I Samuel 26:1-25
"And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way.” (I Samuel 26:1-3a)
Ziph was at the far southern edge of the land of Simeon and Judah. The Ziphites had sought to ingratiate themselves with Saul in chapter 23, but David had gone before Saul arrived. They would try again, telling him where to look. Saul took three thousand chosen men to capture David’s six hundred, camping at Hachilah.
"But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.” (I Samuel 26:3b-5)
David was aware of Saul’s movements and had spies observing him. It was really detailed, even identifying which bedroll was Saul’s. Saul had chosen to sleep in a protected trench with the entire army around him, confident that David couldn’t get through.
“Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.” (I Samuel 26:6-7)
Knowing exactly where Saul and Abner were sleeping, David decided to sneak into the camp. His cousin Abishai volunteered to go with him. They entered the camp undetected and found Saul sleeping with his spear stuck in the ground next to his pillow, surrounded by Abner and the army.
“Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.” (I Samuel 26:8)
Abishai remembered that David had refused to kill Saul because he was God’s chosen man. Abishai had no such qualms and asked David to let him kill Saul. He promised that Saul would never know what hit him because he’d only need one blow. After all, God had put them into position to kill him, so why shouldn’t they? Years later David would lament that these cousins of his, Abishai and Joab were too hard and cruel for him to deal with.
"And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” (I Samuel 26:9-11)
David told Abishai that nobody had the right to kill God’s chosen man even when he did wrong, and that God would take care of Saul at the proper time. He might die a natural death or be killed in battle, but God would take care of it. David refused to disobey God even though he believed Saul was doing wrong. Instead, they would take Saul’s spear and his water bottle and leave. Abishai undoubtedly thought it was a waste of time to take such risks and not do more than that.
“So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner?
Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?” (I Samuel 26:12-14)
David and Abishai got back out of the camp without disturbing anyone, because God caused the entire army to sleep unnaturally soundly. Not one of three thousand men woke up to go to the bathroom or couldn’t sleep, and none of the guards heard them.
Once they were well out of shooting range, David yelled at Abner, Saul’s general, waking the entire camp. To a society surrounded with constant machine noises, and used to public address systems, it seems unbelievable how far the human voice will carry. Abner called back, wanting to know who was waking them up.
“And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.” (I Samuel 26:15-16)
David pointed out that Abner was responsible for protecting the king, and that he had failed at his job. A man who wanted to kill the king had been able to get easily within striking distance and there had been no one to stop him. As proof, he had Saul’s water bottle and spear. Abner needed to send somebody over to get them back. Three thousand men now knew that Saul’s claims that David was trying to destroy him were baseless. Though they would continue to follow orders, their sympathies would lie with David, and they wouldn‘t forget. They’d also tell others, increasing respect for David.
“And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David?
And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant.
If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.” (I Samuel 26:17-20)
Saul responded to David as if there had never been a problem between them, “Is this thy voice, my son David?” It is amazing how hypocritical such people can be.
David proceeded to bring out the problem asking what Saul’s justification for trying to kill him was. What crimes had he committed? If it was God that had ent him out David was more than willing to offer sacrifices to God. If it was just other people trying to drive David away from go and into idolatry, they were cursed of God, and Sul shouldn’t be listening to them. If Saul were serving God, he would not allow David to be killed, because David was no more than a minor annoyance as long as the people and God were satisfied with Saul.
“Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” (I Samuel 26:21)
Put in a spot where he cannot deny he was wrong again, Saul again admits it, and promises not to hurt David because David didn’t kill him. Like a lot of people who promise to change, there was no intention of changing, he just wanted to get the pressure off.
“And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.” (I Samuel 26:22-24)
Though experience had convinced him Saul didn’t mean it, David would give him the benefit of the doubt again. He did warn him that God was aware of what was happening and would settle the accounts, and that he was depending on that rather than on Saul’s promise.
“Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.” (I Samuel 26:2)
Saul said he knew David was going to win in the end! Why keep fighting? Why not give in and see what God would do? Unfortunately, I know a lot of people who would do or have done the same thing.
