I was not thinking about David or the times of David. I simply was going about my day and worshiping the Lord. I had admittedly been fighting discouragement; which was on the outside trying to get on the inside of me.
At 11:22am. on 7/3/17 I heard in my spirit “Burn! Ziklag, Burn!” As I repeated this phrase (“Burn! Ziklag, Burn!”) over and over; it caused me to unexplainably burst forth with joy, laughter, and smiling.
But, first (before we get on the “Burn! Ziklag, Burn!” train) let’s get some context and understanding; by looking at one of the most strange and “did that just happen?” Topped with an extra helping of “did that REALLY just happen?!!” Biblical accounts.
We all know of David’s encounter with the Philistines; when David was still a boy. David was confronted by Goliath of Gath and the armies of the Philistines.
David engages Goliath in battle and kills him (1 Samuel 17). David cuts Goliath’s head off with Goliath’s own sword. Then David and the rest of the Israelite’s defeat the Philistines in battle.
As time goes on David continues to go out and fight the Philistines for Saul and the Israelite’s. The fame of David had spread so much that as David would return from battle the women would sing:
“Saul has killed his thousands, but David has killed tens of thousands.”
David ends up having to run for his life. He flees from Saul and goes into hiding.
To where does David run?
To the Philistines; (1 Samuel 21) of course. Not just to the Philistines mind you; but, to the Philistines in Gath! The same Gath where Goliath was from. The king in Gath was Achish. Achish’s officers told the king; “Is this not the same David of whom they sing”:
“Saul has killed his thousands, but David has killed tens of thousands.”
Tens of thousands of who?
Philistines, that’s who!!!
David pretends to be crazy in front of king Achish and his men. King Achish says “Don’t I have enough crazy men?… Don’t let this man come into my house again.”
David and his men are allowed to leave unharmed! This same David who had killed one of their greatest national heroes; and who was accredited with killing tens of thousands of Philistines.
What?!!
Hang on; it gets even better!
David goes out and and kills some more Philistines in battle (1 Samuel 23). During this whole time David is trying to restore his relationship with Saul; and Saul refuses to repent at every encounter. David says to himself:
“Saul will catch me some day. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up looking for me in Israel. That way I will escape from Saul.” (1 Samuel 27)
So where does David go? Not only back to the Philistines; but, back to Achish king of Gath! AGAIN!
This time Achish not only lets David (who he thought was crazy) come into his presence; but also honors David’s request. Which is this:
David said to Achish, “If you are pleased with me, give me a place in one of the country towns. I am only your servant. I should live there, not here with you in this royal city.” That day Achish gave David the town of Ziklag. (1 Samuel 27:5 & 6a ERV)
We get this straight from God’s Word…
God doesn’t lie or exaggerate; so we know this is true… I don’t know about you but to me this makes the “David and Goliath” story seem tame and tiny in comparison.
There’s even more; so hang on!
The Philistines gather for war against Israel and King Saul. David assures King Achish that he and his men will fight against Saul and the Israelites.
But when Achish’s captains see David and his men; the captains refuse to allow David to stay saying:
David is the same person the Israelites sing and dance about when they sing this song:
“Saul has killed thousands of enemies. But David has killed tens of thousands!” (1 Samuel 29:5 ERV)
This is the third time this phrase/song is quoted in this story!
King Achish tells David and his men, that even though he still believes in their loyalty, it is time for them to return home. It takes David and his men three days to return to Ziklag. Upon their return they find everything gone, and the city burned!
Ziklag means: “Measure pressed down”.
I know we think of the “pressed down and overflowing” that Jesus talks about in Luke 6:38. But, I don’t believe this is what Ziklag means. I believe it refers to a perverted or captive blessing. A blessing that is limited or held in a captive state.
I believe that God wants to burn up everything that is limiting (pressing down) on the measure that He is wanting to pour out!… The story is not over; let’s continue on.
David and his men weep until there is no more strength in them. They talk of stoning David. But, David encourages himself in the Lord.
Keep in mind they know the city is burned and everything is gone including the women and children. They don’t know at this time if their families have been carried off and killed elsewhere; or just carried off.
So they consider everything “gone”, and everything “dead”. David inquires of the Lord if he should pursue, and overtake the enemy? Notice what the Lord’s response is:
“Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
God not only answers the two questions David has asked, but He includes an extra helping of prophetic truth that was counted as “gone” and “dead”.
David could have been consumed with exacting vengeance upon his enemies. David could of had vengeance; but God wanted David to recover all. Was vengeance exacted? Yes, but God longed for a “restoration of all” in David and his men’s lives.
“And without fail recover ALL.” That’s what God wanted!
And David recovered… ALL!
Everything was recovered!
Sheep. Wives. Children. Possessions.
Everything!
But, the city; was still burnt to the ground…
Why?
Meanwhile The Philistine Army led by King Achish had killed King Saul and his three sons.
We do not hear of David rebuilding Ziklag.
Why?
Because his time was finished there. The only thing that was destroyed was the city. The city of “the limiting of measure”. The city of “perverted, or captive destiny”, if you will.
David was not destined to be the “King” of Ziklag. Given his authority by a wicked king and a wicked people. He was destined to be the King of God’s own chosen people. To be the King of Judah and the King of Israel. Ziklag was burned and Saul was removed so that David would inquire of the Lord.
And so that, David would go to Hebron and be anointed King of Judah. After many years of waiting; the burning of Ziklag was the last major challenge for David, before becoming king. Standing as a fiery, barren wasteland in his path. A path God used; for David’s destiny. The temptation was there for David…
To stop.
To give up.
To destroy himself.
To give up on the promise of God.
To say: “It’s never gonna happen!”
Shhhhh!
Don’t be dismayed!
Don’t give up!
Don’t be lured into thoughts, by the destructive fire!
Break out with shouts of joy, and songs of worship! Nothing meaningful will be destroyed or lost!
Only the limitation; and perverted, captive destiny! So…
Burn! Ziklag, Burn!