WEBVTT - Tony Evans - Oct 15 - 7:30 pm 0:00:00.050 --> 0:00:03.030 Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited for you 0:00:03.070 --> 0:00:06.069 to join me on Heroes in the Bible. Please be 0:00:06.110 --> 0:00:09.450 sure to follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify so 0:00:09.510 --> 0:00:12.070 you get the newest episodes right as they come out. 0:00:12.990 --> 0:00:21.360 Welcome to The Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal, 0:00:21.600 --> 0:00:24.639 and murder. While most people know of David the myth, 0:00:24.760 --> 0:00:28.580 few know about David the man. In this episode, David 0:00:28.660 --> 0:00:31.420 is given another chance to seize the throne and end 0:00:31.480 --> 0:00:36.110 his misery. Opportunities to end his suffering constantly present themselves, 0:00:36.850 --> 0:00:41.870 yet David has always refused to take them. Our hero 0:00:41.909 --> 0:00:46.850 can be frustratingly noble, sometimes defying basic logic to stick 0:00:46.890 --> 0:00:50.230 to his principles. How many times will he keep saying 0:00:50.310 --> 0:00:54.130 no to his convictions? When will he finally decide enough 0:00:54.330 --> 0:00:57.760 is enough? Everyone has their limit, and this could be David's. 0:00:58.460 --> 0:01:01.300 Saul is going to mount another attack, and David will 0:01:01.360 --> 0:01:05.280 once again stand over his sleeping body, poised to strike. 0:01:06.330 --> 0:01:10.670 This episode features a more callous David. The constant disrespect 0:01:10.709 --> 0:01:13.209 from Saul is starting to get to him, and you 0:01:13.250 --> 0:01:16.670 get the sense that his patience is wearing thin. Look 0:01:16.690 --> 0:01:20.960 for signs of volatility from David and question whether he 0:01:21.000 --> 0:01:24.280 can last much longer in the wilderness. The events of 0:01:24.319 --> 0:01:27.340 this episode lead him to a much darker period of 0:01:27.400 --> 0:01:30.620 his life, and we cannot help but feel sorry for 0:01:30.680 --> 0:01:34.240 the giant slayer at the end. So far, his noble 0:01:34.380 --> 0:01:37.520 acts have gotten him nowhere. It's time for him to 0:01:37.580 --> 0:01:40.690 indulge a little and take command. Before we find out 0:01:40.730 --> 0:01:44.369 the answer, we will begin with a prelude. This prelude 0:01:44.430 --> 0:01:48.990 features Jonah, an angry and bitter prophet. Many cute Bible 0:01:49.030 --> 0:01:52.070 stories have been told about him, but he is no hero. 0:01:52.690 --> 0:01:55.550 He has a calloused heart and would rather have judgment 0:01:55.590 --> 0:01:59.510 than mercy. God reveals his heart in an interesting way 0:01:59.530 --> 0:02:02.720 to Jonah. We would be wise to take his message 0:02:02.750 --> 0:02:07.240 to heart. Let's get into it. Here's chapter 14, the 0:02:07.300 --> 0:02:08.100 king's spear. 0:02:14.280 --> 0:02:19.900 Prelude to chapter 14. Jonah anxiously awaited the demise of 0:02:19.940 --> 0:02:24.049 the city. He sat in great anticipation, waiting for fire 0:02:24.110 --> 0:02:26.750 to fall from the heavens or a burst of lightning 0:02:26.790 --> 0:02:30.230 and rain to descend from the skies. Yet there was silence. 0:02:31.030 --> 0:02:33.790 No divine judgment was cast down on the city of Nineveh. 0:02:34.600 --> 0:02:37.220 The wicked people did not receive the wrath that Jonah 0:02:37.240 --> 0:02:41.000 had hoped, and he hated God for it. Jonah picked 0:02:41.060 --> 0:02:43.720 up a stone and threw it towards the city. He 0:02:43.780 --> 0:02:46.640 yelled and cried out to God, waving his fist high 0:02:46.680 --> 0:02:47.200 in the air. 0:02:47.560 --> 0:02:52.010 They deserve to die, he yelled. They are bad people. 