AHIMELECH, THE PRIEST of the LORD, defended his innocence when Saul charged him of conspiring with David against him: “May the king not accuse me and my family in this matter, for I knew nothing at all of any plot against you” (vv.13-15, NLT). But Saul still ordered Doeg to kill the priests of the LORD (v.18). While Saul’s slaughter of the priests was unjust and brutal, one cannot look at it without recalling the prophecy of 1 Samuel 2:30-36 (especially 1 Sam 2:31-33).
30 Doeg’s butchery of the priests fulfilled the word of God against the house of Eli – spoken perhaps 40 or 50 years before.
31 Ahimelech and the priests were Eli’s descendants. But God was not the author of this evil. God holds Saul and Doeg fully responsible for daring to kill “the priests of the LORD”. But in their wicked slaughter of God’s priests they nevertheless fulfilled the word of God. “God’s enemies prove the truthfulness of His word. In their hostility against Him they carry out His will.”
32 This truth is “clear even if mysterious; it is plain though not simple”
33. This mysterious divine sovereign way was demonstrated on the cross. It was God’s enemies who crucified Jesus, but it was “by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” that Jesus was “delivered over” to be crucified (Acts 2:23). God will keep His word, be it His word of judgment or consolation. God’s Word is truthful as God Himself is faithful (cf. Heb 11:11).
30 Dale Ralph Davis, 227
31 Dale Ralph Davis, 227
32 Dale Ralph Davis, 228
33 Dale Ralph Davis, 228
