1 Samuel 24
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 24
Guzik - The En Gedi canyon runs westward from the Dead Sea. One can still see the good-sized creek flowing down the canyon, making En Gedi, with its waterfalls and vegetation seem more like a tropical paradise than the middle of the desert. One can also see the numerous caves dotting the hills. This was a great place for David and his men to hide out. In the middle of barren desert, scouts could easily detect approaching troops. There was plenty of water and wildlife and many caves and defensive positions. Anderson notes that Engedi has "many caverns and caves, one being so large that it is reported that it once sheltered 30,000 people from a terrible storm. Scholars believe this was the cave David used as a hiding place from Saul. EN-GEDI - en'-ge-di, en-ge'-di (`en gedhi, "fountain of the kid"): Identical with the present Ain Jidi. According to 2 Ch 20:2 it is the same as Hazazon-tamar, mentioned in Gen 14:7 as occupied by the Amorites and as having been attacked by Chedorlaomer after leaving Kadesh and El Paran on his way to the Vale of Siddim. The place is situated upon the West shore of the Dead Sea about midway between the North and the South ends, and was included in the territory of Judah (Josh 15:62). The spot is rendered attractive by the verdure clothing it by reason of immense fountains of warm water, 80 degrees F., which pour out from beneath the limestone cliffs. In the time of Solomon (Song 1:14) palms and vines were cultivated here. Josephus also mentions its beautiful palm groves. In the time of Eusebius it was still a place of importance, but since the Middle Ages it has been almost deserted, being occupied now only by a few Arabs. The oasis occupies a small area a few hundred feet above the Dead Sea marked by the 650 ft. sedimentary terrace heretofore described (see DEAD SEA). The limestone borders rise so abruptly to a height of 2,000 ft. immediately on the West, that the place can be approached only by a rock-cut path. Two streams, Wady Sugeir and Wady el-Areyeh, descend on either side through precipitous rocky gorges from the uninhabitable wilderness separating it from Bethlehem and Hebron. It was in the caves opening out from the sides of these gorges that David took refuge from Saul (1 Sam 24:1). During the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Ch 20:2), the children of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir attempted to invade Judah by way of En-gedi, but were easily defeated as they came up from the gorges to occupy the advantageous field of battle chosen by Jehoshaphat. -- George Frederick Wright Engedi - 6v - Jos. 15:62; 1 Sam. 23:29; 1 Sam. 24:1; 2 Chr. 20:2; Cant. 1:14; Ezek. 47:10 QUESTION - What is the significance of En Gedi in the Bible? ANSWER - En Gedi (“Spring of a Young Goat”) was a town in the wilderness of Judah, on the west coast of the Dead Sea (Joshua 15:62). Today, En Gedi is a nature preserve known for its waterfalls and a botanical garden. This city in the desert was an oasis during biblical times and is still a destination for visitors to Israel. Originally called Hazezon Tamar (“Division of the Palms”) because of the surrounding palm trees (2 Chronicles 20:2), the area of En Gedi was once inhabited by the Amorites (Genesis 14:7). Once the Israelites entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, En Gedi was allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:1, 61–62). When David fled from Saul, he hid in En Gedi among the rocks there (1 Samuel 23:29). The specific location where Saul searched for David was called “The Crags of the Wild Goats,” because of the rocky terrain of En Gedi (1 Samuel 24:2). Saul followed David to En Gedi and, while in a cave, David had the opportunity to kill his pursuer (1 Samuel 24:2–4). Instead of killing Saul, he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, but even that act struck his conscience (1 Samuel 24:4–7). When David confronted Saul outside of the caves of En Gedi, he stated, “See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life” (1 Samuel 24:11). Not only was En Gedi known for rocky terrain and waterfalls, but it was also renowned for its aromatic plants and vineyards. The Song of Solomon mentions vineyards and the henna plant in En Gedi: “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi” (Song of Solomon 1:14, ESV). Although the exact identification of “henna blossoms” is unknown, they are probably part of an aromatic blooming plant used to make perfume and dye. In the millennial kingdom, En Gedi will be transformed into a place that will have access to fish—a big change, given the fact that the Dead Sea is currently devoid of fish. Ezekiel prophesied that the Dead Sea will become a freshwater body, teeming with life (Ezekiel 47:8–9). In fact, “fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean” (verse 10, NLT). As part of Christ’s reign on earth, the oasis of En Gedi will be expanded to the point of even turning the Dead Sea into living waters. En Gedi was a place in the Bible known for beauty and refuge amid the surrounding wilderness. As an oasis in the land of Israel, En Gedi served to protect David as he fled from Saul and was referenced in a beautiful poem about love. In the future, En Gedi will witness the miracle of the renewal of the Dead Sea. God’s provision is amply displayed in the beauty and natural resources