1 Samuel chapter 26. The last few chapters we've seen various confrontations. David confronts Saul in chapter 24 in En-Gedi, and in chapter 25 he dealt with Nabal, and again in chapter 26 he is with Saul. So I want to read beginning in chapter 26 at verse 1.
We'll read to the end of the chapter and then go through the text.
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 26
Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, Is David not hiding in the hill of Haculah, opposite Jeshamon? Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul encamped in the hill of Haculah, which is opposite Jeshamon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
David therefore sent out spies and understood that Saul had indeed come. So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp with the people encamped all around him.
Then David answered and said to Ahimelech, the Hittite, and to Abishai, the son of Zariah, brother of Joab, saying, who will go down with me to Saul in the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with you. So David and Abishai came to the people by night. And there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head.
And Abner and the people lay all around him. Then Abishai said to David, God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please let me strike him at once with the spear right to the earth, and I will not have to strike him a second time. But David said to Abishai, do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?
David said, furthermore, as the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But please take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head and let us go." So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul's head and they got away. And no man saw or knew it or awoke for they were all asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.
Now David went over to the other side and stood on the top of a hill afar off. a great distance being between them. And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Do you not answer, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you calling out to the king? So David said to Abner, Are you not a man?
And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. This thing that you have done is not good.
As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the Lord's anointed. And now you see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was by his head." Then Saul knew David's voice and said, "'Is that your voice, my son David?' David said, it is my voice, my Lord, O King. And he said, why does my Lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?
Now therefore, please let my Lord, the King, hear the words of his servant. If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord. For they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, go, serve other gods.
So now do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the King of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains. Then Saul said, I have sinned, returned my son David, for I will harm you no more because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.
David answered and said, here is the king's spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. For the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed.
And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord. And let him deliver me out of all tribulation. Then Saul said to David, may you be blessed, my son David. You shall both do great things and also still prevail.
So David went on his way and Saul returned to his place. Amen.
Introduction
Well, as I said, various confrontations with various persons. This one is similar to what we see in En-Gedi in chapter 24. We'll notice that in just a moment. But one thing that David Samora comments concerning with reference to this chapter, this is the last encounter between David and Saul.
After this incident, David will leave the territory of Israel and serve the Philistines and return only after Saul is dead. So this is the last time when these two are together. The story of Saul and David begins in chapter 16. We have seen it in various forms, various shades of detail, and it's come to an end tonight.
Well, two things we want to mention by way of a broad outline, and
The Pursuit of David by Saul
the first, the pursuit of David by Saul in verses 1 to 5. This specifically deals with the setting. And then in the second place, the confrontation at Hekelah between David and Saul. And that's the bulk of the chapter, verses 6 to 25.
But note in the first place, with reference to the pursuit of David by Saul,
The Treachery of the Ziphites
the treachery of Zeph. Verse 1 in chapter 26, Now the Zephites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, Is David not hiding in the hill of Hekulah opposite Jeshamon? We've already met the Zephites in chapter 23, and there they showed their treachery in handing or seeking to hand David over to Saul. It was what prepared the way for that encounter at En Gedi.
So the Zephites had a prejudice, an animosity, a hatred for David, either that or they were simply trying to stay in the favor of Saul. But regardless, this is the same sort of thing that we saw in 23. The Ziphites hand David over or tip Saul off to his location so that Saul can now seek to get him again. And in the second place,
Saul's Renewed Pursuit
the pursuit by Saul. Note in verse 2, then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. Now, it isn't mentioned specifically, but if we know what's going on in the rest of the section, Saul is seeking David in the wilderness of Ziph so he can kill him. This is the reason why he has the 3,000 men.
Remember, back in chapter 24, at the end of the encounter at En Gedi, when David had said his piece, Saul then responds, In verse 16 of chapter 24, the end of verse 16, it says, and Saul lifted up his voice and wept. Then he said to David, you are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me. For when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house." So David swore to Saul and Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. So this is something we would come to expect from Saul at this particular point.
