It has been said that you can learn a lot about a person when they are enduring intense pressure. Take away a person’s job, spouse, kids, reputation, belongings, or any other number of things that we hold dear, and you will learn a lot about the inner workings of that person’s heart. Suffering has a tendency to squeeze us like grapes, until something oozes out.

When placed under difficult circumstances, the broken human condition has been formed to act out in a variety of ways, oftentimes sinful. The reality is that we have all been conditioned by the fallen world we live in – not to mention our own fallen and sinful nature – to crave comfort, stability, acceptance, power, and control. When suffering enters our lives, it has this tendency to awaken those cravings for those things. What comes out of us in those moments of suffering and hardship, tells the story of whom we have surrendered our hearts to.

The story of David on his way to the promised throne of Israel is the story of the heart of a king in the making. Chosen and anointed by God, as a young boy, to be the next king of Israel. Victorious in battle against his enemies. Defeated Goliath when no one else dared take a shot. Personal assistant to the reigning outgoing king, Saul. Adopted like a son by that very same king. Now ducking and dodging the furious, murderous intent of that same demon possessed king who hunted David like a dog.

We all know what it is like to face one difficulty after the next right? One intense season of suffering, fighting temptation, dealing with the effects of sin, combatting the intense lies of the Enemy, facing the agony of Death’s jabs, and we hope there will be some reprieve before the next season of suffering and difficulty sets in. But all too quickly, we find ourselves ducking for cover once again, longing for escape from the barrage of hardship that has landed on the doorway of our hearts.

I imagine that this is kind of where David is at in our text today. Over the last two weeks we have become reacquainted with David and his struggles as he evades one attempt on his life after the next from the reigning king who was once like a father to him. Last week, David narrowly escaped from king Saul’s murderous plot on his life, when just in the nick of time, God’s invisible hand redirected king Saul back to his home to deal with some enemy invaders, leaving David in the wilderness of Engedi for a brief rest before the storm started again.

The text before us today tells the story of David and king Saul, where David spares king Saul’s life and then the two of them have a conversation that ends in the two of them going their own separate ways. It is a fascinating story that kind of leaves you a little puzzled as the events unfold.

But rest assured, as we make our way through the text, I think you and I will get a bird’s eye view into the heart of David as he suffers on his way to the throne of Israel. The heart of this young king in the making, should cause us to examine our own hearts and it should also remind us of the heart of the One True King, Christ Jesus.

1When Sual returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5And afterwards David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

8Afterwards David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I have spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

16As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

#1: DAVID AND SAUL IN THE CAVE (VV. 1 – 7)

With that said, let’s dive into the first portion of the text in verses 1 – 7 where we find David encountering king Saul in a dark cave. In these verses, Saul learns that David is hiding “in the wilderness of Engedi” so he grabs three thousand men and takes off on another hunting expedition (vv. 1- 2). Now, it should be noted that where David is hiding – in the wilderness of Engedi – is a beautiful oasis, much like the island Keys in Florida. This was a place of refuge and refreshment for David as he hid from his enemy. We all need to find places of refreshment and rest when the war gets intense.

But David’s peaceful place of refuge was about to be invaded by his enemy who was back on the war path. Saul and his troops make their way into David’s refuge, causing David and his men to hide in the darkest innermost parts of a cave, when low and behold, king Saul decides to relieve himself in the cave they were hiding in (v. 3). 

If I was David, once the fear of being found had passed, once I realized that the troops were not preparing to enter the cave and route me out, once I realized that my enemy was merely relieving himself in my hideout, with no realization that I was there, I would be tempted to think that God had given my enemy into my hand!

That is exactly what David’s men thought too! So, they urged David to see this opportunity as God’s providence to take his enemy out once and for all, but David only cuts off a piece of Saul’s robe instead of cutting Saul’s throat (v. 4). And almost as soon as David cuts the corner of Saul’s robe, his heart was troubled and he confessed to his men that he could not lay a violent hand against God’s anointed and he could not allow them to do so either (vv. 5 – 7). As a result, Saul leaves the cave unharmed and completely oblivious to his narrow brush with death (v. 7).

At first glance, this part of the story seems so puzzling. One commentator says that this is at least the fifteenth time Saul has tried to hunt David down to kill him.2 Why would David choose not to take his enemy out when it seemed like the Lord had so clearly given him into his hand?

