1 Samuel, chapter 24 and 26
King Saul had tried many times to kill David, and when he heard that David had fled to a desert land he took his soldiers to hunt for him there.
He came to a dark cave where David and his men were hiding behind the rocks. They saw Saul enter, but he did not see them. David’s men thought it was a good chance to punish Saul for his treatment of David. But David would not harm him, although he was so close to Saul, that he cut off a piece of his robe while Saul was asleep without Saul knowing he had done it.
Soon the king and his men went away from the cave. Then David came out and called after Saul. The king stopped and looked back. David bowed low in respect; then he held up the piece of the robe to show the king how near he had been to him, yet had not hurt him.
When king Saul saw the piece of his robe in David’s hands, he knew how easily David could have harmed him, yet had not, and he felt ashamed of his hatred tard David, and after speaking a few words, he and his men went back to their city.
But David could not trust the king, so he stayed in the wild land. After a time the king forgot about David’s mercy to him, and took his soldiers again to hunt for him.
They camped at night on a hill, and David knew they had come near, but he did not run away; instead, he asked his men who would go with him to Saul’s camp. One brave man said he would go, so the two went to the camp.
It must have been a moonlight night for they could plainly see King Saul lying asleep on the ground with his captain and soldiers asleep on the ground around him.
There was no guard, and David and his man came close. The man wanted to kill Saul for David’s sake, but David said they must not hurt him, but to take his spear which was stuck in the ground beside him and his water bottle which was also bide him.
So they took Saul’s spear and water bottle and quietly went away. No one heard them because God had made all sleep so soundly.
When it was day David stood on a hill across from King Saul’s camp and called loudly to the captain, asking why he had not watched over his master better, and held up, the king’s spear and water bottle to show how close he had been to Saul.
The king knew David’s voice and again felt ashamed of his evil wish because David had spared his life a second time. He called to David and said he would not try to hurt him anymore, and returned home with his army.
But David did not return to his home because he knew he could not believe Saul’s promises.
Was not David good to the king who was so angry toward him? He was even sorry he had cut off the piece from the king’s robe. It was right for David to give respect to King Saul, because God had given Saul the place of ruler, and it is right now for Christians to be respectful in speaking of those ruling our countries, and not to speak evil (Romans 13:77Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:7); Titus 3:22To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. (Titus 3:2)).
ML 11/13/1938