How does 1 Samuel 26:21 demonstrate David's respect for God's anointed leader? \Backdrop: a second chance in the wilderness\ • For the second time (cf. 1 Samuel 24), David and a companion slip into Saul’s camp while the king sleeps (1 Samuel 26:5-12). • David takes Saul’s spear and water jug, then calls out from a safe distance (vv. 13-20). • Saul’s response in 1 Samuel 26:21 forms the hinge of the episode. \1 Samuel 26:21\ “Then Saul said, ‘I have sinned. Come back, my son David, for I will not harm you again, because today you regarded my life as precious. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly.’” \David’s respect on display\ • “You regarded my life as precious” — David could have ended Saul’s life but chose preservation over pre-emption. • The king recognizes David’s mercy as a moral judgment on himself: “I have sinned… acted like a fool.” • David’s restraint flows from his settled conviction voiced earlier: “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” (1 Samuel 26:9). • By handing back the spear (v. 23), David symbolically returns Saul’s authority, acknowledging God’s appointment of the king. \Roots of David’s attitude\ • Fear of the LORD above fear of man (Proverbs 9:10). • Belief that God raises up and removes leaders in His timing (1 Samuel 2:7-8; Psalm 75:6-7). • Internalized command, “Do not touch My anointed ones” (Psalm 105:15). • Confidence that righteousness brings vindication without self-help violence (Psalm 37:5-7). \Echoes elsewhere\ • Earlier cave episode: “May the LORD judge between you and me… but my hand will not be against you” (1 Samuel 24:12-13). • Lament after Saul’s death: David punishes the Amalekite who claimed to kill Saul, asking, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” (2 Samuel 1:14). • New-covenant parallel: believers are urged to respect governing authorities because “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). \Takeaways for today\ • Reverence for God expresses itself in how we treat those He places over us, even when they fail. • Mercy toward opponents can expose sin more powerfully than retaliation. • Trusting God’s sovereignty frees us from grasping power or settling scores. • Like David, we can leave vindication to “the LORD who rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness” (1 Samuel 26:23). |
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