Lessons from the Massacre of Nob

III. The Lord Provided David with Security

(see map for David’s Movements)

A. By reassurance from his family

B. By giving him an army

C. By giving safety to his family

(See Map for David’s Movements, and to show why Gad ordered David to leave the “Stronghold.”)

Saul. God uses crazy, leaves them responsible.

Only the Insane fight God

Saul’s actions fulfill prophecy (most of it.). 1 Samuel 2:31-33

1 Samuel 2:31–33 NKJV

Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age.

Saul is still responsible for his actions

Ahimelech. Wisdom preserves from death. Being Right may not.

Ahimelech is innocent of all wrongdoing.

Ahimelech easily proves he is innocent, yet still dies

There are at least three recorded answers that did get through to Saul. They all focus purely on David’s innocence and of God’s judgment. not merely on logically proving the charge.

Jonathan appealed to the King’s sense of justice 1 Samuel 19:4-6 The King was less crazy then - it might not have worked a second time, since Jonathan wasn’t able to repeat this feat in ch 20.

David not only appealed to Saul’s sense of justice, he called God to judge between then; he used abnormally respectful titles; he produced evidence of his good faith; and minimized his own importance. Ahimelech couldn’t really produce evidence, but he could have called God to judge between them and brought attention to the seriousness of attacking the priesthood. 1 Samuel 24:8-16

David in his second appeal focused only on the reality of God’s judgment and his own unimportance. It works, also. 1 Samuel 26:17-21

The Biblical Principle is - when dealing with a fool, a wise answer will deliver from death, while simply answering correctly will not Prov 9:8; 16:14

Proverbs 9:8 NKJV

Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

Proverbs 16:14 NKJV

As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

Saul’s Servants. Obey God rather then Men.

Doeg the Edomite was a yes-man who manipulated the situation for his own ends

Saul’s other servants refused, because they recognized that the king is under God’s authority, and it was wrong. Acts 5:29

Acts 5:29 NKJV

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

David. Take Responsibility for your failures

Saul is clearly mostly responsible, but David does bear some responsibility.

David admitted his own errors, did not even mention Saul’s. This is what it means for “the buck to stop here.”

David took Abiathar in. He took action to remedy his error - this is real repentance. Prov 13:18; 15:31-32

Proverbs 13:18 NKJV

Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

Proverbs 15:31–32 NKJV

The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.