There was never a greater king in Israel than David, the son of Jesse. Meanwhile, the king prior to David would be in the running for one of the worst. That would be Saul.<\/p>\n
Saul had already blown it, time and again, by the time David was anointed (by Samuel) to be king. So the anointing was upon David, and yet the man remaining on the throne was Saul.<\/p>\n
In fact, by the time David was anointed by Samuel, God had Saul in His cross-hairs:<\/p>\n
1 Sam 16:13-14<\/strong><\/em> It would therefore appear pretty obvious as to who was in line to rule, and who was in line for eventual replacement (at best) and destruction (at worst). Still, Saul remained on the throne because God still had some work to do. I believe some of the work still to be done was in David, and was for us to behold, for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come.<\/p>\n Learning the Kingdom dynamics of ruling and reigning, authority and power, accountability and position, will become more critical, both as this age accelerates toward its conclusion, and as the next age comes upon us.<\/p>\n Prior to David\u2019s anointing, Samuel\u2019s word to Saul clearly reveals the state of affairs:<\/p>\n 1 Sam 15:27-28<\/em><\/strong> The prophet\u2019s robe was torn in desperation. It was a prophetic act by a desperate man.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, David\u2019s plight\/flight continues, as Saul musters his army and he himself goes to hunt down the one who would eventually replace him. Jealousy and desperation are two terrible taskmasters.<\/p>\n 1 Sam 24:1-4<\/em><\/strong> Are you kidding me? A potty story in the Holy Scriptures? I believe our great God was, and remains, so intent upon making a divine point abundantly clear, that He orchestrated the affairs of men, at a time and in a place that would leave no wiggle-room for any misunderstanding. This account almost appears as hyperbole, except for the fact that it remains in the timeless canon of Scripture for all generations, for our edification and admonishment.<\/p>\n We are not talking about a king on his golden throne, holding a scepter. We\u2019re presented a desperate king on the \u201cother kind of throne\u201d \u2013 actually probably squatting in the dark, doing what one must do. Demeaning, lowly, inglorious. Some privacy please. But God wanted David\u2019s holy response to be publicly proclaimed. So the lights are on and the stadium is full of onlookers, including all students of scripture, for all time. Apologies, Saul.<\/p>\n As \u201cchance might have it\u201d, David and his followers just happen to be hiding in that very cave.<\/p>\n David\u2019s men (accurately) looked at this \u201ccoordinated incident\u201d as a divine opportunity from the Lord, to take out the one who was eventually going to be taken out by God Himself.<\/p>\n Verse 4, again: Unlike desperate-Saul tearing Samuel\u2019s robe, desperate-David cuts the robe of the king.<\/p>\n But David was a man of God. Although these events occurred centuries prior to Daniel\u2019s prophetic revelation of \u201cauthority dynamics\u201d, David already knew in his spirit Who was in charge of the heavens and the earth.<\/p>\n Daniel 2:21<\/em><\/strong> Meanwhile, back to the cave:<\/p>\n 1 Sam 24:5<\/strong><\/em> The New King James bible translates the Hebrew word \u201cmasiyah\u201d as \u201canointed of the Lord\u201d. We would recognize it better as messiah. The anointed one.<\/p>\n As a result of his own intimacy with God, David understood eternal Kingdom principles, and in that understanding recognized that Saul, not yet having been removed by God Himself, still sat in the position of anointing, even though he was not living the lifestyle of anointing. It did not matter to David.<\/p>\n David\u2019s theology was not corrected by God, although there are many times in Scripture when God in His love, mercy, and accuracy would correct false statements or faulty conclusions made by even His most beloved servants (He corrected Elijah when the prophet bemoaned his being the only righteous one left in Israel – 1 Kings 19:14-18. And He corrected Nathan when the prophet agreed with then-reigning David that David building God a temple would be a good idea \u2013 1 Chron 17:1-5). It would therefore seem reasonable to consider God\u2019s silence in the cave (at David\u2019s proclamation about \u201cmessiah Saul\u201d) as being His quiet affirmation of David\u2019s theology.<\/p>\n Further studying the subsequent dialogue between David and Saul, we can see that David clearly understood who he was, who Saul was, who God was, and what would be the eventual outcome to the injustices of life. David was no chump. And yet David chose the very highest ground, and in so choosing postured himself for promotion by God.<\/p>\n 2 Samuel 24<\/strong> God’s kindness to Saul, via David, should have led Saul to repentance. Instead, it only led him to regret. Regret being insufficient without the added component of complete turning, Saul was destined to eventual destruction by the hand of the Lord.<\/p>\n Where is all this going to? It is going to the New Testament, to the days of grace, to the intense times in which we live.<\/p>\n The Kingdom principle of God placing sometimes unlikely people into anointed positions, and still sovereignly reigning over it all, continues to mystify many. But it appears to not mystify those closest to the Lord.