Take Time To Pray For Our Leaders
Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered…
Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king.
Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” “Yes my lord,” he answered.” Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of the LORD for him?”...
Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?... Your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”...
The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king.
Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” “Yes my lord,” he answered.” Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of the LORD for him?”...
Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?... Your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”...
The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
I Samuel 22:6-19
Saul’s insatiable desire to entrench himself in power and ensure a future dynasty led him to commit all kinds of atrocities. Anyone who seemed to offer any form of protection to David had to be mercilessly eliminated. Saul’s heart had become so darkened and wicked that he did not even think twice about killing the priests of God and putting a whole town to death including men and women, children and cattle. Maintaining himself in power was his overarching concern.
It is almost unthinkable that this king who reluctantly ascended to the throne was now so obsessed with power that he would kill anyone who stood in his way. The actions of a wicked ruler can have devastating consequences. A wicked and godless ruler is destructive and unpredictable. The Bible instructs us in I Timothy 2: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Praying for our leaders is something most Christians and most churches almost hardly do. We are usually nonchalant about leadership. But the truth is the actions of a leader can have either peaceful or devastating consequences for any nation or people. Saul was so power hungry that he spent vast amounts of national resources to pursue his “enemy” David. He did not shy away from putting to death a whole town for supposedly protecting David.
Would you take time to pray for all our national, state and local leaders on a regular basis? That is the only way we can have peaceful and quiet lives. Failing to pray for our leaders is tantamount to allowing Satan unbridled access and control over leadership. This can result in very ungodly actions which potentially affects all. Prayers can change the heart of any leader.
It is almost unthinkable that this king who reluctantly ascended to the throne was now so obsessed with power that he would kill anyone who stood in his way. The actions of a wicked ruler can have devastating consequences. A wicked and godless ruler is destructive and unpredictable. The Bible instructs us in I Timothy 2: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Praying for our leaders is something most Christians and most churches almost hardly do. We are usually nonchalant about leadership. But the truth is the actions of a leader can have either peaceful or devastating consequences for any nation or people. Saul was so power hungry that he spent vast amounts of national resources to pursue his “enemy” David. He did not shy away from putting to death a whole town for supposedly protecting David.
Would you take time to pray for all our national, state and local leaders on a regular basis? That is the only way we can have peaceful and quiet lives. Failing to pray for our leaders is tantamount to allowing Satan unbridled access and control over leadership. This can result in very ungodly actions which potentially affects all. Prayers can change the heart of any leader.