Saul could live for another thirty years. This could be their state food.
Well, who knows how long? which again is a testimony to their loyalty to David. They remain loyal. Loyalty is more rare then maybe we are willing to admit. because loyalty is not measured in days of peace and everything going your way and approving Loyalty.
begins to count like temptation. when it's under pressure. Yeah. This is Cross Reference Radio with our pastor and teacher, Rick Gaston. Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel, Mechanicsville.
Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of 1 Samuel. Please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross-reference radio. Specifically, how you can get a free copy of this teaching. Extraordinary strength is the title of Pastor Rick's message, and today he'll be teaching in 1 Samuel chapter 24. He puts God ahead of himself and his men.
And they're learning this. These guys in the cave are learning these lessons. They're going to, again, it's going to intensify later. They'll recover. And they will be loyal to him.
He is so sensitive. to God. He is so in rhythm with God, more than he knows. That's why he's belting out these psalms. He doesn't know they're going to be scripture.
He's writing songs to the Lord. And that's, God is saying, I'll keep that. I have the copyright on that. A lot of royalties go to God on this, David. You get nothing.
Until you get to heaven, you get a whole lot then. But. Life. It was was often dull. But it needs to be developed.
And that's beneficial to us to see that David had a dull life many times just sitting around waiting for Saul to attack him next. And yet, he was being shaped into the man of God that he would be, the king that he would be, that again would be the standard for all the kings of Israel. He dies a godly man. You know, when he gets old, I love the story. He gets old, he throws everything into the building of the temple, though he'll never see it built.
He just throws everything, writes psalms about it, he tells Solomon what to do, gives him all the resources, plans it out. Very exciting, he goes out. God does not, as Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 46 and 45, that God will not depart from you, even in your old age. And there we see David. At the end of his life, Still very excited in serving God.
Here in verse 6, it says, To stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of God. He says, I'm not doing this. Saul wasted his anointing. David wasn't going to waste his. He wasn't going to start out the wrong way.
What a stark contrast to Diotrephes in John 3. Who went against the Apostle John? What a stark contrast to those few Corinthians, who troubled Paul, who had the audacity to get up in Paul's face. Yeah, yeah, you know, he doesn't speak the Greek the way it should be. mispronounces Greek words.
Paul said, you wait till I get there. Uh anyway, David. David writes this. In Psalm 105, and it's recorded also in 1 Chronicles 16. This is when David gets the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
You know, that was a big deal. A man died getting that Ark to Jerusalem. Uzza. And anyway, David writes: Do not touch my anointed ones and do my prophets no harm. This man could say it.
If anybody in Israel could say this, it was David because he's doing it this day. And decades later, he writes that psalm. He's probably not even thinking about Saul. He's probably just focused on the Lord. He's quoting the Jews in Egypt, you know, the Pharaoh.
He's talking about the Pharaoh not touching God's people, but he bakes it into the Psalm. concerning the Ark of the Covenant. Man that danced with all of his might before that Ark of the Covenant. I remember years ago, and I know I've told this story to some. I was in a sizable Christian bookstore in in Manhattan.
And I'm with a friend, and we're looking at books. That's what you do in a bookstore. And we hear this man from way across the room. room bigger than this. Touch not God's anointed, do thy prophets no harm out loud.
And my friend says, boy, he's got a preacher's voice.
Well, what was happening is the man was stealing stuff. They were drabbing him to lead him out. And then he quotes scripture to them with his pockets full of their books. 'Cause that's what you do in a bookstore. You steal books.
Anyway, if you're a felon.
So, whenever I come to that verse, I always am mindful of that person, how he had such an ability to preach, at least. In voice, but his heart was in the wrong place. Maybe he was getting a book on Thou Shall Not Steal. This sensitivity of David. And we have, you know, we collect the story about him, this sensitivity.
In the spirit. always caused him to see further than everybody around him. He was always able to see things they could not see, and he didn't even know it all the time. Like in this case in the cave, he just knew this was not what he was supposed to do. Beyond the surfaces and the forms of men David could see God.
And this is why we're spending so much time considering his life chapter by chapter. God's work in him gave him this extraordinary ability. And we just will take whatever of it we can get because we know it's a benefit. To just get a little bit of what this man had is going to be a benefit. And we say that about Daniel and Joseph and.
