1 Samuel 18:24-30: a reflection

24The servants of Saul told him, saying, “David spoke like this.” 25Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. 26When his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the deadline, 27David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife. 28Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David; and Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him. 29Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually. 30Then the princes of the Philistines went out; and as often as they went out, David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

Saul, jealous and afraid of David, sets a deadly trap. He offers David his daughter in marriage for a bride-price of a hundred Philistine foreskins, secretly hoping David will die at the Philistines' hands trying to earn it. But the trap fails completely. David not only survives but doubles the required number, wins the marriage, and rises higher than ever in the people's esteem. And the passage tells us why the trap could not work: the LORD was with David. Saul saw that the LORD was with David, and grew all the more afraid.

Notice what made the difference: God's presence with David. Saul laid a scheme designed to destroy him, and it not only failed but turned to David's advancement; the very trap meant to kill him became the occasion of his rising. And the reason, repeated in the passage, is simply that the LORD was with David. God's presence turned the enemy's trap into the servant's blessing.

That is a comfort when we sense schemes and traps laid against us. When God is with his people, the traps meant to destroy them cannot finally succeed; they may even, in God's hand, turn to good. This is not a promise that we will never suffer, but an assurance that no scheme against us can overrule God's purpose, and that his presence is our security. When you sense traps laid for you, plots meant to bring you down, do not despair. If God is with you, the schemes against you cannot overrule his purpose, and he is able to turn even the traps meant for your harm to good. The LORD was with David; and if the Lord is with you, you are safe in his hands.

Lord, Saul laid a deadly trap for David, but it failed and even turned to David's advancement, because you were with him. When I sense schemes and traps laid against me, plots meant to bring me down, remind me that your presence is my security. When you are with your people, the traps meant to destroy them cannot finally succeed, and you are able to turn even them to good. This is not a promise that I will never suffer, but the assurance that no scheme against me can overrule your purpose. Be with me as you were with David, and help me trust that if you are with me, I am safe in your hands, whatever traps are laid for me.