BECAUSE HE IS THE LORD’S ANOINTED

1 Samuel 24:1–22

Key Verse: 24:5-6

“After wards, David was conscience stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men. “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.”

Last week we saw David the man of prayer as he inquired of the LORD with “Once again faith”. In today’s passage, David is a man of patience and humble obedience to God. David waited for God’s justice instead of taking matters into his own hands Ps 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” In the cave at En Gedi, when David had the opportunity to kill Saul he would not. At the moment of decision, David did not feel the need to act quickly and save himself, because he reasoned that, Saul is the Lord’s anointed,” and so, he refused to raise his hand against King Saul. When Saul realized David’s mercy towards him, he blessed David, stopped chasing him and went back to his palace.

1) David Does not Kill Saul when he had the Opportunity

Look at verse 1-2. “After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi." So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.”

Here, Saul pursues David to the wilderness in En Gedi. Previously God had miraculously delivered David and his men at Sela – Hamalekoth at the nick of time – just at the time when Saul’s army were closing in on David to capture and kill him, a messenger came and reported that the Philistines were invading the land. Saul had to stop his pursuit and go fight the Philistines to a retreat. After Saul’s successful campaign against the invading Philistines, he promptly returned to chasing David again. His informants told him exactly where David was hiding. They said, “O King, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’” So Saul took 3000 elite forces from all Israel and set out to look for David near the Crags of the Wild Goats.

In Saul we see the nature of the enemy. The enemy never gives up. We wish that our spiritual enemies that pursue us like Saul pursued David would stop, but they don’t. We want to relish in God’s victories and wish all troubles vanish permanently, but the enemy comes back again and again and again…And will keep coming until we go into glory with Jesus. This will be the only permanent victory God gives us! So let us be alert and expect the enemy to come again while we rest assured that God will be with us through it all (Mat 28:20)

As long as Saul is alive, David and his men could not rest, they could not set up permanent abodes; they had to be ready to run from Saul; they had to be flexible and mobile – ready to move at a moments notice. What better way for them to live than to live in the wilderness as “Cave men!” So David and his men left civilization and went back to the Stone Age. If you look at the map Saul had driven David progressively eastwards from Adullam until he reached En Gedi on the western shore of the Dead Sea. For all practical reasons, there was no other place to run to except into the Dead Sea. But in En Gedi David and his men found the perfect hideout. They say En Gedi is a canyon that runs west-ward from the Dead Sea and well watered oasis in the Midst of the Desert. In this place, David and his men had access to water, shelter (caves) and wildlife in the crags (food). More importantly, many caves dot the landscape in which David’s troops could hide and scout the terrain for any approaching enemy armies.

In this passage, things begin to get really interesting. Vs. 3 says Saul had to relieve himself. This means he had to go to the bathroom. But without knowing it, Saul decides to use the very cave where David and his men were hiding as his bathroom! Look at verses 3 “He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave... This cave is very special place. It’s been used by shepherds as sheep pens, and by David’s men as a hideout and now Saul had to answer nature’s call here. So he entered the cave by himself away from his men’s eyes and unknowingly, rendering himself vulnerable to attack by David’s men.

Let’s think for a moment…What are the chances that Saul would want to relieve himself right at the moment he was passing in front of the cave that housed David and his men? Was it a coincidence? I don’t think so. I believe this event is divinely arranged by God. During MBA, Msn Daniel Seo suggested this event, was God’s way of testing David and training him to reveal what was in David’s heart and his true character. I really agree with his assessment of the event. God wanted David to be a spiritual king (like Jesus) – gentle and humble. This means David cannot harbor bitterness and vengeance in his heart. And through many hardships, God would train and test David in the desert of En Gedi. So, let’s see how David fared in the time of testing…

Look at verse 4. The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.' “Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.” (4) We see the response of David’s men in verse 4 and their interpretation of the situation. Naturally, they were excited at the opportunity that lay in front of them. They thought to themselves, “For coming into this cave on his own, God has most likely handed Saul into David’s hands to deal with as he pleases. Saul must surely die; and then, David would be installed as king. And of course as close associates, they (his men) will occupy sensitive positions in the kingdom.” End of story! No more living as fugitives and no more living from hand to mouth. Their decision to join David is finally paying off big time.

Furthermore, Saul was a bad king and he must pay for his sins. Our sense of justice makes us demand payment for sins. Someone in my fellowship said if she were David, she would interpret the turn of events as God giving the green light and using her to execute judgment on corrupt king Saul. It’s really reasonable to think in this way, right? David’s men thought like that too. As far as they were concerned, there are legit reasons to eliminate Saul (his disobedience to God, Killing the priests at Nob and chasing after innocent David and his men) and it looks like God had graciously provided this opportunity and if lost, it may never be regained. So let then strike him down once and for all and end his evil reign.

As I said earlier, it is no coincidence that Saul walked up into the cave alone to relive himself at that moment. So they said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, “I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.” Apparently, God had earlier promised David to hand his enemy into his hands and his men knew this. And now that the opportunity ahs presented itself in the form of a lone King Saul in their cave, David only needs seize this opportunity by faith and with his sword!

