Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Unnecessary Entanglements Read 1 Samuel 27:1-12 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 Greed, foolishness and fear are some of the factors that cause people to get entangled in a whole host of unsavoury relationships. Greed has often led people to get entangled with ruthless unlicensed money lenders or Ah Longs as they are called in Malaysia. In David’s case, it was fear that caused him to be entangled in a most unsavoury relationship (v 1). David was anointed the next king of Israel. This should have been enough reason for David to trust God to look after him. In fact when he had the opportunity to kill Saul, he did not, because he was confident that God would deal with Saul (26:10-11). However, when his fears got the better of him, he forgot about God and began to rely on his own foolish devices to protect himself. That was when he got entangled with the Philistines–he thought that they could protect him (vs 2-5). The Philistine King Achish who did not take to David the first time he met him (21:10-15), had ulterior motives in giving David and his men sanctuary (v 12). He wanted all Israel to become Philistine territory and he hoped that once the Israelites started hating David for joining up with him, he, together with David, could conquer Israel. What Achish did not know was that David was double-crossing him in Ziklag! David had given Achish the impression that he was raiding the border areas of Israel when, actually, he was attacking the enemies of Israel (vs 8-11). How long could David deceive the Philistine king? David had got himself into a dangerous and unnecessary entanglement. Reflect on the different relationships that you have with people. Are any of them unnecessary entanglements that are displeasing to God? Pray and ask God how you should deal with them.