1 Samuel 26:21-25
Verse 23 The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.
David’s questions have convicted the king. He confesses to the younger man that he had been sinning against his former son-in-law and he asks David to come back home with him. The king is even willing to admit that he has been foolish and he promises to stop trying to harm David.
While Saul may have been very sincere we can understand David’s hesitancy to just walk into the king’s presence. He could offer forgiveness but trust was something entirely different. It wasn’t like this was the first time that the king had tracked him down and David wouldn’t forget those spears that had been thrown at him in Saul’s home. David had reason to be leery about this promise, he knew Saul’s character.
Because of his caution, David invites one of Saul’s young men to come over and reclaim the king’s sword. It is kind of ironic that this young man is called out to come to David. David had been that same kind of young man for the king. The one who would go into the enemy camp and come near the well-known warrior on the other side. Like David walking from the valley up to Goliath, this young man was walking up to a man known for killing multitudes. But David was different from the famous giant, the future king was known for his wonderful character.
As the young man makes his way over to David to retrieve the sword, David speaks out as a preacher or prophet and proclaims the truth that God rewards the righteous and faithful living people. By saying that the Lord had handed Saul into his hand, David is saying that he had perfect opportunity to harm the king but he knew that Saul’s live was valuable.
David finishes his speech with a statement that would have spoken powerfully to Saul. “As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” (Verse 24). David is requesting that the Lord protect his life and he is making the point to tell Saul that the Lord is going to be protecting him, is the king really wanting to go against God and His power?
Making It Personal
Have you been convicted and then confessed? How does conviction and confession lead to righteousness? Where do you need to live into righteousness today?
Making It Personal Kids
What do you think it means to be convicted? Why is confession to Jesus important after you have sinned? How can you be faithful to Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we welcome Your conviction in our lives so we can come to the point of repentance. Help us to desire righteousness more than anything else. In Jesus’ name, amen.