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1 Samuel 21-22 – Praying though the Bible #94 – A Prayer of Nobody Special
I do not want to serve the purpose of God. I want to be special. Now, few would say that. However, is that our unspoken attitude spoken in whining, “That’s not fair?” Do we look around and think, “Why not me, God?” Is this modification more palatable: I do want to serve the purpose of God. But I want to be special in how I serve. Being special means not being treated like the others. So while bemoaning life is not fair, we are not after fairness; we want to be treated better than everyone else. Including by God.
David is unfairly treated by Saul. Confused, he asks Jonathan, “What have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father so that he wants to take my life?” (1 Samuel 20.1). Divinely protected, the persecuted warrior runs to Ahimelech the priest at Nob (21.1). As to his purpose, David deceives and asks for food. Contrary to sacrificial law, Ahimelech gives him the removed Bread of the Presence. Jesus teaches this is mercy (Mt 12.7). Our narrative does not explain except the hint Ahimelech inquired of the Lord (22.10,13,15). God must have approved this breach of ceremony.
Its possible David deceived the priest to protect Ahimelech from Saul. It didn’t work. Saul falsely accuses God’s representative of conspiring against him even though he pleads, “your servant didn’t have any idea about all this” (22.15). Paranoid, Saul orders his death and all the priests at Nob, “For they knew he was fleeing, but they didn’t tell me” (22.17). Unable to find an Israelite willing to desecrate God’s priests, a non-Israelite, Doeg the Edomite, commits the atrocity – 85 priests are murdered, plus the men, women, children, infants, oxen, donkeys and sheep of Nob (22.18-19).
One escapes, Abiathar, who flees to David who escapes. Why didn’t God protect the others like He protected these two? Ahimelech prays and dies. Is this fair? All these innocents die. Is this fair? When some of God’s people are protected and others are not, is this fair? Abiathar is special as a priest, more so than others. But God’s purpose for him does not include protection. David is protected. He is the anointed. His purpose is not yet fulfilled. Not only is David serving; the forerunner of Christ is extra special.
Each is called and gifted for God’s purpose. I am not the most intelligent, eloquent, insightful, or creative servant of God. I am not the most anything or everything. Compared to most, I am not special, and neither are you. All are special in that God loves us. Anyone can be extraordinary since serving God is a blessing. But few are remarkable in how they serve. Some are noteworthy because of how short they serve; others how long. Others illustrate God’s purpose by suffering; some by triumphing. Some serve in anonymity and others in fame. Don’t seek to be special. Seek to serve. Life does not need to be fair. Was it fair Jesus served God’s purpose by dying?
Prayer Challenge: Pray we will not compare ourselves to others, or think about fairness; but to be willing to serve even if it means others receiving blessings we do not.
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