As we continue biblical examples of lies and deceit in the Bible, we cannot ignore the many examples in 1 & 2 Samuel. Consider only the list with a short description of the purpose of the deception in each example found in these two books. We are not suggesting that it is right to lie. Yet, as we continue to study, some deceit is permissible when there is a wholesome purpose. There appear to be extenuating circumstances that lies told during war or when designed to protect innocent life from harm are treated differently than at other times. We make it our aim to be cautious when speaking and prepared to speak truth even when unpleasant or difficult. Human beings have been shifting blame ever since Adam and finding measures to justify sin. Whatever action we choose to take will most readily be defended and justified. Just be aware to practice speaking truth. When he fail, as we will in this journey of life, confess it to God and perhaps to others when necessary. God knows the intent of the heart and the purpose behind our actions. Manage your own heart and quit trying to measure the lies in others. Just as quick as we start pointing our finger at another, there are three pointing back at you. To the degree that we judge others will be the same measure used to judge us. So, be as strict with yourself as you can with regard to accountability, but as lenient with others as much as you can.
First, consider Michal, David’s wife, who deceived Saul so David can escape (1 Samuel 19:11-17). The purpose was to protect an innocent person. The text is listed below:
Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, “If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped. Michal took an image and laid it on the bed and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head and covered it with the clothes. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, “He is sick.” Then Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.” And when the messengers came in, behold, the image was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at its head. Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me thus and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go. Why should I kill you?’”
A second example is when David deceived Ahimelech the priest at Nob (1 Samuel 21:1-2). The purpose is to protect Ahimelech from knowingly helping a fugitive from the king. Ahimelech ended up being killed anyway but David was trying to protect him. The text reads, hen David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David, trembling, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?” And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place.