*1 Samuel 24:1-22
David spares King Saul’s life again, demonstrating his loyalty despite Saul’s ongoing pursuit.
- David Spares Saul’s Life:
- David and his men were hiding in the strongholds of En Gedi when Saul pursued them with 3,000 chosen men.
- Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, coincidentally the same cave where David and his men were hiding deep within.
- David’s men saw this as an opportunity for David to kill Saul, believing it to be an act of God delivering Saul into David’s hands.
- Instead, David cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe secretly, showing respect for Saul’s anointed status as king and expressing unwillingness to harm him.
- Even this act weighs heavily on David’s conscience, as he sees himself as lifting a hand against the Lord’s anointed.
- David Confronts Saul:
- After Saul leaves the cave, David follows him and calls out, showing Saul the piece of his robe he had cut.
- David makes it clear that he had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to, highlighting his loyalty and innocence of any wrongdoing against Saul.
- He appeals to Saul’s understanding, questioning why Saul listens to those who tell him David seeks his harm when David had just spared his life.
- David leaves his fate in God’s hands, expressing faith that God will judge between him and Saul.
- Saul’s Response:
- Saul acknowledges David’s righteousness, weeping aloud and admitting that David is more righteous than he.
- He recognizes that David will surely be king and requests that David not cut off his descendants after he becomes king, a request David promises to honor.
- Saul blesses David and recognizes that David will do great things and ultimately prevail.
- David’s Departure:
- David shows his respect for Saul by bowing down before him, then departs with his men, leaving Saul to return home.
24:1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.
24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
24:7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
24:9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.
24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
24:12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
24:14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
24:15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
24:16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
24:17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
24:18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
24:20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
24:21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.
24:22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.