As King David fled from Saul and his army, an interesting event occurred. Saul entered a cave to use the restroom, unaware that David and his men were hiding deeper inside. What would you do if you found your enemy in such a vulnerable situation?
David’s men urged him to kill Saul. They said the Lord had delivered Saul into his hand and that he should take advantage of this opportunity. Instead, David chose a different path.
Imagine the scene. Saul has tried to kill David many times, either by throwing a spear at him or sending people to kill him while he slept. But David has always escaped.
This time, Saul was at David’s mercy, but he merely cut off a piece of Saul’s robe to show that the king’s kingdom was taken from him. Yet, David still responds this way.
Afterward David was stricken to the heart because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak.
He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to raise my hand against him, for he is the Lord’s anointed.”
So David rebuked his men severely and did not permit them to attack Saul. Then Saul got up and left the cave and went on his way (1 Samuel 24:5-7).
When I read about David’s response to Saul, I think of a time when a staff member and I disagreed on an issue. The staff member eventually left the church, but did so in a generous and honorable way. He respected spiritual authority and accepted the authority God had given me.
I deeply appreciate his response, despite our conflict.
The conflict between David and Saul was a matter of life and death, much more serious than a disagreement between a couple of staff members. When David realized what he had done, he felt deep remorse.
The Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David’s actions when Saul was the most vulnerable show his spiritual nature, which is why the Bible refers to him in this way.
May the Lord Be the Judge
After Saul finished and left the cave, David called out to him and asked him to think about what he had done.
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘David seeks to do you harm’?
This very day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave, and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand, for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life” (1 Samuel 24:9-11).
I expect Saul felt a mix of emotions: humility, anger, relief, fear, remorse, and probably many more.
Unfortunately, his feelings didn’t match his actions. Saul kept chasing David, trying to kill him multiple times. His reign ended badly because, little by little, he drifted away from God. His heart grew so hard that even David’s kindness couldn’t change him.
This serves as a lesson for us about our relationship with the Lord. Do we slowly drift away from God with small acts of disobedience that grow over time? If so, today is a good time to think about turning back to Him with all our heart.
David didn’t need to seek revenge on Saul. He trusted that God is just and capable of setting things right in the world.
May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand shall not be against you.
As the ancient proverb says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand shall not be against you. Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea?
May the Lord, therefore, be judge and give sentence between me and you. May he see to it and plead my cause and vindicate me against you” (1 Samuel 24:12-15).
David’s proverb to Saul showed Saul as wicked and David as righteous.
David felt he could ask for God’s justice because he knew his own heart. When he cut just the hem of Saul’s robe, he felt guilty.
In contrast, Saul’s heart was wicked, and from that wickedness came evil actions.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 