Remember, he's in the state of spiritual apostasy. He has defected from the living God. It begins not long after the time that he starts his reign as king. He has an initial couple of chapters wherein he is good and decent, and then there's this gradual decline that ends in full-blown apostasy.
And here we see him flat-out lie. The falsity of his statement is obvious when we come here to Hecula in chapter 26, because now Saul once again gives pursuit in order to try and liquidate David. And we see in this the continual rage against David and the desire to murder him. And it's probably helpful for us To recall why that is, was David a bad guy?
David was not a bad guy. David was the national hero. David was the one who defeated Goliath in the battle at the Valley of Elah. It is for that reason that Saul despised him because Saul was an envious man.
Saul wanted praise for himself. Saul wanted all of the accolades. Saul wanted all of the glory. And now that David has come along, he has stolen Saul's thunder and Saul cannot bear with this particular situation.
Pride in the heart of man will lead to these sorts of things. This is one of the reasons why we ought to be about killing pride. It may not degenerate to the point of a soul, but never is it a good thing to let pride fester in the heart. It started with envy, which is a sister. or a sinful twin to pride and it's evolved from there to the point where he makes these falsehoods, he makes these promises and he does so with tears.
I mean anybody watching at the end of chapter 24 when Saul lifted up his eyes or when he lifted up his a voice and he wept and he had plenty of tears. Persons were probably saying, well look at how affected he is, look at how genuine he is, look at how serious he is. Brethren, tears are not a telltale sign of repentance in the heart. A lot of men, a lot of women, a lot of boys and a lot of girls can cry.
Crying, tearing is not a telltale sign of repentance in the heart. Repentance in the heart is manifested by fruit and it is first and foremost a change of mind with reference to God and our place beforehand. Saul is a wretch He is a brutal tyrant. Instead of using these 3,000 men to fight Philistines, he takes these 3,000 men first to En-Gedi in chapter 24 and now to Hacula. in chapter 26, because the Ziphites, who have whatever axe to grind they have against David, have once again dimed out David to Saul, and instead of administering his kingdom, he's got this vendetta against a man who has become a national hero and who is destined for the throne under the blessing of God Most High.
Truly Saul is a picture of what sin ultimately will reduce a man to. We see the movement in verse 3, they encamp in the hill of Hecula. David stayed in the wilderness toward the end of verse 3. He saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
He saw this, there was a visual, now he confirms it according to verse 4. David therefore sent out spies and understood that Saul had indeed come. Now he surveys the scene. This is a wise military commander.
This is a wise military leader. Notice what David does in verse 5. David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay. and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army.
Now Saul lay within the camp with the people and camped all around him. Now it was a formidable scene. I mean you have Saul in the midst and you have these 3,000 men surrounding him and you have Abner, the general of his army. So David has surveyed this.
David understands the situation. David knows what's what, and that
The Confrontation at Hachilah
leads us now to the confrontation at Hacula between David and Saul. And I want to consider three things here. First,
David and Abishai: The Mission
the execution of the mission. This is David and Abishai. The narrative is carried along basically by dialogue between two parties. In the first place, verses 6 to 12, the execution of the mission, David and Abishai.
Secondly,
David and Abner: The Report
the report concerning the mission, David and Abner, verses 13 to 16. And then finally,
David and Saul: The Explanation
the explanation of the mission, David and Saul, in verses 17 to 25. Notice in verse 6, David asks, or he says to Himalak, the Hittite, and to Abishai, the son of Zariah. Now, Zariah was a sister of David. Abishai Joab and Asahel were all brothers and they were the sons of Zariah.
So this was David's nephew. Abishai says, I will go down with you. Now note the specific mission. The men were able to bypass these troops.
Now verse 12 is going to describe how this is the case. We've already read the text, it's good to remind ourselves. They were all asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them. Again, an indicator, a token, a sign, a symbol of God's providence in the life of David.
God is about the protection of his servant that is purposed for the throne. Now, in this instance, David, however, didn't know this. David didn't know that they were going to be in a deep sleep from Yahweh. David says to Abishai, let's go down and let's visit the camp.
