Presented to 614 Warehouse afternoon service, 30 July 2017 by Capt. M Ramsay
1
Samuel 24:6:
He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my
master, the LORD’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of
the LORD.”
1
Samuel 26:9-11:
But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s
anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord
himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go
into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s
anointed.
--------------------------------------------------
Have you ever had a bad leader? A
politician? A boss? A pastor? Headquarters? What would you about it if you had
a chance and some impunity? David was in this spot. Neither would David strike
his leader NOR would he let people under his authority act against the Lord's
anointed. David wouldn't do or say anything against his boss the king. We
believe God still raises up our political leaders and anoints our religious and
spiritual leaders to this day. As such, just like David, we need to respect
those who God Himself places in authority over us.[1]
We
know about King Saul, the one to whom David needed and did offer respect and to
whom he did submit. King Saul was jealous of David: going back to 1 Samuel 17
and the David and Goliath episode – remember the people said that Saul had
killed his thousands and David had killed his tens of thousands…Saul didn’t
like that much. But David refused to say anything bad about him.
On
another occasion, King Saul, being upset with David tried to trick David into
getting killed. He told David that he could marry Saul’s daughter (as he was
already promised when he defeated Goliath in battle) if he brought him 100 of
their enemies', the Philistines, foreskins (1 Samuel 18:25-27). Saul didn’t
think that David would live to pull this off (or all 100 of these!) But he, and his
comrades, did.
Saul
then tried to pin David to the wall with a spear and twice tried to kill his
own heir and eldest son in the same manner when Prince Jonathan supported
David.
Now
in our stories today, King Saul has taken three thousand chosen and skilled
warriors and has headed off in pursuit of David with the express goal of
killing him. This is David's boss, whom, David - in full knowledge of this - 1
Samuel 24:6: He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing
to [my boss] my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is
the anointed of the LORD.”
Have
you ever had an enemy? Have you ever had someone who attacked you at every
opportunity? Have you ever had someone who hated you? ...who spread lies about
you? ...who wanted you dead? What would you do if you had a chance to get them
off your back? What would you do if you had a chance to say something bad about
them or have someone beat them up or get them arrested or get them banned from
some place? Would you let it pass? Now imagine that they are your boss or your
pastor or DHQ. This is David’s situation.
In
Samuel 24, David’s friends are telling David to be done with Major, I mean,
King Saul. Like the devil in the Gospels, they even quote Scripture to pressure
him into it (cf. Matthew 4, Luke 4). Saul, after all, has done all that stuff
we’ve talked about: not only turning people against David and choosing 3000
people to attack him but he has actually tried to kill David more than once and
is trying to kill him right now. All those who have an axe to grind with Saul
are surrounding David (1 Samuel 22:2). All those who owe Saul's supporters
money and don't want to pay them back, all those who are grumbling for this or
for that. They point out that God has delivered Saul into David's hands.[2] They
surround David; he becomes their Captain and they attempt to tempt David (some
maybe unwittingly) with the poison chalice of self-righteousness, spite and
revenge. David’s friends in Chapter 24 encourage David to betray and even kill
Colonel, I mean, King Saul. And in Chapter 26, they even volunteer to finish
off Captain, I mean King Saul for him. 1 Samuel 26: 8ff:
Abishai said to
David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him
to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”9 But
David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s
anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord
himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go
into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the
Lord’s anointed.
This
response reminds us of Arc Angel Michael's response to Satan when the devil
tries to draw him into an argument. Michael refuses to engage but rather leaves
the rebuking to the Lord (Jude); remember too how our Lord Jesus Christ
responds when Peter chops the ear off a soldier who is coming to arrest Jesus
in order that Jesus can be killed. How does Jesus respond? He heals the
soldier's ear and goes with him willingly (John 18). These responses: David's,
Michael's, Jesus' should be ours;[3]
but have you -like David- ever had a friend who offered revenge on your behalf?
Have
you ever had someone offer to get someone back for you? Have you ever had
someone, out of misplaced loyalty, gang up on someone else? Have you ever acted
out towards someone because of what you THINK they have done to a someone else?
If the person you are provoking or letting others gang up on is in a position
of authority then you have committed the sin that David’s friends -and all the
grumbling discontent people- are trying to tempt him to do.[4]
In
The Salvation Army, Susan and I are the pastors, the Captains, and the local
bosses here at 614 and Warehouse. In some respects we are in the pace of Saul.
