(1) Almost the same
The beginning of ch 26 is very much alike ch 24. Saul heard that David was hiding in some place. He went out with 3000 select men of Israel and chased after David. However, David had some capable scouts and he always realized what Saul was doing v.3-4. On the other hand, Saul and his men was sound asleep and let David go in and out freely. Why was there a difference?
26:12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got out of there. No one saw them or was aware of their presence or woke up. All of them were asleep, for the LORD had caused a deep sleep to fall on them.
The evidence that God was with David just repeating. However, Saul seemed to have no idea about that. Therefore, when Saul promised not to harm David again David did not count on him. Instead, David knew the LORD would deliver him because David himself had delivered Saul.
The evidence that God was with David just repeating. However, Saul seemed to have no idea about that. Therefore, when Saul promised not to harm David again David did not count on him. Instead, David knew the LORD would deliver him because David himself had delivered Saul.
26:21 Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David. I won’t harm you, for you treated my life with value this day. I have behaved foolishly and have made a very terrible mistake!”
26:23
[David replied] ,"...The LORD rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty... 26:24 In the same way that I valued your life this day, may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all danger.”
Reflections: Although people would fail us or disappoint us our hope is in God. He values our lives and delivers us from all danger. From the leader of the country or other people, they may make us feel disappointed. And, we know that the disappointment would not go away. The cycle will continue. However, if we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and do what God wants us to do God will deliver us. He is our true Hope.
(2) David cursed those who instigated Saul to look for him
a. What they had done was to push David away from worshipping the LORD.
v.19b But if men have instigated this, may they be cursed before the LORD! For they have driven me away this day from being united with the LORD’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go on, serve other gods!’
b. 26:20 Now don’t let my blood fall to the ground away from the LORD’s presence, for the king of Israel has gone out to look for a flea the way one looks for a partridge in the hill country.”
(EBC) Looking for a single flea is compared to hunting a single “partridge” (lit., “caller”; see comment on v.14) in the mountains, something no one in his right mind would take the time or make the effort to do. Since the sand partridge (Ammoperdix heyi) is the only partridge found in the desert areas west of the Dead Sea, David’s comparison of it to himself is particularly apt: “This partridge is a great runner and speeds along the ground when it is chased, until it becomes exhausted and can be knocked down by the hunter’s stick” (Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 64).
Saul's chasing was unreasonable and would made both of them exhausted. Plus,
Saul's chasing would make David to leave Israel and died away from the LORD's presence.
Reflections: Do you love to dwell in the presence of God? When we believe in Jesus as our Savior the Holy Spirit dwells within us. No one can drive us away from God. The presence of God was no longer tie to whatever nationality we are. Thank God for His presence within us.
Audrey
2024
v.1-12
B:
1a. The heavy protection Saul prepared for himself while he was chasing David. But all those were in vain. David had only himself and Abishai and they could got really close to him that could have killed him.
2 So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, accompanied by 3,000 select men of Israel
v. 5b Saul was lying in the entrenchment, and the army was camped all around him.
v.7b Saul lying asleep in the entrenchment with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the army were lying all around him.
1b. I dont know why Saul prepared all those protection, but for sure they were in vain because of God. God had caused a deep sleep to fall on them.
v.12 No one saw them or was aware of their presence or woke up. All of them were asleep, for the LORD had caused a deep sleep to fall on them.
R: If we live our life without God, all those preparation or planning will be in vain. The strongest and mightiest warrior still need to sleep. No one can fight God. Pray that I will rely on Him on every move. Put my devotion in first priority.
2. With Saul revoked his promise and now with 3000 chosen men or warriors with him David had a better reason to kill Saul. David might have some emotion against Saul himself. Note, this was not spoken previously in ch 24, but now.
v.10 As the LORD lives, the LORD himself will strike him down. Either his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be swept away
Even with increase pressure, David did not give in to that temptation. Probably was because God had prepared him with the incident of Nabal.
9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill him! Who can extend his hand against the LORD’s chosen one and remain guiltless?” (25:31)
v.10b the LORD himself will strike him down ( 25:26, 29, 38)
11 But may the LORD prevent me from extending my hand against the LORD’s chosen one! (25:26, 39)
R: Do I learn from what I have experienced God in the past? Especially the past that God had done to my "enemies?" Can I trust God now even with increase difficulties?
Abigail's words had a great impact to David. Not only he listened to her in Nabal's incident, but he recited that again when he faced Saul. Pray that I will have the same good judgment as she.
v.13-25
B:
1. Questions: What does v. 19 If the LORD has incited you against me, may he take delight in an offering mean?
(EBC) God may have “incited” Saul (as he later “incited” David to take a census, 2 Sam 24:1) against him (v.19). In that case David hopes to appease God by bringing him an offering that he may “accept” (lit., “smell”; cf. Gen 8:20–21)
2. The Ziphites was the man whom David cursed, both because they drove David away from the LORD's inheritance and they had make Saul a fool v.21.
3. David just talked to Saul, but he did not find hope in Saul's promise. He just asked God to remember him.
v.24 In the same way that I valued your life this day, may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all danger.”
David knew very clear in his heart that not only the Ziphites was responsible for the foolish chasing of David, but also Saul himself needed to be responsible.
Reflection: Sometimes, I was mad at people telling other to do foolish thing, but both parties are responsible.
Questions:
1. v.9 9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill him! Who can extend his hand against the LORD’s chosen one and remain guiltless?”
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.”
2. v.12b All of them were asleep, for the LORD had caused a deep sleep to fall on them.
Saul prepared all those protection, but for sure they were in vain because of God. God had caused a deep sleep to fall on them.
3. v.21b I have sinned...you treated my life with value this day. I have behaved foolishly and have made a very terrible mistake!”
4. 25 Saul replied to David, “May you be rewarded, my son David! You will without question be successful!”
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