I. David Spares Saul A Second Time

A. Saul Once Again Pursues David Vs. 1-4

1. Vs. 1-3 The Ziphites stirred up Saul’s heart once again to pursue David.

2. In 1 Samuel 24, David had the chance to kill Saul, but he spared his life.

a. Saul had spoken of David’s righteousness in that David spared Saul’s life, even as Saul was unjustly seeking to kill David.

b. Saul has forgotten the words he had spoken to David back in 1 Samuel 24:17-20.

c. NOTE-Jealous hearts forget previously understood righteousness and revert back to hatred. Saul’s’ heart was moved by envy, not by holiness.

3. V. 4 David has been able to monitor the movements of Saul, whereas Saul hasn’t always been sure of David’s location.

B. David Once Again Spares Saul Vs. 5-12

1. V. 5 Saul slept in the middle of the camp for protection.

2. Vs. 6-8 This does seem to be a God ordained moment, but not for the purposes that Abishai had in mind.

a. This is not a God ordained moment for revenge, but for David to show grace.

b. This is a defining moment for David to not give in to his flesh, but to God’s will.

c. God did not rebuke David for going into the camp of Saul.

d. Verse 12 will tell us that God had brought a deep sleep over Saul and his men, making this visit of David possible.

e. So, we know that God had arranged for this visit by David, and that God was actually with and for David as David has this opportunity to kill Saul.

f. But God wasn’t for David killing Saul, and David knew this.

g. David previously had not killed Saul, but now Saul has gone back on his word, and one could argue that David would be justified in killing Saul this time around.

h. Abishai viewed this as God’s provision for revenge. Abishai was correct in viewing this as an arrangement from God, but he is incorrect about the intentions of God.

i. Abishai was even willing to make it easier on David, by doing the deed himself, and that would technically keep David from being blamed by anyone.

j. Probably the biggest test in this is being able to discern God’s opportunity versus God’s intention. God certainly did put a deep sleep over Saul and his men, but not so that David could kill Saul.

k. The danger is seeing only part of what God is doing, and then adding human logic.

l. If David is emotionally driven, he will interpret what God is doing and add human logic to it and be completely out of God’s will.

3. V. 9 David doesn’t lean on human wisdom here.

a. There was a higher truth than simply the facts of the situation.

b. A truth that doesn’t change, regardless of the opportunity, or even what God is doing that would seem to indicate something else.

c. We cannot be guided solely by situations, even when the situation has the evidence of God’s involvement in it.

d. We need to avoid situational ethics, acting according to the moment.

4. This was a God given opportunity for David to do right, and for Saul to repent.

5. The overarching truth here is that we are not to “stretch out our hand” against the Lord’s anointed. David is not driven by emotion or led solely by the situation.

6. At this moment, David was governed by God’s truths, not by his emotions.

7. If a church leader, home leader, etc., is abusing his power…

a. He needs to be confronted and to be held accountable.

b. But it is up to God to deal with him, which may/may not include church discipline.

c. If the man is unwilling to respond to the Lord’s method, then walk away from him, and let the Lord deal with him.

d. Some may object and say, “Why do I need to leave?” Because vengeance isn’t yours, whether it be a pastor, a boss, a spouse, whatever.

e. God had not directed David to bring judgment upon Saul. Therefore, David would do nothing.

8. V. 10 David did not withhold attack against Saul because he thought Saul was innocent.

a. But David knew that vengeance belongs to the Lord.

9. Vs. 11, 12 God is allowing David to show his innocence before Saul.

a. God has arranged an opportunity for David’s innocent heart to be seen.

b. And so, David takes these items as proof that he had the chance to kill Saul but didn’t.

C. David Tries To Reason With Saul Vs. 13-

1. Vs. 13-16 Saul, Abner, and the soldiers are trying to kill David, but for no reason.

a. David shows Abner he has failed, and that he deserves to die for not protecting Saul.

2. Vs. 17-19 David is respectful to Saul. Though Saul is sinning, Saul is still king.

a. David asks Saul to consider what he is doing, and what motivation is driving Saul.

b. David is asking Saul is this situation is from the Lord, or from man.

c. David tells Saul that Saul’s actions are actually going to result in David having to leave Israel, being unable to worship God in Jerusalem, and that David will end up living among pagans and worshipping their gods.

3. V. 20 One of the ways to hunt partridges is to keep after them until they are so tired that they can no longer fly, but that they are restricted to the ground.

a. Then they can be hunted with a club. They are worn out, and unable to escape.

4. V. 21 Saul momentarily recognizes his sin. He admits being wrong and being a fool.

a. Saul spoke of repentance, but never showed repentance.

b. He was obviously proven wrong on the moment and had to admit that before all who were present, but he was not a changed man.

c. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. ¹¹ For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

5. V. 22 David is so respectful of the office that Saul holds that he will not even damage or keep Saul’s spear.

a. He could have kept it as a point of bragging and showing superiority.

b. He could have sent it back damaged to irritate Saul. He did none of those things.

6. V. 23 David is trusting the Lord with bringing justice and avenging wrong.

a. David is also trusting that God will reward him for not taking revenge against Saul.

b. David is trusting that God will establish him as king.

c. David is also trying to reason with Saul. “I valued your life, so please value mine”.

7. V. 25 Saul speaks forth noble words. They will never see each other again.

a. Regarding Saul, God will say to David, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.