Articles
David Spares Saul’s Life - 1Sam. 24
David Spares Saul’s Life - 1Sam. 24
Saul was chosen by the LORD and anointed to be King of Israel. Even though he had sinned against the LORD and the LORD ‘promised’ to remove the kingdom from him, he was still king! Even though the LORD promised that David would BE king, yet at this time Saul was still king – the LORD’s anointed. The Lord had made him king, and David would let the LORD remove him.
Saul had many times tried to kill David. David has had to flee from the presence of Saul, the comfort of his home and wife, the presence of his family. David is forced to be a fugitive among his own people. Yet, he staunchly refused to take this matter into his own hands and kill Saul.
How easy it would be to justify such! It would be easy to think that in the providence of God, He had given me this opportunity. Hadn’t the LORD said He would remove Saul from being king? Wouldn’t I just be doing the LORD’s work by killing him? And then we note that David’s friends had in fact done this thinking and encouraged David to take vengeance upon Saul: ”Then the men of David said to him, "This is the day of which the Lord said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.' " And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul's robe” (1 Sam. 24:4).
David refused. David restrained his men. David then displayed reverence towards Saul as the LORD’s anointed king. David would leave such avenging unto God: “Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you” (1 Sam. 24:12).
In a similar light, we are to be restrained. “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
Would you have killed Saul?
Hugh DeLong
