What can we learn about obedience to God versus human authority from this verse? The Setting of 1 Samuel 22:17 “Then the king ordered the guards standing near him, ‘Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not inform me.’ But the servants of the king were not willing to lift their hands to strike the priests of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 22:17) What We See Happening • King Saul issues a direct royal command. • The command clashes with God’s clear prohibition against murdering His consecrated priests (Exodus 20:13; Leviticus 21:1–8). • Saul’s guards recognize the conflict and refuse to carry out the order. Key Lesson: When Human Orders Contradict God’s Word • Scripture consistently places God’s authority above all earthly powers. • Obeying rulers is good and right—until their directives require disobedience to God (Acts 5:29). • Saul’s guards demonstrate righteous civil disobedience: they honor God first, even at personal risk. Biblical Echoes and Reinforcements • Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image. • Daniel 6: Daniel keeps praying despite a royal ban. • Acts 4–5: Peter and John continue preaching though forbidden. • Hebrews 11:32–34 celebrates saints “who through faith conquered kingdoms” rather than bowing to ungodly decrees. Balancing Romans 13 and God-First Obedience Romans 13:1–4 commands submission to governing authorities “for there is no authority except from God.” • Submission is the default posture. • Romans 13 assumes rulers reward good and punish evil. When rulers invert that—punishing good and rewarding evil—believers must cling to the higher law of God (Isaiah 5:20). Practical Takeaways for Today • Know Scripture well; you can’t discern a clash without knowing God’s standards. • Respect leaders, pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1–2), yet reserve ultimate allegiance for the Lord. • Be prepared for costly obedience. Saul later turns to Doeg, who slaughters the priests (1 Samuel 22:18–19). Faithfulness may invite hardship, but God honors it eternally (Matthew 5:10–12). • Trust that God can use courageous obedience to restrain evil and bear witness to His righteousness. Final Encouragement When human authority demands what God forbids, the path is clear: stand with God. Like Saul’s guards, choose reverence for the LORD over fear of man, confident that “the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high” (Proverbs 29:25). |
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