I Samuel 29: The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.

I Samuel 29: As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. 3 The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

I Samuel 29:1-11 3b Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”

I Samuel 29: But the Philistine commanders were angry with him and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him.

I Samuel 29:1-11 4b He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men?

I Samuel 29: Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” 5 Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

I Samuel 29: So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the L ORD lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army.

I Samuel 29:1-11 6b From the day you came to me until now, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. 7 Turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”

I Samuel 29: “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

I Samuel 29: Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’

I Samuel 29: Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”

11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel. I Samuel 29:1-11

#5 Facing Your Giants “Slump Guns”

1 Samuel 30: Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; 2 and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way.

3 When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. 5 Now David’s two wives had been taken captive,

Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the L ORD his God.

Have you ever given up?  Been in a slump?  Most of us have!

Your giant has a “slump gun” a custom-designed twelve zillion gauge.  It fires, not bullets, but sadness.  It takes, not lives, but smiles.  It inflicts, not flesh wounds, but faith wounds.

Relationships sour Skies darken and billow Nights defy the sunrise... You’ve been slumped

1. David Wore Out.  Sleeping in caves  600 soldiers  Two wives  Hiding in hills  Feeding more than a thousand mouths...  The “slump gun” found it’s mark!

I Samuel 27:1 Then David said to himself, “Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand.”

When David focused on Saul he had no hope and no God. “I will be destroyed.”

Puzzled about what to do after Saul’s death “David inquired of the Lord” (2 Sam.2:4) When crowned as King & threatened by Philistines “David inquired of the Lord” (2 Sam. 5:19)

He knows better: The first time he faced the Philistines “David inquired of the Lord” (1 Sam. 23:2) When he felt small against his enemy “David inquired of the Lord” (1 Sam. 23:4) When attacked by the Amalakites “David inquired of the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:8)

Usually David kept God’s number on speed dial. Confused... Challenged... Afraid... David talked to God - except this time Now David talks to David... poor choice!

2. David Got Out.  David defects into the hand of the enemy.  He leads his men into the land of idols & false gods & unpacks suitcases in satan’s backyard.

Hiding out with the enemy brings temporary relief.  Doesn’t it always? Stop resisting alcohol... Move out on your spouse... Indulge in porn...

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

3. David Sold Out. Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you ? ” (1 Sam. 27:5)

1 Samuel 27: Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites; for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt. 9 David attacked the land and did not leave a man or a woman alive, and he took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing. Then he returned and came to Achish.

Only in the ruins of Ziklag with men picking out stones to throw at him does he regret his prayerless choice to get out and sell out.

4. What About You? Slumps: a petri dish for bad decisions. incubator for wrong turns. assembly lines for regretful moves. How we handle tough times stays with us a long time.

How do you handle your dark days? David failed to pray. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

David neglected good advice. Seek wise counsel - You will not want to.

David gave up. Don’t!

Handle your tough times with prayer, talk with wise people and never give up!

Don’t make Florence Chadwick’s mistake!

Take a long look at the shore that awaits you. Don’t be fooled by the fog of the slump.