1 Samuel 24:1-22
Q.1. Where was David hiding? Why did he stop his men from killing Saul? What bothered his conscience? What appeal and prayer did he present to the king? – (1 Sam.24:1-12)
After David had escaped from Saul and survived the treachery of his countrymen, Saul was told – David is in the wilderness of Engedi (1 Sam.24:1). Saul took three thousand of his troops to ferret David out of hiding (1 Sam.24:2). At one stage, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself … the very cave occupied by David and his men (1 Sam.24:3). Perhaps Saul was known to be deaf, or it was a stormy day, so his men told David – ‘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 (1 Sam.24:4). David responded 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, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 7 David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul (1 Sam.24:6-7). However, his conscience bothered him over his lack of respect for the king (1 Sam.24:5). David then followed Saul, called to him, and bowed before him. He asked why Saul believed he was out to harm him. He informed the king – Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ (1 Sam.24:10). David showed Saul the edge of his robe to prove his claim and declared – May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand shall not be against you (1 Sam.24:12). David understood that vengeance is God’s prerogative alone (c.f. Rom.12:19-21).
Q.2. What did David mean by his proverb? On whom did David rely for safety? What admission did Saul make to David? What did David promise the king? – (1 Sam.24:13-22)
The proverb David quoted was based on the observation that – out of the wicked comes wickedness (1 Sam.24:13). However, David resolved not to act that way, but rather to trust in God. He told Saul – The Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and me; and may He see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand (1 Sam.24:15). Saul admitted to David – You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you (1 Sam.24:17). He acknowledged – May the Lord therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day. 20 Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand (1 Sam.24:19-20). He asked David to promise not to destroy his descendants, or his name (1 Sam.24:21). David agreed to Saul’s request and swore to spare Saul’s future generations. Nevertheless, in spite of all David’s kind words, Saul would not stop trying to kill him. David showed Saul that he had nothing to fear from him, and that he would wait for God’s timing before ascending the throne of Israel. David’s gracious action towards the king revealed Saul’s stupidity in trying to eliminate him, since he was no threat to Saul. David’s attitude and behaviour would also establish a brand-new way of running the kingdom, when eventually he would ascend to the throne. David acted wisely and righteously.