2 Sam 22:17-18 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
Insight and Highlight
Not only did Doeg's "tongue" bring about a priestly massacre, but he himself also became the executioner (1 Samuel 22:9-18).
Scripture Commentaries
A sign that one is wicked is when you boast of knowing fully well your wrongdoings. Such a person engages with those whom God abhors. Psalm 10:3 says For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
King Saul failed so many righteous standards for kings' righteous living.
First, a righteous king should sift out all evil with his eyes. Prov 20:8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. The king who sits in the throne of judgment must weigh all the evidence before him. This was sadly not true of king Saul.
Second, Prov 29:14 says, "A king who judges the poor with fairness his throne will be established forever."
King Saul did not judge with fairness. He was a totalitarian ruler. No wonder his throne was not established forever because he failed to rule in fairness.
Third, It is an abomination for a king to do evil because the throne is established in righteousness, Prov 16:12.
Again this was not true of king Saul. He was predictably wicked and he had some wicked people with him.
Therefore we see that all a wicked king needs to perpetuate his evil is a wicked person in his council of chiefs or lawmakers. King Saul found this in Doeg.
Fourth, Proverbs 20:26 advises that a king-leader should separate out the wicked.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
King Saul embraced more wicked people than he did righteous ones.
Saul and Doeg were partners in heinous crimes and so we have it today.
Today, we have leaders who are not remorseful over their wickedness, they are even more vile and boastful about it.
Both Saul and Doeg were bloodthirsty and they boasted in mischief.
Are you praying for those in authority and those who have rule over you? (1 Tim 2:1-4).
Remorse corner
Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Call to Word action
Proverbs 28:15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
The Christian clarion duty
2 Cor 10:13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Prayer
Lord, may Presidents, Nations' Minister-leaders, king-leaders be righteous and also surrounded by righteous Senators, House speakers, kingmakers. Let thrones in every nation be established in righteousness, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
