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!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 64:1-6
1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, 3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” 6 They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
How dare David complain to God. He is addressing God, bringing a complaint to Him. Does he not have faith? Does He not understand that to submit to God means no complaining or whining? Ok – I may have been a bit sarcastic with “whining”, but I think you get my point.
I would suggest that David has strong faith, a faith that has developed an understanding of the Living God allowing for this freedom to express his concern (complaint?) before the King.
I remember the first time I came across a saint complaining before God in the book of Jeremiah. It was shocking to think Scripture would allow a complaint to God be recorded!
Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
Even though it appears that David is bringing a complaint before the Lord, the word is more akin to meditation or musings. He is, as it follows in the psalm, in dire need of protection, and that against the intangible enemy of others thoughts and plans. David’s enemies have secret plots (vs 2), tongues like swords (vs 3), words like arrows (v3), they hold fast to (won’t give up on) evil purposes, (vs 5), talk of laying snares (vs 5), and searches out injustice (vs 6). He can’t use a sword against his enemy to defeat this situation.
All of David’s concerns are of his enemies thoughts, words and plans. That which he has no power of and has no real specific knowledge of, other than that they are malicious!
And yet let us reconsider the original plea from the king. He is requesting God to “preserve my life from his enemy” correct? Not quite. His plea to God is to “preserve my life from dread of the enemy” (emphasis mine)
As a victim of the fear monster myself, I can relate to David’s plea. At times I am frozen with fear over what actually is a minor problem, and which actually resolves itself most times. It is truly ridiculous the things that paralyze me, but not so with David, for he has serious men seeking his life and he needs boldness to think straight, a clear mind to make wise decisions and a willingness to take action instead of simply feeling a victim! He needs to be delivered from the dread of the enemy! It is not a garden variety fear that David speaks of, for he speaks of a heightened sense of fear, that of terror, dread, or of a sudden alarm. This is no simple Carl-style fear situation going on here! He is in serious lock down and he isn’t afraid to admit it to God! (no pun intended!)
An old preacher by the name of G Campbell Morgan once spoke the truth of David’s focal plea of this psalm.
“We need to pray as the psalmist does, not so much for the deliverance from enemies as for deliverance from fear of them.”
At the end of this section David provides a summation of the mind and heart of a man, which is the very thing he dreads through the previous verses!
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
To be deep does not necessarily carry a moral distinction with it – although in this instance it surely does, but to be deep simply describes a relative amount or “volume” the mind and heart has to contain something. It also carries with it the implication of mysterious, or unknown, unsearchable.
May the Lord help us to somewhat understand our own mind and heart as we walk with Him, seeking cleansing and forgiveness as He reveals the depths of our heart and mind!
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 21:1-6 1 Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David, trembling, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?” 2 And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place. 3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.” 4 And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread – if the young men have kept themselves from women.” 5 And David answered the priest, “Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?” 6 So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the LORD, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away.
For the remainder of the book of 1 Samuel, David is a hunted man, on the run, constantly looking over his shoulder. He does gather a small militia in his travels, and becomes a military force in his wandering, but for this passage, David is unfed, unarmed, unprepared, unable to plan and unwilling to speak the truth to a man of God. David begins a life of running, a life of seeking to simply survive!
Deceit
David, by this time in his career with the royal house of Israel, had attained a position that afforded him a company of soldiers with him as he was sent by the king on missions. He was no mere singular soldier. This is the background that Ahimelech understood when he saw David that fateful day. Based on this understanding, for David to be alone, without soldiers accompanying him was suspicious.
When Ahimelech came to David trembling, my first understanding was that Ahimelech was trembling. Of that I am not sure, for Ahimelech had no cause to tremble, but David had just begun a life of running, of hiding from the king, of living with one foot in the grave, not knowing who he could trust. I suggest David was not only alone, but was also trembling, possibly looking rough from three days of hiding in the rocks, waiting for Jonathon.
I have recently posted on Psalm 64, and noticed that David had learned an important lesson on spiritual warfare. In that particulat Psalm, David prayed that he would be preserved from the dread/fear of the enemy. David had not learned that yet, as he was running based on knowledge granted from Jonathon, but also out of fear. He had no knowledge of the extent Saul would go to snuff him out. no knowledge of the web of spies about him. He would soon find out of the extent of Saul’s hatred!
At this time, he was running somewhat blind, and his first stop on his long period of running was at the tabernacle. He has said farewell to his best friend and confidant Jonathon, and now he visits the tabernacle, the house of God, for what most likely will be the last time for the foreseeable future.
And he lies. He uses deceit with the priest to get food and a weapon. He openly lies, not in the corner of the tabernacle so that only the priest understands his predicament, but he openly states he is on a secret mission, with soldiers meeting him in a rendezvous location.
This lie will come back to haunt David, and will expose the commitment of Saul’s hatred towards David. It will also show David that this life of running will impact more than his own existence! No man is an island.
Bread
David’s first request (or demand) of the priest was for sustenance, for any food that he may have. Had David been without food during his time waiting for Jonathon’s return? His need of food speaks of his unprepared condition to enter into a life of being a fugitive. No one, neither David or Jonathon seemed to consider this possible situation.
Ahimelech had one condition of supplying the show bread to David. Sexual abstinence. For this condition to be met, David had no problem, for he was away from family, seeking to find hiding from the powers that be. A woman was the last thing he could afford at this time. As for the soldiers that he claimed to be meeting, the women were as real as the soldiers were. One more lie shouldn’t matter!
But consider the Lord in His reflection of David’s situation at the tabernacle. David had obviously lied to the priest of God, and yet Jesus commended Ahimelech.
Matthew 12:3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: Matthew 12:4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Matthew 12:7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
I don’t see Jesus commending David, but Ahimelech in the actions he took in providing David food of the tabernacle. I understand the guiltless to be Ahimelech in this story, for he had no knowledge of the current situation, trusted a man who was a faithful Israeli, and provided a need instead of simply following a dogma or religious rule. After all, though the Word does state that the priests are to consume the holy bread, it does not say only the priests are to consume it. This may have given Ahimelech the allowance to provide David the food without conflict. Ahimelech was a man driven by love and not strictly law in this act.
Leviticus 24:9 And it shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place, since it is for him a most holy portion out of the LORD’s food offerings, a perpetual due.”
An important principle is provided in this passage. God desires mercy and not sacrifice. He desires we take care of those who are in need, above and beyond the religious duties laid out in the Word.
How does that work out in your life? Are you committed to a religious process over the needs of others? I know for myself it is much easier to think God wants church attendance over helping someone on a Sunday morning.
In this passage, David lies, and Ahimelech shows mercy. David gets sustenance and Ahimelech has visitors a few days later. It may be surprising to find out who is the protected party, which of the two men are delivered from the hand of the king!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 64:7-10
Psalm 64:7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. Psalm 64:8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. Psalm 64:9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. Psalm 64:10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!
