WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.839 Well, thank you so much, Adi, for reading and Drew for leading and Gary for playing. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:10.560 Just been so helpful to build us up to the passage we're going to be looking at this evening. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:14.339 So I encourage you to have that passage in 1 Samuel 22 open in front of you. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:22.740 And to track along as we go along this morning, because it's a passage that gives so much to teach us about what it means to follow God's anointed king. 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:27.500 And Drew's already prayed for us, so we'll just get stuck right in tonight. 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:32.100 And I want to read to you something I was reading on the Internet this week, and it's a poem. 00:00:32.899 --> 00:00:34.399 And the poem goes like this. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:39.859 We are Christians in the path of Christ we tread. 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:43.719 Take from me this word and note it well. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:50.659 Jesus is my Lord and he is the best of protectors. 00:00:50.659 --> 00:00:57.659 Now let me put a number on the screen as we begin this evening, which will get us into the big theme of this passage. 00:00:57.899 --> 00:01:00.780 And the number up there is 3,000. 00:01:01.979 --> 00:01:03.500 Do you know what that number represents? 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:15.799 It represents the number of Christians from around the world that it was estimated last year were killed specifically because they identified themselves with Jesus Christ. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:17.719 3,000 people. 00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:18.780 Get your head around that. 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:20.179 3,000 people. 00:01:21.659 --> 00:01:22.399 And it's shocking. 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:29.640 But what's even more shocking is the fact that apparently statistics would tell us that it's doubled since 2017. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:36.579 Now if you've been following the news over the past few months, you may have seen Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, 00:01:37.019 --> 00:01:40.799 take time to publicly recognize that shockingly high statistic. 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:45.780 And he commented recently at an event hosted by Open Doors. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:53.959 He said Britain can and must do more to respond to the plight of persecuted Christians around the world. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:57.359 So here's what we're going to see tonight in this passage. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:00.939 There's a sobering truth that's right at the heart of 1 Samuel 22. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:03.659 And it's something like this. 00:02:04.620 --> 00:02:09.439 The truth is that siding with God's king is a really costly thing. 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:13.020 Siding with God's king is a really costly thing. 00:02:13.079 --> 00:02:14.180 It's always been that way. 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:16.840 And it always will be that way. 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:23.539 But as we see this sobering truth that's right at the heart of this passage tonight, 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:25.740 before we think this is all doom and gloom, 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:31.219 there's a hugely comforting truth that's right at the heart of this passage as well. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:38.719 And I think it's got massive amounts of things to teach us about what it means to follow God's anointed king. 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:47.479 Now, as we've journeyed through this book of 1 Samuel, we've seen the rise of David, God's anointed, soon-to-be king. 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:56.560 And we've seen his rise and we've seen the decline of Saul, God's rejected but still-on-the-throne king. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:01.800 And we've seen the author present David to us almost as a kind of marmite king. 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:03.979 You've probably picked it up as we've gone through it. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:05.620 People are not really neutral to him. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:10.780 People either love him or they hate him as they respond to him 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:14.080 and as they see the things that God is accomplishing through him. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:20.080 So, while Saul rejects David and wants him dead, and we'll come back to see that in just a minute, 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:25.219 others recognize David and they embrace him as God's chosen king. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:31.620 Now, we've seen it over the last few weeks, particularly we're presented with this character called Jonathan. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:39.539 The man who is the rightful heir to the throne of Israel and he's the man with the future of dreams ahead of him. 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:46.180 And he recognizes, as he sees David in action, that he is God's chosen king 00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:55.260 and he stakes it all, his fortune, his family, and he stakes it all on David. 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:59.700 Now, we have to ask as we read about him there, we have to ask, why does he do that? 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:00.680 Why does he do that? 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:04.939 Well, because Jonathan doesn't just admire David. 00:04:06.420 --> 00:04:08.740 Jonathan, we see this all the way through, he loves David. 00:04:08.819 --> 00:04:09.360 He loves him. 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:15.860 And that's what inspires Jonathan's loyalty and devotion to David. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.920 And I guess, just as I've been reflecting on it this week, 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:24.800 that's the thing that God's been challenging me on most as we've journeyed through this book together. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.639 I don't know if this resonates with you, but this is where the challenge has come to me. 00:04:28.080 --> 00:04:29.520 The question has come to me, 00:04:29.580 --> 00:04:32.860 Graham, do you love God's anointed king, Jesus, 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:36.020 in the same way that Jonathan does David? 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.319 It's been the question that's hit me straight, no pun intended, 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:44.259 straight between the eyes, the stone that's hit me as we walk through this book. 00:04:44.900 --> 00:04:46.040 Do you love him like that? 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:49.759 Do you love the Lord Jesus with your heart, soul, mind, and strength? 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:50.480 Do you love him? 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:52.220 Does he have your loyalty? 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:53.340 Does he have your devotion? 00:04:55.400 --> 00:04:58.639 Because that's the relationship between Jonathan and David, isn't it? 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:00.740 This is what Jonathan recognizes about David. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:06.199 And flowing from that rightful recognition of Jesus and my love for him, 00:05:06.280 --> 00:05:09.720 am I willing to do what Jonathan did and stake it all in following Jesus? 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:12.759 So that means saying no to comfort and yes to cross. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.060 No to comfort and yes to cross. 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:18.920 Now it's been the week, isn't it, as a society that we've celebrated love. 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:19.939 Yeah? 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:22.860 Husbands, boyfriends, wives, girlfriends. 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:26.800 I hope you remembered the 14th, Thursday during the week there. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:29.019 It's the week where we celebrated love as a society. 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:33.799 Well, the thing is, my love for God's King, my love for Jesus will show itself, 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:39.259 and not by the giving of a card, but it will show itself by the carrying of a cross. 00:05:39.359 --> 00:05:41.779 That's what my love for Jesus will show itself as. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:47.259 As the challenge came to me this week, as I read about German pastor, theologian, 00:05:47.359 --> 00:05:50.919 and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he said, 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:54.780 when Christ calls a man, he calls him, come and die. 00:05:56.280 --> 00:05:57.220 Come and die. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:02.420 Because siding with God's King is a really costly thing. 00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:07.100 And Jonathan is a wonderful example of somebody who's counted the cost 00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:11.460 and responded rightly to God's anointed King. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:16.539 And so last week as well, on top of Jonathan, we saw, and if you want to check it out there, 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:25.060 chapter 22, verse 2, we saw this band of misfits who have somehow found their way to David. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:25.620 Do you see it? 00:06:25.659 --> 00:06:27.579 The 400 people who've gathered to him. 00:06:27.799 --> 00:06:32.639 And they are described as the desperate, the debtors, and the discontent. 00:06:32.799 --> 00:06:35.439 See, even this author likes alliteration. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.120 The desperate, the debtors, and the discontent. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:48.100 They are gathering to David, which I take it is the people in Israel who have been stung by the Saul regime. 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:50.779 They've been stung by the Saul regime. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:53.480 That is everyday people who have greatly suffered, 00:06:53.980 --> 00:07:01.319 who are experiencing the cost as a result of living under the poor choices of this King Saul. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:02.800 They're suffering. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:06.360 And I think if we're meant to identify with anyone in this book, really, 00:07:06.520 --> 00:07:10.439 it's meant to be these ordinary, everyday Israelites who are suffering because of a bad King. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:13.960 And these people, they've gathered, haven't they, to David. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:16.580 Do you see as he's hiding in the cave at Adalem? 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:20.740 They gather to him, presumably because, and this is fascinating, 00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:26.480 presumably because they see something so very different in David as God's anointed King. 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:31.060 And they see something so refreshingly different between him and Saul. 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:36.899 Now again, I should, we're thinking through our New Testament lenses. 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:38.740 That should remind us of Jesus, shouldn't it? 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:40.339 What was he described at? 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.420 What was his nickname all the way through the New Testament? 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:43.980 What's his nickname? 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:45.040 The Friend of Sinners. 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:47.139 The Friend of Sinners. 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:52.259 So we pick up the story at verse 6 of chapter 22. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.500 David's still on the run and having made his way to the forest of Hereth. 00:07:57.339 --> 00:08:00.819 And the first word we read at verse 6 is Saul. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:02.039 So here is Saul. 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.319 He's back in action again. 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:05.779 And Saul's determined to know. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:07.399 Now you say, know what? 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:10.379 Well, he wants to know where David is. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:16.839 The last time he saw Saul speak was at verse 31 of chapter 20. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.100 This is where he last appears. 00:08:19.899 --> 00:08:24.459 And he utters the defiant words to Jonathan because of his loyalty to David. 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.920 He says, David must die. 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:27.060 That's where we left Saul. 00:08:27.159 --> 00:08:27.860 He declared that. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:28.740 David must die. 00:08:29.100 --> 00:08:32.059 And he quite literally made his point to Jonathan. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.740 He threw his spear at Jonathan. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.139 Saul said, he must die. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:40.860 And so Saul comes back into the narrative here at verse 6. 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:41.860 And it's very revealing. 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:42.399 Do you see it? 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:43.259 Of his mental state. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.519 What's he still got in his hand? 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:46.179 His spear. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.840 He's still got his spear in his hand. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:49.659 When we last saw him, he had his spear in his hand. 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:50.100 He threw it. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:50.679 What's he got now? 00:08:50.699 --> 00:08:51.860 He's still got his spear in his hand. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:54.659 Revealing of his mental state at this point. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:59.879 But, do you follow with me in the narrative? 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.179 Saul's luck is in. 00:09:01.939 --> 00:09:03.840 Because he receives news. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:06.279 This news that he's been dying to hear. 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:08.240 Not only about David's whereabouts. 00:09:08.419 --> 00:09:09.019 Does he hear about. 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:12.379 But he hears about these 400 people who have gathered around him. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:14.120 Now you've heard that expression, haven't you? 00:09:14.199 --> 00:09:15.799 To a man with a hammer, everything's a nail. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:16.919 Yeah? 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:19.779 Well, to the man with an enemy. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:22.740 Everything's a conspiracy. 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:26.240 Presumably Saul hears this bit of news. 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:30.620 And he thinks to himself that David's on the recruitment drive. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.879 He's gathering for himself a little army. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:38.019 And he's planning on going a bit of William Wallace. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:38.539 Yeah? 00:09:38.700 --> 00:09:39.439 Guerrilla warfare. 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:41.580 And he's going to attack me. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:42.519 He's out to get me. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:46.059 This is what Saul's going on in his mind, I imagine. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:48.200 As he hears this news. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:51.580 And it's interesting as you contrast the two characters here. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:52.740 As you see Saul. 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:55.700 As you see the people that Saul has gathered around about him. 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:58.480 So if David has welcomed people. 00:09:58.640 --> 00:09:59.940 Saul has rejected people. 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:02.920 Do you see the little detail in the text at verse 7? 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:06.940 When Saul turns to address his little group. 00:10:07.020 --> 00:10:07.560 His servants. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:08.680 He addresses the men. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:09.440 Not of Israel. 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:11.379 But of Benjamin. 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:14.940 So he's gathered around about him. 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:16.300 The people from his own tribe. 