Chosen to be the first king of Israel, he had been appointed with a great task but failed tremendously because of his lack of confidence in the Lord and his repeated acts of disobedience to the Father.
Saul allowed himself to be outdone by his enemies and his reign was marked by continual unrest and dissatisfaction. He was jealous and angry and that led him to organize a manhunt for the one who had been chosen and anointed by God to be his successor to the throne.
In 1 Samuel 19 we see this story play out. Saul urged his servants to assassinate David. The troops had strict orders to watch David’s house and to kill him at the first chance they got.
But having been given an advance warning of the evil plot against him, David fled to Ramah to see Samuel the prophet… the one who had anointed him to be the next king so many years before. Samuel then took David with him to live at Naioth, Samuel’s hometown and where he was leading a group of prophesying prophets.
Scripture tells us that three times when the troops of Saul entered into the place where the prophets were prophesying, they were so overcome by the power that resided there, that THEY too began to praise and prophesy (19:20-21).
The Bible says this in verse 22, “Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah and arrived at the great wall of Secu. ‘Where are Samuel and David?’ he demanded.” Verse 23, “But on the way to Naioth in Ramah the Spirit of God came even upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy!”
Wow.
And could it be the sacred place that Saul had entered possessed such a divine atmosphere that evil had no where to rest? Perhaps it was Saul’s presence in an atmosphere of worship and devotion that caused even this evil man to bow in reverence and awe! Scripture would go on to tell us that he even tore his clothes and lay prophesying in front of Samuel all night long.
As each attempt of destruction was made toward David and his men, each attempt was challenged by the strong favor of the Lord that rested among the saintly prophets who carried on in their praises to God with strong devotion… attending to their zeal and adoration. Undeterred by the presence of wickedness, they persisted in their offering of service to God.
And just look at what the spirit of their lifestyle did to those who threatened to destroy it.
It overmastered them - to the point that they forgot their ordered errand of murder, and even enjoined in their holy enthusiasm!
Because of the atmosphere created by the prophets, a sort of spiritual electricity was established among even the worst of the worst.
We can see that there were 3 things this holy atmosphere had:
1.) A firm persuasion of purpose.
The prophets knew why they were alive! They understood something about praise and it affected everything they did.
2.) An awareness of God’s powerful presence.
The prophets recognized the presence and praised appropriately. The favor of the Lord rested upon them and their lives were a direct reflection of that glorious light!
3.) A strong assurance of rescue.
David knew he had retreated to the right place and had all confidence that while he was nestled among God’s people, he was in a place of safety.
David was protected because he was in a place of praise and adoration.
The atmosphere that was steadily tended to with great reverence, divine adoration, and sincere praise, changed everything, and caused even the wicked to worship.
And so could it be the same for you and me? Could we create atmospheres of worship that not only demonstrate His glory, but cause even those who mean harm to bow down to the King of Kings?
What is it in the atmosphere of your life that draws others into a relationship with Jesus?
What is it in the atmsphere of your life that stimulates heart change in others?
Oh that the atmosphere we create in our homes, our work places, our very presence, cause amnesia of determined evil and an association of devoted praise!
It is the cry of my heart!
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