Read
17Saul could tell it was David's voice, and he called out, “David, my son! Is that you?”
“Yes it is, Your Majesty. 18Why are you hunting me down? Have I done something wrong, or have I committed a crime? 19Please listen to what I have to say. If the Lord has turned you against me, maybe a sacrifice will make him change his mind. But if some people have turned you against me, I hope the Lord will punish them! They have forced me to leave the land that belongs to the Lord and have told me to worship foreign gods. 20Don't let me die in a land far away from the Lord. I'm no more important than a flea! Why should the king of Israel hunt me down as if I were a bird in the mountains?”
21“David, you had the chance to kill me today. But you didn't. I was very wrong about you. It was a terrible mistake for me to try to kill you. I've acted like a fool, but I'll never try to harm you again. You're like a son to me, so please come back.”
22“Your Majesty, here's your spear! Let one of your soldiers come and get it. 23The Lord put you in my power today, but you are his chosen king and I wouldn't harm you. The Lord rewards people who are faithful and live right. 24I spared your life today, and I pray that the Lord will spare my life and keep me safe.”
25“David, my son, I pray that the Lord will bless you and make you successful!”
David in Philistia
Saul went back home. David also left,
Reflect
Here I go again on my own. Or am I on my own?
Nothing disappoints me more than to watch a movie with a different ending than the one I would have chosen. I’ve invested an hour or two of my time and lo and behold, I’m left with an opposing, unsatisfying outcome. Along the way I was building up my own closure plan for the movie to end as it should. But it didn’t resolve as it was supposed to.
Once again we see David battling with Saul. This time, like before, David has a chance to “put away” his nemesis, stop the running and be free from the torment of Saul.
Our natural tendency is to want to put a stop to our trial immediately. However, as we’ve read, David puts his trust in God to resolve this battle, in God’s time, not his own. David is so confident that God’s sovereignty will triumph in the end. He invests all his energy into God being the victor and he walking away safely from this epic battle.
It’s not easy for us to relinquish control of every situation in our lives. We want to be the one to solve all our problems – it’s human nature.
David modeled for us an incredible patience and confidence in God. His personal testimony is reflected in the Psalms displaying his account of a God who never leaves us nor forsakes us. In great detail, David emphasizes God’s unwavering faithfulness and steadfast love for us.
“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me” (Psalms 138:7).
Respond
Heavenly Father, you are a faithful, steadfast God in whom I can fully trust. Keep me from trying to resolve my own hardships instead of trusting you. Help me to persevere through whatever battles I’m facing. I trust in your timing and release from all my troubles. Be glorified in my suffering. Amen.
Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall and his wife Keli joined The Gideons as members in 2002. It was a calling by God to reach the lost with His Word. Peterʼs call to serve the Lord overshadowed his daily life in business and he desired more than just part-time ministry. In 2006, Peter and Keli sold their business and Peter joined The Gideons Home Office staff. Since that time he has served in numerous positions, being promoted to Executive Director in August 2011.