March
31 – 1 Samuel 22-23; 1 Chron 12:8-18: Psalms 52, 54, 63, 142
David is on the run and yet he has gathered quite a
following. He appears to be the one held up as the protector of those who are
poor and downtrodden at this point. He doesn’t have a permanent residence and
lives in caves or begs for sanctuary in surrounding countries. Saul begins a
reign of terror as he sanctions the killing of 85 priests and all the residents
of the town. His guards refuse to do this, so Doeg, his head shepherd, takes
over. We don’t see any repercussions for the disobedience of the guards, but I
wonder how many might have lost some loyalty to Saul at this command. I imagine
this slaughter left many Israelites afraid of Saul and more likely to report
any sightings of David.
Keilah was a town in Judah near the border of Philistia.
Maybe because of its nearness to the enemy, the city was well fortified, and
yet the Philistines were still raiding the newly threshed grain from the
resident’s barns. Apparently David’s men weren’t great warriors at this time –
they are afraid of Saul and his army but are terrified by the Philistines.
David is consistent in his search for the will of God and his faith convinces
his men to continue to follow. They defeat the Philistines and deliver
livestock to the people of Keilah, and yet they are still betrayed to Saul.
We see in Chronicles that around this time many warriors
came and joined David’s little army. It’s a fun fact that the Benjamites (the
clan of Saul) were ambidextrous!
Despite the tenuous situation he finds himself in, David
still praises God and thanks him for ‘delivering him from all of his troubles.”
Oh, I so often forget to praise God in the midst of troubles that are SO much
less distressing…God help me to always remember to praise you.
TOMORROW’S TEXT: 1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57; 1 Samuel 25
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