The story in 1st Samuel 24 about David choosing not to kill Saul in the cave, but instead secretly cutting off a corner of his robe, ends with a flourish.
Saul leaves the cave, having no idea that he almost lost his life. After Saul has walked a short distance from the mouth of the cave, David reveals himself, holding up the piece of Saul’s robe. David explains that he could have easily killed Saul, but instead chose what he believed was God’s will to not harm Saul. He then pleads with Saul to reconsider the hunt Saul has been on to kill David.
Seeing the piece of robe, we can imagine Saul quickly looking down at his robe, and sure enough, a corner is missing. I bet a flash of heat coursed through is body, and his heart started racing. That, combined with David’s gracious words, has Saul shocked and seemingly repentant. He goes on to say that he knows David will become king, and so he asks David to make an oath not to kill his family. David agrees, and they part ways. Saul returns to his home, and David and his men to the stronghold.
Why would David make an oath with the guy who wants to kill him? It’s crazy, right? Maybe. When a new king ascended to a throne, it was a common procedure to kill off any possible contenders to the throne. Sometimes they would kill off people who might be a threat from within their own family! Saul fully expects David to do this. Instead, we see the amazing character of David who gives his word to Saul that he will not kill off Saul’s descendants.
Think about what just happened in the story. Saul admits his guilt, and David gives Saul his word. Did they just make amends? Are things better now? To answer that question, consider what David’s move is next. He does not return to Saul’s household. David and his men go back into hiding. Clearly David still doesn’t trust Saul. And rightly so, because for weeks now we’ve seen nothing but crazy from Saul. We’ll continue the story of David’s fugitive years next week.
For now let’s think about what made David so successful in the story we studied this week in 1st Samuel 23 & 24. Why was David victorious over the Philistines at Keilah? Why did David escape Keilah before the townspeople could trap him? Why was Saul unable to track David down, even though everywhere David goes, people inform on him?
God’s direction. David sought God’s direction, and then David followed God’s direction.
We can also learn a bit of what was going through David’s mind during this episode in his life, because he wrote about it Psalm 54.
Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God.
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
David’s words in the psalm are right in line with what we read in 1st Samuel 23 and 24. David reaches out to God. David sees God as the one who can truly help him, and he desires God’s guidance saving action. God answers David, giving David direction, and David obeys.
How can you and I follow David’s example in our day? We’ll talk about this further in the next post.
Photo by Ian Talmacs on Unsplash
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