues to persue David? Even he knows that God is with David and Saul would never be able to touch him? Saul was tempted by evil? It was mentioned before that Saul was being tormented by evil spirits and the glory of God left him. People do foolish things to disobey God. Some by doing thing they know they cannot accomplish like Saul. Some borrowed power from satan to accomplish such things. But they all forgot the one most important truth that God is the end, He is the utmost powerful and nothing goes beyond Him. That He is final. But why people like Saul know it but yet disobeyed. Know it yet run away from His will? Praise The Lord for all the things He have done that His glory shall not depart from me. Lord I pray a prayer of wisdom and presence over my life. Of Your wisdom and Your presence. Lord I pray in your glorious name, amen.

Wisdom from the wife, none from the husband

One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.” Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. David had just said, “It’s been useless—all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!” (1 Samuel 25:14-22 NIV

Do what is righteous because it is right, because God says it is right. David took the liberty to protect this guy's property and in the end, when David needed help from him, he turned away. The guy was named Nabal. He was wealthy and the Lord had blessed him with much. But he had turned David away because he thought that David was unworthy of his good treatment. He had not recognized that whatever that belongs to him belongs to The Lord and he does not have that heart of Christ, to share. But his wife was amazing, his wife just responed when she heard about this. She just went forth and gave to David, without much thought or reason, even she knew she may experience her husband's wrath. When God calls us to give, would we just give? Or would we be like Nabal, held back and was caught up with the creation than e creator?

Samuel passes and David hid longer

25 Samuel died. The whole country came to his funeral. Everyone grieved over his death, and he was buried in his hometown of Ramah. Meanwhile, David moved again, this time to the wilderness of Maon.

^2-3 There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region of Carmel. He was very prosperous—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it was sheep-shearing time in Carmel. The man’s name was Nabal (Fool), a Calebite, and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and good-looking, the man brutish and mean.
^4-8 David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep and sent ten of his young men off with these instructions: “Go to Carmel and approach Nabal. Greet him in my name, ‘Peace! Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here! I heard that it’s sheep-shearing time. Here’s the point: When your shepherds were camped near us we didn’t take advantage of them. They didn’t lose a thing all the time they were with us in Carmel. Ask your young men—they’ll tell you. What I’m asking is that you be generous with my men—share the feast! Give whatever your heart tells you to your servants and to me, David your son.’”

Samuel passed away. Passing on is not a bad and grievous thing but we are going to return to a loving God. Loving loving God. I just want my funeral to be a celebration. Because it is a joyous occasion, a moment where we all can return to God. 

Prosperity can blind a man. Prosperity is something that can change people, blind us, make us realize that we don't need God and think that money can provide. Money is not all the things we need but what God will provide. God will provide, just seek first the kingdom of heaven and everything else will be given to us. God is real and He is really moving between us!

I am no rebel

The title looks like something out of a STAR WARS novel, but it is not! It is from 1 Samuel 24:

24 ^1-4 When Saul came back after dealing with the Philistines, he was told, “David is now in the wilderness of En Gedi.” Saul took three companies—the best he could find in all Israel—and set out in search of David and his men in the region of Wild Goat Rocks. He came to some sheep pens along the road. There was a cave there and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were huddled far back in the same cave. David’s men whispered to him, “Can you believe it? This is the day God was talking about when he said, ‘I’ll put your enemy in your hands. You can do whatever you want with him.’” Quiet as a cat, David crept up and cut off a piece of Saul’s royal robe.

