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Friday 15 April 2011

Day 106: David spares Saul’s life

David continues on the run from Saul, who pursues him with fitful vengeance. Today we have the famous story when David could have killed his enemy, but didn’t. I love this story, and I have a separate post about it to share with you.
David goes to En Gedi
1 Samuel 23:29
David’s prayer
Psalm 17
David spares Saul’s life
1 Samuel 24: 1-7
David shows his innocence
1 Samuel 24: 16-22
Saul acknowledges his fault
1 Samuel 24: 16-22
David’s confidence in God
Psalm 57, 108
Death of Samuel
1 Samuel 25:1
David’s request
1 Samuel 25:2-11
David’s intervention to destroy Nabal
1 Samuel 25:12-17
Abigail pacifies David and Nabal dies
1 Samuel 25:18-38


“My heart is steadfast” “Keep me as the apple of your eye.” Two ringing phrases from the Psalms I read today. David stays true to God, even though the pressure on him mounts. Today it is the temptation to take matters into his own hands. Not once but twice. Once, he is saved by his own good sense, the second, by the intervention of a wise woman.
Saul, coming in pursuit of David, happens into the very cave where David is hiding. He could kill him now, and proclaim himself king, but he hesitates. He makes an emotional appeal to Saul, who appears to repent of his anger against David, and acknowledge that David is a better man than he. But nothing changes. It isn’t God’s moment.
This is heartbreaking for poor old Samuel, who comes to the end of his days. He dies without seeing the golden age of King David, he dies with a crazy king making wild attacks on his successor, he dies with God’s promises unfulfilled. Never mind, Samuel, you were faithful, and God’s promises will come in their own time.

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