1 Samuel 24:3 Test!

 ”Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.“ 1 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬ ‭BSB‬‬

a. The sheepfolds: This indicates that this was a large cave, big enough to shelter a flock of sheep. All or most of David’s 600 men could hide in the recesses of the cave.

b. Saul went in to attend to his needs: Since the Bible is a real book, dealing with real people living real lives, we aren’t surprised to see it describe Saul’s attention to his personal needs. But something as basic and common as this was timed and arranged by God, without Saul having any knowledge of God’s timing or arrangement of things.

i. The fact that Saul went in to attend to his needs also meant that he went into the cave alone. His soldiers and bodyguards were outside of the cave waiting for him.

c. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave: What are the chances? Saul had to attend to his personal needs at the exact moment he passed by the same cave where David was hiding. This was no coincidence, but was arranged by God to test David, to train David, and display David’s godly heart. (Guzik)

Test!

I never liked tests, I deplored them because of anxiety and fear of failure.

But a test from God? 

I’ve been trying to meditate on these verses daily:

”Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭BSB‬‬

When prayed sincerely, this is something of a dangerous prayer – worthy, yet dangerous. (Guzik) “It is a serious thing to pray, because it invites painful exposures and surgery, if we truly mean it. Still it is what every wise believer should desire.” (Boice)

I believe every one of us needs spiritual surgery because of a lifetime of hurts, hang ups and habits.

Do you pray sincerely?

Blessings