00:10:16.520 --> 00:10:18.300 These are the only people who he will trust. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.540 He's pushed everyone else away. 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:22.319 And even to them. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.279 He begins to hurl at them accusations. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:28.559 About their lack of loyalty to him. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:31.259 And about their lack of concern for him. 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.679 He's hurling it at these people. 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:35.179 And as you read it. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:38.219 I mean the man is throwing the pity party of all pity parties. 00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:38.659 Isn't he? 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:40.860 The pity party of all pity parties. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:42.659 What he's doing. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:45.159 He's desperately trying to emotionally secure. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:48.279 His men's allegiance. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:51.659 And so in light of all of that. 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:54.379 And sensing a huge opportunity. 00:10:54.599 --> 00:10:55.120 Verse 9. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.079 If you see it there. 00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:59.279 Enter stage left. 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:00.539 It's your left isn't it? 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.699 Enter stage left. 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:02.980 Doeg. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:06.899 Now we're told that this man's an Edomite. 00:11:08.079 --> 00:11:10.819 And the author calls him that three times in these verses. 00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:12.559 To make sure that we get the point. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.319 That he's an Edomite. 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:16.519 He's one of these people. 00:11:16.599 --> 00:11:17.719 This is what the author is telling us. 00:11:17.719 --> 00:11:18.599 One of these people. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.960 Who don't worship the Lord. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:22.960 They worship the God of the nations. 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:23.680 Round about him. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:25.120 He's one of these people. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.899 Who have proven to be. 00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:28.980 And who will consistently prove to be. 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:32.279 A constant thorn in the side of Israel. 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:33.940 Doeg is one of these people. 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.759 He's an Edomite. 00:11:37.040 --> 00:11:37.840 But Doeg. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:39.000 I think the thing to see. 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:40.399 He's the man. 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:42.700 If you glance back to verse 7 of chapter 21. 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:47.140 He's the man who has been in the background. 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:52.540 And he's overheard David speaking with a Himalek the high priest. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:53.300 So he's heard that. 00:11:54.020 --> 00:11:55.340 He's got that bit of information. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.440 That bit of juicy gossip. 00:11:56.640 --> 00:11:57.640 That bit of juicy news. 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.160 If you like. 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.480 I was trying to picture him this week. 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.980 Like he's a member of the paparazzi. 00:12:03.180 --> 00:12:05.440 He's found himself in exactly the right places. 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:06.680 At exactly the right time. 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.319 And he's managed to get that photo. 00:12:08.599 --> 00:12:09.719 Of that celebrity. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:10.839 And when he sees it back. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:12.819 He realises that what he's got in his hand. 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.819 Is absolute gold. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.159 I mean he's got the golden ticket. 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:16.859 Doeg. 00:12:18.219 --> 00:12:18.899 He's got it. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.939 He's got that information. 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:21.479 That no one else has. 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.219 But Saul wants. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:23.879 And he senses his moment is now. 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:26.539 Because he hears Saul's distaste for David. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:29.359 And he sees how delighted Saul is. 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:31.679 When he learns of David's whereabouts. 00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:32.899 Verse 9. 00:12:33.199 --> 00:12:33.939 Hear him chip in. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.699 I saw him. 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:37.339 Says Doeg. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.439 I saw him. 00:12:39.099 --> 00:12:39.799 Jesse's son. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.699 Doesn't even give him the name David. 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:42.519 Jesse's son. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.620 So what's going on here. 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:47.339 Is that he is subtly playing into Saul's language. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.919 Saul never refers to him as David. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:49.299 Does he? 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:50.319 Jesse's son. 00:12:50.959 --> 00:12:52.539 Doeg is playing into this narrative. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.659 I saw him speaking with Ahimelech. 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:57.159 I saw him speaking with the high priest. 00:12:57.979 --> 00:12:58.559 And what's more. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.959 I saw Ahimelech. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.039 In choir of the Lord for him. 00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:04.699 Which is an interesting little comment. 00:13:04.959 --> 00:13:06.559 Because if you look back at the conversation. 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:08.739 Between David and Ahimelech. 00:13:09.099 --> 00:13:10.459 Ahimelech did no such thing. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.559 He did no such thing. 00:13:14.239 --> 00:13:15.559 Again do you see what Doeg's doing? 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.859 He's twisting. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:19.000 Subtly twisting the tale of events. 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.899 Trying to win Saul's favour. 00:13:21.099 --> 00:13:23.979 And trying to tap into Saul's paranoid narrative. 00:13:23.979 --> 00:13:25.679 For his advantage. 00:13:25.859 --> 00:13:27.199 And you've got to hand it to Doeg. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:28.539 Yeah. 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:30.719 I mean as far as biblical baddies go. 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.819 He is pretty crafty. 00:13:32.959 --> 00:13:33.699 He's up there. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:34.839 Cunning. 00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:36.620 Opportunistic. 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.319 This is Doeg. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:43.639 And so when Saul hears that David has Goliath's sword. 00:13:44.599 --> 00:13:46.599 What he does is he puts two and two together. 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.419 And he gets 22. 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:50.819 So he thinks David's on the run. 00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:52.779 He's gathered these 400 men. 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:54.699 And he's got Goliath's sword in his hand. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.500 So he's after me. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.279 And that gives me the excuse. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.559 To go after him. 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:01.139 And anybody who would associate with him. 