David has just spent the better part of this psalm, describing what he can’t control, the tongue lashing and murderous lips, the evil thoughts and plans of his enemies. He is, in the first few verses, declaring his utter helplessness over controlling his enemies thoughts and plans. We noted that he sought the Lord in finding strength, in seeking relief from the fear of his enemies. He couldn’t control his enemies, but he knows where to find strength to control that which he can control.
In these few remaining verses, David speaks in similar terms regarding God’s protection over him. He refers to the arrows of God wounding the enemies suddenly, and that their evil tongues are turned back on them. How often those who seek evil have the very same evil turned on them!
He speaks of the fear coming upon all mankind, once they see the enemies of David being turned upon. It will be obvious of the judgement of God falling on David’s enemies, as it is obvious of God’s judgement falling on Jesus’ enemies in our current day.
Back in verse 5, the enemies were bold in their endeavors, steadfast in accomplishing their evil plans, since no one could see them!
Psalm 64:5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?“
It turns out, the enemies of the upright will not only have their plans folded back onto their lives, but all mankind will see their plans backfire and their lives impacted with judgement. The end of David’s enemies, as with the end of Jesus’ enemies will become an example of God’s justice for all men to reflect on, to consider, and to take as a warning!
In all of this psalm, as David seeks God’s will, the conclusion is clear. The righteous have a refuge in God, and have every right and privilege to rejoice in their circumstances. Even as the Apostle Paul wrote.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
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 20:35-42
35 In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him a little boy. 36 And he said to his boy, “Run and find the arrows that I shoot.” As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 And when the boy came to the place of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, Jonathan called after the boy and said, “Is not the arrow beyond you?” 38 And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” So Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. 39 But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40 And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.” 41 And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.
Communication.
This communication of a message through the use of a code that Jonathon developed and deployed, with the help of a nameless young boy, appears to be for the benefit of David.
Yet David was convinced that he was on the edge of the grave. Remember early in this chapter, beginning with David expressing his conviction to Jonathon that Saul was going to murder him.
1 Samuel 20:3 But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”.
David didn’t need this message. The young boy didn’t know what the message truly was. The only one this message truly was intended to benefit was Jonathon himself. But Jonathon knew the content of the message before coming to the field, for he came close to dying in order to find out the direction Saul was going with David.
1 Samuel 20:33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.
Ok – David knew, Saul knew, and the little boy didn’t need to know. Jonathon finally knew, for he came to believe the worst of his father and the danger for David. This covert meeting in a field was not necessarily for the sake of David as it turns out, but for Jonathon. He was the one who was convinced of his fathers intent, and realized the danger not only David was in but also himself.
Yes, he conjured up a clandestine meeting with this arrow code, with David hiding for days in the field, and with this hapless boy running after some arrows. The danger was real, and in this realization, it is the more impressive for Jonathon to send the boy home, and pursue a time with David.
This is the last time David and Jonathon see each other. With the young boy returning to the city, David comes out from hiding and the future king of Israel bows before the crown prince of Israel. He bows three times, weeping. At no time does David speak in this story, for he simply weeps and shows his deep care for Jonathon. He is patient with Jonathon in completing this exercise of communication, for the sake of his friend. He could have been travelling away from his enemy for the times he spent waiting on Jonathon, but he remained behind for Jonathon’s sake. He remained out of love for his friend.
Jonathon finally knew the danger. David knew of the danger previously.
39 But the boy knew nothing.
In all this communication, the young lad had no ears to hear! Oh, he had ears to hear the words, but he didn’t have ears to hear the message. He wasn’t able to understand the message Jonathon shouted through the use of words.
Jonathon’s message reached it’s intended target. David had ears to hear, for he knew the one speaking, he had spent time with the one speaking, and he had relationship with the one speaking.
Centuries later, Another came to speak messages using words (and miracles), and yet many did not have ears to hear. The young lad during Jonathon’s time didn’t understand the message, and he held no malice in his heart towards any. Not so with those hearing Jesus words. Much malice was brewing in the hearts of those who heard the words but not the message!
David came out from amongst the rocks to escape the danger of a murderous government. Jesus entered the danger of a murderous mob, accepted the death sentence of a murderous government, and came out from the rocks, His grave, victorious.
Jonathon never saw David again. We will see our David again, for He has not, nor will He abandon us. He came out from the rocks in order to save us from the danger we are in the middle of.
Decades after His earthly time of teaching, He asked His church if they had ears to hear.
What is the message His words communicate to you today?
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 64:1-4
1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, 3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” 6 They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
How dare David complain to God. He is addressing God, bringing a complaint to Him. Does he not have faith? Does He not understand that to submit to God means no complaining or whining? Ok – I may have been a bit sarcastic with “whining”, but I think you get my point.
I would suggest that David has strong faith, a faith that has developed an understanding of the Living God allowing for this freedom to express his concern (complaint?) before the King.
I remember the first time I came across a saint complaining before God in the book of Jeremiah. It was shocking to think Scripture would allow a complaint to God be recorded!
Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
Even though it appears that David is bringing a complaint before the Lord, the word is more akin to meditation or musings. He is, as it follows in the psalm, in dire need of protection, and that against the intangible enemy of others thoughts and plans. David’s enemies have secret plots (vs 2), tongues like swords (vs 3), words like arrows (v3), they hold fast to (won’t give up on) evil purposes, (vs 5), talk of laying snares (vs 5), and searches out injustice (vs 6). He can’t use a sword against his enemy to defeat this situation.
All of David’s concerns are of his enemies thoughts, words and plans. That which he has no power of and has no real specific knowledge of, other than that they are malicious!
And yet let us reconsider the original plea from the king. He is requesting God to “preserve my life from his enemy” correct? Not quite. His plea to God is to “preserve my life from dread of the enemy” (emphasis mine)
As a victim of the fear monster myself, I can relate to David’s plea. At times I am frozen with fear over what actually is a minor problem, and which actually resolves itself most times. It is truly ridiculous the things that paralyze me, but not so with David, for he has serious men seeking his life and he needs boldness to think straight, a clear mind to make wise decisions and a willingness to take action instead of simply feeling a victim! He needs to be delivered from the dread of the enemy! It is not a garden variety fear that David speaks of, for he speaks of a heightened sense of fear, that of terror, dread, or a sudden alarm. This is no simple Carl-style fear situation going on here! He is in serious lock down and he isn’t afraid to admit it to God! (no pun intended!)
An old preacher by the name of Morgan once spoke the truth of David’s focal plea of this psalm
“We need to pray as the psalmist does, not so much for the deliverance from enemies as for deliverance from fear of them.” (Morgan)
At the end of this section David provides a summation of the mind and heart of a man, which is the very thing he dreads through the previous verses!
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
To be deep does not necessarily carry a moral distinction with it – although in this instance it surely does, but to be deep simply describes a relative amount or “volume” the mind and heart has to contain something. It also carries with it the implication of mysterious, or unknown, unsearchable.
