After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence Sermons
1 Samuel 24:8-12. (ENGEDI.) Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, David seeketh thy hurt? (ver. 9). Saul's hatred and persecution of David were stirred up by slanderers; and, in vindication of himself from the charge of seeking his hurt, David referred to them on this and on a subsequent occasion (1 Samuel 26:19). One of them seems to have been Cush the Benjamite (see Kitto, 'D.B. Illus.'), on account of the calumnies of whom he wrote Psalm 7., 'The righteous judgment of God' (see inscription): - "Jehovah my God, in thee have I found refuge; "Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, I. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST ODIOUS OF VICES. It is "the uttering of false (or equivalent to false, morally false) speech against our neighbour in prejudice to his fame, his safety, his welfare, or concernment in any kind, out of malignity, vanity, rashness, ill nature, or bad design" (Barrow, Ser. 18.); and it is exhibited in an endless variety of ways. 1. It is marked by falsehood, folly, injustice, malice, and impiety. 2. It exerts a most pernicious influence. The tongue on which it dwells is like a fire, which (though at first but a single spark) may set a whole forest in a blaze (James 3:5); is "full of deadly poison," and sends forth "arrows, firebrands, and death." In private reputations, domestic life, social intercourse, the Church and the world, what mischief it works! 3. It is frequently forbidden and condemned in the word of God (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 10:31; 1 Corinthians 6:9). "I say unto you that every idle (empty, insincere, wicked, and injurious) word," etc. (Matthew 12:36, 37). "God is angry (with the wicked) every day" (Psalm 7:11). II. IT OUGHT NEVER TO BE COUNTENANCED. "Wherefore hearest thou?" No one should listen to it; for by doing so - 1. He encourages the wicked in their wickedness (Proverbs 25:23). "When will talkers refrain from evil speaking? When listeners refrain from evil hearing" (Hare). 2. He injures himself; becomes a tool of designing men, and is led to do things which his better nature cannot approve; whilst, at the same time, he manifests his own unreasonableness and sinful disposition. 3. He makes himself "partaker of their evil deeds," and exposes himself to the same condemnation. Although incited by others, Saul was not guiltless in "hunting after" the soul of David "to take it" (ver. 11). III. IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE MET IN A RIGHT MANNER by those who are calumniated; as by - 1. An open assertion of innocence, direct denial and rebuke of false statements, and faithful remonstrance against their being entertained. "Whose mouths" (says Paul concerning unruly and vain talkers and deceivers) "must be stopped" (Titus 1:11). 2. A clear proof of innocence afforded by becoming, righteous, and merciful actions (vers. 10, 11; compare Psalm 7:3, 4). 3. A sincere appeal to God as the Vindicator of the innocent; lowly submission to his will and firm confidence in the manifestation of his righteous judgment. "The justice of God is a refuge and comfort to oppressed innocency" (M. Henry). "The Lord judge between me and thee," etc. (ver. 12). "Jehovah judgeth the people. 1. To use the gift of speech in speaking well, and not ill, of others. 2. To rely on God more than on your own efforts for your vindication when evil spoken of. 3. The blessedness of those against whom men "say all manner of evil falsely" for Christ's sake. - D. 1. His tenderness of conscience is noticeable. His heart smote him for thus doubting God and stooping to dishonour His anointed king (ver. 5). 2. His conscious integrity adds force to his words. How tenderly he pleads with Saul (ver. 9). How tremulous with righteousness are his words (ver. 11). 3. What dignity there is in truth l and withal his humility must be noticed. (ver. 14). It was as if he had said, "I shall not antedate the promise. God has said He will bring me to the throne. I shall wait." (ver. 15). Such a time was filled with tests — a sudden opportunity to reach the desire of the heart, and an appeal to passion in the name of religion. He stood the strain. He lost not his self-command. Nearly all our falls come from trying to go before God! (H. E. Stone.) 1. The cave. In all limestone countries such caves are common, and many of them are large enough to conceal armies. The Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and Weyer's Cave in Virginia are large enough to shelter a hundred thousand men. Bruce's Cave in Scotland is still shown to tourists, and history tells how Mohammed once saved his life by running into one of these mountain caves. But in this cave at Engedi we have the marvellous escape of Saul as an act of gracious forbearance on the part of David. 2. The meeting. In the solitude, of that cave, by the mysterious providence of God, are these two men, Saul and David. Saul hated David as Haman hated Mordecai, or as Herod hated Jesus when the wise men told him that a King was born in Bethlehem. 