Read 1 Samuel 27:5-7 – Then David said to Achish, “If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” So Achish gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day. Now the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was one full year and four months. (NKJV)
It seems that in his weariness over the Saul matter, David has run to a land that will fear him. After all, he is the one who killed the Philistine champion so the region of Goliath’s hometown likely would fear David’s presence. When he asks Achish for a place to settle, he does so with proper respect, but I would imagine Achish is highly motivated to offer David anything he asks. David’s presence in Philistia underscores the human tendency to respond to setbacks by returning to places of former victory and confidence. When we lose a battle, we often want to visit a former battleground where our strength and success were evident. This is likely why David led himself to Philistia rather than continuing to trust God in his conflict with Saul. Celebrating former victories is a good thing, but trying to live there means we’re not moving forward—and that’s not a good thing. Holding onto yesterday because we’re afraid of tomorrow will keep us from the full measure of God’s plan for our lives.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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