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and impurity was not only permitted but enjoined。 Spiritualism declares that
there is no death； no sin； no judgment； no retribution； that 〃men are
unfallen demigods；〃 that desire is the highest law； and that man is
accountable only to himself。 The barriers that God has erected to guard
truth； purity； and reverence are broken down； and many are thus emboldened
in sin。 Does not such teaching suggest an origin similar to that of demon
worship？
The Lord presented before Israel the results of holding communion with evil
spirits； in the abominations of the Canaanites： they were without natural
affection； idolaters； adulterers； murderers； and abominable by every corrupt
thought and revolting practice。 Men do not know their own hearts； for 〃the
heart is deceitful above all things； and desperately wicked。〃 Jeremiah 17：9。
But God understands the tendencies of the depraved nature of man。 Then； as
now； Satan was watching to bring about conditions favorable to rebellion；
that the people of Israel might make themselves as abhorrent to God as were
the Canaanites。 The adversary of souls is ever on the alert to open channels
for the unrestrained flow of evil in us； for he desires that we may be
ruined； and be condemned before God。
Satan was determined to keep his hold on the land of Canaan； and when it was
made the habitation of the children of Israel； and the law of God was made
the law of the land； he hated Israel with a cruel and malignant hatred and
plotted their destruction。
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Through the agency of evil spirits strange gods were introduced； and because
of transgression； the chosen people were finally scattered from the Land of
Promise。 This history Satan is striving to repeat in our day。 God is leading
His people out from the abominations of the world； that they may keep His
law； and because of this； the rage of 〃the accuser of our brethren〃 knows no
bounds。 〃The devil is come down unto you； having great wrath； because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time。〃 Revelation 12：10； 12。 The
antitypical land of promise is just before us； and Satan is determined to
destroy the people of God and cut them off from their inheritance。 The
admonition； 〃Watch ye and pray； lest ye enter into temptation〃 （Mark 14：38）；
was never more needed than now。
The word of the Lord to ancient Israel is addressed also to His people in
this age： 〃Regard not them that have familiar spirits； neither seek after
wizards； to be defiled by them；〃 〃for all that do these things are an
abomination unto the Lord。〃 Leviticus 19：31； Deuteronomy 18：12。
（690）
Chapter 68
David at Ziklag
David and his men had not taken part in the battle between Saul and the
Philistines； though they had marched with the Philistines to the field of
conflict。 As the two armies prepared to join battle the son of Jesse found
himself in a situation of great perplexity。 It was expected that he would
fight for the Philistines。 Should he in the engagement quit the post
assigned him and retire from the field； he would not only brand himself with
cowardice； but with ingratitude and treachery to Achish； who had protected
him and confided in him。 Such an act would cover his name with infamy； and
would expose him to the wrath of enemies more to be feared than Saul。 Yet he
could not for a moment consent to fight against Israel。 Should he do this；
he would become a traitor to his countrythe enemy of God and of His
people。 It would forever bar his way to the throne of Israel； and should
Saul be slain in the engagement； his death would be charged upon David。
David was caused to feel that he had missed his path。 Far better would it
have been for him to find refuge in God's strong fortresses of the mountains
than with the avowed enemies of Jehovah and His people。 But the Lord in His
great mercy did not punish this error of His servant by leaving him to
himself in his distress and perplexity； for though David； losing his grasp
on divine power； had faltered and turned aside from the path of strict
integrity； it was still the purpose of his heart to be true to God。 While
Satan and his host were busy helping the adversaries of God and of Israel to
plan against a king who had forsaken God； and the angels of the Lord were
working to deliver David from the peril into which he had fallen。 Heavenly
messengers moved upon the Philistine princes to protest against the presence
of David and his force with the army in the approaching conflict。
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〃What do these Hebrews here？〃 cried the Philistine lords； pressing about
Achish。 The latter； unwilling to part with so important an ally； answered；
〃Is not this David； the servant of Saul the king of Israel； which hath been
with me these days； or these years； and I have found no fault in him since
he fell unto me unto this day？〃
But the princes angrily persisted in their demand： 〃Make this fellow return；
that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him； and let him
not go down with us to battle； lest in the battle he be an adversary to us：
for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master？ should it not be
with the heads of these men？ Is not this David； of whom they sang one to
another in dances； saying； Saul slew his thousands； and David his ten
thousands？〃 The slaughter of their famed champion and the triumph of Israel
upon that occasion were still fresh in the memory of the Philistine lords。
They did not believe that David would fight against his own people； and
should he； in the heat of battle； take sides with them； he could inflict
greater harm on the Philistines than would the whole of Saul's army。
Thus Achish was forced to yield； and calling David； said unto him； 〃Surely
as Jehovah liveth； thou hast been upright； and thy going out and thy coming
in with me in the host is good in my sight： for I have not found evil in
thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day。 Nevertheless the
lords favor thee not。 Wherefore now return； and go in peace； that thou
displease not the lords of the Philistines。〃
David； fearing to betray his real feelings； answered； 〃But what have I done？
and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee
unto this day； that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the
king？〃
The reply of Achish must have sent a thrill of shame and remorse through
David's heart； as he thought how unworthy of a servant of Jehovah were the
deceptions to which he had stooped。 〃I know that thou art good in my sight；
as an angel of God；〃 said the king： 〃notwithstanding； the princes of the
Philistines have said； He shall not go up with us to the battle。 Wherefore
now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come
with thee： and as soon as ye be up early in the morning； and have light；
depart。〃 Thus the snare in which David had become entangled was broken； and
he was set free。
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After three days' travel David and his band of six hundred men reached
Ziklag； th