Life in the Trenches - Part 1 ed. 4
Leave vengeance to God | Part 1: 1 Samuel 24:1--25:1 | Ed. 04 11/11
Source: Wikimedia
Notes for 1 Samuel 24:1—25:1
New Testament passages for study
Please take time to worship with this rendition of an old hymn Kristene DiMarco, It is Well
This has been a very difficult week for many. Worship God, receive His grace, thank Him for His mercy.
Narrative flow
1 Samuel 16 — Samuel anoints David, David becomes servant of Saul, Saul loves David
1 Samuel 17 — anointed David overcomes the attacking Philistines by bravely killing their champion Goliath with a stone and a sling
1 Samuel 18 — David rises to prominence in Israel; the Lord departs from Saul; Saul tries to kill David and becomes David’s enemy continually
1 Samuel 19 — Saul’s plans to kill David are thwarted; David escapes to Samuel at Naioth in Ramah (protection of Messianic seed runs through following chapters)
1 Samuel 20 — David is dismayed at Saul’s anger but Jonathan refused to admit his father’s paranoid state of mind; Jonathan recognizes David as legitimate king and makes a covenant with David
1 Samuel 21 — David’s flight from Saul begins; David deceives Ahimelech priest at Nob for food, weaponry; David flees Saul to Achish in Gath but is recognized!
1 Samuel 22 — David flees to cave of Adullam, gathers 400 men; David stays briefly at Mizpah in Moab — prophet Gad sends him to Judah into forest of Hereth; Doeg the Edomite (anti-lovingkindness) testifies to a paranoid Saul about Ahimelech’s “treason”; innocent Ahimelech defends himself and David but Saul kills him and levels Nob; Abiathar escapes and flees to David in forest of Hereth. David’s cycle of deceit is completed.
1 Samuel 23 — David goes to Philistine harassed Keilah to deliver it; David inquires of God via Abiathar’s ephod (ay-phod) about Saul’s intent to besiege David and his men; God directs David to escape to wilderness of Ziph — Saul gives up pursuit; Jonathan finds David to encourage him and renews their covenant; Ziphites betray David, inform Saul of David’s location; despite David and his men being cornered by Saul in wilderness of Maon, Saul’s messenger calls Saul away home to fend off a Philistine attack; David and men go to strongholds of Engedi. Divine protection.
1 Samuel 24 — Saul renews pursuit of David in wilderness of Engedi (Rocks of the Wild Goats). Saul enters a cave where David and his men hide to relieve himself — David’s men try to convince David (deceitfully!) the moment is from God. David secretly approaches Saul to cut off a piece of Saul’s robe (a sign of disloyalty or rebellion in ancient Near East) but his heart struck him (see also 2 Samuel 24:10) and is restrained from taking vengeance. David bravely confronts Saul outside of the cave (Saul could have attacked!) and humbles himself before Saul (David is still Saul’s servant! 1 Sa 16) showing Saul clear evidence (robe piece) of Saul’s peril in the cave — David argues his innocence of treason and shows lovingkindness to Saul despite Saul’s lack of legal claim to kingship. Saul states, “You are more righteous than I” (looks forward to 2 Samuel 7). Saul admits David’s right to the kingship. Saul returns home briefly.
1 Samuel 25:1 — Samuel dies, is mourned, and is buried at his house in Ramah. It is the end of the era of Judges. David goes to wilderness of Haran for another test of his character regarding vengeance and restraint.
Exposition
“The person who seeks revenge should dig two graves.” Old Proverb
Source: Wikimedia
[5.] David Spares Saul at Engedi (24:1—25:1)
1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Samuel 24:1–7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[a.] Saul enters the cave where David and his men are hiding, 1 Sa 24:1-3
Remarkably, the narrative proceeds from a report about David in the broad area of the wilderness of Engedi, to Saul marshaling 3,000 men (overkill) to Wild Goat’s Rocks (near modern Ain Jidi [Google Earth link]). A divinely directed encounter ensues as Saul enters a cave to relieve himself — the very cave David and his men are hiding!
Saul is completely exposed to harm without his body guard; David and his men are given unfettered access to Saul for some moments to deliver harm or good.
Users may zoom in on the following JPEG screen capture.
Source: [Google Earth link]
[b.] David cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe, 1 Sa 24:4-7
David’s men are warriors and acutely aware of the opportunity given them to rid the earth of Saul.
David’s men attempt to urge David on for the kill — “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand…’”. There is no recorded history of this oracle in scripture yet it serves as deceitful rationalization by his men to goad David into rash action.
In the remainder of the narrative, notice how many times “hand” is used — into your hand; put out my hand; into my hand; in my hands; my hand shall not be against you; deliver me from your hand; your hands. This serves to emphasize several aspects of the narrative:
Saul is placed in David’s custody, vv. 4, 10
David has opportunity to harm Saul the anointed king, vv. 6, 10, 12, 18
David argues neither evil or rebellion is “in my hands”, vv. 11, 13
David’s desire to be delivered from Saul’s incessant persecution by David’s righteous action when Saul was in his custody, v. 15
The corner cut from Saul’s robe is evidence — a sort of identity token — of David’s opportunity to kill Saul and his restraint from murdering Saul the anointed king.
David immediately arose and “secretly” cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. The practical purpose of this was to obtain this identity token to be used later on.
“In ancient Mesopotamia, the hem of the garment made an important social statement. Documents from the city of Mari on the Euphrates (ca. 18th century BC) reveal that the hem of the garment represented the person who owned it and to cut off the hem implied an injury or denial of the person’s value.” Source: Dr. Dale Manor
But David also immediately regretted his action, “And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.” v. 5. See also the same language in 2 Samuel 24:10. Because Saul is king, this action was a sign of disloyalty or rebellion in ancient Near East — the very thing David will deny in his character in his subsequent appeal to Saul! (Tsumura)
6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.”