of En Gedi. GotQuestions.org 1 Samuel 24:1-15 Not My Hand There are times when it's best to wait for God to act instead of trying to make things happen ourselves. It's a lesson we see clearly when David refused to take King Saul's life, even though the king was trying to kill him (1 Samuel 24). When Saul was alone and vulnerable in a cave, David's men told him this was a God-given opportunity to take the kingship that rightfully belonged to him (1 Samuel 24:4). But David refused, saying, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him" (1 Samuel 24:6). After Saul left the cave, David called out to him, "Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you" (1 Samuel 24:12). David knew that God had chosen him to become king. But he also knew that killing Saul was not the right way to make it happen. He would wait for God to remove Saul from the throne. Is there an obstacle between you and something that is rightfully yours? You believe it's God's will, but the method of obtaining it and the timing don't seem right. Think long and pray hard before taking a bad path toward a good goal. O God, make me one of those rarest of souls Who willingly wait for Thy time; My impatient will must be lost in Thine own, And Thy will forever be mine. —Bowser God's timing is always right—wait patiently for Him. Is It a Sign? I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Samuel 24:1–7 The offer looked good, and was exactly what Peter needed. After being laid off, this sole breadwinner of a young family had prayed desperately for a job. “Surely this is God’s answer to your prayers,” his friends suggested. Reading about the prospective employer, however, Peter felt uneasy. The company invested in suspicious businesses and had been flagged for corruption. In the end, Peter rejected the offer, though it was painful to do so. “I believe God wants me to do the right thing,” he shared with me. “I just have to trust He will provide for me.” Peter was reminded of the account of David meeting Saul in a cave. It seemed like he was being given the perfect opportunity to kill the man hunting him down, but David resisted. “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing . . . for he is the anointed of the Lord,” he reasoned (1 Samuel 24:6). David was careful to distinguish between his own interpretation of events and God’s command to obey His instruction and do the right thing. Instead of always trying to look for “signs” in certain situations, let’s look to God and His truth for wisdom and guidance to discern what lies before us. He will help us do what’s right in His eyes. By: Leslie Koh What could help you discern between a personal interpretation of events and what God would want you to do? Whom can you turn to for godly advice? God, our Provider, grant me the wisdom to discern opportunities before me and the faith to follow Your way, that I might always do what pleases You. For further study, read Making Decisions God’s Way. Wisdom From Above The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable. — James 3:17 Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-10 If Kiera Wilmot had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it might have earned her an A. But instead she was charged with causing an explosion. Although she had planned to have her teacher approve the experiment, her classmates persuaded her to perform it outside the classroom. When she mixed chemicals inside a plastic bottle, it exploded and she unintentionally unsettled some fellow students. The Old Testament tells the story of another case of peer pressure. David and his men were hiding from Saul in a cave when Saul entered (1 Sam. 24). David’s companions suggested that God had delivered Saul to them, and they urged David to kill him (vv.4,10). If David killed Saul, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king. But David refused to harm Saul because he was “the Lord’s anointed” (v.6). Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me. —Pollard One is truly wise who gains his wisdom from above. Wisdom From Above The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable. — James 3:17 Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-10 If Kiera Wilmot had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it might have earned her an A. But instead she was charged with causing an explosion. Although she had planned to have her teacher approve the experiment, her classmates persuaded her to perform it outside the classroom. When she mixed chemicals inside a plastic bottle, it exploded and she unintentionally unsettled some fellow students. The Old Testament tells the story of another case of peer pressure. David and his men were hiding from Saul in a cave when Saul entered (1 Sam. 24). David’s companions suggested that God had delivered Saul to them, and they urged David to kill him (vv.4,10). If David killed Saul, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king. But David refused to harm Saul because he was “the Lord’s anointed” (v.6). Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me. —Pollard One is truly wise who gains his wisdom from above. 