Thursday, June 13 – Psalms 63, 1 Samuel 28, 29 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 64, “David a Fugitive “

1. Are mornings the only time of day to find God? (Psalm 63:6)

2. Why did God not answer Saul’s prayer? (1 Samuel 13:8-14)

3. Can Satan take on the form of a person and even imitate the voice? (1 Samuel 28:14)

4. How did God help David to escape from the enemy’s side? (1 Samuel 29:6)

Commentary and Reflection

David penned Psalm 63 while fleeing from King Saul and his army. It stands as one of the most poignant Psalms in Scripture. Remarkably, it contains no petitions. David, fearing for his life, turns to God for deliverance. As his enemies draw near, he pauses for reflection, meditation, and praise of God. This is a powerful example of cultivating a daily, intimate relationship with the Lord.

You might not currently share David’s genuine longing for God’s presence. Perhaps you’ve dulled your spiritual senses amidst religious, social, and work obligations. Today, I invite you to pause and seek Jesus, who awaits with open arms.

Saul’s visit to the woman of En Dor forms the crux of 1 Samuel 28. With Samuel dead and all sorcerers banished, Saul desperately seeks guidance. Despite God’s silence, Saul turns to forbidden spiritual practices. This desperation leads him to the woman of En Dor, where he seeks Samuel’s counsel. Yet, this encounter lacks divine sanction; it’s a sinister deception orchestrated by the enemy.

Saul attempted to seek a response from God, but the Lord remained silent. Desperate, he turned to the very source of information he had previously condemned (verse 3). A man once fervent in spiritual zeal now surrendered to superstition, requesting, “Bring up Samuel for me.” The belief that the spirits of the dead return to communicate with the living lacks foundation in Scripture. The Bible unequivocally states that upon death, the spirit returns to God who bestowed it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The New Testament upholds this doctrine, with Jesus indicating that believers will be reunited with their Lord at His second coming, not at the moment of death (John 14:1–3). Hence, it’s clear that Samuel’s spirit did not communicate with Saul; rather, it was a demonic impersonation, and the message conveyed originated from the realm of darkness.

The medium of En Dor resided in the territory of Manasseh, within the land of Israel. She concealed herself adeptly. Holding onto even a small corner of our hearts for the enemy is the entry point he needs to seize control of our lives. En Dor might linger there, in that shadowy space you’ve yet to yield to Jesus.

Achish enlisted David to fight against Israel alongside the Philistines. “What are these Hebrews doing here?” This question was a reproach to David. He felt out of place in the enemy camp, taking this step without seeking divine guidance. As the crisis loomed, David found himself in a difficult situation. God shows compassion to those in confusion and distress. With gentleness, He provides a way out, so they do not suffer the full consequences of their actions. God orchestrated his deliverance when the Philistine princes demanded David’s expulsion from the camp. Achish was drawn to the Hebrew religion through his association with David, much like Nebuchadnezzar, influenced by Daniel and his companions (Dan. 4:37).

This chapter illustrates God’s ways of saving His children. While He persuades them to obey, He grants them the freedom to choose.

Would you surrender control to God today?