The Lord Forbid

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. (1 Samuel 1:18:28-29, NIV 1984).

My Musings – An enemy of the king is not a good place to be, yet “the Lord was with David.” That’s what really mattered. But Saul knew that God had rejected him as king and had David anointed. Likely in constant wonder when David might overthrow him. But he did not appreciate David’s character. 

On more than one occasion, David was in a position where he could have easily eliminated Saul. Saul had tried to do the same to him, and was in constant pursuit of David, who had to flee for his life. David’s response? “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 24:6, NIV 1984). God had not yet lifted His hand to remove Saul, so neither would David.

Despite this, Saul had irrational fears and suspicions of David. Irrational fears and suspicions fed by misplaced jealousy and perceived betrayal.

Misplaced Jealousy – “When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands. Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’ And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (1 Samuel 18:6-9, NIV 1984).

Perceived Betrayal – “Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan [Saul’s son] and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he must die!’ ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him.” (1 Samuel 20:30-33, NIV 1984).

Eventually, in His time, God did remove Saul. “Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. So, Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When [Saul’s] armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So, Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.”(1 Samuel 31:1-2, 4-6, NIV 1984).

His political enemy had fallen. An enemy who tried to kill him. And, once again, David’s response? “David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (2 Samuel 1:11-12, NIV 1984). How did David respond? Like “a man after God’s own heart.”

My Advice – We can learn a lot by how David treated Saul. For both those who are in authority over us and those who are not.

Those in Authority – “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2, NIV 1984).

Those Who Are Not – “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19, NIV 1984).

And when in doubt? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35, NIV 1984).