WHAT HAPPENED IN ENGEDI
David, The Lord’s Secretly Anointed, was hiding in another stronghold. He was still on the run. King Saul was still trying to kill him. At one time, Saul had been the Lord’s Anointed. Saul was aware that his time as King of Israel was about to end.
There was a hilly area around the Dead Sea called Engedi. This was the area where David was hiding from King Saul. It was the hidden location of a beautiful oasis. The spot was full of waterfalls and lush vegetation. This surprise oasis was due to numerous springs in this area of the country. Dry desert lands surrounded this lush oasis. You would never guess Engedi existed. It was hiding too.
David and his band of men hid in these isolated areas. Engedi was not very populated. You could find a few farmers, but not many. It was a perfect hideout.
There were many caves in this area. Some caves had been made into sheepfolds for encasing the flocks at night. Because of the unusual landscape, a farmer could not afford for any of his flock to wonder. The desert was not safe for farm animals. There were hidden dangers everywhere. These natural enclosures protected the flocks from robbers. Marauders had become common in this remote location.
SAUL RETURNS WITH 3000 MEN
David enjoyed a short reprieve from Saul’s pursuit. Saul learned David was hiding at Engedi. So, Saul returned to that region of the country. This time he brought 3000 men with him. They traveled to a place called Rocks of the Wild Goats.
Saul went into one of the caves that had once been used as a sheepfold. He did not realize it was the place David and his men were hiding. King Saul was merely seeking a private place to use the bathroom. David and his men were at the back of this same cave. They saw Saul, but Saul could not see them.
SPARING THE LIFE OF KING SAUL
We read of what happened in 1 Samuel 24, verses 5-7: And David’s men said to him, “Behold the day concerning which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I shall deliver your enemy into your hand; and you shall do to him as it will seem good in your eyes.’ ” And David arose and secretly severed the skirt of Saul’s coat. And it was afterwards that David’s heart smote him, for he had severed Saul’s skirt. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid it for me, that I should do this thing to my lord, to the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand upon him, for he is the Lord’s anointed.”
Because David only wanted God’s will to take place he spared the life of Saul. He could have easily taken Saul’s life in the cave that day. However, David severing the skirt of Saul sent a significant message that maybe only Saul would understand. John Buckner writes of this part of the story in his blog called “Enjoying the Journey.” You can read of this further piece of significance here: https://enjoyingthejourney.org/wild-goats-of-en-gedi/.
David shared these thoughts with his Mighty Men. He let them know he felt everything should be done in God’s good timing. These men had been waiting eagerly to kill Saul. However, David’s respect for God’s anointed refrained them from doing so.
DAVID CONFRONTS SAUL
King Saul, totally oblivious to David’s presence, finished his business. Then he left the cave. David commanded his men to stay behind. He followed Saul out of the cave. Then David called out to Saul saying “My Lord and my King.” David bowed down to show his respect. Next, David asked Saul why he was accepting Doeg’s slanderous remarks against him.
SAUL LEARNS OF DAVID’S MERCY
Saul must have been shocked to find David behind him. I’m sure he never expected to encounter David so easily. For David to courageously walk up to Saul in a face-to-face conversation would have been most unexpected.
We read of David explaining further in 1 Samuel 24, verse 11: ‘Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and (one) said to kill you, but (my soul) had pity on you, and I said, ‘I shall not stretch forth my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
In other words, David was saying, “I could have killed you, but I had pity on you. It is because I have great respect for The Lord’s anointed.”
LET THE JUDGEMENT FALL FROM GOD
Then David showed Saul how he had cut off a piece of his skirt and his coat. This served as proof to Saul of David’s innocence. He had not killed Saul when he had the chance to do so. David again pointed out to Saul that he was erroneously accusing him.
Then David said, “May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be upon you.”
Verses 15 and 16 continue the conversation, with David asking key questions of Saul: “After whom has the king of Israel come forth? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea? And the Lord shall become a judge, and He shall judge between me and you, and He shall see and plead my cause, and exact justice for me from your hand.”
SAUL’S SANITY SURFACES FOR A MOMENT
In this amazing moment Saul came to his senses. He confessed that David was more righteous than he had been. It was noted in the scriptures that Saul heard and recognized David’s voice again.
I had to think of how those who follow Jesus know and recognize his voice. This is especially true in times of deep confession. Once we come to repentance, we can hear our shepherd guiding us again. We always know His voice. That wonderful feeling of safety and justice returns to our souls.
When Saul was in his right mind, he saw David as his healer and deliverer. The same is true of us when we are walking correctly with God. There is hope for all sinful men to turn and change after repentance. This reality even seemed possible for Saul in those first few hours after the episode in the cave.
COMING OUT OF THE CAVE
Saul and David came forth from the cave. David had determined to face the truths of their circumstances. They both could have been killed, but each of them came out alive. Neither man had lost his honor or dignity. David came forth with a plan of righteousness for Saul. If only Saul would listen and follow God’s will.
In this part of today’s story, I have to remember something else. I get a vision of Yeshua walking out of a cave in the newness of the resurrection. https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/after-the-third-day-resurrection/. He had provided a way for men to have new life. David was offering such a way to Saul. Would Saul wake up and listen and turn? Even more important, are we listening to Jesus when He calls out the right ways for us to walk?
SAUL REPENTS
Saul acknowledged before David that he had done evil. He also noted that David had repaid his evil with good. Saul spoke of the fact that it was a rare thing for a man to find his enemy and send him away safely. He replied that the Lord would surely repay David for his righteousness toward him on that day.
How much more will Our Father in Heaven honor His Only Begotten Son for dying in our place? What we meant for evil, Jesus turned to good. Similar to David’s mercy for Saul on that fateful day, Jesus was a million times more merciful to you and me. How can we ever repay? It would be impossible. However, the Father in Heaven will repay everyone. Not one deed will go unnoticed.
Saul went so far with this confession before David that he even admitted out loud he knew God was going to make David the King. After Saul’s confessions, he asked David to show favor and mercy to his family. Here I think of Abraham after he had attempted to offer Isaac to God. God had provided a ram. Abraham had rejoiced. His prayer when the substitute was offered was that God would remember his faithfulness and have mercy on the future generations of his children. God always keeps His promises. He provided His Only Son in the place of Isaac.
SAUL’S REQUEST OF DAVID
This terrified king requested that David show mercy and not kill off his relatives after he was given the throne. It would have blotted out his name forever. This was a common practice in those days for any new king. They often sought to destroy the remaining relatives and servants of the preceding king, so there would be no danger of anyone trying to regain the throne. They would wipe out the name of the former King forever.
Saul wanted David to swear this promise before God. David took the oath. He promised not to harm the family of Saul.
Then Saul went back home, and David and his men returned to the stronghold.