The Short-Cut Temptation

As soon as Saul has dealt with the Philistine invasion, he is back on David’s trail. Intelligence reports show David at En Gedi, so Saul marches that way with three thousand choice men from all over Israel. In seeking to evade this new pursuit, David and his men hide in a cave (or series of caves) used by nomadic shepherds, probably to shelter their flocks from the noontime sun. In the providence of God, Saul’s force comes to the same location, where Saul orders a halt and enters the very same cave in which David and his men are hiding. Our text tells us he comes into the cave to “attend to his needs” (lit. “to cover his feet”). Commentators are divided over just what this expression means: Some believe Saul plans to use the cave as a restroom; others think he is looking for a room in which to rest. In any case, Saul’s “needs” bring him much closer to his quarry than he suspects.

David’s men see this as a God-ordained golden opportunity to end Saul’s persecution. To motivate their leader, they quote a divine promise of victory over his enemies. This promise is not recorded in Scripture: Perhaps it was spoken by Gad or even by Samuel, or perhaps it is just the men’s interpretation of God’s assurances to David. In any case, they are certain that the circumstances reveal God’s will—David is to kill Saul and take the throne now. But David is troubled by another thought: Saul is God’s anointed, divinely chosen to be Israel’s first king. Just as Saul has set himself against God by opposing the anointed second king (David), so David would be warring against God if he were to attack Saul. Thus, David understands that this is not an opportunity but a test. Will he press on faithfully to the end of God’s road to the throne, or will he try to take a short cut? Thankfully, David has learned that judgment and vengeance must be left to God.

David does concede to cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, but even this simple act troubles his conscience, for it represents a claim to the throne that David has no right to stake. He understands that the throne will be God’s gift to him at God’s own time. In the end, David refuses to strike Saul or to let his men do so. The Hebrew text suggests that he is forced to be quite stern with his men to hold back their murderous intent. But he succeeds, and Saul eventually leaves the cave, oblivious to his danger.