What did David do? 4b says, “Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.” As anticipation and excitement built up in the cave recesses, sword in hand, David secretly approaches Saul from behind. But the men watched in horror and in great disappointment as David simply cut a corner of Saul’s robe and retreated back into the dark. All the excitement fizzled out like gas from a can of Pepsi. They had expected David to bring his sword crashing down on Saul’s neck or thrust the king through with his weapon. Instead David got hold of Saul’s robe (which he had probably taken off before relieving himself) and cut off a piece from the corner! What’s wrong with David? How could he do that? Is he insane?

David did not do as his men expected. Instead of following the crowd to do wrong, David show unusual self control. Cheered on by is own men to kill Saul, the inner conflicts raging within him – A need to be free from the violence of Saul and the opportunity to be king after Saul’s death. How could David allow this opportunity slip away particularly under such circumstances when executing Saul seemed to be risk free? It made absolutely no sense! David could have lived for the moment and killed Saul with one blow, but he didn’t. So what made him decide against killing the king and to just cut off the corner of his robe? We see the answer in the next two verses. Let’s read verses 5 – 6.

David was conscience stricken…David knew how to distinguish right from wrong. His conscience would not permit him to do anything offensive to the Lord’s anointed. David only cut off the corner of Saul’s robe, and yet his conscience troubled him. Most people would have been troubled because they didn’t kill Saul, and not because they cut off a corner of his robe! But David respected God’s anointing on Saul’s head and regarded him as the Lord’s anointed. Even though David is anointed to be next king, he respected Saul’s position of authority over him. The robe is the symbol of Saul’s authority and royalty. We remember that Jonathan took off his robe and clothed David with it after David had killed Goliath. It was a way of welcoming him into the royal family. The robe is the symbol of royalty and kingship, so David’s heart was troubled and rightly so, because he dishonored the Lord’s anointed by cutting a piece out of his robe.

Are we troubled when we cut off a piece of another’s robe – their character, influence and dignity? Sometimes in conversation we cut off a piece of these by criticizing and demeaning others. Ought not our conscience to be stricken when we act in this way? Especially with regards to those whom God has placed in authority over us.

“The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” David recognizes and submits to Saul’s authority as leader. David did not use Saul’s bad habits as excuse to disregard or disrespect Saul and he never rebelled against Saul. Ro 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” We will do well to submit ourselves to our leaders even when we don’t agree with them, so that the work of God may not be hindered.

Also, David wanted God’s promise to be fulfilled in his life, but he refused to try to fulfill God’s will through violent disobedience. He refused to jeopardize God’s program for him by hurriedly intervening in the time of opportunity. He was willing to protect Saul and to wait for God even if it meant his life and that of his men would be terribly inconvenient. David must wait for God’s deliverance and not take matter into his own hands. Though it is not easy to wait, patient waiting is very important in the work of God. In Genesis, Jacob was different from Esau who could not wait. He waited 7 years and worked hard in order to marry Rachael, but his father in-law deceived him and made him serve an additional 7 years to marry the woman he loved. And so in all, he served his uncle 14 year for his wives, but he happily and patiently endured, and the years flew by as if they were just a few days. Last Thursday, Patricia Pena Share her engagement testimony how she waited for God for 11 year before God finally brought her to a suitable man to marry – David Boland. When God answered her prayer, her engagement lasted only three days. I think this is God compensating her for all that waiting?

David was God centered. He thought more about pleasing God than doing what seemed convenient. He chose not to lift up his hands against Saul, but to let God deal with Saul in God’s own time. He believed that God who made the promise to make him king will do so in His time and do it righteously. He believed God would deliver him, so he patiently chose to wait on God’s time. Eccl 3:11a says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” I pray God teach us the patience that waits for God’s time.

Many people in David’s situation would find excuses to justify killing Saul, but David restrains himself and his men from killing Saul. Look at verse 7. “With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow then to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.”

With these words…What words? Words of a humble man, with a tender conscience. Words of a man who was convicted at merely cutting off a corner of Saul’s robes. David was merciful and forgiven. He did not hold bitterness and revenge in his heart. The words that came out of his mouth were righteous and not vengeful. He was very sincere. He will, not kill Saul, and also would not allow any of his men do it. David did not say, “Me I won’t kill Saul” but if anyone else wants to kill Saul he can go ahead and do so, and in this way leave the door wide open for one of his men to kill Saul. Instead he rebuked his men that they even thought about doing such evil. When David’s men saw how Godly David was and his desire to please God in everything, their hearts were restrained from attacking Saul. In this way, David refused to kill Saul though he had the opportunity to do so.

2) David Appeals to Saul

Look at verse 8. “Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.”