May the Lord help us to somewhat understand our own mind and heart as we walk with Him, seeking cleansing and forgiveness as He reveals our depths of heart and mind!
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 20:30-34
30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? 31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” 32 Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. 34 And Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had disgraced him.
In our last post, Jonathon informed the king of David’s absence, of David requesting to “celebrate the new moon with his family.” In this post we will consider Saul’s response to Jonathon. Saul definitely provided Jonathon clear direction on the future of David!
David is going to die!
As is obvious, Saul has completely lost any sense of control, for he verbally attacks Jonathon. First off, Saul attacks Ahinoam, Jonathon’s mother. At no place in the Word is Ahinoam, Saul’s wife spoken of as unfaithful. This was simply the ravings of a man who was out of control, realizing his own son was favoring David.
After speaking so roughly of Jonathon’s mother, and of his choice of favoring David, Saul blurts out the real issue. The kingdom would not be established through Jonathon.
But Saul had been told this by God, and the message was being acted out in front of his very eyes. Yet Saul would not give up, even as he was falling apart. No – David must die, and Jonathon would have to go bring him to Saul.
How illogical a man is when he is facing such loss that he has been warned of! He spoke of Jonathon favoring David, and yet expects Jonathon to deliver David to him for his death!
Jonathon had his answer but he was not willing to give up on his efforts of reconciliation.
“Why should he be put to death?”
This sent Saul over the edge. Saul had to kill someone – he was determined to hold on, rejecting the message God had given him. No – his rage was uncontrollable, and after Jonathon challenged him on his reasoning, that was it. Saul flung a spear at his own son.
Can you imagine this? Saul attempted to kill his own son! Saul was a determined man in his madness, not counting the cost to his own family in his effort to fight against God.
David had to die. Saul was willing to kill his own son in his rage. Jonathon finally was convinced.
David had to run for his life. He no longer had any hope of finding peace with the king, and had a price on his head, even the life of the crown prince!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 63:9-11
9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Back in our first post on Psalm 63, (Psalms for Psome – Ps 63.01) I suggested the situation David found himself in was running from his own son, as Absalom led a rebellion against the chosen King of Israel.
The next few verses that we are in this morning may be difficult to grasp if my suggestion of David’s flight truly is from Absalom the rebel. Nevertheless, whether those who David refers to as seeking his life is Absalom or King Saul, David’s prayer is for revenge!!!
Are you sure Carl? Are the words of David dripping with bloodthirsty revenge, intent on inflicting the maximum punishment upon whomever is seeking David’s life?
Notice that David makes statements in verse 9 and 10, statements that appear to be provided as facts as opposed to desires.
Let me try to explain. David does not write the verses with any description of his desires or wishes, as I suggest below.
But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth, where I want them to suffer incredible pain without end; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; hopefully with each cut of the sword providing excruciating pain and agony, they shall be a portion for jackals, with the jackals tearing them limb from limb if it was up to me!
(italicized/underlined text added by author – my apologies to david)
I can’t be certain that David was not looking for punishment on his enemy, whether it be King Saul, whom he honored as he lived and upon his death, or his son Absalom, whom he mourned when he found out he was a victim of the war he started.
But as I read the passage, I am led to believe David was providing the inevitable result of anyone who seeks to destroy any man or woman. One who seeks to destroy a human life should expect to have their life taken from them. Is that not the expected outcome of a life of violence, deceit and malice? He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword. He who sows to the flesh shall reap corruption. I suggest that David is simply, and quite possibly with tears in his eyes, stating a fact about the eventual outcome of a man’s decision to destroy other lives.
David eventually finds that his son died in the battle, and this would cause him additional pain, beyond the murder of Amnon, and the rebellion of Absalom, yet he looks forward in faith, declaring he would rejoice in the victory God provided.
Brother and sister – recognize that our King rejoices even now! The King of Kings has proven to be the one who seeks to save lives and not to destroy, to rescue lives and not to kill, to provide life and not to provide barely but abundantly. Is not joy the expected outcome of a life of blessing? Surely the King of Kings will rejoice as no other, for He has been the absolute polar opposite of the one seeking to destroy!
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 20:24-29
24 So David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. 25 The king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat opposite, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, but David’s place was empty. 26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean.” 27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David’s place was empty. And Saul said to Jonathan his son, “Why has not the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?” 28 Jonathan answered Saul, “David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, ‘Let me go, for our clan holds a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away and see my brothers.’ For this reason he has not come to the king’s table.”
Before we get to Saul’s response on David’s absence in our next post, I find it interesting that Saul, the king of Israel, the leader of God’s people, would have his seat up against the wall.
If there are any law enforcement readers, I think you will recognize this practice. I have a friend who has two sons, both with careers as police officers. When they go to a restaurant, or any social event, they tend to find seats up against walls. This is typical of those who are concerned with safety, for it provides no opportunity for someone to come from behind.
If this is Saul’s condition as king of Israel, he is showing signs of suspicion, which we should expect from a man who is losing all confidence in his reign. He is taking precautions even in his choice of seating!
God has told him his days are numbered, and each day is a day of watching, worrying and waiting. It is as if his efforts to remain safe are not supplying the intended effects.
How sad for those who know their time is limited, even for those who seek to deny it!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 63:5-8
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Through the beginning passages of this psalm, David recounts his great thirst, both physical and even more so, his spiritual longing for God. He is not restricted in this expression of love due to location, for though he is in a most inhospitable location, thirsty and weak physically, he speaks of his soul being satisfied with fat and rich food.
In our culture, we tend to have a negative connotation over “fat” and “rich food”. Unhealthy. Artery clogging. Weight gain. Let us leave that behind in our thoughts, for David is not thinking such. The sustenance he speaks of is for kings and the wealthy, for those who have an abundance. The image is not of simple sustenance, just enough to keep the body going, but of the finest nourishment, of top class grub that provides much enjoyment in the consuming of it.
But Carl – he is speaking of spiritual nourishment when he speaks of fat and rich food. That is the truth, but he is trying to describe his spiritual heart to those who understand physical experiences.
Yes – his actions of lifting his hands, and his offering of praise is the result of God providing an overabundance of sustenance to a dry and parched soul. Is speaking praise not a natural, expected response to such an overproviding God?
Previously, he spoke of his physical condition, and of his reaching out to God, comparing his desire with a thirst. In our verse above, he speaks of remembering, and meditating on his bed during the night. Again, he is speaking of times when he directed his mind and thoughts to the person of God, of His nature, His character, His actions and His saving efforts to a simple man. With joyful lips, singing for joy, David blurts out a most intimate statement.
His soul clings to God.
Now we could analyze this statement, saying that David is simply stating the obvious, since the Creator is the natural center for our souls to return to. But I don’t think in this psalm, David is making any logical argument, for his writing is full of emotion, full of desire and longing. He is beyond logic, beyond facts and now driven by shear desire.
His soul clings to God.
Clings דָּבַקdâbaq
For David to use this word speaks of a most intimate experience. The first time this term is used in the Word, it describes the relation between a man and his wife. (Genesis 2:24).
