QT 1/2/2023 1 Sam 22:6-10, Real change requires spiritual thoughts

1 Samuel 22:6–10 (ESV) —

6 Now Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him. Saul was sitting at Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him. 7 And Saul said to his servants who stood about him, “Hear now, people of Benjamin; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, 8 that all of you have conspired against me? No one discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day.” 9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, 10 and he inquired of the Lord for him and gave him provisions and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

 

NOTE: Saul's bitterness and anxiety reaches new levels. He suggests that Jonathan is actually trying to be the king and has hired David as his hitman. Doeg's information makes the conspiracy grow even larger in his mind as he now thinks the religious community is against him. He appeals to his tribe and their greed, suggesting that they would not have their positions or money if a new King or tribe rules.

 

How could Saul break this cycle? At a couple of points later in the story, we will see Saul break down in tears and repent, but it never lasts. Certainly repentance is always the first step. But as Jesus said, clearing out the house only results in room for more evil to abide.

 

Luke 11:24–26 (ESV) — 24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

 

After repentance, the house (a person's mind) needs replacement thoughts. Positive mindset is not enough. Only the scriptures has the power to transform our thinking. Regularly meditating, reading, and studying the scriptures can change a person, but repentance will only go so far, it has to be followed by change. In the new covenant, Paul writes about putting off and then putting on. A replacement is required for the previous sinful action.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I need to change in my life, and what will I replace it with?

 

PRAYER: Father, as I dig into the word this year. Transform me and change me. Continue to make me more like Jesus in the new year.