David, a man after God’s own heart, powerful warrior, slayer of Goliath, fearless,
courageous, undaunted. So why in 1 Samuel 22 do we find him running in fear, lying and
acting like a madman? Samuel 21 and 22 are two of those chapters that I sometimes think the
“religious” wish did not exist. How is it, that a man of God who “has it all together”,
can fall so fast? It’s called being human. Take any man and mix in a dose of isolation and
accusation, add a lack of resources and you will see a mess unfold. This is precisely what
we find with David. It is also why Samuel warned the people of their desire to have a
“king”. Man was never intended to be a God. We are made in that image, yet we are not the
image.
Is that not why so many heroes fall? Is that not why God destroyed the tower of Babel? Is that not why God kicked man out of the Garden? God knows that we can never be him. Once we start trying to be him, it is usually out of our own narcissism and or other people’s desire for a human God. So what is God to do with “rockstar” David? The same thing any parent of a “superstar” should do...make him do his chores, become a servant and realize that all the wonderful things people are saying have more to do with their own issues than his virtue. Over the course of two chapters David comes to realize his own frailty and his own potential for evil. He also becomes the kind of man, who attracts those who do not “have it all together”.
Is that not why so many heroes fall? Is that not why God destroyed the tower of Babel? Is that not why God kicked man out of the Garden? God knows that we can never be him. Once we start trying to be him, it is usually out of our own narcissism and or other people’s desire for a human God. So what is God to do with “rockstar” David? The same thing any parent of a “superstar” should do...make him do his chores, become a servant and realize that all the wonderful things people are saying have more to do with their own issues than his virtue. Over the course of two chapters David comes to realize his own frailty and his own potential for evil. He also becomes the kind of man, who attracts those who do not “have it all together”.
And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them... I Samuel 22:2
During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 “Far be it from me, LORD, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. II Samuel 23:13-17
David is moved yet also realizes the danger in their devotion. He pours out the water as a testimony that he does not deserve the honor and dedication of such an act. David, no longer believes his own press clippings, now and only now is he truly ready to
lead.
I think these are beautiful passages and a reminder that God wants good things for us, yet he is quite willing to allow hurts, heartaches and personal failure to happen. I believe it is precisely why James 1:2-4 tells us “to consider it pure joy when we are persecuted”. Not only does it balance our narcissistic tendencies, it also gives opportunity for God to be God and bless us in ways we otherwise could not arrange or conceive.