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:04.299 And if Saul's determined to know. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:07.179 Well Doeg's delighted to kill. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:11.000 And what follows next is absolutely brutal. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.339 It's absolutely brutal. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:16.500 And I think we do well to slow down. 00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:17.580 And to remind ourselves. 00:14:17.780 --> 00:14:19.560 That the Bible is not a fable. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.759 This is not Hansel and Gretel. 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:24.180 This is not an allegory. 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:25.960 This is real. 00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:27.080 Brutal. 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.019 Biblical. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.180 History. 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:34.080 And this shows us just how bad. 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.600 It had gotten under. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.320 The Saul regime. 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:39.540 How. 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:42.860 Bad it had got for the everyday Israelite. 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:45.139 How bad it had got for the nation. 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.419 That this king. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:48.620 Had totally taken his eye off the ball. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.940 And verse 11. 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.320 Saul orders Ahimelech. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.279 And his whole family. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:55.419 Which means him. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.600 As well as the other priests. 00:14:58.440 --> 00:14:59.680 To be brought to him. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.340 And Saul refers to him. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.019 At verse 12. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.240 As the son of Atihub. 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.100 Do you see? 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:06.659 He doesn't even dignify him with his name. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.720 And Ahimelech. 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:10.120 No doubt. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.259 Trembling with fear. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.639 He not only pleads his innocence. 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.120 But I think really interestingly. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.360 He gives a massively. 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:17.440 Sorry. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:19.019 He gives a telling defense of David. 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:22.080 And it's striking the way he describes David. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.860 And it's a wonderful testimony here. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:27.519 Of who he knows David to be. 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:30.840 And how David has come to be regarded in Israel. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:33.460 Because God's anointed king. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:35.320 People speak very well of him. 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.879 Again it should remind us of Jesus. 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.360 He does all things well. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:42.379 People are speaking well here of David. 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.060 Look at what Ahimelech says. 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.539 David. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:45.860 David. 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:47.899 Do you mean your most faithful servant? 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:49.759 David. 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.580 Do you mean your son-in-law? 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.320 David. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:54.620 Do you mean the man who's honoured. 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.720 In your own house? 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:56.580 Do you mean that David? 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.100 Do you see? 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.820 How it's a wonderful testimony. 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.300 Of how David has come to be regarded. 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:05.139 And yes Ahimelech's helped David. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.440 But he didn't do it. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.620 Because he thought he was in on some kind of conspiracy. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.600 Against the king. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:12.500 These are totally innocent. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.680 Heart on sleeve comments from Ahimelech. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.879 And he's just stating the facts. 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.259 This is who I know David to be. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.220 This is who he is. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.960 And as Cat pointed out to me this week. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.440 As we studied this passage together. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.300 As a staff team. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:27.960 What a wonderfully brave thing for Ahimelech to do. 00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.139 He just tells it like it is. 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:32.720 This is who I know David to be. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.600 This is who he is. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:38.680 In spite of all the opposition that's going to come his way. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.320 Of all the pressure. 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:42.680 Of all the accusations that are standing before him. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.279 Ahimelech just tells it like it is. 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:49.940 And I think there's some wonderful lessons that we can learn for our evangelism. 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.200 And we think about that this morning. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:55.080 Just being able to speak about Jesus to our friends. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.659 To give a testimony. 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.519 To give an answer. 00:16:57.920 --> 00:17:00.139 Before those who would ask us about King Jesus. 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:02.620 And Ahimelech is a wonderful example. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.639 He doesn't twist it. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.539 He doesn't shirk it. 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.799 He just tells it like it is. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:08.579 This is who I know David to be. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.719 But in Saul's mind as he hears this. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.480 He only goes to reinforce his mindset. 00:17:20.699 --> 00:17:22.299 That everybody is in on this. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.019 Everybody is in on this. 00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.899 And anyone who associates with David. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.240 Anyone who speaks well of him. 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.240 Anyone who sides with him must be killed. 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:32.339 And it's fascinating what happens next at verse 17. 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:38.500 Because Saul gives his orders to his guards to slaughter the priests. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:44.859 But do you see how they just cannot bring themselves to do it? 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:53.599 Presumably because they could see the utter foolishness and the cold-bloodedness of what Saul was asking them to do. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:55.240 I mean Saul this is the priests. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.159 This is the priests. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:18:02.199 These are the guys who perform the sacrifices to make us right with God. 