APRIL 4th
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF David’s MOVEMENTS WHILE ON THE RUN FROM SAUL – ACHISH OF GATH
Reading: 1 Samuel 21:10-15
Achish means only a man, and Gath means winepress. “And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? David laid up their words in
his heart. A similar instance is recorded in John’s Gospel after Jesus fed the multitudes with five barley loaves and two small fish. After all were filled they gathered together and
filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. A higher government, as represented in the number 12, invaded the
lower realm. The people wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him a king. The servants of Achish as well as the multitudes in Jesus’ day knew the power of a higher kingdom had come in their midst
and acknowledged that kingdom power by attempting to make the vessels of God their king. David feigned madness and Jesus departed to a mountain alone.
The Prophet Isaiah sheds light on the spiritual significance of Achish of Gath. Though the natural meaning is a natural man at a winepress, the prophet foretold
Redemption’s story in Chapter 63. Verses 1-4 ecapsulate the thought. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel,
travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the
winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon
my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.”
Continued