David, Saul, David, Saul— we’re used to the contrast, but now it occurs as we alternate between their separate stories. The rule of one is soon to end. The rule of the other is soon to begin. The previous two episodes are cliff hangers. You close 27:1–28:2 anxious for what will happen to David, but then, it’s Saul. You then close 28:3–25 wanting to see things play out with Saul. David, Saul, David, Saul. We want to finish the story of one, only to be disappointed by the other, but then caught up in that story as well.
The intentionality of the author in this can be seen in that these accounts are not chronological. The Philistines gathering at Aphek happens before they gathered at Shunem in 28:1. But this means that David’s victory over the Amalekites then happens in close proximity to Saul’s death and defeat.
Because we now return back to David, lets recap where were were a couple of episodes back. David, his mercenary status sufficiently established, returns to Achish, king of Gath, this time to be welcomed. He is given Ziklag, a city in Judah’s territory that was allotted to Simeon, taken by the Philistines, given to David, and thereafter the possession of the kings of Judah. From Ziklag, David raids the raiders who trouble Judah while Achish thinks David is making himself an utter stench to Israel. What David is doing doesn’t match what Achish thinks he is doing. But the most uncomfortable aspect of David’s exile isn’t the possibility of his being found out by Achish; it’s that he may found to be a Philistine, worshipping other gods by default—practically if not formally.
1 Samuel 27:1–28:2 records a God-less chapter in David’s life. He doesn’t inquire of Yahweh. He doesn’t praise Yahweh. He doesn’t speak of Yahweh. David’s faith will persevere, but only because Yahweh preserves His king. God is with David, His anointed, in a way that He is not with Saul. Saul is left to himself. David is not. David’s story is not one of David’s greatness, but of divine grace. God will preserve His king in His peculiar and mysterious way.
David is rejected so that he might return. He is rejected so that he might return to His God. By man’s rejection, God recovers. God brings David back. Look at what God is doing. As surely as He is judging Saul, He is keeping David. The tension we felt, wondering what David might do is swallowed up by confidence in what God is doing. Yahweh has raised up a king to rule over His people. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is gracious.
Dear souls, this is your great confidence, God has been faithful to His King, the Son of David, the Son of God. His faithfulness to His King is His faithfulness to His people. Jesus is Lord and Savior of His people. Jesus is Lord and Savior for His people. When the Gentile ruler said “I find no fault in him” (John 19:4), He was not deceived. The Son of David was perfectly righteous. In Him, we are so counted righteous and reconciled to God, that the Son may declare to the Father, “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one” (John 18:9). By God’s mysterious providence, His rejection ensured the return and rescue of all and His exaltation as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Sinners, look to Jesus the Son of David and be saved.
Saints, look to Jesus the Son of God and be strengthened.
No Other Boast 