“Tale of Two Kings”
One waited on God, the other didn’t.
Introduction
The historical narrative style of literature comprises nearly half of the Bible. 43%
God chose to reveal Himself in the context of relationships, not a theological text.
We best understand relationships through story.
Everyone loves a good story and nearly half the Bible is story.
Some of the people we encounter lived 800+ years, Scripture obviously only records only a minuscule aspect of their life journey.
We can assume that God inspired those particular snapshots for a reason.
Discovering that reason requires careful exploration.
As Pastor Ian clearly shared in the past two weeks, narrative sections of the Bible provide opportunity to see how Biblical characters lived out their relationship with God and how God responded to them.
Rather than issue direct instruction or specific commands like we find in other parts of the Bible, we gain insight in how to live or how not to live, by observing these brief snapshots from their lives.
It doesn’t take long to conclude that Scripture never sugar-coats anyone’s life.
The level of humanity’s brokenness comes through loud and clear which includes King David.
Jesus’ half-brother James wrote, “We ALL stumble in many ways!”
The Apostle Paul affirmed that all God’s inspired Scripture is profitable for understanding truth or doctrine, reproving destructive behavior, providing course correction, and offering instruction in consistent right living in order to become fully equipped to serve Him.
Today’s passage spotlights two kings of Israel.
In this Tale of Two Kings, we witness one who lived by God’s principles in the present while waiting on God for his future and one who didn’t.
One humbly consulted God for direction on a regular basis and waited on God to answer.
The other lived a life driven by jealousy and selfish ambition.
James wrote:
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:13-16 (ESV)
Today’s glimpse into King David’s life provides some principles that may give us a clue as to how we should live in the present while waiting on God for our future.
No one likes waiting.
We live in an instant everything age.
Our demand for instant results often carries over into our relationship with God.
God how long?
How long until you bring me out of this dark hole?
When will I realize my dream of…?
When is my life going to change?
I know that God orchestrates all things for good but the time lapse between the thing and the good outcome seems like an eternity.
What do we do while waiting?
David’s actions in this chapter provide some clues.
Saul, on the other hand, shows what NOT to do when God seems late.
Ignore God.
Promote and protect yourself.
We need a touch of backstory to our two-scene mini-clip out of Israel’s history.
The nation Israel began as a Theocracy where God ruled but communicated His direction through an appointed prophet/Judge.
God appointed Moses as His first representative.
Moses passed the baton to Joshua.
Joshua passed the leadership to local judges.
Samuel followed a period of judges with a dual responsibility of both judge and prophet of God.
Samuel powerfully represented God, but sadly his kids turned out to be a disaster.
Powerful prophet -- pathetic parent.
This unfortunate situation provoked the people to demand a monarchy system of government similar to the other nations around them.
The thought of Samuel’s kids succeeding him petrified them, even though God had not anointed leadership based on family line up to this point.
They didn’t trust God to provide competent and godly leadership.
And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV)
The people picked someone who “looked the part” head and shoulders taller.
Turned out Saul was all about Saul.
Saul represented Saul, not God.
Scripture recorded a series of incidents demonstrating Saul’s commitment to self-promotion and self-preservation rather than waiting on God which resulted in his disqualification as king.
Example 1
Because Samuel the prophet delayed coming to pray and offer sacrifice for God’s blessing before a battle, Saul took it on himself to offer a sacrifice to God hoping to incur God’s blessing and protection.
Saul defended himself to Samuel.
“I said to myself, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which He commanded you. 1 Samuel 13:12-12 (ESV)
Example 2
Saul selfishly and foolishly denied food to his exhausted army.
And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 1 Samuel 14:24 (ESV)
His foolish and selfish vow nearly cost him the life of his own son Jonathan.
Example 3
Saul failed to fully carry out God’s instructions and then lied about it. Blamed the people.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and presumption/stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 (ESV)
Even then Saul was only concerned with how he looked in front of the people and begged Samuel to publicly honor him in front of the elders of the people. Lose face?
God selected David as Saul’s replacement, even to Samuel’s surprise.
God directed Samuel to the “baby of Jesse’s family” -- David and he anointed him next king.
In that process we find the major difference between Saul and David.
When David’s family came to Samuel, Samuel looked on Eliab, David’s brother and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV)
Saul was out.
David was in and became known as a man after God’s heart.
Saul quickly became aware that God had anointed David in his place and conducted a 4 year all out hunt to try to eliminate him.
Brief snapshots of the chase start in chapter 18.
Saul hunted David with a 3,000 man army compared to David’s 3oo men.
