Q1. Sparing Saul

[jonesjp]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David’s character? About his faith? What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

David knows that it would cause him to be out of God’s will if he was to do anything to one of God’s anointed. There is no motive for him or his men because it would only be for self-gain or someone may say for his defense but God is his defense and if David follows God as He directs him, the battle belongs to the Lord. Saul is God’s anointed and David shall not touch God’s chosen. David is a great example of a leader and one who is moving under the direction of God and not himself. This gives his men a fine example to follow and it also helps them to respect a faithful leader like David.

[blezed]

Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance?

1. David did not kill Saul because of his fear of God. David felt to rebell against Saul is just like rebelling against God.

What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them?

2. The motive that they all have is the fact that Saul was trying to kill them for no apparent reason. They felt that because of that they should kill him first to be free of running.

What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul?

3. His rationle is not to go against God. God put Saul in place and David felt that God would handle the situtation when the time came.

What does this tell us about David’s character?

4. Showed his love and respect for God.

About his faith?

5. David's faith was very strong. He knew God had delivered him before and if it was His will he would do it again.

What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

6. He was respected highly by his men and he had control over them

[PATCH]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David's rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David's character? About his faith? What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

David didnt kill Saul because he honored God and those God had chosen. David recognised Saul as God's anointed. He even called Saul "my Master". David and his men would have been freed from Saul's tyranny if they killed him. They would be able to stop running away. David understood that even though Saul was a wicked king, it was not in his place to king the one God had chosen. If Saul were to be punished, it would be God to do it not David. David was a man who understood honor. He was not a cruel man neither was he one to make rash decisions. In everything he put God first and trusted that God will deliver. David was a strong leader. His men must have hated Saul too and all of them would have been keen to kill Saul. David was the minority voice but inspite of that he was able to dissuade his men from killing Saul. This showed he had earned the respect of his men. He was a true leader.

[csreeves]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David’s character? About his faith? What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

David loved God and God's word says to not touch the King for that is the leader who only God shall deal with the King. Saul is jealous of David and Saul wants to kill him.

[Platoz]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15)

Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance?

Because God appointed Saul as king, and even though David knows that he will be the next king, he trust in God to set the time as to when Saul will be king no more. It is not for him to do.

What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them?

So they themselves will not be killed. Plus, they know that David is to be the next king so they want to get Saul taken care of before any of them die in the process.

What is David's rationale for sparing Saul?

God appointed him king, God will unappoint him king. For David to take on the timing of Saul’s death would have made him take on the character and work of God.

What does this tell us about David's character?

That he acknowledges that he is a servant to God.

About his faith?

He puts his faith in God that God will take care of it when the time is right.

What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?


They trust in David that David is right with God and that God is in control of the timing of when David will become king.

http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1172

[joy irowa]

A.he doesn`t want to lay hands on the lord`s anointed

B. the motive is for David to ascend the throne

C. he is the lord`s anointed

D. David is a man of God

E. David fears God

F.he is an anointed leader

[linda bass]

David didn't kill Saul when he had the chance because he knew he would eventually become king according to God's timing,not his own.

The motive that David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them is, they will no longer have to fear for their lives and will be able to finally go home to their families.

David's rationale for sparing Saul's life is, it is wrong to left a hand against the Lord's annointed.

What this tells us about David's character is he is willing to wait on God's timing rather than taking matters into his own hands.

What this tells us about David's faith is that he trusts in God's promise that he will succeed Saul as Israel's next king.

What this says about David's leadership abilities in that he was able to dissaude his men from killing Saul is, he has the trust of his men.

[tammie7]

David does not kill Saul because he was aniont by God.Theie motive was all of them was being hurting by Saul.

Daivid spared Saul becuse he was aniont by God and Saul was his master.This tell me that david was a man of

God and this says that God fight his battle.He was a man of honor and character.It tell me that he was truth a man

of God.That he had faith that god would take care od Saul.

[Lorraine Overstreet]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance?

What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them?

What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David’s character?

About his faith? What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade

his men from killing Saul?

a. David said the Lord forbade him to kill his master (Saul, the Lord's anointed) or to lift his

hand against him.

b. Many of the men were under Saul's death sentence, just as David was.

c. For david, rebellion against Saul would be the same as his rebellion

against the Lord.

d. David's decision not to attack Saul is based on his profound respect he has

for Yahweh, and the fear of the Lord. David has followed God's plan for him and

will continue to follow and trust in God.

e. David was a strong leader, his men respected and listened to David.

