Introduction:

If someone ridicules, mocks, or curses us—what does it mean to do good to that person?  If a person steals from us, causes financial difficulty, or destroys our property—what does it mean to do good to him or her?  In this study, we will see David render good for evil. 

Twice David refused to assassinate Saul when he easily could have done so.  Standing firm against assassinating Saul was one of the high marks of David's noble character and career.  In our text for this study is recorded the first occasion in which David refused to assassinate Saul.  The second refusal to assassinate Saul is found in chapter 26.

A.           The Troubles from Saul (v.1-2).

1.            The Lord’s watchful care (1 Samuel 23:27-29).

a)            “Saul had returned from following the Philistines…”  (v.1a).

(1)           Saul had been chasing David at Ziph, but the invasion of the Philistines into Israel forced Saul to interrupt his chasing of David so he could go to battle against the Philistines.

(2)           Divine providence is so very evident in David's escape here, and it shows how God watches over His people.

(a)           The moment of deliverence – Saul had to stop pursuing David so he could go fight the Philistines.  David was saved in the nick of time!  Often time’s deliverance does not come to us as soon as we think it should and then we conclude that God has forgotten us or is not able to deliver us.

(b)           The means of deliverance – David had more escapes than Houdini:

(i)             David's agility and alertness helped him escape from Saul's javelin.

(ii)            David's wife helped him escape from his house when Saul had it surrounded.

(iii)           The spell of prophesying coming upon Saul and his men helped David escape capture at Naioth.

(iv)          Divine revelation helped David escape from Keilah.

(v)           Now it is the invasion of the Philistines that provides escape for David.  All of this says that God is not limited to any particular method for delivering us from our troubles and trials.  That should encourage us!

(vi)          This fact should be of great encouragement to us, for often in our troubles we cannot see any means as being available to deliver us, but God does!

(3)           The warning for God’s people: It was when Saul was pursuing David that the Philistines invaded the land.

(a)           The Philistines, like other nations, had their spies working continuously.  When they saw that Israel's king was occupied with internal fighting, they knew it was a good time for them to invade the land.  In pursuing David, Saul left the land unprotected; and the Philistines took advantage of this situation and invaded the land.

(b)           Our warning is two fold:

(i)             When the brethren fight, the enemy will attack the land: 

Paul said in Galatians 5 that "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another."  (Galatians 5:14-15, NASB95)

(ii)           The Philistines in our life will invade the land of our life if unprotected (2 Samuel 11:1-5) – Idle time, plus Opportunity, equals Trouble.

!!! 2.            The enemy was prosperous (v.1).

a)            “Saul had returned from following the Philistines…”  (v.1a).

(1)           Think about this: here is a man who has been trying desperately to have David killed but has not yet succeeded.  He has defeated the Philistines, gained temporary peace for the land and has returned to chasing David. 

(2)           In our minds it’s not fair that wicked Saul prospers against the Philistines and righteous David is forced to continually seek out hiding places in the wilderness!  Why?

(a)           We learn much in the wilderness (Jesus in the wilderness; Moses).

(b)           God was using Saul, to get rid of the Saul in David.  King Saul sought to destroy David, but his only success was that he became the instrument of God to put to death the Saul who roamed about in the caverns of David’s own soul

(c)           It will not always be this way (Psalm 37:1-2).

3.            The enemy was persistent (v.2). 

a)            "Then Saul . . . went to seek David and his men" (v. 2).

(1)           This is like the devil against us:  

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, the Scriptures say that "When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13, NASB95)

(2)           Saul, unfortunately, did not see God’s providential hand in saving David from him.  The very timely interruption of Saul's attack on David by the Philistine invasion of Israel did not wake up Saul to his folly.  Why?  Saul’s sin had blinded him.

(3)           Many times in our life, God will use people and or situations to wake us up but we don’t see because our sin has blinded us!

(4)           Saul misunderstood the grace & the goodness of God.  When God delays punishment for evil, it is the grace of God giving men time to repent:

Listen to what Solomon says "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil."  (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

Similarly, Paul says "do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”  (Romans 2:4, NASB95)

(5)           I believe, the better the person is that you mistreat, the greater the evil in your heart.

