DAVID AND SAUL by T. E. Bowen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1901

DAVID AND SAUL.

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN. (Rome, N. Y.)

In the recorded lives of these two kings there are many lessons for us. These men developed into two entirely different characters. David was at first a man “after God’s own heart.” “David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” I Kings 15:5. Saul took the opposite course; followed his own will, regardless of what the Lord commanded him; and, as the result, not only was the kingdom rent from him, but he perished by his own hand, without God and without hope, in the blackness of despair.

Two incidents which occurred during the time Saul was Israel’s acknowledged king, illustrate forcibly how David was developing a Christlike character. Saul had thrown a javelin at David, with intent to kill. David had fled, and soon Saul had an army hunting for him in the mountains. The Lord had previously told David that He would deliver Saul into his hand, and then he should do to him what he desired. Here God tested David. “Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 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.”

Here, now, is David’s opportunity. Here was the test. Here is an occasion for displaying what is in David’s heart. His personal enemy was delivered by God into his hand. What would you have done? It is evident that the men with David thought he ought to kill Saul. But David

did not so think. It was not in his heart to injure the Lord’s anointed; so in the darkness of the cave, he carefully approached his enemy, and clipped a corner from his robe. When Saul had gone from the cave, he was surprised to hear David calling to him. Turning, he saw David bowed to the ground. Then he heard the noble, godlike words of his son-in-law: “Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee. . . . Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The Lord judge between me and thee.”

A second time God brings Saul into David’s power. Again David comes to Saul while both he and his army are fast asleep. David and Abishai descend into the valley; and while at Saul’s side, Abishai whispers to David, “God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear [Saul’s] even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.” Another temptation to put him out of the way, and none on earth but they two ever need know how it came about. But David said, “Destroy him not.”

Why could David thus render good for evil? It was because he lost sight of Saul, and desired the Lord to deal by him as he dealt by Saul. In speaking to Saul this second time, he said: “And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” I Sam. 26:24.

This is why God did so much for David. David let Him do the avenging. The course of God is sometimes slow, but it is always sure and accurate. God overrules events. He shapes the destiny of our lives. Although David, during all this time, was anointed king, yet he permitted God to seat him on Israel’s throne in His good time and way. God took the kingdom from Saul. Samuel had said: “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart, . . . because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.”

David relied on God. He realized that in his relation with God, he was just as undeserving of the Lord’s kindness and mercy as was Saul of his in the cave and in the valley when brought into his power to do unto him as he chose. This spirit is the spirit of Christ. It pleased the Lord then, it pleases Him now. While the Lord knew David’s heart, and that he would develop this character, the people did not, and the only way for them to know was to bring David into severe tests. When they saw it, they loved him, and desired him to be their king.

This is the spirit the remnant must have. Although persecuted unjustly, we are not to retaliate. This spirit must not find a place in our hearts. God recognizes in His afflicted people, of whom the world is not worthy, kings and priests. They are to “reign with Christ,” but now they are to be tested before the universe until all shall know that it will be safe to intrust the interests of the heavenly kingdom in their hands. God knows when the fullness of time comes. These are in His own hands and power. Acts 1:7. But the sure promise to those who, like David, turn not aside from anything He commands is: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” Rev. 3:21.