Know When to Hold or Fold
Life of David • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 37:30
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· 5 viewsUnrestrained evil damages those around us! Jesus is the only alternative.
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Country music, Sci-fi pictures & the local church: what do these 3 have in common? Some claim that over/under exposure of ideas to our children shapes their future perceptions. All 3 of the 3 items under consideration were part of my childhood, yet I have very different opinions of each today.
My exposure to the local church was positive. Although we lived in the parsonage fishbowl and many of our family dealings became public information, I gained (and maintain) a deep appreciation for the local body of Christ who truly cares for and serves each other.
My exposure to Sci-Fi TV and Movies was influenced by my father’s dislike for this genre. I do know the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars, but to this day I have no interest whatsoever in aliens or zombies.
My exposure to Country Music was limited but somewhat of necessity. While at home Christian radio was usually playing in mother’s kitchen. But when we would travel from KC to Wichita late at night it seemed like the only radio station that was received on our AM car radio to keep Dad awake was KFDI. The drawl and twang of crooners who sang about Sneaky Snake, Rhinestone Cowboys and workers with Boney Fingers never struck a cord in my heart. However, from that generation, I did receive the advice that “you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Rogers never sang to King Saul because he doubled down when he should have folded. God had given the better hand to David, but Saul refused to admit his loss.
David’s deceit hurt his own credibility and conscience. but the transition to the first 5 verses of today’s chapter indicate that he experience true revival.
This week we look at 2 others who allowed the flesh to move them, not to deceit, but to murder! When confronted by truth, these 2 doubled down and chose selfish evil.
Transition: We start by learning about a foreign man named Doeg.
Doeg – a Mercenary without scruples (22:18)
Doeg – a Mercenary without scruples (22:18)
An opportunistic spy (21:7)
An opportunistic spy (21:7)
In just 1 brief verse Doeg is mentioned in the middle of the David/Ahimelech meeting. We don’t know much, but he comes back in chapter 22. All we know from chapter 21 is that he is an:
Edomite – he was a foreigner whom Saul would use for his purpose, but more so, God would use to fulfill prophecy.
Chief Herdsman – some have noticed that David had been a simple shepherd for his father, but Doag had been the big rancher for Saul.
When Saul’s servants refused the order to kill their own priests, Doeg snatches an opportunity to enrich himself.
An unrestrained terrorist (22:18)
An unrestrained terrorist (22:18)
The king would normally reward those who served him with a grant of land[i]
We don’t have to look very far on either side of the aisle in Congress or Administrations to find examples of vast wealth that was acquired in return for political favors. Doeg cashes in on one of these offers!
Doeg carries out on Ahimelech’s family the instructions (v.19) that God had given to Saul regarding Amalekites, that was the final straw of disobedience.
Transition: Ahimelech was a priest living on borrowed time because God had withdrawn His blessing on Eli’s family. Saul is on borrowed time because God has withdrawn His blessing. At the end of our age will be another imposter to act while on borrowed time.
Saul – a warning of who is coming (1 Jn 2:18-26)
Saul – a warning of who is coming (1 Jn 2:18-26)
A Spiritual wanderer (1 Sam 22:6)
A Spiritual wanderer (1 Sam 22:6)
Spoke of YHWH as Samuel’s God, not his own.
The Tamarisk Tree was revered by other ancient religions as having roots to the underworld and branches to the sky. Since Saul has been rejected by YHWH, he is looking for authentication wherever he can find it.
An Ineffective leader (1 Sam 22:7-8)
An Ineffective leader (1 Sam 22:7-8)
Exaggerates conflict– there is no real threat from Jesse’s family, but Saul is convinced they are the enemy and must be destroyed.
a. A leader with integrity hears words like Jonathan’s interaction with David in 20:4 – “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”
b. Saul’s speech sounds like political fear mongering: if you support the other guy it won’t be good for you and I’m being disrespected. He never motivates, he demands!
