Not Obeying Others

Scripture: Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded, but my life still lingers.’ So I stood over him and killed him because I knew that after he had fallen he couldn’t survive. I took the crown that was on his head and the armband that was on his arm, and I’ve brought them here to my lord.” 2 Samuel 1:9-10

Observation: This survivor of the war brings David news of the Saul's death, and the emblems of kingship. He tells of how he obeyed Saul's orders and took mercy on his suffering, but killing him quickly when he was mortally wounded. He then recovered the crown of Israel's kingship and brought it to the anointed heir, and paid homage to him.

For this, David kills him.

This doesn't make much sense. David pronounces judgment based on the idea that this man killed "the Lord's anointed", despite the fact this individual has been motivated by honor and service to the kingship of Israel, and thus to both Saul and David. His logic is that there was no just reason to kill Saul, the man God selected as king of Israel. He himself has exhibited this behavior, and he now punishes this man without regard for his worthy motivations.

Application: David's message seems to be ... obedience to God's laws and plans is more important than obedience to the people through which God's plans are executed. In other words, it did not matter that the anointed king asked for mercy, it was wrong to kill him.

This applies to our modern lives often. People - even good people and fellow believers - are wrong in some of their thinking and actions. Our job is to live and serve together, but never losing sight that it is God who orders our steps and defines our service. When believers tell us what to do, we must still weigh God's laws and teachings against those instructions, and obey God, not people.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your instructions this day. May our entire family lean into your will, above the instructions, requests, and even orders of others around us. Amen.