When things go from bad to Worse

Read 1 Samuel 21-22.

David pleased God and did everything well.  But he was on the run for his life to escape King Saul.  When he came to Nob, he visited with the priest, Ahimilech, for food and weapons. 

The only loaves of bread available were those used for worship and just taken off the altar.  The law allowed only the priests to eat this particular day-old bread.  Jesus commented on this incident in Matthew 12:1-7, teaching that the law was made for man, not man for the law.  The only weapon on the premises was Goliath's sword that had been stored there.  Also, we are told that Saul's chief herdsman, Doeg, witnessed these things.

David crossed the border into Philistine territory.  In fact, he went to Gath, the hometown of Goliath.  The people recognized David immediately.  To escape, David pretended to be insane prompting the King of Gath to dismiss him.  Next, David hid in a stronghold cave in Adullam.  Here an assembly of four hundred men gathered to follow him.  He made sure that his parents and family were taken to safety.

Meanwhile, Doeg reported to Saul all that he saw at Nob.  In retaliation for what he deemed as treason, Saul ordered to Doeg kill 85 innocent priests of the LORD.  From there Doeg annihilated every living thing in the city of Nob.  The only one to escape was a son of Ahimilech who found and informed David of what took place.  Surely, David felt the weight of their deaths and even some responsibility for involving those priests.  His response was to write Psalm 52.

The whole episode seems so unnecessary and meaningless from a human viewpoint. 

-Why did God allow Saul to continue his murderous behavior?

-Why did David, a faithful man and anointed to be the next king, have to suffer?

-Why the slaughter of innocent servants of God?

By faith we trust the living God with our lives, our futures, and our unanswered questions.  There is much about life that is beyond our understanding and our ability to control.  Charles Spurgeon wrote, “When we cannot trace His hand, we must trace His heart.”

The old hymn underscores this truth.

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!  How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!  O for grace to trust Him more!"