Shrewd, Righteous, or Both: 1 Samuel 28:1-2

Shrewd behavior can always be appreciated, but it should not be respected unless it is also righteous behavior.  Shrewd behavior displays intelligence.  Shrewd behavior implies cunning.  Thinking people employ shrewd tactics.

The Philistines march out to battle.  Achish heard David’s lies.  David convinced Achish he made himself a stench in the nostrils of the Hebrew people.  Who could be a better selection as bodyguard than someone who turned on his own people?  Should the battle go poorly and anyone get close to Achish, the enemy will see David and turn their anger upon him instead!  Achish’s logic is sound, except for the reality where David lied to him about everything.

David’s reply continues the deception.  David does not lie, but he couches his words in layers of meaning only David can understand.  David tells Achish he will know what his servant can do.  David doesn’t tell Achish he will protect him.  David doesn’t guarantee his men will fight on Achish’s side.  David simply tells Achish he will know what David can accomplish.  David lets Achish put whatever context around those words Achish wants to put.

Even though David isn’t lying, it doesn’t mean David is free of sin.  David is guilty of deception.  He is being shrewd with his words to Achish, but we should never consider shrewd a synonym for righteous. 

Shrewd is a human word indicating someone is making the best of their options.  Shrewd is a word used when a person maximizes the gain in a particular situation.  Shrewd is a word that often – but not always – connotes a focus on oneself.

Righteous is a godly word indicating behavior in line with God’s standard.  Righteous means making decisions God desires.  Righteous often – but not always – connotes a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the betterment of others.

Just because one is shrewd does not make one praiseworthy.  Oftentimes, being shrewd makes one worldly instead of righteous.  This is one such time.  David willingly deceives Achish to get what he wants.  When David tells Achish he will see what David can do, there are layers of meaning laced in those words only David can understand.

Does David plan on defending Achish against his own people?  It is possible, but highly unlikely.  Does David plan on turning on Achish to help his own people?  That is possible, but as long as Saul lives it is improbable.  Could God have communicated with David and told him this is the battle where Saul will die setting the stage for David?  That is possible, but unlikely given the story coming involving the raid against David’s people.

Only David knows what he means by his shrewd speech.  Ironically, that’s the point of being shrewd.  The outcome of shrewd speech is veiled until the machinations of the shrewd individual are revealed, often when it is too late for anyone else to do anything about it.  Shrewd behavior can always be appreciated, but it should not be respected unless it is also righteous behavior.