1S22-5: The Power Of Possessions – What Your Belongings Say About You

“Sha’ul heard that David and the men with him had been located. Sha’ul was sitting in Giv‘ah, under the tamarisk tree on the hill, with his spear in his hand and all his servants standing around him.”-1 Samuel 22:6

From verse 6, the scene shifts back to King Saul.

Saul had learned about David’s whereabouts and now was sitting under a “tamarisk tree on the hill” plotting his next move.

This was where the king usually met with his men.

However, more important than Saul’s location was what he held in his hand.

Here we see him holding a spear, an instrument of war and death…

And no doubt, this was the same weapon he had hurled at David in an attempt to kill him.

Saul was probably never seen without his sword.

It was now his scepter that reflected his authority and character.

There’s a takeaway here we shouldn’t overlook.

The items that men keep near them are those things that define them.

For example, right by my pillow at night, I’ve got my good ole’ Holy Bible at my bedside.

It serves as a reassuring reminder of Who I worship and should rely on for my safety and well-being.

However, I’m not just talking about physical items.

I also find great reassurance in obeying God’s commands…

When we obey, I believe we are clothed in His holiness and covered by His protection.

For example, last week was Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Before the festival started, I had to get all CHAMETZ (leaven or food mixed with leaven) out of my apartment.

Then I had to avoid all foods with leaven and eat matzah every day for eight days.

And boy, I tell ya…

During this time, I felt tremendously blessed…

It’s difficult to put into words…

But you get this tremendous sense of peace, reassurance, and confidence when you obey God’s commands.

You feel like you’re operating in harmony with the Creator of the Universe.

So getting back to King Saul…

We can see he was the exact opposite of an obedient person.

The very reason God abandoned him was because he paid little regard for God’s commands.

His sword was the death instrument that reflected what he stood for…

And mentally speaking, he had gone completely mad.

So that’s your lesson for today.

What things do you cling to for safety and peace of mind in your life?

Is it the amount of money in your savings account?

Is it your good looks and the fact you’re taller than your average person (if you’re a dude)?

Is it that nice, cushy corporate job?

I’ll tell ya right now…

If it ain’t God, you’re clinging to false foundations, my friend.

And are in danger of losing your peace of mind, if not your very soul, if you don’t shift your focus back to where it belongs: Your Father in heaven.

Over and out.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“Then said Yeshua unto him,
Put up again thy sword into his place:
for all they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword.”
-Matthew 26:52

“As Yeshua was starting out
on his way to Jerusalem,
a man came running up to
him, knelt down, and asked,
‘Good Teacher, what must
I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘Why do you call me good?’
Yeshua asked. ‘Only God is truly good.
But to answer your question,
you know the commandments:
‘You must not murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not testify falsely.
You must not cheat anyone.
Honor your father and mother.’
‘Teacher,’ the man replied,
‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments
since I was young.’
Looking at the man,
Yeshua felt genuine love for him.
‘There is still one thing
you haven’t done,’ he told him.
‘Go and sell all your possessions
and give the money to the poor,
and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me.’
At this the man’s face fell,
and he went away sad,
for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and
said to his disciples,
‘How hard it is for the rich
to enter the Kingdom of God!’
This amazed them. But Yeshua
said again, ‘Dear children,
it is very hard to enter the
Kingdom of God. In fact, it is
easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for
a rich person to enter
the Kingdom of God!‘”
-Matthew 10:17-25

P.S. Some Bibles will say Saul was sitting under a tree on a “ramah”, and then they’ll capitalize “Ramah”.  They’ll mistakenly turn it into a formal place name.  This is incorrect.  Saul’s hometown village was Ramah, but this isn’t where he is now.  He is in Gibeah which is where he would meet with his men.  “Ramah” means “high” or “exalted”.  So here, it was just referring to a hilltop at Gibeah.