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:05.579 And you're wanting us to effectively try and wipe them out. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.599 If you think about it like that. 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.559 What is Saul asking? 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:12.639 But I wonder if as well. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:14.700 And I'm slightly reading between the lines here. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.919 But you'd forgive me for that. 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:20.139 As they hear what Ahimelech has to say about David. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:23.659 I wonder if there's just part of him that sits there and thinks to themselves. 00:18:24.179 --> 00:18:24.759 Do you know what? 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.480 We kind of agree. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.559 That's who we know David to be too. 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.899 What crime has he committed? 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.500 What wrong has he done? 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:42.140 And do you see how they can't even bring themselves to do it? 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:45.920 I think it's another way of showing us that David is innocent. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.380 He's innocent of these crimes. 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:49.279 He's innocent of what Saul is thinking he's going to do. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:51.539 Again do you see the little bread comes dropped to Jesus. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.099 Jesus. 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:53.900 Innocent. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.180 Free of accusation. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.240 Before Pilate. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.559 Before the Pharisees. 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.440 Before the authorities. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.279 Innocent. 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.819 But verse 18. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.779 If they won't do it. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.980 If they won't do it. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.819 I know someone who will. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.920 Doeg will do it. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.559 Verse 18. 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:14.480 And he absolutely butchers the priests. 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.400 85 people. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.380 Get your heads around that. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.039 Think about that. 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:21.160 That's more than who are in this room tonight. 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:23.180 85 people. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.160 85 people. 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:29.380 And so good and opportunist is Doeg. 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:32.779 That he senses that Saul is in no mood to stop him. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:37.680 He senses that there's an even greater opportunity ahead of him to do some serious damage. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:40.440 And do you see how he goes so much further. 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:42.019 So much further. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:44.420 Than Saul's original command to him. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:48.779 And he intacts the entire city of the priests who are living in Nob. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:52.299 Along with everything and everyone else who is living there. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.700 And it's horrible reading isn't it? 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:57.440 This is how bad it had got under Saul. 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.059 And his kingship. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.920 As one commentator read this week put it. 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:05.799 On that day Doeg proved himself to be a true Edomite. 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:11.119 And I think here's where we need to maybe take a step back. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:15.480 And we need to think about what's been described to us here. 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.240 I mean it really is a massacre isn't it? 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.819 What has been described to us here? 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:23.059 Well what Doeg did on that day. 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:28.460 It echoes the judgments of God on the surrounding enemy nations. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:31.579 As a result of the rebellion against him. 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:34.519 And as a result of their hostility towards his people. 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.879 This is how it's described. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.579 And when you view it like that. 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.700 The utter tragedy is that Saul. 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.559 The king of Israel. 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.619 Do you remember the people we saw? 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.819 The king who we saw right at the start. 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.319 The people had chosen him. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.400 He was the people's king. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:52.279 That's how much hatred he now has for God's anointed king. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:56.579 And so if you think about the Bible. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.799 Big picture. 00:20:57.799 --> 00:21:00.059 Like Pharaoh in the days of Moses. 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:03.079 Like Jezebel in the days of Elijah. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:05.659 Like Herod in the days of Jesus. 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:08.559 And like the Pharisees in the days of Jesus. 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:11.059 And like many more ever since. 00:21:11.139 --> 00:21:11.899 Even today. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:23.939 Saul's come to represent the face of the person who would stand to kill and hate God's king. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.679 We do not want him as our king. 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:28.620 I hate who he is. 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:30.180 I hate what he stands for. 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.340 And by extension. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.660 I hate everybody who identifies with him. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:37.360 Do you see the sobering lesson here in this chapter? 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:41.259 Siding with God's king. 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.900 Is a really costly thing. 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.000 It always has been. 00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:47.259 Always has been. 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:49.420 And it always will be. 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:51.640 And that's the sobering truth. 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:53.759 That's right at the heart of this passage this evening. 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.600 But. 00:21:57.860 --> 00:22:00.140 In amongst all the bloodshed and brutality. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.600 There's an important truth. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.420 That if we blink. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.320 We will miss it. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:06.039 And the truth is. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:10.560 That this was not outside God's sovereign plan. 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.800 Now. 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:14.980 If you remember much earlier in 1st Samuel chapter 2. 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:17.539 There was a prophet that came to Eli with a terrible message. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:19.779 And the terrible message was to do with the judgment. 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.000 That God was going to bring on the priesthood. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.119 As a result of their wickedness. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.879 And the rejection of the Lord. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:29.200 Particularly that of Phineas and Hophni. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.139 Eli's sons. 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:32.279 And this is what God said was going to happen. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:36.079 The only one of you. 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.559 This is after God had brought his judgment. 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.480 The only one of you. 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:40.639 Whom I shall not cut off from my altar. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:43.460 Shall be spared to weep his eyes out. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.639 To grieve his heart. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:47.079 And all the descendants of your house. 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.879 Shall die. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.639 By the sword of men. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.179 This is what God had said would happen. 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.259 Because of their. 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:54.119 Because of the priest's. 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:56.099 Willful rejection of the Lord. 00:22:56.179 --> 00:22:57.220 This is what's going to happen. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.220 So what does that mean? 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:58.919 Think about it. 00:22:58.939 --> 00:22:59.619 What does that mean? 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.079 Well it means. 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.480 That Doeg. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.279 Even though he had. 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:07.220 No idea what was going on. 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:09.559 And whilst remaining along with Saul. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.659 Fully responsible for his actions. 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:15.820 He was being used by God as an instrument. 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:19.019 Through which God's judgment was brought to pass. 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:21.040 On the priests of Israel. 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:25.980 And of course that's exactly what we see at the cross of Jesus. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.480 Isn't it? 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:29.040 The Pharisees. 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.980 The religious leaders. 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:30.480 Pilate. 00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:30.900 The Romans. 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:33.480 All fully responsible for the murder of Jesus. 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.720 Jesus. 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.220 However what was really going on. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:41.559 Was that it was the will of the Lord to crush him. 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:45.920 And there were our iniquities that he bore on the cross. 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:51.000 And behind the cross was the sovereign hand of God. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.559 That these. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.660 Mill mortals. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:58.480 Were carrying out his sovereign plan. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:02.680 And God also says in those verses. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.720 If you look at it there. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.779 That someone would be spared. 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.500 There it is there. 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.620 Someone would be spared. 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:12.279 And that's exactly what we read at verse 20. 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.279 Back in chapter 22. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:17.079 Do you see how one guy escapes? 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.539 One priest escapes. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:18.980 There's. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.700 Again. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:22.079 Do you see how good God is for his word? 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:23.799 What he says will pass. 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.880 Will come to pass. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.920 Abiathar. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.839 That's his name. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:28.980 Abiathar. 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.879 Do you know what his name means? 00:24:29.959 --> 00:24:31.759 His name means my father remains. 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.939 My father remains. 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:37.399 And in light of everything that's happened. 00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:38.879 Everything that he's witnessed. 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:40.779 The fact that a man with that name. 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:43.099 Runs straight to David. 00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:44.919 To deliver this message. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.659 No doubt with tears in his eyes. 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.959 And pain in his heart. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.740 The fact that a man with that name. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.379 Runs to David. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.019 Is deeply. 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.699 Deeply. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.659 Moving. 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.179 And again. 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.439 So revealing of how. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:58.460 Well regarded. 00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:59.980 David is at this point in history. 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.700 That the fact that Abiathar thinks. 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.660 That's where I'm running. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.059 That's where I'm running. 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:04.960 In fact. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.720 You could forgive him. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.420 If you think about it. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.019 In one respect. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.360 It's the one place. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.920 Given everything that he's seen and heard. 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:11.140 It's the one place. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.960 That we might think. 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.200 That. 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.220 In a way. 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.360 Would be the one place. 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.779 You'd run a million miles away from. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.539 Yeah. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.140 Don't associate yourself. 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.680 With David. 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:20.720 Because to side with him is a costly thing. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.940 So why are you running to David? 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.600 But he runs to David. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.340 He runs to David. 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.759 Why? 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:34.480 Well could it be that Abiathar too has recognized who David is? 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:38.340 And he realizes that somehow. 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:40.940 Somehow. 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.420 His life. 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:46.220 Is safe with God's anointed king. 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.660 His life is safe. 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.900 Because his life has become bound up. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.900 With God's anointed king. 