Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek while the Israelites were camping by the spring, which is in Jezreel. And the lords of the Philistines were proceeding on by hundreds and by thousands. And David and his men were proceeding on in the rear with Achish. Then the commanders of the Philistines said, what are these Hebrews doing here? And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, Is this not David, the servant of Saul, the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years? And I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted, that is fell, to this day. The commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, make the man go back, that he may return to his place where you have assigned him. Do not let him go down to battle with us, or in the battle he may become an adversary to us. And with what could this man make himself acceptable to his Lord? Would it not be with the heads of these men? Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? Then Achish called David and said to him, as the Lord lives, you have been upright and you're going out and you're coming in with me and the army are pleasing in my sight, for I have not found evil in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, you are not pleasing in the sight of the Lords. Now, therefore, return and go in peace that you may not displease the Lords of the Philistines. David said to Achish, But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day when I came before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my Lord and the King?' But Achish replied to David, I know that you are pleasing in my sight like an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, he must not go up with us to battle. Now then arise early in the morning with the servants of your Lord who have come with you. And as soon as you have arisen early in the morning and have light, depart." So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel. Dale Ralph Davis, in his commentary on 1 Samuel, entitles this chapter in his commentary thus, accepting the Philistines as your personal savior. I've entitled the message, with a little less irony and flair, God's Providence in Enemy Territory. God's Providence in Enemy Territory. Though the titles differ from the both of us, I think we're both agreed. what is featured in this chapter, what this chapter is about, is God's providence. How God, in his providential care, oversees, guides, protects David. And in order to remind us all, let's consider the shorter catechism's definition of God's works of providence. What are God's works of providence? God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions. God's most holy, wise, powerful governing of his creatures and of their actions, all of his creatures and all their actions. And so you could see this clearly throughout David's rise, really his pilgrimage, on the way to the throne of Israel, and in this chapter specifically, that throne which he will soon take. Now, just to point out some foreshadowing, if you look in chapter 28 at the end, the very end of the chapter, where Saul, he's met with the medium. They've called up the ghost of Samuel. He is terrified by what Samuel says. as he was terrified originally with the Philistines gathering together for war. That's what drove him to the medium. And in his terror, the medium brings him food. And so verse 25, she brought the food before Saul and his servants and they ate and they arose and went out that night. It's rather an ominous close to the chapter. Saul and his men went out that night. Look at the end of chapter 29 that I just read for you. David and his men arose early, and they departed in the morning. In the morning light, they left. Darkness, light. It is a foreshadowing. We know what's going to happen to Saul. We, as the readers, we know he will be put to death in battle. David, however, in God's providence, continues to win favor. And it's not as though David is deserving. We have seen it again and again. As he makes this rise, this advancement, this pilgrimage towards a greater power, eventually to take the throne, we see corruption within David, enough corruption where it would cause us to raise questions about his ultimate integrity to take the throne. Yet we see God's grace again and again. And in his providence, truly a favor. David will sit upon the throne. Of course, the lesson for us, for us all, is, The Scripture is rather realistic. There's no perfect hero outside of Jesus Christ who is perfectly faithful to the obedience of God. But within the Old Testament, there's not a king that is absolutely pure before God. And the Scripture gives us that realistic view in order that we might reflect upon ourselves. There's really no one, no one that is perfect among us outside of Christ himself. And not only that, With all the remaining corruption, God is still favorable to his people. Favorable to David, favorable to you, favorable to us in Christ. Wonderful assurance as we face a holy and righteous God, but knowing his love and compassion in Jesus Christ. And so we can take this into the new year that whatever our circumstances, know this in Christ, It's not as though God is judging you, punishing you, but rather in his providential care, eventually showing favor to you as he does David. And this is a wonderful text for us to read. There is a pattern here of God's providence working in David. David rather unique. He will be the king of Israel, the promise of his son, who will take the throne forever. Israel and really over all of the nations, we know that promise. And this is rather a unique chapter. David a unique personage in God's plan. But the pattern for us, the teaching, the witness of this chapter is in God's providence. He continues to protect and guide us all in that covenant relationship in Christ. The greater David has come and in him, though with our remaining corruption, the Lord will forgive, be