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The Philistine leaders don’t trust David to join their invasion of Israel, so he and his men are sent back to Ziklag. They find a disaster – the Amalekites have burned their homes and captured their wives and children. In his greatest moment of despair, David “encourages himself in the Lord.” God assures him he will prevail, and David and his men defeat the Amalekites, recover everyone alive and distribute the extra spoils to those who had aided him in Israel.

Notes on 1 Samuel 29:1-11 and 30:1-31

When the Philistine army invades, Saul needs a word from God on what to do. But God is silent. So instead, Saul seeks out a medium, someone who can conjure up the dead. He asks her to summon the dead prophet Samuel. But Samuel’s message is devastating for Saul, and predicts defeat and death.

Notes on 1 Samuel 28:1-25

David imagines Saul will never give up pursuing him. In his despair he decides to flee to the Philistine King Achish along with his men and their families, and sign on as mercenaries. This proves to be a disastrous decision in the long run, but provides a lesson in faith for us.

Notes on 1 Samuel 27:1-12

The Ziphites again betray David’s location, and again David spares Saul, this time taking his spear and a jug of water by his side as he sleeps. And again Saul regrets his pursuit of David and blesses him. But regret is not the same as repentance, and Saul’s jealousy of David would continue.

Notes on 1 Samuel 26:1-25

When David’s messengers to Nabal, a wealthy but foolish local herder, are rebuffed, he prepares to avenge his honor with an attack. But Nabal’s wife, Abigail, intercedes, cooling David’s anger and attracting his eye with her beauty and diplomacy. Nabal is struck dumb and immobilized when she explains the situation to him, and he dies 10 days later. David then takes Abigail as his wife.

Notes on 1 Samuel 25:1-44

Saul, in pursuit of David with 3,000 men, enters a cave alone in En-Gedi where David and his men are hiding. David sneaks up and cuts off the corner of Saul’s garment without his knowledge, then later shows it to Saul as proof of his good intentions. Saul repents of his anger and affirms that David will be king. But this good will is short-lived.

Notes on 1 Samuel 24:1-22