Day 32: Send That Man Back

Click Here for Today's Reading: Day 32: 1 Sam 29–31; Micah 1 | Prov 15:12–33 | Acts 8

Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle. What better way could he ingratiate himself with his master than with the heads of our men? (1 Sam 29:4)

There is a principle in this passage that we can learn from the Philistine commanders: don’t let your enemy infiltrate your life because it will be a matter of time before prove to be unreliable. 

The Philistines and the Israelites were long standing enemies. David was able to join them by alliance with Achish, a Philistine king, while running from Saul. Achish trusted David, gave him Ziklag, made him his permanent body guard and had David join the army with them. David did this knowing that he would have to fight against Israel (28:1).

During a military inspection the Philistine commanders took notice of David and his 600 men joining the Philistine forces. They didn't permit David and his men to remain with them. The leaders became enraged with Achish and said, “He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle.”

These men were familiar with David as a mere enemy. They were familiar with David’s strength and success. The song of David rang through their minds: “Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.”

Although David was a godly man the he would always be an enemy for the Philistines. The leaders knew this and would not have their enemy among them posing to be an ally. Achish had become too comfortable with his enemy. He gave him access to his army. It is likely that he shared with David the battle strategy for taking their enemies. He gave Ziklag to David in chapter 27. He made David his personal bodyguard. He thought for sure that he could use David as his own personal servant. 

Bobby from Arkansas had a raccoon that he rescued. He would cuddle, play, feed, and pet that raccoon like it was his pet. But that raccoon was a wild animal. It had a wild nature. Although it allowed Bobby to get close, one day that animal’s wild instinct could kick in unexpectedly and turn on him. I have to be careful not to treat sin or the enemy this way. I can't afford to treat it like a pet only for it to show it's wild side.

As Christians we must not allow the enemy to infiltrate our lives. He wants to ingratiate himself with you and come into your life only to destroy you from the inside-out. I need to be alert to the tactful moves of the enemy and be on guard so as to not let him take any part of my life as a “friendly”.  If I do it will only be a matter of time before he proves to be unreliable.