Lesson 215 - Junior

Memory Verse

Notes

Seeking

Once more the Ziphites took information about David to Saul ([1SM:23:19]). For a time Saul had stopped his search for David. The Ziphites' report brought to Saul's mind his hatred for David, and his jealousy of David. To renew his pursuit, Saul took 3000 chosen men to seek David in Ziph.

Perhaps Saul would never have taken up another chase of David if the Ziphites had not encouraged it by their report. Their words revived the evil in Saul's heart, which was "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12, 13). The Ziphites themselves did not seek David; but by betraying David, the Ziphites became partakers in Saul's evil plan to slay him. May we never, by giving encouragement to others that they sin, have a part in sin. Some children may not commit a wrong deed themselves, but they urge others to do it. When they stir up evil and hatred they are guilty along with the others.

When Saul heard of David's whereabouts, he immediately went out against him. David acted differently when he heard of Saul's whereabouts. David did not march out to battle as some people do against their enemy. David had no reason to fight. David was interested in his own safety, not in the defeat of Saul. By keeping out of Saul's way, David showed that he was patient and willing to "wait on the LORD." It might have been easier to do away with Saul, but then David would have been guilty of the blood of Saul, the Lord's anointed.

No doubt, it was about this time that David wrote the fifty fourth Psalm. He said, "God is mine helper: . . . he hath delivered me out of all trouble" (Psalm 54:4, 7). David believed that God would deliver him out of this trouble, too.

In Saul's Camp

There are other ways of dealing with enemies besides fighting. David was no coward. When the opportune time came, David went to Saul's camp, and found the host of the enemy asleep. Perhaps for safety, Saul, and Abner his captain ([1SM:17:55]), were in the centre of the camp, surrounded by the other men of war.

David's nephew, Abishai ([1CH:2:15-16]), volunteered to go with David as he ventured into Saul's camp -- into the centre of it, to Saul. David and Abishai went by night. They were not seen by the sentries nor by any of the others. They walked and talked among Saul's 3000 sleeping soldiers.

It was not hard to find Saul, for his spear was stuck in the ground near his bolster (or whatever he was using for a pillow). We are told that it was customary in such an encampment for the leader to occupy the centre, and his position would be indicated by his spear stuck in the ground.

When David and Abishai slipped over to Saul's side, they were surrounded by all the sleeping soldiers. Abishai asked David to give him permission to slay Saul. Perhaps Abishai had been with David in the cave when David cut Saul's garment. Very likely he knew that David would not slay Saul even though he did have a chance. Abishai probably reasoned with David that the first time it might have just happened that David had had a chance to slay Saul; but this time, surely God had delivered Saul into David's hand. This was no ordinary sleep that had come upon the soldiers of Saul, for even the sentries and Saul's captain, whose business it was to protect the king, were asleep. The Lord had caused this deep sleep to come upon Saul and all his 3000 soldiers.

In God's Hand

Abishai did not encourage David to slay Saul. Abishai asked that he be permitted to do it. But David was loyal to his king. Even though David had been anointed to be king, he was willing to wait God's time. David did not want to rush ahead and force his own way to the throne. David put into practice the words of one of his Psalms: "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5).

David was content to leave his case in God's hand. David told Abishai that he would be held guilty before God if he put forth his hand against the Lord's anointed. Besides, David reasoned, the Lord will smite Saul, or he may perish in a battle, or his day to die will come. David knew that sooner or later Saul and every other person had to die, but David did not want to be responsible for Saul's death. He said, "The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed." Thus David spared the life of Saul, his enemy.

A Spear and a Cruse of Water

David instructed Abishai to take Saul's spear and his cruse of water, as proof that they had been in Saul's camp. Saul's spear was to protect him when he was in danger; the vessel of water was to refresh him when he was thirsty. He lost both. Thus may a person lose both his spiritual strength and comfort by being careless and off guard about spiritual things. He must "watch and pray" constantly ([MAK:13:33]).

David and Abishai slipped quietly and safely out of Saul's camp When they had gone a distance where they could be heard and not reached, David called out. Saul recognised David's voice as David accused Abner, the captain, of being unfaithful and neglectful, because he had left the king unprotected In such a case a person is considered worthy of death.

David pointed out further that while Abner slept one of the people had gone to Saul to destroy him but David had not permitted it. For proof David called their attention to Saul's spear which was missing from Saul's side and was now in David's possession. David probably reminded them that he who took the spear could also have slain Saul. David said that the spear would be returned if Saul sent one of his young men for it.

Driven from Home and Worship

David insisted that he was the one who had been wronged. David was driven from his home and his business and his worship. His inheritance was taken away, and he was told to "Go, serve other gods."

In David's humility, he likened himself to a partridge, a game bird said to be harmless, which flies when it can but has no other defence. Saul was forced to confess his sin and mistake. He invited David to return, and promised to do him no more harm. Perhaps, at this time Saul meant what he promised; but his confession and promise were not prompted by true repentance.

God, the Judge

David reminded Saul that God will "render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness." The Lord is judge and "shall reward every man according to his works" (Matthew 16:27) and according to his deeds.

David never gave any other reason for sparing the life of Saul except that he was the Lord's anointed. So far as David was concerned, that reason was enough. That should have been reason enough for Saul, too, because David was also the anointed of the Lord ([2SM:23:1]). That should be reason enough today to cause a person to be careful what is said or done against one of God's ministers. God said, "Touch not mine anointed" (Psalm 105:15). Without a doubt, God meant all His children, not only the ministers who are anointed to preach. The Bible tells us that there is an anointing that comes ([1JN:2:27]), which teaches one and leads him into all truth ([JHN:16:13]). God takes note of those who harm, by words or deeds, His people -- the followers of the Lord. This was God's promise to Abraham and to all the Children of Israel: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee" ([GEN:12:3]; [GEN:27:29]; [EXO:23:22]; [NUM:24:9]). It has been proved that God is good to those who are kind to His people, and that God permits reverses to those who mistreat and injure the followers of the Lord.

With these words of Saul, "Thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail," David and Saul parted as friends. So far as we know, this was the last time that David ever saw Saul. Until Saul's death, David remained in exile, depending upon the protection of God rather than relying upon Saul's promise.

Questions

1. Who stirred up Saul to seek David again?

2. How many were with Saul?

3. Why was it that David and Abishai could get into Saul's campy

4. What proof did they have that they had been there?

5. What can happen to a Christian who does not "watch and pray"?

6. What reason did David give for not slaying Saul?

7. How was Saul's spear returned?

8. How had Abner, Saul's captain, faded to do his part?

9. In what way was David wronged?

10. To what did Saul confess?

11. What did Saul prophesy concerning David?

12. How did David and Saul part?