Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Samuel 26 Devotional

Valuing an Enemy’s Life

“As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and rescue me from all trouble.””1 Samuel 26:24 (BSB)

Once again the Ziphites betray David, and Saul comes after him with three thousand men (26:1-2). This time David goes to Saul, slipping into the camp at night with Abishai. The king lies asleep, his spear planted beside him. Abishai offers to pin him to the earth with a single stroke (26:8). David refuses. The LORD himself will deal with Saul, whether by an ordinary death or in battle (26:10). David takes only the spear and the water jug, and no one wakes, because the LORD has sent a deep sleep on the camp (26:12).

From a distant hill David calls out, and Saul confesses that he has sinned and acted like a fool (26:21). He asks that the LORD will value his life the way he valued Saul's that day, and rescue him from all trouble (26:24). That is the shape of trust: treating even an enemy's life as precious, and resting your own safety in God's hands rather than in your own sword.

To think about: How could you treat someone who has opposed you as precious to God, while trusting him with your own safety?

About 1 Samuel 26: David Spares Saul a Second Time

Saul again hunts David in the desert of Ziph. David and Abishai slip into the sleeping camp, but David refuses to kill the king God anointed, taking Saul’s spear and jug of water instead. From a distance he rebukes Abner and pleads with Saul, who confesses his sin and blesses David.

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