0:02:52.830 --> 0:02:55.090 I fled from you because I knew you would show 0:02:55.150 --> 0:02:58.410 them mercy and spare them if I came here, and 0:02:58.590 --> 0:02:59.350 you did. 0:02:59.970 --> 0:03:02.910 Is it right for you to have this anger, Jonah? 0:03:03.250 --> 0:03:07.070 God asked with a gentle tone. Jonah was angry. He 0:03:07.150 --> 0:03:10.950 paced back and forth, raging against God. He placed himself 0:03:11.030 --> 0:03:14.609 underneath the shade of a tree. Its long branches provided 0:03:14.669 --> 0:03:18.010 a pleasant shade from the harsh sun. Jonah settled in 0:03:18.070 --> 0:03:21.800 underneath it and crossed his arms. His blood was boiling 0:03:21.820 --> 0:03:25.359 with anger. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. 0:03:26.340 --> 0:03:29.140 The tree enveloped him in shade, shielding him from the 0:03:29.200 --> 0:03:33.459 scorching sun about. In that moment, he loved that tree 0:03:33.580 --> 0:03:36.860 more than anything else on earth. He let his mind wander, 0:03:37.380 --> 0:03:41.100 dreaming over simpler times. As Jonah rested in its arms, 0:03:41.660 --> 0:03:45.500 he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. That night, 0:03:46.030 --> 0:03:48.530 the Lord sent a worm to gnaw at the tree's roots, 0:03:49.010 --> 0:03:53.160 taking away its life. It infected the tree and caused 0:03:53.190 --> 0:03:56.820 its leaves to wither and fall. The tree shriveled in 0:03:56.880 --> 0:04:00.160 its place, and the lush and vibrant sanctuary for Jonah 0:04:00.460 --> 0:04:04.200 was reduced to rotting bark and fruit. Jonah awoke to 0:04:04.240 --> 0:04:08.210 see his beloved tree dead. Even more anger fell upon him. 0:04:08.870 --> 0:04:11.190 Hot air blew in from the east, and his skin 0:04:11.250 --> 0:04:14.670 began to crack and blister. Jonah threw himself onto the 0:04:14.710 --> 0:04:16.170 floor and banged at the ground. 0:04:16.770 --> 0:04:21.410 Why, God? First you spare my enemy's Now you take 0:04:21.470 --> 0:04:25.219 away my only comfort? Why do you torture me so? 0:04:25.640 --> 0:04:27.260 Jonah wept and whispered. 0:04:27.980 --> 0:04:31.180 It would be better for me to just die. 0:04:32.460 --> 0:04:35.640 Are you justified in your anger about the plant? 0:04:36.320 --> 0:04:37.270 God asked Jonah. 0:04:37.990 --> 0:04:41.589 You pity this plant for which you did not plant. 0:04:42.850 --> 0:04:46.670 You did not help it grow. You did not water 0:04:46.690 --> 0:04:51.930 it or care for it. Yet you loved it and 0:04:51.990 --> 0:04:57.300 wanted it to live. Should I not care more for Nineveh? 0:04:58.880 --> 0:05:00.320 It is not a plant but a city with more 0:05:00.339 --> 0:05:01.700 than 120,000 people who do not know what is. 0:05:01.680 --> 0:05:01.980 Right or wrong. 0:05:02.000 --> 0:05:17.920 Shouldn't I care more for them In God's questions to Jonah, 0:05:18.450 --> 0:05:22.520 an important and ancient truth was revealed. God is a 0:05:22.560 --> 0:05:27.680 God of second chances. He desires for life, repentance, and 0:05:27.779 --> 0:05:32.479 true transformation. While Jonah desired quick and swift justice for 0:05:32.500 --> 0:05:36.400 his enemies, the true hero of God desires for restoration. 