David on the run

28 Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. 29 Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi.

David Spares Saul the first time

In the wilderness of En Gedi, David and his men are resting/hiding in a cave.

It is the same cave that Saul ‘tends to his needs” in.

1 Samuel 24:1–7 NKJV

1 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, “Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.) 4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

There are multiple ways to see every situation

David’s men (v.4)

David himself (v.6-7)

Many of us perceive that God has orchestrated an event or series of events for us...”The Lord has delivered him into your hands...”

While the Lord orchestrates the situation, it doesn’t mean that our action will be in line with God.

Every ‘good’ job offer doesn’t mean its the right choice

Every nice person I meet isn’t a potential relationship

Every great deal isn’t necessarily one I need to buy

David gives a good rule of thumb when figuring out how to act in these situation

God won’t orchestrate a situation that will cause us to violate our morality or do something wrong against God.

St. Augustine

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church Sacrilege

sacrilege. Strictly a violation or contemptuous treatment of a person, thing, or place, publicly dedicated to the worship of God.

David showed a tremendous amount of self control (one of the fruits of the spirits) to not kill Saul. David was waiting for God to resolve the situation.

1 Samuel 24:11–13 NKJV

11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. 12 Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand shall not be against you.

The power of humility and boldness together

Ch 25 begins with the death of Samuel

David, Abigail and Nabal

David’s men protect the sheep shearers of Nabal, who is a wealth many in the wilderness of Moan

Upon protecting the sheep shearers, David request provisions from Nabal, who in turn insults David

1 Samuel 25:10-11

1 Samuel 25:10–11 NKJV

10 Then Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master. 11 Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?”

David responds in anger, because he offered a service expecting something in return. (doing things with questionable motives, often leave us discontent with the end return)

1 Samuel 25:13

1 Samuel 25:13 NKJV

13 Then David said to his men, “Every man gird on his sword.” So every man girded on his sword, and David also girded on his sword. And about four hundred men went with David, and two hundred stayed with the supplies.

1 Samuel 25:22

1 Samuel 25:22 NKJV

22 May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light.”

Abigail embodies what humility and boldness.

some articulate humility on the side of weakness and being reserved

boldness without humility can be arrogant and misguided

Together humility and boldness are very powerful and can diffuse difficult situations.

1 Samuel 25:27–31 NKJV

27 And now this present which your maidservant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. 28 Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. For the Lord will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord fights the battles of the Lord, and evil is not found in you throughout your days. 29 Yet a man has risen to pursue you and seek your life, but the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord your God; and the lives of your enemies He shall sling out, as from the pocket of a sling. 30 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, 31 that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. But when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant.”

Humility and Boldness

There is humility because she sees her position as a woman in society, the wife of Nabal, and ‘maidservant to David’

Humility can take the edge off of anger and irrationality

Awareness of who we are in the big picture always prepares us to trust in the Lord as we navigate murky situations

Humility allows us to think and consider other people involved. (Servants, David, Nabal etc)

Boldness is seen because she moved quickly to prepare the peace offering

She met the enraged David on the way to attack and stopped his pursuit

She also spoke of the big picture for David’s life. (v. 30-31)

Humility and Boldness go hand in hand and the influence it has on a situation is very powerful.

David Spares Saul Again

Saul catches wind of David in the wilderness of Ziph, which is near Maon

David learns that Saul has come hunting again.

David and his men draw near to Saul at night who is surrounded by his men and the commander of the army Abner.

David and Abishai come to the camp at night.

1 Samuel 26:8–12 NKJV

8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 10 David said furthermore, “As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.

Our stances in life will always be challenged. David deeply believed that no one should strike the Lords anointed. But his men felt differently and while they respected David’s stance they were fatigued from being on the run.

Abishai, knows David won’t strike him, but he is willing to do the job.

David’s resistance to Abishai indicates how serious David sees the offence but also knows that he is the leader and therefore he must hold strong to his beliefs.

Our beliefs will always be challenged. People will find different ways to challenge us. WE MUST learn to stand firm and be prepared for different attacks.

David concludes by embarrassing Abner for not guarding Saul.

Saul recognizes Davids voice

David re-affirms his stance in the saga.

1 Samuel 26:22–25 NKJV

22 And David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23 May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Remaining events

David settles in the land of philistines in Ziglag. He become profitable to one of the princes and even fights against Israel

Philistines go to battle with Saul but the other princes don’t trust David, thinking he might defect back to Israel. Turning on the philistines mid battle would win the hearts of the Israelites back.

Saul consults a medium since God won’t speak to him about going to battle.

Samuel speaks of their loss to the philistines and his death in battle.

Samuel and Jonathan die in battle the next day.

Next week: David’s rise to king (2 Samuel 2-7)

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