3. David restrained. It must have been a great provocation to stand there and see his inveterate enemy ungird his mantle and compose himself to sleep. But David was a man of war, brave as the lion. He was made of nobler stuff than assassins are made of. He was too much of a man to kill a king when asleep, as Richard hired men to kill the princes of England that he might ascend the throne. 4. The final appeal. "But I say unto you, love your enemies." We would hardly expect to find a fulfilment of such a sentiment in that rude age of the world.Lessons: — 1. Sin hardens. Sin puts a man in antagonism to God, makes him hate the rule of God, and makes him ignore and despise the mercy of God, and at last brings him to confront the unmitigated vengeance of God. 2. The subduing and restraining power of God's grace. (T. W. Hooper, D. D.) Monday Club Sermons. David illustrates the peacemaker.I. IN HIS FORBEARANCE. Those were times of quick and savage deed. Human life was cheap. Tender sensibilities had slight leave among a people, every one of whom wore his sword on thigh, ready, on occasion, to pierce with it the heart of an offender. The spirit of the age demanded speedy redress of injury or insult. And here was one who, above all others, had, signalized himself as gifted with courage and strength in conflict. The wrongs we have suffered do rankle mightily, till an unearthly nature has been created within us. To "forgive, but not forget," is the veriest empty form of words. Philip of Burgundy, being entreated to punish a prelate who had injured him, may seem to have given a holy rule in his reply, "It is a fine thing to have revenge in one's power, but it is a finer thing not to use it." And a finer yet, is it not, to have no spirit of resentment burning within, however it may be reprised? Another characteristic of the peacemaker which gave David a right to the title was: II. HIS CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. Though he would not harm his foe in the least, yet he did think best to obtain proof that he could have slain him if he would. We commend his prudence. But no sooner had the rent been made in the royal mantle than "his heart smote him." He had lifted his hand against his fellow; if not to cut off his head, at least somewhat his dignity. The Rabbis declare that he expiated this sin in his old age, by finding no warmth in the clothes wherewith he wrapped himself. He opened his inmost heart to his murmuring associates, and we are surprised that this bronzed soldier betrays the finer sentiments of humanity. The beating of a reverent, loving heart, seeking over to he cleansed from secret faults, is felt through all this story of trial. As the string of the piano vibrates when its kindred note is sounded by other instrument or voice, so does this brief protest of a conscience, ages since, stir the reader's in quick unison, as we learn that the standards of right and wrong are eternal. The peacemaker like David is — III. LOYAL TO RULERS. Saul had been sought out by the aged prophet, and the vial of oil had been poured upon his head. Henceforth he was a representative of Jehovah. Affront, disobedience, disrespect shown to him, was dishonour to God as well. Let him betray his trust; let him, like the stork in the fable, eat up his subjects; let him be a Herod, a Nero, a Charles, an Ashantee chief, an Alexander IV; still, the authority of his office, when once he holds it, is sacred, and must be maintained. So David reasoned, and would not for a moment think of retaliation. What a lesson of self-control and chivalrous devotion was that to the impatient, hating victims of oppression in every age! God's time and God's way may best be waited for. The chief attribute at the peacemaker David was — IV. SIMPLE TRUST IN GOD. In this instance, as before and afterwards, we find him, in full view of danger, committing his ease to the Lord, whom he prayed to "judge between me and thee, and plead my cause and deliver me out of thine hand." Such confidence is a sublime reality. (Monday Club Sermons.) People David, SaulPlaces Engedi, Wildgoats' RocksTopics Afterward, Afterwards, Attentively, Behind, Bowed, Boweth, Calleth, Cave, Cried, Crying, David, Face, Ground, Hollow, Honour, O, Obeisance, Prostrated, Riseth, Rock, Rose, Saul, Saying, StoopedOutline 1. David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life8. He shows thereby his innocence, 16. Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs. Dictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 24:8Library Love for Hate, the True Quid Pro Quo'And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had out off Saul's skirt. 6. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Exile --Continued. How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished. The Exile --Continued. The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs How those are to be Admonished with whom Everything Succeeds According to their Wish, and those with whom Nothing Does. 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