^5-7 Immediately, he felt guilty. He said to his men, “God forbid that I should have done this to my master, God’s anointed, that I should so much as raise a finger against him. He’s God’s anointed!” David held his men in check with these words and wouldn’t let them pounce on Saul. Saul got up, left the cave, and went on down the road.
^8-13 Then David stood at the mouth of the cave and called to Saul, “My master! My king!” Saul looked back. David fell to his knees and bowed in reverence. He called out, “Why do you listen to those who say ‘David is out to get you’? This very day with your very own eyes you have seen that just now in the cave God put you in my hands. My men wanted me to kill you, but I wouldn’t do it. I told them that I won’t lift a finger against my master—he’s God’s anointed. Oh, my father, look at this, look at this piece that I cut from your robe. I could have cut you—killed you!—but I didn’t. Look at the evidence! I’m not against you. I’m no rebel. I haven’t sinned against you, and yet you’re hunting me down to kill me. Let’s decide which of us is in the right. God may avenge me, but it is in his hands, not mine. An old proverb says, ‘Evil deeds come from evil people.’ So be assured that my hand won’t touch you.
^14-15 “What does the king of Israel think he’s doing? Who do you think you’re chasing? A dead dog? A flea? God is our judge. He’ll decide who is right. Oh, that he would look down right now, decide right now—and set me free of you!”
^16-21 When David had finished saying all this, Saul said, “Can this be the voice of my son David?” and he wept in loud sobs. “You’re the one in the right, not me,” he continued. “You’ve heaped good on me; I’ve dumped evil on you. And now you’ve done it again—treated me generously. God put me in your hands and you didn’t kill me. Why? When a man meets his enemy, does he send him down the road with a blessing? May God give you a bonus of blessings for what you’ve done for me today! I know now beyond doubt that you will rule as king. The kingdom of Israel is already in your grasp! Now promise me under God that you will not kill off my family or wipe my name off the books.”
²² David promised Saul. Then Saul went home and David and his men went up to their wilderness refuge.

Funny thing right? God is funny, how he works and all. Saul was chasing David, but ironically... God placed Saul in David's hands. God placed Saul to be in the same cave as David and David had the chance to kill Saul. This was a test from God! A test to see if David had humility and submission. Look at what he say: God forbid me to kill him, he is God anointed. He still recognized that God put Saul there. God anointed Saul to be king, even though he knew that he was the next king. But he knew he was the next king and he does not have the right to kill Saul to replace him as king. But it is at God's timing that his will to be done. We(or he) should not take matters into ours(or his) own hands. I see that David could have just killed Saul, putting an end to this misery of running and hiding. David could have done it and ascended to the throne, God had already chosen him as next king. But he did not. He did not follow his feelings of wanting to kill him and all but submitted to God. He knew as he was next king, but still submitted to God. How humble is he? How much did he walked with God? He merely cut off a piece of Saul's robe and took it as proof that David could have easily killed him then and there, without battling an eyelid. Saul was the one who is blinded by power and started taking matters into his own hands. Trying to kill David so that there is no "next king" and he can reserve that seat for his own son. But he forgot that God is the ultimate king, he controls everything. And his word is final.

Chasing David

¹⁹ The people of Ziph went up to Saul at Gibeah. They said, “David is hiding among us. He’s hiding in places of safety at Horesh. Horesh is south of Jeshimon on the hill of Hakilah. ²⁰ King Saul, come down when it pleases you to come. It will be our duty to hand David over to you.”
²¹ Saul replied, “May the Lord bless you because you were concerned about me. ²² Make sure you are right. Go and check things out again. Find out where David usually goes. Find out who has seen him there. People tell me he’s very tricky. ²³ Find out about all of the hiding places he uses. Come back to me with all of the facts. I’ll go with you. Suppose he’s in the area. Then I’ll track him down among all of the family groups of Judah.”
²⁴ So they started out. They went to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his men were in the Desert of Maon. Maon is south of Jeshimon in the Arabah Valley. ²⁵ Saul and his men started out to look for David. David was told about it. So he went down to a rock in the Desert of Maon to hide. Saul heard he was there. So he went into the Desert of Maon to chase David.
²⁶ Saul was going along one side of the mountain. David and his men were on the other side. They were hurrying to get away from Saul. Saul and his army were closing in on David and his men. They were about to capture them. ²⁷ Just then a messenger came to Saul. He said, “Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking the land.”
²⁸ So Saul stopped chasing David. He went to fight against the Philistines. That’s why they call that place Sela Hammahlekoth.
²⁹ David left that place. He went and lived in places of safety near En Gedi.

