[When heard that David was hiding in Judah], Saul shouted to his officers. “Why you have conspired against me? For not one of you told me when my own son made a solemn pact with the son of Jesse. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son—encouraging him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day!” Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing there with Saul’s men, spoke up. “When I was at Nob,” he said, “I saw the son of Jesse talking to the priest, Ahimelech son of Ahitub. Ahimelech consulted the LORD for him. Then he gave him food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” King Saul immediately sent for Ahimelech and all his family, who served as priests at Nob. When they arrived, Saul shouted at him, “Listen to me, you son of Ahitub!” “What is it, my king?” Ahimelech asked. “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me?” Saul demanded. “Why did you give him food and a sword? Why have you consulted God for him? Why have you encouraged him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day?” “But sir,” Ahimelech replied, “is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household! This was certainly not the first time I had consulted God for him! May the king not accuse me and my family in this matter, for I knew nothing at all of any plot against you.” “You will surely die, Ahimelech, along with your entire family!” the king shouted. And he ordered his bodyguards, “Kill these priests of the LORD, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn’t tell me!” But Saul’s men refused to kill the LORD’s priests. Then the king said to Doeg, “You do it.” So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, 85 priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments. Then he went to Nob, the town of the priests, and killed the priests’ families—men and women, children and babies—and all the cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats. Only Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David…
See 1 Samuel 22:7–23 (NLT) for the full version
This is how a priest became a warrior. Benaiah was a son of Jehoiada, the chief priest at Kebzeel. They came to Nob that fateful day. After witnessing the horror, Jehoiada sent his son on with Abiathar with this letter to David, while he hurried home to protect the priestly community at Kebzeel.
Dear King David,
I pen down this letter with a heart laden with the gravity of the times we find ourselves in, yet with a spark of hope as I introduce my son, Benaiah [1], to your honorable service. As the sun cast its first light this morning, we approached the serene grounds of Nob, a place where I intended to immerse Benaiah in the sacred priestly traditions before he embraced the tranquil mantle of the priesthood [2]. But we were met not with the songs of devotion but the eerie silence of death. The hallowed grounds were stained with the blood of innocents, a chilling testament to the darkness that had swept through.
Amidst the remnants of what once was a sanctuary, we found young Abiathar, the sole remnant of a lineage once vibrant, his eyes filled with the horror of what transpired and yet, a glimmer of hope. The sacred ephod he clutched as if holding onto the last thread of divine providence amidst the storm of malevolence that had befallen upon Nob. Observing the dire need for protection and justice, and recognizing the divine orchestration that placed us there at that moment, I entrusted Benaiah with the duty of safeguarding Abiathar and the holy ephod, to seek refuge under your righteous reign.
The stark reality of the hour cast a new light upon Benaiah’s path. I saw before me, not the gentle heart of a young priest, but the fierce resolve of a budding warrior, ready to defend the remnants of justice and divinity. I recall last winter, Benaiah had stared down the eyes of death, a lion that threatened the breath of our village. With nought but courage, he chased the beast into the pit, his breath dancing with the snowflakes, a dance of death and life played on the white canvas of winter [1]. And as the lion breathed its last, I saw in my son’s eyes, a fire that yearned to shield the innocent from the jaws of fear and death. His deeds spoke of a warrior’s heart, a guardian’s resolve.
Given the harrowing circumstances and the clarion call for justice, it became clear that the Lord had paved a path divergent from the one I had envisioned for Benaiah. His calling resonated with the rhythm of a sword clashing against the chains of oppression, rather than the tranquil chants of priestly sermons. His endowment lay in restoring justice, in protecting the weak, a form of service to the Almighty that bore a different, yet equally significant essence.
And so, as the shadows of malevolence lengthen across the lands, I find myself penning down words I hadn’t envisioned before. I beseech you to welcome Benaiah into your fold, to let his blade be an extension of justice that your reign embodies. The times have carved a warrior out of a priest’s son, and I trust that under your noble gaze, his sword shall carve a realm where justice reigns and fear withers.
As I seal this letter with a prayer, my mind travels across the arid lands between us, to the heart of your kingdom where justice finds its voice. I envisage a horizon where the swords of justice vanquish the shadows that threaten the innocent, a dawn where the hymns of peace resonate through a land cradled in justice.
May the Lord guide his blade and your reign. May God’s justice continue forever [3] !
Yours in hope and reverence,
Jehoiada, the Chief Priest of Kabzeel
Share with your friends “Benaiah’s journey reflects a change in how he might deliver justice. Discuss how different circumstances might require a shift from a more merciful approach to a more judgmental one, or vice versa.”
[1] Benaiah was one of David’s famous Mighty Men mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:20-23. His father was a chief priest according to 1 Chr. 27:5. His “chasing the lion into a pit on a snowy day to kill it” was remarkable since lions in the winter would be more dangerous because of food scarcity.
[2] The first requirement to be a Jewish priest in ancient Israel is to be born in the priestly tribe of Levite according to Deuteronomy 18:1-8
[3] David wrote Psalm 52:1-9 when he heard about what Doeg had done and asked “Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?”
