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20th June
1 Samuel 21:1-9. David becomes a fugitive
- Saul had made plain his desire to kill David (20:33), despite the fact
that David was no rebel, nor did he plot against Saul in any way. Now in
extreme danger David fled. Even at the sanctuary of Nob he was not safe. He
lied to the priest there, saying he had come at Saul’s command. In
doing so, he showed a lack of faith in God and put that priest and his
family in grave danger.
- He coped with his physical hunger in an unusual way, and later Jesus
actually commended him for that. The religious laws said that only the
priest could eat the consecrated bread. In order to survive, David ate this
bread. Jesus clearly taught that in some circumstances human need is more
important than religious laws (Mark 2:23-28).
- To consider
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- It is easy for us to condemn those who behave badly when faced with
extreme stress, for example when a relative is dying. How can we help
people who feel great guilt after such events, while at the same time not
condoning what they have done?
- David usually had great faith (for example, when he had faced Goliath);
but on this occasion he seems to have lost his nerve. He lied and he put
the priest and his family in great danger. God clearly had a purpose for
David to become king. If David had really reflected on what was happening,
he would have put his trust in God and acted honourably, despite the
danger. How can we ensure that we act honourably when we are under extreme
stress?
- Prayer
- Father God, help us to develop our trust in you, so that when we meet
times of great trial, we may know your strength to save us, just as Jesus
found that strength when he faced the hate of those who put him on trial;
we ask this in his name. Amen.
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