(a) State the different ways David resisted taking Saul's life at the wilderness of Ziph. (b) Mention four benefits one can derive from self-control.

Answer Details

(a) The different ways David resisted taking Saul's life at the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 26).

The Ziphites had gone to Saul at Gibeah and betrayed David, telling the king that David was hiding on the hill of Hachilah. Saul therefore came down to the Wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David. David sent out spies and confirmed that Saul had indeed come. He arose and went to the place where Saul had encamped and saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, his commander, and the army encamped around him. The account shows David resisting the temptation to kill Saul in the following ways:

1. David asked Ahimelech and Abishai who would go down with him into the camp; Abishai volunteered to go with him.
2. By night David and Abishai came to the sleeping army and found Saul lying asleep within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, while Abner and the people slept around him, for a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.
3. Abishai offered to strike Saul with the spear, pinning him to the ground with one thrust so that he would not need to strike a second time. But David refused, forbidding Abishai to destroy the king.
4. David declared that no one could stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless.
5. He reasoned that Saul's death should be left to God: either the Lord would strike him, or his day would come to die, or he would go into battle and perish. God forbid that David should stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed.
6. Instead of killing Saul, David only took the spear and the jug of water that were at Saul's head, and they went away; no one saw or knew it or awoke.
7. From a safe distance on top of a hill, David called out to Abner, rebuking him for failing to guard the king, and showed the spear and jug as proof that he could have killed Saul but spared him.
8. When Saul recognised David's voice and confessed his sin, David asked that his life be as precious in the sight of the Lord as Saul's life had been precious to him that day, and Saul blessed him.

(b) Four benefits one can derive from self-control.

1. Self-control preserves good relationships and prevents needless conflict, quarrels and bloodshed.
2. It earns a person respect, honour and a good reputation in society.
3. It saves one from regret and from the consequences of rash actions taken in anger.
4. It promotes peace of mind and a clear conscience.
5. It draws God's favour and blessing, as it did for David, who was later established as king.