Have you ever heard of the Reichstag fire in Nazi Germany?
This fire, which destroyed the German parliament building, was blamed on a mentally unstable Dutch communist, Marius van der Lubbe.
However, the truth is it was the Nazis themselves who orchestrated the fire.
Why?
Because they wanted to use it as a pretext to suppress opposition, suspend civil liberties, and consolidate power.
This event ultimately allowed Hitler to push through the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended civil liberties and paved the way for the Enabling Act, granting Hitler dictatorial powers.
So why do I mention this event?
Because it’s similar to what Saul did when he told Ahimelech…
“You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”
See here’s the thing.
On the surface, Saul was enraged at Ahimelech because he helped David.
But that’s not the real reason.
Saul wanted to get rid of the priesthood altogether.
Why?
Well, what use did a king whom God had abandoned have for an institution whose sole purpose was to discern and do God’s Will?
The answer is none.
The ruthless and mad Saul decided if he was going to defeat God, what better place than to start with His servants?
This has been how corrupt governments have always operated.
They drum up some false crisis and use that as an excuse to carry out a more wicked plan that had been in the works from the beginning.
In closing, Saul may have intended to eliminate the entire priesthood.
But in His sovereignty, God allowed one person to escape.
That person was named Avyatar, the son of Achimelech.
Under normal circumstances, he would have become the next High Priest.
He fled to David for safety.
Now, Avyatar probably had no idea but the slaughter that had just occurred at Nob was something the Lord had prophesied years earlier.
We’ll get into that the next time we meet.
Stay frosty!
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