“Wait for It” – a message from 1 Samuel 24 & 26

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our summer preaching series entitled “The Pursuit of God: The Life of David.” In my message this weekend, I explored 1 Samuel 24 and 26, two parallel chapters where David spares King Saul’s life, even though he has opportunity to take it. I also took a little rabbit trail into the topic of revenge or recompense, and how we deal with that in light of the life, teaching, and ministry of Jesus.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

David’s Mercy Over King Saul’s Life

David spares Saul’s life when Saul is relieving himself in a cave; David cuts a corner of Saul’s robe (1 Samuel 24)

David spares Saul’s life when Saul is sleeping in camp; David takes Saul’s spear and water jug (1 Samuel 26)

David’s Determined Course: Wait on God

David makes it clear he will not take Saul’s life, no matter what anyone says (1 Samuel 24:5-6; 26:9)

Saul is shamed before his followers and David’s followers (1 Samuel 24:17-21; 26:21, 25)

David lets God be the judge and not himself (1 Samuel 24:12)

David lets God be in control of Saul’s end (1 Samuel 26:9-11)

David lets God be in control of his own future (1 Samuel 26:20, 24)

Saul’s eventual end: death in battle (1 Samuel 31)

An Aside About Revenge

The One God of the Entire Bible: Grace and Truth, Holiness and Mercy

Vengeance belongs to God, not human beings (Deuteronomy 32:35)

Echoes of this into the New Testament (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30)

Jesus the Lion and the Lamb, and the Vengeance of God 

What It Means to Pursue God by Waiting

Waiting does not mean doing nothing 

Waiting means continuing in God’s ways

Waiting means yielding to God’s shaping in our lives

Waiting means seeking God and God’s direction in prayer

Waiting means watching for where God will work

Waiting means entrusting our cause to God

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Psalm 40:1 or 1 Samuel 24:12.
• This week, take some extended time to ponder Romans 12:9-21. Take some time to reflect on what stands out to you most. Pray about those things or journal about them. Talk it over with a friend or mentor.
• Explore some or all of these resources:
• Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace
• Lifeway Publishing, “Map: David Flees from Saul”
• “Waiting on the Lord: Living with Hope in the Land Between”