0:05:37.760 --> 0:05:40.470 He will patiently wait for those who are far to 0:05:40.510 --> 0:05:43.440 come back to the Lord. no matter how painful the 0:05:43.480 --> 0:05:51.700 journey may be. Chapter 14 The King's Spear The royal 0:05:51.760 --> 0:05:55.750 city of Gibeah rested under the blackened skies. The twinkling 0:05:55.810 --> 0:05:59.710 stars were covered by dark clouds. The light was hidden 0:05:59.750 --> 0:06:02.670 from King Saul. Even as he sat by the fire, 0:06:03.210 --> 0:06:05.950 there was no warmth for his cold and darkened soul. 0:06:06.670 --> 0:06:09.849 He stared at the flames flickering before his eyes, reeling 0:06:09.970 --> 0:06:13.640 over his last encounter with David. The young shepherd he 0:06:13.680 --> 0:06:16.080 had sought for so many months had the upper hand, 0:06:16.700 --> 0:06:20.100 yet chose to show him mercy. He did not love 0:06:20.140 --> 0:06:23.580 him for it. Rather, Saul hated David even more for 0:06:23.640 --> 0:06:27.230 his compassion. David held the heart of a true king, 0:06:27.790 --> 0:06:31.130 and with every act of mercy, Saul despised him all 0:06:31.170 --> 0:06:35.710 the more. Saul's paranoid and anxious thoughts were interrupted by 0:06:35.750 --> 0:06:40.000 a knock on his chamber doors. The king said, gripping 0:06:40.020 --> 0:06:43.540 the shaft of his spear. The door opened A man 0:06:43.580 --> 0:06:45.659 from Ziph was brought in by one of his guards. 0:06:46.520 --> 0:06:49.099 The king gestured to the seat across from him. Sit, 0:06:49.520 --> 0:06:50.240 he said shortly. 0:06:50.580 --> 0:06:52.860 Tell me what you have discovered. 0:06:53.360 --> 0:06:56.300 I was promised payment, the man said with a sly grin. 0:06:56.779 --> 0:06:59.080 If you want what I know, I expect a payment 0:06:59.100 --> 0:06:59.719 that was promised. 0:07:00.360 --> 0:07:02.760 The king rolled his neck back and gritted his teeth. 0:07:03.550 --> 0:07:05.900 He stood to his feet and grabbed a dagger from 0:07:05.940 --> 0:07:10.410 the table. Without warning, the king slammed the dagger downward 0:07:10.630 --> 0:07:13.930 out of the Ziphite's hand. The boy cried out in agony, 0:07:14.070 --> 0:07:16.050 screaming for the king to release his hand. 0:07:16.530 --> 0:07:17.890 Please, please stop! 0:07:18.270 --> 0:07:21.490 The king drove the knife down even deeper, leaning over 0:07:21.590 --> 0:07:23.210 and snarling in the boy's face. 0:07:23.730 --> 0:07:28.090 Tell me what you know. Your payment shall be my mercy. 0:07:28.390 --> 0:07:29.210 Saul growled. 0:07:29.470 --> 0:07:31.150 Tell me where David is hiding. 0:07:31.890 --> 0:07:34.230 The Ziphite man winced in pain and screamed. 0:07:34.570 --> 0:07:36.110 He is hiding on the hill of Achila. 0:07:36.570 --> 0:07:40.100 The boy could barely breathe, yet Saul leaned down even 0:07:40.240 --> 0:07:40.960 more on the blade. 0:07:42.120 --> 0:07:43.190 It is east of Jeshimon. 0:07:43.960 --> 0:07:46.940 You will find him there in the wilderness. He, his men, 0:07:47.260 --> 0:07:49.200 and their families are hiding out and fortified. 0:07:49.600 --> 0:07:51.880 You will need at least a thousand men to fight them. 0:07:52.300 --> 0:07:55.840 Saul released the blade from the man's hand. The boy 0:07:55.900 --> 0:07:57.980 keeled over, holding his hand in crime. 0:07:58.500 --> 0:07:59.040 Leave me. 0:08:00.480 --> 0:08:03.900 I will have my guard give you your payment. 0:08:04.560 --> 0:08:08.540 Saul said quietly and without remorse. His calloused heart had 0:08:08.600 --> 0:08:12.570 already fallen too low to repent. Saul had surrendered himself 0:08:12.630 --> 0:08:16.170 to cruelty. To him, there was no amount of violence 0:08:16.230 --> 0:08:19.690 he would not commit in pursuit of David. He wiped 0:08:19.750 --> 0:08:23.670 off his blade and called in his captain Abner. The 0:08:23.730 --> 0:08:26.570 captain stood at attention, pretending not to hear the cries 0:08:26.610 --> 0:08:27.870 of pain exiting the halls. 