1 Samuel 26:13-20
13 Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.
14 And David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”
15 So David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came to kill the king your lord!
16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you undoubtedly must die, because you did not guard your lord, the Lord’s anointed. And now, see where the king’s spear is and the jug of water that was at his head!”
17 Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”
18 He also said, “Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?
19 Now then, please let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If the Lord has incited you against me, may He accept an offering; but if it is people, cursed are they before the Lord, because they have driven me out today so that I would have no share in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
20 Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
David’s Call to Abner
The words of rebuke
After crossing over to the other side, securing a safe distance, David called not to king Saul, but to Abner the commander of Saul’s army. (1) David acknowledged Abner’s capabilities as a warrior but pointed out his failure to guard the king. In David’s view, both Abner and his men deserved death for their failure. (2) To prove his point, David showed the spear and water jug that had been beside the king’s head, indicating that an “assassin” has stolen them. (3) At first, Abner seemed not to recognize that it was David’s voice, but Saul immediately knew it was David. Then Saul called out, “Is that your voice, my son David?”
David’s defense
David once again presents his defense to Saul. (1) David reasserts his innocence. (2) What Saul is doing is like banishing David from the land of Israel. By doing so, Saul is forcing him into idolatry, which would never be blessed by the Lord. (3) David again refers to himself as “a single flea,” arguing that it is pointless to pursue such a worthless individual. (4) Let’s pay attention to David’s words, “Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord.” To be “far from the presence of the Lord” means leaving the land of Israel (the Promised Land). In other words, David feared being removed from the presence of the Lord (the Shekinah Glory), which to him meant a spiritual death. Even when attacked by others, David continually resorted to persuasion and defense, never resorting to violent measures. Here lies a lesson for us all. We, too, should make every effort to understand each other with sincerity when in disagreements.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please do not remove Your presence from me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.