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:57.039 And that's the safe place for Abiathar in his life. 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:58.460 Not away from God's king. 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:01.460 But by running to God's king. 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:03.539 And Saul's determined to know. 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:05.460 And Doeg's delighted to kill. 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:07.400 While David's devoted to keep. 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.580 Look at it here. 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:11.319 And this is where we come to the encouragement. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:13.079 And the great comfort for us this evening. 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.539 I think. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.799 David responds to this news. 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:17.079 That Abiathar brings him. 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.659 And again. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.319 David puts two and two together. 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:23.079 And he remembers the episode with Doeg. 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.319 Back at chapter 21. 00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:27.240 He remembers that conversation. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.879 What does he say? 00:26:27.939 --> 00:26:29.139 I knew Doeg was there. 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:30.359 I knew he was there. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.079 So he hears this news. 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.019 About what's going on. 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.899 Doeg is done. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.480 And it's at this point. 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.139 Interestingly. 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:39.259 That David pens Psalm 52. 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:43.599 Thinking of Doeg. 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.579 He pens this Psalm. 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.720 And check it out when you go home. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.039 It's a fascinating Psalm. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.519 Thinking of Doeg. 00:26:48.699 --> 00:26:51.039 Why do you boast of evil you mighty hero? 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:52.359 Why do you boast of that? 00:26:52.419 --> 00:26:53.299 Do you hear it in his voice? 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:56.199 Why do you boast all day long? 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:58.139 You who are a disgrace. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:27:00.039 In the eyes of God. 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:03.799 I wonder whether Doeg was boasting over the fact that he killed so many people. 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:07.319 Then at verse 5. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:10.079 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:12.659 He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent. 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.259 In other words. 00:27:13.379 --> 00:27:16.680 God will have the last word on your life and what you've done. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.639 And I think at the end of that Psalm. 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:21.839 We get a wonderful picture into David's heart. 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:24.299 A little window into what's going on in his soul. 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:27.480 He says. 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.799 But I am like an olive tree. 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.940 Psalm 55 at the end. 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:33.460 I am like an olive tree. 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:35.399 Flourishing in the house of God. 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:39.299 I trust in God's unfailing love. 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.399 Forever. 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.779 And ever. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:45.279 So there is the heart of God's anointed king there. 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:50.139 And in contrast to the lack of. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:54.960 Total lack of responsibility that we've seen Saul exercise over the past few weeks in this book. 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:59.399 David takes responsibility for what's happened here. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:04.759 Not simply responsibility for the fact that because he was seen there with Ahimelech. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.440 This tragedy happened. 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:10.940 But he takes responsibility for the person. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.220 For the priest. 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.980 Who's run to him for safety. 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:18.039 And here is the great comfort for us in these verses. 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:18.920 And for all. 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.240 Maybe you're here tonight. 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.980 And you're knowing that in your life at the minute. 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:26.340 You know and you feel the cost of associating and siding with God's anointed king. 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.120 Here is the comfort. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.500 Verse 23. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:34.700 God's anointed king says to Abiathar. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:39.960 Your life is safe with me. 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:44.080 Your life is safe with me. 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:45.759 Your life and my life. 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:47.120 They are now caught up together. 00:28:48.840 --> 00:28:49.740 And you're mine. 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:54.519 And look at the promise that David makes to him right at the end of this chapter. 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.880 Consider who this man is. 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.400 Yeah. 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.240 Abiathar. 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:59.039 This man who's heartbroken. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:01.259 This man with nowhere else to go. 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:03.279 This man with a target on his back. 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:06.359 This man maybe even likely an orphan at this point. 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:09.379 And he runs to God's king. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:11.420 And God's king says don't be afraid. 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.799 Don't be afraid. 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.660 I've got you. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.039 And your life. 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:19.240 Is safe with me. 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:23.480 And we cannot read those words. 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:25.680 Without thinking. 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.519 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.019 Can we? 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:31.099 And what he said to his disciples. 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:33.259 Is he's preparing them. 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:36.099 For what life is going to be like without him. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:39.579 And how life without him is going to be really hard. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.500 It's going to be really hard. 00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.420 They hated me. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.380 They will hate you. 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:46.380 But at the end of John 16. 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.760 This is what we get from Jesus. 00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:51.860 I have told you these things. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:54.400 So that in me you may have peace. 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:57.920 In this world you will have trouble. 00:29:58.140 --> 00:30:00.780 But take heart. 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.880 Which is another way of saying. 