Daily Manna 16-Aug-2016

Topic: Safety is of the Lord 25

Reading: 1Sam 23:7-14, 1Sam 18

Scripture: And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. (1Sam 23:7)

Note: Saul manifested one of the stereotype behaviours of a man who had missed his moment with God. Such people are likely to repeat negative acts or traits similar to occurrences in the past. After the first failed attempt at assassination of David trying to use a spear to stab him, he repeated the same attempt using same style with same spear.

It took the divine hand of God to ensure the safety of David, escaping unscathed. Having clearly misconducted himself towards a loyal and dedicated servant as David before everyone in the palace, Saul never had the courage and the courtesy to apologise for his misguided action towards David. Hiding under the cloak of a momentary fit of attack from evil spirits, Saul’s desperate desire to hang on a throne whose authority had been rejected by God was to see him scheming and fighting his way against anything and anyone he suspected had the backing of God.

David wouldn’t be able to wriggle himself out of Saul’s suspicion red list after what the king heard from the singing women. Scheming Saul’s next strategy was to seduce David into fighting dangerous and unnecessary battles, all in ernest expectation of a promised princess as a wife. This was never to be as the whole plan was a complete hoax, with the grand intention by Saul to leave David frustrated, dejected and in wonderland. The expected wife-to-be was given to a “more qualified man” by Saul’s standard; a Meholathite, an inhabitant of a place known for dancing.

Saul’s choice of man and strategy to induce pain due to disappointment, could easily have visited depression on David. An excellent soldier, terrific warrior and fearless fighter, who risked his young life to wipe out the memory of Goliath, didn’t deserve such shabby treatment of disregard and disrespect from the king. It was a nice way of craftily killing David’s exuberant spirit. Being considered a nonentity compared to another man of less endowed abilities and relevance in the society. Saul was a wicked and crafty tyrant who enjoyed seeing David suffering pain, but David wasn’t one to be undone by Saul’s low life tactics against him. He remained strong and steadfast inspite of the several mistreatment from Saul.

Food for thought: It’s easier for a man to accept a decision that goes in favour of a more deserving rival.

Declaration: A good man obtains favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. (Proverbs 12:2)

©Author: Rev Fred Aboe