Sermon for Sunday morning, August 18, 2024 at Unionville Presbyterian Church, BPC
Old Testament reading:
[Jer 15:15-21 ESV] 15 O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? 19 Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
New Testament reading:
[Rom 3:21-26 ESV] 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it– 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Gospel reading:
[Mat 18:21-35 ESV] 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Scripture reading:
[1Sa 26:1-25 ESV] 1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon?” 2 So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, 4 David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. 5 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying within the encampment, while the army was encamped around him. 6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” 7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army lay around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day. Now please let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice.” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” 10 And David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them. 13 Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them. 14 And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?” 15 And David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. 16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.” 17 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18 And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? 19 Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.” 21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” 22 And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.
Introduction
Here we have the last meeting of David and Saul which is recorded in the Scriptures.
There are various things going on in this passage. But three subjects that I want to focus in on.
The first is the similarities and differences between Chapter 26 and Chapter 24, along with the purpose of these similarities and differences.
The second item of interest is Saul’s spear, and David’s stealing of it.
Then third, and most central theologically is the subject of forbearance.
I. Similarities and Differences between Chapter 26 and Chapter 24.
You might have noticed that our passage—Chapter 26—is a lot like Chapter 24, another passage we recently covered. That was when David and his men were hiding in a cave in the wilderness and Saul entered the cave unaware of their presence, and David cut off a piece of Saul’s robe. Remember that? In that chapter Saul was seemingly changed. He called David “my son,” recognized his righteousness, and then departed wishing him well.
And so when you get to chapter 25—with David, Nabal, and Abigail—you might think the trouble with Saul is in the past. But now in Chapter 26 the trouble comes back as we have a similar encounter of the two men — Saul and David.
But—and this is key—it is NOT the same event as in Chapter 24. It is similar, but has its differences too. And so, because of the differences, we can be assured that we have a new situation here reported.
First, let’s look at the similarities. Then we’ll look at the differences.
A. Similarities
Chapters 24 and 26 are similar in that …
1. The Ziphites tell Saul of David’s location. [1 Samuel 23:19, 1 Samuel 26:1]
This, in chapter 26, is apparently what revives Saul’s anger and desire to kill David. He had previous left David and it might have looked like Saul was done with the pursuit. But now he’s back, because the Ziphites brought David again to his attention.
This is like a person—and perhaps we even find ourself like this at times—that says that the actions of someone who was their enemy in the past is now forgiven and forgotten, but the mere mention of that person’s name will bring them back into furious anger.
There are at least two warnings that we can learn from this part of the story:
i. APPLICATION: We are to be warned against returning to anger. Instead we are to be encouraged to truly forgive, not just in word but in reality.
Matthew Henry has a great quote on this topic of Saul’s unfortunate return to hunting David. He says “How soon do unsanctified hearts lose the good impressions which their convictions have made upon them and return with the dog to their vomit!”
He, of course, is referring to Proverbs 26:11 – “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” So let us not join with Saul in such foolishness and repeating sins of which we, from experience, know better.
So this is an application as a warning against Saul’s type of behavior in the beginning of our chapter.
Then there is an application we should consider regarding David at the beginning of our chapter.
ii. APPLICATION: We are also be warned that when we think our troubles are gone, they may quickly return. [REPAT: We are also be warned that when we think our troubles are gone, they may quickly return.] Saul has left, but now he’s back.
I think we all recognize this all too well. Troubles keep returning. And if you think you are uniquely troubled — that the world is against you and you alone — go ahead and talk to some people, any people, and ask them about their troubles. You might realize that your troubles are not so uncommon.
Well, troubles do return. And sometimes there’s not much we can do about it. David certainly doesn’t want Saul to come back again and cause trouble but he does.
Then, there are some troubles that we bring on ourselves.
