Being "Davids" in a "Saul" Society...

And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went his way. 1 Samuel 24: 6, 7


At this point in the life of David, Saul, the King of Israel, had already tried numerous times to catch and kill David. This murder campaign had come from unrestrained jealousy and envy of and towards David. It began when David killed Goliath and people sang songs in the streets of David killing more than Saul. It continued within the Kings courts as David came to serve Saul there. And even the Kings son, Jonathan, couldn’t persuade his father to give up his desire to kill David. The prophet of Israel warned Saul, David countless times showed himself pure in motive towards Saul and his family. David even fled the country to put distance between himself and his pursuer.

Some of you are familiar with the scripture at from 1 Samuel 24: 6, 7. You may have heard this is a context of not bringing any kind of accusation of question of a pastor or church / ministry leader. That they are “beyond” question of accountability because they are the anointed of God. Too bad the context of the passage is only that of a King and not a pastor or prophet of sorts. And too bad that those who say this in their defense don’t see clearly who they are comparing themselves with; Saul.

Now, before I go any further, I want to be clear on this point. I am not speaking in a political way. Matter of fact, I’m really addressing you who see the entire system of man as being the “Saul” in our world more than an individual. Gene Edwards wrote a terrific short book entitled A Tale of Three Kings. In it he recounted to the lives of 3 Kings of Israel; Saul, David and Absalom. As you read the book you come across the good, the bad and the ugly of each king. And you do so in a way where you begin to see a little (or a lot) of each king in yourself. So I’m trying to speak with as little judgment and condemnation as possible, for I recognize the Saul like characteristics in my own life at times.

What I’m really driving at is this; we are called to a life that reflects the heart of David in a world of Saul.

Saul was chosen in the midst of Israel greatest rebellion; they chose to be ruled by a man instead of God. They wanted to be “conformed” instead of being “transformed”. They wanted to be a kingdom with a king (literally) rather than a kingdom of priests and kings. They saw the nations around them and wanted to be like them, instead of being who God wanted them to be and as result, draw those nations to God. Samuel knew this and began to take it personally; he thought Israel was rejecting him and his leadership. After all, he was the nations prophet speaking on behalf of God.

But God said it was not Samuel they were rejecting, but Him (God). And after Israel would not relent God said to Samuel to listen to them and give them what they wanted; a king. But God was very clear in telling them what a “king” would do and require of them. How he would take their men and make them his warriors in his army. How he would take goods from them, and make them serve him. But after all of the warning of what it would be like to be ruled by a man instead of by God, they still persisted on having their own king. And that is what God gave them. They got what they wanted. They got the leader they asked for.

And was he any different than what God said he would be like? Not at all. Read 1 Samuel. See for yourself. Yet in spite of how Saul behaved, David behaved differently. What was different about the heart of David from that of Saul’s? Why is it, that David was said to be “a man after God’s own heart”? Why was it that when David had a chance to kill his enemy (Saul) he didn’t take it? Why was it that when the man who did kill Saul came to David he didn’t receive a reward, but instead received a swift execution? How is it that the man who wrote so many psalms that expressed so much emotion and tenderness was also one of Israel’s mightiest warriors?

I believe it is because David remained tender towards God in the midst of the fire, persecution and an enemy pursuing his life.

You see, when God has your heart, and you have the heart of God, you honor and respect God even when you are not honored and respected. When your life is threatened you don’t threaten back. When your life is minimized you maximize the life of others. When you are hated, you love in return. When you are accused you do not return the accusations. This is why when David had the chance to stretch out his arm and take the life of his enemy (and king), he did not.

I don’t know where you stand in relation to the results of the election. I do know that either way America has the leader she asked for. In any case, we are called to be David’s in the midst of a Saul society. A society that over time has chosen to be lead more by men and women who profess to know God, but deny the power within. Over time, we have even come to the place of removing the word “God” from our government buildings, historic national monuments, and currency. We have inched God out of our schools, cities, and communities. And in the process we have put in place leaders of our choosing. And God has given us what we asked for.

David was a young man who as a shephed faced and lion and a bear before he took down Goliath. We must also look back on the victories God has brought us through so that we have the faith and courage to face the “giant” before us now. And most of all, we have our King, who will rule on the throne of David forever who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, and whose govenrment there will be no end!

Stay connected to the King and His Kingdom!

Tim Crozier