Choosing Sides

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to "choose sides"? It could be anything from picking between two friends in a conflict to favoring one child's version of a story over another. It could even be a workplace situation where you had to decide whose side you were on, your boss or a co-worker. Choosing sides can be tough, right?

I mean, nowadays, it feels like choosing sides when determining right and wrong is more challenging than ever. It's like we're bombarded with so many conflicting opinions and perspectives that it can be overwhelming. And the examples I mentioned earlier are everyday situations many of us encounter.

But here's the bigger question: How do you respond, or how have you responded, when you have to choose between what society says is right and what your spiritual beliefs tell you is right? That's a whole different ball game. This Sunday, we're diving into 1 Samuel 21-22, and we'll read about these two men, Doeg and Abiathar, who found themselves in that very predicament - having to choose sides. Who knows, maybe we can learn something from their experiences.

Doeg the Edomite is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 21:7 when he is identified as the chief shepherd of Saul's flock. He encounters David at the sanctuary in Nob, where David seeks provisions and receives the consecrated bread and Goliath's sword from Ahimelech, the priest.

In 1 Samuel 22:9-19, Doeg plays a significant role in the unfolding tragic events. After David flees to the Cave of Adullam, he seeks refuge in the company of four hundred men. Knowing David's location, Saul summons his servants, including Doeg, and accuses them of conspiring against him.

Doeg, who was present at the sanctuary in Nob and witnessed David's interaction with Ahimelech, seizes the opportunity to inform Saul of the priest's assistance to David. He tells Saul about Ahimelech providing David with provisions and Goliath's sword. Doeg's report leads to Saul's angry outburst and the subsequent execution of Ahimelech and eighty-five other priests from the city of Nob. Furthermore, Doeg carries out Saul's command to kill the priests, showing his allegiance to Saul rather than to God or the priests.

Doeg's actions demonstrate the danger of misplaced loyalty and the devastating consequences that can result from serving an earthly king without regard for God's principles and the higher calling. By following Saul's orders and betraying the priests, Doeg becomes complicit in shedding innocent blood and desecrating a sacred place.

We can learn several important lessons from Doeg's decision to side with Saul over David. First, it emphasizes the importance of aligning ourselves with God's chosen and anointed leaders rather than placing our trust in worldly authorities or power structures. God had anointed David through Samuel as the future king, yet Doeg decided to support the current earthly king, Saul, instead.

Second, Doeg's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked loyalty and the potential for personal gain at the expense of others. Doeg's willingness to betray the priests and carry out Saul's ruthless commands highlights the moral compromise that can occur when loyalty to earthly authorities surpasses loyalty to God and His principles.

Lastly, Doeg's role serves as a reminder of the consequences that can arise from acting on incomplete information or distorted perspectives. His report to Saul was one-sided and did not accurately represent the true nature of David's relationship with Ahimelech and his intentions.

In 1 Samuel 22:20-23, we see the contrast between Doeg and Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech. While Doeg aligned himself with Saul and massacred the priests, Abiathar made a different choice. After witnessing the slaughter of his father, Ahimelech, and the other priests, he flees to find David, who has become an outlaw.

Abiathar's decision to seek David is driven by several factors. First and foremost, he likely recognized that David was the anointed one chosen by God to be the future king of Israel. Abiathar understood the importance of aligning himself with God's chosen leader rather than blindly following Saul, who had turned against God's will and acted unjustly.

Furthermore, Abiathar's personal safety may have been a consideration. After witnessing the ruthless execution of his father and fellow priests, Abiathar understood that his own life would be in grave danger if he remained with Saul. Fleeing to find David offered him protection and the opportunity to serve a righteous leader who respected God's law.

Abiathar's alliance with David played a significant role in God's greater Gospel plan. As the sole survivor from the priestly lineage in Nob, Abiathar became a crucial figure in establishing David's kingdom. Throughout David's reign, Abiathar served as a faithful priest and advisor, maintaining a close relationship with the king. He played a part in various significant events, including the anointing of Solomon as David's successor (1 Kings 1:32-40).

Abiathar's decision to follow David rather than Saul carries important lessons. It underscores the importance of discernment and loyalty to God's chosen leaders, even when they do not hold earthly power or authority. Abiathar's choice demonstrated his trust in God's plan and his willingness to align himself with the anointed one, despite the risks involved.

Additionally, Abiathar's story serves as a reminder that standing up for righteousness and justice may come at a personal cost. Abiathar faced uncertainty, exile, and potentially the loss of his position and privileges by fleeing from Saul's regime and seeking refuge with David. Nevertheless, he prioritized God's will and the establishment of His kingdom over his comfort and security.

In summary, Doeg the Edomite was pivotal in the tragic events that unfolded in 1 Samuel 22. His decision to betray the priests and align himself with Saul rather than God's anointed one, David, highlights the dangers of misplaced loyalty, moral compromise, and the potential consequences of acting on incomplete or distorted information. His story serves as a warning and a reminder of the importance of aligning ourselves with God's chosen leaders and upholding His principles of justice and righteousness. Abiathar's decision to align himself with David and flee from Saul's oppressive regime demonstrates his recognition of God's anointed leader and his commitment to righteousness. His alliance with David played a significant role in God's greater Gospel plan, and his actions offer lessons in discernment, loyalty to God's chosen leaders, and the willingness to stand for righteousness even in the face of personal risks and sacrifices.

In a world where choosing sides seems more complex than ever, the story of Doeg and Abiathar in 1 Samuel 21-22 offers us valuable insights. We all face situations where we have to make choices between societal norms and our spiritual beliefs. This Sunday, let's explore how Doeg and Abiathar handled this challenge and see what we can learn from their experiences. It's bound to be an enlightening and thought-provoking journey as we navigate the complexities of choosing sides in a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong.