Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 21-24.

The reign of Saul provides a series of examples showing why it is dangerous to allow one man to hold such great power over a people. He went from being afraid to accept the throne to being willing to do anything to hold onto his power. The incident with the priests in Nob illustrates the degree of wickedness to which he had attained.

“Saul said to [Ahimelech the priest], ‘Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?’”

“Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, ‘…Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair.’

“But the king said, ‘You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s household!’ And the king said to the guards who were attending him, ‘Turn around and put the priests of the Lord to death…’ But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the Lord. Then the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn around and attack the priests.’ And Doeg the Edomite turned around at attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants…” (1 Samuel 22:13-19).

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Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 11, 59.

David and Jonathan’s friendship is one of the well-known relationships in the Bible (1 Samuel 18:1-3). Their friendship was not one of convenience (as it may have been if they just happened to know each other and were forced to spend time together); but the text says their souls were “knit” together (1 Samuel 18:1).

This bond would be tested, though, as Jonathan’s father, King Saul, wanted David killed. Jonathan had to make a choice. Would he be loyal to his father, the king, or his friend? He chose to be loyal to his friend and tried to protect him in the presence of the king.

“Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan and he said to him, ‘You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you are choosing the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.’

“But Jonathan answered Saul his father and said to him, ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Then Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down; so Jonathan knew that his father decided to put David to death” (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

Not only did Jonathan need to make a choice between his father and his friend, but he also had to make a choice between ascending to the throne or aiding an innocent and righteous man. Jonathan decided that defending the innocent David before the king was more important than gaining some position of power.
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