1 Samuel 26
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Introduction:
Introduction:
In our last chapter, the prophet Samuel had died and was buried at his home in Ramah.
In our last chapter, the prophet Samuel had died and was buried at his home in Ramah.
David was with his men, still hiding out from Saul and they were hungry.
David was with his men, still hiding out from Saul and they were hungry.
He had previously guarded and protected a very wealthy man’s herdsmen and flocks from thieves and raiders.
Nabal was that man … a veritable king in his wealth.
He had land, flocks, and money … but, in the words of his own men, “He is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him.”
And when David asked for food for his men in return, Nabal refused to provide anything.
David was going to bring his men down upon Nabal and all he had to take revenge on him.
But Abigail, Nabal’s wife, was made aware of the situation and she intervened, taking food to David and his men, and stopping them before they attacked.
Abigail had some wise words for David, and he listened … and he recognized that she had prevented him from committing a great sin.
And instead of David taking revenge, the LORD took Nabal’s life.
And David and Abigail were married, which gave David all that had belonged to Nabal.
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But perhaps more pertinent to tonight’s study are events that took place back in chapter 24 when David spared Saul’s life in a cave in En Gedi.
But perhaps more pertinent to tonight’s study are events that took place back in chapter 24 when David spared Saul’s life in a cave in En Gedi.
That’s because what we are about to study in chapter 26 sounds a lot like the events of chapter 24.
That’s because what we are about to study in chapter 26 sounds a lot like the events of chapter 24.
But it is not the same event.
What we are about to study may sound like a retelling of the account from chapter 24, but it is not.
There are differences in locations … chapter 24 was at a cave in En Gedi.
Here, we are at Saul’s camp near Hachilah.
The time of day is different … chapter 24 occurred during daylight hours and this chapter records events that happened in the evening.
There are also differences in activities between the 2 chapters … in Chapter 24, Saul came to the cave … here in Chapter 26, David went to the camp.
Also different are David’s responses.
David’s evidence is also different.
In Chapter 24, David cut off part of Saul’s robe.
In this Chapter, David takes Saul’s spear and water jug.
Also different are David’s words.
So, while the overarching idea of the chapters are similar, they are obviously separate occasions.
This second experience with Saul was certainly more daring on David’s part since he was actually in Saul’s camp.
David’s recent experience with Nabal and Abigail had reassured him of his future reign and had taught him a profitable lesson about revenge.
v1-4
v1-4
1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary x. David Spares Saul a Second Time (26:1–25)
The Ziphites, who had already betrayed David’s whereabouts to Saul (1 Sam. 23:19), and who would have brought about his downfall but for the Philistine raid that called for Saul’s intervention to the west, made another attempt to assist Saul. All David’s movements were carefully monitored.
The Ziphites, had already betrayed David’s whereabouts to Saul a couple of times already.
The Ziphites, had already betrayed David’s whereabouts to Saul a couple of times already.
One time was back in Chapter 23 when David was almost captured by Saul at a place called “The Rock.”
One time was back in Chapter 23 when David was almost captured by Saul at a place called “The Rock.”
God had intervened with a Philistine raid that caused Saul to leave in order to handle.
All David’s movements were carefully monitored and it is likely that it was the Ziphites again who told Saul David was at En Gedi in chapter 24.
It was probably because of the loose lips of the Ziphites that Nabal was fearful when he found out his wife had aided David with food.
Like Nabal, the Ziphites were related to Caleb (), but being members of the tribe of Judah, they should have been loyal to David. Hoping to gain the king’s approval, for a second time they betrayed David to Saul (; see ). Saul had learned to appreciate David’s skill as a tactician, so he took his 3,000 soldiers to search for David in the wilderness. But David was already far ahead of him, for his spies had located Saul’s camp, and David was safe in the desert. The Lord kept David safe and delivered him whenever Saul was near. “He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me” (, nkjv).
And now, we find again the Ziphites playing a role in betraying David.
I say “Betraying” because the Ziphites were Judahites … as was David.
As we noted before, it’s as if a pre-figuring of Christ’s own betraying him and handing him over to the ungodly.
