I’ve been sitting on 1 Samuel 26 for a while, feeling like a lump on a log. Reading, rereading, praying…not wanting to move forward without being able to speak from a heart of conviction. It’s simple for me to speak information from my head, but I want to learn more in communicating from my heart as well. Thanks for being patient.
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My sister in Christ from Taiwan, Nadia, joined me this weekend for volunteering at a Christian music festival. In our down time she talked about a storytelling class she’s taking for her master’s program. Her interest in storytelling got me thinking about how the author of 1 Samuel lays out our historical account in chapter 26.
The book is a historical narrative, purposing to preserve the story of Israel for future generations. As a narrative, the history is recorded as a story with people and events that we can relate to or learn from. It draws us in and enables us to better remember their life lessons and the history of God’s people. We get to experience and watch David in this way.
To review chapter 26, word got out about David’s hiding place in the wilderness. Saul took 3,000 chosen men into the wilderness looking for David (Hmmm…David must be quite a threat to necessitate such an army). David learned of and prepared for Saul. Instead of mustering his best men and strategizing like Saul had done, David asked for one man to join him to go into the camp of Saul. Matching his leader’s bravery, Abishai joined David by night.
By the time David and Abishai made their way through the camp of 3,000 men to the center where Saul is sleeping, I’m holding my breath…waiting for someone to wake up and for David to be caught. Then, instead of eradicating Saul, David honored the Lord’s sovereignty to do for Saul what had recently happened to Nabal in chapter 25. David did not take vengeance, but would teach Saul a lesson about the Lord’s ways. By exiting the camp and waking them up, David gave Saul proof that they had full opportunity to slay the King. God was with David, and Saul needed to bow his knee to that sovereign choice.
The author chose to let us walk with David into camp, beside Saul as he sleeps, and then out of the camp, withholding until the end that the Lord enabled David’s plan to succeed by supernatural intervention. By doing so, our own thoughts as readers are shown for what they are – either lacking in faith or full of it. The author shows us the plumbline when he says, “because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep” (26:12 NIV).
From this recognition of the Lord’s unseen presence, I can begin to note principles about the character of God and the nature of man…to be compared with what He says throughout the rest of Scripture:
~ God works on behalf of the man of faith.
~ The sovereignty of God is not threatened by the plans of man.
~ Faith in a man’s heart reveals itself through works.
~ Sometimes we are required to act in faith, without seeing God’s protection ahead of us.
~ If God is for us, who can be against us?
Aren’t these great reminders, applicable to the challenges of our present lives?! I can compare several of my life situations to David’s experience, drawing upon the character of God for direction and encouragement. Sometimes I feel like Saul, pursuing after doors that I know the Lord has shut. Sometimes I am brave like David, pursuing plans and watching God work supernaturally to cause victory. Both men had the opportunity to listen and watch for God’s direction. Yet, only one man was listening and bowing His knee to the Lord’s sovereignty. Saul had hardened his heart and cycled in sin until there was no conviction even in murdering God’s chosen man.
May our hearts be like David’s - learning to listen, to act in faith, and to bow our knee to the sovereignty of God.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
© Kendra Hinkle 2007.
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