I Samuel Chapter 24
Please read: I Samuel 24 –
There comes a point in every person’s life when they are faced with the wickedness of their own heart, and it is always darker than they ever imagined. People try to hide their sin and call their actions and decisions by some other label, but sin is sin and when it hits you in the face, it is shocking. A person confronted with their sin will have to make a choice whether they will seek God or whether they will continue down the path they are on, a path that leads to being more dark, more lost, and headed for destruction. The king of Israel was on that path and in this chapter, he was confronted with the darkness of his own heart.
Let's Reflect
1. Saul heard about the location of David and his band of men. How many men did Saul gather to go and murder David?
2. On this murderous expedition the king needed to relieve himself. He happened to go into the very cave where David and his men were hiding. This would seem like an opportune time for David to seek revenge. In fact, what did David’s men suggest he do?
3. His men even quoted to him something that he had told them, a promise given to him by the Lord. You can imagine these men whispering back and forth. What was David’s response to their suggestion?
4. Saul left the cave unharmed and walked away. He most likely was descending a hill. David called out to Saul and began to uncover the precarious situation that Saul had just been in unknowingly. What did David first call out to the king to get his attention?
5. In verse 10 David told the king why he would not take the life of the king. Why was that?
6. In verse 12 David declared that he would not lay a hand on the king, but there was someone who might. Who was David referring to?
7. David declared that the king’s pursuit to kill him was ridiculous that he was just one little man, a flea, pursued by the army of Israel. But David declared that he would seek the help of God. What would David ask God to do for him?
8. And there it was, Saul was confronted with his sin, and it shook him to his core. The Bible says that he wept. He admitted that he didn’t deserve such mercy and that David was a better man than he and therefore he knew David would be the next king. What request did Saul make of David when he became the king of Israel?
9. Saul and his huge army left for home, but David and his men did not feel it was safe yet for them to return home. Where did they go?