I want to read a certain Bible teacher’s quote on this subject because it makes such a good point:
[Bob Deffinbaugh:] “Years ago I remember talking with a friend who was going through some problems in his life. As we talked, my friend mentioned that in addition to his current problems, he had faced many problems before. As I probed with a few questions, it became apparent that in each situation, the problems and the issues were very much alike. I then asked my friend, “Has it ever occurred to you that God keeps bringing you back to the same problem because you have not yet dealt with it as you should?” He acknowledged that this was probably the case. I think maybe it was also with David, and it may be the same for us. When we fail to deal with certain matters as we should, God persists at giving us further opportunities to do it right.”
Well, this writer seems to be referring to David’s failure to be patient with Nabal; because I think Saul did show restraint with Saul in the cave.
Well, back to our first point of similarity: the Ziphites betray David’s location to Saul, twice.
Then, second there is also a similarity in location, where David is said to be hiding.
2. Similarity in Location
The first time around the Ziphites says “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?” (1 Samuel 23:19)
Then, in our passage, they say something similar: “Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the east of Jeshimon? (1 Samuel 26:19)
Well, I don’t think the hill has moved—even if faith can move mountains. The hill was south of Jeshimon, now it is east of Jeshimon. Perhaps, more completely it is south-east. That would solve the discrepancy.
There is an issue in the translation. The ESV says “East of Jeshimon” but the Hebrew and most English translations from it says that the Hill of Hachilah is “before” or “opposite” Jeshimon.
Anyways, David’s location is essentially the same.
Then, another similarity in these accounts is that Saul brings an army of 3000 men to seek and kill David.
3. Saul has an army of 3000 men with him seeking to kill David. [1 Samuel 24:2, 1 Samuel 26:2]
4. David is Urged to kill Saul.
Also similar in both accounts is that David’s men urge him to kill Saul. (Actually the first time David is asked to kill Saul, and on the second account Abishai asks David permission to kill Saul himself. Perhaps Abishai knows that David won’t do it; maybe, he thinks, he’ll let him do it.
5. Saul is defenseless.
And Saul is defenseless in both cases. Possibly even asleep in each. We know in our text that God put Saul and his men into a deep sleep. This was not ordinary sleep. It was extraordinary; a deep sleep from the Lord. Now we might wish for a good night’s sleep, but you don’t want to be so out of it that you can’t hear an intruder.
In the previous text Saul (in the cave) was “relieving himself” which was either “using the restroom” or “taking a nap.”
6. Perceived to be God’s Favor
In each account David’s men perceive Saul’s defenselessness as a favor from God. “Now is the chance,” they say, “to kill Saul.”
7. David Spares Saul
And in each text David spares Saul. He resists killing himself, for the reason that Saul is anointed of God and it is not his (David’s) business to be killing Saul. If Saul is to die, it will be in the Lord’s timing and by the Lord’s own plan. So David will not take vengeance into his own hands.
B. Differences
1. While the general location (Hill of Hachilah near Jeshimon) is the same, the setting actual has some differences.
When Saul seeks David in chapter 24 the specific places is a cave near the Wildgoat’s Rocks. [1 Samuel 24:2] But, in chapter 26 no cave is mentioned at all.
This leads to another difference.
2. David goes out to Saul rather than Saul coming into David’s cave.
In the first account David and his men are passively waiting in the cave. Now they are actively seeking Saul who is not in the cave but is encamped with his men, presumably somewhere much larger than a cave since there are 3000 of them.
Then, the spoils differ.
3. The spoils differ.
In the first account, David cuts a piece of Saul’s robe. In the second account he comes away with Saul’s spear and Saul’s water jug.
These differences then make it clear enough that this is a separate incident, a sort of “second chance” for David. David did well with Saul previously when he refused to kill him, but then David showed a hasty desire to kill Nabal who wasn’t anything of a threat to him. And David recognized his own fault after Abigail saved the day. But now David gets an opportunity to display his forebearance in not killing Saul despite another easy opportunity arising.
II. Stealing Saul’s Spear.
So we have a new account. And notably, this time David comes away with Saul’s spear.
And this must be credited to the intervention of God; God put Saul and his men into a deep sleep so that David and Abisahi could safely come into their camp and leave again.
