Inside the Tent

The ark of God’s presence did not have a permanent home during David’s lifetime. Before Saul and David became kings, the Israelites were a losely organized nation. The ark had rested in several locations and at one time it was even captured by the Philistines who were enemies of the Israelites. Although it had been returned, Saul had been content to leave the ark where it rested.

But the Ark of the Covenant was God’s ordained means of speaking to His people at that point in time. It was the focus of pure worship, and David determined in his heart to bring it to Jerusalem.

Moving the Ark was a monumental event—complete with tragedy, delay, blessing, and victory. David did finally succeed in bringing it all the way to Jerusalem where he had prepared a tent as temporary dwelling for it. Then he sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. (II Sam. 6:17 NIV)

Until David’s son Solomon built the temple, this tent housed the ark, and it was the center of worship. David wrote a psalm of thanksgiving: Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps. 96:9 NKJV)

David did not feel restricted when he worshipped before the ark. He and all who desired could experience God's presence and holiness in the special tent.

Originally published January 11, 1985.
Picture: Commercial display, Greater Twin City area, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Evil Conceived

God chose David to replace Saul as king, but David faced opposition to the end. A Benjamite named Cush (Saul had been from the tribe of Benjamin) sought to kill David. David, again fleeing for his life, wrote, He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. (Ps. 7:14 NIV)

How strange that David recorded the psychology of evil-minded Cush in Psalm 7. But it has been preserved in Scripture so we can better understand the dangers of evil.

Perhaps David understood evil because he fought so many battles against it within himself—even while he fled from evil in others. Perhaps he had been pregnant with evil thoughts at some time during his many conflicts. He knew such thoughts eventually conceive and give birth. If evil thoughts remain unconfessed—remain outside of God’s grace—they seem to have life on their own.

The consequences of unconfessed evil are disastrous. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he had made. The trouble he caused recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. (v. 15,16)

Truly, when evil is birthed, the result is disillusionment. For evil cannot satisfy. Instead, it returns to destroy those who give in to it.

Originally published June 3, 1988.

Place of Refuge and Danger

The introduction to Psalm 18 tells us that David wrote this psalm when he was finally free from the attacks of many enemies, including Saul. It recounts some a strategic lesson he learned during the years when he found refuge in a wilderness.

After leaving Nob, David fled to the rock caves of Adullum, so he could have had a specific image in mind when he wrote, God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. (Ps. 18:2b NIV) He describes his desperate circumstance: The chords of the grave coiled around me; the snare of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord. . . . (v. 5b, 6a)

But then we read, the foundations of the mountains shook. . . . (v. 7b) The rocks that had provided shelter had become a place of danger!

This can happen when we cry out to God. He might provide a place of refuge. But later, when we cry out again, He might answer by shaking the very things He gave us for security in the past. That’s when we’re called to draw from His abiding presence. David wrote, He reached down from on high and took hold of me . . . the Lord was my support. (v. 16,18)

His circumstances had changed, but his God had not.

The same holds true today. Everything around us can seem to crumble when things don’t fit our doctrine or theology—our concept of God. But His reality is bigger than circumstances. He is bigger than we can imagine. He is with us through the depths.

Originally published August 5, 1988.

A Green Olive Tree

Saul became jealous of David—not only because David's of ever-increasing success on the battlefield. He also sensed the young man's anointing and destiny. Saul knew his kingdom was in jeopardy.

David eventually had to flee for his life. As he journeyed he made a brief stop at Nob where the Ark of the Covenant rested. While there, the priest Ahimelech fed him. The introductory lines of Psalm 52 describes David's response when he learned what happened in Nob after he left.

A man named Doeg saw David with the priest Ahimelech. Doeg, a man of evil heart, told Saul that Ahimelech had helped David. Because of Doeg’s betrayal, Saul killed eighty-five of God’s anointed priests and David’s life as a fugitive began in earnest. (I Sam. 21 &22)

David gained new appreciation for the depths of Saul’s intent that day. He was concerned about his own life, but he was appalled by the injustice of Saul's actions against God’s servants. And he mourned the loss. Small wonder that he cried, Why do you boast, O mighty man, of mischief done against the godly. . . ? God will break you down forever. (Ps. 51:1,5a RSV)

But David was not content to merely decry evil in others. He examined his own position as well—and he sought to reaffirm it. The psalm does not end until he could say, But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. (v. 8a) He knew he had to come before God and trust in God's love in spite of a great tragedy.

Originally published August 5, 1988.
Picture: Commercial display, West Fargp, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

If King Saul Had Repented

Saul began his reign as a good king. He was humble because he was insecure. During the early days of his reign he listened to Samuel and accepted direction from the prophet. Then, as Samuel had foretold, Saul’s focus changed from God to himself. After a victory over the Amalekites—an occasion when he did not obey God—Saul built a monument to himself. (I Sam. 15:12)

God spoke to His prophet Samuel about the event and told Samuel that He regretted making Saul king: he has turned back from following Me. . . . (v. 11 NKJV)

Samuel felt the weight, and sought God all through the night. (v. 11) The next day he confronted Saul with God’s message.

If Saul had repented—and maintained a repentant heart—he could have remained king. But he did not. Instead, he blamed others. But the people. . . . he said. (v. 21)

At that point a devastated Samuel responded with a hard word: Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king. (vs. 22,23) Saul lost his kingdom because he refused to repent. Samuel anointed David to replace him.

Originally published September 28, 1990.
Picture: Greater Twin City area, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Solemnly Forewarned

After the prophet Samuel had served many years as the Israelite’s judge—years during which he judged the people fairly—they decided they wanted a king like the nations that surrounded them.

Samuel was distraught. He felt they were rejecting him and his ministry, but God spoke to Samuel and provided a different viewpoint: they have rejected Me . . . However, you shall solemnly forewarn them and show them the behavior of the king who will reign. . . . ( I Sam. 8:7,9 NKJV)

Samuel obeyed God and warned the people as God said he should. He listed the cruel demands and devices of kings. But when they persisted, and when God arranged the circumstances, Samuel followed God’s Word to him. He anointed Saul—and the people of Israel made Saul their king.

But Samuel was still disturbed. Although he had warned the people once, he warned them again: if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel . . . that Lord will be against you. . . . 12:14,15) He emphasized that the people must serve and obey God rather than the king, but he knew it his heart, that his warnings would not have a lasting effect. He knew the people would turn to their king. And yet, as a prophet, he felt compelled to warn them. (12:14,15)

Originally published September 19, 1986.