The Enemies of God

We recently looked at the story of David in Ziklag when he defeated the Amalekites and recaptured his wives. We recall that David was in Ziklag because he was hiding from Saul who wanted him dead. In the next chapter in 2 Samuel 1, Saul went to war against the Philistines. The Philistines overtook Saul and killed Jonathan and his other sons. “The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers”(1 Samuel 31:3). Saul wanted to die with his pride in tack so he asked his armour bearer to end his life. The armour bearer was afraid to do this so Saul took his own life.

Saul’s armour bearer also took his life when he saw that Saul was dead. When David learnt about the death of Jonathan and Saul, he wept. This is quite surprising because Saul wanted David dead. So why did David mourn for Saul? David regarded Saul as the Lord’s anointed one and his fear of God stopped him from harming Saul. Howbeit that David did not need to lift a finger to avenge himself against Saul? Neither did God kill Saul but he took his own life. Saul was out of fellowship with God and could not seek his help for battle. “And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6).

Saul sought the help of a medium to try to summon Samuel from the grave. He was so desperate to hear from God, that he thought that a spirit summoned from the dead could help him. It was Saul’s disobedience which caused God to take the kingdom from him and give it to David. Saul perceived that David was anointed to succeed him. He thought that if he could kill David then he would keep the kingdom in his family. Saul forgot that no one can stop the plan of God and it is impossible to usurp God’s authority. As long as David stayed in the presence of God, Saul could not kill him.

God promised that David would become king and none of Saul’s actions could nullify that. Just like David, no King, no Prime Minister, no Manager or leader can stop what God has determined to come to pass in your life. God sets up kings and takes down kings and if Saul needed to die to allow David to be king, then God would allow that. The devil set up Saul to die. God would have pardoned Saul if he repented and walked in his will. Like Saul, many people are stubborn and hard hearted and have made themselves an enemy of God. God will always avenge his people and take vengeance on his enemies.

“How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished” (2 Samuel 1:27)!

A.P.-Y.