How To Have Fear-Conquering Faith

If we believe the superscription that this took place “When the Philistines took him in Gath,” then we must know that this was a very desperate time in the life of David the man of God. Have you been through dark days? Do you feel alone? Are you struggling with fear?

1 Samuel 21:10–15 David Flees to Gath

And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. [11] And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,

and David his ten thousands’?”

[12] And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. [13] So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. [14] Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? [15] Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?” (ESV)

1 Samuel 27:1–2 David Flees to the Philistines

Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.” [2] So David arose and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. (ESV)

Psalm 56 addresses the great fear of David when he was surrounded by enemies. He was nearly overcome with anxiety. How did he survive under such pressure?   

James Montgomery Boice lists 3 things about this time in David’s life.

• David was alone (1 Samuel 21-22).
• David was desperate. He went to Gath wearing Goliath’s sword!
• David was afraid.