ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna – Saying A Costly No
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
KEY VERSE
“And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests the LORD…” (1 Samuel 22:17).
Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 22:11-23 (KJV)
11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.
13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me; let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.
22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
MESSAGE
History is replete with accounts of men and women who had to say no even when they knew it would cost them a great deal. German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of such. Based on his faith and moral conviction, he dared to say no to Adolf Hitler’s regime and the compromising “German Church.” In the 1930s-1940s, he openly opposed Nazi ideology and helped form the Confessing Church. He was eventually arrested and executed, but his stand remains a symbol of Christian courage.
The footmen who worked with King Saul in his evil hunt for David’s life dared to disobey the command of the king to kill Ahimelech, the priest of the Lord, for his supposed support for David. They could not bring themselves to partake in such injustice, cruelty, and ungodliness. Not many Bible readers have considered the bravery of these soldiers. To disobey a wicked King Saul was risky enough. But to disobey an outraged King Saul in such a circumstance amounted to a suicide bid. What became of them is not recorded, but these soldiers have earned a name among the ‘greats’. They would rather obey the voice of their conscience than obey an evil command.
As for Saul, his malice against David made him lose his mind, and so blinded him that he suspected anyone who did not openly support his misguided mission. Neither Ahimelech’s plea of innocence nor his servants’ caution could restrain him from his murderous resolve. It took a sycophantic and malicious Doeg, an Edomite overseer of Saul’s flocks, to carry out Saul’s execution of not only Ahimelech and eighty four other priests, but also a whole town of Nob.
As Christians living in a world full of contradictions and moral depravity, we often run into circumstances that demand we take a stand for the Lord. Here, many succumb to the popular options that hold little or no suffering and ridicule. But they become the real losers. Those who take their stand and dare to say ‘no’ to a King Saul on conscientious grounds are the real heroes. Their wages are paid in the currency of time and eternity. Will you dare for the Lord?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When saying no to man means saying yes to God, say yes!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Genesis 21-23
COMMENTARY
1. The Cost of Courageous Disobedience – The footmen who refused King Saul’s command to kill the priests exemplify the cost of obeying God rather than man. They risked execution by defying an enraged king, yet they chose righteousness over safety. Their example echoes Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who opposed Hitler’s evil regime and paid with his life. Both demonstrate that standing for God often comes with a price.
2. The Contrast Between the Footmen and Doeg – Doeg the Edomite eagerly obeyed Saul’s wicked command, slaughtering 85 priests and an entire city. In contrast, the footmen refused to lift their hands against God’s anointed servants. Doeg acted from selfish ambition; the footmen acted from reverent fear of God. This reveals the heart: those who serve evil for personal gain are like Doeg; those who resist evil are like the footmen.
3. Saul’s Blindness and Self-Destruction – Saul’s jealousy had so consumed him that he could not hear Ahimelech’s plea of innocence nor heed his servants’ refusal. His sin had blinded him to reason and justice. This warns believers that unrepentant sin—bitterness, jealousy, and pride—leads to spiritual madness and destruction (Hebrews 12:15).
4. The Call to Stand for Truth – The devotional challenges believers to take a stand in a morally corrupt world. Many choose the path of least resistance to avoid suffering, but they become the real losers. Those who say “no” to evil are the true heroes, and their reward is eternal. As the apostles declared, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
5. The Hope of Eternal Reward – The footmen’s names are not recorded, but their courage is remembered in Scripture. Those who stand for righteousness may suffer now but will be rewarded “in the currency of time and eternity.” The resurrection guarantees that every costly “yes” to God will be vindicated (1 Corinthians 15:19-20).
6. A DCLM Ministry Call to Holiness and Courage – The DCLM ministry, founded by Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, consistently calls believers to holy living and uncompromising witness. The Daily Manna devotional equips readers to stand for truth even when it is unpopular. The ministry’s history of standing against moral compromise in Nigeria and beyond reflects this same costly obedience. Like the footmen, DCLM urges believers to say “no” to the world and “yes” to God—regardless of the cost.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Africa and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, Bible study, prayer, and evangelism.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. It provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their walk with God. The devotional reflects DCLM’s core values: obedience to God, separation from the world, and courageous witness for Christ.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, give me the courage of the footmen to say no to evil and yes to You. Help me to fear You above all else and to stand for righteousness even when it costs me. Remind me that my reward is eternal. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