This is a bold and gutsy and courageous and very audacious move, certainly a man driven by his faith in the living and true God. Now notice, they bypass the guards and they actually have access to Saul. There Saul lay sleeping within the camp, verse 7, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head, and Abner and the people lay all around him. This would be a good posture for a king at rest, to have the spear nearby.
In case there was a need for him to arise from sleep and take that spear, that token of his royal authority, and rule his troops or actually spear people, this was a convenient location. Now notice in verse 8, then Abishai said to David, I suppose that Abishai and David had their indoor voices. David and Abishai had their quiet voices. I doubt that they were talking in the tone or in the manner that I am currently talking.
They are standing before Saul. They are surrounded by 3,000 soldiers. Note what Abishai says to David. God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day.
As far as Abishai was concerned, it was a situation similar to that cave in Ein Gedi. Remember when David and his men are in the rear of the cave and then Saul comes in to relieve himself and take a bit of a nap. What do the men say? They say, this is a gift from God.
This is grace. This is mercy. This is kindness. You want to divest yourself of your enemy?
Well, there he is having a bit of a siesta after having relieved himself. His men said to David, we need to take Saul out. Same thing with Abishai in this instance. God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day.
Now therefore, please let me strike him at once with the spear right to the earth, and I will not have to strike him a second time. Abishai knows it's going to take one shot and that will be the end of all our problems named Saul. It's very intriguing as well because the same verb is employed that was used in 1811 and 1910 when Saul took the spear and he sought to pin David to the wall. One man says the irony, if Abishai would have in fact carried this out, the irony would then be superb that Saul should be killed by David's man with Saul's own spear, the symbol of his authority and in the manner in which he for his part had sought to kill David.
It would have truly been ironic if Abishai would have taken that spear and put it right in Saul's head. But that's not what takes place. As in chapter 24, as in the cave at En-Gedi, David stays the hand of Abishai. David says, according to verse 9, this is interchange now between David and Abishai, do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?
The same argument that he employed with those men in the cave at En-Gedi. David was a respecter of the law. David was not going to be a lawless man like Saul. David was going to be a man who governed himself accordingly.
He was going to conduct himself as God the Lord had commanded. And presently and currently, in this situation at Hackelah, Saul was the reigning king of Israel. And for David to say to Abishai, go ahead and take that spear and drive it through his head, it would have been to betray the living and true God. You see, this was about God's glory and God's honor and God's name.
And that is why David says, or David maintains what he does here. Who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? Again, us as readers all along this narrative of Saul and David see conspicuously that David is not a usurper. David is not trying to destroy Saul.
David is not trying to wriggle his way upon the throne. David is a faithful man who fears the Lord God Almighty. He truly is, as was described in 1 Samuel 16, that he would be a man after my own heart. This is the King of Israel that will reign according to righteousness and not with brutal tyranny, not with arbitrary or capricious wickedness, but he is a man of principle and a man of honor.
So he stays the hand of Abishai. Now notice, He acknowledges the Lord's providence, verse 10. David said furthermore, as the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him or his day shall come to die or he shall go out to battle and perish. You see, This is David's report.
It isn't to take the spear and drive it into Saul's head. It is to seek his refuge in God. It's the providence of God that sustains David. David had lived and conducted himself as a man who had tried and proven his God.
And he is certainly content at this particular vantage point. When he's in Hacula, when he's got the opportunity to destroy Saul, nevertheless, he casts himself upon the mercy and the kindness of God. And look at the three ways that David specifies the Lord might be pleased to take, or one of the three ways the Lord might be pleased to take Saul out. Notice, verse 10, as the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him.
Remember back in En-Gedi in chapter 24 and verse 12, when David had stayed as man, David said that God the Lord will avenge our enemy or give a vengeance to our enemy. In chapter 25, what grand lesson does Nabal demonstrate? Well, specifically in verse 38, that the Lord struck him and killed him. So David now has seen with his own eyes what he said in 2412, it has been applied in the case of Nabal in 2538.