Other heroes of the faith, Abraham. Wherever Abraham went, you knew he was there because he left his altar behind. He left his testimony: I worship Yahweh. And I don't need the Psalter anymore because he's invisible, and the pagans would be scratching their heads over that. He'll make mistakes.
He will not always exercise extraordinary restraint, which. It still encourages us, because neither do we. You can come to church and be nice to everybody, and then on the drive home, you're not so nice to the other drivers. You're probably right. I mean, if they would just get out of the way, you wouldn't have to deal with all that.
Verse 7: So David restrained his servants with these words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way. Again, you've got to put yourself in the place of those men. They wanted Saul dead. And for him to pull this off, says a lot about all of them.
He is the leader, not by threats or payments of land, not by, oh, pity me. Remember Saul, that Saul used all those things. He threatened people, he paid them land, and he, oh, no one cares for me.
Sob story. David did none of that. He is moved by He has not moved off of his conviction. By surrounding counsel. Which is again pretty intense to be able to tell everybody around you no and not really be bothered by what you know.
You want them to agree with you, but you're not. They don't have to for you to stand by your conviction. Anyway. The end does not justify the means. It's a basic lesson.
Romans chapter 3. Paul reasoning says, and why not? Paul in Romans, you know, he likes that question and answer format. That's the style he takes up in Romans. And he says, And why not?
Let us do evil that good may come. If the end justifies, let's just do whatever we want to do. As long as we think we can bring about our interpretation of what good is. He continues, Paul does, as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say. In other words, it was those saying that Christians do these evil things.
You know, they drink blood and they eat flesh, and that's why they meet at night. And he was saying these things, and Paul is saying. You know, they say that, but they're wrong. And If a leader is trying to make everyone happy, he's got to stand in the middle of the road to do that. And that's where you get run over.
A leader does not belong in the middle of the road. But he can assign others to be there because they're better equipped for that. It's hard to lead, it's hard to have a family. And be and lead them, but it's worth it, and it's done all the time successfully. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way, oblivious to the near-death moment.
If they had disobeyed God, it would have been far worse for David and his crew. Verse 8. David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, My lord, the king. And when Saul looked around behind him, he said, Well, I mean, you would love to see his face, 'cause you know he just turned all sorts of pale colors after this. My lord the king verse eight And when Saul looked around behind him, David stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down.
That a bold move by David. Saul could kill him still. The snake's head was still attached. Proverbs 28:1, the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Well, David is lionized here. Because he trusts in God. Not because he's trusting Saul. He knows, he knows God is with him. If you've done things for God in your life, you know, you get these feelings, you know, and how the leading roles, and you starve when He's not coming.
Where is God? Last time He was right there telling me to do now. I can't find Him.
So He's going to appeal to the conscience of this demonically charged man, which is a deadly risk. Verse 9. And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, Indeed, David seeks your harm? Saul didn't need to listen to anybody. David, you're being kind.
Saul hates you all by himself. If there was no one else on the planet but you and Saul, he'd hate you. It was the voice of Saul in Saul's head. And Saul was the other voice. Telling himself that David's going to do you harm just because.
the dynasty of Saul would not last. And uh The same voice that said, kill David, is the same voice that said, kill the priest, wipe out the village. Verse 10, look this day, your eyes have seen. that Yahweh delivered you to day into my hand in in the cave. And someone urged me to kill you.
Saul said to say, Who? Who was it? But my eye spared you, and I said, I will not stretch out my hand against. My Lord, for He is Yahweh's anointed. He refers to Saul as Adonai in the Hebrew.
Master. And Yahweh, of course, as by covenant name Yahweh. as we believe it was likely pronounced. David believed That a Lord allowed him a chance to do less than right. Or to do more than right.
and David opted to do more than right. And that's what David is talking about. God puts you in that cave, and me too, and we could have taken you out. The Lord did this. He left it to me.
Because God knew what David was going to do, and He knew that we'd be standing here discussing it 2,000, 3,000 years later. Verse 11, Moreover, my father, see Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand? For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and you didn't, and did not kill you. Know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
Saul is speechless. He's still getting over the part. He could have been killed in that. K, what a way to go. Especially if you believe the first option.
You know, who wants to be killed going potty? And so he's thinking about this. David is holding up the garment saying, this proves that I was close enough. And you know it.
