1 Samuel 22-24

March 29

1 Samuel 22-24

Two men with two different focuses on life. Saul is focused on himself. Notice these words of Saul; "Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”" (1 Samuel 22:8, NIV) Do you sense a pity party coming on? Saul does not trust anyone because he thinks everyone is against him. He has the priests killed because he thinks they are conspiring with David against him.

David on the other hand inquires of the Lord every time he makes a decision. If he is not sure he inquires of the Lord again. If the situation changes he inquires of the Lord again. Jonathan, Saul’s son, went to David not to conspire against his father, but to help David find strength in the Lord. Because of David’s trust in God and total dependence on Him, he was able to avoid the traps men tried to set for him. He was able to avoid Saul’s men who were sent to kill him. When Saul’s men got too close, God created a diversion.

David was so focused on his relationship with God, he felt guilty for cutting off the corner of Saul’s robe, when he could have killed him. David knew that God had anointed Saul as king and David did not feel he was worthy to lift his hand against anyone God had anointed. Saul realized that David was a man who followed God with all his heart. Saul repented of his actions and asked David to bless his descendents because he knew David would one day sit on his throne.

When we walk in righteousness, God walks with us. We will still face battles. We will still face enemies. But God will be with us. He will protect us. He will declare us righteous as we walk in obedience to the one who died for us, Jesus Christ.