First Samuel

First Samuel was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

Chapter Twenty Four

 

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. THE LORD DELIVERS SAUL INTO DAVID'S HANDS - (1-8)

II. DAVID DECLARES HIS INNOCENCE TO SAUL - (9-15)
III. DAVID AND SAUL REACH A TEMPORARY TRUCE - (16-22)

 

I. THE LORD DELIVERS SAUL INTO DAVID'S HANDS - (1-8)

Saul returns from a short diversionary skirmish with the Philistines. The "momentum" of the game suddenly shifts into David's favor. At the end of chapter (23), Saul was "hot" on David's trail and had the definite advantage, from a human standpoint. In chapter (24), Saul unwittingly chooses the very cave David and his men are hiding in to "bed down" for the night. God certainly has a sense of humor.

Saul considers this very serious business, he has chosen 3,000 elite storm- troopers, to go against the motley crew of 600 social rejects (23:13) that for many different reasons have decided to join forces with the king in exile.

In verse four, David's men encourage him to take full advantage of the God- given opportunity to kill his adversary,. David is not. interested in taking the responsibility of killing the king, into his own hands, regardless of the circumstances. David's wisdom proves why he is the leader and they are the followers; he considers all aspects of the decision, for he, as the leader, must live with the responsibility of the consequences of his decisions. It is easy to make a hasty decision as to what you would do, when you don't have to live with the decision afterwards. "If I were him, I'd kill the...." We have many armchair quarterbacks in Christianity.

Instead of slitting Saul's throat, he cuts off a piece of his outer garment off, to prove that he has been in the near vicinity. After all, if he can get away with a piece of his clothing, he could have taken his life' David's heart is very tender; verse five says that, his "heart smote him," he felt guilty even cutting his clothing. You would think that David would have been a bit more hardhearted after all that has happened. We might ask ourselves, "Why wasn't he bitter?" David was able to maintain a proper attitude and perspective in spite of the intense pressures applied upon him. The exceptions prove the rule (21:13).

"...He is the anointed of the Lord." (Psa. 105:15; 1 Sam. 26:9,11,16,23). God had placed Saul in his position of authority, it was God's responsibility to remove him and David knew He would when the time was right. David was able to maintain an objective perspective on the whole situation, for he knew God was in control!

As Saul leaves the cave in the morning, David follows him out and reveals his presence in a most humbling fashion, "he stooped ... bowed himself."

Some vocabulary: sheepcotes (vs. 3) - a small pen or enclosure for sheep; privily (vs. 4) privately; stayed (vs. 7) - to stop; to stand still; to forbear to act; to remain.

 

II. DAVID DECLARES HIS INNOCENCE TO SAUL - (9-15)

"Wherefore (why) hearest thou men's words .... The "grapevine" is often a very unreliable source of information. Human nature being what it is, has an uncanny ability to pervert, twist, misrepresent, exaggerate, and just simply lie, concerning information about other people (I might add ... about you too). The dangers of believing or passing on such information (gossip) are frightening in their potential. Of course, then there is Saul's problem, gossip really was not the issue. David is being most kind blaming others for the false information, for it was Saul who had imagined, through sin, envy, and jealousy, that David was his enemy. Such was not the case. Two rules: don't pass on second hand, or for that matter, first hand information, that is unnecessarily derogatory; secondly, don't believe 50%-75% of what you hear about yourself good or bad!!!

Notice, that in (vs. 11), David calls Saul, "my father," and in (vs. 16), Saul calls David, "my son." In the strictest sense of the terms, neither is true, yet, we see that the Bible's terminology is not always confined to the strictest sense of any word, context determines meaning, for David is Saul's son-in-law (1 Sam. 18:20; 19:11). This is very important for this use of terminology explains a "Bible contradiction" in the New Testament, in (Matt. 1:16 and Lk. 3:23). In (Matt. 1:16), Joseph is the son of Jacob; in (Lk. 3:23), he is the son of Heli. In (Lk. 3), you have Mary's lineage, Heli is Mary's father, and Heli is Joseph's father-in-law! There is no contradiction, the terms are valid.

In (vss. 12,5), you have an excellent example of how to pray for/against your enemies. Instead of taking things into your own incapable hands, pray, "The Lord Judge between me and thee...." It is very difficult to pray this way when you are wrong!

"Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked." The idea is, you don't get bananas from an apple tree. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."

In (vs. 14) David asks Saul why the King of Israel is wasting his time on an insignificant individual like himself, "a flea, a dog.

 

III. DAVID AND SAUL REACH A TEMPORARY TRUCE - (16-22)

"Saul lifted up his voice and wept" (vs. 16). "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of this world worketh death." (2 Cor. 7:10). Verse (11) follows with the "fruits of repentance." Confession (17-19) and tears (vs. 16) are not enough. Notice, that Saul's confession omits the fact that he has sinned against God! See (Psa. 51:4; Gen. 39:9). Esau is probably the classic example of this failure. "...when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." (Heb. 12:17)

"...For thou has rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil." (vs. 17), (Rom. 12:21).

Saul prophesies that David will be king (vs. 20), yet, in his heart, he cannot accept God's plan. Saul's self-pride and envy of David, are his greatest enemies. A man left to himself, rejecting God's direction in his life, will eventually destroy himself.

Mephibosheth, (2 Sam. 9:1ff), becomes the recipient of the promise of (vs. 20). See also (1 Sam. 20:15; 2 Sam. 21:7).

"David sware...," his word was as good as gold.

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