Master's Prayer Network

A — Background from 1 Samuel

In 1 Samuel 24, David had an opportunity when Saul was alone in a cave, but after he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe he was stricken in his conscience about taking even the slightest action against the anointed king of Israel. Saul seemed impressed when he found out that David did not take an opportunity to kill him, but later events showed that Saul had not truly changed his attitude against David despite what he said before they parted.

In 1 Samuel 25, David’s men had provided protection for the livestock and herdsmen of a wealthy man named Nabal. When Nabal showed complete disregard for any reward, David was angry and prepared to fight. Nabal’s wife Abigail wisely prepared a gracious material payment which she took to David, and she spoke of the way that Jehovah would deal with David’s enemies. Jehovah caused Nabal to die and David then took Abigail as his wife.

In 1 Samuel 26, David had a second opportunity to kill King Saul, but he held firm: “Jehovah forbid that I should put forth my hand against Jehovah’s anointed: but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” (1 Samuel 26:11). David’s final words to Saul were to say that as he had showed respect for Saul’s life, David was trusting Jehovah to keep watch over his own life to deliver him out of all tribulation.

As 1 Samuel 27 opens, David was convinced that Saul would not give up trying to destroy him. David took all of his men and their possessions to the Philistine king at Gath, and when Saul learned that David was with the Philistines he gave up all pursuit. King Achish of Gath gave the town of Ziklag to David and his company.

B — David Longed for Peaceful Communion with God

Comments: As David spoke to God through this psalm, he expressed his personal relationship when he said “you are my God.” David said he would earnestly seek God, showing his determination to maintain his trust as he continually had to change his location because of the threat from Saul. In the inner being of his soul he had a spiritual thirst, and even bodily he desired to be near to the environs that helped him feel the presence of God. David remembered what it had been like to be near the tabernacle and how it helped him to see the power and glory of God, but his present condition made him feel much like he was in a land almost barren of water.

John 4 “13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.”

C — The Lovingkindness of God Is Better Than Life

Comments: David offered praise to God for his lovingkindness because he knew that his faith in God was more valuable than life itself. Despite the fact that he was a fugitive from the king of Israel who wanted him dead, he was going to continue blessing Jehovah with uplifted hands in open praise to his name. God’s lovingkindness was just as satisfying to his soul as excellent health could be to his body. When he reclined upon his bed, joyful praise to Jehovah would be on his lips, and he would ponder and contemplate about him through the long hours of the night. Colossians 3 “1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.”

D — Those Who Trust in God Shall Rejoice

Comments: David had been anointed by Samuel to be king as directed by Jehovah, but Samuel had died while David was in the wilderness. Through all the dangerous trials David believed that Jehovah had been his protection and he rejoiced knowing there was no safer place than to be in God’s care. David was willing to fully commit his soul to earnestly follow after Jehovah who held him in his right hand. Jesus gives the believer today the same assurance that David had in the dark times of his life. John 10 “28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Saul and many others in Israel believed that David was to become king, but David was willing to wait until whenever the time was right as appointed by Jehovah. He was just as confident that the ones who were so determined to kill him would meet their end and go down to the grave. Abigail had given him timely assurance. 1 Samuel 25 “29 the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with Jehovah thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as from the hollow of a sling.” David believed what Abigail had reminded him: that Jehovah would bring to pass all the good that he had spoken concerning David.