0:08:28.810 --> 0:08:33.910 Abner, ready 3,000 chosen men, King Saul commanded. I will 0:08:33.950 --> 0:08:37.890 take no more chances in pursuit of David. We will 0:08:37.929 --> 0:08:40.350 wipe him and his band of rebels out. 0:08:41.620 --> 0:08:45.840 Abner nodded, and left immediately to assemble the army. Saul 0:08:45.880 --> 0:08:49.280 walked outside onto his balcony and looked out. The rain 0:08:49.350 --> 0:08:52.130 clouds were blowing in from the east, and the cold 0:08:52.210 --> 0:08:55.210 wind bit at his face. Yet the king could feel 0:08:55.290 --> 0:09:00.290 nothing but the burning hatred deep within his belly. The 0:09:00.330 --> 0:09:03.330 vast armies of Saul encamped beside the hill of Hachila, 0:09:03.650 --> 0:09:07.080 east of the road leading to Jeshimon. The sun was 0:09:07.140 --> 0:09:09.880 beginning to make its descent. and the king was anxiously 0:09:09.929 --> 0:09:12.280 preparing his men for battle on the other side of 0:09:12.300 --> 0:09:15.679 the mountain. He knew that David was trapped there on 0:09:15.720 --> 0:09:18.140 the other side, and it was only a matter of 0:09:18.200 --> 0:09:20.520 time before he had his head sitting on the tip 0:09:20.559 --> 0:09:24.980 of his spear. The king methodically sharpened his spear, imagining 0:09:25.040 --> 0:09:27.380 what it would finally be like to pin the giant 0:09:27.400 --> 0:09:30.960 slayer to the ground. He gave a debased and evil 0:09:31.020 --> 0:09:34.770 smile as he checked the sharpness of the spear. Then 0:09:34.809 --> 0:09:38.150 he rested it on the ground beside his bed. Soon enough, 0:09:38.580 --> 0:09:42.179 he would have David. Soon enough, his weary mind could 0:09:42.280 --> 0:09:45.420 finally rest, and the whole world would know that he 0:09:45.480 --> 0:09:49.610 was the true king of Israel. Hiding in the shadows 0:09:49.650 --> 0:09:51.890 of the stones at the base of the mountain was 0:09:52.030 --> 0:09:56.469 Abishai and Ahimelech, two of David's most trusted companions. They 0:09:56.530 --> 0:09:59.410 peered over the stones, counting the number of men Saul 0:09:59.429 --> 0:09:51.329 had brought up in Over three thousand! They outnumber us 0:09:51.730 --> 0:09:53.309 five to one. They only hope we have a striking 0:09:53.710 --> 0:09:55.380 them before they have a chance to march. Even their 0:09:55.429 --> 0:09:57.559 night watch is larger in number than our men. We 0:09:57.860 --> 0:09:59.660 would need a miracle for them to be caught off guard. 0:10:19.200 --> 0:10:21.319 Ahimelech shrugged and gestured up the mountain. 0:10:22.260 --> 0:10:25.360 We serve God's anointed, he said with a chuckle. If 0:10:25.520 --> 0:10:27.800 anyone will see be saved by a miracle, is it 0:10:27.870 --> 0:10:28.470 not David? 0:10:28.929 --> 0:10:31.910 Abishai could not argue with him. The favor of God 0:10:31.950 --> 0:10:35.230 seemed to follow David wherever he went. He and the 0:10:35.309 --> 0:10:38.210 others followed their commander with a type of chaotic optimism. 0:10:38.870 --> 0:10:41.250 No matter what kind of trouble they found themselves in, 0:10:41.670 --> 0:10:45.390 grace and mercy seemed to follow them. God was continually 0:10:45.460 --> 0:10:49.329 before them, protecting them and saving them. The two men 0:10:49.390 --> 0:10:51.770 escaped back into the mountains, where David was with the 0:10:51.840 --> 0:10:55.760 rest of the men. They had built an encampment, fortified 0:10:55.800 --> 0:10:59.500 with wooden spears cut down from tree branches. Their families 0:10:59.580 --> 0:11:02.240 resided in the caves only a few hundred yards away. 0:11:03.720 --> 0:11:07.270 Abishai Anahimelech made it to David. He was training with 0:11:07.309 --> 0:11:09.150 a few of the men on the flat area at 0:11:09.170 --> 0:11:11.890 the base of the other side of the mountain. David 0:11:11.929 --> 0:11:15.450 faced four men. They advanced with their swords, seeking to 0:11:15.490 --> 0:11:18.410 disarm him. But David was too quick with his blade. 