God’s Work in God’s Ways?
Opening Prayer
Lord, enlighten my mind so that I may recognize all that comes through Your love and care.
Read 1 Samuel 26:1-16
[1] The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?” [2] So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David. [3] Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, [4] he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived. [5] Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him. [6] David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?” “I’ll go with you,” said Abishai. [7] So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. [8] Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.” [9] But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? [10] As surely as the LORD lives,” he said, “the LORD himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. [11] But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.” [12] So David took the spear and water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep. [13] Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. [14] He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer me, Abner?” Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?” [15] David said, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. [16] What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does David spare Saul's life while the king is sleeping?This is now David’s second opportunity to kill the man who has been trying to kill him for years. On the first occasion, the opportunity to kill Saul appeared when Saul went to relieve himself in the cave where David was hiding (cf. 24:3). In today’s reading, David takes the initiative during an overnight encampment. But again he doesn’t kill Saul. Yes, God has promised him the kingdom, but he will not take it by ungodly means. God’s purposes must be accomplished in God’s ways! Still, David’s obedience is costly and risky. How many more years will he and his men now have to live like outlaws? Will the men still follow him as he waits for God to establish his throne? Each of us today must likewise choose to wait on God and trust him despite the costs to us. You choose not to lie for your boss, and you are passed over for promotion. You choose to give credit where credit is due, not to gossip, not to bad-mouth your rival for the one you love, the job you want, the eldership you crave…and you might lose out. Obedience can be costly. But what is that compared to the joy of honoring God’s name?
Apply
All of us have to learn not to be swayed into disobedience. How do you need to wait for God’s timing?
Closing prayer
I need You to act on my behalf, Lord. I don’t know why You haven’t acted already–but still, I am trusting You.
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