With Malice Toward None

Reflections on 1 Sam. 22:6-23

David and his men had been in Moab until Gad, a prophet, instructed David to return to Judah. It was God’s will that David gain the kingdom by helping the oppressed and defending the weak rather than creating even greater hardships by raising an outside force and invading the land. David obeyed the Lord’s instruction given by Gad and hid his men in the Forest of Hereth, which was probably near Adullam in Judah (See 1 Sam. 22:3-5).

SAUL’S SUSPICIONS. When Saul heard that David had returned to Israel with his men, he suspected that David was plotting to kill him (vv. 8,13). Saul’s suspicions were heightened by Jonathan’s covenant with David, and increased when his soldiers did not tell him of the covenant (1 Sam. 22:8). Furthermore, the desertion of some Benjamites to David (1 Chron. 12:16) would have raised further questions about the loyalty of his own soldiers. Finally, the growth of David’s army may explain why Saul suspected Ahimelech the priest of treason and would not listen to him. Though there is no evidence that David ever plotted to take Saul’s life, Saul suspected a conspiracy wherever he looked.

SAUL’S MALICE. In addition to raising suspicions, Saul’s fear produced in him an irresistible desire to harm those he suspected of disloyalty. People feel a necessity to vent their rage when they no longer trust God to be their defender and refuge. When Saul abandoned God, and God turned away from him, Saul felt he had to avenge himself. Consequently he violated God’s command in Lev. 19:18 (ESV): “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Because Ahimelech had inquired of God for David and had given him food and a weapon, Saul ordered that the priest and his entire family be slaughtered. Not even his loyal soldiers could dissuade him. He found a willing executioner in Doeg, the Edomite.

A CONTRAST. Saul’s wrath put him in unfavorable light compared to David who declared his hands to be free from violence (1 Chron. 12:17). David did not avenge himself, but left it to God (Rom. 12:19), and sought to “overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21 ESV). Both Saul and David experienced the consequences of their actions. Saul’s actions weakened his hold on the kingdom and strengthened the hand of David. Surely his accusations and his unreasonable order to massacre the priests weakened the loyalty of his own soldiers. The massacre of priests undoubtedly destroyed the loyalty of other priestly families, especially after Abiathar found refuge with David. Thus, Saul alienated himself from the priests as well as the prophets and was totally cut off from God. In contrast to Saul, David had become the champion of the oppressed (1 Sam. 22:2), a friend of brave soldiers (1 Chron. 12:8-18), an adherent of prophets (1 Sam. 22:5), and a refuge for a prominent priest (1 Sam. 22:20-23). David enjoyed God’s favor.