0:11:19.000 --> 0:11:21.770 He parried their advances and was able to disarm two 0:11:21.910 --> 0:11:24.110 and knock the other two down with swift kicks to 0:11:24.130 --> 0:11:27.390 the knees and stomach. David was not easy on his men. 0:11:27.870 --> 0:11:31.030 He trained them constantly, ensuring that when the time came 0:11:31.080 --> 0:11:34.460 for them to defend themselves, they were ready. He trained 0:11:34.480 --> 0:11:39.260 them in combat, military tactics, and group formations. He engendered 0:11:39.300 --> 0:11:42.179 a great deal of loyalty in his men. They followed 0:11:42.220 --> 0:11:45.469 him anywhere without question, because they knew he was a 0:11:45.530 --> 0:11:49.480 leader that would lay down his life for them. Abishai 0:11:49.530 --> 0:11:52.980 and Ahimelech interrupted David's training with the news of Saul's arrival. 0:11:53.360 --> 0:11:55.819 David, the king is on the other side of this 0:11:55.920 --> 0:11:58.080 mountain with over three thousand. 0:11:57.720 --> 0:11:59.059 Men, Ahimelech said. 0:11:59.520 --> 0:12:01.740 By the looks of it, they plan to march at 0:12:01.780 --> 0:12:02.920 tomorrow's first light. 0:12:03.840 --> 0:12:06.600 David strapped his sword onto his back and tightened his armor. 0:12:07.220 --> 0:12:09.380 He looked back at Benaiah, who was training with him. 0:12:10.000 --> 0:12:13.400 Benaiah, get the men ready for battle. Make sure they 0:12:13.440 --> 0:12:16.969 are poised to defend themselves. I will be back at 0:12:17.070 --> 0:12:18.130 first light tomorrow. 0:12:18.679 --> 0:12:23.000 Benaiah nodded and began assembling the men. David moved past 0:12:23.110 --> 0:12:25.770 Abishai and Ahimelech and began hiking up the base of 0:12:25.809 --> 0:12:27.690 the mountain. The two of them followed. 0:12:28.550 --> 0:12:29.870 David, where are you going? 0:12:30.390 --> 0:12:33.770 Abishai asked. David looked back and gestured to the top 0:12:33.830 --> 0:12:34.350 of the mountain. 0:12:35.070 --> 0:12:38.010 Saul looked me in the eye and told me he 0:12:38.050 --> 0:12:42.800 would no longer pursue me. Clearly he has broken his word. 0:12:44.340 --> 0:12:47.910 I will go and remind him of his disgrace. Do 0:12:48.030 --> 0:12:49.690 either of you wish to go with me? 0:12:50.350 --> 0:12:52.850 Abishai held the hilt of his sword tightly and nodded 0:12:52.929 --> 0:12:53.350 at David. 0:12:54.309 --> 0:12:55.270 I will go with you, David. 0:12:56.350 --> 0:12:57.630 Very well, David said. 0:12:58.230 --> 0:12:58.689 Follow me. 0:12:59.330 --> 0:13:01.949 So the two of them scaled the mountain. The sun's 0:13:01.990 --> 0:13:04.990 rays were beginning to retreat behind the western hills, and 0:13:05.010 --> 0:13:07.600 the light of day was replaced by the flickering torchlight 0:13:07.620 --> 0:13:11.459 of Saul's camp. David and Abishai climbed down the mountain 0:13:11.520 --> 0:13:15.100 and hid themselves out of view. Together, they watched the 0:13:15.140 --> 0:13:18.260 patterns of the night watch. Hundreds of men posted up 0:13:18.320 --> 0:13:21.840 around the perimeter of camp. They were upright and at attention, 0:13:22.120 --> 0:13:25.770 without any sign of wavering. Abishai looked over at David. 