DAVID IN SAUL'S CAMP

MISSION POSSIBLE

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)