“So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster, and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.”
Context:The verse is part of the story of David and King Saul. Saul was the first king of Israel, and due to his disobedience, God rejected him as king and chose David to be the next king. However, Saul became jealous of David’s popularity and sought to kill him. In 1 Samuel 26, David had an opportunity to kill Saul but instead spared his life.
Themes and lessons:
- Respect for authority:Despite Saul’s pursuit to kill him, David respected Saul’s position as king and did not take matters into his own hands. He recognised that God had anointed Saul as king and chose to honour that anointing, even though Saul was no longer in God’s favour. This verse demonstrates David’s respect for the authority God had established.
- Trust in God’s timing:David had been anointed as the future king of Israel, yet he trusted God’s timing for the fulfilment of that promise. Although Saul was a threat to David’s life, he didn’t attempt to forcefully seize the throne. Instead, he waited for God to bring about the circumstances that would make him king. In this instance, David trusted God’s timing and spared Saul’s life.
- God’s protection:The verse mentions that a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon Saul and his men. This event allowed David and his companion to approach Saul’s camp undetected and take Saul’s spear and water jug. It is a reminder that God can provide supernatural protection and intervene in the midst of challenging situations.
- Non-retaliation and forgiveness:David’s act of sparing Saul’s life despite having the opportunity to kill him demonstrates a heart of forgiveness and non-retaliation. David chose not to seek vengeance but rather extended grace to Saul, recognising that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19).
Application:
- Respect authority:As believers, we are called to honour and respect the authorities God has placed over us, whether it be in the family, church, or society. This includes showing respect even when we disagree or face mistreatment.
- Trust God’s timing:There may be times when we feel unjustly treated or have to wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled. In those moments, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes and His timing is perfect.
- Extend forgiveness:Just as David forgave Saul, we are called to forgive those who wrong us. Holding onto grudges and seeking revenge only hinders our own spiritual growth and hampers our relationship with God. Instead, we can extend forgiveness and leave justice in God’s hands.
- Rely on God’s protection:We can take comfort in knowing that God is our protector. He can provide supernatural help and intervene in our circumstances. Trusting in His protection allows us to walk in confidence and peace, even in the face of danger.
Remember to read the surrounding verses and chapters for a more comprehensive understanding of the passage, as this study only focuses on 1 Samuel 26:12.
