Day 135 – David Hides & Spares Saul

• The game of cat-and-mouse or hide-and-seek continues in the two chapters we read in 1 Samuel today, although there is a surprising conclusion – and almost a change of roles. Let’s find out!
• 1 Samuel 23 gives us some more general history, recalling David’s rescue of the city of Keilah from the ever-present danger of the Philistines. Before he went there, what did David do? What do you think David thought about as he prepared for the battle?
• Later in the chapter, the author continues to relate stories of Saul perusing David. It describes three moments when Saul nearly catches David. The first is in 1 Samuel 23:6-14, the second in verses 15-23 and the third in verse 24-29. In each situation, God saves David. What happens in each event?
• What do you think were some of the daily difficulties David and his men had to overcome as they lived in caves in the desert and were being hunted? What do you think would be the hardest thing to deal with?
• Who visited David from time to time to encourage him during this time?
• 1 Samuel 24 seems to start off with a similar story of Saul seeking David. Saul has pursued David to a place called Engedi, and pops into a cave for a pee. Unbeknownst to him, however, David is hiding in the back of the cave. You might think that David would remain as still as a mouse, but he does something unusual. What happens?
• Why did David feel bad after he cut off a corner of Saul’s robe? 1 Samuel 24:6 will help. What do we learn about David’s character in this chapter?
• What remarkable thing does David then do in verse 8 onward?
• How does Saul respond to David’s God-centred message?
• What can we learn in chapter 24 about the wonderful choice we have to show mercy and forgiveness, instead of revenge and cheap victory, even when (as David’s followers argued in verse 4) it seems that we have every right to be angry?

This is a remarkable situation. David is showing complete trust in God when all his desire and temptations must have been to end his sufferings by killing the king. Not only did he spare Saul’s life, but he presented himself in front of him, trusting that God would preserve his life.

Psalm 54, which we also read today, picks up the message of seeking God rather than revenge. David writes this as he has been “sold out” to Saul, and he is able to direct the focus of the psalm away from anger against the treachery and instead towards an understanding that God will always be his saviour and deliverer.

David knew, as we see in verse 5, that God will judge the wicked. David is therefore free to not do so. Many people think that this world is all there is, and feel the need to fight every battle and right every wrong accordingly, often ending up frustrated, bitter and worn out. David, and Christians worldwide, can think differently. The knowledge that this life is just a mere foretaste of eternity to come, orchestrated by a God who is a perfect judge, is the backdrop to allow David, and us, to live out lives filled with mercy and forgiveness instead.

And as for Saul… well, we’ll find out in the next couple of days whether his words of peace at the end of chapter 24 prove true!