How can a king, Saul with all his resources not track a man down? We see that United states who wanted to track Osama Bin Laden, was successful in the pursuit! A country, a man so powerful would be successful in tracking and killing any man on earth. No matter the difficulty. Like Osama, he had his army, he hid and hid and hid. But eventually, he was found and killed. What more about Saul, Saul a king was able to do anything he pleases, wielding God's power. Everything, he could kill priests, do anything he wants, but. But kill David. Because God's presence is with David. He could not even touch David. David fellow shipped so closely with God!He have God's protection. We see in this paragraph and verses that Saul's priority to kill David was high, just below his desire to kill philistines. It really shows Saul's heart and his desire for power, to retain the power of his throne. He forgot about God, that God gave him the power, it is God who anointed him to be king. he forgot that and worshipped power instead. He worshipped the creation, instead of the Creator.

Offering sharing

6 ^1-10 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us,

I heard your call in the nick of time;
The day you needed me, I was there to help.

Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing. Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

I always asked myself and God this question, we have so many offering sharings, heard and did so many. Is there anything else to share? Is there anything to learn? God revealed to me that There is, people needs to hear His word, again and again through and through.

Just like in Genesis 1:1 that states that
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth didn’t have any shape. And it was empty. Darkness was over the surface of the ocean. At that time, the ocean covered the earth. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

God is the light and we are the darkness, Darkness is not an entity, light is. Meaning darkness is always there and light is something that illuminates. Basically, Darkness is a concept that we have, a concept that states there is no light. We cannot create darkness but we can create light. Light is created by what we know as bulbs, or the sun or any light source. Darkness existed from the beginning and then like this

³ God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.

states aptly, then there was light. Same as the earth, our lives are full of darkness; ie. sin. It was not created, but it has been always there, caused by our sinful nature, ever since Adam and Eve ate the fruit. We are the dark and need God's constant illumination over our lives.

We need God.

We need God's help.

Now, in 2 Cor 6:1-10,

I heard your call in the nick of time;

The day you needed me, i was there to help.

When we need God's illumination(guidance, cleansing or healing), strength. God was there. 

Now as we have experienced God's light and lived out the verse: Taste and see that the LORD is good(Psalm 34:8), we now need to do the will of God.

Arh,

Don't put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we're doing.

I am now looking at those who are frequently late, arh! God says dont frustrate His work by showing up late. How many frequently are we late for things? This late encompasses everything, not just late for Church, LG, School. Also late to answer His calling and more!

Next part,

Our work as God's servants gets validated-or not-in the details. That means... We can give our thithe and offering, and it can turn out invalid. Why because it is in the details it is validated or invalidated, not in the action but in the details. Details that God concerns is like... How is your heart when u give? You can pull out a 10 dollar, or 50 for that matter and smile and secretly look around and see if anyone watches u and put the note in slow motion into the pouch. Well, you gave, but your heart was not there. Just like the woman in Mark 12. She gave little, but her heart was there. Always in the details, God looks at the details.

Now God tells us something that we all experience.

In 2 Cor 6:1-10
People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

People watch us once they know we are Christians don't they? They expect us to live up to certain expectations. Sometimes we have to kill the joy in them to tell them off that something they do is not right, and sometimes we are ignored. But through all these, we having nothing can be having it all. Because even if we don't have the material possessions, money(in actual fact we dont, it belongs to God), we have it all, We have God.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Seek Him first and everything will be added to you, as He deem fit. Giving is not a one time thing. It is us checking our hearts. That's why even when people share about offering so many times and yet we are still saying the same thing because we need to constantly check our hearts with God's will. Every time we give, we check our hearts we check if we are worshipping mamon or God. And God would only be pleased only about the details, not the giving itself.

2 Masters, one with God

23 ^1-2 It was reported to David that the Philistines were raiding Keilah and looting the grain. David went in prayer to God: “Should I go after these Philistines and teach them a lesson?”

