1 Samuel 24: A Cut Above, David Shows Restraint

The Rev. Doug Griebenaw, pastor and Mission Advocate at KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 Samuel 24.

David has a golden opportunity to kill Saul and end his troubles, but he chooses to honor God and spare his life. David cuts a bit of Saul’s robe, but he struggles with his conscience and his men, who urge him to take matters into his own hands. He later confronts Saul with his kindness and challenges him to repent of his evil. Surprisingly, Saul confesses and blesses David recognizing his righteousness and destiny.

The Book of 1 Samuel beings with the unique birth of Samuel, the last judge of Israel. Soon, the people of Israel begin to press upon the aging prophet Samuel to anoint a king over them like the other nations. YHWH assures Samuel that the people are rejecting their God, not Samuel. He advises Samuel to give the people what they want. What follows is the rise and fall of King Saul, the eventual anointing and coronation of David as king, the forerunner of Jesus. It’s a true story of political intrigue and warfare, but it’s also more than that. 1 Samuel shows us God working to save his people from their enemies and even from themselves.