Week 14 1 Samuel 24 & 26
The trajectory of Saul’s life went from good to bad to terrible. I wondered if he could have turned things around.
There are two stories that look like potential turning points. Two incidents where Saul was hunting David in the Judean wilderness and he was brought-up-short. Given a bit of a shake-up. Offered some retrospection time.
First time was when Saul took a toilet-break in a cave. It was a bad choice of caves (since David was hiding there) but a perfect chance for David to assassinate the king. But David didn’t. When Saul was a safe distance away David revealed himself. Then: Saul called back, ‘Is that really you, my son David?’ Then he began to cry. And he said to David, ‘You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil.’
Saul went home. Reflection Opportunity #1.
Two chapters later Saul is back on-the-hunt. David had a second chance to assassinate Saul but didn’t. When David was a safe distance away he called to Saul. Then Saul confessed, ‘I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.’
Saul went home. Reflection Opportunity #2.
Both times sounded like I’m-sorry. A kind-of a sorrow. Half-a-sorrow. But as thing turned out for Saul half-a sorrow was about equal to no real sorrow at all.
Note: quotes from 1 Samuel 24:16-17 & 26:21 (NLT)