David always thinks of God first. One of the things that’s evident in his every conversation—whether with a king, a friend, family, or the enemy—is to alter his response so that it brings attention to God’s will and way. He not only does this in times of crisis and distress but, as here, during times of success as well.
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Under the “When-It-Rains-It-Pours Dept.” is the not unusual phenomena that things often go from bad to worse to even more unbelievably worse. Everyone following David has lost their family in an attack by the enemy when the main group was away. David himself has lost his wives. They’ve all lost all their possessions as well. And human nature being what it is, everyone blames David to the point that “the people spoke of stoning him”. As often as persecution comes from outside the church, it comes from inside. Instead of bonding together against a common enemy, everyone turns on their own leader, and Satan’s goal through the use of persecution is complete in its successful achievment of division, dissension, and destruction.
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I don’t really want to talk about Saul in this situation so much as those around him. Yes, Saul is responsible for his own decisions and actions, but what is wrong with his servants, those who are supposed to care for him more than any other? Not only does no one bother to even hint that Saul’s request is completely contrary to someone who is supposed to be devoted exclusively to the One True God, but they become accessories to the crime.
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One of the recurring lessons we’re taught through the example and life of David is that we can’t assume a course of action based on appearances. Goliath “looked” unbeatable. Saul at times “appeared” to be a friend and ally. And here in the cave, at least to David’s men, God’s will appeared to have brought everything ideally together. The timing and the opportunity couldn’t be better. It was obvious to all present that this was God’s will, that only divine intervention could have made this happen. As with all “obvious” situations, the course of action encouraged by those present was equally obvious.
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The Philistines have been Israel’s enemies since the time of the judges. Samson fought them. Samuel fought them. Saul fought them. And this certainly isn’t the first time David will fight them. They are the acknowledged enemies of God. So isn’t it obvious what should be done? Why does David hesitate to ask God what seems to be a rhetorical question?
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As you read through the biblical account of what has become commonly labeled “David & Goliath” in 1 Samuel 17, carefully note what each person says followed by how David responds. Everyone else states the situation in earthly terms, from Goliath’s intimidating stature to offering earthly rewards to anyone who overcomes him. But in each case, David re-states the situation using spiritual terms instead of earthly. He makes it known that the issue is not how man sees and approaches the situation, but God.
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For nearly all my life I’ve heard the recurring argument—most often associated with music, but with other such things as well—”Don’t you want the best for God?” This well-intentioned, sincerely presented point has been put forth to justify why someone is not “good enough” to be on the worship team, why certain music is “better”, why so much of a building’s budget has been dedicated to ornamentation and decoration, and for a myriad other things that will present a church or activity at the highest earthly quality possible.
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