God said, “Go. Attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
³ But David’s men said, “We live in fear of our lives right here in Judah. How can you think of going to Keilah in the thick of the Philistines?”
⁴ So David went back to God in prayer. God said, “Get going. Head for Keilah. I’m placing the Philistines in your hands.”
^5-6 David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He scattered their cattle, beat them decisively, and saved the people of Keilah. After Abiathar took refuge with David, he joined David in the raid on Keilah, bringing the Ephod with him.

^7-8 Saul learned that David had gone to Keilah and thought immediately, “Good! God has handed him to me on a platter! He’s in a walled city with locked gates, trapped!” Saul mustered his troops for battle and set out for Keilah to lay siege to David and his men.

^9-11 But David got wind of Saul’s strategy to destroy him and said to Abiathar the priest, “Get the Ephod.” Then David prayed to God: “God of Israel, I’ve just heard that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the city because of me. Will the city fathers of Keilah turn me over to him? Will Saul come down and do what I’ve heard? O God, God of Israel, tell me!”
God replied, “He’s coming down.”
¹² “And will the head men of Keilah turn me and my men over to Saul?”
And God said, “They’ll turn you over.”
¹³ So David and his men got out of there. There were about six hundred of them. They left Keilah and kept moving, going here, there, wherever—always on the move.

Saul and David eventually went on this journey to fight/hide from each other. David hid, Saul seeked. But the difference is that David had God. It is so funny how God works in the midst. He was being pursued by the king and still desires to kill Philistines. And the most important thing is that God said Go! So, imagine this. You are an exile of Singapore and lets say country Y is our enemy. Then while u are in exile, you still dislike country Y and you ask God. God said go and destroy country Y. DOES IT EVEN MAKE SENSE? you are in exile and u are running away from the king for your life and there u go killing the enemy. It is like trying to fight a war with 2 fronts. No saint person would ever do this. That's why David's men questioned David's decision (which was God's) to attack the Philistines. Basically, no saint person would ever do it. Only with the power of God. 

David and God fellow-shipped. Really fellow-shipped. how much more should we fellowship with God? Walk with God, not because of the benefits, ie. can know stuff and have heavenly wisdom, but because we love Him and He is our God.

Psalm 3:5-6

I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

Hahaha I tell you.God is just so awesome! Here I am drained,doing piled assignments.Worried that I can't meet the friday deadline.

I turned to God and found this verse in my QT which totally relates to what is happening to me.

It says in the verse that david could sleep well thanks to God who was watching over him.It relates to me because If I am worried about not meeting the deadline,i wont be able to sleep. This verse tells me to lift my problems and worries to God.Only then can I sleep in peace because of that assurance in God!


Thank you God for keeping me going !

Jake:)

Ahimelech speaks up for David

^14-15 Ahimelech answered the king, “There’s not an official in your administration as true to you as David, your own son-in-law and captain of your bodyguard. None more honorable either. Do you think that was the first time I prayed with him for God’s guidance? Hardly! But don’t accuse me of any wrongdoing, me or my family. I have no idea what you’re trying to get at with this ‘outlaw’ talk.”
¹⁶ The king said, “Death, Ahimelech! You’re going to die—you and everyone in your family!”
¹⁷ The king ordered his henchmen, “Surround and kill the priests of God! They’re hand in glove with David. They knew he was running away from me and didn’t tell me.” But the king’s men wouldn’t do it. They refused to lay a hand on the priests of God.
^18-19 Then the king told Doeg, “You do it—massacre the priests!” Doeg the Edomite led the attack and slaughtered the priests, the eighty-five men who wore the sacred robes. He then carried the massacre into Nob, the city of priests, killing man and woman, child and baby, ox, donkey, and sheep—the works.

