God's Sabbath

D AVID E NTANGLED

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Nonetheless, David had lost sight of the divine plan for that future and, instead, imagined that God was leaving him to per ish. He was not inclined to submit to a sacrificial death just then, and so naturally turned to himself as the problem solver. Having made the first mistake, the second inevitably followed. Despairing of reconciliation with Saul, David determined again to seek refuge in the land of the Philistines. “So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maoch king of Gath.” 1Samuel 27:2. The following paragraph sums up these events. “David’s conclusion that Saul would certainly accomplish his murderous purpose was formed without the counsel of God. Even while Saul was plotting and seeking to accomplish his destruc tion, the Lord was working to secure David the kingdom. God works out His plans, though to human eyes they are veiled in mystery. Men cannot understand the ways of God; and, looking at appearances, they interpret the trials and tests and provings that God permits to come upon them as things that are against them, and that will only work their ruin. Thus David looked on appearances, and not at the promises of God. He doubted that he would ever come to the throne. Long trials had wearied his faith and exhausted his patience.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 672.2. In this way the office of plan maker was transferred from God to David and despite the initial apparent success of his plans, in evitably serious trouble overtook the son of Jesse and his six hundred men. It took a while for problems to develop, before which, the advantages gained seemed to confirm the seeming wisdom of the decision made. “David was cordially received by the king of the Philistines. The warmth of this reception was partly due to the fact that the king admired him and partly to the fact that it was flattering to his vanity to have a Hebrew seek his protection. David felt se cure from betrayal in the dominions of Achish. He brought his family, his household, and his possessions, as did also his men [see 1Samuel 27:3]; and to all appearance he had come to settle Refuge with the Philistines