(a)           Saul was cruelly mistreating one of the best persons in all Israel.  David was a man after God’s own heart yet Saul, sought to kill that man. 

4.            The enemy was powerful (v.2).

a)            “Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel…”  (v.2).

(1)           David had six hundred men and they were all volunteers, Saul had 3,000 men and they were chosen meaning, they were the best for the task! 

(2)           The devil does not send his Jr. Varsity against us but his first stringers! 

The enemy of our souls “does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10).

(3)           Never underestimate our enemy, powerfully deceptive (Deuteronomy 1:41-44):

(a)           This action came when the people realized the magnitude of God’s judgment because of their lack of faith.  They did not enter the land of Canaan when first commanded to do so because of their fear of the enemy and their lack of trust in God’s ability to deliver them.

(b)           Then because of the fear of dying in the wilderness, they presumed to go to battle without the Lord’s direction, believing they could win in their own strength.  Their motivation to fight was not faith but fear, and unfortunatley, the opportunity once given to them was gone.

!! B.           The Temptation About Saul (v.3-7).

In these next few verses, we are going to see the temptation that David had to deal with, the temptation to assassinate Saul.  We are going to look at the strength of the temptation and the stopping of the temptation.

1.            The strength of the temptation (v.3-4)

a)            Saul came to the sheepfolds…  David and his men were in the cave (v.3).

(1)           The situation for the temptation.  David and his men’s eyes were adjusted to the darkness and could see Saul coming in.

(a)           Saul, on the other hand, could see nothing but darkness and his eyes were not adjusted.  David had a tremendous advantage over Saul.

(b)           Saul's situation in the cave is like that of the sinner. 

(i)             Saul was in the dark about his situation and could not see the danger all around him.  

(ii)            Like him, lost souls literally hang over the cliff of eternal hell without a concern about their soul's need.

Speaking to the disciples, Jesus said "For a little while longer the Light is among you.  Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes” (John 12:35, NASB95)

But Christ can solve the darkness problem; for He said "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."  (John 8:12, NASB95)

(c)           Also, Saul was totally defenseless. 

(i)             No one was guarding him and he was not taking any precautionary measures to protect himself, nor did he even suspect an attack.

(ii)            Saul was a sitting duck, an assassination waiting to happen.

(d)           David had to be careful how he interpreted this circumstance lest he use it to justify doing evil.

(i)             This test or circumstance that God is using for David to know His will, the devil will use to try and lead him astray. 

(ii)            The situation here seems to strongly suggest that David should kill Saul.  To correctly interpret circumstances, we need…

(a)           an accurate and intelligent knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.

(b)           a submissive attitude towards the will & Word of God.

(c)           a priority that favors spiritual needs over fleshly desires.

(d)           and a desire to live a holy life.

(2)           The spoils from the temptation.  Killing Saul promised many desirable results which was another factor that helped make the temptation to assassinate Saul very strong.  If David killed Saul…

(a)           David would no longer be a hunted fugitive but a King, his position would change.

(b)           David would live in a royal dwelling place rather than in the wilderness of caves

(c)           David would live in peace, no longer having that internal fear of Saul

!!!!! (3)           The shortcut in the temptation (v.4).  Many times the flesh finds it so hard to wait on God’s time, the shortcut looks good.  But shortcuts are very costly.

(a)           Shortcuts sacrifice the future on the altar of the present; they sacrifice lasting pleasure for temporal joys; they sacrifice character for carnal gains; they sacrifice the spiritual for the material.

Remember when Jesus was offered a shortcut from Satan, "the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."  (Matthew 4:8-9)

(b)           For Christ this shortcut would mean eliminating the suffering from the persecutions of the people and the suffering from the cross, but taking this shortcut would have been a disaster of unequaled proportions—something both Satan and Christ knew.

(c)           David said virtually the same thing when he refused to kill Saul and take the shortcut to his kingdom rule over Israel.  We must do the same, for all shortcuts offered in temptations will curse us.                                              

(4)           The approval of the temptation (v.4).  David’s men, whom he trusted most, were basically telling him this was God’s will. 

