Weekly Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 23 - 2 Samuel 3

This week we finished up 1 Samuel and started 2nd Samuel. We also got to read the end of Saul's life and see how David responded to Saul's death. Below is a review of several verses we read this week that show how David treated Saul in his life & death.

So he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD's anointed." With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. 1 Samuel 24:6-7

Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!" But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 1 Samuel 26:8-9

So David asked him, "Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" 2 Samuel 1:14

For David had said to the Amalekite, "Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth testified against you, saying, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.'" 2 Samuel 1:16

If you have been reading with me the past few weeks you have seen a pattern of hate from Saul towards David. Saul constantly tried to kill David, even though he knew that God had chosen David to be king in his stead. By human standards David had every right to hate Saul. He had many opportunities to kill Saul and most men would have. However, we don't see David respond that way to Saul; rather, we see him spare Saul’s life multiple times, and ultimately, he avenges Saul's death.

This principle is not just demonstrated in the Old Testament through David’s life, but it is lived out for us in the life of Jesus and taught to us by Him and His disciples.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Romans 12:17

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

To me this is so convicting especially as an American. We can so easily slander the authorities God has placed in our lives and have a "I could do it better" attitude towards them. However, what if we as a church humbled ourselves and submitted to the authorities God has placed in our lives and honored them as the anointed of the LORD? After all, doesn't the scripture say that God raises up the governing authorities over us?

By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; Proverbs 8:15

And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. Daniel 2:21

This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of mankind, and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.' Daniel 4:17

Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin." John 19:11

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Romans 13:1

Remind the believers to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, Titus 3:1

I know I have given you a lot of scripture today! However, it is all scripture that I needed to hear and I hope it speaks to and instructs you as much as it did me. God is in control, he has raised up those in authority over us, and just as David honored Saul as the LORD's anointed, just as Jesus submitted himself to the Roman guards even to the point of death, we can submit ourselves to those over us and trust that God has a bigger purpose and plan in it all.

~Abigail Escobedo