In other respects we are in the place of David. We have our bosses - AC, DC, TC
- and if we have a difference with them, if we have a problem with them; if we
encourage you to call headquarters or if we turn a blind eye when you do then
we are acting out in a bad way towards our bosses and we are acting in a bad
way towards God. When we betray, provoke, or otherwise rebel against our
God-appointed leaders, we are committing the sin that David here - who is in a
much more pressing situation than any of our corps and any of us have ever been
- is refusing to commit.
David's
men have a list of grievances against their current leadership –the leadership
is trying to kill David for one; their leader is jealous, envious of David; the
leader’s leadership is going in a different direction from God even; David has
been anointed! He is chosen to lead his people and his people want David to
lead. They know what has to be done – in their opinion - and they want it done
now!
This
is not unlike our own experiences, many churches' experiences, many work place
experiences, and many Salvation Army experiences. I admit when I was younger I
got caught up in this more than once - believing that I was right and those in
authority must be complained against and otherwise resisted, evaded, or
deceived. I grew up in a church much larger than any in our Salvation Army. I
must admit that I sinned more than once by starting a petition or forming a
faction or a clique or speaking about someone instead of speaking to them. I
have been a part of movements that have tried to force our own agenda opposed
to those in authority. That is sin against our Lord.
There
have even been times when I have spoken poorly of Officers or pastors and
–because of that- the devil has been able to use me to cause problems. I admit
even as an Officer I myself a long time ago may have utter those ill-advised
words, "then call DHQ". There was a time and a place when I even knew
people were writing to a DHQ and THQ and I at best sat back giving it my tacit
approval (reminiscent of Acts 7:58 and Saul watching the coats for people who
were killing the Christian, Stephen) or worse I have fanned the flames of
rebellion myself. In my recent memory I have even erred by listening to people's
rebellious complaints about my bosses and not set people straight. If I have
reinforced the grumbling of anyone who is here, I really do apologize. These
experiences are equivalent to if David had tried to kill or maim King Saul in
the cave or while he slept.[5]
That is wrong; that is sin. That is what we do when we disrespect, complain about,
or try to undermine those God has raised up as our leaders.
If
we have a problem with those in authority over us we are never supposed to
undermine them. If we have a problem with those in authority over us we are
never supposed to complain about them secretly to others. If we have a problem
with those in authority over us we are never supposed to go over their heads.
If we have a problem with those in authority over us we are never supposed to
go behind their back. If we have a problem with those in authority over us we
are never supposed to gossip, slander, malign, or even THINK bad things about
our bosses, pastors, our bosses’ bosses or our pastor’s pastors (remember as well
the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7). If we have a problem with those in
authority we are never supposed to even listen to those who try to undermine
them. That is disastrous to a church. If you attack a pastor, a Captain, a
Major, a Colonel, a leader in that way; you may actually be a part of the ruin
of the whole church. It really is pushing the self-destruct button. If I get
drawn into the trap of complaining about my boss to my employees, my
parishioners, or as bad or worse – to his or her boss, I am holding a grenade
to my soul and that cannot end well. If you get drawn into the trap of
complaining about your pastor to our employees, our parishioners, or as bad or
worse – to my boss, then you are holding a grenade to all of our souls and that
cannot end well for the church or for any of us.
The
Apostle Paul, who writes much the same things about respecting authorities in
his letter to the Romans and elsewhere: Romans 13:1-7, Colossians 3:18-4:1,
Ephesians 5:21-6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:28, Titus 2:9; likewise Luke in Luke 2:51;
10:17; and James, the brother of Jesus, in James 4:7; 3:1-2. Paul and Peter
receive martyrs' crowns via a state execution and en route to their death they still
refuse to disrespect the authorities God placed over them (cf. Acts
23:1-5). Peter writes, 1 Peter 2:13-15,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the
emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to
punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s
will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish
people.”
Submit
ourselves to the leaders of the places we are citizens -both on earth and in
heaven - and in the church where God has called us. If someone gossips or
complains to you, refuse to listen to them! By doing this good, as the
scriptures say, you will silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. And my
friends –if any of us are indulging in complaining, make no mistake, it is
ignorant and we need to be silenced.
