45 David Spares Saul – Part 2

First Samuel 24 presents the account of two very different men, David the man after God’s own heart, and Saul, the man who followed his own heart.

Yet through it all, the chapter is set against the backdrop of the providence of the Lord..

That was never more seen, than when Saul decided to go into a cave to attend to his personal needs, it “just so happened” to be in the very cave where David and his men were hiding.

God’s protection of David was also seen, as he went undetected as he cut off the corner of Saul’s robe, rather than to kill the king, as encouraged by his men.

But even then, David’s heart “troubled” him, as he felt guilt having even touched the garment of the man God had anointed as king.

1 David’s Submissive Heart

Saul was still unaware of David’s actions as he stepped out of the cave, and it wasn’t until David called out to him, that he knew of his presence:

1 Samuel 24:8

Rather than simply allowing Saul to leave completely unaware of the entire incident, David showed that he desired to be reconciled with the king.

David began by submitting himself before Saul, thus showing the king proper respect, but also quite possibly it was David’s means of confession for having cut the king’s garment.

2 David Attempts Reconciliation

It was only after his submission to Saul, that David would then make his case for reconciliation:

1 Samuel 24:9-15

David spoke with Saul in a logical and tactful manner. First, he wanted Saul to acknowledge that David had never done anything to warrant Saul’s continued hatred and attempts to kill him.

He then used tact, in that he placed the blame on poor counsel that the king was receiving from those around him. David was therefore addressing the issue, without being outright confrontational.

Of course, David had a long history with Saul, in addition to being his son-in-law. He knew Saul very well and understood that Saul knew David had never wronged him, but rather that it was Saul’s own insecurity and jealousy which prompted his actions.

In essence, David was allowing Saul to use his counselors as an excuse for his actions.

In verse 10, David then spoke of how he had received unwise counsel from his own men, as they had wanted him to take Saul’s life, but he refused to do so. David didn’t heed their words, because he knew that the Lord had anointed Saul to be king.

Unfortunately, many have misused the phrase “the Lord’s anointed”. They act as though no one should even question or criticize pastors and other church leaders.

That is a misappropriation of this verse, for we see here that David did call Saul out for his actions but did so in a respectful manner. David understood that the Lord had raised Saul up, and it would be for the Lord to remove him as king.

In verse 11, David then drew Saul’s attention to the fact that he was holding the corner of the king’s robe in his hand. The sight of David holding a piece of his robe, must have greatly concerned Saul, knowing how close he had come to possibly losing his life.

However, his missing a piece of his robe, probably caused him to recall when he tore the prophet Samuel’s robe, and then was told how in the same way, the kingdom would be taken from him:

1 Samuel 15:27-28

For many years Saul had avoided Samuel’s prophetic words, but now he was being confronted with the reality that his time upon the throne was probably nearing an end.

David then showed that he was confident of his innocence:

1 Samuel 24:12

He was showing that he would allow the Lord to be his Defender.

David then spoke of how Saul’s continual pursuit of him was excessive, as shown in how the king had three thousand troops in pursuit of him at that time.

David again showed his confidence in the Lord, by stating that he would be delivered from Saul:

1 Samuel 24:15

3 Saul’s Response

Saul responded to David’s words in an unexpected manner:

1 Samuel 24:16-22

First, the king referred to David as “son” thus showing unexpected affection, as he had previously only disparaged him, often refusing to say his name, but only calling him “that son of Jesse”.

So often Saul had acted violently in David’s presence, but here he wept.

In verse 17, Saul stated that David was more “righteous: than he was, which was completely true since the Holy Spirit had long left Saul.

God’s Word is clear, that only believers are truly righteous, and that righteousness comes through the finished work of Christ at Calvary:

Romans 5:19

In verses 18 and 19, Saul expressed amazement that David had spared his life, which he concluded no one else would have done.

While that certainly would have out-of-character for an unbeliever to have acted the way David did, believers are directed by the Lord, and therefore should display love and mercy.

The chapter ends with Saul admitting that David would indeed succeed him upon the throne.

Saul then asked that David swear not to destroy his household once he ascended to the throne.

He also asked that David would not destroy his name from his father’s house, showing that Saul was still very self-absorbed and concerned that his legacy should be maintained.

David swore that he would comply with Saul’s request, and he did so, years later as he protected one of Saul’s descendants, a son of Jonathan.

Saul then left (sparing David) and returned home to Gibeah. However, David wisely remained in the stronghold. David had previously seen Saul show brief moments of apparent repentance, only to attempt to kill him a short while later.

Similarly, the Bible exhorts believers to be aware of our enemy’s tactics:

2 Corinthians 2:11