The Low Side Of Man: The Case Of David.
(Part 1)
1 Samuel 21:10-15
NIV
[10] That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.
[11] But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances: “ 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?”
[12] David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath.
[13] So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.
[14] Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me?
[15] Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?”
Hidden in the scriptures are some incidents that we are unable to discuss or comment on for unknown reasons; one such incident is what you’ve just read.
I think because they are about men we hold in high esteem, we feel uncomfortable, and we are also afraid of being described as disrespectful and committing an act of sacrilege! But they are in the scriptures and are meant to be read.
Hmmm, David pretending to be a madman. Read it again ;
[13] So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.
I’ve read how some desirous of escaping justice pretend to be insane at law courts, so the judge will release them.
But what made me write this article? It’s simple, to show that all men have their low points in life! The English say “ we all have feet of clay”.
David out of fear decided to adopt this strategy to save himself. Let me add before you judge him that he broke ( violated) a law! No law says he can not act or be like that.
An act may look despicable, unsightly and unacceptable to you but it is not a sin. An act is a sin if there is a law forbidding it. Where there is no law there is no sin.
Romans 5
KJV
13+ (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
(Romans 5:13
NIV
[13] To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law.)
Romans 3
KJV
20+ Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
( Romans 3:20
NIV
[20] Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.)
So David can not be charged or accused of breaking any law by feigning to be mad since there was no law forbidding that act.
What is of interest to me is that a mighty man of God could go this far! Indeed all men regardless of status have their low points in life. You and I may have ours, but before we are condemned may our accusers point first to the law!
A foot of clay indeed! Should you see a similar act today, let it not surprise you!
A thought to share