By Bunni Pounds

*This blog is part of our weekly, virtual Bible Study through the book of Psalms. For information on how to participate, please visit this page.

When I was a little girl, I had these Bible story records (Yes, vinyl – like the kids now-a-days think are cool). There were over 50 records if not 100 with the audio stories of the Bible acted out with music, and I listened to them over and over again with my little Fisher Price record player. They were very dramatic, and between that and regular childhood Bible classes – the stories were seared into my heart and mind. 

The story from 1 Samuel 21 and 22 where David goes into the tabernacle in Nob, talks to the priest Abimelech, takes some holy bread from him and Goliath’s sword as well, has always been fascinating to me. It really showed me that even though people look like they are strong, there can be moments where they are hungry and weak where they disregard the sacredness of a holy place and just take what they need. This was the case of David here. 

But the story gets even crazier, when Doeg, the Edomite, that worked for King Saul as one of his top herdsmen, overhears David’s conversation with the priest, holds onto this piece of juicy information until just the right time, then let’s King Saul know about it right when he knows he will take vengeance. 

What transpired was a brutal massacre of 85 priests by the hand of Doeg and then he went out and killed all the people of Nob as well – “both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword.” (I Samuel 22:19b)

That is bloody, wicked and downright EVIL. I remember as a child being angry listening to this story. I was angry at David for going into the tabernacle and not esteeming the holiness of the place, the priests, the bread, even his own history with God in the killing of Goliath to not honor the sacredness of the sword, but I was really angry at the utter wickedness lived out in the life of Doeg. How evil could you be? This was like “Hitler” kind of evil! 

When David finds out about the destruction caused by Doeg – Psalm 52 is written as a response and a way for him to process it all before the Lord. Can you imagine trying to process a mass murder of the holy men of God and a whole city? David felt great remorse for his part when he heard what had happened. 

Listen to this: 

“Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the Lord’s priests. So David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father’s house.  Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.” 1 Samuel 22:20-23

Now, on to Psalm 52 – now that we have the background. 

“Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.” (verses 1-4)

In a mocking way – David makes fun of this “mighty man” who just killed all these innocent people - and then somehow declares the goodness of God over the situation. 

Let’s just stop there. How is God good after people have been massacred? This is the age-old question.  How can God be good if people died in the holocaust, children are dying of starvation in Africa, or people are dying in wars? How is His goodness displayed in that? 

That is where we have to see the difference between what God allows in a fallen, sinful, wicked world and what He enjoys. He doesn’t enjoy any death, sickness, or destruction especially when it is one of His created beings destroying another. He mourns. He weeps. And He will ultimately judge. 

Watch out, world –here is what Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..”

“God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.” (verse 5)

This is not from the Bible, but in Jewish rabbinical teachings – they document that Doeg died with leprosy. Judgement indeed, in this world and the world to come. 

One last thing I want to point out before we move on – David spells out very clearly that Doeg had a “deceitful tongue” (verse 4). It sounds much like the discourse in the book of James. 

James 3:3-5 – “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!”

The tongue is a powerful force, and Doeg used it for destruction. He was in the tabernacle to seek the Lord but let his pride and jealousy of David lead him to use his tongue for evil as he waited around for the right time, for the best time, for mass destruction to destroy David’s life and the lives of many others. It eventually led to Doeg’s judgement. 

“The righteous also shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, ‘Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.’” (verses 6-7)

Remember Psalm 2 where God sits in the heavens and laughs at the destruction of the wicked. 

David calls us here as “the righteous” to raise our eyes and see the rulership of God over all of the evil in the earth. He exhorts us not to keep our eyes on what we don’t understand but raise them to trust Him. It doesn’t make sense in the natural – but it does in the supernatural. 

Even though David knows the plot was to destroy him – he sings the praises of God and declares his true identity in God. 

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” (verses 8-9)

Olive trees are one of the sturdiest trees in Israel, and David declares that even though he might not have done everything right – God’s mercy is enough to redeem him. If any of us had done something that had led to hundreds of people getting killed – I don’t know if we would recover from it because we don’t understand how great God’s mercy is. 

David had a revelation that only God could give Him of His faithfulness, His mercy, and the greatness of His good name. That was the only thing that held David together, and it is the only thing that can hold us together today. 

God responds to the heart of people. His justice and mercy are attached to the hearts. If Doeg had repented and responded like David – God’s mercy could have reached him regardless of how deep his sin was.  

It should give us great comfort that God is just and righteous and will repay evil, but also that “mercy triumphs over judgement” (James 2:13) for those who believe.

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