Like Nabal, the Ziphites were related to Caleb.
The line of Caleb is recounted in :
The descendants of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha, his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
Being members of the tribe of Judah, they should have been loyal to David.
but being members of the tribe of Judah, they should have been loyal to David. Hoping to gain the king’s approval, for a second time they betrayed David to Saul (; see ). Saul had learned to appreciate David’s skill as a tactician, so he took his 3,000 soldiers to search for David in the wilderness. But David was already far ahead of him, for his spies had located Saul’s camp, and David was safe in the desert. The Lord kept David safe and delivered him whenever Saul was near. “He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me” (, nkjv).
Being members of the tribe of Judah, they should have been loyal to David. Hoping to gain the king’s approval, for a second time they betrayed David to Saul (; see ). Saul had learned to appreciate David’s skill as a tactician, so he took his 3,000 soldiers to search for David in the wilderness. But David was already far ahead of him, for his spies had located Saul’s camp, and David was safe in the desert. The Lord kept David safe and delivered him whenever Saul was near. “He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me” (, nkjv).
But hoping to gain the king’s approval, for a 2nd or perhaps a 3rd time they betrayed David to Saul .
In , which David wrote when betrayed by the Ziphites, it reads:
For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah
Again we see a similarity between those who betrayed Jesus and these Judahites who are betraying David.
Not only were they of the same tribe, but they were seeking the favor of those in power by betraying him.
This is reminiscent of Caiaphas, High Priest in Jesus’ time.
Remember how the High Priest Caiaphas in was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Don’t read below:
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
John 11:
This was in response to the question of the council of the Pharisees who stated:
This was in response to the question of the council of the Pharisees who stated:
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
Jesus was turned over to Rome by His own people not just because of Jealousy, but also because they were seeking favors from Rome.
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But, there is another similarity we should mention.
But, there is another similarity we should mention.
And this is something that we see in .
And this is something that we see in .
In , which David wrote when betrayed by the Ziphites, it reads:
For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah
The Ziphites were strangers not because they weren’t proper Israelites … they were descendants of Caleb.
David calls them strangers because they had turned their backs on him.
They were not godly nor were they concerned with the things of God.
If they were, they would have recognized David’s anointing from the LORD
How does this fit in with Caiaphas and Jesus?
Caiaphas was appointed High Priest by the Roman government about 12 years before Jesus was crucified.
He was not in office according to the dictate of the Scriptures … nor did he care that he was not.
Caiaphas, appointed High Priest by the Roman government about 12 years before Jesus was crucified (), was not in office according to the Scriptures. This holiest of positions was to be held exclusively by the direct descendents of Aaron (; ), handed down to each male heir and to be held for the length of one’s natural life.
Israel and her religious leaders, with the exception of a small few, were not mindful of what scripture said about the Messiah … if so, they would not have betrayed Him.
The office of High Priest was to be held exclusively by the direct descendents of Aaron.
It was a position that was handed down to each male heir and to be held for the length of one’s natural life.
Aaron’s descendents had continued as High Priests for many generations, as the scriptures required, until about 175 years before the birth of Christ.
That is when Antiochus IV, a Syrian ruler, replaced them with a man of his own choosing who was not a descendent of Aaron.
Antiochus allowed a man to purchase the position of Kohen Gadol.
Antiochus allowed Menelaus, a Tobiad, to purchase the position of Kohen Gadol.
Following this initial break from the Scriptural requirements, other non-descendants of Aaron held the office of High Priest.
Likewise, when Herod came to power under the authority of Rome 37 years before the birth of Christ, he arbitrarily appointed any person he pleased to the position of High Priest.
Not only were priests no longer descendents of Aaron, they were no longer anointed with the holy oil described in the Laws of Moses.
Annas and then Caiaphas each became High Priests during this period.
So they were not from the line of Aaron nor were they anointed for the office of High Priest.
They were Israelites, but they were usurpers of the office of High Priest.
They were strangers appointed to the role of the High Priest, who would betray Jesus Christ, the true High Priest.
They were Israelites, but they were usurpers of the office of High Priest.
