Deeper Reflection
THE EPISODE in 1 Samuel 26 is strikingly similar to the one in 1 Samuel 24, although the events were clearly distinct. 1 Samuel 24 is about David sparing Saul’s life and 1 Samuel 26 is about David sparing Saul’s life – again. There is a theological principle here. God does work in our lives with certain discernible patterns under His providence to indicate His leading and guidance. There was a turn of the tide in Saul’s pursuit after David’s life (1 Sam 24:2; v.2). David now became the aggressor and actively sought confrontation with Saul: “When he saw that Saul came after him” (v.3), David “arose and came to the place where Saul had camped” (v.5) after having ascertained that “Saul was definitely coming” (v.4), instead of running away as before. David was having the upper hand now. He could come very close to an absolutely vulnerable sleeping Saul (v.7). It was at this point that Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand” and proposed to kill Saul right there and then (v.8). It was similar to the first time when David had a similar opportunity: “Behold, this is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I am about to hand your enemy over to you…’” (1 Sam 24:4). Previously, David was quick to take it as God speaking and erroneously acted on it (1 Sam 24:4-5), but not this time (v.9). Not every “Thus says the Lord” is God speaking. Discernment is critically necessary.