The Opposition: 1 Samuel 22:6-10
Rather than being a people of peace and forgiveness, God’s enemies would have us at each other’s throats. Despite God’s provision, this world is great at promoting controversy instead of love. The media loves stirring the population to drive up sales. People in general love gossip. We hold grudges instead of forgiving. The enemies of God have many tools preventing us from seeing God’s hand at work.
Saul gathers his commanders with him in the wilderness. He displays frustration towards them regarding dissension in his ranks. David has managed to slip through the countryside unnoticed. Jonathan, his own son, conspired against Saul and nobody reported it.
Stepping back to see the full picture, what we see happening is God’s hand of protection over David. David is largely trying to solve his own problems, but that doesn’t mean God has stepped away. God is still watching over David despite David’s busyness running for his life and failing to consult God.
This demonstrates the character of God. When we turn to Him, He is there, ready to uphold us and guide us. When our life gets busy and we forget to turn to Him, He is still there, ready to uphold us and guide us. God is faithful to us regardless of whether we are faithful to Him in return. His love and protection over us does not depend upon our love for Him.
God watched over David. David’s movements have gone unnoticed by those who are loyal to Saul. His movements have been hidden by those who are loyal to David but still commanding the king’s army. David felt alone not because he was alone but because he could not see the Lord’s hand at work in the lives of the people.
Unfortunately for David, Doeg the Edomite is present for the meeting with Saul. There is no explanation about why Doeg, the chief shepherd of the king’s herds, is present for the meeting of Saul’s captains. There are many enemies of the Lord’s work; it makes sense the enemy of God would work against Him. If the commanders under Saul were keeping their tongue and not revealing David’s whereabouts, God’s enemy will put someone in Saul’s presence who doesn’t have the same level of loyalty to David.
Doeg tells Saul about David’s visit to the priests of Nob. He tells Saul how the priests gave David provisions. He mentions how they supplied the sword of Goliath to David. Whether intentionally or through the leading of evil spirits, Doeg reminds Saul of the battle with Goliath. That was the moment David’s popularity surged. That was the moment Saul realized God was with David and not with him.
God’s adversaries enjoy stirring up trouble. God’s adversaries love sowing seeds of confusion and contempt for one another. Controversy is exciting. Controversy sells. Controversy often gains favor from those in power. Rather than being a people of peace and forgiveness, God’s enemies would have us at each other’s throats.
