David Pursued God & Didn’t Fight Back

In 1 Samuel 24, we find David at a pivotal moment in his life. He’s been on the run from Saul and living from cave to cave, and is given the opportunity to kill Saul. Despite being a warrior for most of his life, David chooses not to fight this battle. This moment is ultimately what shows us the most about David’s life and his future kingship. In the same way, although we all fight battles in our daily lives, there are certain battles we are never meant to fight, but instead allow God to fight on our behalf. 

Questions for Meditation

1. In this chapter, Saul is still on Israel’s throne, but both he and David know he won’t be for long. How does David treat Saul in this passage? What shapes David’s view of how he should treat Saul? How does Saul treat David? Why do you think these men treat each other the way they do? 
2. God never stopped being Israel’s ultimate ruler. Saul knows he cannot hold onto his throne if the Lord is determined to take it from him. Where in your life is the Lord making a change, and how are you responding? Why?
3. Though David is the one hiding in the cave, his encounter with Saul shows that both of them regard David as the one in the greater position of power. What does this passage teach us about how we should wield the power we’re given? How might we better understand Jesus as our King?
4. David has always been a warrior. Why is it then so remarkable and important that he chooses not to fight? What does this reveal about his nature, and what God can do for our nature? 
5. What other voices or people were David tempted to trust in and listen to other than the Lord? Why was his increase in trust of the Lord significant? 
6. In what ways do we not trust the Lord to fight our battles, and how can that trust be increased? 
7. How is David’s humility seen in this passage? And how does it lead Saul to respond? 
8. How can we grow in our humility, and what is its effect on the rest of our spiritual lives?