Saul was blinded by his love of power. Even a person outside the palace knew about David's loyalty to the king. Ahimelech defended David in front of the king, while the king accused him. When people accuses us of some wrong doing that we did not do, know that Jesus Christ will stand by you. Just like how Ahimelech stood by David even though the king was persecuting David. We see here that regardless how tough the trails, how deep the valley, God would be with you always. To defend David good name, Ahimelech gave his life. Jesus Christ gave His life. Similarly, we must be thankful of this grace and mercy that God gave and is giving us. Then the king gave the order to kill the priests, he commited murder then and there. Because he was not worshipping God but power. How much are we in this world, people in status, people with wealth, what are we worshipping? Are we worshipping God? Really? Check our hearts.

David, exiled!

22 ^1-2 So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all.

^3-4 Then David went to Mizpah in Moab. He petitioned the king of Moab, “Grant asylum to my father and mother until I find out what God has planned for me.” David left his parents in the care of the king of Moab. They stayed there all through the time David was hiding out.
⁵ The prophet Gad told David, “Don’t go back to the cave. Go to Judah.” David did what he told him. He went to the forest of Hereth.

^6-8 Saul got word of the whereabouts of David and his men. He was sitting under the big oak on the hill at Gibeah at the time, spear in hand, holding court surrounded by his officials. He said, “Listen here, you Benjaminites! Don’t think for a minute that you have any future with the son of Jesse! Do you think he’s going to hand over choice land, give you all influential jobs? Think again. Here you are, conspiring against me, whispering behind my back—not one of you is man enough to tell me that my own son is making deals with the son of Jesse, not one of you who cares enough to tell me that my son has taken the side of this, this . . . outlaw!”

David went away, he went to hide in the caves. He was at a lowest point of his life. From a servant beside the king, he is now a refugee and wanted man. Throughout this time, David still spoke to God. He obeyed what God told him to do through prophet Gad. He could have just used his own strength and determined where he should go, it back to the cave. But he trusted the Lord and went where the Lord wants him to go. Even in these tough times, he still walked with God and there was never once that he complained to God about his exile or suffering. He just took it in and know that God would exalt him. In tough times, do we know that God would exalt us? Do we still trust in His word? or do we trust in ours?

Godly women

I chanced upon this verse:

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
Proverbs 31:10, 27-28 MSG

A good woman is hard to find. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of God. woman who lives in the fear of God. You must be thinking, we are all guys here, how does this verse apply to us? Well, we are not females, but we have female friends. This Hymn is a Hymn describing a good wife, praising her for what she has done. And praising her for fearing the Lord. But all these qualities cannot appear out of no where. Parents can teach, but not to the fullest extend that they are there to correct every single mistake their child makes. So, we as friends we are to encourage these qualities. Treat female friends like females. Respect them. Respect them and correct them, guide them. So that at the end of the day when she marries, the husband can come up to you can thank you for being a good steward friend of his wife, who corrected her in righteousness and faith. We should not covert, treat them with respect. Guys we must know where is the line. you know what i mean :). Even when some girl is trying to be too friendly or you know... , know and remember the line , treat her with respect and correct her in righteousness. That is most important.

an interesting sermon by pastor! it got me thinking when pastor mentioned about caring for our soul and it being simple. finally understood when it was about our lives being filled and complicated by the many things of this world! it is really true that esp in SG, we are always in a state of wanting more. regardless of money, clothes or gadgets, we want them more and the latest few! thats why we cant be really happy and to me, it is sad :l i was also caught in like wanting more or even the latest few stuff to "fit in" but i thought it through before and it made sense that wanting more causes me to be unhappy so i stopped and i did get more peace and being happier! Pastor moved into what the bible says about simplicity and i realized most of it is related to greed and money. greed. the one sin in which most are numb to. is like we don't recognize that we are caught in it and that is real dangerous. and that is something i myself am unsure if i am in it. gonna watch myself through this week! one cant serve God and money at the same time. have to be watchful! God says He will provide for my needs and all i have to do is just to do what He calls me to do! the Great commission! it is that simple. but we made it too complicated till we think our complicated life is our normal. reading the Bible and taking it as it is was the whole simple idea actually until we start to think too much and rationalize. so yeap, my takeway is that to give my heart to God and God alone, for where the treasure is, that is where my heart lies. great sermon! 

more that just this, i think we all should be constantly be watching out for greed! i believe even for me, i might be in its trap just that im unsure of! so yeah! be mindful and sensitive even to the minor of details! hahas! (: let the HS reveal our weak points and that we may change! my prayer for you guys is that we wont be numb to this sin and that we wont be caught in it! hahas! also that we do our QT on a daily basis, cause that is where change begins! 

