1 Samuel 24
Can you believe I missed this chapter yesterday - it is really rather vital in the character of David and his attitude to Saul who is after his blood.
Anyway out of order - today we have David hiding in the desert near En Gedi, Saul gets news and gathers a warband of 3000 young men and set out to search near the sheep pens.
Saul spotted a cave and decided it would be a good place to "Go to the toilet" as one version of the Bible translates verse 3.
As luck would have it, David and his men are hiding in the same cave, right at the back.
David's men, rather understandably in my opinion, urge David to assassinate Saul - after all it is either him or Saul.
David however refuses to kill Saul as he is the chosen king of Israel, anointed by God , instead he crept up to Saul and cut a corner off his robe, presumably Saul's attention was elsewhere!
David rebuked his men and would not allow them to attack Saul and is very troubled in conscience, and after Saul has left the cave and presumably moved out of range, David reveals himself - pointing out that he has in his hand a piece of Saul's robe to demonstrate that he could just as easily killed Saul with the same knife.
Calling Saul his father and challenged Saul on who he thinks he is pursuing a flea on a dead dog?
Saul recognised David's voice and wept - he acknowledged that David has treated Saul much better than Saul has treated him, and that David rightly will be the next king but asked that David would show kindness to Saul's family.
David gave his promise that he would not wipe out the family of Saul once he is king.
After this Saul departed and David went up to the stronghold.
While I am on a roll, lets do Chapter 26 as well as it has a similar theme
1 Samuel 26
Once again Saul has gone mad and is trying to catch David with 3000 soldiers. (David has about 600 men with him, so is outnumbered about 5 to 1)
David is betrayed by the locals who tell Saul where he is currently hiding out. David is aware from his scouts where the Israelite army is camping
David and one of his men decide to pay a night visit to the camp. having figured out where Saul and Abner, the commander of the army, are sleeping.
Once again David refuses to kill Saul or allow Saul to be killed he steals the spear and water jug that are laying close to Saul as he sleeps. David's view is that Saul will be struck down by God or else fall in battle, but David will not incur guilt by killing the king.
Next morning David does not challenge Saul, but rather Abner for failing in his duty to protect the king.
Saul again hears David's voice and backs off pursuit realising that David is the better man, Saul predicts that David will do great things and be triumphant.
David and Saul parted on apparently peaceful terms.
Can you believe I missed this chapter yesterday - it is really rather vital in the character of David and his attitude to Saul who is after his blood.
Anyway out of order - today we have David hiding in the desert near En Gedi, Saul gets news and gathers a warband of 3000 young men and set out to search near the sheep pens.
Saul spotted a cave and decided it would be a good place to "Go to the toilet" as one version of the Bible translates verse 3.
As luck would have it, David and his men are hiding in the same cave, right at the back.
David's men, rather understandably in my opinion, urge David to assassinate Saul - after all it is either him or Saul.
David however refuses to kill Saul as he is the chosen king of Israel, anointed by God , instead he crept up to Saul and cut a corner off his robe, presumably Saul's attention was elsewhere!
David rebuked his men and would not allow them to attack Saul and is very troubled in conscience, and after Saul has left the cave and presumably moved out of range, David reveals himself - pointing out that he has in his hand a piece of Saul's robe to demonstrate that he could just as easily killed Saul with the same knife.
Calling Saul his father and challenged Saul on who he thinks he is pursuing a flea on a dead dog?
Saul recognised David's voice and wept - he acknowledged that David has treated Saul much better than Saul has treated him, and that David rightly will be the next king but asked that David would show kindness to Saul's family.
David gave his promise that he would not wipe out the family of Saul once he is king.
After this Saul departed and David went up to the stronghold.
While I am on a roll, lets do Chapter 26 as well as it has a similar theme
1 Samuel 26
Once again Saul has gone mad and is trying to catch David with 3000 soldiers. (David has about 600 men with him, so is outnumbered about 5 to 1)
David is betrayed by the locals who tell Saul where he is currently hiding out. David is aware from his scouts where the Israelite army is camping
David and one of his men decide to pay a night visit to the camp. having figured out where Saul and Abner, the commander of the army, are sleeping.
Once again David refuses to kill Saul or allow Saul to be killed he steals the spear and water jug that are laying close to Saul as he sleeps. David's view is that Saul will be struck down by God or else fall in battle, but David will not incur guilt by killing the king.
Next morning David does not challenge Saul, but rather Abner for failing in his duty to protect the king.
Saul again hears David's voice and backs off pursuit realising that David is the better man, Saul predicts that David will do great things and be triumphant.
David and Saul parted on apparently peaceful terms.
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