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.
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.
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!"
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!
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.
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!"
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.
After this incident, Saul went home. However, his remorse did not last long. David's period of peace was not long.
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.
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.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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!
For Thought and Discussion:
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 8