Make that Move Before Saul Kills You-Dr Nathaniel Omilani

David, a man after God’s own heart, was the greatest king in Israel. As beautiful as the story of David is, he faced several challenges in his life. This challenge started with Saul, the king God rejected before God appointed David. Immediately, Saul knew that the hand of God was upon David to become the next king, and he began to pursue him with death.  David, by the hand of God, escaped all the attempts of Saul to take his life. Saul’s last attempt to kill David was recorded in I Samuel 26:1. The Lord made Saul and his men fall into a deep sleep, and David could escape. In other circumstances, God made Saul prophesy (I Samuel 20) and heard the news of war (I Samuel 23). To make David escape.

In I Samuel 27:1, David reflects upon Saul’s relentless attack and concludes that one day, Saul will kill him, and the best for him is to flee the land of Israel.

I Samuel 27:1

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

 

It is very convenient for anyone to comment that David lacked faith in God, who has continually delivered him from the hands of Saul. However, reflecting upon the effect of the twelve direct attacks of Saul on the mental health of David, I can conclude that David is likely to be in a state of unrest. Unlike some commentators who criticized David for lacking faith in God’s ability to deliver him from Saul, I prefer to view David’s actions as a demonstration of faith. I believe David sought refuge among the Philistines because he recognised that Saul’s army was not strong enough to invade Philistine territory in pursuit of him.

I believe David did not want to take God’s protection for granted and took action. Among the Philistines, David enjoyed God’s protection from many evils, but Saul could not penetrate him there.  If God miraculously pays your children’s school fees consistently, do not take it for granted. Like David, you need to devise a plan that will prepare you to pay your children’s school fees.  God wants us to learn that his love for us and the miracle he gives us does not prevent us from making decisions that will give us victory.

Exodus 16:35

And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. 

It is in God’s power to continue feeding the children of Israel with Mana all their lives in the land he promised them. He chose not to; hence, the Israelites engaged in agriculture when they got to the promised land. Israel’s contributions to global agricultural development are outstanding compared to their small land size. They developed dripped irrigation and other agricultural technology that is used globally. Besides technology, Israel exports abundant agricultural produce like grains, vegetables and fruits. Imagine if they were continuously fed with manna. Indeed, they would not become what they are now in the world.

 

Unfortunately, many believers kept asking God for manna after it had ceased in different areas of their lives.  Like David, we must learn to make decisions after critical reasoning under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to move in the right direction.

 

The result of David’s decision

I Samuel 27:4

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

Saul sought David no more since David fled to the territory of the Philistines. Your response to the monthly or annual support of your relation that has ceased should be like David. Engage in an activity that leads you to be in no need of the assistance.