1 Samuel 24:1 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

1 Samuel 24:1

Comments

Here at the beginning of chapter 24 Saul has no sooner got over another incursion of the Philistines and beaten them off, and immediately his mind turns once again to his pursuit, his persecution of David. Now he knew that David had been anointed to be king – we can be sure of that by this time; he says as much in the final verses of this chapter. He knew, of course, because he had been told so directly by Samuel, that he was deposed as king, and soon he would be king no more, and God would act against him. He knew that Jonathan, his son, and at one time his successor, had fully accepted that David would be king, and was wholly behind that as something ordained of God. Saul so knew that God was with David. He had had by this time, numerous remarkable escapes from the murderous intentions and attempts of Saul, and of course Saul had also witnessed his God-given power in the defeat of Goliath. So he was certain of all these things and yet Saul nevertheless believed he could overthrow God's purpose and God's word; he really thought so. It is amazing, as you reflect upon it. Whatever possessed him? With the demonstrations of God's power through David that he witnessed and observed for himself, whatever possessed him to think that he could retain his kingdom, and destroy David, and pass his kingdom to his successors. How could he think that way? The more modern versions will capitalise Rocks of the Wild Goats as if it is a place name, and perhaps that is an improvement. This is a definite place known to the readers of that time. But Saul had three thousand against David's six hundred. He knew perfectly well what the strength of David's force was, and he used chosen men, hand-picked men, out of all Israel. Now Saul was very good at this. We read in an earlier chapter that this was a kind of pastime of his: to look out for himself conspicuous, valiant men. We don't know what criteria he used, but he knew how to select people, and these were either dead shots with a sling or with a bow and arrow, or great swordsmen, people who were extremely tough and would handle the rocky regions, which usually only the goats were sure-footed on. So with that force he went after David.

Application

But as you wonder about this, you think of yourself, and how many times have you and I, in a lesser way felt that we can – if not overthrow the purposes of God – get away with disobedience to God? So, frequently, we may neglect prayer. We know it is foolish and the blessing of God will be withdrawn, and we will soon run out of the evidences that support our Christian assurance, and God may discipline us severely. Nevertheless we can easily allow it to happen, as though something possesses us, and we imagine that God's will for his people will not be required of them.

Then there are many Christian people who make no attempt whatsoever at being engaged in any form of Christian service, even though they are able-bodied, and the opportunities are there. I am not speaking of people who cannot; the circumstances are such that they simply cannot, much as they would like to, participate in any personal act of Christian service, but most Christians can, and yet many don't. Whatever possesses us when we get into these ways, that we can merrily go through life, and assume that the Lord will never act in any chastisement or discipline towards us, that we won't lose anything or be deprived of Christian joy and peace? So as we think of these things, we can understand how Saul can act as he does. He was not a regenerate man, a child of God, and we may be regenerate people, but even we can press to the very limits the patience of God in many ways.

Sometimes Christians can get involved in feuds with other Christians at some level, sometimes very serious feuds, sometimes minor ones of indifference and snubbing each other and things like that, and not forgive minor offences and overlook them. This is greatly against the will of God, and yet somehow we think it won't affect our Christian lives; we think we can get away with it. It just helps us to understand how in a major way, this unregenerate man Saul could do this: continue his pursuit, his ruthless pursuit of David, in the light of all that he knew about God's will and God's purpose.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

1 Samuel 24:1 Commentary and Bible Study