However,
as we refuse to take part in these behaviours the darkness and troubles around
us will really turn into light and life.[6] I
promise. Leo Tolstoy, a couple of hundred years before 'pay it forward' wrote a
book called 'The Forged Coupon'.[7]
This book starts with one person giving into a little temptation and then it
spirals way out of control with lots of people down the road creating lots of
serious problems -even death -for others. But then at a mid-way point of the
book, the story reverses. One lady refuses to partake in selfishness and her
act of goodness reverses the trend and is the first in a series of blessed
events that sees all the characters,
instead of spreading darkness, shining the light of Christ into the
world.
It
is the same with us. If the next time someone complains to you about The
Salvation Army of which you by your very presence are a part, if the next time
someone complains to you about HQ, if the next time someone complains to you
about these Captains or those Majors, if the next time someone complains to you
about someone at 614 or the Warehouse, if you refuse to listen to it and
counter by saying something good about that person and direct the complainant
-with a smile - to speak to the person instead of about him/her;
if you pray for him/her and refuse to gossip or even listen to her/him then you
can be that turning point which God uses to transform a whole community from
darkness to light.
However,
if we choose to complain ourselves or listen to others gossip. grumble and
complain then we are feeding the darkness. Today the choice is ours, like Saul
(both NT and OT), we can hunt down our enemies on a seemingly righteous
campaign and spread darkness and death
or, like David in today's
stories, we can love and support those in authority over us; we can love and
support our neighbours, refusing to repay evil with even a bad thought. The
choice is ours. We can choose the light of salvation or darkness and death. It
is my hope that we will choose the light and love of God, for as we do we will
see the whole world changed, our churches changed, and indeed we will see our
very own souls transformed.
Let us pray.
---
---
[1]
Gbile Akanni and Nupanga Weanzana, Africa
Bible Commentary, (Nairobi, Kenya: Word Alive Publishers, 2010), ' 1 Samuel
24:3-6: a test for David's heart': God may have done this to test David's heart:
Humility is the understanding of the boundaries we need to observe in relation
to anyone to whom God has given authority.
[2]
Gbile Akanni and Nupanga Weanzana, Africa
Bible Commentary, (Nairobi, Kenya: Word Alive Publishers, 2010), '1 Samuel
24:3-6: a test for David's heart': God may have done this to test David's heart
[3]
But cf. Ronald F. Youngblood, The
Expositor's Bible Commentary, Pradis CD-ROM:1 and 2 Samuel/Exposition of
First Samuel/III. Establishment of Monarchy in Israel (16:1-31:13)/A. The Rise
of David (16:1-28:2)/12. Sparing Saul's life (24:1-22), Book Version: 4.0.2: David
may have sinned in cutting the robe; he did repent publicly.
[4] Gbile
Akanni and Nupanga Weanzana, Africa Bible
Commentary, (Nairobi, Kenya: Word Alive Publishers, 2010), '1 Samuel
24:7-16: The Power of the Spoken Word', 367
[5]
Gbile Akanni and Nupanga Weanzana, Africa
Bible Commentary, (Nairobi, Kenya: Word Alive Publishers, 2010), '1 Samuel
24:7-16: The Power of the Spoken Word', 367
[6]
cf. Bruce C. Birch, 'The First and Second Books of Samuel' in The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 2, ed.
Leander E. Keck, et el. (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1998), 1160.
[7]
cf. Leo Tolstoy, The Forged Coupon
---
FURTHER QUESTIONS:
David honours God and Saul (1 Sam 23-26) July 30,2017
“The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” - 1 Samuel 24:6
Group 1
I. Life
1. What is something you noticed about God this week?
II. Text
Re-read 1 Samuel 24
1. What happened in this story?
2. Who raised up and anointed King Saul? Who raise up our leaders in church and society (both those better than Saul and, if possible, those who aren’t)?
3. King Saul, David’s boss, was trying to kill him; the spirit of the Lord had left him; people who hated David’s boss surrounded him and told him that God had given him this opportunity to be rid of his boss. David would not strike King Saul nor would he let anyone else; why?
4. Theologians GbileAkanni and Nupanga Weanzana write, "Are we not called to work for righteousness in the church and society? We are, but we must not speak so much of the evils with the leadership of the church and society that leaders become objects of scorn. Those who listen to such talk will come to despise all leadership and will not grow in holiness and humility. The Lord must teach us how to use words that can restore the church and society"
a. David did not allow anyone to attack his leader. Why must we avoid the temptation to speak of the evils of the leadership in the church and society? What is a better way to affect change?
b. Gossip and speaking bad about our leaders and others is one of the most destructive things to the church and we Christians; words are powerful: what should we do if someone attacks another in our hearing? How can we use words to build each other up instead of tearing each other down?
5. How can we each replace a spirit of discord in our own society or church community? Are you willing to commit to not listen to things about our leaders (pastors, bosses, etc) and others?
6. This week when you hear someone say something negative about someone, I invite you to say something nice about them instead. Please take turns saying something nice about your pastor (and/or HQ), your boss and then someone else in the circle; then pray for them.
Group 2
I. Life
1. What is something you noticed about God this week?
II. Text
Re-read 1 Samuel 26
1. What happened in this story?
2. Who raised up and anointed King Saul? Who raises up our leaders in church and society (both those better than Saul and those who aren’t)?
3. 1 Samuel 26:9-11: "…David said to Abishai, 'Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the LORD lives,' he said, 'the LORD himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”David would not strike King Saul nor would he let anyone else; why?
4. James 3:5,9&10: “…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark....With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Words are power." David did not allow anyone to attack his leader. Why must we avoid the temptation to speak evil of our leaders in the church and society? What is a better way to affect change?
5. Gossip and speaking bad about our leaders and others is one of the most destructive things to the church and Christians; words are powerful: what should we do if someone attacks another in our hearing? How can we use words to build each other up instead of tearing each other down?
6. How can we each replace a spirit of discord in our own society or church community? Are you willing to commit to not listen to things about our leaders (pastors, bosses, etc) and others?
7. This week when you hear someone say something negative about someone, I invite you to say something nice about them instead. Please take turns saying something nice about your pastor (and/or HQ), your boss and then someone else in the circle; then pray for them.
David honours God and Saul (1 Sam 23-26) July 30,2017
“The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” - 1 Samuel 24:6
Group 1
I. Life
1. What is something you noticed about God this week?
II. Text
Re-read 1 Samuel 24
1. What happened in this story?
2. Who raised up and anointed King Saul? Who raise up our leaders in church and society (both those better than Saul and, if possible, those who aren’t)?
3. King Saul, David’s boss, was trying to kill him; the spirit of the Lord had left him; people who hated David’s boss surrounded him and told him that God had given him this opportunity to be rid of his boss. David would not strike King Saul nor would he let anyone else; why?
4. Theologians GbileAkanni and Nupanga Weanzana write, "Are we not called to work for righteousness in the church and society? We are, but we must not speak so much of the evils with the leadership of the church and society that leaders become objects of scorn. Those who listen to such talk will come to despise all leadership and will not grow in holiness and humility. The Lord must teach us how to use words that can restore the church and society"
a. David did not allow anyone to attack his leader. Why must we avoid the temptation to speak of the evils of the leadership in the church and society? What is a better way to affect change?
b. Gossip and speaking bad about our leaders and others is one of the most destructive things to the church and we Christians; words are powerful: what should we do if someone attacks another in our hearing? How can we use words to build each other up instead of tearing each other down?
5. How can we each replace a spirit of discord in our own society or church community? Are you willing to commit to not listen to things about our leaders (pastors, bosses, etc) and others?
6. This week when you hear someone say something negative about someone, I invite you to say something nice about them instead. Please take turns saying something nice about your pastor (and/or HQ), your boss and then someone else in the circle; then pray for them.
Group 2
I. Life
1. What is something you noticed about God this week?
II. Text
Re-read 1 Samuel 26
1. What happened in this story?
2. Who raised up and anointed King Saul? Who raises up our leaders in church and society (both those better than Saul and those who aren’t)?
3. 1 Samuel 26:9-11: "…David said to Abishai, 'Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the LORD lives,' he said, 'the LORD himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”David would not strike King Saul nor would he let anyone else; why?
4. James 3:5,9&10: “…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark....With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Words are power." David did not allow anyone to attack his leader. Why must we avoid the temptation to speak evil of our leaders in the church and society? What is a better way to affect change?
5. Gossip and speaking bad about our leaders and others is one of the most destructive things to the church and Christians; words are powerful: what should we do if someone attacks another in our hearing? How can we use words to build each other up instead of tearing each other down?
6. How can we each replace a spirit of discord in our own society or church community? Are you willing to commit to not listen to things about our leaders (pastors, bosses, etc) and others?
7. This week when you hear someone say something negative about someone, I invite you to say something nice about them instead. Please take turns saying something nice about your pastor (and/or HQ), your boss and then someone else in the circle; then pray for them.
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