0:13:26.470 --> 0:13:29.710 He was sitting completely still, scanning every inch of the 0:13:29.750 --> 0:13:33.270 camp before it fell under the shroud of night. David 0:13:33.330 --> 0:13:37.500 remained there silently, occasionally mumbling to himself and stroking his beard. 0:13:38.340 --> 0:13:38.939 What are you doing? 0:13:39.340 --> 0:13:40.080 Abishai asked. 0:13:40.559 --> 0:13:40.979 Praying. 0:13:41.340 --> 0:13:41.939 David said. 0:13:42.500 --> 0:13:45.920 The Lord will go before us and present an opportunity 0:13:45.980 --> 0:13:48.830 to enter the camp. We need only to wait. 0:13:49.210 --> 0:13:52.980 So wait they did. Abishai and David held their position 0:13:53.100 --> 0:13:57.380 overlooking the enemy camp. The cloud-covered skies slowly began to break, 0:13:57.800 --> 0:14:00.580 and the gray haze over the expanse of the heavens cleared. 0:14:01.640 --> 0:14:04.970 Bright and lustrous stars covered the firmament, and the brisk 0:14:05.070 --> 0:14:08.830 midnight air settled in their lungs. David closed his eyes 0:14:09.010 --> 0:14:12.830 and breathed in deeply. He exhaled a praise to his God, 0:14:13.190 --> 0:14:17.850 then gestured forward to the camp. Abishai marveled at what 0:14:17.880 --> 0:14:21.330 he saw before him. The entire night watch had retreated 0:14:21.370 --> 0:14:24.450 to their tents. God had gone into camp and shut 0:14:24.490 --> 0:14:27.790 the eyes of Saul's men. David smirked and stood to 0:14:27.830 --> 0:14:31.260 his feet. He fastened his weapon securely onto his back 0:14:31.540 --> 0:14:35.020 and began to run towards the tent. The two men 0:14:35.080 --> 0:14:37.400 stealthily made their way to the center of camp where 0:14:37.460 --> 0:14:41.100 Saul's tent was. David and Abishai crouched at the entrance 0:14:41.160 --> 0:14:44.030 of Saul's tent and looked around. Not a soul was 0:14:44.090 --> 0:14:47.910 watching them. Abner, The captain of Saul's guard and commander 0:14:47.950 --> 0:14:50.770 of his army was fast asleep only ten feet away. 0:14:51.770 --> 0:14:54.790 David held his finger to his lips, ensuring Abishai did 0:14:54.850 --> 0:14:58.220 not make a sound. He then lifted the tent entrance 0:14:58.290 --> 0:15:03.220 to reveal Saul, sleeping soundly beside his spear. David closed 0:15:03.240 --> 0:15:07.160 the entrance and began to stealthily leave. This confused Abishai. 0:15:07.360 --> 0:15:08.100 What are you doing? 0:15:08.520 --> 0:15:09.340 Abishai whispered. 0:15:09.700 --> 0:15:12.260 God has given your enemy's head on a silver platter. 0:15:12.740 --> 0:15:15.130 Why not take this opportunity and kill him with his 0:15:15.190 --> 0:15:15.650 own spear? 0:15:16.480 --> 0:15:17.400 David shook his head. 0:15:18.250 --> 0:15:21.550 I will not touch him. He is the Lord's anointed. 0:15:22.150 --> 0:15:24.350 I shall not kill the king of Israel. 0:15:24.810 --> 0:15:28.210 Then by God let me do it. Abishai whispered intensely. 0:15:28.710 --> 0:15:30.430 Let me pin his head to the ground for you. 0:15:31.070 --> 0:15:33.210 I will even strike him twice to make sure it's done. 0:15:33.650 --> 0:15:37.330 You will do no such thing, Abishai. No one can 0:15:37.430 --> 0:15:41.770 kill the Lord's king and be guiltless. I will not 0:15:41.850 --> 0:15:42.489 have you do it. 0:15:43.040 --> 0:15:47.640 Abishai was noticeably frustrated and began to lose control. David 0:15:47.680 --> 0:15:49.480 put his hand on his shoulder and smiled. 