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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 7 August 2025:
1 Samuel 24:1-2 — When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks.
Even after the Lord had just redirected Saul away from capturing David through divine providence (23:27), Saul’s obsession immediately resumes. Saul’s jealousy is relentless and strategic — he takes 3,000 elite warriors to hunt down David and his 600. This is not the mission of a king securing his people; this is a man driven by fear and pride to eliminate a perceived threat. David is innocent, but that does not stop Saul from projecting his insecurity as righteous action. As we’ve seen throughout 1 Samuel, those who walk in the flesh always attempt to weaponize authority, force, or numbers to oppose the Spirit-led work of God. Jesus would later experience the same — betrayed, hunted, and crucified by those in positions of religious power, though entirely innocent (Acts 3:14–15).
1 Samuel 24:3-4 — And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
The tension here is incredible. Saul unknowingly steps into the very place where David and his men are hiding. To David’s followers, this seems like the perfect opportunity for justice, or vengeance. They even frame it as fulfillment of God’s promise, but they misapply His word. God had promised deliverance and kingship, but He had not told David to kill Saul. Even sincere believers can misquote or misapply Scripture when interpreting providence. Circumstances must always be tested against the clear commands of God. The fact that an opportunity presents itself does not mean it is sanctioned by God.
David restrains himself but still cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe, a symbolic act that subtly declares the shift in royal authority. This act, while less than murder, still deeply pricks David’s conscience.
1 Samuel 24:5 — And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
David’s conscience is sensitive, not just to evil actions, but even to symbolic dishonor. This is true integrity, not just avoiding outward sin, but guarding the heart against even a hint of disrespect toward what God has established. He understands that Saul, though failing, is still the LORD’s anointed. David’s restraint is not about fear; it’s about reverence, for God, for His authority, and for His timing. This kind of humility and wisdom comes only from walking closely with God. David would later pen: “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you” (Psalm 25:21).
1 Samuel 24:6-7 — He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
David not only exercises self-control but also leadership by restraining others. His men are ready to kill Saul, but David holds them back with truth, not threat. He persuades them with the Word and will of God. This is transformational leadership, not driven by impulse, emotion, or revenge, but by reverence for God’s sovereignty. David demonstrates that true success is doing the right thing, in the right way, for the right reason, at the right time, even if it means waiting longer or suffering more. Wisdom means not just knowing God’s promises, but applying them rightly. Only the Holy Spirit can teach us how to live with that kind of restraint and discernment (James 3:17).
1 Samuel 24:8-11 — Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.”
David confronts Saul with both truth and honor. He makes a defense of his innocence but does not do so with pride or accusation. He honors Saul as king, even calling him “my father.” His posture is low, his tone humble. He speaks truthfully, but not bitterly. This is the kind of speech Paul writes about in Romans 12:17-21: “Repay no one evil for evil… never avenge yourselves… overcome evil with good.” David exemplifies this rare and righteous posture, one that will define his kingship and set him apart from Saul.
1 Samuel 24:12-15 — “May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
David places his vindication entirely in God’s hands. Twice he repeats, “my hand shall not be against you.” He is not claiming perfection; he is choosing peace over retaliation, trusting God to make things right. He even calls himself a flea and a dead dog, a demonstration of remarkable humility from a man who has already been anointed king. David knows who he is in God’s plan, yet he does not exalt himself. He leaves the outcome, the timing, and the justice entirely to the Lord. His restraint is not weakness, it is the highest kind of strength.
1 Samuel 24:16-17 — As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.”
For a moment, Saul is broken by David’s mercy. He weeps and acknowledges the righteousness of David’s response. God’s kindness, expressed through David, leads Saul to this temporary repentance (Romans 2:4). This shows us that even the hardest hearts can be softened by the Spirit through acts of mercy. We don’t change hearts by revenge, we win them with grace.
- Proverbs 11:30 — The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
1 Samuel 24:20–22 — “And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Saul confesses the truth: David will be king. He even pleads for mercy for his future descendants. David swears an oath and keeps it, even when later Saul’s house is decimated — David honors Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth and protects Saul’s descendants (2 Samuel 9). Yet David does not naïvely return to Saul — he goes back to the stronghold. Forgiveness does not always mean trust is restored. David shows discernment — peace is extended, but boundaries remain.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 7 August 2025: Wait on the Lord when others urge you to act in haste. Not every open door is from God. Like David, you may be tempted to seize a shortcut to a promised future, especially when you’re weary or wronged. But true success in God’s eyes comes not through self-promotion, but through self-restraint. Today, surrender your need to “make things happen” in your timing. Ask the Lord for wisdom, not just to know what is right, but to do it rightly. Trust Him with justice. And if you are in a position to return good for evil, do it, not to win approval, but to reflect the mercy of Christ.
Pray: “Lord, give me a heart like David’s — soft to Your voice, humble in posture, and courageous enough to wait on You. Help me to walk in wisdom and not fall into the trap of shortcuts or self-justification. When I am wronged, teach me to trust You with justice. When I am tempted to seize control, remind me that You are sovereign and faithful. Fill me with the Spirit so that I can return good for evil and walk in the path of mercy. I want to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons, at the right time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 