The key to understanding the heart of David here can be seen when he says that he will not lay his hand against God’s anointed (v. 6). In David’s mind, he knew that God had installed Saul as the king, therefore in David’s mind, it was God’s job to take him out of the picture altogether. In David’s heart, he knew that God had never instructed him to wipe out king Saul. Therefore, he remained steadfastly obedient to the Lord in the face of temptation to take things into his own hands.

How often are you and I tempted to take things into our own hands when we are suffering, rather than waiting patiently and obediently on the Lord to act? We will come back to this question in a little while. For now, David has spared Saul’s life out of obedient trust in the Lord.

#2: DAVID SPEAKS TO SAUL (VV. 8 – 15)

In the next portion of our passage in verses 8 – 15, David runs out of the cave and speaks to king Saul. One preacher I listened to this week noted how insane this episode seems; David not only lets king Saul go unharmed but he is audacious enough to run out of the cave to let Saul know that he spared his life, right in front of Saul’s three thousand troops!3 I have to agree, it seems like David has a screw loose!

Nevertheless, David runs out of the cave, he gets king Saul’s attention, he bows low on the ground before him, he questions the king as to why he is hunting him even though David has not sought his harm, and then he points out that he had the chance to take him out but did not and instead only cut off a piece of his robe (vv. 8 – 11).

David even blatantly says, “by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it” (v. 11). This had to have been a pin drop moment as the reality of Saul’s delusional predicament began to set in. Up until this point, Saul has had this delusional thought that David was his enemy, that he was out to get him, and that he was going to steal his throne – even though God had already warned Saul that his throne would be taken and that he had been rejected by God as king of Israel due to his disobedience.

But now, here is David, holding up a piece of his robe for Saul’s living eyes to see. And David does not miss a beat. He continues to say that the Lord will be the one to judge between the two of them, that God will ultimately deliver him from Saul, and that wickedness is what pours out of wicked people, but that he will not harm a hair on Saul’s head no matter what kind of suffering Saul brings into his life (vv. 12 – 15).

What is going on in the heart of this young king in the making? I think we see a young man with a heart full of love for his enemy. A young man who is willing to risk life and limb to see his enemy reconciled and restored. And as one preacher said, David may not be willing to lay his hand violently against Saul, but he is willing to speak truth to confront the evil and the suffering that his enemy has caused in his life.4

While you and I may see David as having a screw loose, we are supposed to see a young king in the making with a heart that is willing to risk life and limb to speak truth so that he might see his enemy reconciled and restored. When was the last time you and I thought deeply about our responsibility in suffering to pursue truth-filled reconciliation and restoration with our enemies?

Granted, this is an extreme story where life and death are on the line. But this episode should give us an inkling into the seriousness of pursuing peace at all costs according to Romans 12 – not to mention the fact that Jesus risked life and limb for us when we were but his enemies! Once again, we will come back to that thought in a few moments.

#3: SAUL RESPONDS TO DAVID (VV. 16 – 22)

In our final portion of the text, in verses 16 – 22, Saul responds to David. The author tells us that just as soon as David finished speaking, Saul recognized David, referred to him with intimate family language when he called him “my son” and then he began to weep loudly (v. 16). It seems that the sudden recognition that David does not want to kill him, really moved Saul emotionally.

Out of Saul’s immediate sense of grief over his own delusion, he responds to David by proclaiming that David is more righteous than he is, that David has done good to him even though he has done evil to David, he recognizes that David never wanted to kill him, and he even recognizes (for the first time publicly) that David will be the king of Israel very soon (vv. 17 – 20). It is almost as though David’s desire to see reconciliation has come true and that Saul is repenting of his evil ways. Maybe they should be buddy-buddy again!

But, as every commentator I read and every preacher I listened to this week, all acknowledged, Saul’s repentance is only momentary; his repentance is merely sadness for getting caught in his sin, rather than godly sorrow over the condition of his heart and the damage he has done.6 It is not just the rest of the story that proves this to be true. The last two verses reveal that Saul’s immediate concern was the safety and longevity of his family name – his legacy, if you will (v. 21). And there’s also a tell-tale sign of Saul’s short-lived repentance that can be seen in how Saul goes home at the end of the passage and David goes back to his stronghold rather than his home (v. 22).5 David is not stupid enough to be buddy-buddy with someone like Saul just because he had a moment of emotional clarity.

