1 Samuel 26 Righteousness and Faithfulness

Introduction

Déjà vu.

I am sure we have all experienced it at some point. It is defined as, ‘…the phenomenon of feeling like one has lived through the present situation in the past….’.

We may feel this way as we come to Chapter 26- it feels like we are living through Chapter 24 again. The similarities between Chapters 24 and 26 are obvious. In both stories David has an opportunity to kill Saul but refuses to do so because Saul is the ‘LORD’s anointed’.

But Chapter 26 is not a case of déjà vu. Chapters 24 and 26 may sound similar, but there are significant and profound differences. And these differences reveal how God has been at work in David’s life.

Although this is another action-packed chapter, the true focus of the story is David’s three speeches. As we explore Chapter 26, we hear Davd’s…

Counsel to Abishai

Calling Abner to Account

Confident Affirmation to Saul

In Chapter 26 once again David is put to the test- he can grasp the kingdom for himself and end all his hardship. Instead, he remains faithful and trusts in God’s Way, God’s Word, and God’s Will.

And in David’s righteousness and faithfulness we are pointed to King Jesus. Only Jesus fulfils all righteousness and is truly faithful throughout His earthly ministry.

Today, as we read of David, God’s chosen king, let us never forget THE King- Jesus Christ. It is His righteousness and faithfulness that is our peace and joy as we live for Him in this world.

So, let us firstly turn and listen to… David’s Counsel Abishai

The story begins with a moment of déjà vu. In verse 1 the Ziphites, those loyal servants, bring Saul information about David’s whereabouts. Something very like this had happened before- back in Chapter 23.

So, our chapter opens with something we have seen before. However, the second time is different because much has taken place since we first met the Ziphites. In particular, outside the cave of Engedi there was a crucial conversation between David and Saul. In this conversation Saul admitted that he was wrong to pursue David; he even conceded that David would surely be king

Therefore, when the Ziphites bring their information to Saul this second time, we do not know what will happen. If we believe Saul’s words outside the cave, the hostilities were over. This second appearance of the Ziphite informers is the test that will prove the authenticity of Saul’s confession.

In verse 2 Saul makes for the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand of his elite troops. We do not get the impression that he was seeking David for a friendly chat!

Despite the experience at Engedi, Saul did what he had done previously- he pursues David. Saul had clearly learned nothing that had changed him in the period covered by the previous two chapters.

In verses 3 and 4 Saul and his soldiers make camp while David sent out spies to confirm Saul’s arrival. David could have been in no doubt about the purpose of Saul’s expedition. He had seen it all before.

David knew now that nothing had changed. He was in the same situation he had been in before the events at the cave of Engedi.

In verse 5 it sounds as though David found some vantage point from which he could view Saul’s camp. From this spot he could see Saul was sleeping with Abner and the army surrounding him.

In verse 6 Abishai volunteered to join David in an audacious plan. Abishai likely thought that he was forming a two-man hit squad that would dispense with Saul and put an end to all the running and hiding.

David and Abishai went to Saul’s camp by night. They found Saul easily because his spear was stuck in the ground near his head. David knew that symbol of Saul’s violent power well. It had whistled past his ear three times. But now it was not in Saul’s hand. It was stuck in the ground, beside his sleeping, helpless head.

In verse 8 we heard Abishai whisper: Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice. This is the second déjà vu moment of the chapter. This is just what David’s men had whispered to him in the Engedi cave back in Chapter 24.

In the cave his men had suggested that David should do the deed and eliminate Saul. Abishai was not going to make that mistake again. He offered to perform the deed himself.

 

The situation was incredibly similar to the one David faced in the cave of Engedi. David had Saul’s life in his reach. David’s men (or in this case, man) were urging him to take the opportunity that God had clearly given him to bring his troubles to a swift and simple end.

But, again, we must appreciate the difference. Since the incident in Engedi, David had learned that Saul was not going to change; that, humanly speaking, mercy had achieved nothing.

