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22nd June
1 Samuel 26:13-25. David reveals Saul’s weakness
- David had the self-control to spare Saul’s life. We now see as
well just how astute he was. In the first place he made sure that he was at
a safe distance before he made any verbal challenge (v.13)! He then
levelled his main attack on those who should have defended the king, not on
Saul himself. He produced the proof that he could have killed Saul by
showing the king’s spear and water jug.
- We see at the beginning of chapter 27 that David no longer felt safe
with Saul, he no longer felt he could trust him. In today’s passage
he says, with great sadness, that he must leave Israel —leave the
land where the Lord God is worshipped, go to a land where other gods are
worshipped—and he puts the blame on Saul’s advisers: They have
driven me from my share in the Lord’s inheritance, and have said,
‘Go, serve other gods’.
- Saul once again promised not to harm David (v.21); but David had
completely lost trust in Saul. Soon after this he went to Gath. Gath!
Haven’t we heard that name before? That’s where Goliath came
from. David had now gone to be with the old enemy, and he felt safer
playing a game of bluff with the king of Philistines than remaining in
Israel with Saul. In order to keep out of Saul’s murderous clutches,
he had to pretend to the Philistines that he was ganging up with them to
defeat Saul.
- To consider
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- Is there a problem in your life at the moment where you could be using
more of your God-given creativity to find a solution?
- As you consider the needs of our church, is there any creative gift you
could be offering?
- Prayer
- Father God, help us to be fully aware of all that is going on in our
lives, even as we put our trust in you. Help us to use the ingenuity you
have given each of us for your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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