1 Samuel 24:1-7
“Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, ‘Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.’” (1) Saul’s pursuit of the Philistines was for survival, but he did not protect the people of Keilah in the previous chapter. Saul’s aggression toward David reflected a deep seated insecurity of losing his place as king. He took 3,000 choice men to pursue David. David was not a threat to Saul, but a blessing. Insecurity (illegitimate fear) blinds us to truth and reality. Fear skews our perceptions leading us to decisions and behaviors contrary to reality, God’s ways, and God’s will. While pursuing David, Saul went to relieve himself in a cave where David and his men were hiding. David’s men saw this as God giving his enemy into his hand. David secretly cut of the edge of Saul’s robe, but this action bothered his conscience (4-5). Here we see a sharp contrast between Saul and David. Saul’s conscience seems seared, but David is troubled for cutting off the edge of Saul’s robe. David was operating in faith being filled with the Spirit and directed by the prophetic. In seeking a life of faith and obedience to God, it is essential we maintain a clear conscience before God.