(from Roger)
Man, again great shares. And tough question….I agree with most of you in that taking a merciful approach vs a judgmental one is one I would appreciate more when it is being applied to me but that’s because it would be the easier softer way. I don’t want to be treated or viewed judgmentally. That usually implies I’m at fault and that there are consequences to bear for my actions. All I feel I can add to this discussion is that as you all have stated it is a fine line between when to shift course and take on new tactics and we have to be careful because we all sin, and to trust one persons views when all of us are fallible is very dangerous. What I feel is important in this discussion is the intent, not just the approach used. Also it requires actors or whoever’s perspective we are reviewing to have intimate knowledge of the situation. Like boots on the ground knowledge, not just governance from above or afar. When that knowledge is coupled with positive or good intentions, then sometimes one can see why the approach changed from one of being merciful to one predicated upon judgement. Having said this, there are always two sides to the coin and the oppressor or the one who is being acted upon has a story to tell. However, when just, many times this change in approach can be understood upon review. Tough question. Good shares guys. Love it. Have a blessed day!!
“ I beseech you to welcome Benaiah into your fold, to let his blade be an extension of justice that your reign embodies. The times have carved a warrior out of a priest’s son, and I trust that under your noble gaze, his sword carve a realm where justice reigns and fear withers.”
Benaiah’s journey from being priest to warrior helps him develop both a quiet prayer like person to an a more take action expressive person.
I think we should know our audience to know when to shift our actions from being more merciful to a more stern or even judgmental approach. It also really depends on our purpose and how well you know the receiver so that whatever approach we take, we would want to bring them back to and closer to God….restoring their relation with others and God.
I hope to lean more towards showing mercy over judgement just because I know I not perfect and would rather leave the judgement to God. But sometimes it easier to judge than to show mercy.
In this case, I believe it depends on the situation at stake. I think that it was right for the approach to deliver justice to change due to Saul’s act. There is definitely a course of action that needed to happen because he caused the death of 85 priests, their families, and their animals. Of course there are other acts that are not on this same level that would call for a merciful approach. As all do, God draws a line to the ones that would exceed this level, calling for a judgmental approach.
The question is somewhat tricky, and I may not have enough experience to answer it definitively. However, in some circumstances, I believe I would choose a more merciful approach because I believe God judges me mercifully. Consequently, I aim to judge everyone mercifully, just as God has given me chances. But in cases where they persistently ignore a merciful approach, I might consider using a more judgmental approach.
That question leaves out the word “justice”. The goal of a merciful or judgmental approach must ultimately be Justice.
A merciful approach that frees the sinner without any payment/restitution paid to the injured party is blind to Justice. Yet a judgmental approach that leaves no room for mercy is heavy-handed and brutal.
Justice always demand a price. The more grievous the sin, the more costly the price of Justice.
At the foot of the cross we behold God’s judgement of our sin poured out on His blameless Son, so that we may receive mercy.
The event that comes to mind when I think of judgement approach to merciful approach is when a person is acting in a negative way. When someone acts negative I believe they are just like that and they have no sympathy for others. I slowly started to understand that people are negative because of something else or an event that happened to them that made them act in a certain way. They don’t need someone judging them they need someone who would show them the love and care they deserved that they never got. Just like how God gives us his love even though we sin.
From sister Becky:
Mercies and judgement toward someone depends
on the situation and person. For example, if the criminals are out to offend children and the elderly, it hit more at home than to other age group. There is biased because culturally the children and elderly are seen as weak and not able to defend for themselves.
Also some circumstances require us to hear from the offender themselves to see what was their reasoning upon their actions. Depending on their stories, judgement can turn into mercy.
I looked up bible verses to see what God has to say regarding mercy and judgement to remind me of God’s Word:
James 2:13
tells us that, since God will judge us with mercy, we should judge others with mercy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7)
The greatest example of God using judgment to get to mercy is Jesus. God poured out his wrath and judgment for sin on Jesus so that in doing so he could offer us mercy and give to us something we truly don’t deserve to receive. Isaiah 53 (https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/53.html) is a reminder of this.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. – Psalm 103:8 (https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/103-8.html)
There is but one judgment day (Revelation 11:18). Both the saved and lost will be judged (Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10). Our works both good and bad will be judged (Ecclesiastes 12:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10).
I agree with you guys that mercies and judgement toward someone depends
on the situation and person. For example, if the criminals are out to offend children and the elderly, it hit more at home than to other age group. There is biased because culturally the children and elderly are seen as weak and not able to defend for themselves.
Also some circumstances require us to hear from the offender themselves to see what was their reasoning upon their actions. Depending on their stories, judgement can turn into mercy.
I looked up bible verses to see what God has to say regarding mercy and judgement to remind me of God’s Word:
James 2:13
tells us that, since God will judge us with mercy, we should judge others with mercy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7)
The greatest example of God using judgment to get to mercy is Jesus. God poured out his wrath and judgment for sin on Jesus so that in doing so he could offer us mercy and give to us something we truly don’t deserve to receive. Isaiah 53 is a reminder of this.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. – Psalm 103:8
There is but one judgment day (Revelation 11:18). Both the saved and lost will be judged (Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10). Our works both good and bad will be judged (Ecclesiastes 12:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The approach with either mercy or judgment is necessary in some cases both. I think there are many situations where I would prefer to overflow with a merciful approach. And I think it is better to choose the merciful approach. However, there is definitely a need for a judgmental approach as well. I think there are situations that require a judgmental approach, and I think there is a conflict within me, but I think it produces a good result. I think that the purpose and landing point of these two approaches can both be nice choices.
This question I found hard to answer for myself. different circumstances can force a different response out of ourselves. whether this response is God centered or not I think is what makes that action more merciful vs judgmental. God shows us mercy and asks us to love our neighbors like ourselves. So ideally i would assume to show mercy in most scenarios is key to having the best consequences out of the given circumstance. out of our flesh this is what can confuse our discretion and trigger a bad response. thank you God for showing us continued mercy and I continue to give gratitude everyday for the opportunities we are shown daily. amen.
-Zay