Redeemer Church of Waterford Paul Edwards

Psalm 56 reveals to us the actions of David when he was taken in Gath by Achish. He appeals to God for mercy, not primarily to be delivered FROM his undesirable circumstances, but for mercy IN his circumstances.

The mercy of God is most precious to us when we experience it IN our troubles and misery.

Psalm 59, written by David when he escaped from Saul's henchmen when they had his house surrounded, is a spiritual battlefield manual with insights into the nature of our enemy, our enemy's strategy and objectives, and clear instructions on the strategies we are to use to escape the enemy's grasp.

David is the anointed king, but Saul is the reigning king. For years David has been waiting patiently for God to fulfill His promise to him while being unjustly pursued by Saul, fleeing for his life under continual distress.

But now David is presented with an opportunity to seize the throne by force when Saul "happens" into a cave to relieve himself - the same cave where David and his 600 men are sheltered.

He's urged by his men to seize the day! But he doesn't do it.

What can we learn from David's actions in 1 Samuel 24 to reassure us in our own exasperation that God really will keep his promises to us?

In this continuation of our study in 1 Samuel 24, Saul responds to David's restraint in sparing his life.

Ephesians 5:18-33

The Ziphites have disclosed to Saul the hiding place of David which initiates one of the most intense scenes in all of the book of 1 Samuel that ends with David and his men surrounded, destined for certain death at the hands of Saul and his men.

But there is an unseen providence at work which is protecting David and preventing Saul from accomplishing his wicked scheme.