[royk]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David’s character? About his faith? What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul? David knows that God's commandments includes "thou shalt not kill," yet he has killed many at the command of God, starting with Goliath. So in some whys it makes no sense for a 'killer' to not kill Saul. David believes that it is by God's will and not David's hand that Saul shall leave this world. So he is trusting God, even though he has ben anointed to become king. He trust it will happen in God's time, not by his hand. His men will follow him fully; they believe in David and know his motivation if from and with the Lord's will. That is enough for his me.

[wifee]

5a)David feared the Lord God,believing he had anointed Saul King,so resisted temptation to kill him out of respect for Yahweh

.b)David &many of his men, were being hunted by Saul, who perceived David as a threat,in David’s case without cause.

C)David knows he is innocent, and morally knew it was to bring harm to the anointed king as this is rebellion against the Lord God who anointed him. He appeals to God to show his justice,decide between him&Saul and avenge the wrongful person.

d)This indicates David is of good moral character, who believe’s in God’s fair,good justice.

E)This show’s David’s ability to trust in God’s for his protection, he feared the Lord,and his decision to anoint Saul king.

f)David was respected by men, for his skills &wisdom in situation,demonstrating to men to resist temptation & not kill Saul in cave,out of respect for anointed Saul, &to prevent slaughter by soldier’s outside cave.

[srwbibleman]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance?

Saul was the Lord's anointed and The Lord had commanded David not to kill Saul.

 

What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them?

So David could become King, get revenge for being pursued for so long.

 

What is David's rationale for sparing Saul?

David's rationale was it was not up to him to take his life.

 

What does this tell us about David's character?

David had a heart for wanting to please God.

 

About his faith?

David's faith was strong in that he could live out his faith against very difficult and challenging circumstances.

 

What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

His men certainly were highly motivated to kill Saul to end their life of endless pursuit by deadly foes. Therefore, they had a strong belief in David to do otherwise.

 

 

 

[cjenkins1388]

David doesn't kill Saul because he doesn't want to go against God by harming the annointed King

 

David and his men have motive because they are all being hunted by Saul to be killed, so they want to kill Saul first.

 

David explains to his men that it would be against God's will for them to kill the King because he has been annointed by God

so God will take his life when the time is right.

 

David's Faith is remarkable it would be so hard to keep from killing someone who was out to kill you, unless you knew for sure God was on your side.

 

Davids character as a man serving and obeying God makes him a trustworthy and respected Leader, the men seem to admire that about him and trust what he tells them to do.

 

 

[karynjg]

 (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David's rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David's character? About his faith? What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

 

David is showing patience and wisdom as he ponders the situation he is in.  Having experienced Saul's anger, he has justifable cause to defend himself and it would relieve himself of the constant fear of losing his own life.  If he chooses to kill Saul, he risks retaliation from Saul's army, but more importantly, he knows he would be disobeying God.  His faith in God has been strengthened in his struggles for survival.  He has become a well respected leader which is apparent when his army obeys his commands.

[WinstonY]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David’s character? About his faith? What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

 

According to the Bible it David doesn't kill Saul because he is the Lord say annointed.

Because a David and his men were under a sentence of death the removal of Saul would have removed this threat and David would have been free to become king.

 

David and his character are centered upon the word of God.

David had a great influence over his man and had the ability to keep that affection.

[DJW]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn’t David kill Saul when he has the chance? What motive do he and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? What is David’s rationale for sparing Saul? What does this tell us about David’s character? About his faith? What does it say about David’s leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

David was focused on both guidance from the Lord doing the Lords will. Although he did not know the outcome, he did know that it would not be the Lords will for him to kill Saul. Interesting because obviously David had no problem at all with murder. I think by sparing Saul God remained at the center of David's service. Killing Saul would have also been a bad move politically because he would have taken the throne by force, not by the hand of God, which had been his promise. 

David clearly lead from the top down, meaning God first, #1 for instructions before either waiting or implementing an instruction given. David had the ability to sensitively handle all sides of each scenario as it played out. It is clear that God prepared David for each step of advancement in leadership and faith that he took in his life.   