And so now when they're standing before Saul, David says it may be that the Lord will strike him. And it is the same verb as used by the narrator in chapter 25 verse 38. Davis says, the use of the same verb may indicate that David has learned that Yahweh can be trusted to handle both fools and oppressors when such matters are left in his hands. You see what David is doing here.
In the second place, or his day shall come to die. This takes great faith, brethren. Doesn't it? What's David saying here?
In the providence of God, Saul may get old, Saul may have a whole host of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and possibly great-great-grandchildren. When we cast ourselves into the lap of sovereign providence, we typically look for our answers right away, don't we? God, we're trusting in you, but we really hope we'll see something by tomorrow. David here shows what faith looks like in the providence of God.
It may be the case that the Lord shall strike him or his day shall come to die. I don't know about you, but if I was David, I'd really want Saul to meet his death the way that Nabal did. I would really want the Lord to strike him. And do it right now, thank you very much.
This is faith in the living and true God. This is an actual living in light of God's providence. It may be the case that God will preserve him until he shall come to die. Or, in the third place, he shall go out to battle and perish.
Now that is the way that God ultimately takes care of the Saul problem. Do you see what David is doing here? The providence of God is not, this is what we want and we're going to make sure that you perform in this particular regard. David has options.
David thinks there's a whole plentitude of ways that the Lord God will possibly take care of this Saul problem. He's not boxing God in, he's not giving God mandates, he's not describing to God the way things must be. He simply acknowledges that God the Lord is over all these things, Abishai, so we are not going to drive the spear through the head of Saul. The way that God has purposed to take out Saul, we will rest in that, we will trust in the Lord, and we will operate accordingly.
Now notice very specifically what happens in verse 11. The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed. Isn't this a beautiful thing? David acknowledges God's providence.
David understands God's providence in verse 10. David still operates according to God's word. I think there's a lesson here for us as God's people. The role of the believer.
We trust in the God of sovereign providence. We do not know what a day may bring. We don't know if our enemies are going to be struck. We don't know if they're going to die of old age.
We don't know if they're going to die on the field of battle. That's God's business. Do you know what our current responsibility is? To obey God.
Verse 11. However, the Lord determines to deal with Saul, that does not change the responsibility that David has, according to verse 11, to respect the Lord's anointed, to honor the God who has ordained him to honor the word of the living God who has commanded that subjects do not harm the Lord's anointed. We are to trust in the providence of God and obey the precepts of God. There is a tendency, or at least a temptation, for persons to sort of be in this stagnant state.
I really don't know what God's going to do in this particular situation. So I'm just going to wait on the Lord. Well, while you're waiting on the Lord, do what you know He has commanded you to do. Does everybody understand this?
The providence of God does not put us into a holding pattern. The providence of God is always operative, and we function in light of that reality, but it never changes our present responsibility to obey God the Lord. When we are faced with a situation demanding patience regarding what God will do, We are to presently do what he has said. And I think this is combined, and David's response here, it may be the case that the Lord takes him out that way.
Abishai, perhaps, or one of us might have said, well, let's see to it that he dies in battle. Right into his head. But David says, no, we cannot touch the Lord's anointing. David is a model in this regard.
Now notice in verse 11, at the end, please take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head and let us go. Some have said that 24 and 26 are one account that are somehow given in two different chapters. They're two accounts. There's a lot of similarities between 24 and 26.
I will certainly grant that, but there's a lot of dissimilarities. In 24, Saul comes to where David is hiding. In 26, David initiates this whole particular situation. In 24, David simply cuts off a piece of Saul's robe, a symbol of his royal authority.
But here in 26, he takes his spear, that major symbol or token of his authority. In chapter 26, we have a direct act of God's providence. I'm not suggesting God's providence was absent in 24. but here in 2612 we are told very specifically a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them. This was the direct interposition of God upon this particular situation.