We’ve seen Saul’s spear before. He’s always throwing it at people. He threw it at David three times (and missed), and he threw it at his own son Jonathan (and missed as well). And, although Saul isn’t apparently very good with his spear, it is still a feared symbol of his power. It is his symbol of authority, in place of a scepter. The spear of Saul shows that he is king.
We saw that especially in chapter 22 where Saul sitting under the tamarisk tree with his spear in his hand up on a hill. And now we find Saul sleeping with his spear right next to him, stuck in the ground. [some people sleep next to a stuffed animal; Saul sleeps next to a spear; that’s his safety blanket]
It is apparently that Saul trusts in his spear for safety. He doesn’t trust in the Lord, he trusts in his spear. So David taking that spear is a huge blow to Saul. He probably feels naked, he feels like something is missing when he doesn’t have his spear. It is like when you or I go out and suddenly realize out keys, our phone, or our wallet is missing. It is a feeling of “something is wrong.”
So David asks for a volunteer to come with him into the camp of Saul. And Abishai is the brave one who signs up. And they go into the camp and steal Saul’s spear (and his water jug).
So it is, in a sense, that David WINS WITHOUT FIGHTING. He has taken aways Saul’s spear. Last time that David got someone’s spear it was Goliath’s, and that required a fight to the death. But here David wins without fighting.
I remember hearing years ago about the boxer Willie Pep. World Featherweight champion in the 1940s. And it has been said that he won a round without throwing a punch. Well, it turns out that this fact might be apocryphal, it might not be true. But the idea is that you can win a round in boxing by “controlling the ring.” And you could imagine a situation where one puncher is wildly throwing punches and missing which the other fighter is dancing nimbly away from those punches. And you give the win to the man who didn’t even throw a punch.
Well, David has actually pulled off such a victory. Through the help of the Lord, Saul’s spear is now David’s spear. And this is an indication of who the real king is to be.
But now, David uses the opportunity to again call out Saul.
Well, he first calls out Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, for his failure to guard Saul.
Then, he calls out Saul, saying (like he had done in previous episodes), “what did I do to you?” “Why are you trying to kill me.” “You see, I had the chance to kill you (as evidenced by the taking of your spear) but I refrained.”
In verse 20 David likens himself to a partridge and Saul likened to his hunter.
The idea is that a partridge is an “innocent harmless bird” which “flees if it can, but makes not resistance.” David is no danger to Saul! But Saul is a danger to David. This has been David’s point all along. “We could get along, if YOU could get along.”
And this is the last interaction between Saul and David. Saul admits “I have sinned.” And David gives the spear back.
And this is a far better way for the reign of King David to begin; not with murder but with forbearance.
III. The Forbearance of David, and of God.
Here then we come upon the lesson of the text. The moral and theological lesson.
We have a lesson about forbearance. Or, as I have titled this sermon “the virtue of forbearance.”
This isn’t that common of a word today. When I spoke about forbearance earlier this week in my own home, my daughter seemed to think I was talking about a bear; the animal. Well, Yogi the Bear could use some forbearance and learn to resist stealing those pick-i-nick baskets.
That is what forbearance is. It is self-control. It is restraint in the face of opportunity to sin or take advantage of circumstances. It is “holding back” when you otherwise might go forward; especially when someone has wronged you. Or even, forbearance is “patience under provocation.”
David displayed forbearance in not killing Saul when presented with the opportunity. He has passed the test, letting God take vengeance on Saul, and not himself touching the Lord’s anointed king.
Abishai wants to kill Saul, perhaps knowing that David himself wouldn’t do it. But permission to kill is no less a thing than killing in itself. So David says no because (1) Saul is the Lord’s anointed king, and (2) it is a sinful anticipation of God’s providence. That is, it is “taking things into your own hands” when they properly belong to God.
We had a couple applications earlier, regarding the beginning of our text.
We saw a warning against returning to anger and sin.
And we saw a warning to not think our troubles are fully gone when they have left. They may return! Be prepared.
