1 Samuel 24:1-22 The True Cost of Submission

Theological Proposition/Focus: Genuine honor for God is expressed through our treatment of others, including our adversaries, revealing our trust in His divine plan.

Christ Focus: This passage prefigures Christ's example of grace and submission. Just as David refrained from taking vengeance, Christ exemplified perfect submission to the Father, even unto death, honoring and redeeming His enemies through His sacrifice.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: Christians need to understand the importance of honoring others, even those who oppose us, as a reflection of our ultimate submission to God. This message encourages believers to respond to animosity with grace and respect, trusting in God's sovereignty.

Introduction: See Setting the Stage

Setting the Stage:

Last week we covered a lot of ground—chapters 21 through 23—moving quickly through a whirlwind of events. Saul, headstrong and increasingly unstable, has thrown off all restraint in his pursuit of David. His obsession leads him to commit one of the darkest acts of his reign: the slaughter of the priests of the Lord at Nob. Think about that—Saul is so bent on destroying David that he's willing to destroy the very people who represent God's presence in Israel. He has lost sight not only of justice, but of God Himself.

Chapter 23 ends on a suspenseful note. Saul is closing in on David. The two are about to meet when, at the last moment, a message arrives: the Philistines are raiding the land. Saul's obsession has made him negligent in his duties as king, and now that neglect demands his attention. He has no choice but to break off the chase and turn back to deal with the threat.

That's where we pick up the story in chapter 24. David is still on the run—living in caves, relying on God for every next step. Saul, however, isn't done. His desire to destroy David burns hotter than ever. And then, in a surprising twist of providence, Saul unknowingly walks right into David's hiding place. The hunter becomes the hunted.

But what happens next is not what we expect. The cave at En Gedi becomes more than just a hiding place—it becomes a divine classroom. In that dark, quiet space, God gives David a test. It's a test of character, of trust, of submission. And David, in that moment, teaches us something profound: that genuine honor for God shows up not just in how we worship, but in how we treat others—especially those who have wronged us.

This story invites us to wrestle with a hard but vital truth: honoring others, even our enemies, is part of honoring God. It reveals whether we truly trust Him to be our Defender and Judge, or whether we're trying to seize control for ourselves.

Body

Relentless — What Fuels Your Pursuit (1-7)?

David's restraint is a testament to his trust in God's timing. When David finds Saul in the cave, he chooses not to harm him despite having the perfect opportunity. This decision reflects his deep respect for Saul's position as God's anointed. Authentic submission is not passive but an active decision to honor God above personal desires.

Big Idea: You can tell a lot about someone by what they're relentless about. Saul is relentless in jealousy. David is relentless in righteousness.

Let's start by observing Saul's passion.

Saul is consumed by jealousy (1-2).

Verse 2 tells us that Saul took three thousand of Israel's elite soldiers in pursuit of David to the region known as the Crags of the Wild Goats. This rugged area, located along the western shore of the Dead Sea—about thirty-five miles southeast of Jerusalem—was remote and difficult to access.

At this point in Israel's history, three thousand troops likely represented a significant portion of the nation's standing army. Think about that: Saul is deploying a large military force, not to fight an invading army, but to hunt down one man. Why? Because Saul is consumed by jealousy.

His obsession has blinded him to reason, to justice, and even to the responsibilities of his kingship. His pride and insecurity have twisted his focus completely inward. Saul is no longer fighting for God's kingdom—he's fighting to protect his own.

And in stark contrast to Saul, we have David…

David is committed to virtue (3-7).

As Saul arrives at the region, he comes upon an area of sheep pens—an indication that this was a location suitable for stopping to rest or camp. Saul does what any traveler might do when arriving at a rest stop: he finds a private place to relieve himself. Unbeknownst to him, the very cave he chooses is the one where David and his men are hiding.

Saul has unknowingly placed himself in a position of extreme vulnerability. David's men immediately see this as a divine opportunity. They urge him to strike, even claiming that this is God's way of delivering Saul into his hands. But it's worth noting that there's no record in Scripture of God actually telling David this would happen. It's likely that David's men are interpreting circumstances through the lens of their own hopes and assumptions—reading more into the moment than what God had said.

David does act—but not in the way they expect. Rather than taking Saul's life, he quietly cuts a corner off Saul's robe. It's a symbolic gesture. While David spares Saul, the act of cutting the robe likely carries deeper meaning: a visual representation of the kingdom being cut away from Saul and passing to David. In a sense, David is sending a message—not just to Saul, but to his men—that God's purposes are still unfolding.

But almost immediately, David is struck with conviction. He tells his men that he cannot lift his hand against the Lord's anointed. It's a powerful moment of restraint and reverence. Ironically, we already know that David himself has been anointed king. Yet despite that, David refuses to grasp the throne by force. He is a man of character, unwilling to take matters into his own hands or get ahead of God's timing.