As well when we get to 26 we see that David continues to exhibit this greater confidence in God the Lord. Every step that he takes under the sovereignty of God, the more he's strengthened in that God. It's truly a blessed thing to behold. But notice, they take the spear, the jug of water, they go, or they got away, and then at the end of verse 12, no man saw or knew it or awoke.
I mean, again, if we were studying this from a military strategy standpoint, we'd say, no one of the 3,000 men woke up? You know, David and Abishai were that stealthy? David and Abishai were that quiet? Well, the narrator tells us that David and Abishai were under the controlling hand of God Most High.
For they were all asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them. A deep sleep such as overcame Adam. a deep sleep such as overcame Abraham. God the Lord is able to control the sleep patterns of men and to stay 3,000 and their commander and their general to keep them in a state of sleep. Now notice, secondly, the report concerning the mission, David and Abner.
One man suggests that there might be a bit of David here laying down for Abner something to the effect of, choose ye this day whom you will serve. I mean, Abner was deficient in his duties here and David calls him on it. Notice in the first place, he addresses Abner. Do you not answer, Abner?
Abner answers and says, who are you calling out to the king? So David said to Abner, are you not a man? The New Living Translation says, you're a great man, aren't you? The implication is something to the effect that you should have this under control.
Abner is Saul's military commander. And David just went and took the spear and jug of water away from Saul. Abner messed up. Now we know, according to verse 12, God messed him up by keeping him in this deep sleep.
But notice that David taunts Abner. Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your Lord the King?
For one of the people came in to destroy your Lord the King. If you were Abner, you were not happy right now. unless you thought he was lying, but the moment you saw the spear, you would say, oh no, he's not lying. He was right there over Saul. He's got Saul's spear and he's got his jug.
Notice the implication is that Abner should have guarded Saul. Who is Saul's number one enemy? David. Certainly, wouldn't Abner take that memo to heart and stand guard, especially when the Ziphites say, you can find him here.
Abner knows that David is in the region. Abner knows that David is present. Again, we know that God caused this deep sleep to fall upon him. But when we come to this passage, we have to understand what David is saying in this instance.
David is upbraiding and reproving this man. And notice in verse 16, this thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die because you have not guarded your master, the Lord's anointed. and now see where the king's spear is in the jug of water that was by his head." I guarantee you, if you were Abner, then and there, you were probably starting to hold your neck because you were afraid that Saul was going to cut your head off. This was treachery on the part of Abner.
Now that moves us to the explanation of the mission, David and Saul, in verses 17 to 25. Note Saul's tone. Is that your voice, my son, David? It's never my son, David, when he's at odds with David or when he's got the position of advantage over the son of Jesse.
In this instance, however, is that your voice, my son, David? Notice David's response first in verses 17 to 20. He asserts his innocence. Verse 18, he said, why does my Lord thus pursue his servant?
For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand? This has been David's constant refrain with Jonathan and with Saul. What have I done? Why are you pursuing me?
What cause, what reason, what justification do you possibly have in order to bring this to bear on my behalf now notice in verse 19 now therefore please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant David's a bit of a diplomat here David is evidencing skills in this section that will benefit him when he's on the throne notice in verse 19 Now therefore, please let my Lord the King hear the words of his servant. If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord." David doesn't even suggest that this wretchedness has come from Saul's heart. He is simply probing Saul.
He's trying to get Saul to examine the situation. First by asserting his innocence, and then by suggesting, or by asking, is this from the Lord? Has the Lord stirred you up in this regard? If it is from the Lord, perhaps He'll accept an offering, so I can be finished with this whole situation.
He says, if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord. May they be cursed before God. If others, Saul, have come to you, perhaps Doeg, the Edomite, perhaps your servants, perhaps others that are envious of the success of David. If they have come along and they have stirred you up, then may they be cursed of the Lord.
