Millpond Ink Musing – Don’t Be a Doeg

“Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul,”
2 Sam. 22:9

Two verses earlier, Doeg was mentioned only as a ‘certain man of the servants of Saul.’ Now, in this verse we read that Doeg is set over Saul’s servants. How did this come about? Well, God had detained Doeg at the temple at Nob and Doeg saw David with the priest Ahimelech. David, who feared for his life, was running away from Saul and had gone to the temple to ask for bread. Doeg told King Saul that he saw David there. The fact the Scripture says that God detained Doeg at the temple tells us that God wanted Doeg to see him. As for what Doeg was doing there is anyone’s guess, but the fact that we are told that he was detained suggests he wanted to get away from God’s  house of worship, as many do who are either irreligious or are more comfortable worshipping elsewhere.

Nonetheless, God knew that Doeg would report to Saul what he saw. Did that mean that God opposed David and was complicit with Doeg, who later murdered the 85 priests at Nob? No, God forbid, but it does point out the omniscience of God. He knows the inclination of man’s heart, and we are told, it is evil continually. As for what Doeg did, what man who has valuable news will not use it for his personal gain? However, the fact that God put the pieces on the chess board doesn’t mean that He was responsible for executing the play. There are courses of action that shouldn’t surprise or disappoint us; not if we trust God. Consider the young man Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, but  years later he told them, “So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Gen. 45:8)

The point is, evil exists. It will continue to exist until our Lord Jesus returns as King and the wicked are sifted, judged and dispatched. In the meantime, we are called to live in peace with our neighbor and attend to our Father’s business in obedience and affection. We cheerfully go to the house of God, and our attention is on Him; not who else is there. Don’t be a Doeg.