David is willing to wait—willing to let God act. He slows down, not out of weakness, but out of deep honor for God. And this pause, this moment of restraint, is a profound act of trust.

Let's pause and consider this ourselves. If I'm honest, had I been in David's shoes, I probably would have assumed this was my moment. I would have justified taking action—maybe even convinced myself that I was fulfilling God's will. But in doing so, I might have unleashed a civil war and violated the very heart of God's purposes.

David chooses the harder path—the path of waiting, the path of virtue, the path of trust. His actions echo the truth found in Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay."

What about us? Are we relentless in our pursuit of honoring God?

It seems to be a rule of life: every one of us is relentlessly pursuing something. For some, it's sports or games. For others, it's work, money, food, entertainment—even naps. Everyone has something that captures their time, energy, and affection. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: "Is our relentless pursuit aimed at God?"

God has never been passive toward us. He has relentlessly pursued us—so much so that He sent His Son to the cross to die for our sins. We sing about this kind of love. Think about the chorus of "Reckless Love":

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99 And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

It's a beautiful description of God's relentless pursuit of us. But if we walk away from that only feeling warm and affirmed—without being moved to pursue Him in return—then we've missed the point.

The relentless love of God should stir up in us a relentless desire to honor Him. David shows us what that looks like. He was committed to virtue, even under pressure. He was more interested in honoring God than seizing opportunity. What about you?

MTR: Take inventory this week—what are you chasing with your time, thoughts, and energy?

Where are you spending your time? What's capturing your attention? Where is your energy going? That last one is hard. Many of us pour so much of ourselves into other things that by the time we sit down to pray or open our Bibles, we're already spent.

David reminds us: a life that honors God isn't accidental—it's intentional. Let's be relentless in our pursuit of Him.

Heart — Submission Starts in the Soul (8-15).

David's heart is revealed as he steps out of the cave, humbly bows, and pleads with Saul. David's plea highlights his sincerity and commitment to peace. Likewise, we should approach adversaries with honesty and humility, presenting a clear conscience as evidence of honoring God.

David addresses Saul with honor, calling him "my lord the king (8-11)."

There are two important elements in these verses that we need to pay close attention to: David's posture and David's words.

First, consider David's posture. The text tells us that he "bowed down and prostrated himself" before Saul. This is no small act—it's a public display of both reverence and vulnerability. Remember, David is standing in front of three thousand of Saul's soldiers. He has revealed his location, stepped out of hiding, and physically lowered himself in a posture of submission before the very man trying to kill him. That's a powerful image of humility.

Second, notice David's words. He addresses Saul as "my lord the king." The word for "lord" here is the Hebrew word "adon" (אדון), meaning "master." David is the anointed future king of Israel, yet that doesn't stop him from acknowledging Saul's current authority. He honors the position Saul holds, even when Saul himself is acting dishonorably.

But these aren't empty words designed to flatter Saul. David backs them up with action. He has spared Saul's life when he easily could have ended it. He submits himself to Saul's authority despite everything Saul has done. David is demonstrating a heart of true submission—not to Saul's character, but to God's appointment. Even though Saul is making wicked and destructive choices, David refuses to dishonor the office God has given him.

So what about us? What do we do when we're called to honor a position, but the person in that position is far from honorable?

David shows us the answer: "Turn it over to God." Don't take justice into your own hands. Trust God's sovereignty enough to honor Him, even when it's difficult. And that's exactly what David does next.

David appeals to God's judgment, not his own (11-13).

In these verses, David makes a powerful appeal—not to his own authority, but to God's. Notice how careful David is in his speech. He doesn't directly accuse Saul of wrongdoing. Instead, he refers vaguely to "some men" who have claimed that David seeks to harm the king. Of course, we know the truth: Saul has been relentlessly and unjustly pursuing David. There is no doubt who is in the wrong. But David refuses to escalate the conflict by attacking Saul personally. Instead, he argues for his own innocence and entrusts judgment to the Lord.

This is deeply significant. To appeal to God's judgment is both bold and wise. It's bold because God knows the truth—every motive, every word, every action. If David were in the wrong, God would see it clearly. But it's wise because David recognizes that only God can truly judge rightly. He's not just trying to protect himself—he's pleading with Saul to consider the seriousness of what he's doing. David is saying, in effect: "I'm not your judge—but God is, and He sees all."

David assures Saul that he will not raise a hand against him. But implicit in that assurance is a solemn warning: God is the Judge, and those who do evil will not escape His justice. David is calling Saul to repentance. He's saying, "If you continue down this path of unrighteousness, you are bringing the judgment of Almighty God upon yourself."

