Saul Spared a Second Time
Notes
Transcript
Just when it seems like the conflict should be over, it starts all over again. In chapter 24, Saul wept, confessed his sin, and acknowledged that David would be king. It felt like resolution. But in chapter 26, the Ziphites return, Saul mobilizes his army, and David is once again on the run.
Let’s turn to 1 Samuel 26 and see what it looks like to walk by faith when the battle refuses to end.
Let’s pray.
Saul’s Search (v.1-5)
Saul’s Search (v.1-5)
Head:
The Ziphites are once again stirring up trouble for David. Remember, they were instrumental in one fiasco already, back in 23:19 when they snitched on David then? Here they are once more, reporting, “Isn’t David hiding…on the hill of Hachilah?” Now, we’re not exactly sure at this moment why Saul chooses to mobilize his men. It could be that he’s stirred by some of his men based on what David says in verse 19 (1 Samuel 26:19 “If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord…’”).
Instead of hiding in caves this time, David maintains his distance in the wilderness, just far enough to escape Saul’s sight. He’s got his eye on the horizon, and he sees Saul coming “after him into the wilderness.” (v.3) David’s needs better intel, so he sends spies to check it all out. Had Saul actually come, even after their last interaction in chapter 24, where Saul was sorry and proclaimed that the throne would one day be David’s (v.4)?
After scoping it out, the spies return — it’s Saul alright. He’s back at it. He finds the location of the camp, and waits until nightfall…he’s got Saul’s location pinpointed, but there’s one problem: this looks like it will be no easy mission. First, Saul is next to Abner, the commander of his army (v.5), and he’s laying within the encampment. Apparently the Hebrew paints the picture of a “wagon-wheel track.” To underscore this fact, the text says that “the army was encamped around him.” If he were to take Saul, it really does look like impossible odds.
Heart:
Do you ever find yourself in a situation where it feels a bit catch-22, like, you can’t win for losing. I wonder if David ever felt that way. It’s hard to imagine him not. I mean, this is the third chapter in a row he’s going to get some type of assurance that God’s promise will come through, but yet again, Saul’s seeking his life.
It’s kinda like when you pay off the credit card bill and end up at the ER the next week. Or, when you bust your tail at work only to end up with more responsibilities because you’re such a good worker and someone else just quit, but there’s no raise to go along with the extra tasks. Or, it’s the friend you keep trying to make plans with, but that friend always seems just a little too busy for you. It’s the efforts you’re making with your spouse, but no matter, it seems you still end up fighting and arguing like cats and dogs. If it’s not one kid struggling with school, it’s another struggling with image or status or peers. It’s an inability to ever just feel like you’re getting healthy. It’s the car breaking down and not having the money to fix it because it’s Christmastime.
Life is like that, especially in a fallen world. I wish there was a magic word or a specific Bible truth I could tell you to make all of the difficulties go away, but I can’t. All I can actually promise is that life is hard. Sometimes we’ll look around and, like David, maybe we’re tempted to just see the impossible.
Hand:
That’s where God steps in. There’s where faith takes over. That’s where grace meets us — in the mess — and gives us the strength to put one foot in front of the other to simply follow in faith. He empowers us to keep pushing forward…to, just as David did, go down to the camp where the enemy lays, even despite the impossible odds. Faith doesn’t mean you won’t be scared. Faith doesn’t mean you’ll have all the answers. Faith doesn’t mean you won’t suffer along the way. Faith means fixing your eyes on Jesus, relying on His Spirit, following the truth of God’s word, and persevering even in the hard times, even in the face of the impossible, taking God at His word and responding accordingly.
David’s Stealth (v.6-12)
David’s Stealth (v.6-12)
Head:
David recruits for his two-man team, asking both Ahimelech and Abishai if one of them would go into the camp with him. Abishai steps up, possibly thinking that this is going to be deadly two-man raid. They slip into camp, unnoticed, and find Saul asleep “with his spear struck in the ground at his head.” (v.6-7).
Abishai speaks first. I mean, this is the moment (again) that we’ve been waiting for. Please, “let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear.” I won’t miss. Maybe he’s thinking that, yes, David won’t harm Saul, but that doesn’t count if I do it. After all, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day.” (v.8).
But David’s answer hasn’t changed. This situation is no different, other than the fact that David is all-the-more confident that the matter belongs to God (v.9). He gives a very similar theological affirmation to the one he gave in chapter 24 — harming God’s anointed is off the table. And, it’s probably due to the fact that Nabal’s plight is fresh on his mind, but he adds to it “YHWH will strike him down.” (v.10). Translation, I’m even more convinced that the matter belongs to the Lord. And notice, David doesn’t limit God’s work here, he only confesses that it is God’s work. Maybe God will strike him down, or maybe his day will come…natural causes style, or maybe he’ll die in battle. David’s not sure how Saul’s “day,” so to say, will come, only that it will come, and it will come by God’s hand.
So, David took the spear and a jar of water from beside Saul’s head. And, even with all the commotion and conversation going on, nobody was roused from sleep. How does that even happen? Oh, the latter part of verse 12 tells us — “a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon” Saul and his men.
Heart:
What looks like a hopeless situation is actually not. God was already at work. The entire army, Saul included, was hard asleep.
It’s tempting to think that we must force issues, that matters are ours to take into our hands. Oftentimes, the matter can even seem so cut-and-dry. I mean, that’s how David’s men have felt twice now.
It happens more than maybe we think it does. So I didn’t get the raise or the promotion? Fine, I’ll take my skills elsewhere, somewhere where people will appreciate me. My server was atrocious, and I’m supposed to hand them 20% more than what my meal cost? Yeah, right. They better be glad I’m giving them anything. It even happens in the passive-aggressive social media posts that have become so common in our culture.
