David Spares Saul’s Life
As many who have followed me for a bit, I have fallen into the Psalms, and I can’t get up! (As if I would want to.) The Psalms are a majestic collection of poetry, of heart felt human experiences that constantly challenge me in my own frail attempt to follow the true King. As many of the Psalms are written by David, my study on the Psalms has spurred me on to looking at the life of David, is the main contributor to this book, and to follow the victories and tragedies of the shepherd King of Israel.
Many times in the narrative, we will see the Lord Jesus, imperfectly, yet a reflection of His spirit in a man with weaknesses.
1 Samuel 24:8-15
8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.
9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’?
10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.
12 May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.
13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you.
14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!
15 May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
David refused to take advantage of a situation that seemed to be destiny. Was it not God working to provide David an opportunity to ascend to the throne? Was God not inviting David to take matters into his own hands?
It may have seemed that way, and if David did not have the convictions he had, he may have reasoned such. But David had convictions. He knew the Lord and did not succumb to a temptation to fast track God’s will. What a stellar fellow!
And loyal – David, when Saul left the cave, exposed himself to the king (and his army of 3,000 men) to speak of his submission to Saul, and to reason with him.
David had proof, that he was able to get near Saul, and refused to take vengeance on the king. He admitted to the king that God had provided him an opportunity to resolve this battle between the two of them, but refused it. He would not commit treason!
Yet David was all about justice. As he addressed his earthly sovereign, he called on the Greater Sovereign to judge between the two of them. Yet, even in this statement, David again refused to take part in any action against his king.
Truly, as I think on this interaction between the current and the future king, David stands out as other worldy, not practical, without earthly wisdom and not driven to success.
Have you ever sought to obey God and them been defamed by your brother, mocked by your sister, ridiculed by your peers because your actions are actually not benefitting you or your loved ones? Can you hear them even now?
Carl – You are not taking advantage of God’s obvious opportunities for self advancement?
Carl – You should be taking care of your family!
Carl – Think of all the good you could do if you took advantage of the situation.
Yes – to hear God’s direction and to follow will cost you, even if it is doubt about the outcome, and possible loss of advantage – that is earthly advantage!
Nevertheless, David does make a statement that seems obvious at first, but what a great statement for this situation!
Out of the wicked comes wickedness.
Of course out of the wicked comes wickedness. How obvious this statement seems, almost a waste of breath, until I recognized David was calling Saul a wicked man. He called Saul a wicked man, spoke truth to power! This is awesome, a true prophet, a man after the truth. And as a sidebar, David was also claiming that he was not a wicked man.
Years later, Jesus would speak of bad fruit from a bad tree. This truth is so obvious, irrefutable and cutting, that I need to recall this when dealing with those who fight the gospel, hate truth, and display treachery or wickedness. It isn’t a personal attack – Simply a truth statement!
Like my momma used to say, if the shoe fits….
David closes his plea/warning to Saul, bringing his selflessness into focus. I think.
He refers to himself as a dead dog, even a flea. Who is David that Saul would chase after him? Yet Saul knew who David was, and that he was a righteous man, one destined for the throne.
David didn’t have to make claims. His life was on display for all to see, and God was making it obvious that David was the better man, the one destined for good. He could safely state self deprecating claims about himself, only adding honor to his name in the mean time.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
How often have you met one who cannot speak enough about them selves? David didn’t follow that thought, but diminished himself in front of the king.
There is One who could speak of Himself without any stain of self glory being attributed to Him, for He truly is worthy, more worthy of each and every statement He made of Himself. And yet, when He described Himself to His disciples, He sought to be know as One who was gentle and lowly of heart!
Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
How amazing is He, that in the very person of God Almighty, Jesus revealed Himself to those closest to Him as gentle and lowly of heart.
Jesus, though His name alone is worthy of all praise, wanted to be thought of as gentle and lowly of heart, thereby only bringing greater honor upon Himself. He is the only One, and we are only right to praise His name only.
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