BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 21

To escape Saul’s murderous plot, David sought assistance from a priest named Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21.1-9). While David’s request seems straightforward – give me some food (21.3) – the situation was complicated. David’s story was sketchy given his well-known conflict with Saul. Furthermore, the only food available was holy bread set aside for the priests to eat (1 Samuel 21.4; cf. Exodus 25.4 & Leviticus 24.5-9). After some questioning, David is given the bread and he goes on his way.

The assessment of David’s conduct in this incident has long puzzled scholars. The challenge to understand it is further complicated as Jesus seems to give approval to David’s actions (Matthew 12.1-8; Mark 2.23-28; Luke 6.1-5). The challenge scholars face seems to be did God approve of David breaking his law? It’s certainly an episode with which we must wrestle.

As Jesus cited this episode, he makes this point: Just as the Sabbath regulations were given for the good of man (Mark 2.27), so also, the holy bread was for the good of the priests. Although under normal circumstances the Law required this food only be consumed by “Aaron and his sons… in a holy place” (Leviticus 24.9), there is precedence for some laws to be set aside if higher level considerations warranted, especially the preservation of life (consider Jesus’ comments in John 7.22; Luke 14.5). As Ahimelech considered the circumstances and his role as priest of God, he mercifully allowed David to eat the bread to preserve his life.

So, what does it mean? The scriptures teach a contrast between mercy and law. Not that they are in conflict, but rather they complement each other. The law is by nature intended to bring condemnation by creating awareness of sin and its logical consequences (Romans 7.7). But we know that all have sinned and are doomed without mercy (Romans 3.23). Indeed “God has consigned all to disobedience that he might have mercy on all” (Romans 10.32). Therefore, mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2.13), as it is God’s prevailing nature to seek the good of humanity.

Jesus’ approval of David’s actions does not imply that obedience to God’s commands is irrelevant. Instead, he is establishing a priority. We must be diligent in our obedience to God without “neglecting the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These we should do without neglecting the other” (Matthew 23.23).

Paul would say it like this in his chapter about love: “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13.3). Although these actions are in alignment with scripture, they are worthless without a proper attitude. If our practice of faith doesn’t produce mercy towards others as we honor God, we’re not doing it right. All that we do must be framed in the context of mercy if we are to properly imitate the nature of God.

“…The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation” (Exodus 34.6-7)

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 18-19

David was a loyal servant to Saul. For this reason, Saul loved David (1 Samuel 16.21), trusted him (1 Samuel 17.37b), and respected him (1 Samuel 17.55 - 18.2, 5) from the moment he came into his service. But following David’s defeat of Goliath, Saul’s attitude changed. The people praised David as a hero, positioning him as a threat (1 Samuel 18.8). “Saul eyed David from that day on” (1 Samuel 18.9).

The text emphasizes Saul’s fear of David. His behavior becomes difficult to understand as he vacillates between rational thought and erratic rage (for example, 1 Samuel 19.6-10). Saul’s anxiety is baseless and purely self-imposed. In fact, we will learn in later chapters that David remained utterly loyal to Saul out of honor for him as God’s anointed (1 Samuel 26.9-11). And yet Saul allowed himself to be tormented by fear and distrust of David. This results from a key detail given in 1 Samuel 16.14: “the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.”

The departure of God Spirit was not an unjustified manipulation on God’s part. It was the result of Saul’s willful decision to disobey God, not just once but on multiple occasions (1 Samuel 13.13; 15.10, 26). Because of this they were very definite consequences that plagued Saul’s life, namely fear, anxiety, and irrational behavior.

Many people experience these things today and I suspect they have a common culprit. They have chosen to go their own way instead of letting God lead completely. For some it is ignorance, for others, selfish pride. Either way it illustrates the true proverb, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14.12; 16.25).

What happens when we don’t obey God? Simply put, his Spirit doesn’t lead us. Instead, we open the door for the enemy to manipulate our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We are “like waves of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1.6) and like chaff that the wind blows (Psalm 1.4). When we experience fickle emotions much of it has to do with the spirit we are allowing to lead us. We must be diligent to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4.1) by listening and submitting to God’s direction through his word.

The contrast between Saul & David highlights the choices we have in our faith. This story offers tangible outcomes for both paths.  Saul’s choice to partially obey God resulted in a life of fear and frustration, ultimately leading him away from God. On the other hand, David enjoyed success because “the LORD was with him” (1 Samuel 18.14) as David trusted and constantly sought God’s counsel (see 1 Samuel 22.3; 23.2, 4; 30.8). If we will overcome the enemy in our walk of faith, we must choose to keep in step with the Spirit through deliberate decisions of obedience. (Galatians 5.16-25). Are you letting God’s Spirit lead or are you choosing you own way?

“… the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do… if we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5.17, 25)

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 16

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”” (1 Samuel 16.7)

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone? The clothes they have on? The way they fix their hair? The demeanor on their face? Naturally we form opinions based on what we see and what we think that means. But those things can be wrong and even deceiving.

When Israel asked for a king God gave them someone who looked the part. Saul was tall and handsome (1 Samuel 9.2). He courageously rallied the people and drove back the enemy (1 Samuel 11.1-11). But the honeymoon ended, and he was not the leader they thought he would be. To make things worse, God had rejected Saul because of his disobedience (1 Samuel 13.14; 15.26).

Our first introduction to David is a contrast to Saul. David was young and untested with the people. He was the youngest in his house (1 Samuel 17.14). When Samuel was sent to anoint a new king, Jesse didn’t even call him in from the field (1 Samuel 16.11). David was an afterthought because he didn’t look the part. But God saw much more in David than met the eye.

