“Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.” (1 Samuel 24:20)
Our God is sovereign! He is in control of the big things that happen in the universe, and the tiny things that may seem insignificant to us. In the same way that God was sovereignly working out all the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, death, crucifixion, and resurrection, God is sovereign over things like how long we’ll live (Job 14:5) and whether or not it will be windy or rainy today (Job 28:25-27).
In this chapter, we see how God is continuing to work out his plan to have David seated on the throne and have King Saul acknowledge what Samuel has been telling him all along. And this is by no means the end of the story, as through King David’s offspring would come an even greater King Jesus, the Son of God who would live a perfect life, take the punishment of suffering and death for sinful man, and rise again, so we can be reconciled with Christ.
Speaking of God being sovereign over seemingly insignificant events, we see that King Saul is put into quite a vulnerable position such that David’s mercy and respect for Saul, and David’s commitment to the Lord is evident, not because of some elaborate battle, but because Saul went to “do his business” in a cave. Through David’s refusal to kill or have Saul harmed, and his words showing his respect for Saul and the king that God has placed in authority, Saul finally acknowledges the truth of the prophet Samuel—that Saul’s kingdom will not last (1 Sam. 13:14), that the Lord has rejected him from being king of Israel (15:26), and that now David will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in David’s hand.
Isn’t it amazing to see how God uses the most unlikely circumstances to accomplish his perfect will? He is good, and his purposes are good, through the good and the bad. Today, take some time to see how God uses both big events and seemingly insignificant things to accomplish his purpose in your life. Be encouraged that the God you serve is truly Lord of all!