Saul was jealous of David’s successes. 18:8
He tried to kill David with a spear twice in a demonically driven rage.
Jealousy and fear consumed Saul because God was obviously with David and not with Saul. 12
Saul promised his daughter Michal to David as a reward for killing 100 Philistines expecting and hoping he would die trying.
It backfired when David ended up killing 200 philistines.
Plan C – Saul instructed his son Jonathan and his servants to kill David which he refused.
Jonathan confronted his father about his obsession to kill David.
Saul “repented” and promised not to kill David.
Saul again tried to kill David with a spear when David offered a private concert. Saul missed again. David escaped. 3
Saul plotted to have David killed the following morning. Michal helped him escape.
David fled to the prophet Samuel
Saul sent men to try to kill David there.
God supernaturally intervened.
Saul later tried to spear Jonathan when they discussed David.
David ran away and sought help from the local priests of Nob.
When Saul found out they helped David, he orederd the slaughter of 85 priests along with their entire families and livestock.
Saul next tracked David to Keilah (keh-ee-law’) and declared, “God has given David into my hands” 23:9
Saul continued to hunt David every day, but God again didn’t let him find him. 23:14
David and his growing group of 600 men hid at Horesh 23:15
The Ziphites narced on David and Saul “blessed them” for it.
Saul closed in on David but again God intervened. 23:28.
David then fled to the strongholds of Engedi on the west shore of the Dead Sea which is where our passage takes place.
Today’s snippet of David’s life unfolds in two scenes.
I. Scene One – David faced an essential choice
When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 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. 1 Sam 24:1-2
Engedi picture.
Engedi means the “craigs of the wild goats” where there are plenty of places to hide.
And Saul came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself.
The literal meaning of the Hebrew term means to “cover one’s feet”.
It was a less crude way of describing a necessary but indelicate bodily function.
A necessity for kings and peasants alike.
Saul assumed safety and privacy in the recesses of the cave.
Choosing this cave turned out not to be a coincidence.
Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 1 Samuel 24:3
What appeared, on the surface, to be a Divine opportunity to acquire the throne promised by God, was actually a Divine opportunity to be guided by truth while waiting on the Lord’s timing.
David’s men vehemently tried to persuade him take advantage of this opportunity to acquire the promised throne.
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.’”
Here, David’s men tried to convince David that this opportunity fulfilled a prophecy of God.
However, no such statement uttered by God to David appears anywhere in the Bible.
Not every spiritual-sounding piece of advice comes from God.
We need to live by God’s principles in the present while waiting on God for our future.
God did tell David he would be king one day but not the time or the means.
Side Note: not every statement in the Bible is true.
Now before you pick up rocks to stone me, think it through.
The Bible accurately records many erroneous statements.
“you won’t die if you eat the fruit.”
“If you eat the fruit, you will be like God.”
“Job recorded multiple chapters of errant advice from his three friends”
Always be aware of the context and speaker.
David’s men did not speak for God. God didn’t say “do whatever seems best.”
Points to ponder
• Consensus does not always indicate correctness.
• Circumstances do not always dictate God’s direction.
Earlier Saul assumed discovering David’s close proximity was the “hand of the Lord”.
We must always consider multiple factors when seeking God’s direction.
All open doors don’t indicate God’s permission.
Not all closed doors indicate God’s prevention.
Will David take his future into his own hands or wait on the Lord?
In this case, David considered previously learned truth to ultimately determine his present actions while waiting on God for his future.
We can only speculate the reasoning behind David’s next action.
Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 24:4
I find it intriguing to contemplate the stealth it to took to get close enough to cut Saul’s robe.
David never intended to take Saul’s life.
Perhaps he wished to illustrate Saul’s susceptibility and demonstrate his loyalty.
It turned out, even cutting Saul’s robe cut David’s conscience.
And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 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.” 24:5-6
Here we discover the principle guiding David’s decision.
Even though Saul had forfeited his right to rule, he remained, for the moment, God’s anointed guy.
And contrary to the erroneous assertion of his men, it was not God’s permission “to do to Saul as seemed good.”
David respected the office and the Lord of the office despite the actions of the officer.
“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28 (ESV)
Attitude toward governing leaders is a whole different message.
Paul recorded the governing principle directing our response to authority.
Whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Romans 13:2 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
David’s refusal to exact vengeance on his enemy didn’t sit well with David’s men.
So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. 24:7
The word translated “persuade” is a strong term.
David restrained his men from acting by appealing to God’s revealed principle.
He “talked them down.”
• Sometimes it’s hard to go against the crowd.
Stick to revealed truth.
Persuade with Biblical perspective.
