David’s faith may have faltered at this stage and he may have taken things somewhat into his own hands, but not as desperately and extremely as Saul. Again, the writer of the book of Samuel has structured his account to highlight a contrast. We can identify with David’s failing faith, but we should also be warned from the account of Saul that follows. This account shows us how a faithless heart grasps at even the most extreme measures for assurance. Saul’s desperation leads him to consult a witch. He has now fallen wholly into the hands of the devil. What started with a bit of jealousy and envy of his neighbour ended up in full blown occultism. Saul’s life therefore bears out the same message that we find throughout the book of Judges. Like the nation of Israel at the beginning of Judges, Saul started to make small compromises because of his lack of faith. And like Israel in the book of Judges, this small compromise led to the most extreme state of spiritual degradation. Small compromises are the beginning of major spiritual demise. The pathway to complete alienation from God is steep and slippery. We step onto it when we stop trusting in God and begin taking things into our own hands.
How do you need to express trust in God today?
Read 1 Samuel 28
