To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of David when Doeg the Edomite went and told Saul, and said to him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” (Psalm 52)
I’d like to expound a bit more on the inspiration for this psalm of David: the events that transpired when he received provision from the priests at Nob, and the tragic aftermath. Having already highlighted the distinctions between David and Doeg, it bears noting the striking similarities between them as well. For instance, more than once, David is described as being “ruddy” and good looking: the Hebrew word translated as “ruddy” is אדמוני admoni. Interestingly, that is the same word used to describe the new born Esau as being “red” (Genesis 25:25). Doeg, a descendant of Esau, is called the Edomite (אדמי edomi), thus hinting at a common trait he shared with David.
I should also add that the Hebrew spelling of both David (דוד) and Doeg (דואג) have a numerical value of 14, thus reinforcing the idea that the two men were similar in some ways. In fact to some degree, you could say they were basically the same. However, while these outward expressions seem to address the similarities, their distinctions are more drastic and more internal. The fundamental difference between them is evidenced by their different responses to opportunity. Because of his jealousy of David, and in order to exalt himself in Saul’s eyes, Doeg seized the opportunity to slander the priests knowing they were innocent of treason. On the other hand, because he feared God, David refused to take Saul’s life when it would have been easy to do — and with justification.
Obviously, their differences was determined by the condition of each man’s heart. In addition to that, or maybe because of that, their mode of speech made a huge difference — one slandered and one praised. When Saul’s guards refused to strike the priests, Doeg did not hesitate to do so. He had already struck them with his tongue; why would he not do it with the sword? As for David, he lamented the fact that he had drawn innocent people into his unfortunate situation, and mourned the price they paid for simply being generous and helpful to him.
The point is that two people, in some ways, can be pretty much the same. But at the same time, depending on their heart, those same two people can be as different as night and day. Cain was raised by the same parents that raised Abel; one was righteous and the other was a murderer. And so we are reminded of the words of Messiah; don’t measure a man by what you see on the outside, even if they look identical. Measure a man by his fruit — what he does and doesn’t do. If the fruit is good, the heart is too. So then, let’s all be determined to bear good fruit and use every opportunity set before us to do what brings glory unto God.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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