THE MISUNDERSTANDING TEST

MISUNDERSTANDING = A failure to understand or interpret correctly.

Some time in everyone’s life, they will say, “I’ve been misunderstood.”  This is because people have misinterpreted their words, actions, attitude,e or motive,s and unfortunately though they might try to give insight to the misinformed in these areas, their truth may continue to be rejected. So it was with David prior to him becoming king, and in this blog, I will share his story.

God chooses David, the youngest son of Jesse the Bethlehemite to be the second king in Israe,l and when Samuel anointed him for this position, neither David nor his family realized what was happening. David’s primary occupation was that of a shepherd boy tending the family’s sheep, and after being anointed, he returned to that task. However, God had other plans for David. God allowed his gift of a harpist to bring him into the palace to play when an evil spirit would come on King Saul. Thus, David became familiar with court life. God also allowed him to kill the giant Goliath when all the other men in Israel were afraid to do so. This victorious feat caused the king to make him a commander in his army, and in this position, David behaved himself wisely, and the people were enamored with him.

All things were going well for David until after a particular battle with the Philistines when the ladies of Israel began to praise David more than Saul. The scripture reported this event as follows, “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.” (1 Samuel 18:6-9)

David honored, respected, and treated Saul royally. Despite David’s actions, jealousy overtook Saul, and he no longer trusted David. David and Saul’s son Jonathan who loved David attempted numerous times to assure Saul of David’s innocence, but Saul was not thoroughly convinced for he would stop for a while and then renew his murderous attempts which caused David to spend many years on the run.

From 1 Samuel 18 until the time of Saul’s death in 1 Samuel 31 the Bible records twenty-one attempts of Saul to kill David.  During several of those attempts, David had the upper hand and could have easily slain Saul, but he refused to do any harm to him. David never conspired or caused a rebellion against Saul. He never tried to become king of Israel during Saul’s lifetime, and when David received news of the death of Saul and Jonathan, he lamented.

David is an excellent example for believers to follow. Though misunderstood, and his life continually threatened, David did not retaliate. If you study the Psalms, you will find David asking God to avenge him of his enemies. He allowed God to take care of Saul; he David did not raise a hand against him. David, in this matter, waited on God’s timing. So, when we are misunderstood, misplaced, threatened and mentally fatigued, don’t disappear but instead love the misinformed, pray and let God work it out.