Let this be a lesson for us regarding the authenticity of our own journey of repentance. Saul behaves according to the condition of his heart just as David behaves according to the condition of his heart. One of these kings has surrendered his heart to his own out of control desires. The other king has surrendered his heart to the Lord. The proof of the condition of each man’s heart can be seen in what comes out of his mouth and in what he holds dear.

Saul is only concerned with his ongoing image in the proverbial mirror in his future family. David is concerned with bringing dishonor to the image of the Lord in his own life, even to the extent that he would be troubled over cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe – a minor thing to be sure! Saul is full of self-preservation. David is willing to sacrifice his life to walk in obedience to the Lord.

KEY TAKE AWAYS…

What are the key take aways from our study? The story we have been immersing ourselves into here is really the tale of the hearts of three kings – King Saul, King David, and King Jesus. If we take a step back and think about what we have just studied, I think we would all have to agree that what we see coming out of the heart of David as he makes his way to the throne of Israel, through suffering, reminds us of Jesus.

Like David, Jesus endured suffering from his enemies as he journeyed back to the throne of heaven through the suffering of the cross. Like David, Jesus did not seek to harm his enemies as he suffered under their hands. Like David, Jesus risked his life – and ultimately gave his life – so that sinners like you and I could be reconciled to God. Like David, Jesus showed the full extent of his love for his enemies even as he laid down his life for them. Jesus even cried out for the Father to forgive his enemies because they were full of ignorance in their sin. 

We can see all of this, in stark contrast to the heart of king Saul who was so self-focused that he lived in a demonic and delusional state of mind – except for these brief moments of emotional clarity that always fade away quickly. Repentance for Saul was mere lip-service and showmanship. Saul’s only true concern was his own image in the mirror and his public reputation. Although he often used religious language, Saul was not concerned with surrendering his heart to another king.

CONCLUSION…

In conclusion, it is good for us to recognize the ways in which we are just like king Saul: sinful, full of pride, conceited, deceived, unrepentant, delusional because of sin, etc. King Saul should be a sober warning to all of us to constantly surrender our hearts to the Lord as our Savior and King. I often wonder, at what point did Saul stop listening to that still, quiet, voice of spiritual reason and conviction? When did Saul sever his heart from the Lord altogether as he ran headlong after sin and rebellion?

That is a question that should haunt all of us. Every day I battle my own tendency to sin with my eyes, in my heart, in my mind, with my words, and all too often with my actions. Every day, it seems, I hear the horror stories of people’s lives getting blown up by unrepented sin – oftentimes wrapped in religious language, as though God is somehow ok with our sin because we find a way to justify it away, blame it away, or reconstruct God’s call to holiness into a more culturally acceptable way.

Guard your heart my friends. From the heart flows all of life. What you surrender your heart to – unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, anger, lust, conceit, envy, strife, pride, etc. – what you surrender your heart to, will control you. Your heart is like a mini-throne that must be ruled by something. The very second you remove Jesus from the throne of your heart, is the moment that you begin living like Saul.

The beauty of the gospel is that you are never too far gone to fully repent – until you are dead of course! As the story of King David unfolds, you will see that David does not live a perfect life; he sins and he sins greatly at times. But he is always quick to repent because he continued to surrender his heart to the One True King.

That King, Jesus, has promised to give you a brand-new heart, one that desires to please God and is quick to repent and produce fruit of repentance by the power of the Spirit of God when convicted of sin. Guard that heart with everything you have. Submit that heart to the kingship of Jesus. Remember, that cross was bloody, that tomb is empty, and eternity has been promised because the heart of Jesus – our crucified, risen, and returning King – loves you more than you could ever imagine. – Amen!

1 Unless otherwise specified, all Bible references are to the English Standard Version Bible, The New Classic Reference Edition (ESV) (Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, 2001).

2 John, D., Barry, Faithlife Study Bible, Logos Software Version, (Alda, Michigan: 2012), 1 Samuel 24:2.

3 Pastor, David, Guzik, 1 Samuel 24 – How to Overcome Evil with Good, (YouTube: June 2, 2022), https://youtu.be/uDjfX_IzZuw?si=6owC52vY6VCL1oGk.

4 Ibid.

5 Ibid.

6 John, Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2008), 453 – 460.