Wise Solomon wrote: “Pro 29:25 The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.” In these chapters we find three men who experienced this; the high priest, Abimelech, King Saul, and David the warrior who had conquered Goliath. All three faced choices in which they either had to trust God or trust in men who will fail. All three failed in their choice and Samuel has recorded the results of that fear. Abimelech is killed by Doeg the Edomite when the Israelites refused to follow King Saul’s command to kill him and the other priests, he killed 85 priests to his shame.
King Saul was so fearful of Abimelech’s decision to help David that he ordered his death. This would be a thorn in David’s side for years to come. David feared for his life and went to Abimelech to secure provisions for his men. He was given food and Goliath’s sword but in the end that decision cost Abimelech’s life at the hand of Saul through Doeg. Saul would lose his kingship and David would lose the trust of others.
How often do we not trust God and instead allow fear to guide our decisions? Fear is as the Proverbs verse says; a snare, a trap. Beware of this character quality for it only leads to the deadly d’s of discouragement, death and more. Today, trust God.
