David’s Question

“David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand” (1 Samuel 24:8-15).

Introduction

Though David deeply regretted cutting a piece out of Saul’s robe, he was able to use the situation to reveal to the king that he was not his enemy. David’s question, in reality an eloquent speech, is full of wisdom, for in it he was able to show Saul his error in treating him like a traitor.

Respect

David bowed low before Saul. This proves that he had great respect for the king, whom he viewed as being anointed by God. “He calls him father, for he was not only, as king, the father of his country, but he was, in particular, his father-in-law. From a father one may expect compassion and a favourable opinion. For a prince to seek the ruin of any of his good subjects is as unnatural as for a father to seek the ruin of his own children” (Matthew Henry).

This does not infer that he overlooked Saul’s sin and wickedness, but that he believed that the office the king held was ordained of God. David called on God to judge between them and to avenge him Saul’s wickedness.

Though we might not agree with the corrupt leaders of our nation, we are still called to honour them and pray for them. “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. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:1-4) … “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Rebuke

David was brave enough to rebuke the king for treating him as an enemy. His use of the proverb plainly speaks of Saul being the wicked party in all of this. The saying has a similar meaning to “Give them enough rope, and they will hang themselves”, in other words; Saul was destroying himself through his evil intentions towards David.

He states that Saul was mistaken if he thought that he was plotting to take over the throne. He suggests that the king had been listening to false witnesses instead of the voice of God and reason. He shows how he could easily killed Saul, as some of his men wanted him to, if he wanted to overthrow the monarchy. In revealing these facts David shows that he is innocent of all the charges that had been levelled against him.

The piece of cloth in David’s hand was all the evidence Saul needed to convince him that he had no reason to treat him so harshly and in hunting down like a dog. Three times in verse 11 David uses the word “see” as he laid out the facts as clearly as any defence lawyer could do. This evidence proved that David had never sinned against Saul in thought, word or deed. Though David was grieved with all that Saul had done towards him, he leaves the vengeance to God. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21).

Request

David compared himself to a dog (which was considered vermin in those days) and a flea to get Saul to understand how ridiculous it was for him as king of Israel to bother with. David finishes his speech with a prayer requesting God to continue to deliver him from Saul’s clutches. Maybe he realises that the king will change his mind in the future and his murderous pursuit of David will start again. This prayer is also a request to Saul himself. Can he not see sense and stop chasing him around the countryside.

Conclusion

© 15/6/2009