Now, Saul, David is next going to take, not in this chapter, Saul's water jug and spear. And still, They just won't register with this guy. He's that far gone.
Someone can a human being can be irretrievable. Isaiah says this, Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness, he will deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of Yahweh. Is that not Saul an ingrate? That's who Isaiah is talking about, and that's who Saul is.
To some people, you just can't show them kindness and expect them to appreciate it. They're still gonna do you harm. That's why Jesus talked about turning the other cheek. Just you have people in life. Even when Solomon was confronted with the mother, you know, that rolled on the baby, and that story in, I believe, 1 Kings 3.
The one that says, no, cut the baby in half anyway. Even after she was awarded, it would have been awarded the child. She said, no, just death is what she wanted. That kind of person is irretrievable. And here we see it in the life of Saul.
And if you are a person that likes to, you know, you're sensitive, when someone does something nice, you're. You appreciate it. then you may struggle with understanding how there are other people who aren't like that. Because we tend to projective. If I tell you good morning, I would expect you would tell me good morning, not drop dead.
So There's the difference. Verse twelve. Let Yahweh judge between you and me and let... Yahweh avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
If you are wrong, Saul, and you keep this up, God's going to deal with you. God gave me a chance to take you out this time. He may give me another chance to do the same thing. But David's long-shot hope is that. Saul is going to finally come around.
Of course, it's a waste. He says, but my hand shall not be against you. I did not put you on the throne. I'm not going to take you off the throne. What other proof do you need, Saul?
Saul says, I'm not interested in proof. I just hate you, and I want to see you dead. Verse 13. As the proverb of the ancients says, wickedness proceeds from the wicked. but my hand shall not be against you.
If I were wicked, you'd be dead. We wouldn't be having this conversation. Jesus. uses a similar proverb Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. And that sums it up.
David is saying, if I were really wicked, you'd have the proof. But not in this life, you'd be in Sheol. Verse 14. After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue?
A dead dog? A flea? David is drawing attention to his own insignificance. Who am I? I mean, you're the king, I'm just a shepherd boy.
Do your son-in-law Saul knew David is destined for greatness. And he he won't give in. Verse fifteen, therefore let Yahweh judge, and judge between you and me. and see and plead my cause and deliver me out of your hand, Well God is going to deliver him, but it's going to still be a while. David says, I'm going to trust God with this, but.
Later he's As is the habit of Humans, when we are under pressure, we are on that roller coaster, one minute we're up, the next minute we're down, one minute we have. you know, confidence the next minute we Can't find any confidence. David is going to drift back into the flesh over this matter. In the next chapter, I'll quote that before the evening's out. At least that's the plan.
Verse 16.
So it was when David had finished speaking these words to Saul that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. Because he's a nut. Not because he's s brokenhearted or serious because he's out of his mind. This is shock and fear and confusion and guilt.
and hatred all rolled into this ball. And the story is to proof. You say, well, that's your opinion. Notice the story is evidence of the story. Because when we get to the next si section, he's coming at him again.
So all of his Token apologies mean nothing. Could have been knife to death to death in a in that cave and It won't register. And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. This illustrates his spiritual confusion. This is an emotional breakdown he's having in front of everybody.
He's the king. And at the appearance of God's chosen vessel and the convictions, the proofs, the fears, all that. This is what you get. Saul has this sunshine moment, you would think. He's still a killer, and he's still a killer on the loose.
He still has no pleasure in Yahweh. But just maybe, you know, so we don't get silly about this. You know, if you ever had a ministry and you had to deal with. Hardened criminals and drug addicts, you would have to really get sensed really fast and not start telling, well, you know, he mentioned the code word Jesus, so he must be trustworthy. You'd have to be tough.
and deal with realities that you're presented with. And the realities with Saul is he's a killer on the loose. He has no pleasure in Yahweh. He's still not interested in the well-being of anybody else but himself. And he will use others for that purpose.
And he's still going to stalk David. These are the facts. And should anyone feel sorry for this man, ask yourself if he was hunting your child to kill them. What would you think about him then? And so he knew what he's saying, he's admitting he knows the difference between right and wrong, and he still does wrong.
Verse 17. And he said to David, You are more righteous than I, for you have awarded me with good, whereas I have awarded you with evil. They should have interrupted that with applause. Yeah, he's more righteous than you, Saul. is reminiscent of Herod and his mixed feelings.
