Day 71 – 1 Samuel 26:13-16

Scripture Review

1 Samuel 26:13-16

"Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:" (1 Samuel 26:13)

David now puts distance between himself and the camp where Saul laid. He stands "afar off," with "a great space" between them. He is merciful and also wise. David does not trust Saul merely because he has spared him before. He keeps the proper distance and prepares to make the truth known from a safe distance.

"And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?" (1 Samuel 26:14)

David cries first to the people and especially to "Abner the son of Ner." Abner is the captain, the one responsible for guarding Saul. David calls him by name, "Answerest thou not, Abner?" Abner replies, "Who art thou that criest to the king?" He does not yet seem to understand what has happened. David is about to expose Abner's failure before the entire camp.

"And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord." (1 Samuel 26:15)

David begins with words that sound like praise, "Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel?" But the point is sharp. If Abner is so valiant, why has he failed in the most basic duty of his office? "Wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king?" David says plainly that "there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord." David is not saying he intended to do it. He is showing that it could have been done. Abner's security had completely broken down.

"This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster." (1 Samuel 26:16)

David gives the verdict: "This thing is not good that thou hast done." Then he says, "ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed." This is serious failure. The very man they were supposed to protect could have been taken in the middle of the camp. Then David points to the evidence: "see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster." The missing items prove everything.

David had been close enough to kill Saul, but instead he left with proof of mercy. He trusted that the LORD could handle Saul in His own way and in His own time. So David remains bold, careful, reverent, and clean handed.