"And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way.” (I Samuel 26:1-3a)
Ziph was at the far southern edge of the land of Simeon and Judah. The Ziphites had sought to ingratiate themselves with Saul in chapter 23, but David had gone before Saul arrived. They would try again, telling him where to look. Saul took three thousand chosen men to capture David’s six hundred, camping at Hachilah.
"But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.” (I Samuel 26:3b-5)
David was aware of Saul’s movements and had spies observing him. It was really detailed, even identifying which bedroll was Saul’s. Saul had chosen to sleep in a protected trench with the entire army around him, confident that David couldn’t get through.
“Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.” (I Samuel 26:6-7)
Knowing exactly where Saul and Abner were sleeping, David decided to sneak into the camp. His cousin Abishai volunteered to go with him. They entered the camp undetected and found Saul sleeping with his spear stuck in the ground next to his pillow, surrounded by Abner and the army.
“Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.” (I Samuel 26:8)
Abishai remembered that David had refused to kill Saul because he was God’s chosen man. Abishai had no such qualms and asked David to let him kill Saul. He promised that Saul would never know what hit him because he’d only need one blow. After all, God had put them into position to kill him, so why shouldn’t they? Years later David would lament that these cousins of his, Abishai and Joab were too hard and cruel for him to deal with.
"And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” (I Samuel 26:9-11)
David told Abishai that nobody had the right to kill God’s chosen man even when he did wrong, and that God would take care of Saul at the proper time. He might die a natural death or be killed in battle, but God would take care of it. David refused to disobey God even though he believed Saul was doing wrong. Instead, they would take Saul’s spear and his water bottle and leave. Abishai undoubtedly thought it was a waste of time to take such risks and not do more than that.
“So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner?
Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?” (I Samuel 26:12-14)
David and Abishai got back out of the camp without disturbing anyone, because God caused the entire army to sleep unnaturally soundly. Not one of three thousand men woke up to go to the bathroom or couldn’t sleep, and none of the guards heard them.
Once they were well out of shooting range, David yelled at Abner, Saul’s general, waking the entire camp. To a society surrounded with constant machine noises, and used to public address systems, it seems unbelievable how far the human voice will carry. Abner called back, wanting to know who was waking them up.
“And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.” (I Samuel 26:15-16)
David pointed out that Abner was responsible for protecting the king, and that he had failed at his job. A man who wanted to kill the king had been able to get easily within striking distance and there had been no one to stop him. As proof, he had Saul’s water bottle and spear. Abner needed to send somebody over to get them back. Three thousand men now knew that Saul’s claims that David was trying to destroy him were baseless. Though they would continue to follow orders, their sympathies would lie with David, and they wouldn‘t forget. They’d also tell others, increasing respect for David.
“And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David?
And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant.
If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.” (I Samuel 26:17-20)
Saul responded to David as if there had never been a problem between them, “Is this thy voice, my son David?” It is amazing how hypocritical such people can be.
David proceeded to bring out the problem asking what Saul’s justification for trying to kill him was. What crimes had he committed? If it was God that had ent him out David was more than willing to offer sacrifices to God. If it was just other people trying to drive David away from go and into idolatry, they were cursed of God, and Sul shouldn’t be listening to them. If Saul were serving God, he would not allow David to be killed, because David was no more than a minor annoyance as long as the people and God were satisfied with Saul.
“Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” (I Samuel 26:21)
Put in a spot where he cannot deny he was wrong again, Saul again admits it, and promises not to hurt David because David didn’t kill him. Like a lot of people who promise to change, there was no intention of changing, he just wanted to get the pressure off.
“And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.” (I Samuel 26:22-24)
Though experience had convinced him Saul didn’t mean it, David would give him the benefit of the doubt again. He did warn him that God was aware of what was happening and would settle the accounts, and that he was depending on that rather than on Saul’s promise.
“Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.” (I Samuel 26:2)
Saul said he knew David was going to win in the end! Why keep fighting? Why not give in and see what God would do? Unfortunately, I know a lot of people who would do or have done the same thing.
David's self control and obedience are wonderful examples in an era when we are all self-obsessed and God's commands, and His claim of Lordship, are only acknowledged when it is convenient. David's fidelity to God makes him a very winsome person; small wonder God said he was a man after His own heart.
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