1 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. And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
Insight and Highlight
Job 34:30 that godless man should not rule or lay snares for the people.
Scripture Commentaries
In 1 Sam 8:9-18, Prophet Samuel, under God's directives, warned the Israelites of the manner of the king they will get since they have rebelled against God's rule over them.
Samuel's words warn us to be careful of what we wish for in governance.
Today, many people pay more attention to candidature than character. Anytime we fail to be led by God, we find ourselves in trouble.
The prophet warns the Israelite people to be careful of what they wish for. If they truly want a king to rule over them, then they are also wishing for whatever comes with rulership by a monarch.
Some people in the corridors of power boast of their riches in spite of knowing their riches were ill-gotten. Some are ranked richest in the world through these riches were at the detriments and deprivations of unassuming masses.
Samuel's warning played out in Saul’s maladministration which was evidently clear in his rulership that spanned throughout his reign as king.
We can infer from the book of Hosea 7:3 that people who have the spirit of Doeg are like people in Hosea 7:3, who "...make the king glad for their wickedness, and the princes with their lies."
Often times Saul made regrettable words that it was the people who drove him to do what he did but how do you explain this barbaric priestly massacre?
Though it is seen as a fulfillment of God's judgment over the house of Eli (1 Sam 2:31-33), it still remains that God still kept a seed royal.
One called Abiathar survived Doeg's barbaric act. 1 Sam 22: 20 says
And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
Saul followed up the killings with an attack on the priestly city of Nob killing the families of the priests, men women, and children.
Abiathar, the only survivor, came and told David what Saul had done and David was very sorry saying seeing Doeg that day, he knew Doeg would tell Saul, 2 Sam 22: 22.
Neither Saul nor Doeg was sorry for this carnage.
Are you praying for those in authority and those who have rule over you? (1 Tim 2:1-4).
Remorse corner
There is no good in causing harm neither is there any good in its boasting.
As it often happens with those who strive for something to which they are not entitled, Saul lost that which he possessed in God.
Call to Word action
There are still God-fearing subjects under a tyrannically wicked leader. Scripture records that there were some officials of Saul who refused to raise their hands against the priests, and Saul turned to Doeg, who carried out the executions, 1 Sam 22:18.
Proverbs 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
The Christian clarion duty
Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler. Pray always for righteousness to exalt your nation.
Prayer
Lord, deliver nations from damage, carnage, wars, that come out of wilful acts or errors that proceed from leaders, in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