David is an open book, revealing his deep connection to the Creator of all. No shame or embarrassment of his relation is evidenced in this expression of his desire with the Lord, even in the midst of this terrible trial, that should naturally cause bunches of inner complaining – at least for me!.
In our trials, we may be exposing (to ourselves and everyone around us) our very relationship with the Creator if we turn to complaining as opposed to commitment to Him. As David teaches us, our previous interactions with the Lord will prepare us for trials that will result in singing with joy, and praising Him, even with parched dry lips.
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 20:18-23
18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 19 On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap. 20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. 21 And behold, I will send the boy, saying, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,’ then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. 22 But if I say to the youth, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the LORD has sent you away. 23 And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.”
Jonathon directed David to “go down quickly” to a place, and yet it might be three days before he can get the information he needs to give to David. What is Jonathon trying to do here? Is he beginning to get paranoid of the situation? Possibly, and we will get back to that idea in a moment, but I would like to address this “time” condition Jonathon is laying on David.
To go down quickly might not have the idea of time, i.e., get down to the place immediately, but is an adverb the speaks of extent or amount, even describing effort. Other ways this Hebrew word is translated includes “much”, “greatly”, “very” and “diligently”. As you can see, the idea of quickly isn’t associated elsewhere with this word. May I suggest this term is describing the distance Jonathon is describing David should travel to a hiding place. And this place seems to have been known by both men. A place near the stone Ezel. Nowhere else in the Word is this stone described, but it was a known place between the men, a place where David had hid before, and that was enough.
Now regarding the paranoia Jonathon may have been experiencing, previously when making general plans, Jonathon had implied he would communicate directly with David on the intent of Saul towards David. (See 1 Samuel 20:12-13). With each passing day, it seems Jonathon is taking extra precaution, for he introduces a young servant to be the vehicle of communication to David in the wilderness.
For all appearance, even to those who may be following Jonathon for the King’s sake, Jonathon will be simply performing target practice in the woods, and yelling out to his servant where the arrows have flown. I think Jonathon knows that the time is short, as David does, and that extra precautions are needed.
This discussion between to two men happens to be one of the last times they ever see each other, for in three days, Jonathon has to send his best friend on the run from his father.
David is convinced of his situation, and Jonathon is beginning to see the writing on the wall. With this realization, Jonathon must have have incredible inner tension, turmoil and confusion. His loyalty to David would mean the end of his Father’s reign, and yet his responsibility to honor his father brought him into a turmoil many of us have never experienced.
David would be on the run in the next few days, and Jonathon had three days of anticipating the worst. Little did he know it would be worse than he anticipated!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 63:1-4
1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
David was in the Judean wilderness during three periods of his life. His first time in the wilderness was as a young man, a shepherd taking care of his father’s flock. David was thrust out into the wilderness again, under the pressure of Saul’s murderous threats. A final time David found refuge for his life was when his own son Absalom turned traitor, and David had to flee his own city.
I offer to my reader that it is during this third time that this psalm was written, when he was on the run for his life due to his son’s uprising against him.
Depending on the time of year, the Judean wilderness provides a brutal environment to exist in. The dry air around him sucked the moisture from his body during the dry months. Even as he perspired, the water actually evaporated off his skin.
You see, when you are in a condition as David may have been, your sweat doesn’t provide any cooling effect for the body. It is a situation of your precious body fluids simply leaving your body with no beneficial effect for yourself. For a fellow who lives in Houston Texas, where it feels like you enter a shower when you go outside in August, I find this hard to imagine.
Nevertheless, the dryness of the desert pulled liquids from his body, draining moisture from his flesh. Much like the world we live in, that constantly sucks the life out of us, seeking to take our peace, deprive us of joy, and strip us of love. We are a needy people also!
At this point, his flesh and soul were drained. He may have been experiencing early dehydration, heat stroke, headaches, dizziness, weakness etc. As an elderly man, he was surely susceptible to all the physical malady’s extreme heat and dryness inflict on a man.
His experience was physical – he can feel the pain and exhaustion, yet he refers to his outer suffering, his physical thirst, his need for moisture as the basis to describe the greater longing of his seeking God. As his body was in a cruel environment, so his heart and spirit were being crushed by the circumstances, and in this condition, he yearns for God.
In each of our trials, we seek God with focused hearts. In our tribulations, we seek the important Person in our life. In our suffering, God actually appears more desirable, for there are no distractions that compete with our trials while we are in them. (He is always desirable, but the suffering brings the truth home, making the fact of who He is appear much greater!)
Imagine a man in the desert, cracked lips, dry burnt skin, raspy voice due to dryness, and his first thought is to be with God, to recall his time with God in the sanctuary.
It is so very interesting that David speaks of seeing and beholding God in the sanctuary. Obviously, he is not speaking of seeing the full manifestation of God, (or even the Shekinah glory above the mercy seat). but as the tabernacle spoke of the divine nature, David must have spent many hours meditating on the tabernacle. Remember that the temple had not been built yet and the tabernacle was replete with symbology that would provide much to meditate on.
Remember the condition he finds himself in, and that he is recounting his experience in the tabernacle. Truly this was a man who had invested his time is cultivating a meditative stance before the Lord. Out of his time considering the God of Israel, he became awestruck with the Creator of all.
Motivation
Also, take notice of David’s motivation for his writings. He doesn’t look to God and express his thoughts as such
Because your steadfast rules are perfect, I am obligated to praise you.
No – though God’s rules are perfect, David speaks of a free will praise, not a forced submission and obedience but a longing for beyond this physical existence to a true life. He is not asking for anything in this psalm, but simply letting his heart sing out to the One who not only gave us life, but is actually greater than the life He gave us. But surely this makes sense, for the builder is greater that the building. The Creator is greater than the creation.
Yes David has much to teach us the goodness of God, the greatness of God and the graciousness of God, even in the most troubling of times.
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 20:12-18
12 And Jonathan said to David, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? 13 But should it please my father to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan and more also if I do not disclose it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. 14 If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; 15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16 And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.” 17 And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul. 18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
On the eve of informing King Saul of David’s absence, Jonathon and David continue to work out their plan to safeguard David’s life. In an earlier post, we spoke of Jonathon’s plan, of informing Saul of David’s absence during the new moon festival and based on Saul’s reaction, informing David if he is safe or in danger of his life.
We will address how Jonathon will inform David of his situation in our next post, but for this part of the story, there are some other items worth considering.
May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father.
As Jonathon is developing the plan and speaking of the possible outcomes, he hopes and prays that the Lord is with David as He is with his father, King Saul. Obviously Jonathon is speaking of Saul’s past experience of walking with the Lord. and experiencing the blessing of God. Or might he be hanging on to a delusion, thinking the Lord is still working in Saul’s life for Saul’s benefit.
It is obvious that Saul is experiencing two different conditions, one of a harmful spirit from the Lord, where his actions are manipulative, angry, sullen and murderous. Surely Jonathon is not referencing this experience.
