WEDNESDAY June 19, 2019
Having Evil Intent
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” So David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife.
1 Samuel 18:17-19
David would have to go to battle for Saul’s daughter Merab to be his wife. The only reason Saul wanted David to go out against the Philistines was the hope of him being killed on the battlefield. Saul’s heart was intent on David’s destruction. He acted very spiritual, but inwardly, he was carnal––governed by his flesh. Saul had murder in his heart! He even had his men try to convince David to accept his well-thought-out plan. Saul was scheming so that he would not be found guilty of David’s death. Then Saul could wash his hands of shedding David’s innocent blood––terrible!
Notice David’s pureness of character; he took Saul’s words at face value––for good. He was naïve toward that which was evil; in his mind he did not think there was any ill intent when Saul offered him to marry his daughter Merab. David was humble and felt unworthy of such a high honor. In fact, David got excited about going out to battle, and, in zealousness, he did exactly what King Saul asked of him. Do you think the King was pleased by his victorious success? No! Saul never even kept his word, and there was no record of David being angry and saying anything to Saul in return.
As Christians, we cannot be like Saul and start injecting evil thoughts into our minds by thinking another person is trying to take our position. Then, like David, we may not realize certain people are against us. A person may act pleasantly to our face, but deep within their heart they might harbor a deep jealousy. It happens in church leadership all the time––sad.
The devil wrestles with God, and the field of battle is the human heart.
~Fyodor Dostoyevski~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!