1 Samuel 21
1 Samuel,  2014 Bible Reading

1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21

Bible Passage:  1 Samuel 21

When we think about David, who do we think about? We would probably very often think of him as someone who was very good. He was someone whom was after the heart of God. He was the anointed one whom God had appointed to be king at the time. He was the one who displayed his dedication to God during the battle (or the one-shot-one-kill short skirmish) against Goliath. He is one of the best examples to look upon in the Bible.

But aside from all those plus points of David as mentioned above, I think we also won’t forget the infamous act he did. And that was to have the “affair” with the aptly named Bathsheba and killing her husband. And in today’s chapter, we see again see the not-so-glorious side of David…

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures…

Following from the previous chapter, we see David on the run from Saul who wanted to kill him. And if you’ve ever been in that situation before (which I hope you’ve haven’t), you’d know that there is very little time for David to rest, and he would have had to survive on very limited resources.

When he arrived at Nob and encountered Ahimelech, David had to make up a story so that he could obtain the showbread (presumably for food) and the sword of the very giant he had slain before (presumably for a weapon).

When he arrived at Gath and heard what they had said about him, he pretended to be mad and was made to leave the place.

For the first case, this act would result in collateral damage, with the household of Ahimelech ending up being killed. For the second case, one can say that it would have been the right thing for David to do by feigning madness because Achish would have used him as his servant/soldier to fight against the Israelites.

But both cases bear some similarities…

Reliance On God…

As I read this chapter again, it kinda amazed me how David, someone who had been displaying characteristics worth admiring, would do such things to such a level to stay alive. And in both scenarios, it was not evidenced that he called out to God or even put some trust in him. He probably thought that the best thing to do was to take matters into his own hands.

When we are faced with critical situations and need to make some decisive moves quickly, we can be prone to forgetting to relying on God or think about asking Him for help. Even the man who was after the heart of God fell into this category of people. What more us?

Although it’s easier said than done, whenever we are faced with situations when we have to make an important decision, whether rushed or not, we should try to take a quick step back, quiet our hearts and ask God for some guidance. Like when Nehemiah had to make a decision whether to tell King Artaxerxes about his intentions, he actually prayed to God (not sure if he excused himself or did it right there in his heart).

This is because only the Lord knows what the best is for us. It may not be something that we would like base on our judgment, but we remember that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. His way is perfect, and if we trust in Him, He will see us through in the end…

Tr

ust in th

e Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding…

–          Proverbs 3: 5

 

As for God

, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him…

– Psalm 18: 30

May the Lord continue to guide us and may we always put our trust in Him in all situations.

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