IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Philistines Prepare to Attack

Date: Jul. 26, 2024

Passage

1 Samuel 28:1-14 (ESV)

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”

So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 28:14

He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

David had been under threat from King Saul. He had taken refuge among the Philistines. While in the service of Achish, David was able to attack and defeat the enemies of Israel. But now the Philistines gathered their forces to attack Israel. When Achish approached David to accompany the Philistines into battle, David pledged his loyalty, and Achish accepted. It was awkward, because in reality, David was loyal to the LORD, the God of Israel.

In Israel, on the other hand, Samuel had died, and David had fled. When the Philistines assembled to attack, Saul was full of fear. He inquired of the Lord but received no answer. In his desperation he sought help from a medium. He had previously driven them out of Israel, but now he disguised himself and went to a woman at night, asking her to bring up Samuel from the dead. As soon as the woman saw Samuel, she recognized Saul, but he reassured her. He bowed down with his face to the ground. Saul had the appearance of worship, but his disobedience and lack of trust led to being ruled by fear.

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome fear and worship you truly, by obeying your word and trusting in you.

One Word: Trust and obey the Lord

Daily Bread

Holy to the Lord

Zechariah 14:1-21

Key Verse: 14:20

And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the LORD.” And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be as the bowls before the altar.

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