1 Samuel 24:1–22 David Spares Saul’s Life 

[Study Aired July 6, 2026]

In today’s study, we shall look at how David displayed incredible grace as He spared the life of king Saul in the cave of Engedi. This is because David had respect for the “Lord’s anointed” in spite of the pressure by his men. As a result, he overcame evil with good.

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 
Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  

Saul Went After David in the Cave of Engedi

1Sa 24:1  And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 

As we have stated in previous studies, Saul represents our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world or Babylon who have been rejected of ruling with Christ at the coming age when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. Saul returning from fighting the Philistines in verse 1, shows us that during our time in Babylon, we did win some victories over our flesh. In other words, we started off our walk with Christ on a good note in Babylon. However, over time, through imbibing false doctrines propagated in Babylon, we were hindered from obeying the truth.

Gal 5:7  Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 
Gal 5:8  This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
Gal 5:9  A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 

David signifies the Lord’s elect. Engedi was a vibrant, freshwater oasis situated in the harsh Judean desert. The name Engedi means ‘fountain’ or ‘spring of the young goat.’ In the Bible, young goats represent the Lord’s elect. Therefore, David being in the wilderness of Engedi in verse 1, implies that although we are in this world of wilderness, as the Lord’s elect, we are favored to have access to the truth of the Lord’s word (fountain) signified by Engedi.    

2Th 2:13  But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.  (ESV)

Saul being told that David was in the wilderness of Engedi was of the Lord, who was using Saul as His instrument of judgment of David. This shows us that the Lord uses our brothers and sisters of the churches of this world to judge us, His elect, for the destruction of our flesh. For example, the Lord used the Jews to persecute the Lord’s disciples in the early church.  

Act 8:1: “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” (NIV)

1 Th 2:14–15: “…For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out…” (ESV)

Act 13:50: “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.” (NIV)

1Sa 24:2  Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 

The number three thousand, on a negative note, denotes the Lord’s people who have fallen away. It therefore, represents our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world or Babylon. Saul taking three thousand men out of Israel to pursue David and his men shows us that it is our fallen away brothers and sisters in the church system of this world whom the Lord uses to persecute us.

Exo 32:28  And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.

Jos 7:4  So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai. 

It is also significant to note that Saul and his men sought David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. Rocks in the Bible can signify our hiding place from the judgment of the Lord. In other words, rocks represent our natural attempts to avoid the judgment of the Lord.

1Sa 13:6  When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Rev 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

As we are aware, we, His elect, are the wild goats which were set free into the wilderness to suffer, to complement the suffering of Christ. 

Lev 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 
Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:  

1Sa 24:3  And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 

On his journey to where David and his men were, Saul came across several sheepfolds on the side of the road, and one of them was built near the entrance to the cave where David and his men were hiding at the back. In this case, the cave represents where we die to the flesh. 

Gen 23:11  Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.   

Gen 23:20  And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

Saul relieving himself in the cave means our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world despise the Lord’s judgment of our flesh which leads to the death of our flesh. At a certain time of our walk with the Lord, we also despised the Lord’s judgment leading to the death of our flesh. 

Psa 107:10  Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, 
Psa 107:11  because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. 

1Sa 24:4  And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 
1Sa 24:5  And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 
1Sa 24:6  And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
1Sa 24:7  So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

In the minds of the men with David, they thought that the Lord has given Saul to David to be murdered. However, David only cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe as evidence, to show Saul that he had the opportunity to kill him but refused. David cutting off the skirt of Saul’s robe signifies that the kingdom of Israel has been taken away from Saul and given to David. 

1Sa 15:27  And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. 
1Sa 15:28  And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. 

Spiritually, we, His elect, have been chosen to reign with Christ at the expense of our brothers and sisters in Babylon. As we shall see later in the study, Saul himself confirmed David’s rulership when David showed him the cut skirt. In other words, we, His elect, have obtained mercy in this age at the expense of our brothers and sisters in Babylon.  

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

In verses 5 and 6, David later regretted for cutting off Saul’s skirt, because he regarded Saul as the Lord’s anointed, and therefore he thought that he should not have stretched forth his hand against him. 

1Ch 16:20  And when they (the people of Israel) went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; 
1Ch 16:21  He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
1Ch 16:22  Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 

David’s regret shows that he trembled at the word of the Lord and wanted to be obedient to it. On the other hand, the men with him were not yet trembling at the word of the Lord. This indicates their spiritual immaturity at that time of their walk with Christ. We all came to the body of Christ of the Lord’s elect in our immature stage, where we are given the meat of the Lord’s word to grow through what every joint supplies. 

