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We have a duty of care to our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter who they are or where they’re based. Our Father has made us one another’s keepers, and we’re to fulfil Christ’s law by carrying one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). This passage is about a dereliction of that duty to care.
In verse one an Israelite community, Jabesh Gilead, is besieged and threatened by a foreign warlord, Nahash. He threatens to humiliate and blind the right eye of the whole population of the city (vv. 2–3). Understandably, the alarm is sent out by the city as they ask for help from the rest of Israel. The response is weak, but Saul, previously the nervous and unassured king, now steps up to the mark. Notice the connection between being filled with the Spirit of God and anger (v. 6). There is obviously a kind of righteous anger that is very Spirit-driven. Saul, angry not only at Nahash, but also at the passivity of the people of Israel, issues a very strong threat to Israel (v. 7). The response is immediate, and Nahash and his bandits are wiped out.
Of course, it’s much better to be motivated by love and compassion, but the reality of sin amongst even God’s people is such that, at times, we’ll only be motivated by threats and discipline. There are threats in Scripture (for example, in Gal. 5:19–21) and we would be wise to listen to them. Even better, let’s be responsive to the needs of believers around us, particularly persecuted believers, without having to be threatened.
This is a day of success for Saul, not just in terms of military power, but also in character. With his new-found authority he refuses to take revenge on his enemies, but honours the Lord in what has happened (v. 13), and is confirmed as the Lord’s king (vv. 14– 15). God’s kingdom is established not by might, but in righteousness. The character of the kingdom matters.
REFLECTION
1. What blinds us to the needs of other believers around us? Where do we need to be more responsive?
2. Why might success sometimes lead us to neglect character? What kind of character should we be showing in the midst of success?
Scripture
About this Plan
1 Samuel charts the rise and fall of several of Israel’s leaders. You’ll meet the notoriously arrogant king Saul and see the ascent of the man after God’s own heart – David. You’ll read of dangerous battles, murder plots, giants and even more surprises in this book. You’ll see that despite turbulence in leadership, seemingly strong enemies and spiritual decay God is very much at work orchestrating the fall of the proud and the rise of the humble. What an encouragement for us today when we are faced with challenges not too dissimilar to these!
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