The story of Saul and David is explained to us throughout the book of 1 Samuel. For context, Saul was king over Israel, but because of his own disobedience to what God asked of him, God rejected him as king. Instead, God raised up another king, one after His own heart, David. David was anointed while Saul was still king over Israel. After being anointed, David entered Saul’s service to minister to him by a musical instrument, the lyre, when an evil spirit would come on Saul. Saul grew to love David (1 Samuel 16:21) and became his armor- bearer. The Lord was with David in all he did, giving him success, because he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
A few chapters later, David has fled from Saul, because Saul has tried multiple times to kill him personally, and ordered his servants to kill him. Yet, God spared David everytime. Providing a way of escape, provision for the journey, and protection on the run. Twice, while Saul is out on the hunt for David, David has had the opportunity to kill him. We see this in chapter 24 and 26. But, because David has vowed not to harm the Lord’s anointed, he spares Saul's life, again and again. Each time calls out to Saul, asking him what he has done to deserve being pursued to death. And each time Saul replies how David has done the right thing, even though he could have killed him.
At the end of chapter 24, we see what seems like Saul telling David, “enough is enough,” the pursuit is over. They make a covenant between the Lord that David will not cut off his descendants when he becomes king over Israel. However, this lasts for two chapters, then we see Saul on the hunt again for David.
However what I noted was, the thing that stirred Saul up to action on his frustration with God and David, was the people around him. In 1 Samuel 26:1-2 the Bible states, “Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, ‘David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon.’ So Saul, accompanied by three thousand of the fit young men of Israel, went immediately to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there” (CSB). Saul had finally laxed off on his hunt for David’s life, but then the Ziphites stepped in, telling Saul of David’s whereabouts, and stirred back up Saul’s wrath. Then I noticed a pattern, where this had happened before.
1 Samuel 24:1 states, “When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, ‘David is in the wilderness near En-gedi.’ So Saul took three thousand of Israel’s fit young men and went to look for David and his men in front of Rocks of the Wild Goats.” This is when David would have killed Saul in the cave, but instead cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, sparing his life.
I noticed an important correlation, the people in your circle, that you let speak into your life, affect your actions. Saul’s anger was stirred and supported, almost encouraged, by the people around him. They told Saul the information of David’s whereabouts, knowing what Saul would do. This wrath led to a heart of hate, which is the equivalent of murder in God’s eyes. 1 John 3:15 states, “Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
I challenge you today, to take a deep look at your life. Who are you letting speak into your heart? Who is speaking so loudly into your heart, that it affects your actions? You see, those people weren’t Saul’s real friends. Real, Godly friendships push us into the things of God, they push us into God’s righteousness. They do not stir us up in anger or hatred. I pray that if your circle is not filled with Godly friends, that your circle would be made new. Jesus is our, your, friend. A friend that sticks closer than a brother, someone you always have present to speak truth over you! His sweet Spirit.
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