Welcome to the final third of 1 Samuel. We’ve read about the rise of Samuel, then Saul, and now we are reading about the trials of David as he prepares to become the next king of Israel. This chapter returns to Saul based on the reports he receives about David.
Start by reading 1 Samuel 22 for yourself, take notes, and compare what you hear from God with what I see and hear. The Bible is alive and active. You and I may not see the same things. And if you’ve missed any of the past posts of earlier chapters, you can find them all HERE.
Let’s dive into 1 Samuel 22!
The Dark Side
Consider this. When Saul was given the charge to destroy the Amalekite people, he came up short. He allowed his men to keep the best of the flocks, and he took the king prisoner. Now Saul has turned to the dark side, and he commands the complete destruction of a large family of priests – men, women, children, livestock. He allowed the Lord’s command to be left wanting, but he demands this evil is carried out to the letter.
In this saga Saul plays Darth Vader. This chapter is Saul’s final turn from light to dark. There is no turning back for Saul.
Now consider this. The potential for the same thing lives in all of us. Each of us carry within us the capacity to completely turn on God, and we all have the potential to destroy the things God holds dear. Fear, anger and jealousy can destroy us from within.
As a leader, the potential for creating pain is even greater and the larger the role the greater the pain. We aren’t just destroying our lives, and a few people around us, but each person we touch and interact with. It may be one cataclysmic moment, like this, but most likely it is a long and slow. Either way, the outcome is the same.
The antidote? Keep your eyes on Jesus. Take your fear and anger to Him, and ask him to soothe and encourage your soul. Ask Jesus to search you for jealousy and envy and to eradicate them from your heart. This is what David writes about time and again in the book of Psalms.
The legacy of Saul lives in you and me. The choice is always before you. Turn to Jesus.
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