1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 93Lord's anointed, as Saul now knew (v. 20). David modeled for Saul what the king'sdealings with him should have been."Our tendency is to say, 'Oh, just leave it alone. It'll all work out.' ButDavid didn't leave it alone. He said, 'King Saul, you're listening to falsecounsel. People are telling you lies about me. Why do you listen to them?'Then he said. 'Let me give you proof, verbal and visual proof, O King!' . . ."David told Saul the whole unvarnished truth; he told it to the person towhom it mattered most. Not to his comrades or to Saul's friends or to thepeople of Israel, but to Saul himself. He came to terms with the individualwith whom there was the battle." 266By addressing Saul as his lord (v. 8), his king (v. 8), and his father (v. 11), Davidexpressed respect, submission, and affection. People sometimes used the term "father" toimply a covenant relationship, and David may have had that in mind here (cf. 26:25). 267He was Saul's son-in-law and successor (son) under Yahweh's covenant with Israel (cf.18:3; 20:16, 42; 23:18; 2 Sam. 9:1).David called on Yahweh to judge (respond to his actions) and to avenge (reward Davidfor his dealings with Saul; v. 12; cf. Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:17-21). He promised that hewould not usurp God's role by judging Saul or by rewarding him in kind for his evildeeds. He may have compared himself to a dead dog and a single flea (v. 14) to help Saulrealize that he viewed himself as harmless and insignificant, beneath Saul's dignity topursue. These comparisons may also have been warnings that Saul should not think ofDavid as helpless and insignificant. David also voiced his reliance on God to defend andsave him (v. 15; cf. Ps. 35:1).David's defense here reminds us of Samuel's apologia to the nation when he reached theend of his career (ch. 12).David's promise not to cut off Saul's descendants and name 24:16-22David's words and actions convicted Saul of his actions (v. 17), and the king wept tearsof remorse (v. 16). He referred to David as his "son" (v. 16), as David had earlier calledSaul his "father" (v. 11). Saul confessed David's superior righteousness (v. 17) andgoodness (v. 18). There is no more powerful tribute than one that comes from anadversary. Saul even called on the Lord to reward David with blessing for his treatmentof the king (v. 19). Saul then confessed that he realized that David's ultimate successionto the throne of Israel was inevitable (v. 20; cf. 23:17).Finally Saul asked David not to cut off his descendants when he came to power (v. 21).As noted earlier, it was customary in the ancient Near East for a new king to kill all the266 Swindoll, pp. 88, 89.267 J. M. Munn-Rankin, "Diplomacy in Western Asia in the Early Second Millennium B.C.," Iraq 18(1956):68-110.