A Watchman’s Word for a Nation in Upheaval
Solomon once wrote:
“What has been will be again; what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
If you want to understand the turmoil of our time, you don’t need a pundit. You need a Bible.
The unrest we see today is not new. The outrage, the factions, the calls for resistance, and the crowds stirred to avenge a leader have long existed. It is ancient. It is familiar. It is recorded in Scripture with unnerving precision.
The names change. The slogans change. The flags change.
But the spirit behind it does not.
THE DAY THE SONGS SHIFTED:
When Public Praise Became Political Crisis**
Israel’s political fracture began with a chant:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:7)
That lyrics were not entertainment. It was a national poll.
It told the nation. It told Saul. The people saw something in David they no longer saw in their king.
Scripture says:
“Saul eyed David from that day forward.” (1 Samuel 18:9)
That is the moment a leader stops governing and starts defending his throne.
THE GIANT THAT EXPOSED THE KING
For forty days, Goliath mocked Israel. For forty days, Saul — the tallest man in the nation (1 Samuel 9:2) — did nothing.
Then David stepped forward and did in minutes what the king failed to do in over a month:
“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone.” (1 Samuel 17:50)
This was not just a military victory. It was public humiliation for Saul.
David didn’t just silence a giant. He exposed a leader who had lost courage, clarity, and the anointing.
And insecure leaders do not forgive those who reveal their weakness.
THE RISE OF TWO CAMPS
From that moment, Israel split into two factions:
Saul’s Camp — The Old Guard
- loyal to the throne
- fearful of change
- convinced David was a threat
- emotionally tied to Saul’s past victories
David’s Camp — The New Movement
- loyal to God’s anointing
- drawn to righteousness
- inspired by courage
- convinced God was shifting the kingdom
This was not rebellion. This was discernment.
But Saul saw it as sedition.
THE POLITICS OF JEALOUSY AND FEAR
Saul’s insecurity metastasized into violence:
“Saul cast the spear… for he said, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’” (1 Samuel 18:11)
When that failed:
“Saul sought to kill David.” (1 Samuel 19:10)
He mobilized the army. He weaponized the state. He turned the machinery of government against a single man.
This is what happens when a leader loses the fear of God.
DAVID’S RESTRAINT:
The Only Thing That Prevented Civil War**
David had multiple opportunities to kill Saul:
- in the cave at En Gedi (1 Samuel 24)
- in the camp while Saul slept (1 Samuel 26)
His men urged him to strike. They saw it as justice. They saw it as self‑defense. They saw it as God’s will.
But David said:
“The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 24:6)
David refused to seize power by force. He refused to avenge himself. He refused to let outrage masquerade as righteousness.
He understood:
“He removes kings and raises up kings.” (Daniel 2:21)
And that sometimes a nation receives the leader it asked for:
“Make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (1 Samuel 8:5)
And sometimes the leader it deserves:
“You have rejected your God… therefore the Lord will not hear you.” (1 Samuel 8:18)
David feared God more than he feared losing.
That is why he became king.
ABSALOM:
The Charismatic Usurper Who Weaponized Grievance**
Absalom didn’t begin with swords. He began with sentiment.
Scripture says:
“Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:6)
He positioned himself at the gate. He intercepted grievances. He amplified frustrations. He promised justice. He played the victim. He played the hero.
And when the moment was right:
“The conspiracy grew strong.” (2 Samuel 15:12)
A crowd convinced they were fighting for righteousness was actually fighting against God’s chosen king.
BARABBAS:
The Insurrectionist the Crowd Preferred Over the Messiah**
Pilate offered the people a choice:
- Jesus, the innocent
- Barabbas, the insurrectionist
Scripture is explicit:
“Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder in the insurrection.” (Mark 15:7)
And the crowd shouted:
“Not this man, but Barabbas!” (John 18:40)
Then:
“Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13)
The crowd believed they were defending justice. They demanded the release of a murderer and the execution of the Son of God.
That is what happens when outrage becomes a god.
THE WATCHMAN’S WORD FOR OUR TIME
A nation becomes Saul’s camp under several circumstances. This happens when it rallies to avenge a leader who feels threatened. It occurs when crowds are stirred into frenzy. It is observed when loyalty replaces discernment. When emotion replaces Scripture and outrage replaces obedience. Moreover, when personal conviction replaces the fear of the Lord, that nation is truly Saul’s camp. That nation has become Saul’s camp.
And Scripture warns what happens next.
The Watchman’s call is simple:
Do not let your outrage become your god. Do not let your loyalty become your idol. Do not let your emotions become your prophet. Do not strike what God has not commanded you to strike.
Because if you do, you may find yourself fighting against the very thing God Himself has established.
“Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord; “I will repay.” (Romans 12:19)
Benediction: The Posture of a Child of God in a Divided Nation
May the people of God remember. Our allegiance is to the Lord. It is not to the noise of the crowd or the fury of the moment. When nations rage and factions demand loyalty, may you stand where Scripture commands — not where outrage pushes.
May you refuse the spirit of Saul that strikes in fear. Embrace the spirit of David who waited on the Lord.
Reject the seduction of Absalom. He steals hearts with grievance. Cling to the Shepherd‑King. He leads with righteousness.
May you discern the difference between the crowd that cried “Crucify.” May you also see the remnant that stayed at the foot of the cross.
May your heart be governed by the Word, not by the winds of public opinion.
For it is written:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- “Be slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
- “Do not repay evil for evil but overcome evil with good.” (1 Peter 3:9)
- “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God.” (Romans 13:1)
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
May you walk in fear of the Lord,
not the fear of losing influence.
May you speak truth without venom,
stand firm without violence,
and wait on God without grasping for power.
May your discernment be sharper than the rhetoric of the age. Let your obedience be deeper than the passions of the crowd.
When the kingdom trembles and the factions roar, may you be found among those who act only with God’s command. Do not follow a multitude to do evil. Trust the Judge of all the earth to do what is right.
May the Lord steady your steps,
guard your tongue,
anchor your heart,
and keep you from the snares of reaction.
For the kingdoms of this world rise and fall,
but the Kingdom of our God endures forever.
Amen.
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