1 Samuel 27: Refuge Found in the Wrong Place

Seek Christ as your refuge by remembering His promises, His deliverance, His counsel, His people, His truth, and His victory over sin.

David stood at a crossroads in 1 Samuel 27. God had protected him, delivered him, and promised he would reign, yet fear persuaded him to flee to the Philistines. His choice shows how quickly a believer drifts when he listens to his own reasoning instead of trusting God’s word. This chapter helps us examine our own hearts and urges us to take refuge in Christ, who never fails to keep His promises.

Proposition

You should take refuge in Christ.

By claiming God's promises

God had anointed David and promised that he would reign (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Instead of resting in that word, David spoke in his heart that he would perish by Saul’s hand (1 Samuel 27:1). Christ calls every believer to trust the promises sealed by His death and resurrection, because God never breaks His word (Romans 3:23-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

By remembering God's deliverance

God had just delivered David from Saul by causing a deep sleep to fall on Saul and his men (1 Samuel 26:12). God had repeatedly rescued David, yet David acted as if defeat had already come. Every believer recalls greater deliverance at the cross, where Christ broke the power of sin and secured our rescue forever (Romans 6:6-7).

By consulting with God

David reasoned within his own heart and fled to Gath without seeking the Lord through Abiathar (1 Samuel 27:1). Scripture urges us to seek God’s wisdom rather than lean on our own understanding, because Christ grants wisdom through His Spirit and His Word (James 1:5).

By staying with God's people

David settled among the Philistines, far from Israel (1 Samuel 27:2-7). He isolated himself from the community God had provided. Christ calls believers to remain with His people because He strengthens, protects, and restores through fellowship grounded in His truth (Hebrews 10:24-25).

By speaking the truth

David relied on deception to maintain favor with Achish (1 Samuel 27:8-12). Truth aligns the believer with the character of Christ, who sanctifies His people through the truth of His Word (John 17:17).

By fighting God's battles

David struck the Amalekites and other groups whom God had placed under the ban (1 Samuel 27:8). Saul had refused to do this. David fulfilled what God required. For the believer, this points to waging spiritual warfare against sin and false teaching, because Christ purchased our freedom to pursue holiness (Titus 2:14).

Invitation

David’s failure to trust God mirrors the restless fear in every sinner’s heart. Sin drives people away from God, into isolation, compromise, and self-reliance. Christ came to bear our sin as our substitute, died for our guilt, and rose again to secure the forgiveness God offers freely (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 3:23-26). Change your mind about sin and call on the name of the Lord. He receives all who turn to Him and grants refuge, righteousness, and eternal life (Romans 10:9-13).