Be Brave and Improvise – Psalm 34: When David changed his behavior before King Achish so that he drove David out, and he went away.

Have you ever had to get creative to escape a delicate situation? As an author, I’ve occasionally been openly challenged by an interviewer for my decision to write biblical fiction. I’m often asked, “Why write a story about the Bible when people can just read the stories in the Bible?” Early in my career, I was defensive and a little offended. As the years pass, however, I’ve grown more secure in the Lord’s calling, and my response has become a little more creative: “I write biblical novels as a bridge between Middle Eastern culture in 1000 B.C. and Western culture in the 21st century so we can understand the biblical authors’ stories and apply their meaning more accurately to our lives.” Usually, the interviewer looks at me like I imagine King Achish looked at David when Israel’s hero pretended to be insane. Thankfully, I don’t usually need to let spittle drip into my beard to escape another hard question. (Also, thankfully, I don’t have a beard!)

David’s delicate situation was much more dire than a tough interview question. He was terrified in the custody of King Achish’s guards (Psalm 56), the only Hebrew among a city of Philistine warriors—the same men he’d fought against while in King Saul’s army. 1 Samuel 21:12-13 tells us he improvised and acted like a madman to escape the king and warriors who had every right to execute him, and Psalm 34:5 tells us he never felt shame for the acting.

Psalm 34 is David’s song of rejoicing after he escapes Gath, and 34:3 gives me the distinct impression that he’s found others to join him in praise: “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

• In what ways do you find that praise is magnified when we worship God with others?

After more rousing verses of praise, David teaches us three lessons in Psalm 34:11-14 that are helpful for those who desire many days of life, love, and good things:

1. Control the tongue (v. 13)
2. Turn away from evil and do good (v. 14a)
3. Pursue peace (v. 14b)

• In what ways did David 1) control his tongue, 2) turn away from evil and do good, and 3) seek peace rather than engage in conflict?
• Perhaps God will whisper to your soul a way to improvise in a “delicate” circumstance you’re facing right now. Which of David’s three pointers resonates as a helpful escape and sets your heart to praising God for His faithful rescue?