The people of Ziph had betrayed David before ((see chapter 23:19-23) and now they try to betray him again by informing Saul that he was hiding in Hakilah in the Wilderness of Ziph. In chapter 24 Saul had apparently repented when David spared his life, but it clearly wasn’t genuine, and it didn’t last long. We are reminded that Saul has his 3,000 men so he went out to find David with his 600 men. He is so uptight and paranoid about David – surely the events of the past should confirm to him that David has no intention of killing him and usurping his throne. David is happy to wait God’s timing, but Saul is taking no chances (v1-4).
David sent out spies who reported back to him as to where Saul was. David and his men could find Saul, but Saul seemed to have difficulty in finding David. Saul was encamped by the road with all his men around him (v5-8). Once again, he had the opportunity to kill Saul as they came near to where Saul was, but this was the first time David sought Saul. He saw where he lay with his army commander, Abner. David asked for a volunteer to go with him and Abishai agreed. They went and came into the camp and saw Saul sleeping with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Didn’t say much for his watchmen among the soldiers. Obviously, there was no-one on watch or if they were, they too were asleep or grossly inattentive not only on one occasion but twice – when the spies came and now when David and Abishai came. Even Abner Saul’s chosen commander was asleep too, some guard he was? He was completely vulnerable and yet surrounded by his army led by his commander. David could have sent any of his army, but he went himself with his faithful colleague Abishai. Abishai thought God had sent David another opportunity and said, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day, now let me strike him once with the spear, right to the earth and I will not have strike him a second time” Abishai suggested that it wouldn’t require two attempts, it was so easy it would only take one blow.
Once again David’s close friend considered this to be another God given opportunity for David to kill Saul, with his own spear left conveniently, and David wouldn’t have to lift a finger, for Abishai would do it for him. Not for the first time David had to restrain one of his men from applying the fateful blow.
Once again (v9-12) David’s reply was “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against The LORD’s anointed and be guiltless.“ David wasn’t interested, and he certainly wasn’t even going to let someone else do it for him for he would be just as guilty.
You might think David had more reason to kill him this time because he had gone back on his promise and after his apparent repentance. But David knows that God will remove Saul in His good time and until then he will put his trust in God. David revered Saul because he was The LORD’s anointed. He speaks interesting words in v10 “As The LORD lives, The LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish.” ‘An interesting philosophy as to how and when people die’.
- God kills (usually for disobedience).
- Their time is up.
- Killed in battle.
It is not exhaustive – Enoch walked with God and disappeared. God took him.
David acknowledged that what is not in that list is that he should kill God’s anointed.
David took away Saul’s spear and the jug of water which was lying by his head. They got out of the camp, and he noted that The LORD had caused a deep sleep to come on Saul and his army. This was God’s doing and David recognized it.
The world will often misunderstand when God’s people forgive but Jesus said we should. Saul was extremely cruel towards David but for David to kill him would have been in disobedience and sin against God. God could remove Saul at any time and in any circumstances. We are to love our enemies and never to repay evil with evil.
David went and stood on a hill some way off and shouted to the people. He called to Abner, Saul’s commander and bodyguard and told him what they had done. He rebuked Abner for failing to do his job of guarding the king. There was no hiding this because all the people heard it, and David displayed the evidence that he could have killed Saul. Once again, he has been so close but refrained from killing Saul (v13-16).
This must have been an amazing scene – David producing Saul’s spear and water jug just as he had previously produced the corner of his robe. Note again David’s humility in reverence to the king. He still refers to himself as Saul’s servant and even pleads for his own life despite the opportunities to kill Saul.
Saul recognised David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David replied, “Yes, it is, my LORD the king.” And he added, “Why is my LORD pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? 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.’ 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.” (v17-20)
This is a genuine, heartfelt plea from David, and what seemed to hurt him most was that he was prevented from going to God’s house and to be with His people. His life was severely restricted, and people had even suggested that he should go and serve other gods. He pleaded with Saul to spare his life. 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.”
Saul again plays the repentant and says he will not try to harm David again. David asked Saul to send one of his men to collect the spear and water jug (22-25). David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. 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. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”
“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”
It suggested that Saul is not genuine in his repentance. How often do we say what seems right but no genuine meaning behind the words? It is essential that we are truthful and mean what we say.
Saul never spoke a truer word when he said, “I have acted like a fool and been terribly wrong.” God had given him His Spirit, the wise counsel of Samuel and many Godly men around him, but he had behaved badly and even the Spirit of God had left him as well as the hearts of his people turning away from him. God was always there for him, but he chose to go his own way. Are we guilty of that?
He was a complete opposite of David who sought God’s ways and tried to obey Him. David knew that if he wanted God’s support when he became king, he must support Saul while he is king. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. However, we see later that even David failed and in Psalm 51 he has to repent of his sin, but it seems genuine there.
Listen to the words of David in Psalm 18 – the title says he sang this song when The LORD delivered him from his enemies and the hands of Saul. 1-3. I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies…. 17-27 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty…. 46-50 The LORD lives! Praise be to my rock! Exalted be God my Saviour. He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever. Saul invited David to come back (v26), but David declined and went on his way. It is apparent that he had come to learn much about Saul. No doubt he knew that he was unstable and deceitful, therefore, he did not trust any of his promises, even his statements of good intent, and wisely, kept out of Saul’s reach. It seemed that they never met again.
