A Tale of Three Kings

by Gene Edwards

Then do you find it strange that this remarkable event led the young man not to the throne but to a decade of hellish agony and suffering? On that day, David was enrolled, not into the lineage of royalty but into the school of brokenness.

God did not have—but wanted very much to have—men and women who would live in pain. God wanted a broken vessel.

One, never learn anything about the fashionable, easily mastered art of spear throwing. Two, stay out of the company of all spear throwers. And three, keep your mouth tightly closed. In this way, spears will never touch you, even when they pierce your heart.

You cannot tell (none of us can) who is the Lord’s anointed and who is not. Some kings, whom all agree are after the order of King Saul, are really after the order of David. And others, whom all agree are after the order of David, really belong to the order of King Saul. Who is correct? Who can know? To whose voice do you listen? No man is wise enough ever to break that riddle. All we can do is walk around asking ourselves this question: “Is this man the Lord’s anointed? And if he is, is he after the order of King Saul?”

what were the scalpel and tongs God used to remove this inner Saul? God used the outer Saul. King Saul sought to destroy David, but his only success was that he became the instrument of God to put to death the Saul who roamed about in the caverns of David’s own soul. Yes, David was virtually destroyed in the process, but this had to be. Otherwise the Saul in him would have survived.

David did not split the kingdom when he made his departure. He did not take part of the population with him. He left alone. Alone. All alone. King Saul II never does that. He always takes those who “insist on coming along.” Yes, people do insist on going with you, don’t they? They are willing to help you found the kingdom of King Saul II.

“Better he kill me than I learn his ways. Better he kill me than I become as he is. I shall not practice the ways that cause kings to go mad. I will not throw spears, nor will I allow hatred to grow in my heart. I will not avenge. I will not destroy the Lord’s anointed. Not now. Not ever!”

There is a vast difference between the outward clothing of the Spirit’s power and the inward filling of the Spirit’s life. In the first, despite the power, the hidden man of the heart may remain unchanged. In the latter, that monster is dealt with.

He sometimes gives unworthy vessels a greater portion of power so that others will eventually see the true state of internal nakedness within that individual.

However, the passing of time (and the behavior of your leader while that time passes) reveals a great deal about your leader. And the passing of time, and the way you react to that leader—be he David or Saul—reveals a great deal about you.

Legalism is nothing but a leader’s way of avoiding suffering.

“authority from God is not afraid of challengers, makes no defense, and cares not one whit if it must be dethroned.

“As far as David’s having authority: Men who don’t have it talk about it all the time. Submit, submit! That’s all you hear. David had authority, but I don’t think that fact ever occurred to him. We were six hundred no-goods with a leader who cried a lot. That’s all we were!”

“Rebels who ascend to the throne by rebellion have no patience with other rebels and their rebellions. When Absalom is faced with rebellion, he will become a tyrant.

Shall I throw spears, and plot and divide . . . and kill men’s spirits if not their bodies . . . to protect my empire? I did not lift a finger to be made king. Nor shall I do so to preserve a kingdom. Even the kingdom of God! God put me here. It is not my responsibility to take, or keep, authority. Do you not realize, it may be his will for these things to take place? If he chooses, God can protect and keep the kingdom even now. After all, it is his kingdom.

I seek his will, not his power. I repeat, I desire his will more than I desire a position of leadership.

The motives of the heart will eventually be revealed. God will see to it.”

Yes, a broken man faced Korah. And I believe you already know what Moses did, David. He did . . . nothing.” “Nothing. Ah, what a man.”

I will do what I did under Saul. I will leave the destiny of the kingdom in God’s hands alone. Perhaps he is finished with me. Perhaps I have sinned too greatly and am no longer worthy to lead. Only God knows if that is true, and it seems he will not tell.”