Saul has also experienced the Spirit of God, but in a restrictive sense, where the Lord does not allow Saul to fulfil his desire to harm David.
Both are not situations that are enviable, and that makes me think that Jonathon is hearkening back to the early days of Saul’s kingdom, when Samuel was with him, and Saul was experiencing peace with God.
There is one more option. Might it be that Jonathon was a bit self deluded, and couldn’t come to grips with the actual status of his father before God. This is very likely in my estimation, for I know I want to think the best of those I care for, that things are better than they might be.
the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth
Jonathon continues with a declaration, a statement that David’s enemies will be vanquished. Every one of David’s enemies will be defeated, cut off from the face of the earth.
This is a bold statement, for the result of the test tomorrow may reveal Saul as belonging to this group who will be defeated. Nevertheless, Jonathon speaks the truth, even though it may cost him family and friends, believing that David was destined for the throne.
May the LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies
Jonathon now enters into a request to the Lord, asking the Lord to take vengeance on David’s enemies. The earlier statement could be considered a simple truth statement, whereas in this clause, Jonathon enters into the will of God, denying his own will, that is the safety of his own family.
With these three clauses considered, let us not leave this passage forgetting that Jonathon is seeking to continue the covenant with David, and not only with him personally, but with his progeny. Verse 14 & 15 speaks of Jonathon’s request to continue in the covenant with the future king, and that his children would not be impacted negatively by the new sovereign of Israel.
1 Samuel 12: 14-25 …show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever
Not only that his progeny not be affected negatively, but that they would experience the steadfast love of God on his house forever!
Jonathon had some hutzpah, and he sought the best for his future family. But I am sure he carried the burden of his current families decisions with a heavy heart!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 62:11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, Psalm 62:12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
David continues in this psalm, after considering the futility of trusting in men or money (verse 9 & 10), returning to the person He trusts, the God who has heard his prayers and is still on the throne. David speaks of God as the One who has power, in that power belongs to God. It is His nature and possession.
His will is not frustrated by a lack of ability. The outworking of His will are seen in the actions that are tempered by His wisdom, His mercy, His judgements, and for that we must be thankful. But His will is never restricted by a lack of power, for all power belongs to God.
David continues to verse 12, a verse that brings together the grace, mercy and lovingkindness of God, with reward to man based on his works.
How can we understand both topics? How can we relate these seemingly opposing thoughts? David is in the midst of a troubling time of trial, and as he looks to God for his salvation in this trial, he rightly speaks of God’s power and love toward him, of his trust in God because of God’s ability and desire to save him.
And then he adds “You will render to a man according to his work”.
Do we “get what we deserve” or do we experience a deliverance and salvation from God who sees our plight and forgives us, delivers us, saves us, guides us, comforts us, and finally brings us to Himself.
In the mysteries of God, David has encapsulated both truths into one salient verse that challenges us all to seek Him all the more, for as we seek Him all the more, we will become more like Him in our character, our emotions, our desires and our actions. As we become more like Him, which is our eternal goal, our works may have a beneficial reward, in the wisdom of God.
If we walk away from God, our works will naturally degrade, our hearts will darken, and our souls will shrivel. We will set our lives on a trajectory that is establishing our a character upon which judgement will fall.
John the apostle gave us the following warning.
Revelation 22:11 – Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
Trust in God, for He is good, and He is good all the time, and He alone is good all the time. He is our source of loving kindness, mercy and power, and it is our privilege to seek Him, and to be influenced by Him for our good!
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 20:5-11
5 David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening. 6 If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.’ 7 If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him. 8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?” 9 And Jonathan said, “Far be it from you! If I knew that it was determined by my father that harm should come to you, would I not tell you?” 10 Then David said to Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you roughly?” 11 And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So they both went out into the field.
In our previous post David needed to test Jonathon’s friendship, even calling in the threat of his own life from the hand of Jonathon’s father. David needed Jonathon to realize the seriousness of the situation, and that Jonathon needed to understand that Saul may not be providing all the facts to Jonathon based on his friendship with David.
So a test was proposed. A situation that would expose Saul’s intentions, and provide guidance for David’s next decisions. It is good to note that though David may have been experiencing great fear for his life, he was willing to give Saul an opportunity, although unknowingly, of his attitude toward him.
It seems David was the one who kept hoping against hope!
Jonathon was prepared and ready to execute the test on his father, but the results would be useless if David doesn’t get the message. David needs to know how Saul reacted to this “anomaly” of being away from the royal circle. Of course, being with family gave opportunity for Saul to excuse him if there was no underlying motive. If the answer was positive, no stealth would be needed to inform David. All would be well. If the answer is negative, which it appears David is assuming, the information had to be transferred in a clandestine manner. Jonathon needed to keep his allegiance to David under wraps to be effective for his friend, and this included the use of an open environment. A field that would cause no suspicion if Jonathon was practicing his archery, which may be a required practice for those in the army. Perfect.
Jonathon would stay in the royal circle, available for David as needed. He would continue to maintain the covenant friendship they had entered into, living within a family that was purposed to kill his best friend. Definitely a house divided, and surely a difficult time for Jonathon, walking as it were on eggshells around the royal family.
What friends will do for each other!
Luke 12
52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.
53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Even to the unenviable loss of physical family ties!
It seems this is a common refrain within the believers life, that certain family members are lost to the believer for a time. Prayer and caring for them is the only solution, along with exercising patience and humility.
They may say cruel and hurtful things, but be strong my friend, for our David is worth the pain, and He has been known to answer our prayers in relation to those we naturally care for!
God is good and He is good all the time!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 62:9 Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Psalm 62:10 Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Let’s remember David’s theme of trust only in the Lord, at all times. He has, even as he has been in himself, considered his situation and active trust before God, and come to a resolved standing before God.
Even as we read this psalm, David’s ability to stand firm has increased. Back in verse 2, he states he “shall not be greatly shaken”, and only 4 verses later, using the exact same words describing our God, he speaks even more assuredly when he states “I shall not be shaken”.
We enter into two verses in our post this morning where David is considering the trustworthiness of men, both ordinary men and the great rulers and champions of the day. His description of them brings us to reality, for we often think our ourselves in terms of granduer and importance, even irreplaceable. David speaks a truth that puts us in our place, a place that reminds us we are but less than a breath.
Think back in your family. If you can remember you grandparents, you are rare. That is two generations. What about your great grandparents? Three generations. Sixty to eighty years.
We truly are but a breath in time. David, in his description of the man of low estate is kind, not relating them to a moral failure. Not so with those who have “made it” in this life. The successful man, the man of high degree is associated with lies and delusion.
Forgive me for being an arithmetic geek, but when combined, both the men of low and high estate are less than the man of low estate, for David describes them when combined as “lighter than breath”! The man of high estate is actually less than nothing in this comparison! Incredible.