And Like the Ziphites, who were not mindful of God’s word regarding David becoming King, …
… Israel and her religious leaders, with the exception of a small few, were not mindful of what scripture said about the Messiah.
If so, they would not have betrayed Jesus.
----
Back to our text, Saul had learned to appreciate David’s skill as a tactician, so he took his 3,000 soldiers to search for David in the wilderness.
Back to our text, Saul had learned to appreciate David’s skill as a tactician, so he took his 3,000 soldiers to search for David in the wilderness.
Hachilah is less than 4 miles from Ziph, and about the same distance from Maon and Carmel.
It’s an interesting name … it comes from the Hebrew word for Dark and it’s root means “to hide oneself.”
Apparently, this place was very practically named as David chose to hide out here … or perhaps this place took on the name due to David’s hiding out there.
Saul, having received this word from the Ziphites about David’s location, went back after David … despite Saul’s previous “repentance.”
At that time, David had opportunity to kill Saul, but did not take it.
When David boldly demonstrated this to Saul, the king appeared to be greatly moved emotionally.
He appeared to publicly repent for his murderous intentions toward David.
However, his repentance was not genuine … it was for show.
Whenever Saul is spoken of as having “repented” it’s good to in your mind put the word in air quotes.
That is because whenever Saul repented, it was a false, temporary repentance.
----
So, Saul went after David with 3,000 men.
So, Saul went after David with 3,000 men.
But David was already far ahead of Saul.
But David was already far ahead of Saul.
His spies had located Saul’s camp in the hill area of Hachilah, but David had moved to Jeshimon, which means “desert wilderness.”
For the time being, David was safe in the desert and not where Saul thought him to be.
Earlier, on another hill, David had nearly been captured, but the LORD had intervened.
Again, this time the Lord kept David safe.
On the day that God delivered David from Saul, David wrote these words of Psalm 18.
He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me.
At this time, David was outnumbered and out gunned.
But he had the LORD.
And the LORD had made certain that David knew where Saul was, but Saul did not know where David was.
v5-12
v5-12
Verse 12 says that they were able to accomplish this “sneaking into Saul’s camp” because the Lord had sent a deep sleep upon Saul and his men.
Verse 12 says that they were able to accomplish this “sneaking into Saul’s camp” because the Lord had sent a deep sleep upon Saul and his men.
The text doesn’t say it, but I think we can deduce from this that the LORD had instructed David to go to Saul’s camp.
The text doesn’t say it, but I think we can deduce from this that the LORD had instructed David to go to Saul’s camp.
In verse 7 when it says that, “Saul lay sleeping within the camp,” the Hebrew for Camp, Magal, means “Circular Entrenchment.”
This implies for us the design of the camp, being circular with a guard and perhaps trenches set around the perimeter.
I say this to imply that Saul was not just foolishly asleep, as he had somewhat foolishly separated himself off from his guard in chapter 23.
Instead, he assumed he was well enough surrounded with his army and watchmen to safely sleep.
But God had other plans.
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The last time that David and Saul had met, Saul had unknowingly happened upon the cave in which David and his men were hiding.
The last time that David and Saul had met, Saul had unknowingly happened upon the cave in which David and his men were hiding.
This time, David went to where Saul was.
This time, David went to where Saul was.
It seems to portray David growing in his trust and dependence on the LORD.
David could have sent any of his 600 men.
The Lord must have instructed David to go to Saul’s camp that night, because He sent a deep sleep upon Saul and his men. Saul and Abner, who was Saul’s captain (14:10) and cousin (v. 50), were sleeping at the heart of the camp, surrounded by the wagons and baggage (“the trench” kjv). Because of the supernatural sleep sent by the Lord, David and his nephew Abishai were able to penetrate to where Saul and Abner lay. This is the first mention of Abishai in Scripture. As usual, Saul’s spear was at hand, the symbol of his office and his authority (26:7, 11; 22:6; 18:10; 19:9; 20:33).
