“Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.” “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness……..”
(1 Samuel 26:21-23 NIV)
After killing Goliath, the arch enemy of Israel, the ovation which David received aroused the jealousy of Saul. He determined to kill David.
Sensing danger, David fled into the wilderness. Saul determined to carry out his treat, led an army of three thousand strong men to pursue him, capture and kill him.
It was at night. He left the entire gates of the city of Jerusalem ajar, hence compromising the security of the city and its inhabitance. Saul was lying asleep, Abner the commander of his forces and the troops were all fast asleep.
When David came close to him, he took his spear and water jar but he was still fast asleep. When Saul later discovered his near death experience, he shouted thus:
“I have done wrong, come back David my son. You have held my life precious this day. I HAVE ACTED LIKE A FOOL.” vrs 21
Saul out of jealousy had become a moral dunce and a real clown akin to realities of contemporary leadership.
Common in our communities is the sight of men leaving the doors of their homes ajar in pursuit of little small girls, only to realize later that they have played the fool.
Women who mistreat their domestic helps and their ailing husbands later discover they have played the fool.
Students abandon their studies to pursue narcotics will later realize they have played the fool.
Politicians leave the doors of the nation open in pursuit of ill gotten wealth will later come to terms that they have played the fool.
Those of us placed in positions of trust and responsibility should so comport ourselves that we can say with Paul “Follow me as I follow Christ”.
We are the mirror of the church!
SHALOM.
