12 May 2020
1 SAMUEL 22:6-23 – SIN GETS WORSE IF NOT CHECKED
David was on the run from King Saul because he wanted to kill him. David escaped to the cave of Adullam, Mizpah and later to the land of Judah.
1 SAMUEL 22:6-23 – SIN GETS WORSE IF NOT CHECKED
David was on the run from King Saul because he wanted to kill him. David escaped to the cave of Adullam, Mizpah and later to the land of Judah.
In verse 9, Doeg, the Edomite, one of Saul’s servants, informed Saul that Ahimelech has provided for David, helped and sought the Lord for him too. Because of that report, Saul accused Ahimelech of conspiracy with David against him. Saul now seems to think the whole world is against him, but is for David. As a result, Saul ordered for the execution of Ahimelech and all the priests of the Lord (verses 16-17). But because none of the king’s officials were willing to carry out the execution, Saul ordered Doeg to do. That day, Doeg killed 85 priests of the Lord and he also killed all the men, women, children and livestock in Nob which was the town of the priests. Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, managed to escape and told David of the killings. David felt responsible for the death of Ahimelech’s household because he knew that Doeg would report to Saul as he saw him around during the time when he was talking to Ahimelech in Nob (1 Sam 21:7). Although he knew, he did nothing and indirectly, his negligence resulted in their death. He took the blame for their death, and confessed his guilt in the matter. But he also took the responsibility of caring for Abiathar, the surviving priest, taking him under his wing to protect him and keep him safe.
The actions of Saul (verses 16-18) reveal the extreme depths of wickedness to which King Saul sank in his relentless pursuit of David. His mental and emotional instability has increased over time as he allows jealousy of David and the fear of losing control, win over reason and faith in God. Here his jealous rage drives him to order the killing of the priesthood which is an almost unthinkable thing.
From here, we learn that sin gets worse and worse, if not checked. Saul started out doing just a few little things in contrast with the commandments of the Lord. Each time he committed a sin, the next sin was worse. Now, he has committed one of the most terrible crimes of all history, he committed mass murder! When we commit that first little sin, we must immediately stop. We must seek forgiveness, and turn from sin at that moment. Otherwise, sin is like a cancer that grows and grows. If we allowed it to continue growing, it will destroy us in the end.
Reflection –
Our negligence and failure to think things through can cause many problems for other people and thus put us under the Lord’s hand of discipline. James 4:17 states that “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” When we make plans, we should make sure we have considered the consequences of our actions.
Is there anything that you need to stop doing and to remove it from your life because it is not right in the sight of God?
Let us examine our hearts and minds to see where we are vulnerable to attack.
Prayer (taken from Psalm 139:23-24) –
Lord, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.