MISSION POSSIBLE
DAVID HOLDING SAUL'S SPEAR AND JUG
YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU ACCEPT,
GO INTO THE CENTER OF THE ENEMIES CAMP, GUARDED BY 3,000 SOLDIERS, TAKE THE KING'S SPEAR AND WATER JUG AND LEAVE WITHOUT WAKING ANYBODY UP AND BEING NOTICED!
People living in Ziph reported to King Saul, that David was hiding on Hakilah Hill. Saul sent 3,000 soldiers to the desert to search for David.
"The people of Ziph went to see Saul at Gibeah and said to him, “David is hiding on Hakilah Hill, across from Jeshimon.”
Saul gathered 3000 of the best soldiers in
Israel and went down to the desert of Ziph to
search for David there. Saul set up his camp
by the road at Hakilah Hill, across from
Jeshimon.
David was out in the desert and saw that Saul
had come out into the desert after him."
1 SAMUEL 26:1-3 ERV
David watch Saul's army search for him, so
David sent out his spies to find out where Saul
was camping. David observed Saul sleeping
in the center of a circle of soldiers.
"So David sent out spies to know for certain
that Saul had come after him again. Then
David went to where Saul had set up his
camp. David saw where Saul and Abner were
sleeping. (Abner son of Ner was the
commander of Saul’s army.) Saul was
sleeping in the center of a circle of men that
surrounded him." 1 SAMUEL 26:4-5 ERV
David asked Ahimelech and Joab's brother,
Abishai if they would like to go down to Saul's
camp with him. Abishai volunteers for this
MISSION POSSIBLE.
"David talked to Ahimelech the Hittite and
Abishai son of Zeruiah. (Abishai was Joab’s
brother.) He asked them, “Who would like to
go down into the camp with me after
Saul?” Abishai answered, “I’ll go with you.”
1 SAMUEL 26:6 ERV
David and Abishai quietly went into Saul's camp. Abishai wanted to take Saul's spear and kill him.
"When night came, David and Abishai went
into Saul’s camp. Saul was asleep in the
middle of the circle of men. His spear was
stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and
the other soldiers were asleep around
Saul. Abishai said to David, “Today God has
given your enemy to you. Let me pin Saul to
the ground with his spear. I’ll only do it
once!” 1 SAMUEL 26:7-8 ERV
David rebuked Abishai, telling him to not kill Saul; but let the Lord punish Saul. Quickly, pick up Saul's spear and water jug and let's go.
"But David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill Saul!
Anyone who hurts the Lord’s chosen king must
be punished. As surely as the Lord lives,
the Lord himself will punish Saul. Maybe Saul
will die naturally or maybe he will be killed in
battle. But I pray that the Lord never lets me
hurt the Lord’s chosen king. Now pick up the
spear and water jug by Saul’s head and let’s
go.” 1 SAMUEL 26:9-11 ERV
God had put Saul and his men into a deep sleep. No one woke up and saw David and Abishai leaving camp.
"So David took the spear and water jug that
were near Saul’s head, and then David and
Abishai left Saul’s camp. No one knew what
had happened. No one saw it. No one even
woke up. Saul and all of his soldiers slept
because the Lord had put them into a deep
sleep." 1 SAMUEL 26:12 ERV Easy to Read Version
David hiked up the other side to the summit of
the hill. David shouted to Abner, the
commander of Saul's army. David shouted,
That someone came into the camp to kill Saul.
Why haven't you guarded your king? You and
your men should die for that. Where is the
king's spear and water jug, that were by Saul's
head?
"David crossed over to the other side of the hill
and stood on top of the mountain far from
Saul’s camp. They were a long way away from
each other. David shouted to the army and to
Abner son of Ner, “Won’t you answer me,
Abner?”
Abner answered, “Who is calling for the king?
Who are you?”
"David said, “You’re the greatest man in Israel.
Isn’t that true? Why didn’t you guard your
master the king? Someone came into your
camp to kill your master the king! You have
not done well. As surely as the Lord lives, you
and your men should die. You haven’t guarded
your master, the Lord’s appointed king. Look!
Where are the king’s spear and water jug that
were near his head?” 1 SAMUEL 26:13-16 NCV
Saul recognized David's voice and replied.
David is that you?
"Saul knew David’s voice. He said, “Is that
your voice, David my son?”
David answered, “Yes, it is, my master and
king.” David also said, “Why are you chasing
me, my master? What wrong have I done?
What evil am I guilty of? My master and king,
listen to me. If the Lord made you angry with
me, let him accept an offering. But if people did
it, may the Lord curse them! They have
made me leave the land the Lord gave me.
They have told me, ‘Go and serve other
gods.’ Now don’t let me die far away from
the Lord’s presence. The king of Israel has
come out looking for a flea! You’re just hunting
a bird in the mountains!” 1 SAMUEL 26:17-20 NCV
King Saul asks David to return home and
promises not to hurt him.
“I have sinned. Come back, David my son.
Today you respected my life, so I will not try to
hurt you. I have been very stupid and
foolish.” 1 SAMUEL 26:21 NCV
David tells Saul to send up a youth to retrieve
the spear and water jug.
"David answered, “Here is your spear. Let one
of your young men come here and get
it. The Lord rewards us for the things we do
right and for our loyalty to him.
The Lord handed you over to me today, but I
wouldn’t harm the Lord’s appointed king. As I
respected your life today, may the Lord also
respect my life and save me from all
trouble.” 1 SAMUEL 26:22-24 NCV
Saul blessed David.
"Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed,
my son David. You will do great things and
succeed.”
So David went on his way, and Saul went back
home."
1 SAMUEL 26:22-24 NCV New Century Version
CONCLUSION
"... with men this is impossible, but with God all
things are possible.”
MATTHEW 19:26 NKJV (New King James Version)