If we only consider this thought, it is easy to become disillusioned, fall into despair and depression. What is the use of our lives, if in the end we are “but a breath”. Let us not forget the theme of this psalm, for David is writing of the theme of trusting God.
Though this description of created man is accurate, it is not the intent of David to simply provide this fact for us to wallow in, to be self absorbed into, but to again consider the greatness of God, the importance of shifting our trust from man to God.
Trust in man, who is at best but a fleeting breath makes no sense. This trust is futile and empty, destined for disappointment. Those of power that we trust are liars, full of deception and of themselves, leading us all to the wrong solutions.
Similarly, David exhorts us to refrain from trusting in riches, no matter how attained. Of course if ill gotten, the riches will fly away, leaving your trust disappointed. If riches are possessed through diligence, hard work, and the blessing of God, they still represent a danger, an object that does not deserve our trust, nor will reward the trust we place in them.
Difficult verses to face for the modern believer, for some may look to men for solutions to the mess we find ourselves in as a nation, or as a church, or even as a family.
Men and money are impotent in their ability to bring any salvation to our lives, any permanence, any real value or weight to our existence.
Men and money, when compared to our God, are not worthy of any trust, cannot reward our trust, and actually may become a temptation and snare, a trap that actually destroys instead of delivers.
These short two verses, when considered alone, present a dire situation for those reading them.
As we ponder a passage such as this, we must keep our eyes on the Lord, as He alone has the power to redeem this breath of life from futility.
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 20:1-4 1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said before Jonathan, “What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?” 2 And he said to him, “Far from it! You shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me. And why should my father hide this from me? It is not so.” 3 But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 4 Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”
In our last passage, Saul had sent three companies of messengers to Naioth in Ramah, where David had fled to be with Samuel. All three companies had been frustrated in their mission, to the point that Saul decided to go himself.
Even as the king approached the city that harbored David and Samuel, the king fell under the power of God and was restrained from accomplishing his will for a full day and night. With this occurrence, David fled.
Consider David’s situation. His arch enemy, the king of Israel has made four concerted efforts to restrain him, and each time God had restricted them. There comes a time when it becomes obvious to relocate, and with Saul flailing about under the trance, David chose to flee to the kings house! He fled to see his friend and ally Jonathon, and it is assumed this meeting took place in the very home of David’s enemy.
David confronted Jonathon, as only the closest of friends can, with piercing questions.
What have I done?
What is my iniquity?
What is my sin before your father, that he seeks my life?
Note that David’s three questions are not necessarily to the same the, for only the third question refers to the king. Is David checking on Jonathon’s attitude regarding himself, that possibly the king has infected Jonathon with malice towards his friend? After all, Jonathon was loosing out on the chance of a life, to become the next king of Israel. Beyond that, Jonathon would fall into the non-enviable position of a challenger to the throne after the transition. David understood this and needed to be reassured of Jonathon’s commitment to him.
Essentially, in the first two questions, he is asking Jonathon of his attitude toward himself, if there is anything that he has done that has turned the friendship sour.
The third question is the tripping point, for David realized that Saul may hide his intentions from Jonathon due to their obvious friendship, but David pushes nonetheless! He had not been warned of Saul’s attempt in Ramah, and now David may be considering Jonathon to have less than full disclosure from the king of his plans. What else does Jonathon not know, or hasn’t been forthright to David about.
David states the obvious to Jonathon, in that he is nearer to death at the hand of Saul than ever before. One wrong step and he would be eliminated.
But hold on here. David just experienced four deliverances of the Lord from the evil king, and had been supernaturally protected. Is David forgetting this conveniently to make a point with Jonathon? Possibly!
Or it may be that David understood far better than I that he was to make every effort to preserve his life for the sake of the name of God, and to leave the impossible to God. He was not to presume upon the deliverance of God, to fall into an assumption that God would “do all the work”.
In David’s ascension to the throne, David was an integral partner in the work of God to this goal. Of course self preservation was kicking in, and David was seeking to make a point with his friend Jonathon, but the balance between God’s providence and mans responsibility seems to be exhibited in this story line.
Nevertheless, Jonathon reassures David of his commitment to his purpose and flatly, without conditions, states that what David wishes, he will do.
Jonathon’s commitment was stable and continual, providing David the means to understand the royal court’s intention towards him.
In our next passage, David lays out a plan to test Saul’s attitude toward him. This will be the test that finally determines the next six years of David’s life as a fugitive. (See Introduction for dating used for this study)
In summary, David’s life is about to be upended even more than the confusing period he has experienced with the king, since his victory over the giant. As my momma used to say, he is about to go from the fry pan into the fire, and this next six years would produce some of the most stunning acts of loyalty and grace exhibited in the Old Testament, apart from God’s continual faithfulness to His people.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Let’s remember that David is in himself during this psalm, that he is ruminating on the goodness of God in a very difficult situation. He is all prayed out, made his requests known to God, struggled with his thoughts and concerns, and is now in a settled stage of waiting on the Lord.
Trust in him at all times.
As I consider the ramifications of this phrase, I want to consider an alternative frame of reference in a relationship with God. For you see, I have spent a good portion of my life in utter fear of God, not the type defined by respect and acknowledgement of His greatness, but paralyzed by fear, struck down by the sheer concept of the All Powerful.
In that fear, I had no freedom to ask a question, no rights of privilege before Him, no ability to please Him, for I could not perform all the requirements on my own, and I “knew” I couldn’t ask Him for help. The fear was paralyzing, but it is an experience that has taught me the blessings of trust.
Trust is a freedom to look to Him for decisions to be made, for outcomes to be controlled, to understand my weakness and failure, to consider Him as a loving Father, and not as a terror inducing All Mighty Person who only seeks to dominate and control.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not seeking to relegate the Lord to a minor god, a weak kneed deity that has been cast aside by man.
He is the Almighty.
He has no challengers.
He is the Creator of all, and the mighty Redeemer.
Yet we are to trust Him, as David exhorts us, and that implies a relationship of son and Father, of friend and friend. He is approachable due to the blood He has shed, He is One that has an open door policy due to His heart of love.
O people; pour out your heart before him
Out of this trusting relationship, David exhorts the people of God to pour out their hearts to Him. I don’t know about you, but I do not pour out my heart to my boss, or to any authoritarian figure in my life. Rare as it is, this exercise of shedding my cares onto someone is shared with only the closest of family. It is a connection that provides safety and no condemnation, no fear of rejection, and the hope of solutions to be offered.
Do you see God in this way? Is He a Master over you, needing obedience of the law to be able to accept you, or a Father waiting for a deeper relationship, approachable and willing to hear of my fears failures and frustrations.
God is a refuge for us.
My friends, do not abandon God as a refuge by not opening up to Him. The image of a refuge is often used to describe God and most assuredly it is in the midst of trials that the people of faith are experiencing. As a refuge, He is there to protect, and to guard against the enemy, be they physical, emotional or spiritual.
He has experienced torture and an excruciating death to prove His desire to be with us. Consider His love for you. Trust will be a natural response to such great love.
