Fame + Fortune = Protect!

If we are not walking with God, we may take drastic and immoral steps to protect our own ambitions.   ~~~   Some people think that when personal fame and fortune are being threatened, the threat must be stopped at any cost. In 1 Samuel 22, Saul believes a big conspiracy is taking place against him. So he calls forth all the prophets, and brings Ahimelech front and center and says, “Why are you joining with the Son of Jesse to conspire against me? You gave him food, you gave him a sword. You inquired of God for him, so that he has risen against me, to lie in what, as at this day?” Saul is indignant at Ahimelech for doing what priests do! Ahimelech was fulfilling his function as a priest, and Saul is furious at him for doing so. Ahimelech declares not only his own innocence and the innocence of all he priests of Nob, but also of David. And to him and the sacred order of the priests, Saul declares, “You shall surely die!” There was no hesitation with Saul! He didn’t get the answer he wanted. He believed his own personal fortune and fame and legacy was being threatened, and it must be stopped at all costs, so kill the priests whom he thought allowed this to happen. And when he called on his servants to do this, they refused. So he cast his gaze on one whom he knew would do it—Doeg. And here is what we find very interesting. The slaughter that takes place is described using the exact same language as to what Saul was supposed to do to the Amalekites back in 1 Samuel 15. Saul, unwilling to follow and trust the LORD’s word to protect and further God’s kingdom, willfully, joyfully follows his own word to protect his own rule. This story finishes out with a glimmer of hope. One priest escapes—Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech. He races to David and tells David what has happened. David owns his own responsibility in what has transpired, and then tells Abiathar, “Stay with me. With me you shall be in safekeeping.” Are you one who is willing to protect your own kingdom and rule at any cost? Be careful, when you are not walking with the LORD day by day, you might be surprised at the lengths you will go to squash threats to your personal agenda.