SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
Psalm 54:1-7
1 Samuel 23:27-29

“… there is a friend that sticketh
closer than a brother.”

BEWARE WHOM YOU INFORM AGAINST!

This Psalm tells of another episode of David’s rich and varied life which provides material for our learning. After David had left Keilah with six hundred men they literally became vagabonds with no sure place of abode. When they found some strongholds in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph, we see a drama acted by two types of people. Jonathan, Saul’s son, went to meet David and “strengthened his hand in God,” assuring him of his loyalty and support of his acknowledged kingship. While it is said that blood is thicker than water, Jonathan’s spiritual tie to David overrode his blood-tie to his father (Prov 18:24).

On the other hand, the Ziphites (or Ziphims) with whom David had no quarrel became self-appointed informers. They reported David’s whereabouts to Saul in order, evidently, to curry favour with the mighty. To say the least, they were guilty of grave inhospitality. Nay, they were betraying innocent blood to earn the sour monarch’s smile.

It is not wrong to be an informer. Every government employs informers and detectives to thwart the wicked purposes of evil men. In Absalom’s rebellion against his father the sons of the two priests loyal to David, Ahimaaz, son of Zadok and Jonathan, son of Abiathar, risked their lives to bring latest information of the coup to the king, and they were commended. It all depends whom we inform against. Be sure where your loyalty lies! Don’t back the wrong horse!

Now when Saul came upon David through the information supplied by the Ziphites, he almost found his quarry. At such a crucial hour, David’s only help was from Above. Hence the urgent prayer utterances woven into this Psalm. Did God answer David in the nick of time to deliver him? Read 1 Samuel 23:27-29. John Calvin says David was saved from that tight situation by the mysterious prompting of the Holy Spirit in the Philistines who invaded Judah at the height of Saul’s campaign against David.

THOUGHT: What type of informer am I?
PRAYER: Lord, teach me when to speak up and when to be silent.