A second chance for David to take Saul‘s life presents itself. - P122
In a similarfashion to the first occasion, Saul is a sitting duck. But just because thesame opportunity to sin presents itself twice does not mean it is theLord‘s will for you to sin. - P122
David understands this and refuses to strikethe Lord‘s anointed. - P122
He defers vengeance to the Lord Himself. Davidshows great humility in not taking matters into his own hands. - P122
God hascalled him to be king, and so he trusts that at the appointed time, Godwill remove Saul and install him on the throne. - P122
Our God not only callsus into His service but also equips us and arranges our circumstances sothat we can work out our calling. - P122
Father in heaven, help me to trust that You will give me all that I need at theperfect time when I need it. - P123
Help me to remember Your past faithfulnesswhich propels my future confidence in You. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P123
21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, Davidmy son. Because you considered my life precious today,
I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted likea fool and have been terribly wrong." - P125
23 The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousnessand faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my handstoday, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD‘s anoint-ed.
24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORDvalue my life and deliver me from all trouble." - P125
25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, Davidmy son; you will do great things and surely triumph." SoDavid went on his way,and Saul returned home. - P125
David goes to a hill some distance away from Saul‘s camp and calls out toAbner. He says that someone went to destroy the king and took the king‘sspear and water jug. - P125
Saul recognizes David‘s voice and asks him to come back.
He says he will not try to harm David again as David has spared his life. Davidreturns Saul‘s spear and goes on his way. - P125
As the general of Saul‘s army, Abner‘s primary task would have beento ensure Saul‘s protection. Even David describes Abner as unequaledin Israel. - P126
So how is it that two men have just wandered right into thecamp unnoticed and stolen the king‘s personal equipment? We knowthat this oversight was not brought about by mere human failure-Abner‘s or
the three thousand elite soldiers Saul had brought along on thiscampaign. - P126
In the previous passage, we saw that the Lord had put themall into a deep sleep. David was not alone that evening; the Lord wasfighting for him. - P126
Those who trust in God never walk alone. - P126
We neednot fear the strongest or most cunning plans of the enemy, for the Lordis always by our side. - P126
Saul realizes what has happened. Again, David had the opportunityto kill him, yet has spared him. - P126
The grace shown to Saul affords him amoment of clarity. Saul confesses that he is in the wrong and beckonsDavid to return, even calling him his own son. - P126
However genuine Saul‘sspeech might be, it does not win David‘s trust. We see that in the end, the two men part ways. - P126
Though David receives Saul‘s apology, he knowsbetter than to trust Saul as he has witnessed the king go back on hisword too many times. - P126
Forgiving someone does not bind you to trustthem again, at least not until they have proven themselves trustworthy.
- P126
May this truth give us freedom to be generous in our forgiving. - P126
"The Bible is clear about two principles: (1) We always need to forgive, but (2) wedon‘t always achieve reconciliation. Forgiveness is something that we do in ourhearts; we release someone from a debt that they owe us."
- Henry Cloud and John Townsend - P126
Father, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. May I remember theimmense grace that was shown me on Calvary, and may I return this grace tothose who trespass against me. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P127
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