gracious, favorable, and continue to guide us. And so we see the story before us, and I ask the question, well, what's the chapter about? Well, it is about God's providence, but who's the central character in the chapter? Who's the central character? And you would think David, but it's not David. It's the Philistine, one of the Philistine lords, Achish. He's given a lot of ink in chapter 29. And that's rather interesting because of his relationship to David. He loves David. In fact, the beginning of chapter 28, as David has escaped into Philistia and Achish receives David into his court, he says, eventually, David, you'll go with me. You'll be my bodyguard forever. And when we face the armies of Israel, you'll come down and battle with us. And David, in a rather ambiguous way, says, oh, and my Lord shall see what I'm able to do. But it leaves David in a rather awkward position. Will he, with Achish and the Philistines, actually fight against the armies of Israel? Since he knows he's been anointed and others recognize him as the true king of Israel, will he go and fight the armies of Israel with Philistia, with the Philistines? We leave him in the beginning of chapter 28 in this rather awkward and vulnerable position. Finding refuge, asylum with Achish, but now Achish wants him as his personal bodyguard forever and to go with him into battle against Israel. And David responds ambiguously, ah, and you shall see what your servant can do for the Lord, for my Lord, the King. And now we come to 29 and the armies are gathered and they are about to engage in battle. Akish has David and David's men with him, but the lords of the Philistines are rather suspicious of the Hebrews, suspicious of David. What? These Hebrews are among us? Will they not go down and actually fight against us, turning against us in battle once we face the Israelites? And Akish is arguing for David. No, no. He has been upright since the day he has come to us. He will be faithful. He is ours. He's my man. He will fight for us. And the Philistine Lords will have nothing to do with that. If he has so fallen before Saul, will he not gain greater favor if in battle he turns against us and actually takes the head of our men, of our army, presenting the heads of our men to Israel? Of course, that's referring back to David battling Goliath and ultimately taking Goliath's head. And then the lords of the Philistines remind Achish, is this not David of whom they sang in the dances, saying, the women, Saul has slain his thousands and David is 10,000? Do not let this man or his men come down to battle with us. And Achish approaches David, reasons with him, and persuades him not to come down. David is ultimately delivered from that vulnerable position. What would David do if he actually went down with Achish? What would he do? Would he slay the armies of Israel or would he turn against the Philistines and Achish? We don't know. He's delivered from that. All of this is in God's providence. The question is, how is God's providence seen throughout this chapter? How is God's providence seen? God's governing, guiding, shepherding, protecting, particularly David. Now, at first, God's providence is seen in David's song, that is, the song about David. It comes central to this chapter, to this text. And this is This is a song that has come up again and again in chapter 18 when it was originally sung after battle. Goliath is slain. They go after the Philistines. David is triumphant as a warrior. And so the women come out dancing and singing. Saul has slain his thousands and David is ten thousands. And it's the singing of the women of Israel, this song that sparks Saul's jealousy against David. This song is mentioned again when David flees to Achish earlier on. And Achish's servants remind Achish that this is the song that was sung about David. And so David feigns insanity. Remember that? And then eventually goes back into the wilderness of Israel. And now it comes up again. You see what the writer of this narrative is doing. He's taking this song and he's using it. He selects these various portions it happened in history to be sure but the writer is selecting this particular song that comes up again and again and again that tends to spark adversity against David it is singing his triumph but every time it's brought up it brings great adversity to David a rejection adversity as it were and what's interesting of these books of Samuel if if You'd allow me a sidebar, and I know it's evening service, but the writer is such an accomplished. Remember, 1 and 2 Samuel, originally one book. It's not two books. And you could ask yourself, well, how does the book begin? And the book begins with Hannah. Remember, eventually she has Samuel and she sings a song. She sings a song before the Lord. And that song really is an unfolding of the entire book. What she sings about how God is so powerful in destroying the proud and raising up the humble and bringing a deliverer to his people, that song is really prophetic and is unfolded throughout the narrative to the end. What you find in the middle of the narrative, which is the beginning of 2 Samuel for us, is another song, it's a lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan's death. And when you go to the end of the book, David is singing once again. The book begins with a song, in the middle there's a song, and at the end there's a song. And then throughout this particular song, Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands. Now why would the writer emphasize the singing of Israel in the situation in which he is writing this narrative. Could it be that worship is so important because that's what this is about? The psalter, the singing of God's praise, the singing of his deliverance of his people, the hope that he will raise up one who will save his people. It is in worship that God's people have sung for generations. We still sing this evening of God's love, of His grace, of His