SFB

This sermon really enforces what I really believe in. It really prepared me further on what I can do to guard my heart against Mammon. It also helped me in deepening my understanding of this subject. For instance, my friend invited me to this business club's conference just last week. The business club is good! One can learn a lot about investment there. About the pitfalls of investment, what are the different types of investment, what and who to invest and much more. It is really a good place to start your investing career. They have a community of seasoned investors to guide one and all! Honestly, I was drawn to it, because I was interested in investment. But, there was one major problem. People there love money. I have to use the word love because that was how the club's chairman described his relationship with money. An it scares me, because I know the truth that the love of money is the root of all evil. God just reminded me time and time again that I cannot serve 2 masters, I can either serve God or mammon, never both. It would be tempting to believe that one can serve both, but in fact, we cannot and if we think that we can, we are not serving God but mammon. After my experience at the conference, I met my another friend who recently joined my friend(the one who invited me to go the conference). He further convinced me that I should join the club because it is good investment. I gave several reasons why I would not join and he said something that I cannot forget. He said, next time when I am "up there", I will throw a rope down and let you catch. So, that was it. I told myself and God that money really changes people, not because of it, but because of the love of it. I was conversing with God and telling God about how really good an investment it would be, and He just told me. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Which is really what pastor shared in the sermon. I am extremely encouraged by this sermon and greatly enriched about it. It may be a good investment and all, but if God is not in the center, what good would it be if we gain the world and lose our soul? 

Pslams 2:12

Submit to God's royal son,or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities for his anger flares up in an instant.But what joy for all who take refuge in him!



These verse really spoke to me apart from the whole chapter 1 & 2 of Psalms.I;ve began on a fasting journey to seek God and this verse just says it all.It told me the way to  get intimate with God is through giving up the things you love for him.All the more I should do that during my fasting period because if I still hold on to the things I love, how can I focus on loving God?
We surrender all not because we fear or are weak.We do so because we know that God can substitute that for so much more,his love! which is eternal,never failing.

I really thank God for catching me back once again.Church was so good yesterday.

Which leads to another topic i wana share.

->PRAYING WITH AUTHORITY

Like what pastor was sharing during prayer.Often a time we just chit chat with God in prayer.Yes its healthy but how firm is that chit chat and asking from God?
I had a great experience with this.Initially I had to leave church at 530 to get home for an appointment.But I really pestered God throughout the whole service like an annoying kid who wants a toy badly.I asked

" GOD I really want to stay for this service,it is very very important to me in my journey of fasting,you fidn a way and help me adjust the time ,postpone it if you must or delay it so I can hear your word from Pastor."

"I pray that the message I receive will be of goodnews or allowing me to spend more time here at home,church."

True enough the sms came at 5.10 way earlier then I asked for.It was cancelled! postponed to next Sunday! Amazing huh,means I Can come to churhc without worrying either!


-Jake

David?

And at that, David shot out of there, running for his life from Saul. He went to Achish, king of Gath. When the servants of Achish saw him, they said, “Can this be David, the famous David? Is this the one they sing of at their dances?

Saul kills by the thousand,
David by the ten thousand!”

^12-15 When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath. So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard. Achish took one look at him and said to his servants, “Can’t you see he’s crazy? Why did you let him in here? Don’t you think I have enough crazy people to put up with as it is without adding another? Get him out of here!”