1 Samuel 24:1-22 David's Restraint The relationship between David and King Saul is one of the strangest and most volatile recorded in the Bible. David came to Saul's rescue on several occasions (as a harp player and as a warrior), he was best friends with the king's son, and he married the king's daughter. Now, don't you think such a person would be in pretty good standing with the monarch? Not David. Saul was out to get the former shepherd boy. Twice Saul tried to spear David while he was playing the harp for him. And later, Saul sent his troops after the young man to try to kill him. Yet look at what happened when the two finally crossed paths and David had the chance to kill Saul. Instead of attacking him, David sneaked up and cut off a piece of his robe. Afterward, he felt guilty even for doing that (1 Samuel 24:5). When they later met face to face, David told the king, "My hand shall not be against you" (1 Samuel 24:13). Saul saw that David had rewarded his evil with good, and he wept (1 Samuel 24:16-17). I want the love that always sweetly bears Whate'er my Father's hand may choose to send; I want the love that patiently endures The wrongs that come from enemy or friend. —Anon. 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. BGT 1 Samuel 24:3 (Numbering in the Hebrew Bible) καὶ ἔλαβεν μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ τρεῖς χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν ἐκλεκτοὺς ἐκ παντὸς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπορεύθη ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον Σαδαιεμ LXE 1 Samuel 24:2 And he took with him three thousand men, chosen out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in front of Saddaeem. KJV 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. NET 1 Samuel 24:2 So Saul took three thousand select men from all Israel and went to find David and his men in the region of the rocks of the mountain goats. CSB 1 Samuel 24:2 So Saul took 3,000 of Israel's choice men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. ESV 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. NIV 1 Samuel 24:2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. NLT 1 Samuel 24:2 So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. NRS 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to look for David and his men in the direction of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. NJB 1 Samuel 24:3 (Numbering in the Hebrew Bible) Saul thereupon took three thousand men selected from all Israel and went in search of David and his men east of the Rocks of the Mountain Goats. NAB 1 Samuel 24:3 (Numbering in the Hebrew Bible) So Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. YLT 1 Samuel 24:2 And Saul taketh three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and goeth to seek David and his men, on the front of the rocks of the wild goats, GWN 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took 3,000 of the best-trained men from all Israel and went to search for David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. Saul took: 1Sa 13:2 and went: Ps 37:32 38:12 the rocks: Ps 104:18 141:6 1 Samuel 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Wild Goat on the Rocks at En-Gedi NO REST FOR THE WICKED! Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats - The place was named Rocks of the Wild Goats because that's where the wild goats climbed in David's day and still climb even in our day (video of wild goats in Israel). The 3000 are select skilled soldiers which would give Saul a 5:1 advantage over David's 600! Of course Saul had forgotten David's words in 1Sa 17:45-47 “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” Saul had forgotten that David plus one great God was a majority and so his 5:1 odds were meaningless! One would have thought Saul, after presumably turning back the Philistine threat, would have taken a breather, but so intractably fixated was his heart on seeking the death of David that he is off on the chase again! Matthew
1 Samuel 24
Guzik - In all this, we see that David knew not only how to wait on the LORD, but he also knew how to wait for the LORD. F B
1 Samuel 24
Guzik has an interesting note - Some might have said, “David, lay it on the line! Tell it like it is!” and David will, to some extent. But even as he does he will show mercy and kindness to Saul. David will fulfill Proverbs 10:12: Love covers all sins, and 1 Peter 4:8: Love will cover a multitude of sins. Matthew
1 Samuel 24
Guzik - David used this proverb to make a point. “Saul, if I was really as wicked as your advisors say I am, if I really was out to kill you, I would have done that wicked act in the cave. Because no wickedness proceeded from me when I had the opportunity, it shows my heart is not wicked towards you.” Robert Vannoy on dead dog … flea - Terms of self-deprecation (see notes on 1Sa 26:20 = David suggests that Saul is making a fool of himself in his fanatical pursuit of an innocent man who poses no threat to him.; 2 Sa 9:8 = dead dog like me. Here an expression of deep self-abasement. The author has used the “(dead) dog” motif effectively. First Goliath, scornfully disdaining the young warrior David, asks, “Am I a dog?” (1 Sa 17:43)—and unwittingly foreshadows his own end (ED: A DEAD DOG!). Then David, in a self-deprecating manner, describes himself as a “dead dog” (1 Sa 24:14) to suggest to Saul that the king of Israel should not consider him worth so much attention. For the author, “dead dog” fittingly characterizes those who foolishly scorn or oppose the Lord’s anointed, while David’s own self-deprecation (2Sa 7:18; 1 Sa 18:18) is conducive to his exaltation (cf. Pr 3:34; 1 Pe 5:6).). (Borrow NIV Study Bible)