David spares Saul's life

1 Samuel Chapter 24

After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he found out that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi. So Saul took 3 thousand special troops and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. Saul entered a cave to relieve himself and David and his men were hiding in that very cave. David's men whispered that today must be the day the Lord was talking about when he implied that Saul would be in David's power. So David crept forward and cut off a piece of Saul's robe.

But David's conscience bothered him because of cutting Saul's robe and he confessed that the Lord knew he should not have done it, for it was a serious matter to attack the Lord's anointed one that the Lord himself had chosen. So David rebuked his men and would not let them kill Saul.

After Saul left the cave David came out and shouted to him and when Saul turned around, David bowed before him and shouted, "Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn't true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back in the cave, and my men wanted to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, 'I will never harm him- he is the Lord's anointed one.' Look my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of your robe, I cut it off, but didn't kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting me to kill me.The Lord will decide between us. Perhaps he will punish you for what you are trying to do, but I will never harm you." David went on to tell Saul that he was King of Israel and should not be spending his time chasing one who was a worthless as a dead dog or a flea. He said that the Lord would judge which one of them was right and would punish the guilty one.

Saul called, "Is that really you, my son David?" And he began to cry and said David was a better man than he, for he had repaid him good for evil and was kind to him today when David could have killed him in the cave. Saul said he knew of nobody else who would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power. An he praised David telling him that the Lord should reward him well for the kindness shown his king. Then Saul told David he realized David would be the next king and knew Isreal would flourish under his rule. And he made David swear that when he became king he would not kill Saul's family or destroy his line of descendants.

David promised and Saul went home and David and his men went back to their stronghold.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: There were many caves in the wilderness, most used by the local people as housing and tombs. Some were big enough to hold thousands of people.
David had great respect for Saul in spite of the fact Saul was trying to kill him. He respected him as God's annointed king. He knew he would someday be king and it was not right to strike down the man God had placed on the throne. If he assasinated Saul, he would be setting precedent for his own opponents to remove him someday. David's refusal to kill Saul was not cowardice, but courage- the courage to stand up against the group and do what he knew was right.
In later years, David kept his promise to Saul and did not take revenge on Saul's family or descendants.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Politics today sometimes seems corrupt and useless. But God has placed the government and its leaders in power and we may not always know why. But like David, we must respect the positions and roles of those to whom God gave authority. But on the other hand, no leader should pressure us to violate God's law.
In today's world, the means we use to achieve our goals is every bit as important as it was in David's day. He had courage to do what he knew was right. Do you have the courage to stand up against those who oppose your views? I hope you realize that God is watching and guiding you and he knows you will choose the right path as did David.

Yours in Christ,
Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family . Lori sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, is now able to speak and is working on rehab for paralysis. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.