David Spares Saul’s Life
February 23, 2022
Commentary
After Saul had turned back the Philistine attack, he returned to his pursuit of David with an army of three thousand. The king came to the sheep pens but found no one there. He decided to go to the bathroom in one of the caves nearby and actually walked right into the cave where David was hiding. The cave was dark so Saul did not see David and his men hiding in the sides of the cave.
Seeing Saul in such a defenseless position, one of David’s men verbalized the thoughts of the others by suggesting that they kill him. David had such great respect for Saul and his position that he refused to do this. Saul probably left his robe at the entrance and so David did sneak over and cut off a piece of the robe which went unnoticed by Saul.
After Saul left the cave, David suddenly was convicted that he had done wrong and shown disrespect to the king by taking a piece of the robe. Therefore, he took a risk by stepping outside the cave and calling to Saul. As Saul turned, David bowed his face to the ground. He showed Saul the piece of his robe and told Saul he could have taken his life but didn’t and was even sorry he had cut his robe. Saul was touched by this and admitted that David had dealt with him far better than he deserved.
Application
Romans 13:1-7 teaches that God has placed the government and its leaders over us. I may not know why but, like David, I am to respect the positions of those men to whom God has given authority.
1 Samuel 24:1– 22 (NET)
1 (24:2) When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “Look, David is in the desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took 3,000 select men from all Israel and went to find David and his men in the region of the rocks of the mountain goats. 3 He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went into it to relieve himself.
4 David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the Lord said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you can do to him whatever seems appropriate to you.’” So David got up and quietly cut off an edge of Saul’s robe. 5 Afterward David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off an edge of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “May the Lord keep me far away from doing such a thing to my lord, who is the Lord’s chosen one, by extending my hand against him. After all, he is the Lord’s chosen one.” 7 David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down the road.
8 Afterward David got up and went out of the cave. He called out to Saul, “My lord, O king!” When Saul looked behind him, David kneeled down and bowed with his face to the ground. 9 David said to Saul, “Why do you pay attention when men say, ‘David is seeking to do you harm’? 10 Today your own eyes see how the Lord delivered you—this very day—into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said, ‘I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.’ 11 Look, my father, and see the edge of your robe in my hand! When I cut off the edge of your robe, I didn’t kill you. So realize and understand that I am not planning evil or rebellion. Even though I have not sinned against you, you are waiting in ambush to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between the two of us, and may the Lord vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you. 13 It’s like the old proverb says: ‘From evil people evil proceeds.’ But my hand will not be against you. 14 Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and arbiter. May he see and arbitrate my case and deliver me from your hands.”
16 When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Then Saul wept loudly. 17 He said to David, “You are more innocent than I, for you have treated me well, even though I have tried to harm you. 18 You have explained today how you have treated me well. The Lord delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me. 19 Now if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the Lord repay you with good this day for what you have done to me. 20 Now look, I realize that you will in fact be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 So now swear to me in the Lord’s name that you will not kill my descendants after me or destroy my name from the house of my father.”
22 David promised Saul this on oath. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.