Saul and Abner, who was Saul’s captain (14:10) and cousin (v. 50), were sleeping at the heart of the camp, surrounded by the wagons and baggage (“the trench” kjv). Because of the supernatural sleep sent by the Lord, David and his nephew Abishai were able to penetrate to where Saul and Abner lay. This is the first mention of Abishai in Scripture. As usual, Saul’s spear was at hand, the symbol of his office and his authority (26:7, 11; 22:6; 18:10; 19:9; 20:33).
In fact, because of the danger, it made more sense to send someone else.
Why should David take on such a dangerous mission?
The fact that David personally went to Saul’s camp shows not his boldness and courage, but more so shows his trust in the LORD.
He understood that God was leading him in it.
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In verse 6, it says that David “answered.”
In verse 6, it says that David “answered.”
What was he responding to?
What was he responding to?
Well, Ahimelech was the priest who had fled to David’s camp after Saul murdered the priests.
Abishai, whose name means, “Father exists” was also present.
It seems that David had inquired of the Lord and when he had received direction, he answered by saying, “Who will go with me?”
Whether or not David was actually inviting the priest, or if David was implying that Abishai go with him, I don’t know.
But Abishai had a reputation of being a warrior and defender of David.
Later, we find that Abishai, commanded troops against Ammon ().
He commanded troops against Ammon (). He sought to kill Shimei for cursing David, but the king restrained him (; ). He led a third of David’s troops against David’s son Absalom (). He commanded forces against Sheba, who led a northern rebellion against David (). He killed Isbi-benob, the Philistine giant who threatened David
He also sought to kill Shimei for cursing David, but the king restrained him (; ).
He led a third of David’s troops against David’s son Absalom ().
He commanded forces against Sheba, who led a northern rebellion against David ().
He also killed Yishbo, the Philistine giant who threatened David ().
He was famous for killing 18,000 Edomites ().
Abishai was certainly a mighty warrior … and yet, he was still not counted among David’s top three.
2 Samuel 23:18-19
Now Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of another three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. Was he not the most honored of three? Therefore he became their captain. However, he did not attain to the first three.
If Abishai didn’t make David’s top 3, can you imagine how fierce David’s top 3 warriors must have been?
In our text, Abishai volunteers to go with David into Saul’s camp.
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Saul and Abner, who was Saul’s captain and cousin, were sleeping at the heart of the camp.
Saul and Abner, who was Saul’s captain and cousin, were sleeping at the heart of the camp.
They felt quite secure inside the circle of guards.
They felt quite secure inside the circle of guards.
Because of the supernatural sleep sent by the Lord, David and Abishai were able to penetrate to all the way into the camp to where Saul and Abner lay.
Because of the supernatural sleep sent by the Lord, David and his nephew Abishai were able to penetrate to where Saul and Abner lay. This is the first mention of Abishai in Scripture. As usual, Saul’s spear was at hand, the symbol of his office and his authority (26:7, 11; 22:6; 18:10; 19:9; 20:33).
By the way, this is the first mention of Abishai in Scripture … but as we just talked about, it’s not the last.
As usual, Saul’s spear was at hand.
And keep in mind that it was not only a weapon, it was a symbol of his office and authority.
What delicious irony it would be if he was killed in his sleep by this symbol of his office and authority.
AND SO … As was the case with David’s men in that cave in En Gedi, it is suggested that David take this opportunity to take out Saul.
Only, since last time David would not lay a hand on the King to hurt him, Abishai offers to do it himself.
Abishai was certain it was God’s will.
After all, God had told them to go to Saul’s camp, had made the soldiers sleep through their incursion.
And He had brought them to Saul, with a weapon already at his head.
That Saul should be killed and an end to his selfish rule, as well as his relentless pursuit of David be brought … seemed like a forgone conclusion.
But David stopped him.
You see,David had settled this matter in the cave of En Gedi ... and there was no need to consider it again.
Since that time, he had also seen what the Lord did to Nabal.
David was sure that Saul’s life would end at the right time and in the right way.
He knew Saul’s life would end either by natural death or by a judgment from God, and then the throne would be his.
But mostly he know it was better to let God keep His promises in His power rather than try to do so in his own strength.
When Abishai looked at Saul, he saw an enemy.
But David looked at him and saw “the Lord’s anointed.”