Trust in the Lord? We see in 1 Samuel that David is always walking with the Lord, not worrying about anything. But now, he is facing the huge obstacle that the most powerful man then was trying to kill him. He panicked was what the author wrote. So you may think where is the David we all know: killed Goliath, philistines without blinking an eye with God's strength? Now we see that he is running away from the king and with no mention of God or Lord. He also lied and pretended all the way in his escape. Would it be better for him to just retreat to some where quiet and pray and ask God for guidance? Would that not be better? If he had prayed, God would have answered and He would be in a better state that him relying on his own strength. Same to us, how much do we "retreat from this craziness" of the world and pray and seek God's direction for us? Through fasting, i have learnt to rely on God strength and not mine. Even though mine is good and strong, but God's just unimaginable. So, rely on His strength and direction. All we have to do is just to seek Him, walk with Him. Seek His face. Maybe David did seek God, but maybe not enough to put it into paragraphs just like before. Remember David vs Goliath (Him saying who can defile God's holy army). I think the most common problem people face today is to seek him. And all we have to do is to just drop everything we are trying to do/doing a and go to a quiet place and seek Him, seek His face.

David the outlaw

David went on his way and Jonathan returned to town.
David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the Priest. Ahimelech was alarmed as he went out to greet David: “What are you doing here all by yourself—and not a soul with you?”
^2-3 David answered Ahimelech the Priest, “The king sent me on a mission and gave strict orders: ‘This is top secret—not a word of this to a soul.’ I’ve arranged to meet up with my men in a certain place. Now, what’s there here to eat? Do you have five loaves of bread? Give me whatever you can scrounge up!”
⁴ “I don’t have any regular bread on hand,” said the priest. “I only have holy bread. If your men have not slept with women recently, it’s yours.”
⁵ David said, “None of us has touched a woman. I always do it this way when I’m on a mission: My men abstain from sex. Even when it is an ordinary mission we do that—how much more on this holy mission.”
⁶ So the priest gave them the holy bread. It was the only bread he had, Bread of the Presence that had been removed from God’s presence and replaced by fresh bread at the same time.

At this time, David was running away from the king. At this juncture, David lied to Ahimelech the Priest about him being on a secret mission. He told the priest that he needed food and weapons. Is it right to lie? What would have happened if David came clean to Ahimelech? Would he help more? We have to remember that it is always a sin to lie. And David lied, imagine how much more David would have received if he just came clean with Ahimelech? Ahimelech would do everything that he can to help David. 

Power, unlimited Power!

²⁷ But the day after the New Moon, day two of the holiday, David’s seat was still empty. Saul asked Jonathan his son, “So where’s that son of Jesse? He hasn’t eaten with us either yesterday or today.”
^28-29 Jonathan said, “David asked my special permission to go to Bethlehem. He said, ‘Give me leave to attend a family reunion back home. My brothers have ordered me to be there. If it seems all right to you, let me go and see my brothers.’ That’s why he’s not here at the king’s table.”
^30-31 Saul exploded in anger at Jonathan: “You son of a slut! Don’t you think I know that you’re in cahoots with the son of Jesse, disgracing both you and your mother? For as long as the son of Jesse is walking around free on this earth, your future in this kingdom is at risk. Now go get him. Bring him here. From this moment, he’s as good as dead!”

Funny thing, Saul uses son of Jesse instead of David. This is traditionally a sign that people try to distant themselves. This means that Saul is actually feeling uncomfortable even calling out the name "David", that is why he needed distancing techniques like using references like "son of Jesse". This really show how much Saul wanted him dead. Then, in verse 30-31, we see his intentions clearly: he wants to keep the power, unlimited power. He threatened Jonathan, saying that if David is not caught and killed, Jonathan future as a king would be in trouble. Saul wants power, unlimited power. He thinks that his power belongs to him, but in fact Jonathan knows that this power does not belong to anyone but God. It is His to take and to give away. If Jonathan is chosen by God to be king, he would regardless of the circumstances. Same to go for David. David would become king, and it is not because of himself but God. How much must make us realize that what we have is all owned by God and not ourself, even when we have the feeling of power, that power is temporary and belongs to God.

