Kings, Presidents, and Rulers are people most of us will never have an opportunity to get to know. We may follow their lives on the internet or through the news media, but we only know what others want us to know. The Bible gives us great examples and instructions on how we are to treat them. One such example is in I Samuel chapter 24.
David had been running for his life. As a youth, God had ordained David to become king after Saul’s reign. He was a young man who had a heart for God, and it showed in his actions. David had been an honorable leader of men in Saul’s army. He had defended the country in the killing of Goliath, and everyone in the kingdom seemed to love David except Saul. Saul became so jealous of David that it controlled his thinking and his actions. He was obsessed with killing David.
In today’s lesson, David had been on the run for a while and had managed to form a small band of men to defend him against Saul. In I Samuel chapter 24, they are hidden in the inner part of a cave. Saul and his army of three thousand men are also in the area. Saul goes inside the cave to have some privacy while he uses the bathroom. Not knowing that David and his men are further back in the cave, Saul lies down to take a nap. David could have killed Saul, but instead, he cuts off part of his garment while Saul sleeps. David’s men try to convince him to kill Saul. They see this as God giving David the victory. However, David is God’s man, and he is convicted for dishonoring Saul’s robe and he will not raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed.
I Samuel 24:1-6 “When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wild goats’ Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. And afterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.”
David’s actions not only show us how committed he is to obedience but also how much he trusts God. Most people would feel the same way David’s men felt. They would seize the opportunity to take care of their enemy. Yet, David knew that God had anointed Saul as Israel’s first king and it was God who should determine his death. This is what faith and trust in God will do to a man’s soul. It gives peace in the face of the enemy to walk away and leave it with God.
David handled the situation the right way, but most will never see the power of God work for them because they are determined to take things into their own hands. God is very clear throughout scripture how we are to handle those God has placed in authority. No matter who is in the White House, or is the leader of your country, God is not caught off guard. GOD IS IN CONTROL! Nothing takes Him by surprise. He instructs us to pray for all those who are in authority. In I Timothy chapter 2, we are to petition for their souls, intercede for them, and we are to give thanks for them. When we dig our heels in and determine our prayers are only to remove them, or for harm to come their way, we are not obeying God. When we hate anyone or despise them, we are playing into the hands of Satan. When will God’s people have the faith of David and trust God to take care of us and lead us? I’m not suggesting we become passive and ignore wrongdoing, but that we handle things God’s way. I am convinced if we prayed as much as we complained, the outcome of things would be much different.
I Timothy 2:1-3 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;”
Paul gives us the will of God in this matter of leaders in Romans 13:1-7. We must remember obedience to God is proof of our love for Him. It also is proof of our trust in Him. We may not like what God is allowing, but if we trust Him, we can have peace about our government. We can pray, leaving the matters in God’s hands, and move on to what God’s desire is for us, winning souls! He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present God. No one can thwart His plans or take His power!
Romans 13:1-7 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisted the power, resisted the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”
