March 3, 2022 - 1 Samuel 21-24

Saul was chasing David with the clear intent of killing him. Saul’s jealousy of David was overwhelming. Stopping at Nob, Ahimelech the priest gave the holy bread to David and with that nourishment David was refreshed. Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen informed Saul of David’s presence and, gladly it seems, he followed Saul’s order and “struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod” (22:18).

Meanwhile, David discovered that the Israelite city of Keilah was under siege by the Philistines. Instructed by God, David fought the Philistines and saved Keilah. David continued to prove himself more righteous than Saul when David did not kill the king though he had a clear opportunity in the cave to secretly do the deed. David was willing to leave his own fate in the hands of the Lord, declaring to Saul, “May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand” (24:15).

In this world there are men who care only for themselves and men who genuinely care what God thinks of them. In this world there are wicked men and righteous men. Always it has been so, and always it will be so. In this world there are the foolish and the wise. The wise will plead:

Let thy mercy’s wings be spread

O’er me, keep me close to Thee;

In the peace Thy love doth shed

Let me dwell eternally.

Be my all; in all I do,

Let me only seek Thy will.

Where the heart to Thee is true,

All is peaceful, calm and still.--August Hermann Francke (17th century)