The
Book of First Samuel
Chapter 24
[1]
And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines,
that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
[2] Then Saul took three thousand
chosen men out of all
[3] And he came to the sheepcotes by
the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and
his men remained in the sides of the cave.
1) The Dilemma at David’s Habitation (Vs 1-3)
Saul, just as he was about to capture David, was
STRANGELY drawn away to fight the Philistines
Therefore, David, narrowly escaped. But his
escape was not Permanent
Now when Saul was finished in battle, he
pursues David once more with 3000 men
I am sure that David wished Saul would give
up, but the wicked king came right back
The trials keep coming. The only Permanent
Victory is when we are in glory with the Lord
David abode in the wilderness of En-gedi. (A Canyon near
En-gedi is right in
the middle of the desert with numerous caves
Saul comes to a large cave, where herds of
sheep could spend much time, and Saul rests there
Saul has come right to the cave where David
and his 600 men are hiding out
[4] And the men of David said unto him,
Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that
thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto
thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
[5] And it came to pass afterward, that
David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
[6] And he said unto his men, The LORD
forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's
anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of
the LORD.
[7] So David stayed his servants with
these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out
of the cave, and went on his way.
2)
The Display of David’s Heart (Vs 4-7)
David’s men, noticing Saul, become excited, thinking
God has given them an opportunity to kill Saul
They think David should seize God’s Promise
(of the throne) by the sword
Yet, God has arranged these circumstances to test
David, train David, display David’s heart
David crawls silently, in the darkness of the
cave, towards Saul
Yet, David did not kill Saul, but cut off the
bottom of Saul’s robe
David knew he could not fulfill God’s will by
disobediently killing Saul
To commit sin while pursuing
God’s Will, is still sin
“It’s okay, self defense......
well God promised me..... opportunity knocks once”
David wants God’s hand to work, not his own
David displayed no bitterness or
anger......Saul had tried to kill David and chases David
How ??
God cleansed David’s heart daily.... even though Saul made him
miserable
Vs 5
David, is now troubled by taking the bottom of Sauls
robe
Vs 6
David knew Saul was corrupt, but would not hurt him.............. “The Lord’s annointed”
We may in conversation or criticism cut off a
piece of mans character or influence for good
Our hearts should trouble us for our
thoughtless conduct
Vs 7 David held back and restrained his men
from doing so
Saul, eventually and unknowingly, rose up and
went on his way
[8] David also arose afterward, and
went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when
Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed
himself.
[9] And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
[10] Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee
to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared
thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the
LORD's anointed.
[11] Moreover, my father, see, yea, see
the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe
and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor
transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
[12] The LORD judge between me and
thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
[13] As saith
the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth
from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
[14] After whom is the king of
[15] The LORD therefore be judge, and
judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
3)
The Defense of David’s Hand (Vs 8-15)
David could have remained hidden and secure,
but instead he came out
David called out to Saul and submitted
himself
David is
trusting God, because in bowing, he is vulnerable to Saul
“Why do you listen to men who say I am
seeking to hurt you?” says David
As you can see, you came into our cave, I was
even advised to kill you, but I spared your life
I cut off the bottom of your robe, here’s the
proof I spared your life
·
The robe a
picture of authority.....God has cut away your royal authority .......... I Sam
15:27,28
Perhaps God will judge you & kill you,
but not by my hands Mt 18:7
Proverb states “If I were wicked as you say,
I would’ve killed you, but I did not”
I am a dead dog, a flea................not
anything to you. I’m innocent and God
will deliver me
[16] And it came to pass, when David
had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy
voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
[17] And he said to David, Thou art
more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded
thee evil.
[18] And thou hast shewed
this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had
delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
[19] For if a man find his enemy, will
he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast
done unto me this day.
[20] And now, behold, I know well that
thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of
Israel shall be established in thine hand.
[21] Swear now therefore unto me by the
LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not
destroy my name out of my father's house.
[22] And David sware
unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
4)
The Demonstration Towards David’s Holiness (Vs 16-22)
Saul wept and called out to David......... Saul knew, what he thought of David
was wrong
David’s obedience, softened Saul’s heart
Saul seems to have a change of heart (melted
by coals of kindness Rom 12:20)
Therefore Saul acknowledges that David will
one day be king
Saul asks David not to destroy his name, house
or descendants II Sam 21:7-9.14
Saul went home, David and his men stayed (Why not go home in restoration &
forgiveness?)
*
Many times a person repents & claims to recognize their wrongdoings. But a
changed heart is not demonstrated by just emotion or sincerity of a moment but
by the direction of their life............
There will be proof David wants proof of Saul’s change before he will come home