Bible Study - Relationships (3) - Respect Authority - 1 Samuel 24:3-12 - June 18, 2017

Bible Study – Relationships (3) – Respect Authority – June 18, 2017

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Real Relationships.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Samuel 24:3-12.

Respect the authorities GOD has placed in your life.

Most of us do not like authorities in our lives, unless they are on our side. Certainly, when we are pulled over for exceeding the speed limit by a few miles, we believe the officer should cut us some slack. Violating man-made rules often has its consequences. The same is true when we violate GOD’S laws and commandments.

GOD uses various authorities in our lives to help discipline us to keep us out of serious trouble.

Our lesson reveals the restraint of David out of honor and respect for King Saul and for David to wait upon the LORD to take the action needed for him to become king. The prophet Samuel had anointed David as the next king of Israel. David waited for the LORD to make him king rather than taking matters into his own hands. That takes patience, trust and great faith in GOD.

We know that the Bible reveals that David was a man after GOD’S own heart as recorded in Acts 13:22 “22 After removing him (King Saul), He raised up David as their king, of whom He testified: ' I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will carry out all My will.'

David was not perfect. The scriptures allow us to see the heart of David. This is a caution to everyone who obediently serves GOD. We never escape Satan’s attempts to bring us down. If we yield to temptation, we must keep in mind 1 John 1:8 and 9:

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our part is the confession and repentance, GOD’S part is the forgiving, cleansing and restoration.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Samuel 24:1-2: (Lead-in)

David Spares Saul

1 When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness near En-gedi."

2 So Saul took 3,000 of Israel's choice men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

King Saul had been pursing David and was closing in on David when GOD intervened. King Saul was diverted to go fight the Philistines. Our scripture picks up when King Saul returned to continue the pursuit of David with his 3,000 choice soldiers.

David’s army had grown from 400 men to 600 men over time.

Verse 2 identifies the area as “the Rocks of the Wild Goats.” This was a steep rocky area that was home to wild goats. This rocky area had caves which shepherds would use to shelter them and their sheep from storms and prey. I understand shepherds would build a curved wall in front of the entrance to the cave made of stones. They would interweave thorny bushes in with the rocks to keep the sheep in and predators out.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 24:3-7:

3 When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the back of the cave,

The statement “relieve himself” has at least two interpretations: (1) King Saul went into the cave to take a nap. (2) King Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. Either way GOD orchestrated this encounter between King Saul and David.

4 so they said to him, "Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: 'I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.'" Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

When circumstances deliver an enemy into your hands it is normal to consider that the LORD orchestrated the opportunity, which HE did. Then the important question is, “How does a person respond to such an opportunity?” David had to discern the opportunity. There was a first reaction and then a follow up reaction. The opportunity revealed David’s heart toward authority and respect for the position of king.   

5 Afterwards, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

The fact that David was able to approach King Saul undetected, cut and removed a piece of his robe caused David concern. He took his actions as disrespect of the king. GOD gave opportunity for a purpose. It was for both King Saul and David.

6 He said to his men, "I swear before the Lord: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed. [I will never] lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord's anointed."

7 With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.

David’s men were ready to kill the king and take on some 3,000 men with their 600 men. Their courage may have come from the fact that circumstances indicated that GOD was with David. David set his men straight regarding his attitude toward King Saul. That takes courage.

David waited until King Saul left the cave and then ----

Let’s read 1 Samuel 24:8-11:

8 After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed to the ground in homage.

Notice that David maintained his respect for the king when he got King Saul’s attention. David addressed him as “My lord the king!” King Saul turned and looked behind him and he saw David bowing in respect to him. What likely were the first thoughts of King Saul when he heard a familiar voice that he quickly identified as David’s voice? Has David lost his mind, he knows that I am after him to kill him. He must be deranged to take me and my army on. Oh, but GOD had a great equalizer in mind to humble the king, as we read on---

9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of people who say, 'Look, David intends to harm you'?

David is about to take on the king’s intelligence system. Why do you listen to those who are telling you that I mean to harm you?  Now pay special attention to what I am about to tell you. Hopefully this will set the record straight, that I have no intention to do you harm. You are listening to “fake news.”

10 You can see with your own eyes that the Lord handed you over to me today in the cave. [Someone] advised [me] to kill you, but I took pity on you and said: I won't lift my hand against my lord, since he is the Lord's anointed.

King Saul likely thought, what does David mean that the Lord handed me over to him? What does he mean that he could have killed me? Surely, he has gone off his rocker.

11 See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn't kill you. Look and recognize that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I haven't sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

David continued to address the king with respect. He refers to King Saul as father. This could have been that David looked upon King Saul as a father figure since he had lived in the palace or since the king was actually his father-in-law; it could have based upon that relationship. It was a term of endearment to communicate to the king that he had no hostile intentions toward him. 

David addressed the king in a friendly manner to re-enforce the fact that he was not hostile to the king.

Then David drops the confirming fact, “Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn't kill you. Look and recognize that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I haven't sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life.”

King Saul do you need proof? Then take a look at the corner of your robe. WOW!  Surprise! Surprise! This got the king’s attention and confirmed that David truly had the opportunity to kill him. Had the king sent someone into the cave before he had gone into the cave? The king thought he was secure in the cave, then reality hit him that he was in peril. Except for the grace of GOD and the restraint of David, he would be dead.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 24:12:

12 "May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you.

In essence, David concluded, “There King Saul you have the facts. I had the opportunity to kill you and did not. You have been told that I was out to kill you. I had that opportunity but did not. I hope you will understand that I will never raise my hand against you. I respect you and honor you. You know that GOD is our ultimate judge.”

Our focus scripture ends but David continues to speak ---

Let’s read 1 Samuel 24:13-22:

13 As the old proverb says, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' My hand will never be against you.

14 Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A flea?

15 May the Lord be judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from you."

16 When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul wept aloud

17 and said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you.

18 You yourself have told me today what good you did for me: when the Lord handed me over to you, you didn't kill me.

19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the Lord repay you with good for what you've done for me today.

King Saul blesses David.

20 "Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

21 Therefore swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family."

22 So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

David remembered what he had sworn to King Saul when David became king. 

King David reached out to Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth.

Was it all over? Oh, no! The LORD provided David with a second opportunity to take King Saul’s life in 1 Samuel Chapter 26.

So how are we to treat authority? As Christians, we are to show respect for authority and leave vengeance in GOD’S hands, which is often difficult.

David kept his distance from King Saul. But what about a wife in an abusive situation, what is she to do? What are children to do who are abused by a parent their authority? David was active and not passive.

Society places people with authority in positions to silence evil and protect the righteous as Paul recorded in Romans 13:1-2:

A Christian's Duties to the State

1 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.

2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.

What are Christians to do when authorities do not function according to their intended purpose? They are to pray, trust, reveal and work to change what they are not doing using the established system or change the system.

In such situations, Christians must be led by the Holy Spirit regarding how they approach certain issues. There are times when they need boldness to address certain authorities; always after they have bathed the issue or issues in prayer. Vengeance is MINE says the LORD.

Christians must trust the LORD and allow HIM to do HIS work according to HIS timetable. David knew he was to be the next king. Circumstances provided several opportunities for David to take matters into his own hands but he maintained his dependence on the LORD. We must keep in mind that David was not passive but aggressive within the bounds of protecting himself, trusting that GOD would accomplish the objective HE had set for David.

Waiting on the LORD is tough and requires having the right relationship with HIM to do so. Father, forgive us when we get ahead of YOU and take matters into our own hands. Blessings!!!