Warnings for Saul

David leaves Saul’s camp, crosses a valley or ravine, and mounts a hill. He then calls out to Saul’s men, and specifically to Abner, Saul’s military commander. Startled by David’s shouts, Saul and all his men wake from their divinely induced sleep, and Abner demands to know who is hailing the king. David chooses not to answer that question, but instead begins to taunt Abner. He notes that, as Saul’s right-hand man, Abner is sworn to fight the king’s battles and protect him. But he has been negligent—he has allowed enemy intruders to penetrate the camp all the way to the king’s side. As proof, he challenges Abner to look for the king’s spear and water jug. The king’s life was placed in jeopardy, David says, and for that Abner deserves to die. The point is obvious—David, the king’s putative enemy, did a better job of protecting Saul’s life than his own right-hand man. As Matthew Henry writes, it is as if David is saying: “Now see who are the king’s best friends, you that neglected him and left him exposed or I that protected him when he was exposed. You pursue me as worthy to die, and irritate Saul against me; but who is worthy to the now?”

As David intends, Saul overhears this exchange and calls out to ask whether it is David’s voice he hears. David confirms that it is, then asks why Saul is back on his trail, insisting that he has done no wrong. He then proposes two possible reasons for Saul’s pursuit. First, he acknowledges that God may be motivating Saul to hunt him, perhaps to chastise David for some sin, or perhaps as part of His judgment on Saul. If that is the case, David says, he and Saul should make an offering to God to seek peace with Him. Second, David theorizes that evil men may be egging Saul on. If they are, David says, they ought to be cursed because they have driven him out of the inheritance of God, the Promised Land, and have said, in effect, that he should go serve other gods. In this way, they have put David’s soul in danger. There is another possible reason for Saul’s pursuit—Saul’s own animosity—but David very charitably does not mention that possibility.

Finally, David warns that Saul should not shed his innocent blood, for God will see it and avenge it. Besides, there is no need, for David is no danger to Saul—he is as insignificant to him as a flea, as gentle and non-threatening as a partridge.