March 9, 2024

We know from the Psalms David wrote that he tended to self-reflect and would often find himself somewhat depressed over his situation. You can’t blame him for his melancholy ways when a madman pursued him, but he had God’s protection just as we have. However, even though he had God with him, he allowed his internal thoughts to get the best of him. Forgetting all that God had done to preserve his life, he fled to Gath in the land of the Philistines. Achish, the king of Gath, allowed David, his family, and his men to dwell there. Because it was a royal city, David asked Achish to give him a city in the country, so he gave him Ziklag, a city on the border once taken from Israel. Once Saul found out that David had fled the country, he stopped pursuing him. David and his men invaded several countries, leaving no inhabitants so that they couldn’t tell on him. He took all their livestock and clothing. Achish asked him about his invasions, so David told him they had conquered some cities in Judah. He lied because he didn’t want any trouble with Achish. He lived there for a year and four months.

God was with David, yet he fled his homeland out of fear, anxiety, and depression. Be careful not to let your imagination carry you away from the blessings God has waiting for you. It’s essential to listen carefully to the still, small voice and follow God’s lead. David never sought to hear what God had to say about his situation, either from a prophet or the ephod. Not listening may have been a setback for David because he didn’t wait on God. The lesson is to wait patiently, for your day will surely come.

And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. 1 Samuel 27:7