This is not just self-defense—it's a gracious, God-centered appeal. David refuses to take matters into his own hands. He doesn't just show restraint; he shows spiritual wisdom by placing the outcome in God's hands and urging Saul to do the same.

You are likely at some point in your life to face genuine conflict with someone who is just plain wrong. In those moments, determine to trust God to be the judge.

David refers to himself as a flea, not a threat.

Finally, notice David's words in verse 14. He humbles himself before Saul, describing himself as no more than a "dead dog" or a "flea"—not a threat, not a rival, but someone insignificant. This is not self-pity; it's intentional humility. David is appealing to Saul not with defensiveness or hostility, but with grace.

But there's also insight here. David is not only being humble—he's pointing out Saul's lack of perspective. In the grand scheme of the nation of Israel, Saul is focusing on the wrong things. The Philistines are a real and present danger, yet Saul is pouring time, energy, and resources into chasing David through the wilderness. His obsession is not just personal—it's reckless leadership. By treating David as the enemy, Saul is ignoring his true responsibilities as king.

The point is simple but convicting: Saul has allowed personal jealousy to cloud his vision. He's acting like a petty individual rather than a national leader.

MTR: Speak to others this week with deliberate respect, especially those you disagree with. Honor God by choosing humility in your tone.

That might mean using a formal title or an honorific to show respect even when it's hard. It might mean resisting the urge to accuse or argue, and instead choosing to entrust the situation to God. Like David, we can reflect God's character by showing humility, even when we feel justified in doing otherwise.

_Honor_ — When You Honor God, He Honors You (16-22).

The outcome of David's honorable actions is a surprising and emotional response from Saul. For a moment, the chase stops, the sword is sheathed, and reconciliation breaks through. Saul recognizes David's righteousness and speaks words no one expected to hear. David's decision to honor God—even in the face of injustice—becomes the foundation for peace, even if only temporary.

We need to see this clearly: Honor opens the door for reconciliation. When we choose to walk in righteousness, even toward those who oppose us, we reflect the heart of the Gospel—the same grace that reconciles sinners to a holy God through Christ.

Saul confesses David's righteousness (16-18).

After David finishes speaking, Saul is stunned. He can only ask one thing: "Is that your voice, David my son?" It's a haunting, awkward question—full of emotion, regret, and perhaps even shame. Then Saul confesses what everyone can see: David has acted righteously, and Saul has not. He admits that David had the opportunity to kill him, and yet spared his life.

David's choice to honor God by refusing to dishonor Saul results in something remarkable: his enemy calls him righteous. That's not small. David didn't have to declare himself right—his actions spoke for him, and even Saul had to acknowledge it.

Saul admits God's plan for David (19-20).

But Saul goes even further. He acknowledges publicly that David will be king.

Let that sink in. David has already been anointed. He already has God's backing. But now, the current king himself speaks the truth aloud: "You will surely be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands."

Imagine if David had taken matters into his own hands and killed Saul just minutes earlier. That act, even if politically expedient, might have split the nation. Many would have accused David of seizing power rather than receiving it from God. Instead, because of David's restraint, the throne is handed to him in words—by the very one trying to keep it from him.

This is what honor does: it allows God to work, and it opens the eyes of others to God's hand on your life.

Saul pleads for his family's future (21-22).

Then Saul makes a final request. He asks David to spare his family—a request rooted in humility and trust. In that culture, a new king would often wipe out the old king's descendants to secure the throne. Saul, however, honors David by asking him to break that pattern. He knows David is a man of integrity, and he dares to hope David will act differently.

This moment is full of meaning. First, Saul shows honor to David by acknowledging his future power. Second, Saul honors David by trusting his character enough to ask for mercy.

And David agrees. He swears an oath, sealing his commitment to Saul's request. David's honor makes space for God to work—even in the heart of his enemy.

Image: The cross—The ultimate example of honor

This entire story points us forward to the cross. The moment when Christ, though innocent, bore our guilt. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24:

"But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

At the cross, Christ honored the Father through perfect obedience and humility. And through that act of selflessness, God highly exalted Him (Philippians 2:9): "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." Honor doesn't come through asserting power—but through surrendering it to God.

When I ask you to honor God, I'm asking you to walk in the footsteps of your Savior.

MTR: Choose one practical act of honor this week—whether it's a word, an apology, or a quiet act of integrity—and offer it as worship.

It might be addressing someone with respect, even when you disagree. It might be refusing to retaliate. It might be trusting God to handle a situation you'd rather control. Whatever it is, do it not to be noticed, but to honor the One who sees everything.

Conclusion:

David chose the harder path: the cave of restraint over the sword of revenge. In doing so, he honored God, displayed the heart of a servant, and paved the way for peace.

Challenge: This week, be relentless in righteousness, speak from a reverent heart, and let your honor reflect heaven's values.