1 Samuel 24:1-22 ESV
1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks [Or near the Crags of the Wild Goats].
“The name En Gedi means ‘spring of the young goat’, while the region designated the Crags of the Wild Goats employs the Hebrew term yá’él, which designates a species of ibex (capra ibex nubiana) that is still found in the region today (see Long 2009a: 366).”
“From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) is a desert-dwelling goat species (Genus Capra) found in mountainous areas of northern and northeast Africa, and the Middle East. It was historically considered to be a subspecies of the Alpine ibex (C. ibex), but is now considered a distinct species. The wild population is estimated at 4,500 mature individuals, and it is classified as vulnerable.”
3 And he [Saul] came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself [cover his feet].
Saul would’ve been completely alone
Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’”
Did God ever tell David that he would kill Saul?
Do not ADD to God’s Word.
Do not TAKE AWAY from God’s Word.
The Bible says some things that are difficult to hear.
Psalm 119:71 ESV
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
Psalm 119:75 ESV
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Genesis 1:27 ESV
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
The devil quoted Scripture to Jesus…
The devil misused it to tempt Jesus in the wilderness.
What does the Bible ACTUALLY say?
Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
What is significant about the robe of a king?
Isaiah 6:1-3 ESV
1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train[a] of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!” [may His glory fill the whole earth!]
The robe that Saul wears is his status
The robe is representative of Saul’s kingship
David cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe
5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
David has an incredibly high regard for God’s Word.
How seriously do you take God’s Word?
How important is it to you to do the right thing?
8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.
David got low & vulnerable before Saul
True humility is about knowing our place before Almighty God.
What is going on in your life that you just don’t like?
David doesn’t pay homage because Saul deserves it.
David bows because this is God’s anointed king.
David surrenders his will to God’s will.
9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.
Saul’s life was in David’s hands.
David refused to lay a hand on Saul.
David has a piece of the royal robe of Saul in his hand.
Imagery
[David continues…]
12 May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.
David appeals to YHWH for judgment & vengeance
The right to vengeance is God’s.
He will have vengeance.
He will see that justice is done.
He is both the Just and the Justifier.
[David then quotes an old saying…]
13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’
But my hand shall not be against you.
Saul is guilty of wickedness
David is innocent
Luke 6:43-45 ESV
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Matthew 7:13-20 ESV
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
What is the fruit that your life seems to be producing?
Luke 6:45 ESV
45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
[David continues…]
14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue?
After a dead dog! After a flea!
David is basically saying: ‘I am harmless.’
15 May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
David submits to God’s judgment & verdict.
16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”
Saul finally thinking clearly.
This mercy shown to Saul deeply affects him.
And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.
18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands.
19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe?
So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
21 Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.”
22 And David swore this to Saul.
Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Saul acknowledges David’s future kingship.
Do you see what mercy does?
And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.
18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands.
19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe?
So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
Acts 2:29-36 ESV
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Daniel 7:13 ESV
13 “I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
Revelation 19:11-16 ESV
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.