Mutiny by soldiers – his own guards know that he is crossing a line that they are not willing to cross, So Saul finds a mercenary
If Saul can’t act against David or his father, we don’t need to fear him doing anything against us.
A ruthless enemy (1 Jn 2:18-26)
A ruthless enemy (1 Jn 2:18-26)
1 John speaks in the New Testament of a coming Anti-Christ, but also admits that throughout history there have been many who stood opposed to God.
The rampant, murderous actions of Saul against those who are appointed by God to carry out the plan of God is exactly the warplan that the Anti-Christ will use during the Great Tribulation.
Being a defeated ruler will not keep the Anti-Christ from making demands against the people of God. Disillusioned people (like Doeg) will hitch their trailer to his truck and carryout his bidding even if it ultimately loses.
If David is a type of the coming perfect King (Jesus), Saul fits the role of the arch nemesis (Anti-Christ)
Transition: Conflict between good and evil litters human history and will unfortunately also define coming wars and rumors of wars until Christ returns. We can study what Saul did. We can speculate what people will do, but more important today is What are you doing now?
Humanity Today – Choosing a Side (Gen 4:7)
Humanity Today – Choosing a Side (Gen 4:7)
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
The first humans faced a choice and chose poorly. Then their sons faced a choice. Cain began to go down a dark path, God tried to call him back, but Cain also choose evil over righteousness.
When confronted by truth David choose repentance and experienced revival in early chapter 22. When confronted by Truth, Saul chose self over righteousness and headed further down the rabbit hole. When provided an opportunity to advance in evil, Doeg ran full speed ahead.
We also face the choice daily, even moment by moment, to choose evil or righteousness. I suggest 3 decisions we each must make repeatedly.
Consider your alliances (1 Cor 15:33)
Consider your alliances (1 Cor 15:33)
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Doeg moved to the head of the line on the losing team! Would you rather be a mediocre winner or an excellent loser?
For every athlete who transfers to another team to multiply success, we could name many who sink to the level of their teammates.
Mecole Hardman was a wide receiver for the Chiefs and played in every game for 3 years, Now the Jets traded for him and he is deep on the bench.
I recall when the Chiefs got the great Joe Montana. But his excellence in San Francisco never played out for the Kansas City team.
Consider your allegiance (2 Cor 6:14)
Consider your allegiance (2 Cor 6:14)
Saul was self-absorbed and didn’t care who he brought down with him. He found a mercenary who was willing to do his bidding. Doeg thought alignment with Saul would bring power and treasure.
A 180 degree contrast exists between Matthew 11:29 & 2 Cor 6:14
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
How many people have lost money by investing in the wrong business partners? How many people have lost their integrity by aligning with the wrong peers? How many have lost their lives by running with the wrong crowd? How many have lost their joy by marrying the wrong person?
Consider your alternatives (Acts 26:14)
Consider your alternatives (Acts 26:14)
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
King Saul was on a path toward evil and he doubled down when he should have folded. Saul of Tarsus was on an evil path when he heard the voice of God and he repented (like David we saw last week who changed from fright to fight).
You may believe that your path is already set. You have so engaged in your hurts, your habits, and your hang-ups so you think that you have no alternative.
As long as you have breath, you still have the opportunity to repent of sin and say “yes” to the grace and Lordship of Christ.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Some of us have already said “yes” to the offer of salvation, but are still holding onto our fright and are running from Him in flight with certain sins. Today can be your time to stop and return.
Luke tells the story of a son who ran away from his upbringing and found himself in a royal mess. When he realized there is a better alternative, he ran back to his father and found his father had been waiting for him the whole time. The father ran to him, embraced him, and celebrated his return.
Some of us at this moment are wondering if our Father could ever forgive our stubbornness. I guarantee He is eager to forgive and waiting for you to turn toward Him.
[i] Walton, John H. 2009. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Old Testament): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.