WITHOUT A CAUSE. 1st Samuel 19 When controlled by the flesh, men's changing, unpredictable actions defy description because they are so unreasonable. When we consider Saul's antagonism and hatred toward David, we learn that his attitude was also known to his servants and his family. Bitterness and hatred reach beyond the depths of one's own soul and can take control of one's life and affect other people. In that way, the bitterness in one person can "defile many." By its very nature, its polluting influence can change all that is good that has happened and overpower it until all those affected are focused on what a bitter person says.
Painful years of rejection not only make one’s character obvious, but they also give a means of getting rid of those things that hinder spiritual life and growth. In such times, we are not immune to failure or defeat by the enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Opposition and unfair challenges cannot be avoided, but it is in times like those we learn how weak we are in ourselves and how strong God is when He defends His servants. When we live in the fear of God, we can endure things that are beyond our natural ability.
David had "behaved himself wisely," which established his reputation among the people of Israel as a man who could be trusted. Saul resented the admiration of the people to the extent that he wanted him killed. He had seen the victory over Goliath and was glad about that. Other battles had been won, and David was now his son-in-law and was apparently the only one who could soothe Saul's troubled spirit with his music. Still, Saul wanted him dead because he was the object of attention of others that Saul wanted for himself. When our Lord Jesus Christ was here faithfully doing "His Father's business," those motivated by religious flesh and those "defiled" by their bitterness wanted to kill "the Lord of glory." He had blessed people in many ways, yet that "root of bitterness defiled many."
David went from hiding from Saul in a secret hiding place to being restored to his place in the king’s palace. A short time later, he had to hide in his own home and escape through a window to find refuge with Samuel. It was obvious Saul no longer looked for subtle ways to have David killed but openly tried to have him killed. Even Jonathan and Michal knew their father intended to have David dead.
Jonathan, like a faithful disciple, was not turned aside from his love for David by the commands and will of his father. We are to 'honor our father and mother," but when they want us to do what we know is not right, we are under a higher jurisdiction. A son should be respectful and helpful to his parents, but when they demand our obedience to violate God's laws, "we ought to obey God rather than man." Other servants' love for David may have cooled, or they feared Saul more than they loved David. But Jonathan made it a point to find a place and a way to "communicate" with David in fellowship.
Knowing what is wrong and intended to bring you down while continuing to do what is right and acting responsibly in your calling is a work of the Holy Spirit. He leads and guides us on the path of service for the Lord, and that path is not without obstacles, dangers, and discouragement. Faithfulness to our Lord and the calling He has given is what is expected of us.
David knew and trusted Jonathan and wanted him to be with him, but Jonathan chose to remain with his father. Jonathan communicated with David secretly and confessed him before Saul, but he did not choose to follow and be with David. His devotion to David was admirable, but he still left him. Such choices in life are hard to make and unavoidable.
When the time was right, he "confessed" David openly to his father. Sometimes, it is appropriate to testify openly to others about our association with our "heavenly David." It may be hard when those motivated by the flesh blaspheme the Lord's name and make a mockery of God's truth. But that may be the perfect time to interject the "grace" we have experienced into the conversation. Our testimony to God's grace may not change people's minds permanently, but like Jonathan with his father, "a soft answer" may turn away wrath for a while.
We have to remember the flesh will always be in opposition to God along with its partners, the world, and the devil. The flesh is at enmity with the Spirit of God and is not subject to God's will. It is not in the flesh's nature to submit to God, even though, at times, it may seem to be subdued to it. That is only a temporary stop until it breaks out like cancer in another way and place.
When David returned to the king's palace under the king's authority, he was again called upon to go to war against the Philistines, and again, God was with him and gave victory in the battle. Saul's bitter jealousy moved him to try to kill David again, even when he was playing his harp, to calm Saul.
Similarly, the people of Nazareth, who knew the Lord Jesus for thirty years when He lived among them, would have been aware of the uniqueness of His Person and His life. Still, when He read the scriptures in the synagogue and explained them publicly, they tried to kill Him. We may think we have finally won the battle over the flesh, but it attacks when we least expect it. As long as we are in the body and are in the world, our three-fold enemies will not stop trying to stop us in our life for God.
