Caught Up in the Moment: 1 Samuel 24:1-7
We can’t always get everything right, but we can be contrite when we err in our ways. It is easy to get caught up in perfection. With video editing and computer-generated graphics, we can make everything appear perfect on the outside. God perceives our inside, however. God knows our sin, and God knows if our hearts are repentant.
Once the Philistine threat is ended, Saul pursues David. David hides in a cave. Luck – or more likely, God – allows Saul to choose the cave in which David was hiding when he needs to relieve himself. The Hebrew code mandated human waste be dealt with outside the camp for purity. Therefore, Saul seeks out a cave where he can be alone and still do what needs to be done. Due to the nature of the need, Saul would be alone at this moment.
David’s men, huddling in the back of the cave, discuss the situation. They are convinced God’s hand put Saul in the cave for David to kill him. They want David to be king. They want the exile to be over. They want to stop running for their lives.
David’s men make the same error Saul made when David went to Keilah. David’s men want Saul to die, so they assume God put Saul into this cave. Instead of discerning God’s will and acting upon discernment, they make what they want to happen into God’s will.
David refuses to harm Saul. He does not wish to take the life of God’s anointed. Instead, David clips a corner of Saul’s robe, which Saul had likely taken off on his way into the cave. His soldiers saw an opportunity to get what they want; David sees an opportunity to save Saul’s life.
When David acts, three things happen. First, David obtains proof he could have taken Saul’s life but spared him. Second, claiming a corner of Saul’s kingly robe demonstrating the kingdom will be transferred to him. Third, David is insolent towards his king.
The Bible indicates David’s heart troubles him. There’s nothing wrong with sparing Saul’s life. There’s nothing wrong with the symbolic act regarding the transference of the kingdom. Up until now, though, David respected the office of king. By snipping off a corner of Saul’s robe, David exposed his king’s weakness and mocked the office. David was sworn to uphold the office, not make a mockery of it. David shows up Saul rather than cares for him.
David passes God’s test for the most part. He doesn’t follow the lead of his men. He spares Saul’s life and demonstrates obedience to God. However, he allows himself to get caught up in the moment and demean what it means to be king. Even in this act, though, David’s heart exposes his sinfulness and David feels sorrow. None of us are perfect, David included. We can’t always get everything right, but we can be contrite when we err in our ways.
