SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN!

 Just a few days ago, we talked about David sparing Saul's life in a cave.  Saul showed great remorse for pursuing David and they parted company apparently reconciled.  

Two chapters later, the Ziphites contact King Saul and report that David is hiding in their area.  Saul garners up 3,000 soldiers and again pursues David.  

David sent out scouts who located Saul's camp.  He and Abishai sneaked into Saul's camp in the middle of the night when they were all in a deep sleep brought on by God.  

Abishai desires to run his spear through King Saul, but David stops him.  Don't destroy him!  Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?  [26:9]

Instead, they take Saul's spear and water jug and slip out of the camp.

When they're a safe distance from Saul's camp, David calls to Saul's captain, Abner:  Why didn't you guard your lord the king?  Someone came to destroy your lord the king.  What you have done is not good.  As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed.  Look around you.  Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?  [26:15-16]

Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?"

David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king."  And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant?  What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?...The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea...  [26:17-18,20]

 Then Saul said, "I have sinned.  Come back, David my son.  Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again.  Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."  [26:21]

David then returned Saul's spear and Saul said to him:  May you be blessed, my son David;  you will do great things and surely triumph."  [26:25}

So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.  [26:25]

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God is continually reaching out to King Saul, trying to impact him with God's grace.  We see a similar situation in the New Testament where Jesus repeatedly reaches out to Judas - trying to awaken the Spirit in him.  But some people are resolute and stubborn in having their own way.  Sad!  

We are vividly shown the contrast between David - who had a heart after God - and Saul, who couldn't get past his jealousy and anger.  The lesson is obvious!  

It reminds me of a hymn written in 1902, by Adelaid M. Pollard:

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 

Mold me and make me after thy will, 

while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Search me and try me, Savior today! 

Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, 

as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 

Power, all power, surely is thine! 

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 

Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 

Christ only, always, living in me!

 

CAPTIVATED WITH RAGE!

In I Samuel, we see King Saul's rage at David escalate to attempted murder.

It begins with David killing Goliath - a good thing that made Saul happy. But then, the people sang a song:

“Saul has slain his thousands,

and David his tens of thousands.”

Saul is enraged to think that his people honor David more than him!  He can’t get the melody out of his mind.  It replays and continually reignited his anger. 

Saul made at least five attacks on David’s life:  19:10, 15, 20-21, 23-24. 

At one point, Saul’s son, Jonathan, is able to persuade his father to reinstate David – convincing Saul that David is a blessing to him and not a threat.  However, it is short-lived. 

Repeatedly, we read the phrase:  “…an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul…”  [16:14; 18;10; 19;9].  Is this a mental illness?  Was Saul bi-polar?  There’s no definitive way for us to know what exactly is going on. 

In chapter 19, God injects humor into the story.  Saul hears that David has escaped to be with Samuel – the man of God.  Saul sends men to capture him, but when they arrive in Samuel’s presence, they begin to prophesy.  When Saul hears this, he sends a second group of men;  upon their arrival, they also begin to prophesy.  So, Saul sends a third group;  when they arrive, they too begin to prophesy! 

[Come on – you’ve got to giggle here.  All these mighty Israelite warriors standing in their full battle gear speaking in tongues!  😂😂🤣]

So, finally, King Saul goes himself to capture his enemy. 

“But the Spirit of God came even upon him,

And he walked along prophesying… 

He stripped off his robes and prophesied in Samuel’s presence…all that day and night.” [vs.23-24]

This is going to go on for years!  In ensuing chapters, Saul will pursue David (and his band of followers) relentlessly through the wilderness of Engedi.  Two times, David will spare Saul’s life!  Both times, Saul will repent – and then again take up the pursuit.  It’s a sad story of a man who can’t let go of his bitterness and jealousy. 

This sad saga ends with Saul taking his own life after being wounded in battle!  Sad!  It didn’t have to end this way! 

Rejecting God’s initiatives in our lives is done at our own peril!  Numerous messengers tried to get Saul’s attention:  Samuel, David, Jonathan, Michal – but all Saul could hear was that melody playing in his mind! 

Is God trying to get your attention?  Are things going badly in your life?  Could it be that He’s trying to send you a wake-up call?  Are you holding on to bitterness and jealousy?  Has depression taken a deep hold on your life?  Do you have difficulty thinking good thoughts? 

If your answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes’, then it is time to surrender to God and let Him begin to work in new ways in your life!  My suggestion:  Hit your knees and cry out to Him!  You will NOT be disappointed!  

WAS THERE A WAY OUT FOR SAUL?

 As I read the the middle chapters of I Samuel, my heart aches for King Saul.  Follow this progression:

I Samuel 16:14

Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.

I Samuel 18:6-10

When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,

and David his tens of thousands.” 

Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

The saga of this jealousy goes on painfully for twelve more chapters until finally Saul takes his own life at the end of the book!  

From a twenty-first century perspective, we can wonder, was Saul Bi-Polar?  

What is this evil spirit from the Lord?

Music therapy seemed to help Saul - except his musician was the very one he had grown to hate!

Was there a way out for Saul?  

I came across a line in my reading that may have helped Saul:  

"The strongest defense against the attacks of jealousy is a grateful heart for what God has done in your life and what He is doing in the lives of others."

As one who has wrestled with the demons of depression, I've especially found the first part of this to be helpful!  No matter how badly I feel, I can ALWAYS find things to be thankful for!!!!  Now, I wish I could tell you that this is the first thing to come to my mind when depression comes knocking;  but it usually takes a bit of time for me to realize this.  However, once I realize it, the battle is almost over!  

Years ago, when I was worshiping with Steve and Judi Haydu and JESUS SAID Ministry in downtown Akron on Saturdays (with hundreds of homeless people), we often sang a song that really helped me:

God, You're so good to me, and You've always been so good to me!
I'll shout it through eternity! God, You're so good!   [Repeat]

CHORUS:

I wanna sing Your praises, all night long and every day!

I'll stand and worship You, the whole night through!

God, You're so merciful, and You've always been so merciful!

Your blessings are so bountiful, God, You're so good!  [Chorus]

God, You're so beautiful, and You're always been so beautiful!

Every day You're faithful, God, You're so good!

Call it music therapy - call it what you want - but by the time I sing this chorus, I always feel better!  Why?  Because Terry Clark has caught the simple essence of the goodness of God in these words and with her music!   

I just need reminded of it!  Saul needed reminded of it, but he had not allowed people into his life who could guide him.  He had shut himself off from wise counselors - and he suffered for it!  Don't do that!  Don't isolate yourself!  Always stay connected to people who can speak Godly truth into your life!  

Way back before the praise and worship movement began, we had a gospel song that had the same effect on me.  If you know it, sing it.  If you don't know it - read it and be reminded of God's goodness!  Leave jealousy and depression behind and move forward into God's goodness!

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly
And you will keep singing as the days go by

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small
Do not be disheartened, God is over all
Count your many blessings, angels will attend
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God hath done
Count your blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done