A couple of key takeaways:

1. Be careful how you judge others. It is not those who look the part that will always work in your best interest. “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7.24), meaning learn to see circumstances and others how God sees them and not simply by what feels or appears correct. On the other side of that coin, don’t write someone off because they aren’t what you expect. Consider Luke 7.44-47. God cares about the heart, and it takes time for you to see that in a person.

2. Consider what God sees in you. He is not concerned with your social status. He doesn’t care what others say about you or how you are perceived by others. Before him, we are “naked, exposed” (Hebrews 4.13). God is concerned with who you truly are. But not only that he cares what you are becoming. David was not a proven warrior, but God had prepared him for the moment (1 Samuel 17.34-37). In the same way, we will face no situation we can’t manage and overcome by the grace of God (1 Corinthians 10.13; 2 Corinthians 1.9; 12.9-10).

At first glance Saul should have been the success story; but it is David’s intangible qualities that put him in the spotlight and propelled him to success. Although imperfect throughout his life, David’s heart was aligned with the LORD (1 Samuel 13.14). No one could see that except God; but God would elevate David and his kingdom eternally because of these things.

BIBLE READING: Genesis 25

“Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25.8)

By our standards Abraham was an old man. But if you read the genealogies from Genesis 11, he was just getting started. So how can the scriptures say he was “an old man and full of years”? The meaning is somewhat lost in translation. The NASB does well to translate this as Abraham was “an old man and satisfied with life.” According to the JPS Torah Commentary on Genesis, “Such a summation of a life is found with no other personality in biblical literature. The phrase describes not his longevity, which is otherwise mentioned, but the quality of his earthly existence.”

In other words, Abraham died and was “satisfied” with the quality of his life. Why was he satisfied? At the time of his death, Abraham had been materially blessed by God (Genesis 13.2; 24.1); but more importantly he had been enriched and settled by the promises by God. It gave him identity, purpose, and direction at every turn.

We must understand that Abraham’s satisfaction was not in his efforts but in the surety of God. He found peace at the end because God had providentially provided for him as he walked in obedience. So, death was simply the next door God was opening for him to walk through. Compare that to his grandson, Jacob who bemoaned that his days were few and difficult compared to his predecessors (Genesis 47.9).

Abraham’s trust and obedience is the fundamental pattern for our faith. Like Abraham, we will not be perfect in our decisions, but we can be perfect in our determination to go where God leads. When we sin or fail or botch up something again, we can decide to move forward, learning from it all, and beginning again and again and again.

Every day I get the opportunity to start new; every day I can begin again. Maybe I missed it yesterday. Maybe I got too busy, or I got sucked into Facebook or politics or news, or I just didn’t want to play with my kids. But yesterday is not what defines my life. It is my efforts today—to do what I know is right and take advantage of the opportunities provided by God—that define my future and give me peace. Abraham didn’t live perfectly, but He followed God by faith, and he died satisfied. Let us settle our hearts on God’s promises and move forward in hope of better things to come. Let us be satisfied with life, through trust in a faithful God.

“[Abraham] died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar… as it is, [he] desired a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called [his] God, for he has prepared for [him] a city.” (Hebrews 11.13-16)

BIBLE READING: Genesis 21

By birth, Ishmael had legitimate claim to be Abraham’s heir. However, his status as a slave complicated the family relationship, even causing animosity in Abraham’s household. Furthermore, his mother’s attitude towards Sarah and Isaac seems to have rubbed off on him, leading to further tensions with Sarah (see Genesis 16.5; 22.9). During a feast for Isaac, Ishmael’s actions prompted Sarah to take, what may appear like, a rash response (Genesis 21.10). Although Abraham is disturbed by her actions, he consents to send her away because God steps in and affirms Sarah’s position (Genesis 21.11-14).

In the immediate context, this story is difficult. We need to uncover some details if we are to understand it.

First, there are some cultural nuances we don’t relate to. The dynamic of a slave to their master was submissive and absolute. Jesus affirmed this position in Luke 17.7-10. Hagar seems to have overstepped these boundaries with her behavior. Besides this, the language of Genesis seems to imply the actions of Hagar and Ishmael were less than innocent (see Genesis 16.5).

Second, given the promises of God, there was potential for conflict over the birthright. This is not to condone Sarah’s behavior or suggest that God couldn’t have worked his plan otherwise. However, as Abraham’s first-born son, Ishmael was positioned to lay claim to the bulk of Abraham’s inheritance, and his demeanor had potential to cause greater issues as Isaac got older (Genesis 16.12). There needed to be a clear distinction between sons.

Third, and most importantly, God’s response indicates, there is something bigger going on. God’s attention is not on the injustice Hagar and Ishmael may experience. In fact, God alleviates that tension by providing for them in the wilderness (Genesis 21.17-20). Instead, his focus is on his promises and what it would mean for future generations.

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise… But what does the Scripture say? 'Cast out the slave woman and her son"... Brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman” (Galatians 4.22-31)

Paul teaches us the purpose of God’s actions that day. God’s plan would come through the son of promise, not through the son which Abraham had chosen to have by his own will. Isaac became the firstborn of Abraham, by the will of God, through Sarah, and this pattern reflects significant spiritual truths to all coming generations. Your future is not determined by your birth or your efforts of morality, but rather by the direction and promises of God leading to obedience. God’s election of Isaac over Ishmael; his determination to bring life to the womb of a barren woman; his faithfulness to bless one and cast out the other, all point to the Sovereign will of God for everyone through Jesus.

There is always purpose in the actions of God. Stories like this one, when given new meaning in the light of Jesus, should solidify our trust in the working of God. While we may not see it in the present, or even understand it, God’s grace works in every circumstance to teach us his will for our lives.