1 Samuel 26-31 ESV
The Story of David and Saul Continues
1 Samuel 26
David Spares Saul's Life Again
In 1 Samuel 26, we see David's second opportunity to kill Saul, but he chooses not to take it. Instead, he shows mercy and spares Saul's life.
"The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed." (1 Samuel 26:11, ESV)
David's men urged him to kill Saul, but David knew that it was not his place to take Saul's life. He trusted that God would deal with Saul in His own way and time.
1 Samuel 27
David Among the Philistines
David and his men fled to the Philistines, where they were received by King Achish of Gath. David and his men became mercenaries for the Philistines, fighting on their side against the Israelites.
"And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel." (1 Samuel 27:3, ESV)
1 Samuel 28
Saul and the Medium
Saul, desperate for guidance, sought out a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel. However, the medium was shocked to actually see Samuel's spirit, and Samuel prophesied that Saul would die the next day.
"Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines." (1 Samuel 28:19, ESV)
1 Samuel 29
David and the Philistines
David and his men were about to go to battle with the Philistines against Israel, but the Philistine lords were suspicious of David's motives and requested that he leave.
"The lords of the Philistines said to him, 'Make this fellow return, that he may go back to his place that he has appointed him, but he shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us.'" (1 Samuel 29:4, ESV)
1 Samuel 30
David's Victory
David and his men returned to Ziklag, only to find that it had been raided by the Amalekites. David pursued the Amalekites and recovered all that had been taken, including his wives.
"And David struck them from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who mounted camels and fled." (1 Samuel 30:17, ESV)
1 Samuel 31
Saul's Death
Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, died in battle against the Philistines. When David heard the news, he mourned the loss of Saul and Jonathan.
"Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword." (1 Samuel 31:11-13, ESV)
In these chapters, we see David's continued mercy towards Saul, as well as his own struggles and victories. We also see the downfall of Saul, who refused to listen to God's warnings.