Notice how he goes on to describe these children of men. If it was in fact the case that they were the ones responsible, if they had indeed made Way upon Saul's heart this would be the end result for David the end of verse 19 for They have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord saying go serve other gods You see what David is saying here is not that if he leaves the confines of Israel He's going to become an idolater What he is acknowledging is that the inheritance, the land, Israel, is God's special dwelling place. David is acknowledging the necessity, the privilege, and the blessing of corporate worship, public worship. If David is driven out of Israel, if it is, as it were, the children of men saying, go serve other gods, go join the Canaanites, what would David be sorely lacking?
David would be lacking the public place where God is found and where God is worshipped. Robert Vannoy says David was not suggesting that he had no responsibility to remain faithful to the Lord outside of Israel. Rather, he was pointing out Saul's responsibility as king. What is the king of Israel supposed to ensure?
A place where Israelites can worship Yahweh. And if Saul is on the hot pursuit of David, such that David is going to have to flee Israel, almost as if persons are saying, go and serve other gods, David sees this as a great loss and as great pain. Vannoy goes on to say the role of the king of Israel was to protect God's people in the land he had given them. So David warned Saul how far his regime had fallen from its divinely sanctioned purpose.
If Saul, in his murderous rage, sends David away, he is depriving something that is most cherished and most special to David. It is the place where God dwells. You wouldn't imagine it, but there is a sermon in 1 Samuel chapter 26 on the blessed privilege of public worship. David doesn't want to leave the confines of Israel.
David wants to be where the people of God are. David wants to be where the tabernacle is. David wants to be where the priesthood is. David wants to be where the feast days are.
David wants to be where the sacrifices are presented. For David to leave Israel It would certainly mean the loss of family, the loss of comfort, the loss of privilege. But for David, the biggest loss of all would be leaving that place where Yahweh especially dwells. It truly is the mark of a godly man.
Now notice his petition in verse 20. So now do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains. That brings us to the repentance of verse 21. In my notes, I have repentance with quotes on it there.
I mean, come on, we're not really expected to believe that Saul is serious. David didn't believe it. Did he? No, David didn't believe it.
David said, send someone over here to get your spear and your jug. David's not going to trot over near Saul. David is not going to test the waters once again. David has heard this song and dance.
This is not David's first rodeo. He's already heard it in chapter 24. Saul's already had tears. Saul's already promised that he wouldn't hunt him and kill him.
David isn't buying it, neither should we. This is again a sinful, wretched man who is seeking to protect himself. Verse 21, then Saul said, I have sinned. Return my son David, for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day.
Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly. I have played the nabal. There was a nabal in chapter 25. There's a nabal in chapter 26.
In many ways, the nabal in chapter 25 was typical of this supreme nabal, which is named Saul, who is showing himself here. Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly. David again responds. He doesn't trust Saul.
David answered and said, here is the Kingspear, let one of the young men come over and get it. May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed. David commits justice to God. And then even more importantly, well not more importantly, but another observation.
Notice in verse 24, and indeed as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord. Saul, I've heard what you have to say. You have told me to return to you. I don't trust you.
I don't hope in you. My hope and my trust are in Yahweh. So let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord." It's not Saul's favor that David is courting. It's not Saul's approbation.
It is God's approval. It is God's deliverance. It is God's protection that David is desirous of. And at the end of verse 24, "...and let him deliver me." out of all tribulation.
And then the final words by Saul to David, Saul said to David, may you be blessed my son, David, you shall both do great things and also still prevail. Now there's an instance in the New Testament where Caiaphas makes a prophecy concerning the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. He spoke better than he knew. Saul's doing the exact same thing here, isn't he?
Saul has just made a most blessed pronouncement. May you be blessed, my son David. You shall both do great things and also still prevail. Now, we don't typically believe that he was sincere in what the sentiment was, but whether he liked it or not, that is essentially what would happen. as far as David is concerned.
David would be blessed, David would do great things, and David would in fact prevail. So David went on his way and Saul returned to his place.
Application
Now in conclusion, a few lessons and then we'll close.
The Providence of God
In the first place, as 1 Samuel does throughout, it certainly does in chapter 26, it sets before us the providence of God. recognized by David, verse 10. It is demonstrated by God in verse 12. It is the means by which God preserves his servants. And it is the means by which God governs all his creatures and all their actions.
