Sermon Central
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Misapplied Scriptures: "There Is But A Step Between Me And Death”
Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 24, 2023 (message contributor)
Introduction: This verse, on the surface, seems pretty straightforward. The problem is that some well-meaning folks have used it in a different sense. Let’s take a deeper look:
Text: 1 Samuel 20:3, KJV: 3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
1 How the verse could be misapplied
Some preachers, perhaps more so in days gone by than in these days, have used this verse to encourage sinners and others to make things right with God. It’s true that nobody knows for certain when their life will end, and every person should get right or be right with God NOW. It’s just that this verse isn’t the best one to use for that purpose.
2 How the verse should be applied
In the context, David had already killed Goliath after becoming part of King Saul’s official staff (see 1 Samuel 16:14-23 and chapter 17). Saul later became jealous of David and even tried to kill him on more than one occasion (see 1 Samuel 18 and 19).
Now, in chapter 20, David finds Jonathan, Saul’s son and crown prince! This Jonathan was one of the greatest heroes and men of the Bible, in that he knew he’d never be king but remained true to David all the days of his life. David and Jonathan met and spoke, and it was during this conversation where David uttered these words, the misapplied Scripture of this illustration.
David knew life was, and could be, short. He had barely escaped Saul’s attempts to have him put to death on more than one occasion, and he knew he had no guarantee of how long he would live. Even though David had been a shepherd before he became a soldier, he knew the reality of death, especially sudden death.
Thus, in spite of Jonathan’s promises that he wouldn’t let anything happen, David knew that Saul was doing things, maybe making plans, outside of Jonathan’s knowledge. David knew his life on earth would someday end, but he had no idea when or how. As it turned out, David lived a lot longer than he thought he would, after being king for many years.
All in all, the principle of this verse, and the urgency, is commendable, even though that isn’t and wasn’t the original intent. David was rightly afraid of Saul’s wrath and knew it. There was only a step between him and death, and there is only a step between any person and death too.
Why wait, or why take the risk? Make things right with God and yourself today!
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)
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