DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE AGAIN

PROCLAMATION

“So David took the spear and the curse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked; for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from The Lord was fallen upon them.”  1 Samuel 26:12 (KJV)  

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God after the death of the prophet Samuel by Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer.  The Ziphites again went to Saul and told him where David was hiding. (1 Samuel 26:1)  So Saul gathered three thousand men and went down to the wilderness of Ziph to search for David.  When David learned that Saul had followed him there, he set out for the place where Saul had camped. (1 Samuel 26:2-5)  He asked Abishai to go with him into Saul’s camp and he agreed.  They went by night and found Saul sleeping, with Abner, the commander of the army, and the soldiers all around him.  Abishai wanted to kill Saul but David stopped him.  David took the spear and the water jug which was near Saul’s head and they left without being seen. (1 Samuel 26:6-12)  When David was some distance away from the camp, he called out to Abner questioning his protection of the king. (1 Samuel 26:13-16)  Saul recognized David’s voice and responded to him.  David questioned Saul to ascertain why he was pursuing him.  He let Saul know that again he could have killed him but didn’t.  Saul again admitted that he was wrong and had sinned.  He thanked David for again sparing his life and said that he would not harm him.  David told Saul to send one of his young men over to him to get his spear. (1 Samuel 26:17-22)  Then David said, “As surely as I valued your life today, so may The Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” (1 Samuel 26:24)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible teaches us saying, “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15)  David knew this (1 Samuel 26:11) and for the second time he had the chance to kill Saul but did not do it.  Again I say, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” (Sherrilyn Kenyon)  When we know that which is the right thing to do, we should do it.  When you “Know better, do better.” (David and Meredith Liben)  This quote was taken from a book teaching the foundations so every child can read by the end of second grade.  I think that it is applicable in a lot more situations, including Christian behavior.  We should do that which we know is right, and avoid that which we know is wrong.

 

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN WILL MUCH BE REQUIRED

PROCLAMATION

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving of punishment will be beaten with few blows.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  As Jesus continued to teach, the size of the crowd increased.  They asked Him to give them a sign from heaven and He said that no sign would be given. (Luke 11:29)  He told them about the lamp of the body and letting that light shine. (Luke 11:33-36)  When He finished speaking, a Pharisee invited Him to dine with him and He accepted the invitation.  The Pharisee noticed that Jesus did not wash His hands before the meal.  Jesus responded to him and spoke a series of “Woes” unto the Pharisees and the experts in the law. (Luke 11:37-52)  Then Jesus left the house and went outside, and a large crowd gathered around Him.  He spoke to the crowd giving them both warnings and encouragements. (Luke 12:1-12)  He told them The Parable of The Rich Fool. (Luke 12:13-21)  Afterwards, He spoke to His disciples and told them not to worry (Luke 12:22-34), but to be watchful and “be ready, because The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Luke 12:35-40)  Then He told them the parable of The Faithful and Wise Steward. (Luke 12:41-48)  Finally He said that He did not come to earth to bring peace, but to bring division. (Luke 12:49-53)

APPLICATION

In this chapter Jesus, The Christ, made several points which provide important “take home” lessons for us today.  One, whoever denies Him before men will be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8-9)  Two, store up for yourself treasures in heaven not on earth. (Luke 12:21)  Three, first seek the kingdom of God; and all the things that you need will be added unto you. (Luke 12:31)  Four, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)  Five, be ready, because The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. (Luke 12:35-40)  Six, to whom much is given, of him will much be required. (Luke 12:48)  With great influence, position and power comes great responsibility, and also great punishment for misuse of them.  Be very careful about what you ask God for.  When we know better, we should do better.  Those of us who do wrong knowingly will be punished more severely than those who do wrong out of ignorance.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH WILL BE EXPECTED

Proclamation:

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter Luke begins by repeating the warning which Jesus gave to His disciples regarding the Pharisees. (Luke 12:1-5)  Then Jesus tells them that whoever publicly acknowledges Him, He will acknowledge in heaven.  But whoever disowns Him before men, He will disown. (Luke 12:8)  He then tells them the parable of the rich fool who built new barns because he had so much. (Luke 12:12-21)  After telling them not to worry about worldly things (Luke 12:35-40) Jesus then tells them about the wise and faithful servant and compares him to the foolish one. (Luke 12:41-48) 

Application:

Those of us who know better should do better.  Ignorance is no excuse for doing wrong.  The uninformed wrongdoers will be punished.  However, the informed who still do the wrong thing will be punished much more severely than those who did not know that they were doing wrong.  Those of us who know that which is right will be held to a higher standard.  Additionally, much more will be expected from those who have been blessed with more than others have.  With great ability comes greater responsibility.  We have been blessed with more than others have in order to be a blessing to others.