DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE
A. David does not kill Saul when he has the opportunity
1. (1 Sam 24:1-2) Saul seeks David in the Wilderness of Engedi
Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi." Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines: Saul's desire to kill David picks right back up where we left it in chapter 23. In chapter 23, Saul was on the brink of killing David when he was called away because the Philistines were making a raid on the land (1 Samuel 23:27). Although we are given no details about the conflict, it seems Saul returned from pursuing David and swiftly took care of the Philistines. Now that Philistine threat has been squelched, Saul can again take back up his pursuit of David.
We often wish that our next victory would be a permanent victory. We wish that the spiritual enemies who pursue like Saul pursues David would simply give up. We wish they would not bother us any more. But, even when we have victory and they are sent away, they come back like when Saul comes back for David. They will keep coming back until we give the glory to God. Trusting and relying on the LORD is the only permanent victory we will have.
Wilderness of Engedi: Finding no safety on the western side of the Judah desert, where the Ziphites were constantly watching his movements, David now crosses this arid landscape and seeks shelter in the oasis of Engedi, on the shore of the Dead Sea. Engedi was a lofty plateau upon the tops of cliffs about 2,000 feet above the Dead Sea. Engedi still exists and is known as Ain-jedy, which means "fountain of the kid". In 2 Chronicles 20:2, it is identified as Hazazon-tamar, which means "the palm wood". ("Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, 'A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi)'" 2 Chronicles 20:2.) This area was once the seat of the Amorites. ("Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar" Genesis 14:7.)
The journey to Engedi would have been a very treacherous one. The area is nearly impassable with deep valleys and steep cliffs. The area is mostly void of any vegetation, resembling a dried up sea. About 1300 feet below the plateau, there is the warm spring of Engedi, which stays around 83 degrees Fahrenheit and is home to some vegetation and trees. The sides of the ravines leading up to Engedi are full of caves.
Three thousand chosen men: This large and carefully selected force is an indication of how thoroughly impressed Saul was with David and his men. Saul, evidently looked on David as a rival king, who must be met with a large, disciplined force.
The Rocks of the Wild Goats: This might have been a proper name of some cliffs near Engedi. "Wild goats" can also be translated as "ibex". Ibex (also known as Syrian chamois) pasture in this area and are still found in the precipitous cliffs in the Engedi region.
2. (1 Sam 24:3) Saul unknowingly comes to a cave where David and his men are hiding
He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave.
The sheepfolds: It is common to have hundreds of sheepfolds around the mouth of caves. The sheepfolds are generally made by piling up loose stones. The wall is built in a circular fashion around the cave's entrance and is covered in thorns as further protection against thieves and wild animals which might harm the sheep. During the cold, storms and at night, the sheep would retreat into the cave. These caves are as dark as night. When looking into the cave, one can see at most four feet in front of him. Someone who has resided in the cave and looks out toward the cave's entrance can observe with nearly perfect sight all that takes place. Thus, David and his men could see Saul enter the cave. However, Saul would see nothing but impenetrable darkness.
Saul went in to relieve himself: Men of this time usually wore no undergarments. They usually wore loose long gowns or coats. When nature called, they were obliged to lift up their garments, uncovering their feet. Many often discarded their robes so they could complete their business unhindered. It seems from the text that Saul discarded his robes while doing his job. Moreover, it appears Saul's bodyguards did not accompany him into the cave to give him privacy.
Inner recesses: Large caves has numerous side passages and small alcoves. David and his men would have found refuge in these areas, away from the cave's entrance.
3. (1 Sam 24:4-7) David restrains himself and his men from killing Saul
The men of David said to him, "Behold, this is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.'" Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul's robe secretly. It came about afterward that David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul's robe. So he said to his men, "Far be it from me because of the LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed." David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on his way.
The men of David said to him: David's men were excited at this opportunity to slay Saul and believed that this was a gift from God. They knew it was no coincidence that Saul came into that exact cave and that at exact moment all alone. They thought this was a Divine opportunity to once and for all rid themselves of Saul. It appears on some previous occasion God promised David, "Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you." David's men believed that this was the fulfillment of that promise and that David needed to do to Saul "as it seems good".
David arose and cut off the edge of Saul's robe: We can imagine David listens to the counsel of his trusted me. David seizes Goliath's sword and quietly creeps towards Saul's robe under the cover of the cave's darkness. David's men are excited. Soon, they shall be free from Saul and his continual pursuit of them. Soon, David shall be king! But as David comes close to Saul and about to bring his sword down on Saul's head, David changes course. He instead cuts off Saul's robe.
Some wonder how David could have done this without being detected. Saul may have laid his robe down in one part of the cave and went off to another area to do his business. So, David would not have had to sneak close to Saul to cut off the edge of his robe. Or, it might have been that there was enough noise and commotion from the thousands of men and their horses outside the cave that David was simple undetected. Additionally, we cannot deny that this was the work of God. God can make anything happen.
David decided to spare Saul because he knew that God's promise said, "You will inherit the throne of Israel." He knew that Saul was in the way of that promise. But he also knew it was disobedient to kill Saul. God put Saul in a position of authority, and it was God's job to take care of Saul and not David's. David wanted the promise to be fulfilled, but he refused to try and fulfill God's promise through his own disobedience.
Sometimes when we have a promise from God, we think we are justified in sinning to pursue that promise. This is always wrong! God will fulfill His promises, but He will do it His way and in His time. Instead, we need to be like Abraham, who obeyed God even when it seemed to be at the expense of God's promise, willing to sacrifice the son (Isaac) of the promise (Genesis 22).
In all this, we see that David knew not only how to wait on the LORD, but he also knew how to wait for the LORD. David was determined that when he sat on the throne of Israel, it would not be because he got Saul out of the way but because God got Saul out of the way. He wanted God's fingerprints on that work, not his own. He wanted the clear conscience that comes from knowing it was God's work.
We also see that David's heart did not store up bitterness and anger towards Saul. Even as Saul made David's life complete misery, David kept taking it to the LORD. He received cleansing from the hurt and the bitterness and the anger that only the LORD can give. If David stored up bitterness towards Saul, he probably would not have been able to resist the temptation to kill Saul and what seemed to be a risk-free opportunity.
David's conscience bothered him: David has a remarkably tender conscience. Many would only be troubled that they did not take the opportunity to kill Saul. David only cut off the corner of Saul's robe; yet, his heart troubled him. The robe was the symbol of Saul's authority, and David felt bad that he had done anything against God's anointed.
The LORD'S anointed: David bases his allegiance to Saul on religious grounds. Saul was God's Messiah, and as such, Saul was sacred.
David persuaded his men: The Hebrew here is very strong. A better translation would be "David crushed down his men." It means that David used all his authority to keep his men from killing Saul. Many people in David's situation may have allowed others to kill Saul. David could have been pious and haughty and said, "I will not kill God's anointed. But men, do as you please. I will be over here in the corner."
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