“But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace (he was as one deaf). 1 Samuel 10:27 ESV with LSV addition
We’ve all had it happen. In fact, more than likely, countless times. Hurtful and harmful words issued by another that hurt, damage, and prick at our inner soft spots. Oh, the pain that can come from another’s words. Words that are carefully aimed with the intention to strike at the core of who we are. And for me, it hurts me just as much to see this vicious word war wage around me. Weekly I see this hurtful scourge going on within families, friends, and yes, even within God’s church. But what we find here in God’s Word today in 1 Samuel, just as always, shows us that God’s ways are not the ways of this world. That instead of launching another arsenal of poisonous words back to the one that issued the first volley, we are to instead let those words never find their intended target. We are to let those words fall harmlessly around us, refusing to let their hurtful propensity enter into our being.
The book of 1 Samuel starts by seeing the young prophet Samuel miraculously born into a Nazarite vow, appointed as a young servant to the Lord in the local temple, and then grown into the 13th judge that guides and protects the nation of Israel. But the people refuse Samuel as a leader, and thus God, (1 Sam 8:7) and demand a king to rule them. You see, all the other small kingdoms around them had a king, and folks, the grass does indeed look greener in the distance. So, God agrees to give them a king, not out of submission to humans, but in wisdom to show humans the deceitfulness of their own heart’s desires. You see, no matter what we demand of God, He will never step off His throne, even if man asks Him to.
And so, God chooses the first king of Israel Himself. And He calls him straight from central casting. Saul is everything a king should be…physically anyway. He is tall, rich, and scripture mentions his handsomeness not once, but twice. He looked like a king should look. But as we will see later in God’s appointment of the second king of Israel, King David, God does not select His kings because of what they appear to be on the outside, but what they truly are on the inside. (1 Samuel 16:7) But God does everything in His power to set Saul up for success. He is anointed by the prophet Samuel, anointed with the Holy Spirit of God, surrounded by a cabinet of men also anointed with the Holy Spirit of God, and then presented to the Israelite nation in an official ceremony as the newly crowned king. And it is here that we find our study verse come into play. You see, just as today with our modern politics, you cannot please everyone (or maybe it’s more accurately, everyone simply refuses to be pleased.) And after the inauguration ceremony we see groups of troublemakers already forming the anti-king Saul fan club. And along with that came trash talking of which Saul overheard. But the lesson here is how the now Holy-Spirit inspired king Saul reacts to those hurtful words.
As the new king he could have rounded up all these nay-sayers and had them tossed in jail. Or even worse he could have had them all excommunicated from the church which would have effectively removed them from all social connections, making them pariahs. But Saul makes a simple, wise choice when it comes to their hurtful words…he chooses to not even hear them. Depending on the Biblical translation, it states upon hearing these poisonous comments, Saul “held his peace” ESV, “kept silent” NIV, “ignored them” NLT, “remained silent” BSB, “said nothing” HCSB, “kept calm” CEV, “didn’t respond” GNT, or in the original Hebrew, “he was as deaf” LSV. God’s Holy Spirit that was inhabiting space within the chest of king Saul refused to allow these words to find purchase within his mind. And folks, if you are a born-again child of God, that very same Holy Spirit resides within you and desires just the same from you today.
So today how are hurtful words affecting you? Are they simply falling on deaf ears with you holding your peace, keeping silent, ignoring them, saying nothing, keeping calm, and refusing to respond? Or are you, in defiance of the Holy Spirit, issuing your own harsh words in retaliation as you seek to repay hurt with more hurt? You see, unless the cycle of hurt is broken, it can go on as long as bitter hearts lay claim to their anger. In my own life I have witnessed this word war claim casualties in families, social circles, and literally lay waste to entire church congregations. Folks, the reaction God desires for His children could not be clearer in our study passage. And it could not be clearer in the life of our Savior as He Himself chose to remain silent before His false accusers. (Mark 14:57-61) The power to break the hurt cycle lies in our Holy-Spirit empowered ears, minds, and hearts. We must refuse to allow hurtful words to find purchase within us, refuse to allow them to linger in our minds, and instead of retaliation, offer immediate forgiveness from the depths of our hearts. If not, you will find yourself in a word war you do not want.
May you today give those harmful words directly to the Lord before they do their intended damage. And in this way, you will break the cycle of hurt before it even starts. Your part? Hold your peace, keep silent, ignore them, say nothing, keep calm, and refuse to respond. God’s part? He’ll handle the bitter hearts issuing the bitter words.
Blessings as you walk the walk, fight the fight, and do what is right in God’s eyes ~ Dan
“Then some stood up and gave false testimony against Him (Jesus)…Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.” Mark 14:57, 60-61 NIV
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19
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