1 Samuel 26:21-25

David’s trust in God 26:21-25

Saul again confessed that he had sinned, as he had done when he had sacrificed at Gilgal (1 Samuel 26:21; cf. 1 Samuel 15:24; cf. 1 Samuel 15:30) and when David had spared his life in the cave (1 Samuel 24:17). Nevertheless he seems to have failed again to follow through with genuine repentance (cf. 1 Samuel 27:1). He also admitted that he had played the fool (similar to Nabal) and had committed a serious error. Contrast Paul’s testimony in 2 Timothy 4:7. The writer did not record Saul as having gone this far in admitting his faults in the preceding chapters. Even though Saul’s words went further in confession, his behavior continued unchanged

David returned Saul’s spear to him (1 Samuel 26:22), the symbol of the right to rule. Perhaps David did not return the jug of water to remind Saul that he still had the power to end Saul’s life. He felt confident that God would repay each of them eventually, and he determined to wait for Him to do so (1 Samuel 26:23). David acknowledged that Yahweh was his real deliverer (1 Samuel 26:24). This may have been the occasion when David composed Psalms 54 (see its title) the last verse of which ascribes David’s deliverance from his enemies to Yahweh. Saul could have overwhelmed David’s smaller band of followers. Instead he departed with a prophetic declaration of David’s final success (1 Samuel 26:25; cf. 1 Samuel 24:20). The text does not record another meeting of David and Saul before Saul died.

The main lesson of chapter 26 appears in 1 Samuel 26:23: "the Lord will repay" (cf. Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 24:29; Romans 12:17; Romans 12:19). The Lord Jesus Christ is our greatest example of one who trusted the Father to vindicate Him (cf. Luke 23:46). Our vindication does not always come in this lifetime, as David’s did. Sometimes it comes after death, as Jesus’ did. Another great revelation is God’s patience with Saul. God gave him many opportunities to repent and to experience God’s blessing within the sphere of his judgment (cf. 1 Samuel 15:26), but Saul did not repent.

David had borne witness twice to Saul’s guilt before God (chs. 24 and 26; cf. Numbers 35:30). God proceeded to put him to death not long after this (ch. 31). David became God’s instrument in passing judgment on Saul for his sin and so became a blessing to all Israel.