(1) The LORD gave Saul into David's hand
24:4a David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you can do to him whatever seems appropriate to you.’ ”
What made them say that? Probably because there were many caves in the land of Israel and Saul went into one that David and his men were hiding. What is the chance for that?
What made them say that? Probably because there were many caves in the land of Israel and Saul went into one that David and his men were hiding. What is the chance for that?
Saul thought that he took 3000 select men from all Israel and for sure he could kill David v.2, but God's plan is higher than man's.
(2) The implication of the incident
Both Saul v.18 and David v.10 agreed that the LORD put Saul into David's hand. However, what should a person do when God put their enemies to their hands?
a. David's men saw that as an opportunity to kill Saul v.7
b. David saw that as a chance for his vindication. He wanted Saul to see that he did not plan evil or rebellion. He had not sinned against Saul v.11. Twice he asked God to be their judge.
"24:12 May the LORD judge between the two of us, and may the LORD vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you."
24:15 May the LORD be our judge and arbiter. May he see and arbitrate my case and deliver me from your hands!”
c. Following David' words, Saul agreed that David was more righteous v.17 than he was and therefore David would be the king over Israel v.20 (However, Saul did not keep his words. See chapter 26).
To David, it was more important to get vindicated than killing his enemy. He and his followers could stop escaping Saul by killing Saul or by persuading Saul and helped him to understand that David was not meant to do harm to him. He chose the later one.
Reflection: How do you like to resolve conflicts? Do you just care about whether you win or lose? Or you want to let the other party see that you did not mean to harm them?
Have you seen God's hands in your life in resolving conflicts? When God brought the opportunities for you to resolve the conflicts with your enemies (or your spouse) do you just want to beat them down?
(2) The respect for the anointed one
24:5 Afterward David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off an edge of Saul’s robe. 24:6 He said to his men, “May the LORD keep me far away from doing such a thing to my lord, who is the LORD’s chosen one, by extending my hand against him. After all, he is the LORD’s chosen one.”
(NAC) [Cutting off an edge of Saul's robe] was far from meaningless because David’s confiscation of a portion of the royal robe signified the transfer of power from the house of Saul to the house of David... In essence, David had symbolically invalidated Saul’s claim to kingship.
David immediately recognized the powerful implications of his act and was conscience stricken (v. 5). By voiding Saul’s claim to kingship, he was at some level lifting his hand against “the anointed of the LORD” (v. 6). This was more than an act against the king; it was rebellion against the Lord, who had commanded Israelites not to curse their rulers (Exod 22:28)...Reflection: Sometimes we have a hard time to respect the rulers, our church leaders, or your husband. David respected Saul just because he was the anointed one from the LORD. He respected Saul because he respected God.
Audrey
2024
v.1-7
Bright spots
1. v.4a (EBC) David’s men see in the presence of Saul inside the cave a golden opportunity to get rid of him once and for all (v.4). Whether we choose the NIV text (which would refer to a divine promise to David not mentioned previously) or the footnote (which would refer to God’s providence working through present circumstances), the end result is the same: David now has a chance to eliminate his “enemy) [the word, "the day" הַיּוֹם=to-day (BDB)
2. .4b (EBC) In cutting off the corner of Saul’s robe, David may have been symbolically depriving Saul of his royal authority and transferring it to himself (cf. v.11; see also comment on 15:27–28 and 18:4). At the very least, parallels from cuneiform texts found at Mari and Alalakh “may imply that David’s act in cutting off the ‘wing’ or hem of Saul’s garment was an act of rebellion for which he was later repentant”
3. David first reaction was to follow his men advice and cut off the edge of Saul's robe. Then his conscience smote him and he responded by restraining his men with further actions against Saul v.7.
Reflection
Do I have the courage to correct and change my path when my conscience smite me? Or do I just let it go and continue to do whatever I was going?
v.8-22
Bright spots
1. On one hand, David tried to convinced Saul that he could have harmed him, but he did not. Therefore, he should not chased after him any more v.9-11. But on the other hand, David relied on God to be the judge between them. David will not be against Saul by himself v.12.
2. Saul had no choice but face the reality. Then he wept loudly v.16. And he even complimented on how David let his enemy go v.19 and admitted that David will be the king v.20-21. David promised Saul on oath.
However, David still faced chasing by Saul after this. Why? What kind of person was Saul? Obviously not a person that could be convinced by facts.
Reflection
David knew very well what God had done, i.e. to put his enemies in his hand, but he relied on God to take care of Saul. As a matter of fact, for a person like Saul, no rational reason could change his mind. He might for a minute, but not whole heartedly. Later on, he went back to his old self. Some people around me may be like that. I need to see clearly and react appropriately.
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