Instead of taking Saul’s life, David took his spear and water jug, just so he could prove to Saul a second time that he didn’t have designs on the king’s life.
Wisely, David didn’t let Abishai take the spear lest he be tempted to use it.
David’s circumstances were more than difficult, and here was what looked like an easy solution.
He could have gone with what man said and done things his own way in his own timing .... which we might call “false doctrine.”
Or he could abide in God’s doctrine and do things in God’s strength and in God’s timing.
David could have “named it and claimed it” right then.
And he would have been gravely wrong and God would have had another take his place.
But David instead recognized that it was not his to name nor to claim … it was God’s to give … and that, in God’s own timing.
It would have been easy to argue that David had been wrong in the cave and that God was giving him a second chance to kill Saul, but David’s decision was based on principle and not circumstances.
David knew that it was wrong to lay hands on God’s anointed, even though the king wasn’t serving as God wanted him to serve.
David might not have been able to respect the man, but he did respect the office and the God who gave that office to Saul.
v13-16
v13-16
David and his nephew made their way to the hill opposite Saul’s camp where they were safe and from which they could be heard.
David and his nephew made their way to the hill opposite Saul’s camp where they were safe and from which they could be heard.
There David called back to the soldiers in the camp.
There David called back to the soldiers in the camp.
But he especially called out to Abner, the king’s bodyguard.
David called out, “Do you not answer, Abner?”
And Abner … deflects … he says, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”
First, Abner implies that David has no business calling out … but he also tries to move the conversation to be about the king.
“Why aren’t you calling out to Saul like you did last time?”
He knows that he could easily become the target of Saul’s anger instead of David … why had he not been protecting Saul as Saul slept?
And that is a part of David’s strategy here … David is implying that he cares more for Saul's life than Abner does.
David implies that he cares more for Saul's life than Abner does.
At En Gedi, David was concerned that he had humiliated the king by cutting a piece of his royal robe.
So, a part of David’s strategy this time was to not humiliate Saul in the presence of his men, although Saul couldn’t easily escape the embarrassment of the situation.
Perhaps Abner didn’t know it was David … but he certainly would have suspected it.
The absence of the spear and water jug was evidence enough that someone indeed had been close to the king and could have killed him.
But who would sneak into camp only to take the kings spear and water jug?
It had to be David.
Surely Abner picked up on this, but he was probably more concerned with whether he was going to face corporal punishment for not guarding the king.
v17-20
v17-20
Saul recognized David’s voice and responded by calling him “my son.”
Saul recognized David’s voice and responded by calling him “my son.”
But David didn’t call him “my father” as he had before (24:11).
But David didn’t call him “my father” as he had before (24:11).
His address was “my lord, O king.”
David is still displaying incredible humility.
He uses words like my lord, the king … my lord … please let my lord … and refers to himself as Saul’s servant as well as a flea and a partridge.
David speaks to Saul with genuine humility (my lord, O king … my lord … please let my lord … his servant). Since David was so right, and Saul was so wrong, it would have been easy for David to project a superior attitude towards Saul, but he didn't.
David was in the right, … and Saul was in the wrong.
So, it would have been easy for David to project a superior attitude towards Saul, but he didn't.
His address was only “my lord, O king.” Saul’s daughter Michal was no longer David’s wife (25:44), so David was no longer son-in-law to the king. Furthermore, Saul certainly hadn’t treated David like a son.
Saul’s words, however, betrayed him.
He calls David, “My son” as if Saul cared for him or was even related to him.
But Saul had given his daughter Michal to another man and she was no longer David’s wife (25:44).
But Saul had given his daughter Michal to another man and she was no longer David’s wife (25:44).
David was no longer son-in-law to the king.
so David was no longer son-in-law to the king. Furthermore, Saul certainly hadn’t treated David like a son.
AND, Saul certainly hadn’t treated David like a son.
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Once again, David tried to reason with Saul and show him how wrong he was in his thinking and acting.
Once again, David tried to reason with Saul and show him how wrong he was in his thinking and acting.
David wanted to know what his crime was that Saul had to pursue him and seek to kill him.
David wanted to know what his crime was that Saul had to pursue him and seek to kill him.
