1 SAMUEL 24
2 Outlines
1 Samuel 24:1-22
YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
There are times when we are going to be tempted to
take matters into our own hands. Even
our Christian friends might encourage us to do something that will evidently
give us some relief, but will be totally against the will of God.
God, through Samuel, had told Saul that he and his
family would be removed from the throne of
David had already been anointed to be the next king of
When King Saul figured out who the next King of
David was forced to flee from Saul. 1
Samuel 20.
In time, as Saul was seeking to find David, they ended
up in the same cave. What a temptation there was for David to do what was
wrong.
DAVID AVOIDS DOING EVIL Vss. 1-8 (1 Corinthians
DAVID APPROACHES SAUL Vss. 9-15
SAUL ACKNOWLEDGES DAVID'S GOODNESS Vss. 16-20
SAUL ASKS FOR DAVID'S BLESSING Vss. 21-22
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1 Samuel 24
FAITHFUL IN THE DARK
What do I mean by the term "Faithful in the
dark"? I mean that when few people
or no people are watching, something is done in the dark. We want to look at an
incident in the life of David when he was faithful literally in the dark, the
darkness of a cave.
As you know there will be times of temptation in our
lives.
We will be tempted to do what is wrong.
We will be tempted to get even with someone.
We will be tempted to take matters into our own hands.
James 1:13-15
In this instance David's temptation would be to take
vengeance on his enemy Saul. He was
tempted to take matters into his own hands and remove Saul from the land of the
living.
Vss. 1-2 - Saul was told that David was hiding
at Engedi.
Vs. 3 - Saul comes
calling. He was actually in the cave to
answer the call of nature. Perhaps he
fell asleep. Meanwhile, David's and his
men were hiding against the sides of the walls of the cave. They could see Saul, but Saul could not see
them. Their eyes were adjusted to the
darkness, Saul's were not.
RESTRAINT - Vss. 4-7
One of the problems with temptation is knowing when something is a temptation, "a solicitation
to do evil", or an opportunity.
Sometimes, what we take as an opportunity to get even is really a
temptation to do what is wrong.
Vs. 4 - The trouble with temptation is that
sometimes, we are encouraged to do wrong by those who are dearest and closest
friends. In this case David's men's
encourage him to get even with his enemies. "Take vengeance
David!"
Vs. 5 - David's conscience bothered him, even
though he did not hurt Saul. I think his conscience bothered him, because he
did something to belittle the king.
Vs. 6 - David may not have respected Saul for
the way he acted, but David respected Saul for who he was. David viewed Saul as God's anointed leader,
as his master.
David would not take vengeance on Saul. God had made Saul King,
God would remove Saul from being King without David's assistance.
David is example of some New Testament Scriptures.
Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14, Romans 12:17-19
Vs. 7 - Evidently there was quite a heated
discussion, and David won out, persuading the others to do what is right.
RESPECT - Vs. 8
I can picture David waiting for Saul to proceed some
distance before popping out of the cave, and saying "My Lord, the
King".
He bowed in sincere respect as to who Saul was. Romans
13:7, 1 Peter 2:17
REPORT - Vss. 9-11
Vss. 9-11 - Saul was evidently being told by
others that David wanted to do him harm.
David made it clear that this wasn't true.
He showed him the evidence of the truth.
David explained how he had Saul "dead to
rights". Saul would have been
executed by David, if indeed that was David's plan.
There is a time when we need to speak up.
There are times when those who are against do not
understand the facts, and the Lord may give us opportunity to explain the
facts.
RELIANCE - Vss. 12-15
Vs. 12 - David was dependent on the Lord to
avenge Him. He was expecting the Lord to avenge Him. But David himself would not take action.
Vs. 13 - David quotes an ancient Proverb here.
"Wickedness proceedeth from the
wicked." This is a
allusion to David's innocence.
Vs. 14 - David seems to be implying that Saul
is wasting his time hunting a dead dog or one insignificant little flea. Both are harmless.
Vs. 15 - David concludes by repeating his
words of reliance on God. God is the judge. He will vindicate David. God alone will give the deliverance. I am
reminded of some verses on reliance. Psalm 62:5-6, Psalm 118:6, Psalm 118:14, Psalm 125:1
REPRIEVE - Vss. 16-22
This response on the part of Saul is a good example of
Proverbs 6:7 - When
a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his
enemies to be at peace with him.
Vs. 16 - Saul, at least temporarily, was
convicted. He weeps
Vs. 17 - He admits that David is more
righteous than Saul.
Vss. 18-19 - He admits that David has dealt well
with Saul.
Vs. 20 - He admits that David will be king.
Vs. 21 - He asks for mercy on his family.
Vs. 22 - Saul stopped following him for a
period of time.