David's Cave (1 Samuel 24)

Should we show respect for authority even when it is corrupt? Did God work things out for David even though he too was very flawed? Let’s begin in 1 Samuel 24.

Did David have an opportunity to kill Saul while hiding in a cave?

When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats. He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave. David’s men said to him, “Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe secretly. (1 Samuel 24:1-4 WEB)

Did David regret showing Saul such disrespect by cutting off a corner of his robe?

But immediately David felt horrible that he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. “The Lord forbid,” he told his men, “that I should do something like that to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him, because he’s the Lord’s anointed!” So David held his soldiers in check by what he said, and he wouldn’t allow them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. Then David also went out of the cave and yelled after Saul, “My master the king!” (1 Samuel 24:5-8a CEB)

Did David explain in front of everyone how he did not harm the king?

Saul turned around to look. David bowed down very low and said: Your Majesty, why do you listen to people who say that I'm trying to harm you? You can see for yourself that the Lord gave me the chance to catch you in the cave today. Some of my men wanted to kill you, but I wouldn't let them do it. I told them, “I will not harm the Lord's chosen king!” Your Majesty, look at what I'm holding. You can see that it's a piece of your robe. If I could cut off a piece of your robe, I could have killed you. But I let you live, and that should prove I'm not trying to harm you or to rebel. I haven't done anything to you, and yet you keep trying to ambush and kill me. (1 Samuel 24:8b-11 CEV)

Did David plead his innocence before the king and all his men?

May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 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.” (1 Samuel 24:12-15 ESV)

Did Saul realize that David had acted righteously by not killing him?

When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you. You yourself have told me today what good you did for me: when the Lord handed me over to you, you didn’t kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the Lord repay you with good for what you’ve done for me today. (1 Samuel 24:16-19 HCSB)

Did Saul also acknowledge that David would be king after him?

Now I know for certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom will be established under your authority. Now swear to me by the Lord that you will never eliminate my descendants after me, and that you won’t erase my name from my father’s family.” David made this vow to Saul, and then Saul went home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold. (1 Samuel 24:20-22 ISV)

Should we rebel against national leaders, even though they may be evil?

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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:1-2 KJV)