Today's Treasure:
"I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints"
(Psalm 52:9)
Read 1 Samuel 22: 6 - 23
What did Saul accuse his men of doing according to verse 8?
Conspiring against him, not telling him about Jonathan's covenant with David and not being concerned for him.
You met "Doeg of Edomite" on week 2, day 5. Who was he according to 1 Samuel 21:7?
Doeg was Saul's head shepherd. If you remember, he was present when David went to Ahimelech, the priest, to ask for provisions. David had a feeling that Doeg would make Saul aware of his presence in Nob. I am sure David never imagined that Saul would be crazy enough to strike down a priest and his family.
Ahimelech attempted to reason with Saul in two ways. List both of them:
1. Verse 14 - Ahimelech reminded Saul of David's loyalty to him. He also reminded Saul of David's relationship to his family.
2. Verse 15 - Ahimelech explained to Saul that he knew nothing of David's plan. He had blessed David in the past, and did not think David was there to deceive him.
Why do you think the king's officials disobeyed Saul's orders?
After Ahimelech tried to reason with Saul, Saul ordered his officials to kill Ahimelech and all of his family. The king's officials would not strike down a priest and his family. I am sure they feared the Lord.
When the officials refused to kill them, Saul ordered Doeg to kill them. He carried out the king's orders.
That day, 85 priests were killed by the hand of Doeg of Edomite.
Can you imagine being so inhumane? He not only killed the priests, but he also went in and destroyed the entire community of Nob. He killed men, women, children and livestock.
David felt responsible for the death of the priests because he knew Doeg would report David's appearance in Nob to Saul. He was taking a chance that Saul would never kill a priest...boy, was he wrong!!!
Not only did Saul have the priest killed, but we learn in Psalm 52: 1 that Saul was boasting of his evil once his mission was complete.
Verse 5 of Psalm 52 states that David is counting on justice to come to Saul for his disregard of God. This justice would come from the hand of God.
Psalm 52:7 states that king Saul grew strong by destroying others
Have you ever known anyone who made him or herself feel bigger or better by putting others down? What do you believe those actions said about the person?
I believe that it is a sign that the person is very insecure and needs to build him/herself up by tearing others down.
In Psalm 52:8, David contrasts himself to the wicked by stating that he is like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God.
Beth points out that it is important to note that David responded to the tragedy of the priests in four ways:
1. He placed blame where it should have been...on Saul and evil
2. He reminded himself that God will repay evil
3. He placed his hope solely in God
4. He reminded himself that God is good
When was the last time you were stunned by the depravity of humanity?
For me, it is when I think of how we (as Christians) do not stand up and unite to change the moral compass of this nation. We sit back and allow things to happen without taking charge of what we believe in. I have been home during the day a lot more recently. Of course, the soaps come on each day. I cannot watch them because of the behavior that goes on during these television shows. We have accepted homosexual behavior as a normal part of life now on television. Is this what we want our children to see? Yet, nothing is going to change until we stand up for it. As a matter of fact, television/entertainment is going to continue to push the envelope.
I feel the media has us convinced that we are the minority. We feel we are not strong enough to make a change. YES WE ARE!!!
When tragedies occur, the following verses can help you sort through the emotions of it all:
1. John 10: 10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
2. Lamentations 3: 33 - "For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men"
3. Lamentations 3: 59 - "You have seen, O Lord, the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause"
4. Psalm 100: 5 - "For the Lord is good and His love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations."
I cannot imagine the guilt that David must have felt when he heard the news of the priests. He felt greatly responsible for the situation. Only one son of Ahimelech escaped the hands of Saul. He fled to David for refuge and told him of what happened. David asked Abiathar (son of Ahimelech) to stay with him. He told him not to be afraid. Saul was after David, and David promised to keep Abiathar safe.
I know it is difficult to do a study when it involves detailing the slaughter of very innocent people. It is important to understand what occured between Saul and David in order to appreciate the upcoming events. I hated reading this portion of scripture today, but I find hope knowing that God is in control.
I love you all
Have a wonderful day
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