Thoughts from today's Bible reading
I read through 1 Samuel 26-29 today. The period in chapters 27-28 appears to be a very dark period in David's life.
Despite being protected from Saul by God, David gives in to fear (and probably tiredness as well) and flees to the Philistines. This time he is welcomed by the Philistine king and allowed to live in a city far from the royal city. From here David conducts raids on his host's allies, killing anyone who might be a witness to his actions.
This must have been a very discouraging time for David. He has been worn down by living on the run and off the land. He has to be wondering how long this will go on. He has repeatedly refused to kill Saul when given the chance, leaving it to God to deal with the man He has annointed. Yet the weeks have turned into months and years and God has let Saul live. David sees no end to the running.
So he takes shelter with a human king, away from his land and living among the enemy of his people. He now has a city to inhabit, a house to live in and a bed to sleep in. And he is safe from Saul. But he is living a lie. (Actually, several lies and a very ambiguous oath.)
I wonder if the raids he conducts are designed to ease the guilt he feels at trusting a king other than God.
Still, there is hope. If God will forgive David his fear and doubting and still make him king, He will forgive me when I doubt and fear in my weariness and keep calling me son.
Despite being protected from Saul by God, David gives in to fear (and probably tiredness as well) and flees to the Philistines. This time he is welcomed by the Philistine king and allowed to live in a city far from the royal city. From here David conducts raids on his host's allies, killing anyone who might be a witness to his actions.
This must have been a very discouraging time for David. He has been worn down by living on the run and off the land. He has to be wondering how long this will go on. He has repeatedly refused to kill Saul when given the chance, leaving it to God to deal with the man He has annointed. Yet the weeks have turned into months and years and God has let Saul live. David sees no end to the running.
So he takes shelter with a human king, away from his land and living among the enemy of his people. He now has a city to inhabit, a house to live in and a bed to sleep in. And he is safe from Saul. But he is living a lie. (Actually, several lies and a very ambiguous oath.)
I wonder if the raids he conducts are designed to ease the guilt he feels at trusting a king other than God.
Still, there is hope. If God will forgive David his fear and doubting and still make him king, He will forgive me when I doubt and fear in my weariness and keep calling me son.
posted by Mike at 10:34 PM
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