Here’s an example of what I mean, from 1 Samuel 19:18-24: “When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. Word came to Saul: ‘David is in Naioth at Ramah’; so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, ‘Where are Samuel and David?’
“‘Over in Naioth at Ramah,’ they said.
“So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’”
With all his evil intent toward David, the only thing Saul and his men could do was prophesy for God! The greatest power of the king meant nothing to God.
Why, then, doesn’t God assert himself more in this world? Why doesn’t he stand up for himself and his people? I don’t really understand, but it makes me think that there’s mercy involved somehow. So often when God forebears its because he is giving unbelievers a chance to believe. That doesn’t help me understand, but it helps me trust.
Certainly I need to remember that, when I’m tempted to go against God, either by outright defiance or by skirting the edges of his commands, I’m dealing with a God who made a king strip naked and lay on the ground babbling.
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