The Way
The Spear and Water Jug of Sleeping Saul
Two men walking through a camp sunk in deep sleep
Story
Once again the Ziphites told Saul where David was hiding. Saul led three thousand chosen men and camped beside the road on the hill of Hachilah. That night David looked down on the camp from the hill. Saul lay in the middle, with Abner the commander and the soldiers lying around him. David asked the men beside him, “Who will go down with me into that camp?” Abishai, Joab's brother, stepped forward: “I'll go with you.”
The two walked in among the sleeping men. Saul's spear was stuck in the ground at his head. Abishai whispered, “Let me pin him to the ground with this spear in one stroke. I won't need a second.” David stopped him: “Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? Just take the spear and the water jug, and let's go.” The Lord had sent a deep sleep on them, and no one saw or woke up.
David stood far off on the top of the hill across the way and shouted, “Abner, why didn't you guard your master? Look where the king's spear and water jug are!” Saul recognized David's voice and said, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David.” David told him to send someone for the spear, and went his own way. It was the last time the two would face each other. In the wilderness David sang, “In a dry land my soul thirsts for you.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
Don't kill him. Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and still claim to be guiltless?
Just as I valued the king's life today, may the Lord value my life and rescue me from every trouble.
I have sinned. Come back, my son David. Because you valued my life today, I will never harm you again. I have truly been a fool.
Today God has given your enemy into your hands. Let me pin him to the ground with the spear in one stroke. I won't need a second.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Sam 26:1–25
Background
This was the last time Saul and David met face to face in life. Abishai was the son of David's sister Zeruiah and the brother of Joab. The heading of Psalm 63 says David wrote it when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
Pause and Reflect
When the same temptation comes again, can I make the choice of faith?