Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 29:1-11
Theme: In accordance with His own free mercy, the Lord graciously used the hostility of the Philistines to deliver David from the spiritual crisis he had created for himself by his own sin.
Structure/points: 1 Samuel 29 begins with David in a desperate place. If he actually joined the coming battle on the Philistine side, how would he be anything but a traitor to Israel and the Lord his God? But how could he avoid going to war under the Philistine banner? He couldn’t rescue himself; indeed, his own attempt at self-salvation is what had landed him here. But the Lord was able to save His wayward servant even from this trouble. And He could even use the most unusual means to do it. Though His name is mentioned only briefly, this passage displays the quiet, yet irresistible might of God to deliver His people. This is seen through…
- The Philistines’ rejection of David
- David’s departure from the Philistines