1 Samuel

1 Samuel 26: David spares Saul again

Begin in prayer

Before we creep into Saul's camp with David and Abishai, and learn that the LORD repays a righteous and faithful man, let us pray together. Ask Him to teach us to leave justice with Him, and to show us Jesus.

Seek Yahweh and his strength.

Psalm 105:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You repay each one who is righteous and faithful, and help us to trust You and not to take revenge. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The Ziphites told Saul where David was hiding, and Saul took three thousand men to hunt him in the wilderness. David sent spies, and at night he and Abishai came into Saul’s camp while Saul lay sleeping with his spear at his head. Abishai wanted to strike him, but David said no one can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless. David took the spear and the jar of water, because the LORD had sent a deep sleep on the camp. From a distance David called to Abner, and Saul said, “I have sinned.” David said the LORD would render to each man his righteousness and faithfulness, and Saul blessed him.

As you read 1 Samuel 26, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD repays a righteous and faithful man, so David leaves Saul in His hands.

The Ziphites told Saul again where David was hiding, and Saul came with three thousand chosen men (verses 1 to 3). That night David and Abishai found Saul asleep in the camp with his spear stuck in the ground (verses 5 to 7). Abishai said God had delivered Saul into David's hand, and he asked to strike him with one stroke of the spear (verse 8). David said no one could stretch out a hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless (verse 9). He said the LORD would strike Saul, or his day would come, or he would die in battle (verse 10). So David left Saul's life to the LORD and took the spear and the water jar as proof (verses 10 to 12). From the hilltop David called to Abner, and Saul said, I have sinned (verses 13 to 21). David said the LORD will repay each man for his righteousness and faithfulness (verse 23). He asked the LORD to respect his life as he had respected Saul's (verse 24).

How does 1 Samuel 26 show us that the LORD repays a righteous and faithful man, so David leaves Saul in His hands?

David trusts the LORD to judge.

Abishai wanted to strike Saul with one stroke of the spear, saying God had delivered him (verse 8). David asked who could stretch out a hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless (verse 9). He said the LORD would strike Saul, or his day would come, or he would fall in battle (verse 10). David left the judging to the LORD (verses 10 and 11).

The LORD sends a deep sleep.

David and Abishai came into the camp, and Saul lay sleeping with his spear stuck in the ground (verse 7). David took the spear and the water jar, and no one saw it or woke (verse 12). The text says a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them all (verse 12). Abner, the army captain, slept through it, and David rebuked him for failing to guard the king (verses 14 to 16).

Saul confesses his sin, and David gives back the spear.

Saul said, I have sinned, and he admitted he had played the fool (verse 21). He promised to do David no more harm, because his life had been precious in David's eyes (verse 21). David had Saul send a young man for the spear, and he left the outcome with the LORD (verses 22 to 24). God is faithful and righteous to forgive those who confess their sins (1 John 1 verse 9).

Memorise

Yahweh will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness

1 Samuel 26:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who can make me righteous before God, and do I trust Him?

Abishai wanted to strike the sleeping Saul, but David said, “Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed.” He took the spear and left Saul in the LORD's hands.

David was righteous in this chapter, yet he was a sinner like us. Only Jesus was righteous and faithful in everything. On the cross He bore the punishment that sinners have earned, and God raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory. His righteousness is given fully to everyone who trusts Him.

Trust Jesus for the righteousness you do not have. Turn from your sin, and put your faith in Him. God forgives everyone who confesses his sin and believes in His Son.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD judges rightly, and that Jesus was faithful to the Father. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He repays the righteous and faithful, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.

Psalm 71:16

Father, You are faithful, and You repay each one with justice. Thank You that Jesus was faithful to You in every trial. Help us to leave revenge to You and to trust You with our lives. Keep us in Your care this week. Amen.