David and the Holy Bread

As many who have followed me for a bit, I have fallen into the Psalms, and I can’t get up! (As if I would want to.) The Psalms are a majestic collection of poetry, of heart felt human experiences that constantly challenge me in my own frail attempt to follow the true King. As many of the Psalms are written by David, my study on the Psalms has spurred me on to looking at the life of David, is the main contributor to this book, and to follow the victories and tragedies of the shepherd King of Israel.

Many times in the narrative, we will see the Lord Jesus, imperfectly, yet a reflection of His spirit in a man with weaknesses.

1 Samuel 21:7

7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s herdsmen.

A certain man

In our last post we found David lying to a godly priest named Ahimelech, and receiving sustenance for himself and his supposed company of soldiers he was going to supposedly meet. All lies, and yet Ahimelech provided for David the food that he requested.

In this post, we meet a certain man. He was of the servants of Saul. His name is Doeg, and he was an Edomite. We know that Edom had always been in enmity with Israel, and that Saul had vanquished the Edomites in a battle per 1 Samuel 14:47.

When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them.

So it is likely Doeg was either a captive of king Saul, or a traitor to his own country, seeing an opportunity to side with Saul. I will let the reader consider which is likely.

In some of the non biblical literature describing Doeg, it appears he may have been more than just a turncoat, more than just a man who took advantage. Some of the ancient writings speak of Doeg as being scholarly, a brilliant debater, yet without any piety towards God. He may have considered himself an equal to David, one that was in competition for status before the king.

His name actually means to be fearful, anxious, concerned. To be considered the chief of the kings herdsman may have simply referred to his character, and not a formal office. To be chief in this instance, referred to Doeg as being stouthearted, mighty, even obstinate. He was a self willed man, determined to acquire favor of a madman who was king.

For Doeg to be detained before the Lord implies he had been proselytized into the Jewish faith, at least in ritual, and that he was taking care of some responsibility before the Lord. Disciplinary or ceremonially it is uncertain.

But he was there at the right time in order to take advantage of David’s pleas to the priest! Doeg must have recognized the hand of God in this coincidence! Of course, as a man who sought the favor of the king, it would not turn out to be beneficial to anyone!

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