Saul Calls Off the Search
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Saul had come close to death. “David’s men were willing to love their friends, but they still cherished hatred for their enemies. In the midst of such attitudes David revealed respect for his worst enemy.” “When Saul heard the words of David [1 Samuel 24:9–15] he was humbled, and could not but admit their truthfulness. His feelings were deeply moved as he realized how completely he had been in the power of the man whose life he sought. David stood before him in conscious innocence. With a softened spirit, Saul exclaimed, ‘Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.’ Then he declared to David: ‘Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. . . . For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.’ And David made a covenant with Saul that when this should take place he would favorably regard the house of Saul, and not cut off his name.” “Compare David’s respect for Saul both as a father-in-law and as a king, and his reverence for Saul as the Lord’s anointed, with Saul’s impetuous selfishness in bargaining by means of Michal to have David slain, his jealous hatred that turned him into a demon, and his unsatisfied thirst for the blood of the man who had spared his life.” The king was humbled.
He acknowledged David had returned good for evil.
Had the tables been turned, Saul would have slain David.
“Knowing what he did of Saul’s past course, David could put no confidence in the assurances of the king, nor hope that his penitent condition would long continue. So when Saul returned to his home David remained in the strongholds of the mountains.” Beware of sudden “changes of heart” when dealing with those who harbor evil intentions.
