READ
1 SAMUEL 28, 29
TEXT FOR REFLECTION
16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 1 SAMUEL 28:16-19
6 Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. 7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” 1 SAMUEL 29: 6-7
REFLECT
Why did God treat David so differently from Saul? Why did God chart David's path so beautifully, while dismissing Saul altogether? Both had sinned: Saul had disobeyed God by not destroying the Amalekites, but instead keeping the best of their livestock, as well as sparing the Amalekite king Agag. David had sinned by defecting to the Philistine side. Which was worse? At first glance, it would seem that Saul's sin was reversible while David's sin of treason was far worse, since it meant going against God's chosen people. Saul had simply kept the best of the Amalekite livestock in order to sacrifice to God, and if God was not happy with that, He could simply reject Saul's sacrifice. No harm done. David on the other hand, had joined the enemy ranks to fight for the Philistines. What could be worse than being God's anointed yet fighting on the side of God's enemies? I would have thought that David had done far greater harm to God's plans than Saul.
Yet God executed harsher punishment against Saul. Not only did God reject Saul as king, He completely wrote Saul off, ignoring Saul's entreaties, refusing to be with Saul when he went to battle, and ultimately letting Saul and his sons be killed in battle and allowing Israel to be defeated by the Philistines.
David on the other hand was prospered by God even as he fought for the Philistines. In fact, he was so blessed that his commander trusted him completely. And when it was time to be crowned king of Israel, God caused David to be rejected by the Philistines, yet peaceably so he could return to be king of Israel. Every episode of David's journey was beautifully choreographed by God. Even his sin of treason was part of God's plan to make David king of Israel.
Was God behaving arbitrarily, simply like a spoilt brat, just because He had the power to do so? Or was there a deeper reason for God doing what He did? I think we can dismiss the suggestion that God behaved like a brat. Israel was God's child. There was nothing more precious on earth than the nation of Israel. God would not act on whim and risk the existence of His child simply because He felt like it. There must be a greater reason for God to behave as He did.
The real reason why God reacted so harshly towards Saul was more in Saul's attitude towards his kingship than merely that one action of disobedience. Saul saw himself as an independent sovereign, just like an independent contractor, ruling the kingdom as his own. Sure he would turn to God when his army went to war; sure he would 'reward' God when there was victory. But he saw his authority to rule as his personal right. Put bluntly, he saw himself as 'boss' and God as partner or worse, his helper. To him, God was there just to bless him. We see this attitude clearly in his turning to a medium to bring Samuel to him when God refused to answer him. To Saul, if God didn't answer him, he would find someone else who would. Divination was an abomination to God, which was why mediums were banished from the land. Yet when Saul could not get God to answer him, he turned to a medium for help. To Saul, Israel was his, and he would do anything to keep the nation as his.
David on the other hand never saw being king of Israel as his right. Even when he had a chance to kill Saul and become Israel's king, he refused to do so out of respect for God. In fact, David had two opportunities to do so, and both times, he gave up the opportunities and chose to let God make him king if God so desired. So even though David had gone to the enemy's side, God not only was merciful to him in not punishing Him, God allowed him to be highly favoured by the Philistines, and even found a very gentle way of sending him back to the Israelites' side. Through it all, God was tenderly watching over David, the fugitive turned traitor.
Put simply, Saul was arrogant; David, despite what he had done, was humble before God. And this difference made all the difference. Jesus taught an important truth: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12. God is less interested in the act than in the heart behind the act. While Saul's action in not destroying everything belonging to the Amalekites was quite easily reversed, the attitude behind his disobedience was dangerous to God's cause. On the other hand, even though David's joining the Philistines was reprehensible, his heart for God remained tender. And the difference in each of their attitudes was paramount to God.
RELATE
We are often too quick to judge superficially. To many of us, the action matters the most. Judging by such a standard, the pharisees in Jesus' day were seen by most as beyond reproach. After all, they obeyed every law. Yet when Jesus said what he said about God bringing down those who exalted themselves, he was pointedly referring to the pharisees. The pharisees with all their 'righteousness' were arrogant and God hated arrogance above everything else.
We need to see beyond sinful actions to look into the heart of the other. To do this, we will have to suspend judgment until we either understand the heart, or if we cannot do that, then to refuse to judge. We must not too quickly label another as a thief, or a sexual deviant, or a criminal, or a good-for-nothing, or any other label just because they have done wrong or are doing wrong. Their actions may have been wrong, but there is a great difference between being an arrogant wrong-doer and a humble one; a great difference between those who think they are above reproach and those who though sinning, acknowledge their frailty.
And for the one who has a tender albeit an embittered heart, God is watching and protecting even through the darkest moments of their sin, just as God watched over David even as he did his exploits in the enemy camp.
REST
There is a beautiful song by Amy Grant entitled El Shadai, which I believe will minister to you as you ponder the power and mercy of God, and our frailty. You may find this song on youtube.
Let us pray now.
Father, look upon us miserable sinners. We do the things we ought not to do, and fail to do the things we ought to do, often because of our selfish desires or our fears. Yet we find ourselves powerless or unwilling to change. Have mercy upon us, and help us in our helplessness. Thank you that you look far deeper into us and see more than just our sinful actions. Thank you too that you see our plight and feel our grief. Thank you Lord for your great mercy upon us sinners.
We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
CML
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