A Study in Brokeness

Over the last few days I read Gene Edwards short story, "A Tale of Three Kings" which is a short tale of the three kings Saul, David and Absolom. As a study in brokenness, it helps us to answer the questions, "What do you do when someone throws a spear at you?" For my own benefit, I thought I would document a few of the best quotes below. It's definitely a thought provoking read for those facing a season of brokenness.

• Regarding king David, "God did not have - but wanted very much to have - men and women who would live in pain. God wanted a broken vessel." (12)
• Regarding the school of brokenness, "Because all students in this school must suffer much pain. And as you might guess, it is often the unbroken ruler (whom God sovereignly picks) who metes out the pain. David was once a student in this school, and Saul was God's chosen way to crush David." (15)
• When others throw spears at you you must learn two lessons, "One, never learn anything about the fashionable, easily mastered art of spear throwing. Two, stay out of the company of all spear throwers. And three, keep your mouth tightly closed." (20)
• "King Saul sought to destroy David, but his only success was that he became the instrument of God to put to death the Saul who roamed in the caverns of David's own soul. Yes, David was virtually destroyed in the process, but this had to be. Otherwise the Saul in him would have survived." (24)
• As David hid from Saul's wrath in the dark caves, "everything was being crushed out of him... There in those caves, drowned in the sorrow of his song and in the song of his sorrow, David became the greatest hymn writer and the greatest comforter of broken hearts this world shall ever know." (30)
• After David's season of sorrow, "The truth was that when they did see him, they didn't recognize him. He had changed. His personality, his disposition, his total being had been altered. He talked less. He love God more. He sang differently. They had never heard these songs before. Some were lovely beyond words, but some could freeze the blood in your veins... and so, for the first time, true kingship had its nativity." (33-34)
• "He (God) sometimes gives unworthy vessels a greater portion of power so that others will eventually see the true state of nakedness within that individual... What does this world need: gifted men and women, outwardly empowered? Or individuals who are broken, inwardly transformed?" (42)
• "The passing of time (and the behavior of your leader while that time passes) reveals a great deal about your leader. And the passing of time, and the way you react to that leader - be he David or Saul - reveals a great deal about you." (44)
• Referring to David, "Authority from God is not afraid of challengers, makes no defense, and cares not one whit if it must be dethroned. That was the greatness of the great... of the true king." (48) 
• David regarding his son Absalom's plot to overtake his throne, "Only God knows, and he has not spoken. I did not fight to be king, and I will not fight to remain king... May God come tonight and take the throne... and His anointing from me. I will seek His will, not His power. I repeat, I desire His will more than I desire a position of leadership." (75)
• "The person who wields the rod of God's authority should be the meekest, a broken man, lest his people live in terror." (98)