‏ 1 Samuel 24

* David spares Saul's life. (1-7) David shows his innocence.

(8-15) Saul acknowledges his fault. (16-22)

1-7 God delivered Saul into David's hand. It was an opportunity

given to David to exercise faith and patience. He had a promise

of the kingdom, but no command to slay the king. He reasons

strongly, both with himself and with his men, against doing Saul

any hurt. Sin is a thing which it becomes us to startle at, and

to resist temptations thereto. He not only would not do this bad

thing himself, but he would not suffer those about him to do it.

Thus he rendered good for evil, to him from whom he received

evil for good; and was herein an example to all who are called

Christians, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil

with good. 8-15 David was falsely charged with seeking Saul's hurt; he

shows Saul that God's providence had given him opportunity to do

it. And it was upon a good principle that he refused to do it.

He declares his fixed resolution never to be his own avenger. If

men wrong us, God will right us, at farthest, in the judgment of

the great day. 16-22 Saul speaks as quite overcome with David's kindness. Many

mourn for their sins, who do not truly repent of them; weep

bitterly for them, yet continue in love and in league with them.

Now God made good to David that word on which he had caused him

to hope, that he would bring forth his righteousness as the

light, #Ps 37:6|. Those who take care to keep a good conscience,

may leave it to God to secure them the credit of it. Sooner or

later, God will force even those who are of the synagogue of

Satan to know and to own those whom he has loved. They parted in

peace. Saul went home convinced, but not converted; ashamed of

his envy to David, yet retaining in his breast that root of

bitterness; vexed that when at last he had found David, he could

not find in his heart to destroy him, as he had designed. Malice

often seems dead when it is only asleep, and will revive with

double force. Yet, whether the Lord bind men's hands, or affect

their hearts, so that they do not hurt us, the deliverance is

equally from him; it is an evidence of his love, and an earnest

of our salvation, and should make us thankful.