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.440 Don't be afraid. 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.260 Why? 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:10.140 Because I have overcome the world. 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:15.740 So surely the message to the first readers of this passage. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:20.720 And the message to the 21st century believer who reads this passage. 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:22.180 Is that yes. 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:25.940 Siding with God's anointed king is a really costly thing. 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.460 It is. 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:30.019 It may cost you your reputation. 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:32.200 It may cost you a career advancement. 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:34.579 It may cost you a split in your family. 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:36.859 It may even cost you your own life. 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:37.639 But. 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.919 With Jesus. 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.779 God's ultimate. 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.619 Anointed. 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.500 Crucified. 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.659 Risen. 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:50.579 And one day gloriously returning king. 00:30:52.179 --> 00:30:55.819 Friends we have an eternally safe and good place for our lives. 00:30:58.679 --> 00:31:00.119 We are Christians. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:03.059 In the path of Christ we tread. 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:07.119 Take from me this word and note it well. 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:09.940 You see Jesus is my Lord. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:13.740 And he is the best of protectors. 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.599 You know just as we close. 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:18.339 That poem was something I found this week. 00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:20.119 It was written by a woman called Fatima. 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:25.099 And Fatima was a young woman who was in her 20s. 00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:26.940 And living in Saudi Arabia. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:30.440 And Fatima, devout Muslim. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:33.400 By God's grace became a Christian. 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:38.440 And as with so many who convert in the Muslim world. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:40.259 When they come to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:41.580 When people got wind of it. 00:31:42.080 --> 00:31:44.640 The cost was incredibly, incredibly high. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.140 In fact, I was reading it this week. 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:49.660 Fatima's brother was a member of the secret police. 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:53.000 And he noticed the change in her life. 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:55.040 And so he started to investigate her. 00:31:55.100 --> 00:31:56.540 And one day when she left for the shop. 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:58.160 He went upstairs. 00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:59.100 Turned to her computer. 00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:02.400 And he saw a host of Christian websites that she'd been on. 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.720 And so when she came home at dinner time. 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.460 He confronted her. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:08.279 And he said, Fatima, are you a Christian? 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:11.680 To which she replied, yes I am. 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:16.460 And he said, because of what you said. 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:19.440 You've got two hours before I'm going to kill you. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.259 So she went to her room. 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:25.399 And she typed a poem on her computer. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:29.119 And she posted it online for the world to see. 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:29.980 And you can check it out. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.339 I'll give you the link after if you want. 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:33.200 She posted it for all to see. 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:35.220 And the last bit read this. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.119 We are Christians. 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:39.099 In the path of Christ we tread. 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:43.299 Take from me this word and note it well. 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:46.359 You see, Jesus is my Lord. 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:49.519 And he is the best of protectors. 00:32:51.719 --> 00:32:56.699 Because siding with God's king is a really, really costly thing. 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:02.299 But Jesus Christ, God's ultimate anointed king. 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:06.879 Says to all those who would count the cost of following him. 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:10.599 He says, in this world you will have trouble. 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:15.559 I mean, there's no hiding of the small print there, is there from our king? 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.539 You will have trouble. 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.879 But take heart. 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:20.960 Don't be afraid. 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:24.099 Because I have overcome the world. 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:26.919 Let me pray. 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:29.639 And then we'll close our service. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.059 And maybe just use this. 00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:34.179 Maybe time of quiet reflection. 00:33:34.439 --> 00:33:36.500 Just to offer your own prayers. 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.619 To the Lord. 00:33:37.719 --> 00:33:39.259 In light of everything that we've thought about. 00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:40.559 This evening. 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:40.740 Amen. 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:53.539 And so, dear Father, we thank you for Jesus. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:59.960 We thank you for the life and death of our king. 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:08.519 And we ask that as we seek to follow him, I pray that you would help us to love him more than the things of the world. 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:15.739 And I pray for those here tonight who are feeling the heat of following him. 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:20.380 And dear Father, I pray that you would give them boldness. 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:22.840 And you would give them courage. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:26.800 And that they would treasure the words of Jesus. 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.739 As he speaks to them. 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.780 Speaks to us. 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:32.139 The one who died for us. 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:34.840 Whoever lives to plead for us at your right hand. 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:37.980 And who says to us, take heart. 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:41.759 In other words, don't be afraid. 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:44.739 For I have overcome the world. 00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:50.900 And Lord, I pray that you would help us to fix our eyes on Jesus this week. 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:54.759 Father, thank you that you love us so incredibly much. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:57.739 And I ask that you be with us this week by your spirit. 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.239 In Jesus' name. 00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.199 Amen. 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:00.300 Amen. 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:00.360 Amen. 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:00.380 Amen. 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:00.400 Amen.