I Samuel 22:8
“For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who cares about me or informs me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.”
Saul instigates a pity party. He does so to save himself as he continues down a path of disobedience against God and against the people of Israel. What should he have done? Gotten right with God. Instead he continued down the path of kingship when God had removed it from him.
True he had an enviable position. He was king. Infinite resources were his, a position of respect was his and much more. However, he didn't have God on his side. It's as if he were coasting down a hill. His momentum was from the hill. Once he hit's level ground he will wind down and stop. All of the divine momentum is gone. He is stirring up human strength and the devil will add to that.
This pity party is to manipulate those around him to join him. He knows he's stuck. He is attempting to get going by the help of others. I would think the evil one helps here. Something evil comes out of this meeting.
We all have given pity parties. They are born of unbelief. If we are walking with Christ and in fellowship, God's provides for us. We will go through valleys. We can call on God and friends, but not for evil. We can call out to God and share our frustrations. The Psalms are full of David sharing his frustrations. God gave them to us as a way of saying we can share our difficult feelings with him.
Job 27:5b says, "...I will keep my integrity until I die." Other passages say, "I will not sin against God". Saul is outside of God's will. He is seeking to kill the next king that God has chosen. He attempts to recruit the help of others in this sinful campaign.
We need to be patient in the tough times. We can try good means to repair them. We will get out of them when the Lord wants us out. Sometimes we are to mature in them. Saul's problems occurred when he disobeyed. Earlier in I Samuel, he was told to wait for the prophet. Yes, he was late, but he was still to wait. The pressure increased when the people grumbled. This is tough. Saul listened to the people and disobeyed. I know this is not easy, but the means outside of God's Word and will should not be options for us.
It's one thing to sin, but it's a greater sin to lead others in error. That's what Saul is doing. The information gathered leads to much evil. Jesus. says in Mark 9:42, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea."
The Lord will not give us circumstances that are too much to bear. I Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escapealso, so that you will be able to endure it." What a wonderful promise. Times may feel unbearable, but He is with us.
Lord, help us to trust You. Even in the tough times. Help us to walk in Your ways. Help us to be a blessing to others, not to lead them astray. Thank You that our times will not be more than we can bear.