David is now on the run and truly alone. He can’t go to
Samuel the prophet, he can’t go to Jonathan his friend and ally, he feels the
weight of fending for himself, by himself. He has felt the bloodlust from his
enemies in battle before but now he also feels it from his own countrymen. A
price is on his head, the king’s men are everywhere, the walls are closing in.
In his desperate flight, provisions are basically
nonexistent as he comes to the city where the tabernacle and priests are. David
is resourceful, cunning and desperate and in this moment his faith in his God
falters, he lies to try and save his own neck. He tells the priest that he is
on king’s business (information traveled a bit slower than CNN or a twitter
feed back then) and that he needs some food. The only bread available is the
holy bread which only priest were allowed to eat. The priest Ahimelech decides
to follow the spirit of the Law instead of the letter of it and feeds the man
in his desperate need (latter endorsed by Jesus). Oh ya, and he gives David Goliath’s sword
which they just so happened to have on hand. (What?)
So where would you go if the king was seeking your life from
every side? Right, over to Gath, the enemy city that was the home of the giant
Goliath who you famously killed a while back…and you are carrying his huge,
unmistakable sword with you just to rub a little more salt in that wound. How
desperate do you have to be to run to your hated enemy? Anyway, people
recognize David and tell the king of Gath. So now what? Again, in his
desperation, instead of trusting God, David deceives. He pretends like he is a
mad man and gives an Oscar winning performance as he slobbers all over his
beard and scribbles on the city gates. It works, and he escapes.
Question:
What would
have happened if David would have sought the Lord’s help instead of lying in
these situations? God was gracious to
David even though he didn’t handle these situations exactly as he should have.
He still spared his life and will still use him to do great things. David’s
actions were wrong and they will get him into trouble, but God still has a plan
for David, He will protect him and keep His promises.
Lessons:
It’s never right to do the wrong thing, no matter how
desperate we are. None of us are perfect, we all sin but that’s not a good
excuse. Still, our God is gracious and merciful and still chooses to use us
despite our mistakes and poor choices at times. This won’t be the last time
that David sins, and his some of his sins will have drastic consequences.
Sometimes our sins have drastic, even lifelong consequences as well, but God
will always take back the truly repentant. God will always use the willing and
repentant. So, when you sin, or make a mistake, don’t let it prevent you from
getting back up and continuing to pursue God and his word. Let God’s glory
shine even in your desperate need. It’s never right to do the wrong thing.
Remember Jesus doesn’t get lost.