Or with John the Baptist, Mark's Gospel chapter 6, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was just and a holy man, and still had him beheaded. This is less of a confession, it is more of a regret. This is an inactive regret, incidentally. It's not only I regret, it's an inactive one, and that he's not going to change anything. All the misery he's doling out in the past, he's going to continue to do it.
It makes nothing better, he keeps everything rotten. This token apology. while he continues to ruin lives or attempt to. And there's no mention of his guilt before Yahweh. Is he not interested in Yahweh?
This makes for good preaching to unbelievers. A character like Saul.
Okay, David. I, you know, maybe haven't exercised the best judgment. But I'm going to still have to come kill you later. That's what he's getting. This is an old Looney Tunes cartoon with the sheepdog and the f.
Fuck. And the wolf and they punch a clock. And they chase each other all day, and at the end of the day, they punch out.
Okay, see you tomorrow. And we do the same thing. 1 Samuel 26, next chapter. Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Zift, having 3,000 chosen men of Israel with him to seek David in the wilderness of Zift.
So he's going to be right back at it. That's chapter 26. We're in chapter 24. Verse 18, and you have. Shown this day how you have dealt with me for.
When Yahweh delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. And yet, David, if I had a thousand years more in my life, and you too, I chase you every day of those thousand years. Verse 19. For if a man finds his enemy, he will let him get away safely. Therefore, may Yahweh reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
It's Saul, who cares what you're saying? Nobody cares. It's junk. Coming out of the mouth of someone else would be nice, but from you, No, it's not. Hosea chapter six, verse four May this never be said about us.
For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud. and like the early dew it goes away. And that's all. Verse twenty And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king. and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
Yeah, you knew that earlier. That's why you've been trying to kill me. It doesn't mean anything coming from you. Isaiah 49, verse 9: Woe to him who strives against his maker. You knew this was God's will, you still are trying to kill me.
To know God's will and to oppose it is madness.
So who cares what the madman has to say? Short of genuine repentance, which this is not. There's no intention to correct his way. Verse 21. Therefore, swear now to me by Yahweh that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house.
Well, the rule of the day, of course, was the king would eliminate any claimants to the throne. If somebody, you know, hey, I've got a bloodline to the throne. They would perceive as a threat.
Solomon deals with this in the early days of his reign. Uh Saul is asking for an exemption an exemption. that his descendants would not be on the Endangered anointed species list or something like that. David had a similar covenant with Jonathan. Between David and Jonathan, Saul wants this.
There's nothing in it for David. There's everything in it for Saul. It's typical of people like Saul. And so David does not seek an oath in return.
Okay, I'll let your descendants live if he doesn't bother. It would be pointless. Verse 22: So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, and David will keep his oath. But David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Why? If Saul was Truly repentant, just everybody goes home together. They could talk about old times, family barbecues, reunions. But they can't. David's actions anticipate another round of attacks.
That's why he's going to the stronghold where he can defend himself. And so Saul got something out of this, as I mentioned, David did not. And after this drama, David sinks into another round of depression. Not heavy, but it's there. Verse.
Chapter 27 of 1 Samuel, Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. Man, you have to be down, he's going to kill me. I know he's just going to get. I know what God said, but I'm just tired. I'm weary of all this.
And God is steps in. And says, well, you can feel that way, but it's not going to happen. and I'm going to see to it that it does not happen. And so he's then going to slip back again to Achish, which is another bad mistake, but that's. You know, that's you're not can't beat up on David too much.
So, because of his convictions, once again to close up and showing extraordinary restraint. David and his men will still be fugitives. And as far as these men knew, Saul could live for another thirty years. This could be their conditioned state for for who knows how long. which again is a testimony to their loyalty to David.
They remain loyal. Loyalty is more rare than maybe we're willing to admit. because loyalty is not measured in days of Peace. everything going your way, proving Loyalty begins to count like temptation. when it's under pressure.
Yeah. Thanks for joining us for today's edition of Cross-Reference Radio. This is the daily radio ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel, Mechanicsville, in Virginia. Currently, Pastor Rick is in the book of 1 Samuel. If you'd like to listen again to this or other messages or share it with someone you know, please visit crossreference radio.com.
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