QT 1/30/2023 2 Sam 1:1-10, Be weary of the liar, the evil opportunist

2 Samuel 1:1–5 (ESV) —

1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3 David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5 Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” …

 

NOTE: The young man and Amalekite tells David of the death of Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan. He carries the crown and an armlet, and he lies (vss. 6-10). While Saul did ask his armor-bearer to kill him, the armor-bearer refused. Saul intentionally fell on his sword and died. The armor-bearer did likewise. The Amalekite was an opportunist and a liar, an immoral man, who thought he could curry favor with the new king, since all the true witnesses were dead. There are always these type of men (and women), who will lie to their own advantage. They pretend to be your friends but all the time are using you to advance themselves. It is hard to be a leader. You never know who is honest and who is not. You never know who will twist your words to achieve their aims. Stupid leaders will fall for the emotional story. Greedy leaders will fall for the lie, if it achieves their goals. Loyalty and trust are always missing when lies are the product of their schemes. This reminds me of a verse God showed me when I commanded a squadron:

 

Psalm 62:3–4 (ESV) —

3 How long will all of you attack a man

to batter him,

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

but inwardly they curse. Selah

 

We need to trust in God and not in people.

 

Psalm 62:8 (ESV) —

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

 

And we need to remember, positions of authority are illusions. All men are created in the image of God. He does not see rank. We must never live for position or money.

 

Psalm 62:9–10 (ESV) —

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;

those of high estate are a delusion;

in the balances they go up;

they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I truly seeking in my job?
2. What is my goal, my purpose?
3. Is it to reach as many as possible with the gospel, with a witness of Christ?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for where I am today. Help me to use my position as a witness of Christlikeness in leadership. If you give me new opportunities, I praise you, but I continue where I am, I will do my best to serve people where I am.