Authority and Submission
8Afterwards David also rose up and went out of the cave and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance. 9 David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘David seeks to do you harm’? 10 This very day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared? you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak, and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.”
David knew how to be under authority. He knew, even though Saul was not walking very close with God and that he had been promised by God to be king that he was not yet to be king. It would have been so easy to kill Saul in that cave. He had the element of surprise, he had a defensible position in the cave against Saul’s men, he could have chosen to bring the nonsense to an end right then and there. Instead, he stayed under the authority that had been anointed by God. Never once in all of 1st Samuel do we see David curse Saul. Instead he blessed him many times over again.
“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water? of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is sure I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. 9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, 11 since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.”
NRSV Tit 3:1-11 (bold mine)
I have been plenty guilty of not submitting to authority at times. I still am learning to submit and to listen and operate under authority. I thank God that I live in a Constitutional Republic that gives me the right to have an opinion and allows me to think freely and share freely. However, thinking for myself, and being divisive and subversive are two very different things.
I got my tail caught under the rocking chair this weekend when I would not speak loudly and politically, at church none the less. A person whom I respect felt that because I would not loudly shout down what Obama is doing I was not taking a stand for freedom. As I walked away the tension was palpable and completely not honoring to God. I did not handle the situation best, but neither did they.
What we need is a lot more David thinking and a lot less derisive speech. When we can submit to the authorities in our earthly lives we will begin to find it is easier to submit to not only the authority of others, but to God as well.
