1 Samuel 24 and Psalm 91

1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24:3

 There are a couple ideas thrown around here, but talking about relieving oneself usually indicates that he was 'easing nature', but another take would be that he went into the cave to nap.  This seems more realistic since David sneaked up and cut off some of his clothing.   

 

 

1 Samuel 24:4

It would have seemed only natural for David to take revenge on Saul.  After all, he took David's wife and gave her to another man, not to mention, he continuously threatened his life and chased David around the countryside looking for an opportunity to destroy him.

But David couldn't do it. Long before this moment, David's mind was fixed on the Lord, despite Saul's evil intent.

We can’t wait until we are in a situation to decide what we will do. We have to predetermine that we will not transgress against the Lord or people, and situations will present themselves in such a way they will convince us that wrong is right. By making the right choices in advance over a long period of time, we can build up enough momentum that we can’t stop on a dime and go the other direction. The best way to overcome temptation is to make choices in advance that harden our hearts towards sin and make us sensitive towards God.
David’s heart smote him over a relatively insignificant insult to Saul because David had kept unforgiveness out of his heart and had chosen to respect Saul regardless of what he did. David had a sensitive heart towards the Lord. (Andrew Wommack)

 

1 Samuel 24:5

This verse hits home with me. 

After all the wrong David experienced, he made the CHOICE to treat Saul with respect here.  David took the initiative to be gracious and vulnerable, and he demonstrated behavior that's not natural to our flesh. It's only a heart trusting in God that can act this way.  

My character is based on my CHOICE in how I treat others who mistreat me, lie to me, cheat on me, deceive me, and all around do something that I want to yell, 'Unfair!' Forgiveness is a choice.

 God's power is what causes us to give up and let go of that which we hold on to. It's not until we let go, can new life begin to bloom.

 

 

1 Samuel 24:11

David may have known that Saul would not have killed him or David may have been relying entirely on God's protection.  Regardless, David exemplifies standing in the face of danger to do what is right. 

I don't get pursued by kings to kill me, but I might have someone be untruthful about me for their own gain. I could have someone take something of mine and deny it, thinking they will get away with it.  Whatever your connection might be that parallels David facing Saul here, ask yourself, "Am I bold, trusting, and confident enough to stand up to my 'enemy' ________ (fill in the blank)? Do I face them, despite how scared I am, how much I fear rejection from others or do I worry about how I might get hurt (again)?   David simply showed kindness and told the truth. He was vulnerable. He was transparent.  He trusted God for the end result.

1 Samuel 24:14

David still did not promote his position as king before Saul.  He was humble, still.  This is an attitude to consider putting on when reconciling differences. We should humble ourselves before those who hate us.  As C.S. Lewis stated in Mere Christianity:

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

 1 Samuel 24:17

Likewise, people sometimes cease from their sin, when confronted with some convincing or compelling reasons. But if their heart doesn’t change, they will return to their folly just as a dog to its vomit or a pig that was washed to its wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22)  

This is such a disgusting photo! But isn't it true of us returning to a sin?  God hates sin. He is repulsed by sin.  Yet, despite my sin, my vomit-returning, pig-wallowing, sin...He, my gracious Heavenly Father, loves me and forgave me. Forgives me. All gone, He sees them NO MORE! Thank you, Jesus, for putting my sin on your back and paying what I owed for it. Wow.  Now, THAT is humbling.

 

1 Samuel 24:22

This is interesting. Even after Saul pronounced that David would be king and he appeared to have a change of heart toward David, David and his men still went back to defend themselves.  It's as if he knew Saul would not keep his promise not to injure David.  When David returned back to hiding, he wrote this Psalm. Here is some of this Psalm put to music if you'd like to listen while you read and reflect on David's words.

Psalm 57

For the choir director: A psalm^[a] of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
    I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
    until the danger passes by.
² I cry out to God Most High,^[b]
    to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
³ He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
    disgracing those who hound me. Interlude
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

⁴ I am surrounded by fierce lions
    who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
    and whose tongues cut like swords.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
    May your glory shine over all the earth.

⁶ My enemies have set a trap for me.
    I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path,
    but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude

⁷ My heart is confident in you, O God;
    my heart is confident.
    No wonder I can sing your praises!
⁸ Wake up, my heart!
    Wake up, O lyre and harp!
    I will wake the dawn with my song.
⁹ I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
    I will sing your praises among the nations.
¹⁰ For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
    Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
    May your glory shine over all the earth.

Ok, amigos!  This is where I normally suggest you get a snack or a refreshment, but today, I'm suggesting you simply, floss. Yep. That's right. THEN you might want to jump back in to today's discursive blog!

Psalms 91:1

To dwell: 

1. to live or stay as a PERMANENT resident; reside.

2. to live or CONTINUE in a given condition or state.

This promise and protection is for those whom dwell in the secret place of the Most High. This is for those who DWELL there, not visit there. This is talking about ABIDING in Christ. 

 Psalms 91:3

Abiding in the secret place of the Almighty will keep us from being captured by the devil in one of his traps.

Psalms 91:4

This is a word picture of how a mother hen spreads her wings and protects her chicks from rain, sun, hail, or whatever. Nothing can penetrate God’s “wings.” If we abide under the Almighty’s wings, we are safe. But if we walk out of this secret place, we can’t blame the Lord if we get wet. Bad exists, and our only refuge is under His wings.  

Side note: Depending on your translation: a “buckler” is “a small round shield.”

 

Psalms 91:5

This verse doesn’t say there won’t be any terror or arrows, nor that we won’t have any battles. It is just promising us protection and victory in the midst of our battles.  As children of God, we are already victorious in Christ. So circumstantially, the terrors and arrows should not cause us to fall into fear. We ARE victorious, regardless of the outcome.

Psalms 91:9

The Hebrew word that was translated “refuge” here is referring to shelter. God is a shelter to those who trust in Him. Again, we can walk out from under this shelter, and His protection ceases. But for those who make the most High their habitation, our God is a sure refuge.

Psalms 91:11

How comforting is this? The Lord give charge to His angels on our behalf!

When I searched for 'angel' photos, it's amazing how many were plump little kids with wings, or frail looking women with long hair and wings sitting casually in a flowing robe.  Then I typed in 'warrior angel'!  That got what I'm hoping is more like the angels my Father puts in charge over me!

Psalms 91:12

Satan misquoted this verse to Jesus during His temptation in the wilderness:

Matthew 4:6 (NLT)

⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands

Satan will try to use Scripture against us, but he never uses it correctly. A casual knowledge of Scripture is just enough to get us in trouble. We need to study to rightly divide the Word of God or we find ourselves not knowing what it says or means.

2 Timothy 2:15
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
 

Psalms 91:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lion is “the king of the jungle.” An adder is one of the most poisonous snakes, causing death within a matter of hours. A young lion is the strongest of all lions, and a dragon is strongest of all. But those who trust in the Lord in a way where they dwell under His protection will defeat them all.

 

 

 

 

Of course, the devil is compared to a lion (1 Peter 5:8) and a dragon (Revelation 12:3-4). This promises total victory over the devil to the believer who is trusting in the Lord for protection. However, we aren’t delivered from persecution, in fact, we ought to expect it.  (2 Corinthians 12:7 and 2 Timothy 3:12)

Psalms 91:14

"Knowing God's Name" is nearly equivalent to knowing him. It implies, besides knowledge, faith and trust in the Almighty.      Pulpit Commentary

Thanks for hanging in there with me on this long blog. If you did, I commend you.  Mostly I'm doing this for myself because I see how much I'm learning from writing it. But if any of you readers find it useful, I'm thankful.