David realized that the time for reconciliation for Saul had passed. Reconciliation is impossible when we are dealing with ignorant and unruly men. There comes a time in some situations when we have to face the fact that there is no accommodation of the Spirit with the flesh, and we cannot reconcile ourselves to those things that please the flesh. Our only recourse in that situation is to leave without further confrontation and move on to do what God has called us to do.
Even in his own house, David was not safe from the effects of jealousy and hatred. He realized, even as he wrote the words of Psalm 59 at that time, that he needed God's deliverance, strength, mercy, and power. When we find out those who oppose us want to stop the work to which we have been called, we need to immediately turn to the Lord and get our directions from Him. It is hard on our pride to have to accept that which seems to be a defeat but is a wise people who will "commit our way unto the Lord," knowing that He will sustain us. Others before us have had to live with infirmity, suffering, and disappointment, and they have found the Lord is at their side even though others have forsaken them to please the flesh.
Some had experienced those in their own family and home who would only commit themselves to going a certain distance, and then they were left to go farther alone. The Lord experienced that with His family. David experienced that with Michal. She was brave enough to help him escape but not brave enough to go with him. Besides David, the idol she had kept now took David's place. It is possible to harbor something secretly in our lives and, when the going gets tough, to allow it to take the place of the Lord in our lives. Once that happens, then usually excuses or even lies follow, and our fellowship with the Lord is broken.
Finally, David found the fellowship and safety he needed with the one person who could help and strengthen him in the Lord. Jonathan was devoted to him but was still with Saul. Michal loved him but was still in her home, only an image taking David's place. Samuel was already outside of the mainstream of the things of the world and flesh, and he was waiting to receive David. He knew what was going to happen and what to expect.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was in the outside place when He was here. Now we are called to go "outside the camp" unto Him bearing His reproach. There were a few our Lord Jesus knew He could go to when He needed rest and fellowship when He was here. His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, living in Bethany, were there to share what they had with Him.
When David was at Naioth with Samuel, he was with those who were in fellowship with God. Even those who came three times to capture David under the direction of Saul (the flesh) submitted to the power of the Spirit of God who came on those in the "outside place." God's power is irresistible, and the stubborn, willful, rebellious man of the flesh had to bend, bow, and strip himself before God, whom he had rejected. For a day and a night, the fleshly man, Saul, lay exposed in humility instead of pride, weakness instead of triumph. God's power can bring down the mighty to where he admits God is there in those of faith who live and practice the truth.
Whether in the place of hiding, the king’s palace, or in one’s own home, we are never in a place where we do not need the assurance of being guided by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God. Loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ and submission to His will are essential to those God uses in His work. In such challenging times, observers will be able to see the reality of faith in God. Hopefully, they will surrender to Him, acknowledge Jesus as Lord, fall down before Him, and worship God.
It’s almost over this year, and a full supply of daily grace from God makes our home a sacred place where we can experience much of God’s mighty plan that He allows to be shared by such a simple man. From north to south and east to west, we’ve traveled, kept by the power of God as life unfolds in an orderly, not unraveled way. Our faith has been strengthened, and many prayers were answered as God tended to our needs. As this year began, so by divine power, it ended.
Fear could have claimed our attention and overwhelmed us. It certainly has before, when those whose sense of the need for power lived in the days of Saul and David. But God has been near us, allowing things purposed by His divine intention to bring us to praise and worship Him because of His holy intervention. Now, I am sitting here as the shadows that descended before the morning sun change their course and return up to the mountain peaks as this year’s done. I wonder at the beauty of creation that far exceeds my scope of mind, and I wait to see and know the power of God as the days of a new year unwind.
I am caused to worship the greatness of God’s unique creation, which is far beyond the united effort of mankind to make some imitation or even explain. So, looking back, I am full. As alone, I adore worship, adore my Savior and Lord, and praise His holy name. Looking ahead, watching light leave this valley, I anticipate and welcome the coming days.