This makes the situation in Chapter 26 very different from Chapter 24. Abishai’s proposal was more reasonable than the urgings of the men earlier- after all, Saull had proven he could not be trusted.

On the other hand, since Engedi, David had also learned from his experience with Nabal and Abigail. This lesson was profoundly important: he must trust in God’s Will and follow God’s Way and obey God’s Word.

So, we must appreciate the dilemma Abishai’s proposal must have given David. However, David was in no doubt about the way forward. In verse 9 we hear David’s counsel to Abishai: “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?

David’s experience with Nabal and Abigail had confirmed the fundamental rightness of what he had done (or, rather, not done) in the cave. His reason for restraint from harming Saul was not because he hoped that Saul might change.

Instead, David would trust in God and act accordingly. David would patiently wait for God’s Will to be done. David would follow God’s Way and obey God’s Word.

And so, David continues to counsel Abishai; in verses 10 and 11:

“As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.  But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”

David’s restraint was because he trusted in God. David learned from the episode with Nabal to wait upon the Lord in the confident hope that He would work things out justly and wisely.

David knew that he served an omnipotent, sovereign, faithful God who had promised his salvation. So, David preferred to await God’s solution to the problem of Saul rather than to force his own.

Notice also that David’s faith allowed him to conceive of various ways in which God could deliver him. David’s faith was in a God who is not limited by our small ways and means.

We may often find ourselves in prayer suggesting to God how He might, or even should, act. But He has options of which we cannot even dream. And He knows which is best to accomplish His purposes for His People.

David imagines a number of scenarios for Saul’s future: an untimely death, a natural death or a death in battle. God has many options for achieving His purposes. It is not for Abishai, or David, to choose the option and seek to force God’s hand.

David could imagine the diverse ways God would fulfil His promise. But he did not know how God would do it. David’s faith, however, is in God’s promises. Once again, David has the chance to skip this life of suffering. But that is not God’s way, and so it will not be David’s.

It can be the same for us today. We know that God will work for our good in every circumstance, but we may wonder how we should respond while we wait for God’s Will to be done. Like David, we must trust in God and act accordingly. We must patiently wait for God’s Will to be done. We must follow God’s Way and obey God’s Word.

David had the opportunity to dispense with Saul and end his suffering. Instead, David simply takes Saul’s water jug and spear, perhaps because they represent Saul’s ability to sustain himself and protect himself. Without violence, David symbolically disarms Saul. But the symbolic actions underlined his refusal to do the real thing (just like cutting off the corner of the king’s robe in the Engedi cave).

The account of the action closes with a single sentence that sheds light on everything; in verse 12: No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep. David was right, you see, to trust God. No one could see it, but God kept His chosen king safe.

David spoke and shared a lesson with Abishai. Next, we listen to… David Calling Abner to Account

We have already heard one important speech from David. It was whispered, heard only by Abishai. Now he raises his voice for a bigger audience.

In verse 13 David moved to a place from which he could safely speak to that audience. In verse 14 he did not begin, as at the cave, by addressing Saul. Perhaps he knew that speaking to Saul had proved pointless.

This time, David speaks to Abner, Saul’s army commander, who should have protected Saul. In verses 15 and 16 David says:

“You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. What you have done is not good. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the Lord’s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were near his head?”

Stunned by what he’d heard, Abner is speechless.

Instead, in verse 17, it is Saul who speaks: ‘Is this your voice, my son David?’. This is another déjà vu moment- this is exactly what he said outside the Engedi cave.

And there is more déjà vu in David’s speech in response- we will consider that in just a moment. For now, just a brief note on David’s words to Abner.

David reminds every follower of the king that they have duties and responsibilities- and to fail in these has serious consequences. As Believers, we enjoy the wonders and riches of God’s grace- a place in God’s family and the affection of our Father in Heaven. But we are also enrolled in the Lord’s Army- we have responsibilities as well as privileges.

Every follower of THE King has duties and responsibilities- and to fail in these has serious consequences. We must not be asleep. We must remember we are at war, in enemy territory.

