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THE FLEA & THE KING. I Samuel 26. 8/23/20. #77.
I Samuel 26 [New King James Version]
1 Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come. 5 So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp, with the people encamped all around him. 6 Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” 7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him [a]at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 10 David said furthermore, “As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them. 13 Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them. 14 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered and said, “Who are you, calling out to the king?” 15 So David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head.” 17 Then Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18 And he said, “Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand? 19 Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.” 21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 24 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
- The chase continues
- David once again moves to the Judean wilderness
- Once again the Ziphites inform Saul of David’s location
- Once again God places Saul in David’s hands
- God puts Saul & his entire army to sleep (including the guards)
- God frequently intervened to foil the wicked: Midianites fighting themselves, opening & closing of Red Sea, an angel killing 185,000 soldiers, water looking like blood…
- David approaches Saul unnoticed
- Abishai (David’s nephew) wants to strike Saul down with a spear
- Says again (Chapter 24) “God has delivered Saul…”
- Again, David refuses strike “God’s anointed” (God will either strike him down or he will die in battle)
- Instead & killing Saul, he makes off with his jug & spear
- David once again moves to the Judean wilderness
- Taunts from on high
- David moves across a ravine to a ridge overlooking Saul’s camp
- He first calls out to Abner, Saul’s general
- Abner was responsible to protect the king
- David states that Abner’s failure meant he should die
- Notice the respect David gives Saul: “…my lord, the king…”
- Again, David pleads his case to Saul
- David spared Saul’s life again
- David is not a flea to be swatted contemptuously
- David has always been loyal to Saul
- If the Lord sent Saul, why is David protected?
- If evil men have urged Saul, they are accursed
- David asks what he has done to be hunted down
- The wicked will always pursue the righteous
- Righteous will always be vindicated in the end
- David has been chased out of his inheritance among Israel by accursed men who drive him to pagan lands
- David pleads for his life, for he isn’t a hunted game bird
- Saul again relents
- For a second time Saul admits that he has sinned (still not repented)
- Saul says that David should return to his home, for he will not seek to harm him (David doesn’t trust Saul)
- Saul admits that he has played the fool
- Saul admits that not only did David hold his own life as precious, but Saul’s also
- Saul blesses David, stating that he would prevail in many great endeavors (which would include the kingship)
- This is the way Saul feels at the time
- He will soon forget that David spared him
- Saul goes home and does not chase David anymore
- David moves out of Saul’s reach to the Philistines
- Saul is engaged in battle with the Philistines to the end
- Saul recognizes his son, but does not repent
- He eventually consults a witch (medium)
- Unless a man turns his life over to Lord, he cannot truly repent of his sins
- Saul could have changed his ways
- His pride, jealousy, & greed did not bring contentment
- Only a fool continues down a destructive path
- Saul had not learned that it is God who raises up & takes down
- All who rebel will eventually be destroyed (Psalms 14:12)
- Earthly acclaim & power are an illusion (Luke 12, Ecclesiastes 12)
- For a second time Saul admits that he has sinned (still not repented)