David Does not Kill Saul

In short

1 Samuel 24 and 26. In these two stories, it seems as though the LORD has the subtlety of a megaphone as He creates two perfect opportunities for David to kill the man who has been trying to kill him. But David refuses to kill “the LORD’s anointed” (1Sa 24:6).

Why it is important

It shows David’s remarkable character. We could certainly justify David if he killed Saul – not that we would be right to – and David’s men even compelled him with religious arguments, invoking the name of the LORD.

But David clung to a simple truth. To cite New Testament scripture, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Rom 13:1-2)

Backstory

Saul is king of Israel, but he blew it (read yesterday’s lesson), and God rejected him as king. God chose David to replace Saul, but Saul is still allowed to remain as king till he (Saul) dies. Meanwhile, David is a servant of king Saul, but Saul relentlessly tries to kill him, and David is on the run as Saul pursues him.

First chance: 1 Samuel 24, Saul falls right into David’s arms

1. David and his ~400 men* fled to a desert (v. 1)
2. Saul and 3,000 men followed him there (v. 2)
3. Saul was, um, compromised (v. 3)
4. David’s men proclaim this is the day of the LORD (v. 4)
5. David refuses to kill the LORD’s anointed (v. 6)
6. David felt guilty for even cutting Saul’s robe (vs. 5-6)
7. Later, David tries to reason with Saul (vs. 7-15)
8. Saul feels so bad (vs. 16-21)

Second chance: 1 Samuel 26, David sneaks up on Saul

1. David and his ~400 men* fled to a desert (vs. 1,3)
2. Saul and 3,000 men followed him there (v. 2)
3. This time, David basically set a trap, or at least took advantage of the situation (vs. 3-4)
4. David waltzes into the middle of Saul’s encampment in the night (vs. 5-7)
5. David’s companion says, This would be a great time to kill Saul, right? (v. 8)
6. But this time it’s the companion that offers to do the dirty work – I’ll even make it quick! (v. 8)
7. David again says no to killing Saul (v. 9)
8. David again takes proof of being RIGHT THERE (v. 11)
9. This time the LORD even made sure no one would notice (v. 12)
10. David makes a speech and Saul repents again (vs. 13-25)

Theology and doctrine

David was already an established warrior and leader. Yet, he still had the innocence of when he was first called by the LORD. God even called him “a man after his own heart” (1Sa 13:14). He is a model for us all.

Footnote

* 1Sa 22:2, 25:13, 30:10. They were David’s private army, it seems, as he was on the lam.