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.
In chapter 19, we see King Saul working out his previous decision, that Saul would be “David’s enemy continually” (18:29b). Let’s see how that works out for the King.
1 Samuel 19:18-24
18 Now David fled and escaped, and he came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and lived at Naioth. 19 And it was told Saul, “Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.” 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 21 When it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Then he himself went to Ramah and came to the great well that is in Secu. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” And one said, “Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
In our last post, I didn’t mention the “messengers” King Saul sent on the night David escaped, those men who Michal noticed and warned David of. This passage continues with the use of this term, and it typically refers to those who are messengers, a man (or men) who are dispatched as a deputy. Many times the term is used to describe an angel from God, but when I see it attached to the description of men sent by King Saul to find his enemy David, I fear the term takes on a different connotation.
These messengers are not simply bringing David information, but they are under orders to take David. Three times in our last passage and now Saul is frustrated three more times with his “messengers” in this passage. Three different companies of messengers, each of them struck by God, and ending up prophesying.
Get that picture in your mind now. Hit men sent out by the evil king, closing in on the enemy, and when within striking distance, falling under the Spirit of God. These murderous men actually prophesying, being out of themselves, without control of their facilities!
Enough! Saul was going to take care of this himself. Notice that even after 3 trips by different companies of messengers, David and Samuel had not begun to run and hide. They were in Naioth in Ramah when the first messengers sought them out, and they were in Naioth in Ramah when Saul finally sought them out himself.
David and Samuel were not running. They were standing, and watching the Lord protect them. Why run?
Nevertheless, Saul made it to the refuge of Samuel, and even as he ventured to the camp, he fell under the Spirit of God.
The last spirit that Saul was controlled by was a harmful spirit, back in an earlier passage. Now he is prophesying under the Spirit of God, incapable of resisting the power of God, restricted from his wishes and sprawled out on the ground all night and all day.
The king of Israel being halted by God from his murderous intentions, and yet we know that in his next breath, he will continue in his murderous intentions. Even though God has personally guarded David in this instance.
How illogical is the one without faith. A man controlled by his baser character, his frustrations fueling further and further ridiculous efforts, straining to find a solution outside of God’s will.
Saul is a man to be much pitied!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Let’s remember that David is in himself during this psalm, that he is ruminating on the goodness of God in a very difficult situation. He is all prayed out, made his requests known to God, struggled with his thoughts and concerns, and is now in a settled stage of waiting on the Lord.
Trust in him at all times.
As I consider the ramifications of this phrase, I want to consider an alternative frame of reference in a relationship with God. For you see, I have spent a good portion of my life in utter fear of God, not the type defined by respect and acknowledgement of His greatness, but paralyzed by fear, struck down by the sheer concept of the All Powerful.
In that fear, I had no freedom to ask a question, no rights of privilege before Him, no ability to please Him, for I could not perform all the requirements on my own, and I “knew” I couldn’t ask Him for help. The fear was paralyzing, but it is an experience that has taught me the blessings of trust.
Trust is a freedom to look to Him for decisions to be made, for outcomes to be controlled, to understand my weakness and failure, to consider Him as a loving Father, and not as a terror inducing All Mighty Person who only seeks to dominate and control.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not seeking to relegate the Lord to a minor god, a weak kneed deity that has been cast aside by man. He is the Almighty. He has no challengers. He is the Creator of all, and the mighty Redeemer.
Yet we are to trust Him, as David exhorts us, and that implies a relationship similar to that of son and Father, of friend and friend. He is approachable due to the blood He has shed. He is One that has provided an open door policy due to His heart of love.
O people; pour out your heart before him
Out of this trusting relationship, David exhorts the people of God to pour out their hearts to Him. I don’t know about you, but I do not pour out my heart to my boss, or to any authoritarian figure in my life. Rare as it is, this exercise of shedding my cares onto someone is shared with only the closest of family or friend. It is a connection that provides safety and no condemnation, no fear of rejection, and the hope of solutions to be offered.
Do you see God in this way? Is He a Master over you, needing obedience of the law to be able to accept you, or a Father waiting for a deeper relationship, approachable and willing to hear of our fears, failures and frustrations.
God is a refuge for us.
My friends, do not abandon God as a refuge by not opening up to Him. The image of a refuge is often used to describe God and usually it is in the midst of trials that the people of faith are experiencing. As a refuge, He is there to protect, and to guard against the enemy, be they physical, emotional or spiritual.
He Himself has experienced torture and an excruciating death to prove His desire to be with us. Consider His love for you. Trust will be a natural response to such great love.
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.
In chapter 19, we see King Saul working out his previous decision, that Saul would be “David’s enemy continually” (18:29b). Let’s see how that works out for the King.
1 Samuel 19:11-17
11 Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, “If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped. 13 Michal took an image and laid it on the bed and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head and covered it with the clothes. 14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.” 15 Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.” 16 And when the messengers came in, behold, the image was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head. 17 Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me thus and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go. Why should I kill you?’”
The last passage Saul’s son Jonathon stuck his neck out for David. Now his daughter is lying to her father for David’s sake. Or was she?
As we read this passage and compare Jonathon’s statements with Michal’s statements, it seems she didn’t have the spiritual legs that Jonathon stood on. Notice that when Saul finally confronts her, she claims David threatened to kill her, and that she reluctantly let him go.
Give me a break! She want ed him to run, stating that he would be dean if he stuck around till morning. And after three trips of Saul’s messengers to David’s house, Michal had to face the king.
Sure father – I am still on your side. He threatened me, how could I keep him for you.
Remember back in verse 4, where Jonathon spoke well of David, spoke of David’s service for the king, and calling David “innocent blood”. This trait of loyalty and truth speaking didn’t seem to carry through the entire family. Michal seemed to be one who was concerned of her own skin, and if a little lie here and there would help, she was good for it!
One item that seemed insignificant on my first reading, but actually may bear on the passage more than I first considered, is the reference to Michal using a tᵊrāp̄îm, the Hebrew term for idol. Specifically, it seems this idol was used as a household shrine.
What was that doing in David’s house? How large was this idol? Michal used the idol to mimic the size of an adult!
So Michal had placed this idol in a bed, in an effort to deceive her father’s messengers, and then when she was found out, blamed David and his threatening ways.
Something just doesn’t ring true with this lady! Whose side is she on? I suppose the idol deception may have been an effort to give David time to run, but when her father finally shows up, she throws David under the bus, claiming she tried to keep him for Saul, (so why the delay and deception with the idol) and then saying he threatened her with death, but never alerted her father the king, with this threat against her life.
Like I said – Michal seems to have some commitment to David, but it surely is not a deep and strong, self sacrificing love for him. If I were to guess, Michal is a woman of the situation. A woman who will tailor her story to suit the situation, to save her skin.
Although she noticed the messengers on the first night as they watched David’s house, she did alert David to the danger, Michal didn’t follow through as I imagine Jonathon might, defending his friend.
