1 Samuel

1 Samuel 26:1-4

The Ziphites had already betrayed David once in 1 Samuel 23:9 and they were going to try again.  It's not hard to imagine in a community of people that there would be some who would sell out anyone for their own good.  Spying for Saul could be lucrative and earn the respect of the king. 

Saul had already been handed to David.  Saul was repentant when he learned of David's mercy and kindness toward him.  This repentance seemed genuine and heartfelt, but it didn't last.  Saul back on the trail hunting down David. 

Saul arrives and camps at Hachilah (means dark & dusky) opposite Jeshimon (means waste or desolate place).  Saul's only business in bringing 3000 men here was to murder David.  As a commander of the 600, it was David's business to know what Saul was doing. 

1 Samuel 26:5-8

David could have assigned any of his men to this mission but took the lead himself.  Abashai volunteers to Go; its interesting that there is no response noted from Ahimelech the Hittite.  David and Abashai go down to the camp at night.  Saul is in the midst of the camp with soldiers all around.  Abner, his commander, was at his side.  It's fascinating that a 3000-man army would not have lookouts.  Is this arrogants or ignorance on their part.  Either way David and Abashai walk right up to Saul.  He is sleep ing with his spear next to his head.  Abashai declares that this is no accident that the Lord had delivered Saul once again into David's hands.  Abashai offers to kill Saul so David could maintain innocence and keep his promise to Saul. 

Abashai wants to put an exclamation point on the death of Saul with a little poetic justice; he wants to use Saul's spear to kill him.  This is the same spear he chucked at David a couple times and threatened others with. 

1 Samuel 26:9-12

David refused to let Abashai do this deed; Saul was the Lord's anointed and he couldn't kill him.  David once again proclaimed this to be the Lord's business; the Lord would strike him down when it was time.  Instead they took the spear and water bottle.  No one saw them because the Lord had put them all in a deep sleep. 

1 Samuel 26:13-25

David calls out to Abner and shows his spear and water bottle to him and asks him why he didn't protect the king.  What an embarrassing situation for the military leader who was lying next to the king.  David suggests that he cared more for Saul than Abner did. 

Saul recognizes David's voice and sees the evidence of David's kindness in the spear and water bottle.  David challenges Saul's thought process and asks him to figure out the source of this hatred toward him.  It was clearly not from the Lord; but it was Saul's own disobedient and sinful heart.  This heart was swayed by those around him. 

Once again Saul realizes he is wrong about David.  He has a moment of clarity in his dark mind; he sees that he has sinned and been a fool.  Saul declares David's kindness, blesses David and goes his way. 

©2015 Doug Ford