In this part, David reveals his presence to Saul and expressed his loyalty. David took a big risk here by coming out of hiding. He could have remained in hiding, secure in the fact that Saul had not discovered where he stayed. But David entrusted himself into God’s hands and surrendered himself to Saul because he saw a good opportunity to show Saul his heart towards him. In approaching Saul, David was very gracious and humble. He called Saul, “my Lord the king.” He didn’t say, “Hey, wicked king!”

David also bowed down and prostrated himself to Saul. David is himself anointed as king and next in line to Saul, but he did not approach Saul as an equal. In David we see Jesus’ humility. Ph2:5-7a says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…” Here we see that humility is what we chose to do. By nature I am proud, but like David and more importantly like Jesus, I can make the choice to be humble before God and before men. May God help us to always choose humility over pride.

When David bowed low, he put himself in a vulnerable position where Saul could have easily attacked him. Saul could have killed him very easily, but David trusted in God that if he did the right thing God will protect him. To serve campus mission, we have to show humility towards others particularly towards potential Bible students and especially towards the culture in which we are living. As an example, when I came to the USA, I saw how humble co-workers in our ministry are towards the people of America and her culture. I’m particularly impressed and think it good that we show our respect during conferences by singing the star spangled banner. This is a very wise approach to serving within the context of the American culture.

Next, David gave a speech to express his loyalty to Saul. Look at verses 9-15.

“He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD’s anointed’ See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrong doing and rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the LORD judge between you and me .And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, “From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.”

David called Saul, ‘My master…the LORD’s anointed… and my father.’ This was the way he viewed Saul so he only used respectful terms for him. David respected Saul because he is the LORD’s anointed. We too must respect Jesus because Jesus came as the Lord’s anointed. He is worthy of our respect, our honor and obedience. Similarly, we must respect our spiritual leaders and other instituted authorities – even our parents, so that God may bless us.

Knowing fully well that Saul’s hate and fear came from Saul and not other, David was gracious to transfer the blame on other and not on Saul. He said, “When men say…” Making it look as if people were inciting Saul against him. David could have spoken the words just as it is, but he was gracious, forgiven and very generous towards Saul. In addition, he showed evidence that he had spared Saul’s life even though Saul was seeking his own life. David was innocent of any wrong doing, in fact, what he had done previously had profited Saul greatly when he killed the Philistine champion – Goliath and led Saul’s military campaigns very successfully, yet Saul wrongful sought to cut David down. Because of this David called Saul to account in verse 12. “May the Lord Judge between you and me…May the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.” David recognizes God as the Judge and would not put himself in the position of a judge over King Saul. Often we feel a need to put ourselves in the position of judge when we see others do wrong, but in reality, we end up putting ourselves in a bad place by taking justice into our own hands. So David decided to leave God as the righteous Judge of the earth who does right. Like Joseph did to his brothers in Genesis, David did not revenge, but left matters in God’s hands. This is really amazing understanding and decision, because, when Saul got out of the way, it would not be because David put him away, but it would be because God did. David’s reasoning was that from evil doers come evil deeds. In other words, David will not stoop down to evil deeds like Saul but will wait for God to act on his behalf.

3) Saul’s reaction

Saul’s response is seen in the last part of this passage. First, we see Saul honoring David’s mercy towards him. Let’s read verses 16 – 19. “When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.” You have just told me of the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.”

Saul was moved by David’s kindness to him that the king wept aloud. Kings are supposed to be strong and not weep publicly, but Saul could not hold back his tears because of what David did. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly,” and like Judah’s confession in Genesis, Saul confessed. “You are more righteous than me.” Though David had never read Ro 12:21, he knew it truth better than many who have heard these words: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Finally, Saul looks to the future. I know you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.” (20 -21). This is the agreement Jonathan and David made previously in ch 20, so it wasn’t necessary for David to do so all over again, but David gave his oath that he would protect Saul’s family rather than cut them off. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. David would not follow Saul back to the palace to regain his position as son in-law and top officer. David would rather remain in the stronghold. Though Saul seem to repent, Saul had shown in the past that he could not be trusted, so David and his men continued to live as fugitives in their own country. Repentance is not a snap short in a single moment. It is an on-going event. In Act 26, Apostle Paul in is defense before king Agrippa said, God sent him to call people to turn from darkness to light and to prove their repentance by what they do. Repentance is demonstrated by the on-going direction in one’s life, and not the emotion and sincerity of a single moment.

David’s decision to spare Saul’s life was an act of faith that prolonged the amount of time David lived as a fugitive, but David would rather sacrifice himself and his men than take the life of God’s anointed. This was an act of faith that pleased and honored God. As we enter into our summer ministry, let us pray that we can learn from David how to show mercy and forgiveness towards others. Instead of complaining in bitterness, when people wrong us, lets’ overcome our feelings and practice forgiveness, like Jesus said to do, to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. More importantly, let’s praise God and pray that we may respect instituted authority. Let us pray to serve UMCP student with the love and grace of Jesus. May God bless us to pray and build a loving Christian community in our ministry and may God bless the preparation for our summer Bible conference.

Let’s read the Key verses – 5 and 6