But now I want to mention some applications regarding forbearance.
Application 1: Practice Forgiveness.
David’s patience with Saul shows that Christians should try to extend forgiveness freely and abundantly to others who sin against them.
You are to “forgive as you are forgiven.”
The Lord has forgiven you despite great sin.
Therefore, extend that same forgiveness to others.
Our gospel passage warned of the failure to extend forgiveness to others. The king forgave the debts of his servant, but that same servant refused to the forgive the debts owed to him! Clearly it is hypocrisy if we don’t forgive. We want forgiveness; the Lord gives us forgiveness; how can we not give it to others!
So let us learn to practice forgiveness.
Not just for the financial debts you are owed, but for those times someone has slighted you whether intentionally or unintentionally. And forgiveness is in order for the times that someone forgot about you; they forgot your birthday, or forgot to invite you to something. Surely you have done the same, and desire others to forgive you. So, forgive them.
2. Practice self-control.
We are to learn and practice self-control.
Forbearance is related to patience, and it is related to self-control.
This isn’t so much the type of self-control that says “I won’t eat another donut.”
It is the self-control in the face of others and the circumstances to “get back at them.”
Perhaps a coworker has been unfriendly, unkind to you. And then your chance arrives. They make some sort of mistake (and they fix it) but you could still rat them out to the boss and get them in trouble. Forbearance, self-control is in order.
And what I think we’ll nearly always find out is that the patient, forbearing approach brings better results. It likely did for David. He could have killed Saul and become king right away. But the man who kills a king to get the throne is declaring that he believes such behavior is acceptable; and so he better watch his own back so that he is not in turn killed. David’s reign as king is improved by his forbearance; his waiting on the Lord for the Lord’s plan to come to be. In those plans is David’s anointing to be king which requires the death of Saul. But David is not therefore to take that opportunity to kill Saul. It is in the Lord’s hand and the Lord’s timing that Saul will die.
Application 3 (and Conclusion): Recognize Your Salvation in the Forbearance of God.
Here is the ultimate conclusion from the passage:
We are saved by the forbearance of God.
So we are to recognize our salvation by God’s forbearance.
In the text David says:
24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.”
David saw Saul’s life as precious, DESPITE what Saul had done to him. Saul had tried, over and over again, to kill him. Yet, forbearance prevailed and Saul was spared.
So David prays that God may do the same to him! May MY LIFE be precious in the sight of the Lord! And may he deliver me out of all tribulation.
That is David’s prayer, and that is our prayer. Though WE have sinned, Lord see our lives as precious and deliver us.
And the good news of the Gospel is that God has answered this prayer in Jesus Christ.
Though we have sinned, HE has saved us.
And we know that our salvation is finalized, completed on the cross.
But we must also recognize that we are saved by the forbearance of God. If God were not forbearing, his wrath could have come down on us at any time. But he is patient, not wanting any of his people to perish but all to come to repentance.
I want to re-read out NT passage, and let us not its point on God’s divine forbearance.
[Rom 3:21-26 ESV] 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it– 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
By God’s forbearance the former sins were passed over, and by God’s grace all the sins of his people were forgiven at the cross.
We serve a great God. Who among us has such forgiveness, such patient, such restraint, such forbearance? None indeed. But by the work of the Holy Spirit in us we may know something of the Lord’s ways and act according to them.
We see that forbearance of God in Christ’s restraint. Though many were his enemies, and those many accusations came against him, he did not retort; he did not reply in kind.
So we are to respond in our troubles. With the patience and forbearance of the Lord. To do anything else would be sin.
So I must ask:
Are you letting God handle your enemies? Your problems? Are you, like David, willing to hold back from YOUR attempts at power and control, and just trust God? Are you praying to him for forbearance? Are you praying to God that He will be patient with you? And are you recognizing that God IS patient; that he is forbearing, that he is your savior?
God says “trust me.” Let us do us. And, I pray that the weight of our burdens comes off our shoulders as He takes them upon his own.
Let us pray.