^11-17 “Come outside,” said Jonathan. “Let’s go to the field.” When the two of them were out in the field, Jonathan said, “As God, the God of Israel, is my witness, by this time tomorrow I’ll get it out of my father how he feels about you. Then I’ll let you know what I learn. May God do his worst to me if I let you down! If my father still intends to kill you, I’ll tell you and get you out of here in one piece. And God be with you as he’s been with my father! If I make it through this alive, continue to be my covenant friend. And if I die, keep the covenant friendship with my family—forever. And when God finally rids the earth of David’s enemies, stay loyal to Jonathan!” Jonathan repeated his pledge of love and friendship for David. He loved David more than his own soul!

I am really amazed by Jonathan. Jonathan is really godly man! Both David and Jonathan walked so closely with God! Saul wanted to kill David, but Jonathan his son was not seeking for his father approval, but his Father's approval. The question is whose approval do we seek? Do we seek God's approval or seek men's approval? If Jonathan seek men's approval, he would have undoubtedly killed David. By killing David, he would be honoured by the one man who rules over Israel.But then he remembered God. God is the provider of all, he annointed Saul with the power and His will is for David to live, and much more than that, to be the next king of Israel. This is an great example of co-heirs of Christ and he executed the will of God. 

One more thing that spoke to me, covenants are very serious declarations. when we declare in God's name, it is very serious and we should see it to completion. Without completion, our covenant is broken. God mentioned in Exodus 20:7

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

The question is whether we use His name in vain? Lord, God, Yahweh, LORD, Jesus, Jesus Christ are all His names, do not use them in vain. Because His name contains power and calling His name is calling out to Him.

King Saul

20 David got out of Naioth in Ramah alive and went to Jonathan. “What do I do now? What wrong have I inflicted on your father that makes him so determined to kill me?”

² “Nothing,” said Jonathan. “You’ve done nothing wrong. And you’re not going to die. Really, you’re not! My father tells me everything. He does nothing, whether big or little, without confiding in me. So why would he do this behind my back? It can’t be.”
³ But David said, “Your father knows that we are the best of friends. So he says to himself, ‘Jonathan must know nothing of this. If he does, he’ll side with David.’ But it’s true—as sure as God lives, and as sure as you’re alive before me right now—he’s determined to kill me.”

 As this point of time, David must be thanking God for such a good brother and friend, Jonathan. We will always need a friend, in times of trials and tribulations, we need someone to guide us. Jonathan really walked with God. He really recognized that his power, his father's power does not come out from men, but God. He did not follow his father's footsteps but followed his Father's footsteps. It must have been hard for Jonathan, being trapped between his father and his good friend. It would have been easy for him to just agree with his father. But he fellow-shipped with God, and because of that, God spoke clearly to Him and guided him. Without God's guidance, he would not have build such a brotherly relationship with David. He might have just killed David, or ran away if he did not walk with God and build a relationship. Indeed Saul would not tell Jonathan about David, because he knows that Jonathan and David are brothers, best of friends. Regardless, walking close with God is the best thing to do, always.

David and Jonathan

Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?” “Never!” Jonathan replied. “You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would he hide this from me? It isn’t so!” But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.” (1 Samuel 20:1-4 NIV)

It's funny to know more than what David and Jonathan know! We know that David is the next king and at this moment Jonathan is the son of the king. And what we see here are that they are good friends. I think if I were Jonathan, I would be tempted to kill David because he seems all too powerful and it is inline with what my dad(the king) is trying to do! But God led them into an awesome brotherly relationship. Only God can lead us into such situation! This really tells me that regardless who you are, you must have some one accountable, like David to Jonathan and Jonathan to David! They are in brotherly love with one another! We all need this kind of relationships. We need people to be accountable to and people to guide us through life using God's words. I can imagine that without this relationship, David would probably be killed by Saul by this time. But it was this relationship that prevented that!

I was talking to my mom and meditating on this verse on

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NIV)

This verse is specifically on sexual immorality. But it can be applied else where. God mentioned that our bodies are temples and not to be defiled by one's sexual desires but it also mean that we should not defile it in any other way! Including food and sleep. Maintain and take care of this temple that God has given us in all ways!