David convinces his men to restrain themselves from harming Saul, and also restrains himself. The Spirit of God came on David at his anointing and gave him power for this kind of leadership.
David demonstrates remarkable integrity, respect for God’s anointing of Saul (despite Saul’s failures; see also 1 Samuel 26:9, 11, 16, 23; 2 Samuel 1:14, 16), and trust in God for His sovereign disposition of the intractable conflict Saul had toward David.
Non-retaliation in the gospel
Christians are human with an active sin nature Romans 6:12-14. When someone intentionally harms us, our family, our our possessions, the “natural instinct” is to exact revenge at any cost. But it could cost all that we have: integrity, reputation, our relationship with God.
But this is not from the cross of Christ — it is an innately evil response. The core of the gospel is non-retaliation 1 Peter 2:18-23. Leave revenge to the righteous and just God.
[c.] David’s appeal to Saul concerning his innocence of evil or rebellion against Saul, 1 Sa 24:8-15
8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12 May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Sa 24:8–15). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
David’s appeal to Saul is based on facts of a situation of which Saul is completely unaware.
Saul just emerged from a cave where he was dangerously exposed to David.
David, however, called after Saul, bowing and paying homage to him.
David recounts how [the Spirit] restrained him from killing the unguarded Saul, so Saul’s lying courtiers and paranoid behavior is unjustified because David regards and respects Saul as God’s anointed.
Though Saul was placed in David’s hand, David did not put out his hand to harm Saul, but instead David presents Saul’s identity token in his hand as proof of Saul’s exposure to danger.
David argued he restrained himself because of the lack of wrong or treason in his hands toward Saul. Therefore there was no basis for Saul’s continual pursuit to kill David.
David closes with an appeal for God’s justice (judge, v. 12 and v. 15; give sentence, v. 15) between him and Saul because no wickedness was in David to harm Saul.
This is both an impassioned argument from the surprised Saul’s immediate escape from danger (Exhibit A — Saul’s robe corner piece) and an appeal for a legal settlement by God’s justice of the ongoing hunt to kill David by the one who had just evaded certain death by David’s hand — but for David’s restraint in the power of the Spirit.
Spirit controlled restraint
James speaks about the power of the tongue to destroy. This is one way someone might seek revenge for a wrong done to them. But even a wrong-doer is made in God’s image. Allow God to bring justice to the wrong-doer.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:8-10
Goliath was one who reviled and cursed the Israelites on the battlefield but did not count the cost of his actions. Goliath’s vile railing against Israel and the LORD drove David to act in faith, with God’s authorization and power, to bring down the enemy and drive away the Philistines.
David could have murdered Saul on the spot at the urging of his aggressive band of men, but he chose to use the opportunity to honor Saul and obey God concerning God’s anointed king. He appealed to Saul for a truce as God dispensed justice for both him and Saul.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:17-21
Christians of all people can expect maltreatment from the world and do encounter situations where a personal harm or a wrong is done to them without cause. Instead of returning evil for evil, God expects us to follow Jesus’ example of non-retaliation. Even our enemies are made in the likeness of God and we are to be the light of the world in such circumstances. 1 Peter 3:8-17; 1 Peter 4:12-19; Matthew 5:9-12; Proverbs 17:13
If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. Proverbs 17:13
[d.] Saul’s response to David’s appeal, 1 Sa 24:16-22
16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Samuel 24:16–22). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
In review of the 1 Samuel narrative to this point, Saul’s response is both surprising and tragic. Hearing David’s voice was a shock to Saul — not only David’s presence in the cave but that he was still alive. Saul’s weeping is evidence of this.
“You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” 1 Samuel 24:17
Saul clearly understood David’s appeal and admitted David was “more righteous”. David obeyed torah and had no intention of returning harm in response to Saul’s paranoia and relentless pursuit. Saul knew God was with David because of David’s actions toward him when placed in his hand.
The statement in 1 Samuel 24:17 looks ahead to God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-14) for an enduring house built on the foundations of justice and righteousness. In this way David is both the messianic seed of Abraham and prototype of the future Messianic king, Jesus Christ the righteous (Matthew 1:1-17).
Saul admits David will be the legitimate king over Israel and the kingdom will be established “in his hand”. This completes the use of the phrases including the word “hand” in the passage. David’s ultimate responsibility as king over Israel was built on the righteousness (obedience to torah by faith) and integrity of character David experienced in his ten years on the run from Saul’s pursuit.
The oath sworn by David to Saul was fulfilled later in his treatment of Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13; see Wikipedia on Mephibosheth). In this way, David showed lovingkindness (covenant loyalty) to both Saul and Jonathan.
Life in the trenches
The Christian’s journey is long, both joy-filled and sorrowful, as we look forward to the eternal city of God and life in His presence. Our existence on earth is in a sin-filled domain and life experience will be marred by the presence of sin.
The choice of non-retaliation in life circumstances is ours to make. Only God can bring justice in this world. Like David, life on earth on the run forges us into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ.
Release revenge to God’s justice by faith. This is the will of God.
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:20
Appendix
NOTES
Underlined Scripture passages are links to full text at bible.com (YouVersion, ESV).
DEFINITIONS
BDAG - A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed.
ca. or circa, “about”
et al. - “and others”
Gk. or “Greek”
lit. - literally
n. - noun
Strong’s - Strong’s Concordance, URL https://strongsconcordance.org [link]
Tsumura - Tsumura, D. (2007). The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
vb. - verb
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