(a)           Remember, Satan loves to put advice on the lips of those we trust the most. 

(b)           Be careful not to let the advice of close friends supersede Divine authority in our decision making.

(c)           Remember, this phrase in (v.4) "Behold, this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you’ is a twisting of Scripture to justify evil.

2.            The stopping of the temptation (v.5).

a)            “David’s heart troubled him…  “(v.5).

(1)           Stopping this temptation was a great victory for David.  In fact, it was one of David's greatest victories.  It is as great as his victory over Goliath.

(2)           All Goliaths are not physical problems, but some are passion problems.  David overcame the physical Goliath; here he overcomes the Goliath of passion.

(3)           David’s heart troubled him (v.5) – David’s guilt from cutting Saul’s robe (v.4) helped him stop the greater evil from killing Saul.

(a)           A tender conscience was a great help in David overcoming this temptation.  Today, we don’t even blush over the sins that we ought to.  Many people have little or no shame:

Scripture describes these people in such terms as "having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2), "being past feeling" (Ephesians 4:19), and "without natural affection" (2 Timothy 3:3).

(4)           One of the marks of true spirituality is a tender conscience. 

(5)           David submitted to the Word (v.6) – Later in the Psalms, we read plainly: "Do not touch my anointed ones" (Psalm 105:15).  This text is based upon (Genesis 20:7) in which Abraham was protected by God.

(a)           We must honor our civil leaders (Acts 23:5; Rom.13:1; 1Pet.2:13-14)

(b)           We must honor our spiritual leaders (1Thess.5:12-13; 1Tim.5:17; Heb.13:7).

!! C.           The Talking With Saul (v.8-22).

1.            The Complaint by David (v.8-15).

a)            "My lord the king . . . David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down" (v. 8).

(1)           David had respect for Saul – David had demonstrated respect for God's anointed when speaking to his men in the cave.  In addressing Saul, David practiced what he preached.

(2)           However, demonstrating respect is not giving honor to evil.  David was giving respect to the office not the offense.

(3)           It is so important to give respect to rank, authority, offices of rule and government because without it, chaos will eventually come upon the land. 

(4)           The breakdown of respect for authority will curse any land.  We see this on television and movies today: child making fun of and disrespecting parents, etc…

b)            “Why do you listen to men who say “David seeks you harm…?”  (v.9).

(1)           David proves that he is not plotting evil against Saul – The main reason Saul was chasing David was because of the vicious jealousy in Saul's heart (1Samuel 18:7-9).

(2)           Saul had his people who would not hesitate to make slanderous statements about Saul's enemies (1 Samuel 22:9, 10).

c)            “The Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave…”  (v.10a).

(1)           Divine providence put Saul in the same cave as David was in – Yet, David did not interpret providence as a reason to do evil.   

(2)           Saul did, however, see (1 Samuel 23:7) as an example.

d)            “Someone urged me to kill you…the corner of your robe is in my hand…  (v.10b-11a).

(1)           David's men were practically ordering him to kill Saul. 

(2)           Application: Refusing to heed evil advice when it is to your advantage to heed it reveals character, not corruption.

(3)           Notice that the word ‘see’ is in (v.11) 3 times.  David is giving Saul great evidence which he can plainly "see" concerning David's innocence.

e)            “I have not sinned against you.  Yet you hunt my life to take it…”  (v.11b-15).

(1)           David had performed with excellence for Saul in the various positions that Saul had given him.  And in spite of the cruel pursuit of David by Saul, David continued to live above reproach regardless of the way Saul treated him. 

(2)           This is the way God's people should always live.  Cruel treatment by others does not give us any excuse to lower our conduct.

(3)           David leaves the revenge business in God's hands which is a great place to leave it (v.12-13).

Paul says to "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord."  (Romans 12:19, NASB95)

The Lord says "Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them."  (Deuteronomy 32:35, NASB95)

!!! 2.            The Reaction of Saul (v.16-22)

a)            “Saul lifted up his voice and wept…”  (v.16a).

(1)           Saul had remorse – Saul had plenty of emotion here but don’t be fooled by his tears. 

