1 Samuel 24:1-22

Have you ever been faced with a situation where the expectations of those around you kept you from doing what you felt you should do?

I remember at my grandpa’s funeral there was some family conflict that arose. I felt a nudge to go and talk to one of my family members involved in the conflict to let them know I loved them, but I was afraid of what the rest of my family would think of me if I did. So, I didn’t go. Still to this day, I wish I had followed that nudge from God and did what I knew He was calling me to.

It’s hard to follow God’s will for us when it goes against the expectations of others around us. This is especially true when it comes to showing God’s love to others. In our scripture for today we see David, who later became King of Israel, confronted with one of these tough situations.

“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.

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.”

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.”

1 Samuel 24:1-22

King Saul, threatened by David’s popularity and talk of him becoming the next king, had been seeking to kill David for quite some time and David, along with his men, were on the run. David hadn’t actually done anything against the king. He had faithfully served him. But fear and paranoia had led Saul to see David as an enemy who needed to be eliminated.

It is in this context that we find David presented with what seems like a divinely appointed opportunity to justly defend himself by killing King Saul who is unjustly seeking to kill him. His followers and friends tell him, “Look, God has given him into your hands. It’s clearly the right thing to do.” Many of us would probably think and say the same thing in this situation. But David does the unexpected. He spares Saul’s life and after doing so comes out of hiding and bows down before him. Talk about defying expectations.

What led and empowered him to take such radical actions? His connection to God and his willingness to follow the Spirit’s nudging. As he crept up behind King Saul, he experienced a nudge inside that said, “This is not right. This is not what God wants.” And as crazy as it seemed, though he knew his friends and followers might get mad, he followed. Because he had spent time with God and had seen His faithfulness, he recognized God’s voice and followed His lead.

Go. Act. Follow.

Often, the things God calls you and me to do are going to seem ridiculous and illogical, not only to others but also to us. That’s why it is so important to practice attuning yourself to His voice by regularly connecting with Him through reading the Bible and through time in prayer. Pray that God would give you His Spirit to lead you and empower you. Then when you feel the nudge, GO…ACT….FOLLOW Him wherever He leads you. Love others like He loves you.

As you consider this scripture and reflect this week, respond to the following questions: