(a) How did David spare the life of Saul? (b) What two lessons can we derive from the story?

Answer Details

(a) How David spared the life of Saul

King Saul, jealous of David, pursued him with three thousand chosen men to kill him. On one occasion (1 Samuel 24) Saul entered a cave at En-gedi to relieve himself, not knowing that David and his men were hiding in the recesses of that very cave. David's men urged him to seize the opportunity, saying the Lord had delivered his enemy into his hand. Instead of killing Saul, David quietly crept up and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Even this troubled David's conscience, for he said he would not stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed. After Saul left, David called out to him, showed him the piece of the robe as proof that he could have killed him but did not, and Saul wept and acknowledged David's righteousness.

On a second occasion (1 Samuel 26) David and Abishai entered Saul's camp by night while a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on the men. Abishai offered to pin Saul to the ground with one thrust of the spear, but David refused, saying no one could harm the Lord's anointed and remain guiltless. David only took Saul's spear and water jug from beside his head, then crossed to a far hill and called out, rebuking Abner for failing to guard the king and again proving his innocence. Saul once more admitted his wrong and blessed David.

(b) Two lessons from the story

1. Respect for constituted authority: David refused to harm God's anointed king even when he had the chance, teaching that we must reverence and not take vengeance on those God has placed in authority.
2. Returning good for evil and trusting God: David spared his persecutor and left judgment to God rather than repaying evil with evil, showing self-control, forgiveness and faith that God vindicates the righteous.