So, we need to strap on the sword of God’s Word and stay alert. We need to know God’s Word and be passionate about knowing God’s Word more and more deeply. We need to remember that our chief end is to glorify God with all of our lives.

We have a high calling. We have an eternal purpose. We must not be found wanting, or asleep while the enemy prowls around looking for those he might devour.

With that in mind, we would do well to listen to… David’s Confident Affirmation to Saul

In David’s final speech we have that sense of déjà vu once more. In verses 18 to 20 David invites God to judge between himself and Saul- just as he had in verses 14 and 15 of Chapter 24.

In Chapter 25, David had learned to trust God; to let God be the judge. In the incident with Nabal David learned that he does not need to take matters into his own hands- he can trust God to act rightly and faithfully.

In verses 18 to 20 David speaks with grace and humility. Firstly, with a skilful use of questions David pleads his innocence and calls for Saul’s repentance.

David gives two alternative explanations for the actions of Saul. He says, ‘If it is God who’s responsible or if it is men who are responsible, then let’s settle the matter’. But he leaves it up to Saul to acknowledge that Saul is the problem. Then David reminded Saul of God’s promised forgiveness through sacrifice and warned Saul of the dangers of evil company.

Here we see David seek Saul’s ultimate good: calling him to repentance and pointing him to God’s forgiveness. But David also revealed his own heart’s struggle under the pressure from Saul’s relentless persecution. What hurt David the most was that he couldn’t join with God’s People and worship the LORD as he longed to. The pressure of all this tempted David to consider leaving Israel altogether and to go among those who worshipped other gods.

Isn’t it instructive for us that David is so concerned about being driven from God’s presence?  For David, to be cut off from the ordinances of public worship was David’s most severe grief. Can we say that is the same for us? Do we have the same appetite as David to be with God’s People, in God’s presence, to experience God’s special blessing and to glorify and enjoy our God?

In verse 21 we hear Saul’s confession- he has been a fool and sinned. Saul’s confession comes with an invitation: ‘Come back…’.

Saul is a fool, like Nabal, but David is not. In verse 22 David essentially says, ‘I am not coming back. But if you send one of your young men, you can have your spear back.’.

In verses 23 and 24 we hear the last thing David ever said to Saul; a confident affirmation:

The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.  As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.

David had understood the lesson of Abigail. For God’s king, what matters is righteousness and faithfulness, not cunning and cleverness, not power and control, not success and victory. Righteousness and faithfulness. David no longer expected or asked anything from Saul. The Lord would be his deliverer out of all his troubles.

In verse 25 we hear the last thing that Saul ever said to David was: May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph. Once again, even from the mouth of Saul, the righteousness and the legitimacy of David’s coming kingdom were acknowledged.

This was the last time that the two would see one another. David did not accept Saul’s invitation to return with him. Saul could not be trusted. As Chapter 26 closes David was still on the move. Saul went back to his tamarisk tree.

Conclusion

In Chapter 26 we feel like we are experiencing déjà vu. Like Chapter 24, David is put to the test, but he remains faithful and righteously trusts in God’s Way, God’s Word, and God’s Will.

David’s faithfulness and righteousness, however, would eventually fail in the face of trials and temptations. And so, if we are to look for a righteous and faithful king to lead us, we must not look to David. Instead, we must look to King Jesus.

Only Jesus faithfully lived a righteous  life of complete obedience- obeying God’s Word and following God’s Way, fulfilling God’s Will. It is only in Christ that we are righteous in God’s sight and acceptable in God’s holy presence.

Indeed, the story of the Bible makes perfectly clear that if we were left to try and produce a righteousness and a faithfulness of our own, it would be a disaster. But the story of the Bible is that by the grace of God, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is granted to those who are united to Christ by faith.

Today, as we read of David, God’s chosen king, let us never forget THE King- Jesus Christ. It is His righteousness and faithfulness that is our peace and joy as we live for Him in this world.