1 Samuel 22:6-10
Verse 8 “Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”
The scene now shifts back to Saul. It is obvious by the fact he is found hanging out under a tree with his sword that he is ready and waiting to take down David at any given opportunity. Though David had fled before, he wouldn’t let him get away again. He wanted his son-in-law dead and he would do anything to make sure it happened. But he has a big concern.
Saul had been feeling pretty secure in his place until the depth of his son’s friendship with the shepherd had been revealed. Between what seems like a betrayal by his oldest son there was also the betrayal of his daughter that he had allowed to marry the young man. If his own children were turning on him, who else may have been turning on him and his throne.
Surrounded by the clan of his birth, Saul openly questioned the men to seek out just how deep this rejection of Saul’s authority had gone. One should always be able to depend on family and even if his children had been brain-washed by his servant, David, he would hope that his uncles, cousins and brothers would stand with him. They may be a small tribe but they would have each other’s back.
Saul asks his men what they think David can give them. Will he give them all the things that Saul is giving them? Whether or not he had gotten them all those things or had just promised to get them for those willing to help him is unclear but the truth remains, Saul is trying to find out who is loyal and who is not. And the king is not happy that some of these men could have been among those who knew about the depth of Jonathan and David’s friendship and Saul is feeling betrayed by them already because they kept that knowledge to themselves.
None of those men spoke up but there was someone there who did speak up and it may have seemed like the most ironic voice to join the conversation, a converted Edomite who was a shepherd for the king. Since what he witnessed had been on the Sabbath he couldn’t get back to the king sooner but the king couldn’t have been more intrigued by his news.
Making It Personal
Have you ever felt like you had no one you could trust? Who did you turn to? How does it make you feel to know that God will never betray you?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever felt all alone in the world? Who do you have in your life that you know will always be there? Do you turn to Jesus when you feel alone?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for always being there for us. Help us know how and when to stand up for each other. In Jesus’ name, amen.