David first asked Saul to consider the facts, and to clearly think about what he was doing … he asks, “For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?”
For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?
If David had broken one of God’s laws, then he was willing to bring a sacrifice and have his sin forgiven by the Lord.
If David had broken one of God’s laws, then he was willing to bring a sacrifice and have his sin forgiven by the Lord.
But if Saul was treating David like a criminal because of the lies his officers had told him, then they were the offenders, not David.
He says that they would pay for their sins.
When David asks the question, “What have I done” and then says, “If the Lord has stirred you up against me ...” David is helping to move Saul toward repentance.
He knew for a fact that the LORD had not stirred up Saul, but that his anger toward David came from Saul's own bitterness, carnality, and jealousy.
But he offers these suggestions to Saul, to given him an easier way to repent.
He can admit that his actions against David were wrong, without admitting that they originated with himself.
Of course, that kind of repentance is incomplete … Biblical repentance is changing our minds about God and about our own sin.
Plenty of people know they have done wrong and admit it and seek to change.
But without God, we cannot change because the heart is, “Deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked.”
Do not read below:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Jeremiah
The heart has to change or else repentance is always going to be a momentary thing.
The human heart was created to mirror God’s own heart.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
We were designed to love Him, love righteousness, and walk in harmony with God and others.
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
But part of God’s design of the human heart is free will.
Fee will means we can stubbornly refuse to follow God, and soon our hearts become hardened against Him.
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
When we stubbornly refuse to follow God, our hearts, which were designed to communicate with God, are hardened. God compares rebellious hearts to stone (). A heart of stone finds it impossible to repent, to love God, or to please Him (). The hearts of sinful humanity are so hardened that we cannot even seek God on our own (), and that’s why Jesus said no one can come to Him unless the Father first draws him (). We desperately need new hearts, for we are unable on our own to soften our hard hearts. A change of heart toward God requires a supernatural transformation. Jesus called it being “born again” ().
Well, the hearts of sinful humanity are so hardened already that we cannot even seek God on our own ().
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts.
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
That’s why Jesus said no one can come to Him unless the Father first draws him ().
Do not read below:
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
We desperately need new hearts, for we are unable on our own to soften our hard hearts.
A change of heart toward God requires a supernatural transformation.
This is what Jesus called being “born again.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
We are given us a new heart … Paul also calls it the “new man.”
The power of the Holy Spirit changes our hearts from being sin-focused to God-focused.
Of course, we do not become perfect because we still have our sinful flesh and the freedom to choose whether or not to obey it.
Paul wrote:
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Romans 7:19-20
However, when Jesus died for us on the cross, He broke the power of sin that controls us ().
However, when Jesus died for us on the cross, He broke the power of sin that controls us (). Receiving Him as our Savior gives us access to God and His power—a power to transform our hearts from sin-hardened to Christ-softened.
Receiving Him as our Savior gives us access to God and His power—a power to transform our hearts from sin-hardened to Christ-softened.
And as the Bible says, receiving Jesus is something that is done by faith.
But how could someone in the Old Testament have repented, if the power to repent depends on Jesus Christ?
Actually it is the same … by faith in the future work of Christ on the cross.
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice in the New Testament.
All of the
The sacrifices the people made were made by faith … that God would do what He said he would do … provide atonement for sins.
Saul needed to repent … both changing his mind about God and realizing that he himself was in sin.
The kind of repentance that admit our actions are wrong but deny our own sinfulness is a incomplete repentance.
And so, Saul always turns back to his murderous pursuit of David … even after proclaiming repentance.
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David says in verse 19 that Saul and those whose lies about David he is believing are essentially driving him out of Israel and to the lands of the ungodly.
David says in verse 19 that Saul and those whose lies about David he is believing are essentially driving him out of Israel and to the lands of the ungodly.
the very inheritance that the Lord had given his family, and if David moved to other lands, how could he worship Jehovah away from the priesthood and the sanctuary?
the very inheritance that the Lord had given his family, and if David moved to other lands, how could he worship Jehovah away from the priesthood and the sanctuary?
