“And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.”
This verse is part of the narrative in 1 Samuel where David, who was anointed by God to be the future king of Israel, was being pursued by King Saul, who was the current king. At this point, David was on the run, seeking refuge from Saul’s relentless pursuit.
In this particular verse, Saul:Saul, in his anger and paranoia, commands his footmen (servants) to kill the priests of the Lord, specifically the priests who were serving at Nob, a city of the priests. Saul accuses the priests of aiding David by providing him with information and support. He believed that they knew about David’s whereabouts and plans but failed to inform him, which only fueled his anger and suspicion.
However, the servants of the king, the footmen, refused to carry out Saul’s command:to kill the priests. Although they were loyal to Saul, they recognized that the priests were dedicated servants of the Lord and did not want to harm them. Their refusal to obey the king’s order demonstrated a sense of reverence for the priests and their position as servants of God.
Loyalty and Obedience:Saul expected absolute loyalty and obedience from his servants, but in this case, they chose to follow their conscience and refuse to carry out an unjust command. Their loyalty to God and their respect for the priests took precedence over their loyalty to Saul:
Respect for God’s Anointed Servants:The priests were anointed representatives of God, entrusted with the task of serving Him and the people of Israel. The footmen recognized their sacred position and the importance of treating them with respect and honor, even in a time of conflict and political turmoil.
The Dangers of Paranoia and Unchecked Anger:Saul’s command:to kill the priests was driven by his paranoia and anger towards David. This incident highlights the dangers of allowing negative emotions to cloud one’s judgment and lead to unjust actions.
The Protection of God’s Chosen Ones:Despite the immediate threat, God intervened to spare the lives of the priests. He ensured that the servants of the king refused to harm them. This serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in protecting His chosen servants and fulfilling His purposes.
Overall, 1 Samuel 22:17 provides valuable insights into themes such as loyalty, obedience, respect for God’s anointed servants, the dangers of unchecked anger, and God’s protection:over His chosen ones. It invites us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions in relation to those whom God has placed in positions of authority or service.
