“A Sliver of Fabric”

 “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.” (1 Samuel 24:1)

Saul’s Encounter

Saul gathered three thousand of his chosen warriors to seek out David. David and about 600 of his followers are hiding among the rocks of the wild goats.

If you have ever had to move across rocky terrain, you know that shoes are the most important thing you can have. Not just the sole, but also ankle support. Saul had come upon the Sheepcotes.

Sheepcotes are a man made structure used to keep sheep in. Saul sees the Sheepcotes and finds a cave. Saul’s needs to fix his shoes so that he can continue to search the rocks and caves. Saul assumes his cave is safe.

The Assassins Approach

David and his men are hiding in the caves. It just so happens that they see Saul fixing his shoes. David’s men tell him that God has delivered Saul unto your hands. David sneaks up on Saul and cuts off a sliver of the skirt of Saul’s robe. David had gotten close enough to kill Saul if that had been his intention.

David felt guilt in cutting the skirt of Saul. Saul left the cave.

David and Saul’s Agreement

“8David 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.

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

10Behold, 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.

11Moreover, 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.

12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

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

16And 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.

17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

18And 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.

19For 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.

20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

21Swear 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.

22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.” (1 Samuel 24:8-22)

Stay Tuned…