Let’s now continue with our story of the life of David. Did you realize that David spares Saul’s life again? How many chances will he give to Saul because he doesn’t want to harm the Lord’s anointed? It seems David has learned the lesson well about not taking revenge and doing the rightful thing.
I hope you enjoyed exploring the information about David’s wives in the last lesson. 1 Samuel, Chapter 25 ends by telling us that David had married Ahinoam of Jezreel before marrying Abigail. It also mentions that Saul had given Michal to Paltiel, Son of Laish from Gallim. Now that we have a clear picture of the women in David’s life at this time, let’s see how David spares Saul’s life again.
DAVID SPARES SAUL’S LIFE AGAIN
We pick up our story again in 1 Samuel Chapter 26. We are informed that the Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and told him that David was hiding on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon. Therefore, Saul took three thousand select troops and went out to search for David. He camped on the side of the road on the Hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon. However, David stayed in the wilderness. His scouts informed him of Saul’s arrival in the area.
The commander of Saul’s army at this time was Abner, the son of Ner. He and Saul were sleeping in the middle of the camp surrounded by soldiers. David discovered their camp. He went to Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai, Son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother and asked if they were willing to go with him to the camp of Saul. Abishai agreed to do so.
David and Abishai snuck into Saul’s camp at night. He was asleep beside Abner surrounded by his troops. Saul’s spear was stuck into the ground near his head.
Abishai told David “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.” They could have very easily murdered Saul and left the camp without being seen.
DAVID’S MERCY TOWARD SAUL
However, David said no. His words to Abishai were “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives, the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”
The two left only taking the spear and water jug near Saul’s sleeping head. No one saw them. Not one other person knew they had been there. No one from the camp was aware or awake to see them leaving. It was as if the Lord had put the whole camp into a very deep sleep.
COMMUNICATING WITH SAUL AGAIN
Once David was on the other side of the hill he called out to Abner and his army, “Aren’t you going to answer me, Abner?”
Abner awoke and replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”
David taunted back, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?”
About that time Saul woke up and recognized David’s voice. He called out, “Is that your voice, David my son?”
David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king. Why is my lord pursing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? Now let my lord the king listen to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ Now do no let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea – as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
SAUL’S CONFESSION OF GUILT
Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”
So, David told Saul to let one of his men come over to get his spear for him. David said further to Saul, “The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay hand on the Lord’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”
LEAVING WITH THE KING’S BLESSING
Saul replied by saying “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.”
Then David and Abishai went their way and Saul returned to his home.