Ch 24 / 31~3 min
Shmuel Alef

Chapter 24

Mercy Withholds the Sword

David sparing Saul in the cave — 'YHWH's anointed' — and refusing vengeance foreshadow Yeshua who, though wrongly condemned, did not retaliate but entrusted Himself to Elohim.

  1. David Spares Saul in the Cave

    David has the chance to kill Saul in a cave but cuts only his robe. Watch a man who trusts Elohim's timing over his own opportunity.

  2. 1When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.”
  3. 2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
  4. 3He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave.
  5. 4David’s men said to him, “Behold, the day of which YHWH said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe secretly.
  6. 5Afterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
  7. 6He said to his men, “YHWH forbid that I should do this thing to my adonai, YHWH’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is YHWH’s anointed.”
  8. 7So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
  9. 8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, “My adonai the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect.
  10. 9David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?
  11. 10Behold, today your eyes have seen how YHWH had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my adonai, for he is YHWH’s anointed.’
  12. 11Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
  13. 12May YHWH judge between me and you, and may YHWH avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
  14. 13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.
  15. 14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
  16. 15May YHWH therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.”
  17. Saul Acknowledges David's Righteousness

    Saul weeps and admits David is more righteous. Even enemies can recognise integrity when it is lived out consistently.

  18. 16It came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
  19. 17He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
  20. 18You have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when YHWH had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me.
  21. 19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may YHWH reward you good for that which you have done to me today.
  22. 20Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
  23. 21Swear now therefore to me by YHWH that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.”
  24. 22David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
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