QT 1/3/2023 1 Sam 22:14-19, Speaking up during evil days

1 Samuel 22:14–19 (ESV) —

14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house? 15 Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little.” 16 And the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house.” 17 And the king said to the guard who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me.” But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to strike the priests of the Lord. 18 Then the king said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword; both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword.

 

NOTE: It is hard to describe Saul's action as anything but plain evil--the act of a demon-possessed man. Even his loyal guards refuse his command to kill the priests. But another evil man, Doeg the Edomite, takes advantage of the opportunity to curry favor with the mad king and execute servants of the Lord. The killing extended to the families, the wives and children of the priests, and even to the ox, donkeys, and sheep. The city was destroyed because they did what was right, but evil prevailed this day. What shocks me is that there is not more outrage. We are outraged when good men do the wrong thing, but we hold our peace when evil men do evil, why? I think we fear saying what we should when evil men are in charge. We are much more vocal against those we consider fair.

 

Today, evil seems to reign and we are quiet. Why? Because we fear for our life. But we need to do the right thing, even when called to stand before the evil authorities. We need to be bold in sharing our faith. Evil may appear to win, but ultimately everyone on the side of God will stand victorious. Even those families of Nob. They are waiting for the day of the Lord to come.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I afraid to say what is right?
2. Am I afraid of the authorities who are in charge?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray to stand up for what is right. I pray for your leading and guiding in this new year.