To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, “Is David not hiding with us?” (Psalm 54)
For years David was compelled to be continually on the run, trying to stay ahead of Saul’s constant pursuit. As he moved from place to place, he found those willing to assist him, but he also encountered those willing to inform Saul of his whereabouts. Doeg was such a man; his evil report incited Saul to kill the priests at Nob because they had supplied David with bread — an event that provoked David to write Psalm 52. This psalm was written by David in response to learning of another betrayal — this time at the hand of people dwelling close to him — the Ziphites.
One of the places David and his men sought refuge was in the wilderness of Ziph, near to those called the Ziphites. Though the Bible doesn’t state their reasons for revealing David’s location, some commentators speculate that it was because they heard Saul was easily influenced by slanderous words in regard to David. Realizing that David’s close proximity provided an opportunity for them to ingratiate themselves to the king, they moved quickly to inform Saul and to assist him in David’s capture. In the end, their efforts failed to deliver David into Saul’s hand, and so, what lesson is there for us in this story?
Solomon said, “If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked” (Proverbs 29:12). Who knows but that Solomon had his father’s ordeal in mind when he wrote this, being intimately acquainted with the truth of these words. The concept is, that if someone is inclined to believe lies instead of the truth — as Saul certainly was — there will always be those unprincipled people willing to feed that person even more lies. I can’t help but think of powerful people who are surrounded by men and women who will tell them what they want to hear instead of the truth. Powerful or not, reality for anyone prone to believing lies will be nothing more than falsehood and fabrications, and consequently, their decisions will result in chaos and destruction for them and others.
The lesson for us is obvious: we mustn’t be the one believing the lies or the one propagating them. God’s people must be discerning, able to distinguish the truth from falsehood. Also, we must never be that person who would say something untrue for personal gain. In all situations, we must be guardians of truth, so much so that anyone who is a talebearer knows better than to approach us with a lie. In all our ways, let His Truth be our guide.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments