The Christian life... is supposed to be one of perfect behavior, right? Here in just two short chapters we read of David making a vow of loyalty with Jonathan (King Saul’s son). David asks Jonathan to lie. And in the very next chapter, we read of David pretending to be insane, deceiving King Achish of Gath. How is this behavior worthy of the title God gave him, a “man after God’s own heart”? I don’t have the full explanation, but I do know that the perfection that most Christians believe in, can only be found in Jesus (not ourselves). And if you re-read the above title given to David, the emphasis is on “after God’s own heart”, which means that’s where his priorities are. God cares more about where our heart is (our priorities are), than with our sometimes outta-focus behavior. This is in no way emphasizing the freedom to sin, but rather living by Grace. For there is no law when it comes to God’s love and mercy. Look at examples throughout scripture: Rehab the prostitute, Ruth the Moabitess, the woman at the well, Peter’s denial of Jesus, Jonah’s journey away from Nineveh, and the woman caught in adultery, to name a few. The condition of our hearts trumps our behavior many times. Sometimes it takes behavior, that isn’t the best, to help contour our hearts into the shape God wants it. Life isn’t about perfection (behaving in a certain manner), more so than it is about those behaviors shaping us into the character God wants us to have. And that sometimes involves imperfect behavior to get us there.
4 “Tell me what I can do to help you,” Jonathan exclaimed.5 David replied, “Tomorrow we celebrate the new moon festival. I’ve always eaten with the king on this occasion, but tomorrow I’ll hide in the field and stay there until the evening of the third day. 6 If your father asks where I am, tell him I asked permission to go home to Bethlehem for an annual family sacrifice. 7 If he says, ‘Fine!’ you will know all is well. But if he is angry and loses his temper, you will know he is determined to kill me. 8 Show me this loyalty as my sworn friend–for we made a solemn pact before the Lord–or kill me yourself if I have sinned against your father. But please don’t betray me to him!”
1 Samuel 20:4-8
12 David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. 13 So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.14 Finally, King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? 15 We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?”
1 Samuel 21:12-15
An Ordinary Man's Pursuit of the Extraordinary God of the Bible. These are daily insights from reading the Bible from cover to cover yearly. It is intended to point others to the Truth, and inspire people to pursue the God of the Bible individually.
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