Saul's Spear
1 Sam 26:1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?
This wasn't the first time the people of Ziph betrayed David to Saul.
1 Sam 23:19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
The Ziphites showed themselves to be loyal to Saul, not caring about David. In the world, favors are sought by those loyal to the one in power. Too often doing what is right in God's eyes, is not as important as gaining favor with the king. Whoa to the people who keep God out of their affairs.
1 Sam 26:2 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.
So much for Saul's changed heart. He had earlier commented to David his respect for his anointing.
1 Sam 24:20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
Unless the LORD changes the heart, their is no change. Saul spoke empty words of emotion and repentance, only to return as before in pursuit of David. His power was more important than God's anointed choice. Saul would be king and would try to destroy his replacement. He feared David and would destroy him. He did not show fear of God, this eventually would bring destruction to himself.
1 Sam 26:3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
1 Sam 26:4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
David saw Saul's men and sent out spies. Saul had not yet detected Saul. There were 3000 men with Saul and only 600 with David. Most importantly, God was with David.
1 Sam 26:5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
Saul lay within the camp, trenched about with wagon wheels. He was in the center of the camp, well protected.
1 Sam 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
David himself with no fear follows the LORD'S prompting, and selects Abishai to accompany him. This is as Jonathan was led to the camp of the Philistines, accompanied by his armor bearer.
1 Sam 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
Both men were led by God's Spirit. God's anointed servants are led by the Holy Spirit. I have known brave men and women, who were led by God's Spirit into dangerous places, and released that which the enemy had taken possession of.
1 Sam 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
Abner, was Saul's uncle and captain of the armies. He and other soldiers lay around Saul to further protect him. His infamous spear at his own head. That spear that Saul was so eager to throw in his anger. The spear he threw at David and even his son Jonathan.
1 Sam 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
It would be the end of Saul, using his own spear. It would not be David killing Saul, but another. This would be man taking vengeance, but David sees Saul as God's anointed. Another problem would be the commotion would awaken all the camp. Would they submit to David as king, or carry out Saul's anger against David? Better to leave vengeance in the LORD'S hands.
1 Sam 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
1 Sam 26:10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
David knows that Saul had sinned too often and that God would remove him. He would not remove the king in power, for he was subject to him.
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
1 Sam 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
1 Sam 26:12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
David took the spear and the water jug from the bolster, the head of Saul. All the camp was given a heavy sleep by the LORD. David was favored of the LORD.
1 Sam 26:13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:
1 Sam 26:14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
1 Sam 26:15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
1 Sam 26:16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
David shows contempt to Abner who was the guard of Saul. Yet, it was God who caused a deep sleep to fall on them all. It was easier to give scorn to Abner, a servant of the king, then to address the king. For was not David Saul's captain? Was he not mighty in battle for Saul and his people? Why this foolishness, see, David has Saul's spear and water jug. He was a greater Captain and soon to be a greater king then Saul. Saul had said this earlier when David had cut off his skirt.
1 Sam 24:18 And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
1 Sam 24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
1 Sam 24:20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
1 Sam 26:17 And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
Saul, gaining back a right mind acknowledges David as his son, not his enemy. David could have spoken down to Saul, yet he gives the king the respect of his position; my lord, O king.
1 Sam 26:18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
Think this through, why does my lord pursue after his servant? (Why indeed;. Why does evil come after good? Why does darkness seek to put out the light? It is sin and the work of the flesh.) What have I done? what evil? A sound mind speaks to a tormented mind seeking answers.
1 Sam 26:19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
David is asking Saul to repent. He gives Saul room to blame another. Whose idea has caused you to seek my life? The LORD? if so let accept an offering. But if men have caused you to pursue me, perhaps the Ziphites, cursed be they before the LORD. For they have made me a refugee, unable to attend the house of the LORD, even driving me to seek refuge in a land that serves other gods.
1 Sam 26:20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
Why does Saul continue to chase after a lie? Why do you try to destroy your servant, who has spared your life twice? I am so small a target, a flea, a small bird in the mountains, I am come in peace, what wisdom is there in continuing to shed my blood?
1 Sam 26:21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
Again Saul repents, and truly he was playing the fool. All who serve the fruit of sin are satan's foolish ones, walking in a lie and in darkness. Return? Saul had said this before, when David had cut off his skirt. How can you trust the words of a child of sin?
Psa 92:5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
Psa 92:6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
Psa 92:7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
Psa 92:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
Psa 92:9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
Psa 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Psa 92:11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
1 Sam 26:22 And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
Behold the kings spear, the weapon of his wrath, let one of the young men come for it. Satan's dart, held secure in the hand of the man of faith.
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 Sam 26:23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed.
1 Sam 26:24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
Job 12:4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
Psa 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Psa 7:10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
Psa 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psa 37:12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
Psa 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
Prov 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Prov 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Prov 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Prov 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Psa 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
Psa 25:19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
Psa 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
Psa 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
1 Sam 26:25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
David would stay separate from Saul. He had been persecuted as we who serve Christ Jesus shall be.
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Hold fast to your faith, the reward is great.
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