power, of His deliverance. It's in worship that the people of God are assured whatever adversity they may face. And so the writer is emphasizing this singing of Israel throughout this book, and we find it here in this chapter as well. God's providence is seen in David's song. It's brought up again and Achish is reminded of it. Israel was reminded of it in whatever circumstances this is being written. Possibly civil war time, possibly foreign enemies about to invade Israel, adversity. Israel's reminded and we are reminded this evening as well. But God's providence is also seen in David's favor. Again, it's Achish. He says this, both to the Lords of the Philistines and to David himself, that David has been upright. David in his going out and coming in among the army has been pleasing to Achish. There is no evil that is found in David, even though David has been deceiving Achish this whole time. There is a great deal of hidden corruption here on the part of David. Akish doesn't see it. In good faith, he has received David. And this rather interesting way of putting it, Akish replied to David, verse nine, I know that you are pleasing in my sight like an angel of God, like an angel of God. You see in David's rise, From the very beginning, from the time he is anointed by Samuel, remember, he's neglected. The brothers are brought before Samuel. Samuel says, no, no, no, no, no. Do you not have another son? Yes, David. He's out watching the sheep he's brought in. Samuel anoints him. There is favor shown to David from the very, very beginning. Even though there is something undeserving on the part of David, he's shown favor. By Samuel, originally by Saul, by Jonathan, clearly, by the daughters of Saul, by the servants of Saul. We are told by all Judah. Judah finds David favorable towards them. Everyone in distress is gathered. That's how David gathers his army, everyone in distress. And now we have Achish. David finds favor again and again. And as he continues in this rise towards the throne, we're seeing corruption on the part of David, sometimes even a bloodthirstiness. It's not so much different than Saul. Yet in God's providence and his grace, declared earlier on a man after God's own heart, David is shown favor by God's providence. And here, by Achish, shown favor by him. And it's just part of that pattern of everyone gathering. Opposed to Saul, and an interesting comparison and contrast between Saul and Achish, Saul should be receiving David Saul should be showing favor to David. Saul is the one who doesn't, who's after David all the time. Akish, the Philistine. Akish, the enemy of Israel. Akish is the one who receives David, shows favor to David. This is God's providence. The writer does not give you a golden text. He does not give you an annotated note, but it is clear in this passage that what the writer is doing is saying, look, even the enemies of Israel show favor to David, the future king. Of course, that resonates very, very much with the coming Messiah and the coming Christ, where every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And throughout the Psalms, we read about the kings of the earth coming to worship Yahweh. And in the New Testament, in the New Testament, that hope that in Jesus Christ, the nations will hear and respond and worship. But not only in the favor that is shown, we see it also in David's influence in Achish. This is rather fascinating. If you look at verse 6, then Achish called to David and said to him, as the Lord lives, and look, it's Yahweh. As Yahweh lives, you have been upright and you're going out and you're coming in with me in the army or pleasing in my sight. But it's almost like oath-like language. As Yahweh lives? This is a Philistine king. This is a pagan. And yet he's using oath-like language in talking about his relationship with David. As Yahweh lives. And then in verse 9, Achish replied to David, I know that you are pleasing in my sight like an angel of God. It can be like a messenger, a messenger of Elohim. Well, this is tremendous language. Where does the pagan king, where does the Philistine, the enemy of Israel begin to talk like this? Well, surely again, what we're seeing is an influence on the part of David. Influence in God's providence. David fleeing really with a lack of faith into enemy territory, finding favor with Achish, even though the song resonates even throughout the Philistine camps about David slaying his 10,000 Philistines, finds favor with Achish and Achish is influenced. As Yahweh lives, you to me are like a messenger A messenger of Elohim, of God, Creator. This is a tremendous testimony. Some of the commentators said, no, no, in Achish, he's dumb. It's like all the Philistines. If you read about the Philistines in 1 Samuel, they seem to be a little, like, a step behind. They're a little stupid, they're kind of ignorant, and this is possible. No, we see in Achish here a naivete. He's trusting David in good faith, and David is the one who's corrupt. But what we're seeing is this influence. Akish is not stupid, but he's somehow being influenced. We see it throughout the scripture where there have been the Gentiles that have been influenced by those who know the Lord, even in their corrupt state, who hear of Yahweh and respond. Rahab the harlot, Nahum. Jesus himself marvels over the Gentiles that he comes across and the faith that they demonstrate. This really is a testimony written by this narrator indicating that Israel is a light to the nations. And through David, there is something of an influence, a testimony that is getting through. And Achish has seen it. He's responded. It's as though he is now speaking the language of the covenant people. As surely as Yahweh lives, David, you are a messenger to me from creator God, Elohim. But last, we see God's providence in David's deliverance. And the observation is it's even through the enemies of David that David is delivered. It's the lords of the Philistines who say, he shall not come down with us. What would have happened if David stayed with Achish and went to battle against Israel? What would David do? Would he fight against Israel or would he turn and fight against Achish and the Philistines? We don't know. But he doesn't face that dilemma. And it's really the 11th hour. They're in camp. They're about to face Israel in battle. And it's at the 11th hour that the Lords discover these Hebrews and they reason and become angry with Achish. No, these men shall not come down unless they turn against us. And so it's really the enemies of David that the Lord uses as an instrument. And we've seen this again and again. God uses the Philistines to protect David throughout the narration earlier on when when David is pinned by Saul and his men and then the Philistines are raiding I think it's a Philistines raiding a village Saul has to leave David is delivered once again by whom by the enemies and here again by the enemies of Israel God will use any instrument any agent God that God chooses in order to deliver his people Well, again, I make mention of the writer of this narration. We don't know what enemies that Israel is facing. It seems as though this is being written during the civil war of Israel when the northern tribes are against the southern tribes. And there are all kinds of forces and enemies around Israel that certainly want to take advantage of the cleavage of the division within Israel. And so this writer writes and testifies of the rise of David the king and specifically the promise of the son of David who will sit upon the throne. And I have to say again that what this what this text emphasizes is God's providential care providential care in the worship of God's people in the gaining of favor that Israel may find. in Israel's influence as a light to the nations and all of the adversity it might face, and in its ultimate deliverance. Well, for us, my friends, all this comes together, even this evening. It's in worship, in the singing of God's praises, that we are reminded once again of the redemption, the deliverance, the goodness, the grace, the love of God towards us. Jesus, lover of my soul, who delivers us from the storm and brings us to the safe harbor. Our God, who is Creator and Redeemer, we give Him praise, for His strong arm will guide us. Our God will provide for us. What is central to our worship, and it's been central to the church's worship since the beginning of the New Testament era, but we go back to the Old Testament as well, that the people of God gather on God's appointed day and they sing his praise. They sing his praise. And so what becomes so familiar to us back in the day of this writer writing is testifying that in the worship of Israel, no matter the circumstances, in singing His praise, there is assurance. It's a means of grace given to His people, whatever they might face. Not only that, as they sing and as they worship and as they gain assurance, as their faith is strengthened and their hope becomes clearer sight, they know that in God's providence that He can change the heart of any enemy, that they could find favor in the world, that they can be a light to the nations in whatever, whatever circumstances. And ultimately the exile comes for Israel and they are scattered, dispersed. And yet in that dispersing, there is light. And the New Testament church in Jerusalem, ultimately scattered. And what happens in that scattering is that there is light that is shed throughout the nations. In order to influence, to influence and to bring the nations to Yahweh, to God, Christ. I have to say this evening that in God's providence, in our worship, we should be strengthened. We should know that in whatever trials we face. Even the heart of our enemy is in the hand of God to turn it in whatever way we could find favor in the most unusual and unexpected places, find favor in the most unexpected places. And not only that. With all the adversity we might face in God's providence, in his shepherding and guiding, even through the wilderness, we may influence a people by virtue of that testimony we have, that it's God ultimately in control. And we can be absolutely certain that he's not judging us, punishing us. He's not out to get us. Why? Because we belong to Christ. Christ has taken our punishment upon himself. Christ has risen from the dead. And in our union in Christ, we are absolutely assured that whatever we face, we know that all things work together for good. And so, brothers and sisters, worship God. In that worship, sing his praise and feed your faith. Sharpen that hope. And look, look to see in the unexpected places, favor that is shown. Influence that you might have in your testimony. in speaking about the Lord and how you might influence even the most unsuspecting people, those that you would not think would respond, respond. And then see how God is going to deliver whatever your circumstances. There are some within our congregation that are facing very hard circumstances these days, not only in regards to health, adult children straying, difficulties at work, things that seem so impossible to find any hope, light, deliverance. And yet, wait and see. God will, in the most unusual at times, at the 11th hour, the 11th hour and the 59th minute, God comes through and will deliver. We wait and we see. Look, behold, how God's hand in his providence shows tremendous favor towards you, his people. Behold that favor. He will make it evident in his time, in his way. Let's pray together. Our father, we are thankful for the witness of this chapter of this text, of this book, we pray that we might receive the teaching, that we might receive its testimony, that we might be assured and encouraged over your providential care in our lives. Give us that ability to wait upon you and to behold and see how your mighty loving hand is at work, even through our adversities. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.