1 SAMUEL 26 - MISTAKES AND MERCY, AGAIN AND AGAIN
1 Samuel 26
Saul’s relentless pursuit of David’s life was met with David’s relentless mercy on Saul’s life. The story of 1 Samuel continues with another informant coming to Saul with David’s whereabouts. Saul and his army of 3,000 men went out again to look for David and his 600 men. Conventional wisdom would say that 3,000 men should be able to defeat 600 men, but not when the Lord has other plans (v. 1-2).
After a long day of fruitless searching in the wilderness, Saul and his army encamped on a hill and slept. The army set a perimeter around Saul, and the king slept in the center next Abner, the commander of the army. That night David and Abishai boldly went by night into camp. As they tip-toed their way through the 3,000 sleeping men, they found Saul fast asleep with his spear stuck in the ground next to him (v. 3-7).
This was yet another perfect opportunity for David to take vengeance into his hands. Abishai asked David if he could pin Saul to the ground with the king’s own spear. This was the same spear that had once been hurled at David and Jonathan. Saul had misused the spear, mismanaged the throne, and misrepresented God. Many would think that David would be helping God and himself by pinning that maniac king to the earth (v. 8).
Yet, with remarkable mercy and trust in the Lord, David refused to take matters into his own hands. He trusted that the Lord would take vengeance in his proper timing. David was patient and merciful and showed his conviction in the Lord when he said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” (v. 9-11).
David and Abishai quietly made their way out of the camp with Saul’s weapon and water jug in hand. There was a noticeable deep sleep that fell upon the army, and the Bible says that it was the Lord who caused the sleep. The men eventually woke up to the sound of David yelling from another hill opposite of theirs. Saul recognized that it was David’s voice. David then explained how Abner had failed to protect the king, and how with the Lord’s protection had been with David when he went into their camp that night. David pleaded with Saul to stop hunting him down (v. 12-20).
Saul was again able to see the foolishness of his ways. The problem was that his mistaken behavior kept happening again and again. Saul had just recently repented of his foolish pursuit of David, but he kept going right back to it. Saul spoke the words of repentance, but there was no visible change in his behavior. Saul’s response to David’s mercy, was to continue in sin against him.
Saul said many nice things to David, and he even pronounced a blessing on his future. However, the future of Israel could only be determined and blessed by God. God was preparing David to be a king who would manage the throne and represent God well. David demonstrated his heart after God and waited for the Lord to have his way, while Saul continued to harden his own heart with empty word of repentance (v. 21-25).
1 Samuel continues to show us two very different kings and how they demonstrate two very different kingdoms and kingdom principles. David gave Saul back his spear while he waited for the Lord to give him the scepter. David went his way of mercy, while Saul returned to his place of false repentance.