Someone prayed tonight, Steve prayed, that God knows the very hairs on our head. He doesn't count them, he doesn't have to number them, he doesn't say, uh-oh, he hasn't had a haircut lately, it's going to make it more difficult to determine just what I'm dealing with. That's not the way our God operates. He is absolutely and comprehensively sovereign.
All things are under his control. All things are at his disposal. And guess what? He loves his children.
He loves his elect. He loves those for whom Jesus died. This is the basis upon which the believer takes great comfort in texts like Romans 8.28. The believer rejoices in the reality that our sovereign God does cause all things to work for good.
David saw it. David was a man who had a life full of trials, a life full of afflictions, a life full of issues and troubles and difficulties. Later on in his career, he can say, and the Lord has delivered me from it all. Brethren, this is not confined to David, king of Israel.
We are not David, king of Israel. We do not have the same sort of prestige in terms of redemptive history that David does, but this providence of God extends to all of his elect, to each and every one of us in every trial or difficulty. In whatever mysterious way he performs his wonders and every frowning providence, he hides a smiling face for his people. Remember that the providence of God is never an excuse or us rather waiting on the providence of God is never an excuse for us to suspend obedience to God.
I'm just waiting on the Lord. Well, do what God says while you're waiting. It's almost like, you know, I'm gonna lay something before the Lord and I'm gonna go check out. I'm just gonna wait till I get this answer.
That's not what David did. Abishai's probably got an itch. He didn't have an itchy trigger finger because it wasn't a gun. But he had an itchy hand.
I mean, he's got the spirit in his hand, and Saul's melon is right there. Abishai's ready to go. Abishai says, one shot. I don't have to poke him several times.
I am going to make sure he is done. And David says, no. We gotta do what God says. I cannot touch the Lord's anointed.
Brethren, I really believe that sometimes, as believers, we find the wrong comfort in the providence of God. Certainly find comfort in the providence of God, but when that providence or our understanding of that providence keeps us from doing what we know the will of the Lord is, then we have messed up and we need to repent. We always obey the will of God.
The Progress of the Kingdom
In the second place we see in 1st Samuel 26 the progress of the kingdom. Remember at the end of chapter 19 when the Spirit rushed upon Saul and he prophesied. And then he took off his clothes and he was naked. Again, not completely naked, but he divested himself of his royal robes.
That was symbolic. That was emblematic. That was a token of what's going to happen. When we get to En-Gedi, what does David do?
He cuts off the corner of Saul's robe. Remember back in chapter 15, that was an indicator or a sign that the kingdom was being stripped from Saul. David knew this in chapter 24. Now David goes after the spear.
The seizure of the spear demonstrates the transfer of kingly authority. This is all emblem, symbol, token for us, the reader, to see God's purposes unfolding in the decline of Saul and in the rise of David. And then the final words of Saul do the very same thing. We know what manner of wretch Saul has been, but we know as well that what Saul speaks at the end of the chapter is accurate.
It is true. Vannoy says that Saul's words at the end of the chapter are, in effect, his concession speech to David and his acknowledgment that his attempt to prevent David from acceding to the throne of Israel has failed. Now, he didn't see it that way, most likely. He didn't voice it out of that concern, most likely.
But we see it that way. We know what God's doing. Saul will be removed, and it's in one of the three ways that David specifies in verse 10. In the third place, I've alluded to this, the longing for corporate worship.
David doesn't want to leave the inheritance of the Lord. Notice in verse 19, the language that is used. He says, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, go serve other gods. Again, what's the implication?
Israel is the inheritance of the Lord, and that is the place where you serve the Lord. To leave Israel means to serve Chemosh, to serve Baal, to serve Asherah, to serve Mammon. Now notice in verse 20, so now do not let my blood fall on the earth before the face of the Lord. What's the implication there?
