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As the events above are taking place David is informed of the death of Saul and Jonathan and he weeps. Among his anguished cries is the plea: "... tell it not in Gath..." David is of course speaking very emotionally and his plea isn't intended to be understood rationally. It's a cry of hurt and desperation.
But for us to build upon David's cry and to create a policy for dealing with those who have fallen among us is misguided. The simple fact of the matter is, "Gath" already knows. There is a parade and a party going on in "Gath" as we speak.
Some might say, "Well, don't add to the celebration..." I answer that with, "What's to add?" They have our fallen, they have humiliated and abused them, they waved our now empty armor before their gods. All that's left is the feast and orgy- and you can't stop that, they'll feast and frollick no matter what we do.
The first time I heard someone make this appeal was when a very prominent UPC pastor was preaching with us. During the altar call he suddenly cried out "Don't tell it in Gath!" It struck me as out of place, to say the least. But within a year he had abandoned his church, left his wife and ministry behind and fled.
We should not really concern ourselves with what "Gath" knows or doesn't know. If they don't get the facts they'll just make something up. That's the way it goes. We should however be concerned about enforcing a code of silence in "Jerusalem." Too often the cry, "Don't tell it in Gath..." really means, "Don't tell it in Jerusalem." This code of silence should not be tolerated.
My own story of abuse at the hands of my leaders was in fact exacerbated by my own willingness to keep silent. It wasn't until a few years later that I learned that my silence had in fact hurt many other people, helped to destroy a church, and deeply wounded a man I greatly admire- my D.S.
By speaking out we are in fact declaring that no more of our Lord's armor will be hanging on the walls of the house of Ashtaroth. By speaking out we are joining the men of Jabeshgilead and taking back the trophies from the walls of Bethshan.
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