Day 1213: A clear conscience - 1 Samuel 24 vs 3 - 15

3-5 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe.6-7 And afterwards David's heart struck him because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. He said to his men, “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.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

8 Afterwards David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.9-10 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.

12-13 May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14-15 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.” 1 Samuel 24:3-15 English Standard Version.

There are caves at Engedi that could easily accommodate hundreds of people and local residents have used them as homes and as burial sites. David and his band of men were hiding in the deepest part of the cave when Saul entered. His men saw this as a providential opportunity for him to put an end to the life of the man who hated him. Was David tempted to do as they urged him too? We aren't told, but we do see that he cut off the corner of Saul's robe instead, and spared his life. What was the reason for that? (vs 6-7)

It wasn't just a casual change of mind - David's 'heart struck him'. His conscience was alive to God. How important that is for all who profess faith in Christ today. The apostle Paul urged Timothy to 'hold fast' to faith, and a good conscience. He said that some, by rejecting these, had shipwrecked their faith.

Afterwards, with a clear conscience, David was able to challenge Saul for his actions in wanting to kill him (vs 8-11) In the next part of 1 Samuel we will see the effect that David's speech had on Saul.

But not only did David speak with a clear conscience, he also spoke with honest humility. (vs 8) Paul would later write to believers in Rome: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement.” (Romans 13:1-2)

David quoted an ancient proverb as he concluded his speech which said “out of the wicked comes wickedness”. Benson's commentary says “men may be known by their actions; wicked men will do wicked actions.” Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) So David was able to commit his case to the Lord and says: “May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.” They were words that came from a heart that was struck, and a conscience that was clear.