Israel, this inheritance, this land, this place is before the face of the Lord. This is where God's special presence dwells. John Gill comments, for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, meaning not from his own house and family, nor from the palace of Saul, but from the land of Canaan the Lord had given to his people Israel for an inheritance, and from the worship of God in it, which made it dear and precious to him. This is what David is saying in verses 19 and 20.
Don't kick me out of the church. Don't drive me from the people of God. Don't drive me from the altar. Don't remove me from the priesthood.
Don't keep me from the sacrificial system. Davis, this is a lengthy comment or a lengthy quote, but he makes the point. He says, didn't David know what every enlightened Christian knows? That you can pray and commune with God anywhere?
In other words, David, if Saul is effectual in driving you out into another land, Don't you know you can have private communion there? Don't you know you can pray there? God's not confined to Israel. God the Lord can hear you over here.
He says apparently the writer of Psalm 63, 139 and 142 was well aware of that. David knew that wherever he was, he had the voice, or he had the ear, rather, of God. He says, but David was more enlightened than many enlightened Christians. He knew that to be cut off from Yahweh's inheritance, verse 19, was to be cut off from Yahweh's face, verse 20, that when one had left Israel, there was no possibility of public worship.
That's beautiful. He says, this is not the place to sketch a biblical theology of worship. Suffice it to say that David would have made a poor space-age evangelical. He would have never been content with his study Bible prayer list in a quiet cave.
Yahweh's face or presence was especially seen in the sanctuary. Psalm 63, 2. Yet David was being driven away and cut off from tabernacle and sacrifice, from priest and festival. He was being shot out of the land and sanctuary where Yahweh met with his people.
To be cut off from the ordinances of public worship is David's most severe grief. He says, would that cause me anguish? Christians have surpassed David in privileges, but few have approached him in appetite. He's right.
I think he's 100% right. David longed for the sanctuary. David longed for the place where God's people are. David wrote that God loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
God the Lord delights in his corporate people gathering together. God the Lord delights when Zion is convened and when the people are worshiping and praising collectively and in the church setting. David did not want to lose that blessed, glorious privilege. And then in
David as Type of Christ
the final place, the typological significance of David. We have seen constantly that David is a type of David's greater son. David did not retaliate when pursued by godless men, did he? I mean, there's no way you can, I mean, obviously when we see the situation in Nabal in chapter 25, we thank God the Lord for his providence in sending a savior in skirts, specifically Abigail, who spoke to him, and by God's grace, he was restrained.
But here in chapter 26, David is a man that is not going to retaliate, just like Jesus. When he was reviled, what happened? He reviled not. He didn't pay back.
He didn't go tit for tat. He would not do well. I'm not saying he wouldn't do well, but he wouldn't be the guy on the blog comment section that would continue to banter back and forth with everybody. That was just not the way Jesus conducted himself.
When he was reviled, he reviled not. As well, David did not seek his deliverance from Saul, but he entrusted himself to God. Isn't that precisely what Jesus does in His earthly ministry? From cradle to grave, He is submissive to the will of His Father, and He trusts in the power of God the Father to keep Him, to deliver Him, to see Him through the various things that He must go through.
Well, let us pray.
Closing Prayer
Our Father, we thank You for the Word of God, we thank You for these lessons that we learn in 1 Samuel, I pray that you would give us grace to receive these things with thanksgiving, to acknowledge your providence, to live in light of your providence, to live in obedience to the Word of God. When you say to do something, help us, Lord, to be obedient and compliant. As well, Father, may we value and prize and treasure the public worship of God. the way that we know that David did, the way that he wrote about in the Psalms, the way that the church practiced in the early chapters in the book of Acts. Give us grace, Lord God, to have that spiritual appetite and that yearning and that longing.
And we pray that as we gather as a church on the Lord's Day, that you would be in our midst, that we would know your nearness and your presence, that our worship wouldn't be external and formal, but it would be in spirit and in truth, that God would be worshiped and glorified, that God would be present with his people. We ask that you would go with us now, watch over us in the remainder of this week, and we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.