Just happened to be there...

Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen. Then David said to Ahimelech, “Then have you not here a spear or a sword at hand? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.” And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.” (1 Samuel 21:7-9 ESV) Sometimes life just seems to be that way, doesn't it? Coincidence? Providence? It's that way with good and bad. David is on the run from Saul, and one of Saul's cronies just happens to show up in little old Nob. David comes to the priests' abode, and there happens to be a sword there. Actually swords were still rare in Israel, as the Philistines had a corner on the market. David comes looking for food, and it just happens to be the day they are switching out the old shewbread for the new. What do we do with things, and people, who just "happen to be there"? How do we fit them in to the fabric of our lives? As we will see, Doeg's presence ended up being a really bad thing. Having this particular sword ended up being a lifesaver. How we respond to those things that "just happen" really depends on the filter we are using. At that time, David was filtering life through fear. He was running away, separated from all those who supported him: Jonathan, his wife, and Samuel. He came here to seek spiritual guidance, some comfort, and basic needs. But he was not willing to be totally honest with the priest. Fear held him back. The writer does not condemn or condone David's actions here: that is not his purpose. But he does leave us asking: What if? What if David had been totally honest with Ahimelech? If Doeg would have heard that, he would and could not do anything, but would find himself hard pressed to tattle later on. Things could have been different. May we filter today's "just happens" through faith and not fear. May we recognize God's providence and cling to it. May we wisely discern "coincidences" and their consequences.