David Spare's Saul's Life. I Samuel 24

 

         

I Samuel 24 David Spares Saul’s Life

 

David had gone to a rugged place to hide.  Saul went looking for David with an army of three thousand men while David only had six hundred men. David made up for this imbalance by using strategy.  Also, he knew the area and his men were rugged men.

Saul entered the very cave in which David was hiding and went to sleep. Saul’s men were on guard, but they were outside the cave. David quietly slipped up to the sleeping king and trimmed off the lower part of his garment. Right away David regretted his act because it would be a source of embarrassment to Saul. David respected the office of the king although he may not have respected the man.

We live in a country that has its faults, but it has been a great country for most of us, and its offices and officers should be respected.

Even though David is hunted by Saul, David will not lay a hand on him because he is God’s anointed. David is going to let God deal with the king.

Romans 12:19 “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine saith the Lord.” When we take things into our own hands, we are no longer walking by faith. We are not trusting God.

Several of David’s men had no use for Saul and would have killed him in a minute, but David would not permit it. David’s act of mercy in sparing Saul’s life should have made it abundantly clear that he was not seeking the king’s life. As David reasons with Saul, he weeps. This is an amazing confession from Saul. He realizes that what David said is true and is moved by the fact that David spared his life. Saul acknowledges the fact that David will become king.

Saul returns home, but David and his men go to their stronghold. David still does not trust Saul. He goes further and further into the wilderness to hide, because he knows there will come a day when Saul will come after him again.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.