Why Did He Lie?

2 Samuel 1:10
“So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.”

2 Samuel 1:15-16
(15) Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. (16) For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

This man came and lied that he killed King Saul. King Saul was an enemy to David. King Saul wanted to kill David. David was already anointed king and it was widely known. King Saul died at war with Philistines and this man comes to lie that he is the one who killed King Saul. Why did he lie?

Jonathan son of King Saul was killed at war by the Philistines, 1 Samuel 31:1-2. King Saul was seriously wounded at that war, 1 Samuel 31:3. King Saul and his armor-bearer killed themselves at the war field, 1 Samuel 31:4-5. King Saul and his armor-bearer killed themselves, committed suicide. But this man in our main text today, comes and lies to David that he killed king Saul. Why did he lie?

Even though King Saul wanted to kill David, David did not want to kill King Saul. David persistently said, if a man is anointed I will not harm him even if he seeks to harm me. David had opportunities to kill King Saul but he didn’t. In 1 Samuel 24:6-7, David has just sneaked behind Saul and cut off his rob but didn’t kill him though he had a chance to kill him. In 1 Samuel 26:7-9, David gets another chance to kill Saul who is deeply asleep, but he doesn’t. Saul was hunting for David and would kill him instantly on sight. But David had opportunities to kill Saul but he didn’t do it and he didn’t allow his soldiers to do it. With this understanding of David’s respect for his enemy Saul, why did this man come and lie to David that he had just killed Saul? Why did he lie?

Because of his lie, he was put to death at David’s order. Because he claimed to have killed King Saul the LORD’s anointed, David ordered that he be put to death. Because he seemed excited about the death of Saul, David was disgusted and ordered his death. This man didn’t have to come to David and report anything. This man would have just requested to join David’s side without lying. The lie brought about his death. Why did he lie?

Did he lie because he thought David would celebrate him as a hero? He wanted status and power that he never worked for. Could this be why he lied?

Did he lie so that he can cover his past where he had allegiance to Saul and had participated in hunting David? Did he lie because he was a mercenary? Did he lie to avoid confession?

Did he lie because he had developed the habit of lying throughout childhood? He lied about others so that the Boss would prefer him. He was promoted based on lies. He was loved based on lies. He was respected by those who couldn’t detect his lies. He lied because he always got away with lies. He lied because he was a beneficiary of lies. His bosses were blinded by the glowing ego massage he gave them until he met David who wasn’t easy to fool. Could these be the reasons why he lied?

What truth did he fear that made him prefer lies? Did he fear that he was not a good soldier and had contributed nothing in the war against Philistines? So to cover it, he lied that he killed David’s great enemy? Did he fear that he never supported David who was right, and the wrong leader he supported for survival was now dead and so he feared the truth? Did he fear that his attitude towards David was bad so he lied to hide it? What truth was he hiding? Did he lie because he was ashamed of the truth? Could this be why he lied?

Could it be that he lied because he discovered Bosses loved lies that pampered their ego? Did he lie because he once sided with the truth and he was severely hurt? Could it be that truth had proved dangerous and lies were accepted by his superiors? Did he, therefore, lie because he knew any boss would quickly embrace a lie that brings praise, or extols him or her, or tells him or her that all is well even if it is not. Could it be the reason why he lied?

Why do people lie to Bosses? Why do Bosses believe lies? Why do we lie to friends? Why do we lie to relatives? Why do we lie to spouses? Could it be that people lie to you because your last reaction to the truth was scary? Why do we lie? Could it be that we have always gotten away with it?

Numbers 32:23 “…and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Sin eventually finds you out. Lies that become habitual Will one day backfire. Lies we make about other people will boomerang. Lies may serve you well but may cost you greatly at last. Ask yourself why do I lie?

1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” It is better to be harmed by truth than happiness based on lies. If you suffer for truth and right, it is God’s will and you will come out victorious. If you enjoy life and prosperity based on lies, it will not end well. The end will be bitter and painful.

Dear God, save us from lies. Forgive us for lying about ourselves and others. Kill this lying habit in us before it brings us disaster. May we be ever truthful and blessed by you, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

1. Rei Kesis YouTube Channel (subscribe, click on notification and share) –http://youtube.com/reikesis
2. Rei Kesis books on Amazon (Amazon will sell and deliver anywhere in the world. For those in Kenya you can buy from any ABC close to you. ABC is Adventist Book Center) –https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rei+kesis&ref=nb_sb_noss
3. Rei Kesis daily blog –https://reikesis.com/