BIG IDEA:
THE UNJUSTLY ACCUSED FUGITIVE REFUSES TO TAKE MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS WHILE EXPOSING THOSE WHO ARE TRULY GUILTY
(:1-5) INTRODUCTION: HIDE AND GO SEEK – THE ONE HIDING TURNS OUT TO BE THE ONE SEEKING
A. (:1) Reconnaissance Report from the Ziphites
“Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?”
B. (:2-3A) New Search Expedition Led by Saul
“to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph” with 3000 men
C. (:3B-4) Intelligence Gathering by David
“David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.”
D. (:5) Personal Surveillance by David
“And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner”
I. (:6-12) CAPTURE THE FLAG – SNEAK ATTACK YIELDS SIGNIFICANT TROPHIES
A. (:6) Challenge of Faith (Courage) – Who will Volunteer for this Dangerous Mission? Ahimelech or Abishai?
“Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”
B. (:7-8) Golden Opportunity or Gilded Temptation?
“Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand”
C. (:9-11) Practical Theology – David has learned his lessons well
1. (:9) Sanctity of the Lord’s Anointed
“Who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?”
2. (:10) Vengeance Belongs to the Lord – both in terms of Type and Timing
Possible Options Foreseen by David in Faith:
a) Immediate Judgment — “surely the Lord will strike him”
b) Natural Resolution — “or his day will come that he dies”
c) Violent End — “or he will go down into battle and perish”
No positive outcomes foreseen here; David had a confidence in the Lord’s justice
3. (:11) Restraint of Revenge and Focus on the Mission at Hand
a. Restraint of Revenge
“The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.”
b. Focus on the Mission at Hand
“but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go”
(Spear = sign of authority – Davis)
D. (:12) Providential Protection
“they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them”
II. (:13-16) PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY – IF THE SHOE FITS WEAR IT – HUMILIATION OF ABNER
A. (:13) Platform for Placing Blame
“Then David crossed over to the other side, and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them”
B. (:14) Calling out Abner and His Soldiers
“And David called to the people and to Abner”
C. (:15-16) Condemnation of the Guilty vs. Vindication of the Righteous
1. Condemnation of the Guilty – exposing their evil motivation
“This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you must surely die”
2. Vindication of the Righteous
“see where the king’s spear is, and the jug of water that was at his head”
Proof sufficient of David’s righteousness
III. (:17-20) CLUE — FAIR OR FOUL? – DAVID PLEADS HIS INNOCENCE
A. (:17) Recognition of David by Saul
“Then Saul recognized David’s voice”
B. (:18) Rebuke for Unjustified Pursuit of David by Saul
“Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?”
C. (:19a) Reasoning Regarding Primary Motivation – 2 Options
1. Motivation coming from the Righteous Indignation of the Lord??
Answer is Sacrifice —
“If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering”
2. Motivation coming from the jealousy and wickedness of men??
Answer is “Let them be cursed” —
“but if it is men, cursed are they before the Lord”
D. (:19b) Result in David’s Life has Been Drastic – both in terms of Material Deprivation and Spiritual Stress
1. Material Deprivation
“for they have driven me out today that I should have no attachment with the inheritance of the Lord”
2. Spiritual Stress
“saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’”
E. (:20a) Request for Common Sense and Justice to Prevail
“do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the Lord”
F. (:20b) Reminder of the Futility and Absurdity of Continuing to Chase After David
“The king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
IV. (:21-25a) SORRY – SAUL ADMITS HIS FOLLY
A. (:21) Proclamation of Sorrow by Saul
1. Admission of Sin
“I have sinned
2. Plea for Restoration of Relationship
“Return, my son David”
3. Promise of Future Security
“I will not harm you again”
4. Acknowledgment of David’s Righteousness
“because my life was precious in your sight this day”
5. Confession of the Severity of the Offense
“Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error”
B. (:22) Path of Cautiousness by David
“Behold the spear of the king! Now let one of the young men come over and take it.”
David was in no hurry to take Saul at his word and personally hustle over to return the spear.
C. (:23-24) Preaching of Divine Justice and Divine Providence by David
1. Divine Justice
“And the Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness”
2. Divine Providence
“may He deliver me from all distress”
D. (:25a) Prophecy of Blessing Imparted by Saul
“Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail.”
(:25b) CONCLUSION:
“So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.”