Narrate the story in which David spared the life of Saul and indicate any three significant lessons to be learnt from this episode.

Answer Details

David spares the life of Saul (1 Samuel 24; a similar episode in 1 Samuel 26)

• King Saul, jealous of David, pursued him with three thousand chosen men to seek him in the Wilderness of En-gedi.
• Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, not knowing that David and his men were hiding in the innermost parts of that very cave.
• David's men urged him, saying this was the day the Lord had promised to deliver his enemy into his hand, that he might do to Saul as he wished.
• Instead of killing Saul, David arose stealthily and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Yet afterward David's heart smote him for even doing that.
• He restrained his men and would not allow them to attack Saul, saying, 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 anointed of the Lord.
• When Saul had left the cave, David went out and called after him, bowing to the ground. He showed Saul the corner of his robe as proof that he could have killed him but spared him, declaring, See, there is no evil or treason in my hands. He appealed to the Lord to judge between them.
• Saul was moved to tears and admitted, You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. He acknowledged that David would surely be king, and asked David to swear not to cut off his descendants. Then Saul went home.

Three significant lessons

1. Respect for God-given authority. David refused to harm the Lord's anointed, teaching reverence for rightful leadership and leaving judgment to God.
2. Returning good for evil. David repaid Saul's hatred with mercy, showing that we should not take revenge but overcome evil with good.
3. Trust in God's timing and justice. David waited patiently for God to make him king rather than seizing the throne by murder, teaching us to trust God to defend and vindicate us.