David faced an essential choice and made the right one based on Biblical principle.
II. Scene Two – David initiated an engaging confrontation
A. David Challenged Saul’s Actions
This dialogue between David and Saul takes up the rest of the chapter.
It records David’s speech which clocks in as one of David’s longest in 1 and 2 Samuel.
It bears repeating.
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. And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 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.’ 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. 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 24:8-15 (ESV)
A few observations from David’s appeal.
• David demonstrated humility and respect for the office.
• David clarified his intent based on Biblical principle
I refuse to kill you despite your desire to kill me because it violates God’s will.
• David appealed to the Lord’s ultimate justice and vengeance.
Interesting how David somehow ignored this principle in the next chapter concerning Nabal.
Abigail modeled David’s admirable actions in this chapter.
She bowed down in humility.
She urged him not to take his own vengeance but wait on the Lord
As Pastor Ian reminded us last week, we are to resist any kind of revenge on anyone. Only God gets it right.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19 (ESV)
• David affirmed his trust in the Lord’s deliverance.
“GOD will deliver me from your hand”
Abigail reminded David of this principle “not to work salvation for himself.”
What effect did David’s appeal have on Saul?
B. Saul answered David’s challenge
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. He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 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. 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. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 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.” And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. 1 Samuel 24:16-22 (ESV)
A few observations from Saul’s response.
• He briefly felt bad.
• He acknowledged David’s superior actions. “more righteous”
• He asked God to bless David.
• He acknowledged David as God’s replacement.
• He pled future mercy for his family.
Unfortunately, momentary regret does not always guarantee genuine heart change.
Not long after, Saul and his 3000-man army resumed their lethal hunt for David.
Later another opportunity presented itself for David to kill Saul while he sept and David again resolved not to mess with God’s designated leader but to wait on God’s timing.
You find God the occurrence of natural and supernatural deliverance playing out.
The text informs us that, “a deep sleep from the Lord fell on Saul’s entire army.”
This time David took Saul’s spear and his jug of Perrier water.
David confronted Saul from a distant hill.
Saul again recognized the sparing of his life by David.
He repented, acknowledged God’s hand on David and blessed him.
Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. 1 Samuel 26:25 (ESV)
This would be the last face-to-face encounter between Saul and David.
Saul became too absorbed in fighting the Philistines to pursue David.
Saul’s sons died in the fight with the Philistines.
Saul was wounded and fell on his own sword to avoid capture.
Saul demonstrates the futility of jealousy and selfish ambition, the consequence of running our own life our own way.
Ever since Adam and Eve decided to define life on their own terms without God, humanity continues to find ways to forge their own path without God.
Humanity continues to avoid waiting on God.
Even we, who claim to trust God, find ourselves impatient, self-reliant and ambitious.
Scripture repeatedly directs us to wait on the Lord.
While waiting on Him, we need to discover and act on God’s revealed principles.
This assumes we hold discovering His truth a high value.
Jesus waited on His Father,
Oh how many times He could have taken his situation into His own hands.
Satan even tried to get Him to take a short cut.
Peter, influenced by Satan, tried to get Him to avoid the plan mutually agreed upon from the foundation of the world.
You have been called to suffering, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:21-24 (ESV)
David waited on God.
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (ESV)
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV)
God calls us to wait for the Lord.
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:19
A powerful promise.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV)
In dark times we need God’s light to guide us while we are waiting on His deliverance.
• Woe to the one who must find the flashlight in the dark.
• Better to learn the principles in the light that will light your way through the dark times.
We need to live by God’s principles in the present while waiting on God for our future.
Close with an example from my own life.
Call to leave our first pastoral assignment
We obeyed based on three basic principles.
God asked us to move on so we needed to obey despite having nowhere to go.
He would show us where in His timing.
He would take care of us while we waited.
Listen to David’s heartbeat during this strenuous stretch of wilderness waiting.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped. Psalm 63:1-11 (ESV)
Pray for God's Blessing
For those currently struggling in the dark while you wait on God. Health, pain, depression…
May you discover and embrace the truths that will guide you through current darkness
May you continually entrust your soul to a faithful creator while continuing to do right
For any struggling with vengeance on someone who has deeply hurt you…
May you be at peace with all men as far as it depends on you.
May you choose to leave justice in the hands of the only one who does it right.
For those enjoying a current fruitful period…
May you contemplate how to best stimulate others to love and good deeds and share the upbuilding words that will give grace in their time of need.
For all you dads and granddads,
May you not put your children down and dishearten, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
For all of us…
May God saturate us with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Him.
May we be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, enabling all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:9-12 (ESV)
