The search for the death of his presumed enemy had become of the utmost importance. He had the army, the financial muscle and informants scattered all over the countries that made it impossible for his enemy to escape. Powered by a demon that twisted the ears of his spirit to assume that he, the evil spirit, was God, he would stop at nothing until his mission was accomplished.
So set out Saul with his men on a daily search for a man who did nothing but defeat the enemies of the Most High; the same Most High Saul was purportedly serving. The same Most High that is God over Israel.
A man whose only crime was to obey his father’s instruction to take food to his brothers at the battlefield has suddenly become the target of a powerful king; a king whose only claim to the throne was divine prophecy by a true prophet, Samuel.
Saul fought no wars to earn the seat of power, no act of valour to merit the throne, no sacrifice or training or deep consecration to warrant his choice as the first king of Israel. A son of Kish who didn’t kiss any ring to ascend the throne of power wants to kill the son of Jesse from whose bloodline Jesus would come. What a tragedy that a man brought to the throne by divine prophecy wants to terminate divine prophecy. Such blindness, powered by the demon of hatred, is so alien to my imagination, and may it remain so.
But now, a young boy who faithfully cared for his father’s livestock, and God decided to care for him as his sheep, who trained himself by defeating lions and bears, who accomplished a great physical and spiritual feat and who has a divine prophecy from the same true prophet, is hunted by one who should mentor him. Saul was chasing the wrong enemy, yet he was not aware.
Something happened in the latter part of 1 Samuel 23, which I consider a consequence of chasing the wrong enemy. While Saul was busy pursuing David with all his men of war, the Philistines invaded his land. Had a servant not arrived in the wilderness of Maon to inform him of the development, his kingdom would have been doomed that day. He was engrossed in pursuing the wrong enemy instead of keeping his home front safe from the real enemy.
Here are some lessons I learnt:
1. Some people are busy fighting against those who should be their friends while accommodating serpents whom they should keep at a distance. David was never an enemy to be killed, but a friend to be cherished and loved. Going to unimaginable lengths to kill him is sad to read. Destroyers are subtle and pretend to be well-intentioned, pushing you to go against those who want the best for you. Be wary.
2. Saul assumed that God was leading him to destroy David when he was being led by a demon called hatred. Hatred can lead to madness, delusions, and other forms of psychological and psychiatric disorders. It can also lead to demonic possession and be reinforced by the same.
3. Strong emotions, in this case hatred, can blind one from priorities and planning. Saul didn’t need to go after David by himself. He had army generals who could get the job done for him. He was chasing a lonely young man, whose army was composed of rejects that Saul’s army could easily overrun. Also, securing his home front is a basic military rule that an experienced leader like Saul should know. You can’t leave your home defenceless while chasing after a man who is a mobile target, who constantly changes his location. He could lead you to a very distant land, away from home, and upon your return, you will find no one left. Destroy hatred before it destroys you.
4. Some issues do not require a special spirit of discernment to understand. The features of the people before you are glaring. Also, the motives behind your chase are not hidden from you. In the case of Saul, he was envious of David’s victory and thought that his kingdom would pass to David at his demise. Why are you really after David? What has he done wrong to you to warrant turning a friend and helper into a foe? Why are you aspiring to be a murderer?
5. While the above point is true, in many cases, however, the spirit of discernment is important to know who is for or against you. The external features can hide the truth, and you need another pair of spiritual eyes to know what lies beneath the surface. Satan and his cohorts are experts in disguising themselves as angels of light. You need God’s Spirit to reveal the spirits inside the people around you, including family members. He doesn’t make you suspicious of your relationships, but grants you clarity, so you make right decisions.
6. Enemies exploit loopholes to bring you down. The Philistines were aware that Saul was away from the city. A cursory look at 1 Samuel would show you that the Philistines had just fought against the Keilahites and were defeated by David and his men. So, when Saul planned to pursue David in Keilah, the Philistines were aware. When Saul eventually left Gibeah in daily search of David, the Philistines decided to exploit that opportunity and conquer the city. Your real enemies are waiting for you to make a mistake, to give a chance, to hate whom you should love and go against whom you should partner with. Believe the scriptures; they won’t waste a second to destroy you once they see a lacuna.
7. God always cares for his own even when the odds are against you. I’m convinced that God propped up the Philistines to attack the land of Israel to dissuade Saul from chasing after his servant David. The Bible recorded that David and his men were already surrounded by Saul and his army. The chances of escape from the mountain of Maon were minimal, but God, who knows and sees all things, made Saul hear news that made him desist from the pursuit. God knows how to deliver the righteous, and He is never late. You may have been surrounded, but be assured, God has mechanisms to deliver you from the jaws of the wicked.
