THE KING’S BUSINESS
430
one thing he had done that deserved his hate (v. 18). Nothing can exceed David’s marvelous humility (v. 19). The thing that David especially bemoaned was that he was driven away from fellowship with Jehovah and His people (v. 19). He spoke of him self as “a flea” or a “partridge in the moun tains” (v. 20). There is no insincerity in this. David ever entertained the most humble opinions of himself in spite of his rare gifts. He humbled himself and there fore God exalted him (cf. Luke 14.T1). Saul, on his part, said the very thing that every sinner needs to say, “I have sinned” (v. 21). But there was no real and sav ing conviction of sin, and consequently no permanent turning from sin (cf. ch. 15:24, 30; Ex. 9:27; Num. 22:34; Matt. 27:4). There is no saving power in a confession of sin if one goes right on sinning (Prov. 28:13). Saul’s description of his own con duct was both true and expressive, he cer tainly had “played the fool and erred ex ceedingly” (v. 21). This is precisely what every sinner and everyone who fights against God is doing. Unfortunately, though Saul recognized the true character of his conduct, he did not quit it. As David had not undertaken his own deliverance, he looked to the Lord to deliver him out of all tribulation (v. 24 cf. Ps. 18: title; and v. 48 Ps. 34:17, 18). Did Saul acknowledge the gracious act? 24:17, 18. Why does he now seek to slay David? 19:9. - Did he not himself prophesy that David should be king? 24:20. (2) David Spares Saul’s Life, vs. 8-12. Abishai pleads for permission to put Saul to death, v. 8. Abishai believes that Providence has put Saul into their hands, v. 8. David restrains Abishai, v. 9. He calls Saul “the Lord’s anointed,” v. 9.
thing that God wrought was of supreme im portance just at this time. God is not con fined to the supernatural in His activities; He shows His hand in the natural and in the ordinary, as well as in the supernatural and extraordinary. v. 15. “And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man f and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore hast thou not kept watch over thy lord and king?“ Abner must have been deeply humiliated at David’s taunts and in his first reply he is quite haughty, “Who art thou that criest to the king?” It was God’s own king who was crying to the king, and Abner soon found it out. When our David was rejected here on earth, many were led to say to Him, “Who art Thou?” and many are ready to say it yet, but their pride will soon be humbled and they will know who He is. When Saul was thoroughly awakened to the fact that David had had him in his power and yet had spared his life, he was brought to momentary repentance (vs. 17- 21). He addresses the David whom he had sought to murder very tenderly and David answered with marvelous humility, he called his would-be assassin, “my lord and king” (v. 17). He sought to awaken Saul to his folly by pointing out his own innocence and challenged Saul to point out (1) David Seeks the Camp of Saul, vs. 5-7. Saul was seeking the life of David, 26:2. David sent spies to find Saul’s camp, v. 4. David came to the place and saw Saul, v. 5. Saul did not know of David’s presence, v. 5. David calls for volunteers, v. 6. Abishai volunteered to go with David, v. 6. David and Abishai came to the camp and found Saul asleep, v. 7. Questions: Had David spared Saul’s life before? 24:11.
LESSON OUTLINE.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker