The Gath Principle: Knowing when to keep quiet

(Culled from 2 Samuel 1:20)

Tell it not in Gath!

I believe the person who should herald Saul’s death was David, he ought to carry the loudest trumpet and shout it on roof top. Saul showed him premium ‘shege’- he suffered.

Imagine Saul, the king deploying the whole nation’s troop to catch one man, David, and also killed a slew of prophets just because they temporarily harboured him. He became a vagabond literally because of the target Saul put on his back, so if anyone should exult in the death of Saul, it’s David!

However, before David’s feeling was God’s will. In fact, he was in tuned to pleasing God that, God’s stance was his stance.

Did God’s anointed, Saul grieved him, yes, a capital YES! Should God’s anointed be touched, No! a capital NO!

That was David’s stand, and so he was appropriately affronted when the Amalekite came boasting, I killed Saul for you.

In his lamentation, David said “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice” 2 Samuel 1:20

This is my admonition for you, when someone in the body has a scandal or so, it is not for you to broadcast under the guise of ‘hot takes’.

There’s important lesson of being mindful of how we handle sensitive information about others. When someone is going through a tough time or has made a mistake, it’s not our place to broadcast it to the world. Gossip and sensationalism can be harmful and unhelpful.

When it gets to you, to your ears, let it die there, at your table, in your ears! Your brother is not walking in light as he ought to, is not a matter for the fodder of gossip mill.

This is not even a matter of what people will say, no, but that it doesn’t bring salvation. Or have you ever heard, it was when they were talking about his escapades that I gave my life to Christ? Even you, the sharer may likely mar your heart, and find it hard to be blessed by the person when he or she is restored.

Always remember that words have power, and we should use that power to build each others up, not tear them down.

See, you will survive if you don’t share nor retweet. You can look away from spreading, or sharing such.

So, except that you are sharing to appropriate heads for proper resolution, let’s create a culture of kindness and compassion, where everyone feel safe and supported. Stop telling at gath!

Remain blessed🙏