Topical Bible: Saul: King of Israel: Pursues David to En-Gedi

◄ Saul: King of Israel: Pursues David to En-Gedi ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Saul, the first king of Israel, is a complex figure whose reign is marked by both military successes and personal failures. His pursuit of David to En-Gedi is a significant episode that highlights the tension between Saul and David, the future king of Israel. This pursuit is recorded in 1 Samuel 24, where Saul's relentless jealousy and fear of losing his kingdom to David reach a critical point.

Background

Saul was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 10. Initially, Saul was a humble and promising leader, chosen by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines. However, as his reign progressed, Saul's disobedience to God's commands led to his rejection by God as king (1 Samuel 15:26). Samuel then anointed David, a young shepherd from Bethlehem, to be Saul's successor (1 Samuel 16:13).

The Pursuit

Saul's jealousy of David began after David's victory over Goliath and his subsequent rise in popularity among the Israelites. The women of Israel sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7), which fueled Saul's envy and fear. Saul's animosity towards David intensified, leading him to attempt to kill David on several occasions.

David fled from Saul and became a fugitive, gathering a group of loyal followers. Despite being pursued by Saul, David consistently demonstrated respect for Saul's position as the Lord's anointed king. The pursuit to En-Gedi is one of the most dramatic encounters between the two.

En-Gedi Encounter

En-Gedi, an oasis located near the Dead Sea, provided a strategic hiding place for David and his men. Saul, upon hearing that David was in the wilderness of En-Gedi, took three thousand chosen men to seek David (1 Samuel 24:2). During this pursuit, Saul entered a cave to relieve himself, unaware that David and his men were hiding deeper inside the same cave.

David's men saw this as an opportunity to kill Saul, but David refused, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the LORD’s anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6). Instead, David stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe, later revealing this to Saul as evidence of his loyalty and restraint.

Aftermath

After Saul left the cave, David called out to him, demonstrating his innocence and pleading for reconciliation. David's words moved Saul, who wept and acknowledged David's righteousness, saying, "You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil" (1 Samuel 24:17). Saul recognized that David would indeed become king and asked David to swear not to cut off his descendants, which David agreed to (1 Samuel 24:21-22).

This encounter at En-Gedi is a poignant moment in the narrative of Saul and David, illustrating the stark contrast between Saul's declining kingship and David's rising moral authority. Despite Saul's temporary remorse, his pursuit of David would continue, ultimately leading to his own downfall and David's ascension to the throne.

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1 Samuel 24:1-6
And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
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