Journal Through the Bible: Week 40 Tuesday

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I Samuel 22:6-23

Saul complained to the tribe of Benjamin hoping that his own tribe would turn back their allegiance to him. He basically called them and his son, Jonathan, traitors. His pitiful speech emboldened Doeg the Edomite (see 21:7) to tell about David's visit to the priests at Nob. This led to 85 priests, as well as all of their family members and their livestock, being brutally murdered or slaughtered by Doeg's own hand. Only Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, escaped to David.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The words that Ahimelech used to describe David, son-in-law of King Saul, accurately describe Jesus, too. He is the most faithful among all of the sovereign's servants, he is by law the ruler's own son, he does the king's bidding, and is the most honorable person in the palace!
• Saul's honorable "son" was hated by those who were jealous of him but loved by those who followed righteousness. The same could be said of Jesus.
• Just as David offered refuge to Abiathar, Jesus offers refuge for all fleeing from sin and death.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.

Psalm 52

This psalm was written by David after the Nob massacre.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The evil man described here is the antithesis of Jesus. The evil man boasts of mischief. Jesus boasts in righteousness. The evil man's words are a sharp razor that speaks deceit. Jesus' words are a sharp two-edged sword that speak truth. The evil man rejoices in evil and lying. Jesus rejoices in good and truth. The evil man rejoices in devouring others. Jesus rejoices in rebuilding the lives of fallen men. The evil man is marked for destruction. Jesus is marked to rule for eternity. The evil man receives his strength from the riches and rewards he obtains as bounty from the wicked. Jesus receives His strength from His Father and the Word of Scripture. (See also I Corinthians 13.)
• David is a type of Christ when he says that he is like a green olive tree in the house of God. Such a tree flourishes and prospers. (See also Psalm 1.)

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• David makes it clear that God's mercies endure forever. As Jesus told His disciples, God's people do not need to be afraid of those who kill the body - like Doeg killed the priests - but they should fear God who has the power of the second death which is eternal. So even though the evil man, Doeg, killed the priests, those who were righteous would experience God's mercies forever. Doeg killed their bodies but could not touch their souls.
• The evil man will one day be destroyed forever and suffer eternal death. This judgment is coming.
• The righteous will see the destruction of the wicked and will laugh at the one that tormented them in their natural lives.
• David states that he will praise God forever. (As will all the saints.) He makes it clear that there is a time of waiting before God reveals His name in all the earth. (We are still waiting patiently!)