Day One: The Places Of Importance

 Keyscripture for this bible plan is 1 Sam 17. I want to encourage you to read it beforehand and do some self study as well. 

1 Sam 17: 1Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. 2And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. 3The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.

Sochoh was a city of the tribe of Juda (Josh 15:35) and located 14 miles west of Bethlehem in the foothills of the Judean Mountains. In 2 Chron 28:19 it was captured by the Philistines, and they settled there.

For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz, king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord.

The enemy is always looking for a place to settle. It wants to steal your joy and inheritance. It is not satisfied of staying on the sidelines. Your enemy brings the fight right into your midst and settles.

The name Sochoh means hedge or thicket; weaving a protective barrier to keep you trapped. The Philistines understood the importance of hedges and settling. However, before you think this story has ended before it has begun, hold on to your seat.

In Micah 2: 12-13, God gave us a clue in how to break through the hedge.

“I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people. 13The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the Lord at their head.”

If you are part of the remnant, then Christ; the good shepherd will break open the hedge and lead His flock out into the field. Christ will be in front. Showing the way. Meaning, when you think you have lost, God will show you the way. He will break the hedge by using a David. What kept you at bay will break before God’s mighty hand. Before any sword has been lifted, the battle had been won.

But the key here is that you must know God’s voice. It is in the knowing that you will follow Christ through the hedge into victory.

Azekah means cultivated ground and was a fortified city during the time of the judges. It was a place of refuge for many. It had seen many battles and a few miraculous interventions. Staying in this city, you know you are well protected.

Ephes Dammin means the boundary of blood. It serves as a reminder of ancient struggles and the boundary where bloodshed occurred—a poignant marker in biblical history.

Saul and his men camped in the Valley of Elah. It was the opposite of Sochoh. They were out in the open. The valley is a low place. They were not protected.

The root of the word Elah can be described as a place of foolishness, or a failure to live up to cognitive standards or common codes of conduct. It also means worthlessness or a worthless thing.

Saul could have stayed in Azekah. That would have given them an eagle’s view, but he camped in the valley where they felt worthless and foolish. Being in this place set Israel up for failure. It held them in captivity before they began.

The very reason Goliath could play with their minds and get the upper hand so easily.

But, you see, they needed a remnant; one who is unafraid to break the hedge. He has put them together, broken the hedge, and passed through it into victory. He led the way.

David is a picture of Christ that shows us the way out and when Goliath’s head rolled, the hedge was broken, fear and despair were demolished, and the Philistines scattered.

They were not settled in Sochoh anymore because there was no hedge they could use.

When you trust in God, when you know the good shepherd’s voice, you have the victory already. Christ has shown you the way. Fear and despair cannot hold you once you know His voice. The battle is the Lord’s, and the victory is yours.

Get to know his voice. How do you do that? By reading and studying the word. By spending time with God. Being obedient is the first step to your victory.

Whatever you face, know that God is with you. He is already there. You don’t have to listen to the lies or stay in the low country. You can go higher, there where the eagles fly.

Grace and peace to you.

Day One / Day Two / Day Three / Day Four / Day Five/ Day Six / 

Day Seven / Day Eight / Day Nine / Day Ten / Day Eleven / Day Twelve