But if David wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin, why should Saul invest so much time and energy in pursuing him?
But if David wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin, why should Saul invest so much time and energy in pursuing him?
The king of Israel was chasing a partridge just for the privilege of shedding its blood!
David chooses the illustration of Partridges because they don’t like to fly.
Instead, they run from one cover to another.
In regards to David’s speech to Saul, one commentator says, “There is a vast deal of dignity in this speech of David, arising from a consciousness of his own innocence. He neither begs his life from Saul, nor offers one argument to prevail upon him to desist from his felonious attempts, but refers the whole matter to God, as the judge and vindicator of oppressed innocence.”
"There is a vast deal of dignity in this speech of David, arising from a consciousness of his own innocence. He neither begs his life from Saul, nor offers one argument to prevail upon him to desist from his felonious attempts, but refers the whole matter to God, as the judge and vindicator of oppressed innocence."
v21
v21
Once again, Saul lapsed into one of his sentimental moods and confessed that he was a fool and a sinner.
Once again, Saul lapsed into one of his sentimental moods and confessed that he was a fool and a sinner.
The last time Saul was in this situation, he was overcome with emotion.
The last time Saul was in this situation, he was overcome with emotion.
His feelings seemed right, but his life was not changed.
His repentance was merely an outward show and not an inward change.
And this time, it’s as if Saul is reciting a script.
It feels that the words are right, but you can see that this time, the feelings aren't even there … his heart was even harder.
David didn’t believe him last time … he certainly knew better than to believe him this time.
Saul promised that he wouldn’t harm David, but David didn’t believe him.
We may also at times find that we tell the LORD that we are sorry, but we have not repented … we have not truly changed our minds about our sin.
When we find this attitude in ourselves, we are to be honest with the Lord about our sin and that we are struggling.
We confess our sin to Him, ask forgiveness, and then we petition Him for our heart to come into the same right place as our words!
When we sense this in ourselves, we should be honest, then pray mightily that our heart would come into the same right place as our words!
His only reply was, “Behold the king’s spear! Let one of the young men come over and fetch it” (26:22).
v22-25
v22-25
David’s reply was to display the spear and say, “Behold the king’s spear! Let one of the young men come over and fetch it.”
David’s reply was to display the spear and say, “Behold the king’s spear! Let one of the young men come over and fetch it.”
When David cut Saul’s robe in the cave, he reminded him that his kingdom would be severed from him, but in taking the spear, he took the king’s symbol of authority.
When David cut Saul’s robe in the cave, he reminded him that his kingdom would be severed from him, but in taking the spear, he took the king’s symbol of authority.
For the second time, David had spared Saul’s life, and David knew that the Lord would reward him for what he had done.
The Lord shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.
But David didn’t expect Saul to value his life as he had valued Saul’s life, because he knew Saul couldn’t be trusted.
Rather, he asked that the Lord reward him with protection and safety just as he had protected the king.
David trusted in God.
He knew that God blesses the righteous and the faithful.
David wanted to fulfill his calling.
He wanted to be the next king of Israel.
But he didn’t want the throne without the blessing of God.
So, he would not take the throne by his own hand … which would be murder and rebellion.
Instead, he would abide in God’s timing and in God’s way.
He refused to take the throne through murder or rebellion.
He would wait until it came to him God's way.
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The last recorded words of Saul to David are in verse 25.
The last recorded words of Saul to David are in verse 25.
Considering the circumstance and coming from Saul it is an odd statement.
Considering the circumstance and coming from Saul it is an odd statement.
That is because it affirms the greatness of David’s deeds and the certainty of his kingship.
The two men parted.
And they headed off in 2 completely different directions.
Saul headed off for ultimate disgrace and death.
David headed off to glory and victory.
However, first David’s unbelief would take him to the land of the Philistines and the city of Ziklag, where he would live for about a year and a half.
We’ll read about this in chapter 27 as we draw near the end of the book of 1 Samuel.
Soon David’s years of wandering and testing would end and he would be ready to sit on the throne of Israel and rule God’s people.
One day David would look back on those difficult years and see in his painful experiences only the goodness and mercy of the Lord ().
He would write:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.