To discover:
As you read consider how David’s actions contrast those of
Saul.
To ponder:
David now escapes the Philistines
to a cave in Judah.
His family join him, and once more he looks to a foreign king, probably to give
them protection from Saul. (Mizpah here is in Moab,
so different from the Israelite city of that name). We see a group of needy
people form around David too, no doubt hoping for something better with him.
More significant is the prophet, Gad, who brings God’s instruction that David
go into Judah.
David even gains
his own priest. Paranoid about losing his men, Saul accuses his Benjamite
officials of conspiring against him. Doeg the Edomite, who was present when
David was in Nob, then takes his opportunity to ingratiate himself with Saul by
recounting what happened there. Apparently in some bewilderment, Ahimelech asks
why he shouldn’t have acted for David, Saul’s loyal son-in-law. But Saul
commands his guards to kill Ahimelech and his family. To kill priests is
serious indeed, so they refuse. But Doeg murders 85 of them and everyone else
in their town. This is one of Saul’s most wicked acts. But it is foolish too,
ridding him of a priesthood he could consult. And consider the contrast. Saul
shows no concern for the priests, whereas David wants to take responsibility
for their death and shelters the one who survives - Abiathar.
When the
Philistines attack again, David is therefore able to “enquire of the LORD” via
the Urim and Thummim contained in the ephod Abiathar bought with him. He learns
that God would give the Philistines into his hand so he could deliver the town
of Keilah, and then that the
inhabitants would in turn hand him over to Saul. So David keeps moving, Saul
keeps searching for him, and God does not “give him into” Saul’s hands.
Jonathan then
comes and helps his friend find strength in God. By contrast the people of Ziph
tell Saul David is hiding amongst them, and obey his instructions to find him.
The tension mounts as Saul closes in on David, and we can see only the LORD’s
hand in the fact that at the critical moment Saul is called away to fight
Philistines. The lesson throughout is that God will not allow his purposes to
be thwarted, just as he kept Christ safe until his chosen “hour” to die. We
also see the sort of division Christ would bring within Israel,
as he does even in families.
After this Saul
chases David into the En Gedi, and goes to relieve himself in the very cave
David and his men are hiding in. So God gives Saul into David’s hands (24v10).
But David refuses to see this as validating violence against Saul, rejecting the
urging of his men to kill him. Instead, he cuts a corner off Saul’s robe, and
is even conscience stricken over this because Saul is God’s anointed. Again,
this contrasts Saul’s attitude, displays David’s godliness, and reminds us that
opportunity never sanctions doing wrong. It also affirms the far greater
reverence with which we should treat Christ, and the respect we should have for
all who reign with him.
David shows
himself to Saul, bows low in respect, and tells what he has done as proof he is
“not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion,” twice appealing to God to judge
between them. This displays astonishing faith, grace and Christ-likeness. David
commits the injustice done him and the timing of his becoming king to God, and
so is able to do good to his enemy. By this means, we are called to also (Rom
12v17-21).
The point of
these chapters is to show David’s suitability as king. 24v16-27 is a fitting
conclusion: Displaying his fickle nature, Saul declares that David is “more
righteous,” and prays that the LORD “reward” David for how he treated Saul. He
himself then acknowledges that David will be king, gaining the oath David had
already given Jonathan, to protect his descendents.
Praying it home:
Praise God that nothing, even what
is most evil, can thwart his purposes in Christ. Pray that you would be able to
entrust injustice and the outcome of hostile situations to God, and so respond
with grace to any who frustrate or oppose you.
Thinking further:
None today.
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