(2)           This was not true sorrow that produces repentance but simply by his emotions and by the fact that he got caught in his sin. 

b)            Repentance and the Gospel Presentation. 

(1)           Telling people that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives is only half the truth.  God hates sin and will punish unrepentant sinners with eternal torment.  No gospel presentation is complete if it avoids or conceals those facts.  Any message that fails to define and confront the severity of personal sin is a deficient gospel.  And any “salvation” that does not alter a lifestyle of sin and transform the heart of the sinner is not the salvation that God’s Word speaks of.

(2)           Neglecting to call sinners to repentance is not preaching the gospel.  The truth of the gospel is that the only ones who are eligible for salvation are those who realize they are sinners and are willing to repent.  Our Lord can save sinners.  But to those who are unwilling to admit their sin, he has nothing to say –except to pronounce judgment.

c)            Repentance Is An Actual Turning From Sin. 

(1)           The Greek word for repentance is ‘metanoia’ meaning a change of mind which influences a change of direction.  “The Amplified New Testament” reads Matthew 3:1-2 this way: “Repent – that is, think differently; change your mind, regretting your sin and changing you conduct.”

(2)           Repentance is a turning from sin, and it always results in changed behavior:

(a)           Look how the Ninevites allowed their change of mind influence their change of direction:

Speaking about Nineveh, Jesus said "“The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."  (Matthew 12:41, NASB95)

(b)           Turn with me to (Jonah 3:1-10).  See also (1Thess.1:9)

(c)           The Parable of the Two Sons (Matt. 21:28-32).

(d)           While sorrow from sin is not equivalent to repentance, it is certainly an element of scriptural repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Paul, writing to the Corinthians said "For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death."  (2 Corinthians 7:10, NLT)

(3)           We must remember that God receives sinners.  But, the flip side of that is that he refuses the righteous (Mark 2:17).  That is, those who think they are good enough. 

(4)           Scripture references:

(a)           Commanded to all by God (Act 17:30). 

(b)           Given by God (2Ti 2:25)

(c)           Christ came to call sinners to (Mt 9:13)

(d)           By the operation of the Holy Spirit (Zec 12:10)

(e)           We should be led to, by

(i)             The long-suffering of God (Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9).

(ii)            The goodness of God (Rom.2:4).

(iii)           The chastisements of God (1Ki 8:47; Re 3:19).

(iv)          Godly sorrow works (2Co 7:10).

(f)            Illustration of repentance (Luke 18:10-14).

d)            “You rewarded me with good…  I rewarded you with evil…”  (v.17-19).

(1)           David demonstrated what Jesus preached (Matt.5:43-48).

e)            “Swear to me that you will not cut off my descendants… not destroy my name…”  (v.21-22).

(1)           Saul was probably unaware that his own son Jonathan had made a similar covenant with David (20:14-17, 42).

(2)           Then without any hesitation whatsoever, David made the very same covenant with Saul.  He swore that he would do what he could to preserve the descendants of Saul and the name of the family.

(3)           Sometime later David would keep his word, fulfilling the covenant he had just confirmed with Saul: he would save the life of Jonathan's crippled son, Mephibosheth, and actually bring him into the royal palace (2 Samuel 9:1-13; 19:29; 21:7).

3.            “David and his men went up to the stronghold…”  (v.22b).

a)            Spiritually we see David trusting God as his stronghold.

(1)           As we went through this chapter tonight, we see that David trusted in God for his protection.  Yes, David was on the run; however, there is nothing that could happen to David without God’s consent.

When David was delivered from his enemies and from the hand of Saul, he spoke these words "He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.  “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.  “For the waves of death encompassed me; The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me; The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. “In my distress I called upon the Lord, Yes, I cried to my God; And from His temple He heard my voice, And my cry for help came into His ears. “Then the earth shook and quaked, the foundations of heaven were trembling and were shaken, because He was angry."  (2 Samuel 22:2-8)

I. Against Assassinating Saul – 1 Samuel 24:1-22

A.  The Troubles from Saul (v.1-2).

B.  The Temptation About Saul (v.3-7).

C.  The Talking With Saul (v.8-22).