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SERIES J --- THE WARRIOR KING |
BIBLE STUDY LESSON 08
WAR COMES THE PHILISTINE COMMANDERS REJECT DAVID ‘During all the time he has been here with me, I have found nothing wrong with him.’ But the Philistine commanders were suspicious. ‘Tell that man and his followers to go back home to Ziklag,’ they argued. ‘We don’t want them on the battlefield with us, for they may suddenly turn on us to help their fellow Israelites. What would be a better way for them to win favour with King Saul? Remember! This is the man the women of Israel sang about when they danced, saying, ‘Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands.’ King Achish told David what the other commanders had said. ‘As surely as the Lord lives, you have been an honest man and I would like to have you march with me to battle,’ he continued. ‘Since you came to live with me, I have found no fault in you. But you must go home now so that you don’t anger the other commanders.’ ‘What have I done?’ David protested. ‘What fault have you found in me to make you send me home like this? I have done absolutely nothing wrong to keep me from going into battle with you against your enemies.’ ‘I know you’ve done nothing wrong,’ Achish agreed. ‘You have been like an angel to me. But the commanders have insisted that you not go into battle with them. So you must get up early tomorrow morning and go home with your men.’ Early the next morning David and his men arose and headed back toward Ziklag. The Philistine army however, moved on to Jezreel. About the time David marched to war with the Philistines, some men from the tribe of Manasseh deserted the army of Israel, intending to join David in his fight against Saul. As it turned out of course, David did not go into this battle, for the Philistine commanders refused to let him go, afraid that he would turn against them in the thick of the battle and fight for King Saul. These men of Manasseh, all high-ranking officers, caught up with David’s forces as they were on their way back to Ziklag. Here is a list of their names: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zilthai. In Saul’s army, they had been captains of thousands from the tribe of Manasseh. COMMENTARY DESERT RAIDS This constant cycle of revenge did not end unless one or the other tribe completely destroyed its enemies. When the strategy of the attack had been laid, the warriors armed themselves with bows and swords. They mounted their camels and carefully crept up on their enemies. At a prearranged signal the raiders swooped down on their victims. Loud war cries and flashing weapons threw the camp into confusion. The attack’s suddenness caught the enemy off guard, giving the small band of raiders an easy victory. In modern times a strict code of honour governs the treatment of women and the confiscation of booty. Neither woman nor any of her personal possessions may be touched by the victorious raiders. They may kill her husband and sons and take the tribal property, but they are honour-bound not to harm her. They cannot take her tent or seize her food supply. A careful code of conduct was enforced in Bible times as well. The Israelites required all booty to be ritually purified for a period of seven days. At the end of the week it was distributed among all the people. Half went to the warriors and the remaining half was divided among those who stayed at home. Both groups gave part of their share as a thank offering to God. TEST YOURSELF 1.) Who decided to send David back to Ziklag? 2.) Who joined David’s men on the way back to Ziklag? 3.) A desert raider’s best weapons were secrecy and...? 4.) What group of people is in modern times, immune from attack by desert raiders? 5.) How long did booty have to be purified before the Israelites could use it? 6.) How was the booty split between the warriors and the ones who had stayed at home? |