Somewhat of a compromised character in my mind. Might this character weakness reflect her commitment to the God of Israel? Was it not Paul who spoke the truth, that who we worship is who we are transformed into?
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
Let us worship the true God and not another!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Psalm 62:7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
As we mentioned in an earlier post, this psalm does not ask anything of the Lord, but the psalmist is “in himself”, ruminating on the person of God, reminding himself of God’s active work in his life, of God’s presence and His character.
God
provides hope
is my rock
is my salvation (x2)
is my fortress
is my glory
is my mighty rock
is my refuge
Take a moment and consider each of these descriptors of God. Is there a common denominator, a common theme in these descriptors, something that indicates the condition of David’s heart as he reviews the character of God?
I would suggest that David is in a very difficult place, a place in which there appears to be no escape, no path to safety, no place of security or of strength, and no area that is stable, that is constant.
There are times when we, as believers will also experience this condition. In our lives, there appears to be many enemies, many difficulties, many obstacles and many temptations, that are seemingly insurmountable.
During these times, I have spent too much time looking for solutions, ways out of the problem, solutions to my difficulty. And in these difficult times, I have worried myself into a fit of doubt and despair.
But the rare time, I have turned introspective, remembered the goodness of God, His former guidance, His continued protection, (though not without some scrapes and bruising), and His constant care. During these times of dwelling on God, I have found that my worry machine has run out of gas.
Amazing – we can dwell on His goodness, on His person, on His care for us, or we can worry.
Let’s think on Him. He is good, and He is good all the time.
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.
In chapter 19, we see King Saul working out his previous decision, that Saul would be “David’s enemy continually” (18:29b). Let’s see how that works out for the King.
1 Samuel 19:8-10
8 And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. 9 Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. 10 And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.
At the end of our previous portion of Scripture, the very last phrase of verse 7, the author tells us
… Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.
Jonathon went out on a limb in front of his father, the king of Israel, to secure David back into the royal circle.
We dwelt last time on the gentle boldness of Jonathon in his approach to his father, and seemingly found success in providing a safe environment for David to return too.
Yet, in all the history we have seen with Saul and David so far, the fact that David would return into an environment with king Saul is quite remarkable. The king had reneged on promises, lied to him, shamed him with marrying off his betrothed on the day of the wedding, and on top of all that, had made numerous attempts to kill the young man.
What does that say about David and Jonathon’s friendship? The bond between these two men was anchored in a trust. How David must have trusted Jonathon, in that he came back into this unstable and potentially deadly environment.
Our passage speaks of another relationship also. Jonathon and Saul. Father and son. King and crown prince. User and used.
Saul used his son’s bond with David to pull him back into the inner circle, and for a period, there seemed to be a détente, a co-existence between the failed king and the young one destined for greatness. Of course Saul took advantage of David’s skill in warfare, for it seemed that Saul was regularity at war, so David’s presence was most likely spotty when it came to being in the kings presence.
But time dragged on, David continued to grow in abilities and victories, and Saul brooded. In the midst of victories for his nation, Saul could not rejoice in the national growth and prosperity the victories promised. No – Saul was under the influence of a harmful spirit, a spirit from the Lord.
The term “harmful” may be translated as bad, or evil, wicked, disagreeable, even malignant. This spirit from the Lord was not of the Lord. In the midst of this spiritual influence, Saul lost all resistance, forgetting his words to Jonathon, and attacked David with a spear. Now, whether he threw the spear at David, or ran at David to pin him to the wall, it doesn’t seem to be clear. What is clear is that Saul was not to be trusted, Jonathon lost face, and David was on the run, away from the the palace for 20 years, returning as the rightful King. But now, David was on the run, a fugitive until Saul passes from this earth.
Although this passage speaks volumes about the actions of a man in power doing insane acts (and the possible reason in the background for these insane acts), it also speaks of trust, and the willingness to forgive.
Trust between friends.
Jonathon and David remained close to the very end, and Jonathon’s trust in his father’s words did not seem to tarnish the bond these men had. It seems David understood the concept of love covering a multitude of sins, and knew that forgiveness is required attitude if relationships are to continue. I suppose that is the more important lesson for myself tonight as I write this, that to have relationship is to be willing to forgive for the sake of the other.
Relationship cannot exist without forgiveness!
Trust between father and son.
Jonathon and Saul were father and son, nothing could erase that bond, and yet each time a promise was broken, each time a word was taken back, the thread of experiential relationship between the two of them became thinner and weaker. It seems that though Saul was king, he was “relating” only to a harmful spirit.
In closing, let me ask – Have you a grudge against a friend this day? Go to him and ask for forgiveness. It will do your heart good!
Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
How about if a brother has something against you, even without cause?
Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Relationship will be strengthened when your brother sees you care enough to ask for forgiveness without prompting!
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion. If you know someone this blog may bless (or challenge), send them a link, so they may join us in our discussion.
Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
Psalm 62:3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Psalm 62:4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah
In our previous post, I sought to explain my understanding of this psalm, and that David was silent before God, that he was not making any petitions or requests before God in the psalm. He was silent before God.
Not so much in relation to those who had attacked him. Remember – the attacker is his son, who also had enlisted David’s trusted counselor Ahithophel, one who David considered a friend.
In his silence before God, he questions his attackers.
How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
As attackers, they naturally sought to find victory when their enemy was weak, like a leaning wall or a tottering fence. David was on the run, with his forces decimated, and unsure who was loyal to him. Who could be trusted, when his very friend Ahithophel had rebelled?
This attack had the smell of death, not only in its eventual outcome, which David could not admit to, but also in the intent of his enemies. Their attack had all the hallmarks of the evil one, saying one thing and doing the other. Hypocrites!
Verse 4 speaks of taking pleasure in falsehood. How foolish and short sighted. Do they not understand the fountain of all truth is the Lord, and that this treachery cannot succeed.
Remember David’s attitude when he was on the run? The rogue king Saul chased him and on multiple occasions, David had opportunity to strike him down, and yet he would not. He would not touch the Lord’s anointed. No success would come of it, and it would frustrate the will of God.
How could David reconcile that his son and friend were doing that which was abhorrent to him.
David could have justified an attack on Saul, since he had been anointed the king of Israel, yet he waited on the Lord. Absalom had no anointing, nor call of God on his life. He was simply a headstrong, deceitful, self willed, spoiled young man.
This rebellion was, from David’s standpoint, utterly spawned in falsehood. Absalom and Ahithophel surely had heard of the previous exploits of David in his ascension to the throne, yet they decided to pursue a completely different method of attaining power. Through falsehood. Through lies to the people of Israel and by deception to the king.
How utterly shortsighted.
And yet, if we consider our own lives, how often do we seek to short circuit God’s will with the same motivation, the same “pleasure in falsehood”, looking to find advantage through another’s weakness and by deception taking advantage of a weakness.
Ephesians 4:20, 25
But that is not the way you learned Christ!– Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Considering the Bible 