Spear? Reflection on 1 Sam 24-26

Within the wilderness tales of Chapters 24-26, David proves himself to be the true king of Israel. In these scenes, David refuses to take the future into his own hands and, thereby, refuses to kill Saul or follow “eye for an eye” ethics. David’s disciplined patience show him to be meek, foreshadowing Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). “‘Meekness’ designates the controlled strength that turns it back on self-aggrandizing opportunism and stands patiently firm while waiting for God’s “day" and timing. In honoring Saul as God’s anointed, David honors God, who works his will in history when and where and how he wills" (Peterson, First and Second Samuel 123).

Moreover, this chapter reveals the profound difference between Saul and David. David refuses to use his weapon. But, is Saul ever without his spear? While in his court, Saul threw his spear at David in Chapters 18 and 19. And in Chapter 20, Saul tries to kill his own son Jonathan with the same spear. In Chapter 22, Saul is seated “with his spear in hand.” Now, years later, when David comes upon him, Saul’s spear is right beside him (v 7).

However, what is most compelling about this chapter and the entire book is that it is “an immersion in the human condition with all its glory and hurt, promise and difficulty. But, we’re never left with mere humanity, mere history. The skill of the narrator keeps us alert to the presence and purposes of God being worked out in this story. We’re being trained to read between the lines, for much of this story is implicit. But it’s unmistakably there - David isn’t David apart from God. None of us is. Most of what we’re reading in David is God in David (Leap Over a Wall 137).”

“The David story keeps us in touch with our humanity - all of which has to do with God. There’s no part of our humanity that isn’t God-created and God-conditioned. The David story is a primary way in which the Holy Spirit keeps us in touch, alert, and responsive to the gravity and ground of our lives in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and alert to the reality of evil that would destroy or weaken our humanity.” (Leap Over a Wall 137).