<\/p>\n Rabbi Paul is a good example. Ananias the high priest was actively opposed to the gospel message, and yet the anointed apostle demonstrated his own David-and-Saul-in-the-cave theology as he stood before a courtroom of ungodly men and repented for basically calling a spade a spade:<\/p>\n Acts 23:1-5<\/em><\/strong> There is a more divine realm than the one in which we physically function daily. Our great God is watching us, testing us, and training us to live by the principles of that divine realm. Those principles include understanding and recognizing our God\u2019s sovereignty over all things. Either He is God of all, or else He is not God at all.<\/p>\n Leaderships come and go. The ones in higher places, with higher callings, have the greater, not the lesser, accountability. The Centurion got it. He told Jesus that he was a man \u201cUNDER authority\u201d, not \u201cIN authority\u201d.<\/p>\n I believe we\u2019re being invited to allow God to be God, and to humbly recognize His jealousy over His bride, the Church. His intent is to put the right people into the right places, for the right times – to grow people, sovereignly as well as experientially, into their own fullness.<\/p>\n He is therefore dealing with us all, wanting to perfect us all. Iron will continue to sharpen iron, with sparks. His timing is not our timing. His desire is for all of us to walk in intimacy, and therefore in success. The exercising of our free will is what will determine our individual success or failure.<\/p>\n Leader or follower, the redeemed are called to be stewards of the greater grace. God is rooting for us all. He wants us all to make it. His desire is that we all live up to our destiny calls.<\/p>\n The warnings put forth towards all (saved or unsaved) who would choose to continue to walk in error, or rebellion, arrogance, or unbridled authority, are clear. And they are severe. An admonition for the saved, the servant of Luke 12 is master over other servants, but acting as a cruel authority. This is from the lips of our Lord:<\/p>\n Luke 12:45-49<\/strong><\/em> God is cooking up something radical these days. The whole creation groans, waiting for the revelation of us.<\/p>\n This is why we are told to pray for those in authority. This is why we\u2019re told love covers a multitude of sin. This is why we\u2019re told that the world would know we are His disciples by the love we have one for another.<\/p>\n I believe a radical demonstration of our true faith has and will remain our belief in God’s ability to accomplish His purposes, to prepare His people, and to perfectly coordinate who will be in what position in His church. The only person who will ever be able to prevent any one of us from realizing our full destiny call, will be ourselves. No man, no ministry, no created being will be able to separate us from the fullness.<\/p>\n We\u2019re invited to have a heart like David.<\/p>\n All scripture NKJV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There was never a greater king in Israel than David, the son of Jesse. Meanwhile, the king prior to David would be in the running for one of the worst. That would be Saul. Saul had already blown it, time … Continue reading
\n 13\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.<\/em>
\n 14\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n 27\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.<\/em>
\n 28\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, “Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.”<\/em>
\n 2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.<\/em>
\n 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)<\/em>
\n 4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.'” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAmen, and amen.<\/p>\n
\n4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.'” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n 21\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings and raises up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n 5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.<\/em>
\n 6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\n8 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, \u201cMy lord the king!\u201d And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.
\n9 And David said to Saul:\u201cWhy do you listen to the words of men who say, \u2018 Indeed David seeks your harm \u2019?
\n10 Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, \u2018I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed. \u2019
\n11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
\n12 Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
\n13 As the proverb of the ancients says, \u2018 Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. \u2019 But my hand shall not be against you.
\n14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
\n15 Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.\u201d
\n16 So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, \u201c Is this your voice, my son David?\u201d And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
\n17 Then he said to David:\u201cYou are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.
\n18 And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”<\/em>
\n 2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.<\/em>
\n 3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”<\/em>
\n 4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”<\/em>
\n 5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'”<\/em><\/p>\n
\n 45\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,<\/em>
\n 46\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.<\/em>
\n 47\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.<\/em>
\n 48\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.<\/em>
\n 49\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!<\/em><\/p>\n