Day: 23rd January 2026

Why does 1 Samuel 20:18-42 record David hiding, at dawn, in a remote field, waiting for a clandestine signal from his close friend, Jonathan? It was a last-ditch attempt on David’s part to rescue the relationship between him and Saul – who on several occasions had tried to kill him. David was struggling to come to terms with Saul’s violent rejection of him, and some psalms reflect someone trying to reconcile seemingly conflicting views, and struggling to see how things would work out following his anointing by Samuel; Psalm 26 is one of these.

The psalm begins with an appeal by David for God to recognise his obedience and loyalty, both to God and to Saul. It is an appeal to understand why things are not working out differently. He boldly claims, ‘…I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.’ (v.1). As a man he could not be described as ‘blameless’, even with the best of intentions, but Jesus could. As David left it up to God to sort out how his anointing would be fulfilled, so did Jesus leave it up to his Father as he accepted his sacrificial role in establishing his kingdom, “ ‘…on earth as it is in heaven.’ ” (Matthew 6:10). Before his crucifixion he bowed to his Father’s authority when he prayed, “…yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). 

David details where he has done right, as well as where he has turned away from wrong. He challenges God to find a wrong intention in his life, to find fault in his continual praising of the God he has learned to love: ‘I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked… and [I] go about your altar, Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.’ (vv.5-7). What more could he do, he seems to be asking, as he turns away from the lonely field to a continuing future of hiding, of running away, of realising his need of God’s guidance and protection: ‘…deliver me’ he begs, ‘and be merciful to me.’ (v11)

As is so often the case with David’s psalms, he painfully and openly shares his doubts, anxieties, fears, and sometimes anger, and then all these emotions resolve themselves into a conclusion that is gratitude and an acknowledgement of what God has done – and will do in his life. And this is what happens in the the final verse of the psalm when he remembers God’s mercy: ‘My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.’ (v.12). 

David did return to Jerusalem as king, and worshipped with the people in the temple, in the same way that Jesus will return to this earth, to his temple, already anointed King of kings. We will worship with him, and with those who have remained faithful to him, throughout all the difficulties that have pursued us.

Local congregation:
GCI Market Harborough
9 The Point
Rockingham Road
Market Harborough 
LE16 7QU

Meeting time:
Sunday 4.00 pm

Local congregational contact:
Sinead Henderson 
Email: sinead.henderson@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church