This is the Bible Book Club. I'm Heather and I'm Susan and we're in the book of First Samuel.

Welcome to the club.

Well, in chapters 26 and 27, David passed his third and final wilderness test. This time,

God put the entire Israeli army of 3,000 to sleep,

while David and Abishai snuck into Saul's tent and stole his spear and water jug. Abishai wanted

to plant the spear into Saul's heart, but David was adamant. He would not lay a hand on the

Lord's anointed. David refused to bypass his suffering in the wilderness

by killing Saul and advancing to the throne ahead of God's plan. Saul woke up and admitted

he was a fool to persecute David, and we all agree. Saul begged David to come back, but David

didn't believe a word of it. That was David and Saul's last meeting. David, tired of the

chase, decided to leave the wilderness for Felistia. It was a risky move to move in with the enemy,

but the home team was trying to kill him. So what did he have to lose? David was hired by King

Akish as a mercenary to raid the Israelites. David raids the Canaanites

instead, making the job profit for Israel at the Philistines expense. For over a year, David bides

this time with the Philistines, living in Zichlag and raiding Canaanites instead of Israelites,

until a huge contingency of Philistines begins to form for a battle against

the Israelites. And Akish calls up David and his men to take part. But first, in scene one,

David gets a promotion with the wrong king. Chapter 28.

In those days, the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel.

Akish said to David, you must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.

David said, then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.

Akish replied very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life. The whole David

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