1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24:1

DAVID SPARES SAUL’S LIFE AT EN-GEDIIn chapter 24 David is still on the run. He is being hounded continually by Saul. I think this period of testing in David’s life changed him from an innocent shepherd boy to a rugged man who became God’s man and ruled over his people. David had gone to a rugged place to hide. Saul went looking for David with an army of three thousand men while David had only six hundred men. Saul’s army greatly outnumbered David’s, but David made up for this imbalance by using strategy. Also, he knew the area and his men were rugged men, indeed.

1 Samuel 24:3

Saul entered the very cave in which David was hiding and went to sleep. Saul’s men were on guard, of course, but they were outside the cave, not inside. They permitted the king to have privacy in order that he might have a good nap. So this is the situation: David and his men, and Saul, are inside the cave. Saul’s soldiers are outside the cave.

1 Samuel 24:4

David quietly slipped up to the sleeping king and trimmed off the lower part of his garment.

1 Samuel 24:5

Right away David regretted his act because it would be a source of embarrassment to Saul. Imagine what would happen when Saul awakened, stood up, and found out he was wearing a mini-skirt!

1 Samuel 24:6

David respected the office of king, although he may not have respected the man. May I interject a thought at this particular point. I personally do not feel that the President of the United States, regardless of his party or character, should be made the subject of a cartoon or the object of ridicule. In a democracy, of course, he can be criticized, but to make our president a subject of ridicule, as do some cartoonists and some comedians, is entirely wrong. Now this is just my personal opinion, but I think that we ought to have more respect for the office than we do. We live in a country that has its faults, but it has been a great country for most of us, and its offices and officers should be respected. It is interesting to note that although David is being hunted by Saul, David will not lay a hand on him. Why? Because Saul is God’s anointed. David is going to let God deal with the king. My, if we could only come to the place where we would let God handle our enemies! As a rule we want to take care of them, but God can do a much better job. We are told in Rom_12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” When we take things in our own hands, we are no longer walking by faith. We are not trusting God. What we are really saying is, “Lord, we cannot trust You to handle this the way we want it handled, so we are going to do it ourselves.” David, however, is going to let God handle Saul. David is sorry he has cut off Saul’s skirt. His conscience disturbs him because he has made the king an object of ridicule.

1 Samuel 24:7

Several of David’s men had no use for Saul and would have killed him in a minute, but David would not permit it.

1 Samuel 24:8

Notice once again that although David may not respect Saul personally, he does have respect for Saul’s office.

1 Samuel 24:9

David had demonstrated to Saul that he was not seeking his life. Saul had been told, and wrongly so, that David was out to get him. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I think David was very much misunderstood, maligned, and misrepresented by both friend and enemy. David’s act of mercy in sparing Saul’s life should have made it abundantly clear that he was not seeking the king’s life. As David continues to reason with him, Saul actually weeps.

1 Samuel 24:16

Now notice Saul’s amazing statement.

1 Samuel 24:20

This is an amazing confession coming from Saul. Saul realizes that what David has said is true and is greatly moved by the fact that he has spared his life. Then Saul acknowledges the fact that one day David will be king.

1 Samuel 24:21

After their conversation Saul returns home, but David and his men go to their stronghold. David still does not trust Saul. David goes farther and farther into the wilderness to hide, because he knows there will come a day when Saul will come after him again. I am of the opinion that Saul is actually demon-possessed at this time. We are told that an evil spirit had come upon him.