I Samuel 22:18
“Then the king said to Doeg, “You, turn around and attack the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.”
What an incredible progression of evil this person went through. Initially, he witnessed the priest helping David, but didn't say anything. In a sense, he was acting on God and David's side. Then Saul gave his pity party speech how no one was helping him. This is when Doeg spoke up. It wasn't a great indictment, but just "I saw David at the tabernacle being fed by the priests and getting a sword." He didn't embellish, but just shared what he saw.
However, he switched sides. If he ever was on the side of good or just neutral, he wasn't any longer. He was jeoperdizing the lives of David, the priests and all that followed David. With this one act, he aligned himself with a reckless, powerful person who wasn't right in his mind. Sure, he was advancing his career, but almost in the way Judas did when he cozied up with the powerful and wealthy of his day.
We all feel the struggle of the world's approval. We foster it by seeking likes. Doing this doesn't mean we are evil, but susceptible. The Lord wants to free us from that. Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." To fear God is to respond to Him over people. It doesn't mean we don't care for them, it's just that His commands are higher.
Doeg aligned himself with king Saul. Who knows what he would ask of him. When it came to that he was asked the worst, to put to death the priests of God. He didn't seem to hesitate, but followed the orders of this insecure, power hungry king.
There are levels of sin. Doeg went far. Saul wouldn't do it. He is not only killing, but doing so to those that are the conscience of the people. This is the kind of actions that shock a nation. Almost holocostlike. He may have been bad earlier on. But by not fearing God, he went deeper into evil.
Lord, help us to fear You and not be deterred by the smallest of issues.