But faith sees beyond all of that. Faith is where theology meets real life. Faith led David into the middle of Saul’s camp, and faith spared Saul’s life when taking it would’ve been so much easier. Faith trusts God to do God things even when we could produce much quicker results, and the end result is the same. Did you notice that? The logical thinker might say, “In the end, it’s all the same…Saul’s dead, so it must be God’s will. Why not simply expedite the process a little?!”
But that’s not how faith thinks. It could be a heart attack or old age or battle, but the matter is not mine to attend to. It belongs to God.
Hand:
We will face predicaments in life. They’re a given. Difficulties? Sure. Moments of uncertainty? Yep. But, do we have assurance when that happens? Yes. We might not know the specifics, but we know the end. We might not see how it all works out, but we can still have confident faith. We know that God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him…who are called according to His purpose. Every trial has a purpose. Every impossibility has an implication. We don’t know how God will work, that God will work.
And while God’s working might not always be clear, our part is: faithful and committed obedience. Paul’s words seem all the more fitting here:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
And adding one more…
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Follow His guidance in His way. Rejoice and give thanks. Pray without ceasing. The rest belongs to Him.
David’s Speech (v.13-20)
David’s Speech (v.13-20)
Head:
David makes a little space between him and Saul. I can’t say I blame him. That same spear he’s holding has been hurled at his head more than once. Isn’t it quite the irony that Saul was rendered helpless at the hands of YHWH while David sneaked in and stole his spear? Isn’t it peculiar that the one intent on keeping David one step ahead of death has actually twice now knocked on death’s door, unbeknownst to him? (v.13).
When he’s far enough away, he calls out to the army and to Abner specifically, “Will you not answer?”
Abner fires back, “Who are you who calls to the king?” (v.14).
David responds, “Aren’t you a man?” Is there anyone else like you in Israel? Yet, you didn’t keep watch over your lord, the king. Big mistake, Abner (v.16). You’re the one who deserves to die. You had one job…one job, but you couldn’t look out for the Lord’s anointed. See, I have proof. Behold, the kings spear and water bottle.
Hearing all of the commotion, Saul begins to stir, and he recognizes David’s voice. Again, notice what he calls David: “my son” (v.17).
David’s line of question is not all that different from before — what have I done that you seek my life? What is my transgression? What evil is on my hands? (v.18).
This time, though, David adds:
If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord…
David’s at the point where he’s thinking, “I don’t know, maybe I have offended the Lord’s anointed, and the Lord by extension, so if that’s the case, tell me, so I can make a sacrifice of restitution to show my sorrow and repentance. But if men are telling you this (much like David’s own case), then a curse be on them!” Why such harsh language?
More like, why not? They’ve “driven (David) out this day that (he) should have no share in the heritage of the Lord.” (v.19). Everywhere he goes, it’s Idolandria. And herein lies the difficulty for David. To be cut off from the land of YHWH for David is to be cut off from fellowship, worship, YHWH’s face, YHWH’s presence. Keep in mind, we’re not building a theology of worship here. We’re not limiting God’s presence or dictating how and where He should be worshiped. But, in the OT, genuine YHWH worship was connected to the place of His presence, and that was in the tabernacle, according to OT priestly patterns and prescriptions. That’s how deeply David connects his life and his patterns and the places he dwells with God’s presence.
Heart:
Imagine with me for a moment that tomorrow, all of it gets stripped away. Granted, the parallel still isn’t exact, but just imagine with me for a moment. No church. No corporate worship. No Bible, let alone Bible study. No fellowship. Imprisoned in a brothel. Forced into pagan rituals and practices. Shackled to shame and sinfulness. Forced into a life of debauchery that would turn the face of the prodigal pink.
But yet, I feel we far too often shack up with those same things of our own free will.
Hand:
Would it…does it cause anguish in our hearts when we find ourselves far from the will of God? Do we truly hunger and thirst after righteousness? Is the presence of God the deepest longing of our heart? If not, repentance is in order. Not a simple, “I’m sorry, Jesus. I won’t do that again.” No, I’m talking torn-heart-not-torn-garments repenting where nothing but restoration to the Son will do. If you long for the presence of God because you know He’s not been your priority, would drop everything else and come running to Him today?
Saul’s Sorrow (v.21-25)
Saul’s Sorrow (v.21-25)
Head:
Saul again recognizes his wrong (v.21). David almost seems to cut him off — “Here is the spear…Let one of the young me come…and take it.” (v.22). David seems to be playing a bit of the “fool me once, shame on me” tune. And, the chapter ends the same way chapter 24 did, with both men departing their separate ways.
David again affirms — the matter belongs to the Lord who “gave you into my hand today” (v.23), but I wouldn’t take it, for I know that “the Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.” Translation: I know my actions before the Lord. What about you?
But, it’s David prayer that pulls it all together for us. It’s a prayer of hope…maybe of a bit of desperation…certainly a prayer of trust:
Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.”
Heart:
I’m not sure what you’re facing today. Hardship? Broken relationships? Rebellious child? Uncertainty? Financial stress? Fear of what looms on the horizon? You fully embrace the ideas of being anxious for nothing but taking it to the Lord in prayer, of seeking first His kingdom and righteous and trusting that He’ll take care of the rest, but you’ve got to be honest…the math ain’t mathing and you’re not sure how 1+1 is going to equal 100,000.
Hand:
Well here’s what I know. You’re life is precious in the sight of the Lord. God demonstrates His great love for us in that while we were absolutely lost in our wandering rebellion, Christ died for us. You’re not unknown to God. He cares. He loves you, and He longs to gather you to Himself, like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
Come to Him in simple faith, believing that He rescues you out of the brokenness of sin and delivers you out of all your tribulation. One foot in front of the other…daily surrender…chasing after Christ.
