Saul Kills the Priests of God - I Samuel 22

 

I Samuel 22 – Saul Kills the Priests of God

 

David was a long time in breaking with Saul. There were many loyal to Saul, but they were finally forced to flee because their lives became endangered. Many fled to David and joined up with him. There were men who came to him who were in debt. Debt is a cancer that destroys under any circumstance. In that day when a man got into debt he could lose his property and be sold into slavery. Saul was permitting men to become slaves – he was not enforcing the Mosaic law. Forgiveness always rests upon the payment of a debt, and those who were in debt had to flee. David did not pay the debt, but Christ did. He paid the debt of sin by dying on the cross. He set us free.

The discontented also came to David. This means that they were bitter of soul. The circumstances and experiences of life had soured them. Life will make you bitter unless you see the Hand of God.

The fact that David leaves the land of Israel and goes to Moab means he is really a frightened man.

Saul developed some paranoic tendencies. He developed a persecution complex. There was one man who knew where David had gone, and he tells Saul what he knows. He was at the tabernacle when David and his men ate the showbread. After Doeg gives Saul his information, Saul decides to go after Ahimelech the priest. He sent for Ahimelech and the other priests who were in Nob. Saul demanded that Ahimelech explain why he had helped David escape. The Priest gave a truthful answer. He was not aware that David had not been honest with him. In his anger Saul did not listen to reason but commanded the servants to kill the priests. They hesitated to carry out his order. But Saul had gone so far in his rebellion and sin that he would not stop at anything. He commanded Doeg to do his dirty work.

The bitterness and vengeance of Saul was terrible. It is a terrible thing when bitterness takes over. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”  Hebrews 12:15

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.