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

As indicated in verse 7, David, as a leader, enjoined his men to have regard for the Lord’s anointed. His men therefore did not rise up against Saul as he left the cave. As the Lord’s elect, we must tremble at the word of the Lord. 

Isa 66:5  Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. 

David Confronts Saul

1Sa 24:8  David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 

It is instructive to note that it was when Saul looked behind him that he saw David bowing to him. It signifies that it is when we look back that we see ourselves as the Lord’s elect, submitting to the dictates of the leadership of the church system of this world or Babylon, when we started our walk with Christ. That was the time that we were swayed by every wind of doctrine and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

1Sa 24:9  And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 

In verse 9, David’s assertion that Saul listens to men is the reason why he wanted to hurt him. This implies that when we substitute the word of truth for the lies perpetuated by men, we end up hating the Lord’s elect as we blame them for our troubles. These doctrines of men lead to envy, hatred and murder of the true sons of God. It is through these doctrines of men which led the leadership of the church system of Jesus’ days, to hate and murder him. 

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 
Mat 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 
Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

As He is so are we. It is the same doctrines of men which cause our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world to hate us and consider us as dead in the street of Jerusalem. 

Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 
Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  

1Sa 24:10  Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.
1Sa 24:11  Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 
1Sa 24:12  The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
1Sa 24:13  As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  

As David mentioned to Saul, our brothers and sisters of the church system of this world think that the Lord’s elect or the church of the firstborn poses a threat to their reigning with Christ. Throughout the Bible, there were many instances of our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world considering us as the problem and not the solution. For example, Cain killed Abel thinking that Abel was the problem. Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill him, because he thought that Jacob had robbed him of his inheritance. The Jews killed Jesus thinking He posed a threat to their traditional way of worship. In the same manner, the Jews wanted to kill Paul and the Lord’s disciples because they thought that they were the problem. 

Act 17:5  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them (Paul and Silas) out to the people. 
Act 17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 
Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 
Rom 11:9  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 
Rom 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

As David stated in verse 12, our hands are not upon our brothers and sisters in Babylon. They do not recognize that it is the Lord who has the prerogative to show mercy to whom He wants to show mercy in this age. 

Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 
Rom 9:14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 
Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 
Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.      

1Sa 24:15  The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. 

The Lord is indeed the Judge who pleads our cause and delivers us from those that He uses to afflict us. As we know from the word of the Lord, the Lord’s deliverance makes a way for us to escape the trial, as He grants us the grace to bear it. 

1 Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

The reason the Lord may not immediately stop the affliction He brings our way but gives us grace to bear it is that He wants the affliction to accomplish a specific purpose in our lives in terms of learning more righteousness. This is what David learned later in his life, through the afflictions the Lord brought on him, using Saul as His instrument of judgment. 

Psa 119:71  It is good for me [David] that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 

Psa 119:74  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. 
Psa 119:75  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 

1Sa 24:16  And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. 
1Sa 24:17  And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 

It seems in verse 16 and 17, that Saul repented of his actions against David at that time, and went on to declare David as being more righteous than him. As we can see later in the review of this Book of Samuel, even after this encounter, he continued to pursue David to kill him.  What this is showing us is that repentance alone is not enough. We must bring forth fruit which is commensurate with our repentance. 

Luk 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 

1Sa 24:18  And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. 
1Sa 24:19  For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. 

These verses imply that as the Lord’s elect, we must do good even when evil is meted out to us. 

Rom 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 
Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

As Peter stated, we must add to our faith, virtue or moral excellence, if we are to be assured of the reward of reigning with Christ. Moral excellence encompasses doing good to even those who do evil against us.

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

David is Assured of the Kingship

1Sa 24:20  And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. 
1Sa 24:21  Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house. 
1Sa 24:22  And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

From verse 20, we see that the Lord was assuring David through the mouth of Saul that he would reign as king of Israel. Just as the Lord said of the servant who hid the one talent that out of his own mouth, He would judge him. Saul admitting that David would become king attests of our reign over our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world, when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.

Luk 19:22  And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 

David swearing to Saul not to cut off his seed and that he would not destroy his name out of his father’s house, shows us that we are the saviors of our brothers and sisters in Babylon in the fullness of time. In other words, we, His elect, shall not cut off any of the Lord’s people who have gone astray. We shall be merciful to them even as the Lord has shown us mercy. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.   

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. 

May the Name of the Lord be praised for His wonderful plan of salvation. Amen!!