What’s In It For Me?

SSS* Week #6

The events of Spending the Summer In Samuel are beginning to add up. We’ve gone from the miraculous birth of Hannah’s baby boy to the growing fury of King Saul. What I love most about the countless major moments in scripture is all that is in it for me. As we read through these passages, we can ask ourselves, “What lesson can I learn from these events?” “What encouragement is here that can get me going as I deal with my own situation?” “In what way is this passage shedding light on the darkness I’ve been dealing with?” “How is God demonstrating He boundless love for His creation?”

Let’s get started!

At this point in our study of 1 Samuel, David is officially on the run from King Saul. In 1 Samuel chapter 19 we learned that David fled to Ramah to Samuel the prophet.

What’s in it for me?

This picture of David making God his refuge in a time of great distress serves to remind us that we too can run to God for protection.

Next, David came to Jonathan the prince where he received the listening ear of a faithful friend who fulfilled a promise. Jonathan kept his word and provided David with pertinent information regarding Saul’s plans to kill him. This account of Jonathan demonstrates to us the truth of Proverbs 17:17, “a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” According to this proverb, Jonathan was indeed a friend. He was there for David during times of triumph and during times of trouble.

What’s in it for me?

We may have people, like Saul, who dislike and despise us. This passage reminds us that we also have people, like Jonathan, who love and respect us.

Finally, “David came to . . . Ahimelech the priest.” David calmed Ahimelech’s fears regarding his lack of company with a lie that Saul had sent him on a secret mission. It is unfortunate that David lied to the priest because, just as Samuel and Jonathan were able to offer him shelter and other relief, full disclosure would have allowed Ahimelech to respond in a more direct way to David’s most pressing needs. This is perhaps a sign that David’s faith was getting weak, or maybe it was David’s attempt to not get Ahimelech more involved than necessary. Whatever the case, David’s actions carry with it a life lesson:

What’s in it for me?

We can learn from this situation to trust that God will be faithful until the very end with every detail of our situation! We need not lie nor resort to other uncharacteristic or ungodly means to have our needs met. David needed only to continue to be the dependent, persistent follower of the Lord and trust in Him. So it is with us.

The interaction with Ahimelech the priest did not end with a lie. David did ask for food and a weapon. Not only was Ahimelech faithful in providing these resources, he also “inquired of the Lord for him” (1 Samuel 22:10).

What’s in it for me?

What comfort it is to know that we have a God we can go to, ask for, and expect provision!

Don’t worry! This is the one time that asking “What’s in it for me?” is not a selfish move! It’s a wise move! As we study scripture with this question in mind, we are asking our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to speak to us through His Word so that the things of this world don’t eclipse our awareness of the adequacy of His protection, the fulfillment of His promises, and the timeliness of His provision.

Go ahead, get all that is in it for you!

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