Andrew Bolt: “For those aspiring journalists out there, I recommend you the bible. It’s the best selling book in history simply because it tells the best stories.” –Herald Sun Columnist.
A story of a man who took things into his own hands, and one who left it in God’s.
Chapter 21:
(v1-v9) David fled to Nob where he met Ahimelech (not to be confused with Abimelech). David inquired of Ahimelech the priest for some bread with urgency (He must have been really hungry). Only consecrated bread was available, and its interesting that David kept himself holy whenever he set out. Furthermore, His men kept themselves holy as well. What an influence he must have been, remembering that the men who followed him to the desert were discouraged men.
(v7) God’s in control- Doeg the Edomite is said here to be present during these events. He was “detained before the Lord”. He would later be used to kill the entire family of Ahimelech. (This would later test Saul’s heart, if he would once more take things into his own hands)
(v10-v15) Shows us a very humbling thing David went through. Being the supposed king of Israel, he was reduced to a state of feigned madness (This is MADNESS! THIS is SPARTA!!) All this while, David was obeying God’s commandments and would not go against Saul, despite being greater. (v11 “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands”)
Chapter 22:
(v6-23) Saul justifies his stance despite wise council from Ahimelech. He makes up his mind without seeking God and speaks as authority that has no submission to God’s will.
(v20) Abiathar, son of Ahimelech escapes.
Chapter 23:
David fights the Philistines and God hands them over to his armies. He did so seeking God. (v4).
David inquired of the Lord with Abiathar and concluded that he has to seek refuge from Saul. He was hiding in a cave when Saul appeared to make cupcakes.
Chapter 24:
Here we see a very human David. A very emotional man who knows he has been wronged. He does not hide his anger, but in it, does not put his heart before God’s.
V6- Saul was delivered to David on a platter, however David spared him. He would not strike God’s anointed. “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed…for he is the anointed of the Lord.”
David was angry; however he kept his emotions in submission to the Lord. (v12).
David kept his heart bowed before the Lord, Saul did not. It was a test which showed the 2 in disparities of submission. God wanted to promote David, and the first thing He did was to go enemy shopping; first Goliath, now Saul (from a conversation with my uncle Daniel). If David was a man after God’s heart, and not another Saul, he must be measured on his surrender and not his strengths.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
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