Rightness vs. Righteousness | 1 Samuel 21:3-6

Do you prefer rightness or righteousness?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

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This week, we are in Chapter 21 of 1 Samuel. I've titled this chapter "Man On The Run."

Remember, David came to Nob, the location of the Tabernacle, and talked with the priest, Ahimelech. Here is the interchange today in 1 Samuel 21:3-6:

Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.” And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women.” And David answered the priest, “Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?” So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the Lord, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away. — 1 Samuel 21:3-6

So, let's back up and notice a critical detail in David's story. We notice that the first men that David runs as a man on the run are two holy men: Samuel, the prophet, and Ahimelech, the high priest.

This is a natural impulse for any righteous man of God on the run. If you are being stalked by unrighteousness, the right thing to do is run to godly men who can provide you shelter, security, safety, and sustenance. If that is how you feel today, you need to stop trying to solve your problems on your own and run to a trusted believer, get relief, get understanding, and get prayer from them.

Next, it is essential to note that it was customary for countrymen to help each other while traveling. Traveling in their time was much more challenging, and carrying food and supplies was a burden if you were moving fast. Travelers relied on people's hospitality when they came to a new town for things like shelter and food. So, David's request was not unusual.

The problem is that Ahimelech only had some "Holy Bread," also known as "Shewbread." Twelve unleavened loaves were freshly baked every Sabbath and placed on a table before the Lord at the west end of the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. They were arranged in two stacks of six, like pancakes, on the table, symbolizing that God was the source of nourishment for each of Israel’s tribes. According to religious law, only a priest was allowed to consume this bread, but Ahimelech, after a short assessment of David's sexual cleanliness, decided to give him some.

This was so unusual that it became a memorable moment, recounted even by Jesus in the New Testament. Today, I want to read the text in Matthew 12 so you can see the point Jesus is making and how he credits Ahimelech's decision. But keep in mind while I read this text that the religious lawyers (the Pharisees) are questioning the judgment of the Great High Priest, and Jesus offers an explanation using the example of Ahimelech.

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” — Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus is making a valuable point: when believers value being right over being righteous or value being correct over being compassionate, we have missed the point because we want to make a point. In making our point, we prove we prefer the process of preserving our pride rather than pursuing goodness and mercy. Jesus is using our present story as a prime example of mercy for those who worship legalism and the letter of the law rather than worshipping the Leader who wrote, upheld, and accomplished the Law.

However, we must be cautious when applying this principle to everyday life because rejection of legalism can lead to excessive liberty. Notice that Ahimelech is careful about extending his goodwill to David. He gives the bread and will replace it, but he wants to ensure it is being eaten in a way that will honor God.

When you are being tested as a believer, you will encounter lonely moments when you feel like you are driving a winding road on a narrow cliff through a thick fog. During these moments, you will need spiritual discernment. Don't hit the accelerator and make fast legalistic decisions or libertarian choices. Use spiritual discernment, read God's Word, make decisions with another believer, and act in righteous faith. If you choose to act in faith, perhaps one day, Jesus will use your example as a model of what to do instead of what not to do.

#RighteousnessOverRightness, #FaithAndDiscernment, #DavidAndAhimelech

Ask This:
In what areas of your life do you prioritize being "right" over showing compassion and mercy? How can you shift your focus towards righteousness in those situations?
Who are the trusted believers in your life that you can turn to when you're feeling spiritually tested or need support? How can you build a stronger connection with them to foster mutual encouragement and accountability?
Do This:
Walk the line rightly.

Pray This:
Father, help me prioritize righteousness over being right and show compassion and mercy in all my interactions. Grant me the wisdom to seek guidance from trusted believers when I face challenges so I may navigate my journey with faith and discernment. Amen.

Play This:
This Is The Kingdom.