The objective of this lesson: to verify that David's treatment of King Saul was based on conviction, not on convenience.
At this point in David's life, his attitude toward King Saul was amazing without regard to a deeper context. When a deeper context is considered, David's attitude toward the King was nothing short of incredible. At this point King Saul has made it impossible for David to associate with his best friend on a daily basis, has separated David from his wife, has caused the relocation of David's parents, has forced David to live in the wilderness with discontented people, and has forced David to live as a fugitive in his own country. Under those circumstances, already having been anointed the future King of Israel by Samuel, it would seem David would feel no obligation to King Saul at all.
King Saul gave David many, many reasons to hate him and seek vengeance, yet David refused to be ruled by anger or injustice.
Again, King Saul was at David's heels in yet another determined effort to kill David. Both King Saul and David are in the area of Engedi. Saul has with him 3,000 chosen men. They are much closer to each other than the King realized. In King Saul's pursuit of David, he goes into a cave to relieve himself. David and at least some of his men are hiding in the recesses of the cave.
This was in an area where shepherds placed their flocks at night, in a storm, or at times of danger. Generally, such caves had long, low entrances. A wall could seal up much of the enclosure. With a small "entrance yard" surrounded by a wall and one entrance, one man (a shepherd) could control everything that went in and out.
Saul entered such a place. He would have walked from sunlight into the darkness of the cave--when entering, his eyesight would have been poor. If he watched the entrance of the cave, he would have been completely unaware of David's presence.
Unknowingly, the King made himself extremely vulnerable to David. David easily could have killed Saul. Paraphrased, David's men said, "This is the moment you waited for! The Lord has given him into your hand to kill!"
Saul was in such a vulnerable, unaware position, David could have killed him without Saul knowing he was in danger. David could have hidden the body in the cave until the time of danger was passed. The situation was ideal for vengeance. In fact, some of his men suggested it was nothing less than the Lord providing David this opportunity. Note that righteous motives and acts often are not understood by other people.
David quietly cut off a lower piece of the King's robe. After the act, David was distressed that he had even done that! David controlled his men and would not let them kill King Saul. King Saul was anointed to be King by God, and it was not David's prerogative to kill God's anointed!
The King's robe symbolized his position and authority. A loyal subject would not desecrate the King's robe because of the robe's symbolism. David regarded himself a loyal subject. His conscience reacted against his act.
David waited until Saul left the cave and was too far from him to begin a fight. Then David revealed himself to the King by crying out, "My lord the King!" When the King looked behind him, he saw David humbling himself before the king--in a full bow with his face to the ground signifying humble submission.
Saul only realized his danger when the danger had passed. David used the opportunity to affirm his subjection and loyalty to the King.
David's conversation was striking. "Why does the King listen to people who declare David seeks your harm? Just now I could have killed you, but you are the Lord's anointed. I refused to kill you even though you are seeking to kill me. We will allow God to judge the motives of each of us. Who am I that you should seek to kill me? I am a nobody who is not worthy of such effort from you. I will let God plead my cause and rescue me from you!"
David used the piece of the King's robe to verify he had opportunity to kill the King. Notice David used the opportunity to emphasize motives: righteousness versus unrighteousness, God being in control, the unworthiness of the King being concerned about David.
King Saul knew David could have killed him! The realization of David's righteousness coupled with the realization of how close to death he had been caused the King to weep. He confessed to David that David was more righteous than he. People simply did not allow an enemy to escape safely! He confessed David would be Israel's next king. He asked David to swear that he would not kill Saul's family when he became King, which David swore.
Having a "near death" experience has a sobering effect on most people. Realizing "I could be dead now" quickly brings a person face to face with reality.
After this incident, Saul went home. However, his remorse did not last long. David's period of peace was not long.
If anger and jealousy are unresolved, they are bigger than soberness. If they continue, soberness dies.
Again the Ziphites reveal David's general whereabouts. They go to King Saul's home to report David's general location. Saul quickly took a force of 3000 battle hardened men to pursue David.
Saul's tactic this time is the reverse of his past tactic. In the past he delayed while intelligence was gathered. This time he went to the area promptly.
David knew King Saul was coming. King Saul's forces made camp in the area of pursuit. David knew precisely where the camp was and the layout of the camp. The camp was configured to protect the King.
The passage suggests David knew Saul was coming, knew where Saul camped, and knew the layout of the camp. Perhaps part of this information came from David's observation. The camp was configured to give the King maximum protection.
Abishai was eager to accompany David to the camp and kill King Saul. Because of an act of God, the entire camp of King Saul's was sleeping soundly. Though Abishai wanted to kill the King with a single thrust of his spear, David would not permit the killing of God's anointed. David declared to Abishai that the Lord would destroy Saul in the manner and at a time He chose. All David permitted was taking the spear at King Saul's head and taking the king's water jug.
Abishai wanted to kill Saul quickly without alerting the camp. David would not let him. David gave basically two reasons: (1) King Saul was God's anointed; and (2) God did not need help--He would end King Saul's reign by His own means in His own time.
After David placed a significant distance between himself and King Saul's camp, David again revealed himself. After chiding Abner for not protecting the King, David addressed the King. "Why are you trying to kill me? What evil have I done to you? If the Lord sent you after me, I will offer the Lord a sacrifice. If people sent you after me, let them be cursed! I am not worthy of such attention!"
This incident was a great humiliation to Abner! Protecting the King's life was his number one responsibility. Accomplishing the mission was number two. It was unacceptable to put the King's life at risk! David basically again declared (1) his righteousness in his devotion to the King; and (2) that it was a waste of the King's time and effort to view David as his enemy.
Again, Saul knew how close he was to death. He confessed he sinned, and he promised to make no future attempts to harm David. The King declared he had been a fool and made a serious mistake.
Saul clearly understood how close to death he had been. He also saw himself for what he was.
David asked the King to send one of the young warriors to collect the spear. He also affirmed that the Lord would preserve him. After King Saul again found his life spared because a righteous David refused to kill the Lord's anointed, the King returned home and David went on his way.
Again, for the moment, Saul was brought to his senses rather than being ruled by his anger and jealousy.
Note: knowing God changes a person. When a person knows God, that understanding changes the way the person treats other people. The Lord's Spirit departed from King Saul, and he acted as an unrighteous person. The Lord's Spirit was with David, and he refused to kill the Lord's anointed even though the Lord's anointed unjustly made David's life miserable!
Knowing God changes the way we look at other people and treat other people. Knowing God constantly challenges us to see people from God's eyes, not our trials. Consider Matthew 5:43-48.
For Thought and Discussion:
Recount the numerous ways King Saul caused David suffering and inconvenience. Note the King's actions were unjust! In no way did David deserve such treatment.
In the position of relieving himself and in the conviction he was not in danger, David could have quickly and easily killed the King.
This was an act of disrespect. If one was the King, his robe should not in any way be desecrated--it symbolized the King's position and authority. Thus David's conscience convicted him for not showing appropriate respect for the King.
After the King was some distance away, he bowed to the King (showing submission) and declared himself unworthy of all the King's efforts. He was of no danger to the King. The King had no reason to be afraid of him.
The king realized the unrighteousness of his actions, and the king wept. He knew who God was with, and it was not him.
David took the spear and water jug at the King's head. Saul would have known David easily could have killed him--David had that opportunity.
When we know God, it changes the way we look at and treat people.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 8