When is Something Not What it Seems?

When does someone need help—when they ask, when you see a need, when they cannot help themselves? Are they really in need, could they be striking a pose, or are they preying on your generosity? It’s not an easy call to be discerning. On September 30, 1938, after meeting with Adolph Hitler, and his cabinet, England’s Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain returned from Germany and reported to the British people that they, had reached, “Peace for our time” concerning the Munich Agreement. This peace was rather short-lived; the Germans occupied the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) the very next day! By force! Without mercy some 250,000 were killed! If we overlook the fact that Mr. Chamberlain’s swelled ego affected his judgment; we realize that oftentimes a politician can’t discern what the best course of action is; especially when it’s all shiny and rolled up to greet you.

The Bible records an event where someone pretended to be incapacitated. This wasn’t just anybody; it was the future King of Israel! He wasn’t pretending to be ‘just’ incapacitated; he was pretending to be insane! He was insane like a fox! David was trying to escape the clutches of Saul, he fled for refuge to Philistine territory, wearing Goliath’s sword of all things! David’s exploits were well known to the Philistines for he had slain thousands of their own people. David later feigned insanity to persuade Achish (King of Gath) to let him leave. David pretended to be insane in their presence: “While he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard”. King Achish said, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me?” 1 Samuel 21:14. It was a custom not to harm the mentally unstable people. 1 Samuel 21 records all the details.

Was David’s lie excusable because a war was going on and it’s the duty of a soldier to deceive the enemy? Fact is, David’s lie led to the death of 85 priests 1 Samuel 22:9-19. His lie seemed harmless enough but it led to tragedy. The Bible makes it very clear that lying is wrong (Leviticus 19:11). Lying like every other sin, is serious and in God’s sight may lead to other serious consequences. Don’t minimize or categorize sins. 

David’s plan worked. The providence of God was watching over David since the day Goliath felt the sting of his sling. His independence from Saul was critical; his dependence on God was essential. David was not what he seemed, he was a King, protected by the KING of KINGS.

And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16