Reading 1 Samuel 27 left me uncomfortable. David fears that Saul will eventually kill him, seeks refuge with Achish, and then misleads his host about his raids. Most disturbing, he leaves no survivors who could expose what he has done.
My first reaction was: “This does not look like a hero of faith.”
The chapter reports these actions without explicitly praising them. That reminds me to distinguish between what the Bible describes and what it asks me to imitate. I can admire David’s courage in other passages and still be troubled by his conduct here.
I’m learning to read honestly, including when a passage challenges my picture of someone I admire.
How do you respond when a biblical figure you respect acts in a way you find deeply troubling?