David spares Saul
1 ① David then went up from there and stayed in the hiding places at Engedi. 2When Saul returned from his pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert of Engedi. 3So Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men to the east of the Wild Goat crags. 4When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he entered a cave to relieve himself.
5Now David and his men were far back in the cave. David’s men said to him, “This is the day which Yahweh spoke of: look I will deliver your enemy into your hands and you will do with him as you see fit.” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s robe. 6But afterward, David regretted having cut off an end of Saul’s robe, 7and he said to his men, “Let me not lay my hands on my master, for he is Yahweh’s anointed.” 8With these words, David restrained his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
9Then David himself stepped out of the cave and called after Saul, “My master, the king!” When Saul looked back, David knelt and then bowed to the ground in homage and asked him, 10“Why do you listen to those who say that I want to harm you? 11Look, today you have seen that Yahweh delivered you into my hands in the cave, and I was told to kill you but I held myself back and I said: ‘I will not lift my hands against my master who is Yahweh’s anointed.’ 12My father, look at this end of your robe which I am holding! I cut off the end of your robe but did not kill you. Now you may know that I mean you no harm or treason. I have done you no wrong and yet you are hunting me down to kill me. 13May Yahweh be judge between you and me and may he exact justice from you in my case, but I shall do you no harm.
14As the saying goes, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness’; as for me, my hand shall not harm you. 15But who is it you are after, O king of Israel? Are you pursuing a dead dog? A flea? 16May Yahweh be judge between you and me. May he see and uphold my cause and deliver me from your hands.”
17After David had spoken these words, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, my son David?” He wept aloud 18and said to David, “You are right and I am wrong, for you have repaid with kindness the harm I have inflicted on you. 19This day you have shown your righteousness to me by not taking my life when Yahweh put me into your hands. 20For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go unharmed? May Yahweh reward you for what you have done for me today. 21Now I know for certain that you shall reign and the kingdom of Israel will be firm in your hand. 22Now swear to me by Yahweh that you will not wipe out my descendants and erase the name of my family.” 23David swore to this before Saul after which Saul went home while David and his men went up to the hiding place.
- 1 S 24,1 David's respect for the anointed one of the Lord (since Saul had been anointed by Samuel), gives evidence of his faith. Persons instructed in the Scriptures know that leaders share with God duties and power which exceed the capabilities and the rights of a human being. Though we should replace evil or ineffective leaders, we must respect their person and the fearful responsibility God has delivered into their hands (Rom 13:1). God will do me justice. This is not the grudging complaint of someone who did not even try to defend himself but the certainty of one who fights for what seems to him to be just, but recognizes that God alone is the master of history. In particular cases, he renounces his rights as a way of showing his full confidence in God. This is what Jesus says in Matthew 5:38-42.
