Day 62 – 1 Samuel 24:16-22
Scripture Review
1 Samuel 24:16-22
"And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept."
(1 Samuel 24:16)
Saul recognizes David's voice. He says, "my son David." This is very interesting, because this is the same man who has been hunting him like as enemy. For a moment, Saul speaks with tenderness instead of rage.
The words "lifted up his voice, and wept." means Saul did not shed a quiet tear. He broke out in open crying. David's mercy had reached a place in Saul that anger had covered over for a long time.
"And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil."
(1 Samuel 24:17)
Saul confesses "Thou art more righteous than I." He is not saying David is perfect, but he does admit David has acted more rightly. Saul explains why "thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil." David gave good back to the man who gave him evil.
"And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not."
(1 Samuel 24:18)
Saul admits that David has "dealt well" with him "when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand." Saul now understands the moment in the cave really was a providential act of mercy. But unlike David's men, he sees that the point of the moment was not murder. It was the revealing of David's character.
"For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day."
(1 Samuel 24:19)
Saul asked a question with an obvious answer. Normally, if a man finds his enemy helpless, he does not let him "go well away." That means he does not send him off safely and peacefully. This is what makes David's action so special and biblical. Saul knows he has received something rare. So he says, "the LORD reward thee good." Saul cannot repay David properly, so he asks God to do it.
"And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand."
(1 Samuel 24:20)
Saul says what he has been fighting for a long time, "thou shalt surely be king." He finally speaks aloud what he has feared in his heart. He says "the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand." Be "established" means made firm, settled, and secured. Saul is saying David will not only receive the kingdom, but that it will stand strong under him.
"Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house."
(1 Samuel 24:21)
Saul is now thinking about his family after him. "My seed" his descendants, his children, and the line that would come from him. In those days, when kingdoms changed hands, it was common for a new king to wipe out the old king's family so no rival line remained. Then Saul says, "that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house." A man's name here means more than a label. It points to his family line, his memory, and his continuing place among his people. Saul is asking David not to erase his household from Israel.
"And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold."
(1 Samuel 24:22)
He gives the oath Saul requested. "David sware unto Saul." Then Saul leaves "Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold." The hold here is a place of safety, a strong refuge in the rugged country. David does not go home with Saul. He does not build his security on Saul's tears. David is merciful, but he is also wise.
Saul says many true things. He confesses David's righteousness. He admits his own evil. He acknowledges David will surely be king. And yet David still goes back to the hold. That tells me David realized a moved heart is not always a changed heart. So David remains tender, honest, merciful, and faithful but also careful.