Chapter 254 of 1163

1 SAMUEL 26

Saul’s tearful words did not mean much, for he continued to pursue David. In His mercy, God gave Saul another opportunity to repent, but the king’s heart was too hard. Even while he slept, Saul kept his spear next to him to remind everybody that he was king. David took the spear from him, a significant action.

Abishai, David’s nephew, was a brave man; but brave men are not always wise. He said, “You missed your first opportunity, so don’t miss this one!” But David knew that God’s hand, not his own, would have to strike Saul.

David’s speech was designed to make Saul examine his heart. Was Saul chasing David because God told him to do so, or because he believed the lies his flattering officers told about David? Twice before, Saul had said “I have sinned” (1 Sam. 15:24, 30), but his words were not sincere then or on this occasion. He was correct when he called himself a fool. He was a fool in the way he treated Jonathan, David, Samuel, his army, his nation, and his God. He lived like a fool, and he died like a fool. (See Proverbs 26:11–12.)

“I Have Sinned!”

King Saul is not the only one who made this confession. Pharaoh said it (Exod. 9:27) and so did Balaam (Num. 22:34), Achan (Josh. 7:20), David (2 Sam. 12:13; 24:10, 17; Ps. 51:4), Judas (Matt. 27:4), and the prodigal son (Luke 15:18, 21). Which of these men do you think were really sincere?

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