David Again Spares Saul’s Life

1 Samuel 26:1-4 The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?” ² So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David. ³ Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, ⁴ he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.

The people of Ziph had betrayed David’s whereabouts to Saul before in 23. Now they try to gain King Saul’s favor again, by helping Saul find David.

This means Saul reneged on his previous repentance in chapter 24. David had the opportunity to kill Saul but didn’t take it. Saul seemed to be moved emotionally and publicly repented for his murderous intentions toward David. Saul’s repentance was very emotional and seemed sincere — but it didn’t last very long.

Saul has a great numerical advantage. 3,000 against 600 is a significant advantage.

David shows he is a wise and capable commander by sending out scouts to constantly monitor the movements of Saul. David knows where Saul is, but Saul doesn’t know exactly where David is.

1 Samuel 26:5-8 Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him. ⁶ David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?” “I’ll go with you,” said Abishai. ⁷ So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. ⁸ Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”

The last time David and Saul met, David was hiding, and Saul showed up in the very cave he was hiding in. This time David actively seeks Saul out.

David could send any of his 600 men to do this job, and from a military perspective, it made sense to send someone else. The fact that David did this not only shows his boldness and courage, but the outcome of this event will show us that God was leading him to do it. (It wasn’t for David)

Saul and the army are asleep; David and Abishai quietly crept down into their camp. Saul again is completely vulnerable with his spear stuck in the ground next to his head.

Just like the last time David had the opportunity to kill Saul, one of David’s men, Abishai, points out that God designed these circumstances — and that it was for David to take his righteous vengeance upon Saul.

Abishai makes it easy for David: David wouldn’t have to raise his hand against Saul because Abishai is willing to do it for him. David could then say to himself and everyone else, “I did not kill Saul.”

There does seem to be a picture/element of poetic justice here. The same spear Saul had tried to kill David with on at least 3 occasions could now be used as the instrument of the LORD’s righteous judgment. (tempting)

1 Samuel 26:9-12 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? ¹⁰ As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. ¹¹ But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.” ¹² So David took the spear and water jug near Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.

It’s not that David thinks Saul is right. David knows more than anyone how evil Saul has become. But David knows that even a wicked, evil Saul was still the anointed king over Israel. That would only change when God changed it; David will not stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed.

We might think that David has even a more righteous reason than ever to kill Saul because he didn’t keep his previous promise to leave David alone.

In David’s position, many of us would say, “I let him off the hook once, Saul had a chance, and he blew it.

The LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish: David knows it’s not hard for God to kill Saul. The LORD was more than able to take Saul out at any time.

If vengeance truly belongs only to God (Rom.12), then it doesn’t belong to us.

David takes Saul’s spear and water jug as evidence that he had the opportunity again to kill him. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep. Why is all this happening? God is training David and giving Saul an opportunity to truly repent. (God is always in control)

1 Samuel 26:13-16 Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. ¹⁴ He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer me, Abner?” Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?” ¹⁵ David said, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. ¹⁶ What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?”

In this vivid scene, David implies that he cares more about Saul’s life than Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, does. They have done a terrible job in protecting the Lord’s anointed and deserve to die. And of course, David has the receipts to prove it.

1 Samuel 26:17-20 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king.” ¹⁸ And he added, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? ¹⁹ Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ ²⁰ Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

The last time David and Saul met, David was hiding, and Saul showed up in the very cave he was hiding in. This time, David actively seeks Saul out.

David could send any of his 600 men to do this job, and from a military perspective, it made sense to send someone else. The fact that David did this not only shows his boldness and courage, but the outcome of this event will show us that God was leading him to do it. (It wasn’t for David)

Saul and the army are asleep; David and Abishai quietly crept down into their camp. Saul again is completely vulnerable with his spear stuck in the ground next to his head.

Just like the last time David had the opportunity to kill Saul, one of David’s men, Abishai, points out that God designed these circumstances — and that it was for David to take his righteous vengeance upon Saul.

Abishai makes it easy for David: David wouldn’t have to raise his hand against Saul because Abishai is willing to do it for him. David could then say to himself and everyone else, “I did not kill Saul.”

There does seem to be a picture/element of poetic justice here. The same spear Saul had tried to kill David with on at least 3 occasions could now be used as the instrument of the LORD’s righteous judgment. (tempting)

1 Samuel 26:21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”

David desire is to fulfill his anointing to be the next king of Israel. But he wanted both the throne and the blessing of God. He refused to take the throne through murder or rebellion. He would wait until it came to him God’s way. (Patience)

David knows Saul’s wicked and deceitful heart. So, he is absolutely justified in not trusting any of Saul’s professions or promises.

1 Samuel 26:22-25 “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. ²³ The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. ²⁴ As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” ²⁵ Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

Vs23 The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.

David held on to this principle, and when he became king, he recognized that his righteousness and faithfulness was rewarded.***

Psalm 18 For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:***

Vs1 I love you, Lord, my strength. (David 20-year trials)

Vs20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me.

Vs24-26 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, ²⁶ to the pure you show yourself pure,

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Vs24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.

David knows that one day he will need a large measure of God’s mercy, so David gives Saul a large measure of mercy.

It’s almost as if David understood the principle Jesus would later speak of in Matthew 7:2 With the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

This very generous measure of mercy will be a great blessing to David later in his life. (Nathan the prophet)

There is nothing more that needs to be said. David and Saul part ways, never to see each other again. (David was seeking out Saul-Repentance)

If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.