From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. – 1 Samuel 18:2

Today's Scripture Reading (May 28, 2025): 1 Samuel 18

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) is often called the father of modern political philosophy and political science. His best-known book is the political treatise "Il Principe" (The Prince), which some have called the definitive primer on how to be a dictator. Maybe the best-known quote from "The Prince" is that you will always want to "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." The first part of Machiavelli's quote seems quite apparent. We all need friends, but a friend who is close by and can be depended on for help and support is even more essential. I have friends all over the continent, and all of them, at some point in my life, have had a significant impact on me, but the ones who are close at hand continue to have a substantial impact on who I am. I am indebted to all of the people I have called friends, and often if they are far off physically, emotionally, and psychologically, I have moments where my heart aches because they are not in my life. There are too many on that list. These are the friends I have not been able to keep close.

 

The second part of the quote seems to be a bit of a paradox. Why would I want to keep an enemy close enough to sabotage everything I want to do? I want them kept as far away as possible. However, an enemy who is kept close is someone you can keep an eye on. And maybe, because they are close, they will be unable to act freely to hurt you. But even if they do act to cause you harm, you might also be able to contain the damage.

 

What is missing in the Machiavelli quote might be the most critical part of the process. We need to be able to distinguish between a friend and an enemy. Making this discernment is where we often fail (and maybe describes the current relationship between the United States and the rest of the world). Keeping a friend close who is actually an enemy is disastrous, and so is keeping an enemy closer who is really a friend. Being unable to differentiate between friends and enemies is incredibly important to who we are.

 

Samuel says that, from this point forward, Saul kept David close. Israel's King seemed to vacillate between the opinion that David was a friend he wanted to keep close or an enemy he needed to keep closer. As we read Samuel's text and, by extension, the entire story of Saul and David, maybe David was a bit of both. There was no question that David respected Saul as the King God had given Israel, and he had no intention of causing Saul harm. But David also knew that, somehow, he would be the next King of Israel. And that alone made him a threat in Saul's mind. And so, Saul decided to keep his adversarial friend as close as possible, as long as he could.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 19

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my wonderful wife, Nelda. I hope you have a great day!