Themes From The Old Testament (a) I have done wrong; return, my son David, for...
Themes From The Old Testament
(a) I have done wrong; return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm ... Recount the events that led to this apology.
(b) What two qualities can we derive from David's attitude?
Explanation
(a) (1 Sam 26 :1 - 25):
(i) To escape from Saul. David went to hide in the wilderness of Ziph.
(ii) The Ziphites informed Saul of the presence of David in the wilderness.
(iii) Saul went to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand soldiers in search of David,
(iv) When David got to know about Saul's plans, he sent spies to confirm the presence of Saul in the wilderness.
(v) David and Abishai went in the night to where Saul was sleeping with Abner, his commander and his men of war.
(vi) Abishai sought permission from David to kill Saul.
(vii) David restrained him saying he will not spill the blood of the Lord's anointed.
(viii) David ordered Abishai to remove Saul's spear and jar of water.
(ix) Nobody saw them as all the people in the camp of Saul, were deeply asleep including Abner, his chief bodyguard.
(x) When David had gone far, he called out Abner and reprimanded him For his failure to keep proper watch over his master, Saul.
(xi) He said, Abner deserved to die for the security lapses.
(xii) David asked him about Saul's spear and jar of water.
(xiii) While David was reprimanding Abner, Saul recognized David's voice and he called out to him.
(xiv) David demanded to know why Saul wanted to kill him for no just cause.
(xv) Saul felt guilty and repented of his sins and promised, never to harm David.
(xvi) Saul appreciated the way David spared his life and David then returned the spear and jar of water he had collected
(xvii) Saul blessed David abundantly
(b) Qualities of David;
(i) We must forgive those who offend us David had every opportunity to he Kill Saul, yet he spared him.
(ii) David demonstrated his submission to the will of God. He said he would not spill the blood of the Lord's anointed.
(iii) The need to fear God. It's reflected in David's decision not to slay the Lord's anointed.
(iv) We must show love to everyone around us.
(v) David showed good leadership by making sure that his making subordinate obeyed him. Eg. Abishai.
(vi) David trusted God to save/protect him from his enemies.