THIS is Kochav Nolad!

American culture dominates the developed world. We export more of our music, movies, television shows and fashion than any other commodity we produce. A perfect example of this is the television and music phenomena known as "American Idol." Love it or hate it, this show has spawned offspring in many countries around the globe (of course, to be accurate, British Idol preceded our version, but American Idol is what made this format a universal sensation). Countries such as Japan, India, Canada, and Australia have adapted hugely successful licensed versions of AI. And even some unlicensed knock-offs in countries such as Israel are thriving. Wait, did I just say ISRAEL? The country of God's chosen people has been sucked into this choral catastrophe? Yes, we have polluted even our blessed Jerusalem. Their show is called Kochav Nolad (Hebrew for "A Star is Born"). Over 2000 years ago a star was born but few came to watch that show. How ironic that one of the most popular shows in Israel would have this name. But I digress. This isn't a Christmas post.

So, how does this minutiae fit into 1 Samuel 19-20? So I'm reading Chapters 19 and 20 . Saul's ticked at David. He wants him dead. Jonathan, Saul's son and heir to his throne, loves David and is trying to convince his father to lighten up. Saul refuses. Michal, David's new bride and Saul's daughter, warns David to run or die. He escapes through a window and runs to Samuel. Meanwhile, Michal stalls her father's men by putting an idol in David's bed to make it appear that David is quietly sleeping. Saul commands his men to bring David in his bed to him. Saul's men soon discover Michal's deception.

Now, I read through that story and almost missed an interesting fact. Why the flip did David and Michal have a man-sized idol in their house?!! We can always blame Michal and say it was hers. But David should have been the spiritual leader, huh? Can you image it's the day after their wedding. The royal movers pull up to David's crib and start carrying the furniture inside. David and Michal probably are seeing much of each other's stuff for the first time. Out comes David's smelly sheepskin rug. Michal takes one whiff of the thing and insists it go back in the cart. David protests. It's a family heirloom he argues. It reminds him of where he came from. But his persuasion falls on deaf ears. At least his homemade harp and slingshot collection made it in. He reluctantly agrees to give his precious sheepskin rug to Jonathan.

A few minutes later the royal movers come staggering out of the cart with what looked like a life-sized mummy. A human body, wrapped in linen, is carried past David as his eyes widen and his mouth drops. He steps in front of the movers and blocks the front door. It is his turn now to protest. He will not let some mummified prize from her father's conquest come in his home! Michal laughs. She assures David it is no real body. It is a beautiful wooden image that her father's idol makers had hand-carved for her birthday. It was very special to her. It would bring protection and prosperity to their home. David responded by quoting God's prohibition against idols. Michal begins to cry. She sees nothing wrong with keeping this one special gift from her father. Afterall, he IS the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel himself! Then, I can imagine Michal craftily proposing a trade-off. She offers to bring back the sheepskin rug if they keep the idol. David loves that rug and reluctantly gives in. And the rest is history.

This is certainly NOT in the biblical text. It's just my imagination having a little fun. But one thing is for sure. It was a sin for David to allow that idol in his home, regardless of how it got there. Israel sinned when they failed to completely eliminate all of the pagan cultures that existed in Canaan when they first entered the land. And the ripple effect of that sin is still being felt in 1 Samuel. God's people were still being negatively influenced by these cultures.

My goofy example of Israeli Idol is not far from the reality of David's day. Israel was importing culture from pagan societies like Fat Albert at a buffet. And by the time we reach the story of David's escape from Saul, idol's are so prevalent that it's almost an afterthought in the account. How far have God's people fallen away! Even David, a man after God's own heart, is seemingly complacent about his wife's idol worship.

Yet, here is an example of how God uses even sin to accomplish His purpose. Michal's deception with a sinful idol allows David to escape and run to Samuel for protection. Now, was this the only way God could have delivered David from Saul in this instance? Of course not! God can use any situation to bring glory to Himself and accomplish His purpose! That's what makes Him sovereign. All things (obedience and disobedience) work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. (my parenthetical) Romans 8:28.

Does this mean that God condoned Michal's idol worship and David's weak leadership in the home? Absolutely not! Their sinful choice has its consequences. But God takes our good and bad free-will choices and carefully and mysteriously crafts them into something wonderful!

Stay tuned for more on 1 Samuel 19-20! What's with all this prophesying???

PRAYER: Lord, if there are any idols I have allowed to come into my home, cast them out and forgive me for sinning against You. Thank You for working in my life, even in spite of my stupid mistakes and arrogant decisions.