Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death." – 1 Samuel 19:6

Today's Scripture Reading (April 13, 2022): 1 Samuel 19

Emily Dickinson argued that "the heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care." If there is an argument that proves our inadequacy as a species, it might be this one. We know what is morally right and understand what logic dictates, but our only excuse for not doing what is right and logical is that the heart wants what it wants. We fatalistically choose what the heart wants, even though we know it is not what we need. It is evidence of our inherent weakness, a weakness against which we are continually engaged in a desperate battle.

Jonathan approaches his father to discuss his friend David. Logic dictates that David is the skilled warrior that Israel needs on its side. Jonathan reminded his father that David "took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine [Goliath]. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad" (1 Samuel 19:5a). But more than logic, honoring David was the right and moral thing to do. "Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason" (1 Samuel 19:5b).

Even Saul admits that the logic and morality of Jonathan's approach makes sense. And so, he replies what his head tells him is right and logical. "As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death" (1 Samuel 19:6). Some argue that this change in Saul is the work of God; God had touched Saul's heart, so he responded appropriately to Jonathan's argument. But I am not convinced that that is true. There is a simpler solution, and it is a solution that is summed up so aptly by Emily Dickinson; "The heart wants what it wants."

At this moment, what Jonathan says makes sense. But it won't be long before what is right and moral will take a back seat to the heart's desires. At this moment, Saul can take an oath that he will protect David, but it won't be long before jealousy rears its ugly head, and once more, Saul will bend his actions to the will of the heart and serve its purposes. And at that moment, Saul will forget that it is his job to fight against the illogic of the heart to achieve what is good and right.  

It is our job as well. The heart often seems to demand what it knows we should not have. It leads us into sin and weakness. The heart might want its wants, but that does not mean that what the heart wants will lead us into a good place, unless, of course, its desires arise out of a heart that has completely submitted itself to the will of our God.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 20