Y'ear 4 Life of LAB.. Sift! Blog 4

Welcome back to Life of LAB and the Blog series "Sift".  

In the Bible today... what is left after all the divisions, the sorting, and the inventions?  The question of the series is whether the meaning behind all inventions in fiction are tactical?  It's time to sift.  Give me Factions, Give me Fractions, but still give me Fiction!  

"The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness."

Coming up in Today's blog, we'll visit breakaway portions of prose in this story we've been tracking from King David's story taken from the book of Samuel.  Samuel 27:8: Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Grizites and the Amalekites.  Whenever David attacked a land he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes.  Then he returned to Achish.  When Achish asked, "Where did you go raiding today?"  David would say, "Against the Negev".  Such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.  Achish trusted David and said to himself, " He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life."

The game of "Sift" is "What do you hear?" 

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel.  Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.  David said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do."

Here we see that David is continuing in his full preparation to receive his throne.  The scriptures over the last 3 chapters reveal that God is leading the way and protecting King David's hands.  In this part of the story, God has led David to Philistine territory to fight against the Negev in Judah, Jerahmeel, and Kenites.  The leader he is under is pleased with David and all his conquest, and is receiving all the loot or a great portion.  Now David is invited to fight with him as the Philistines prepare to fight against King Saul, the king of Israel.  David is happy to go into battle with the Philistines, but finds out that he won't be allowed.  In Samuel 28, King Saul requests to speak to Samuel who reminds him that the Lord has taken the Kingdom out of his hands and given it to David.  Samuel also informs him that the Lord will deliver both him and Israel into the hands of the Philistines along with his army.  

In the above scripture, we learn that Achish David's leader in Philistine territory believes that David has become obnoxious to his people in Israel.  We also know that he invites him to join the Philistines in battle.  When David however loses his opportunity to fight with the Philistines and is asked not to go with them into war, we hear something.  What do we hear? 

Well, it becomes clear that David who is to become King of Israel will not go to battle against his people.  We hear that David has received yet another letter from God with His determination to keep David's hands clean.  We also hear that Achish's desire to have David be his servant for life has been rejected.  In the wilderness experience that David is undergoing, he has kept the confidence of the Lord out in front of him without hesitation and has been spared and protected time and time again.  

We're also able to see that what appeared to be a desperate invention by David to find a place within Philistine territory to live is only a design for him to become the King of Judah and King of Israel both at the same time.   

If the game of "Sift" is "What do you hear?" then David hears.. "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."

Remember to go within that you may without.  The God within you awaits you.  Until our paths collide again, I wish you... Peace, Love, Life, and Complete Wholeness in Christ.

In Service,

NaTisha Renee Williams