[crissy464]

David did not kill King Saul because he knew it would be a sin to kill a person of his own nationality. 
God had anointed Saul King of Israel. David trusted God to decide when Saul would no longer be king.
He gave Jonathan his solemn word that no harm would come to his family by him
David wanted Saul and his men gone
 

[crissy464]

David did not kill King Saul because, he knew it will be a sin to kill a person of his own nationality. 
God had anointed Saul King of Israel. David trusted God to make the decision when  Saul would not be king any longer.
He gave Jonathan his solemn word that no harm would come to his family by him
David wanted Saul and his men gone
 

[Irmela]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15)

Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance?

What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them?

What is David's rationale for sparing Saul?

What does this tell us about David's character? About his faith?

What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

David believes that Saul is God's anointed and he will not raise his hand against him.  When David went up to Saul and cut off the edge of his robe, he actually proved to the king that he could have killed him but he spared his life, because he had no intention of killing the king.  It was not his purpose.

David was true and loyal and trusted that God, in His time would let come to pass what He had promised.  It was not David's intention to take over the reins as king,  His purpose was to obediently serve the king and be loyal.  David was quite certain that that was what God desired of him at that moment in time.

David's men were more than ready to kill  Saul.  They egged him on to do so  and if not that they do it for him.  David was very firm with them and pointed out very clearly that that was not his intent.  David did not hum and ha between his decisions.  What he said was final.  His men did not go against him but respected his decision.

[Krissi]

I have always loved this story but am more confused than before I reread it.  

David was God's anointed, not Saul. The Spirit had left Saul, the bible says, and was put on David. So when David claims that Saul is God's anointed, is he being tongue-in-cheek? Surely David knew that he had been anointed king, but was hovering in an interregnum period, one between kings ... a time of growth and waiting. So, I'm not sure what David meant, now, when he said that Saul was God's anointed so he didn't want to go against God.  After all, the reason Saul was pursuing David was jealousy/envy over David's anointing.

I always thought that David was extraordinarily humble and patient when it came to assuming the throne, but now it seems that David is taunting Saul. The cutting off the corner of his cloak as Saul was "indisposed" was an act of mockery -- I think David realized his own moral lapse and regretted it. He was saying, in essence, that he was stronger than Saul, had had many opportunities to kill him, but chose not to (because of his faith in Yahweh). The implication was clear -- Saul was trying to kill David, though he couldn't catch him: David was NOT trying to kill Saul though he could catch him. 

This is the paragraph that's so intriguing to me:

"May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes,

  'From evildoers come evil deeds,'
  so my hand will not touch you." 

David may have intuited that his own future kingship, like that of Saul, could be endangered by people who wanted to kill him, perhaps for good reason. After his horrible affair with the wife of one of his trusted fighting men, it would have made sense if other fighters sought justice for their compatriot Uriah. Killing David would have brought such justice.

Here David, without knowing his own sordid future, was laying down a principle that justice should be delayed until God meted it out. He was saying that any man who touches the anointed king -- himself! -- was an evildoer who presumed God's prerogative of justice-dealing. 

I like David as a man and character in the bible, but he has more than a touch of arrogance and cleverness in these passages. He seems willing to pose as a moral man as a way of mocking his opposition. Cutting off the corner of Saul's cloak was an incredibly mocking and demeaning act. That's why he did it, though David seemed to regret his own behavior. But his overpowering instinct was to mock. To challenge. To demean Saul by NOT killing him in a face-to-face battle. This may be a continuation of the Goliath narrative during which the young, scrawny David mocked the big Goliath with his mere presence. 

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15)

Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance?

Because of the profound respect that David has for Yahweh, the fear of the Lord. For David, rebellion against Saul is tantamount to rebellion against the Lord himself who has anointed Saul.

What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them?

The LORD give Saul into their hands "I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish."

What is David's rationale for sparing Saul?

For David, rebellion against Saul is tantamount to rebellion against the Lord himself who has anointed Saul.

What does this tell us about David's character?

He is loyal till death.

About his faith?

David calls upon Yahweh's justice to prevail.

What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul?

Very much influenced on his men.

[LadyT]

Q1. (1 Samuel 24:1-15) Why doesn't David kill Saul when he has the chance? He was convicted in his spirit.

What motive do David and his men have for killing a king who is trying to kill them? To be free to live their lives without the weight of impending death on their shoulders.

What is David's rationale for sparing Saul? God made him king and amounted Saul, so it would be an insult and act of rebellion to go against God's will.

What does this tell us about David's character? About his faith? Even with desperate voices and ample opportunity, he waits and seeks God's will first.

What does it say about David's leadership ability that he is able to dissuade his men from killing Saul? He's charismatic and bold. Folks trust David.