0:15:50.100 --> 0:15:53.540 His day will come. The Lord is the one who 0:15:53.590 --> 0:15:57.950 decides who sits on the throne, not I. If I 0:15:58.030 --> 0:16:01.630 take the throne by force, what does that say about 0:16:01.670 --> 0:16:05.470 the Lord's favor in my life? It says only that 0:16:05.530 --> 0:16:08.390 I know how to kill, not how to lead. 0:16:09.210 --> 0:16:12.390 Abishai shook his head and sighed. He agreed with David, 0:16:12.470 --> 0:16:15.470 of course. However, it was hard for him to concede 0:16:15.510 --> 0:16:20.580 this opportunity. David, of all people, understood his frustration. He 0:16:20.620 --> 0:16:23.500 was tired from running. He was weary from the constant 0:16:23.560 --> 0:16:26.440 fear of being captured or attacked. He wished he could 0:16:26.480 --> 0:16:29.040 convince Saul somehow that he was not a threat to him. 0:16:30.160 --> 0:16:32.900 He felt like he had already proven it before, but 0:16:32.950 --> 0:16:36.670 it did not seem to be enough. David's eyes widened, 0:16:37.030 --> 0:16:39.330 and he opened the tent back up to see Saul 0:16:39.350 --> 0:16:43.920 sleeping beside his spear. He had an idea. David entered 0:16:44.020 --> 0:16:47.340 in and crouched next to Saul. He took Saul's spear 0:16:47.480 --> 0:16:50.080 along with a jar of water resting beside his blankets. 0:16:50.900 --> 0:16:53.420 David crouched out of the tent with the spear and 0:16:53.450 --> 0:16:56.690 the jar of water. No man saw him or woke 0:16:56.730 --> 0:17:00.110 from their sleep. He and Abishai retreated back with the 0:17:00.150 --> 0:17:03.330 king's spear and water. They stood far off at the 0:17:03.370 --> 0:17:05.750 top of a hill. There was a great deal of 0:17:05.790 --> 0:17:09.270 space in between them and the camp. There, David waited 0:17:09.310 --> 0:17:10.270 for the sun to rise. 0:17:11.060 --> 0:17:13.720 David, why aren't we going back to camp? 0:17:14.660 --> 0:17:15.640 The men will be up soon. 0:17:16.400 --> 0:17:18.560 We do not want 3,000 men to attack us. 0:17:19.320 --> 0:17:23.200 David shook his head. No more running, he said adamantly. 0:17:23.520 --> 0:17:27.380 This morning, I will humiliate Saul in front of his men. 0:17:28.420 --> 0:17:30.550 All of them will see that I am not a 0:17:30.609 --> 0:17:35.129 threat to him. If he continues to pursue me, he 0:17:35.150 --> 0:17:37.110 will look like a fool in front of his men. 0:17:37.670 --> 0:17:41.710 Abishai was visibly nervous. It was a strange plan Yet 0:17:41.750 --> 0:17:44.600 these things seemed to usually work out for the giant slayer. 0:17:45.280 --> 0:17:49.020 Abishai had no reason to question him now. The sun 0:17:49.080 --> 0:17:51.780 peeked over the mountain, and a bright orange hue covered 0:17:51.800 --> 0:17:55.199 the tents below. The men began to stir awake, and 0:17:55.260 --> 0:17:58.250 David stood tall for all to see him. He called 0:17:58.330 --> 0:17:59.970 out with a loud and booming. 0:17:59.670 --> 0:18:00.990 Voice, Abner! 0:18:01.830 --> 0:18:02.270 Abner! 0:18:03.490 --> 0:18:06.389 Are you truly worthy to be called the right hand 0:18:06.430 --> 0:18:06.970 of the king? 0:18:07.430 --> 0:18:10.859 Abner burst out of his tent. King Saul emerged from 0:18:10.920 --> 0:18:13.639 his tent as well. Both of them looked up to 0:18:13.680 --> 0:18:16.200 see David standing proudly on the hill for all of 0:18:16.240 --> 0:18:19.740 them to see. Saul seethed with anger at the very 0:18:19.800 --> 0:18:23.340 sight of him, but before he could say anything, David continued. 0:18:23.820 --> 0:18:28.240 Abner, how dare you call yourself a warrior of Israel 0:18:28.760 --> 0:18:31.220 when you could not even keep watch over your king? 0:18:32.420 --> 0:18:37.090 King Saul is precious and worth protecting, yet you and 0:18:37.130 --> 0:18:41.700 your men have slept on the job. You dishonor yourselves 0:18:41.960 --> 0:18:45.560 and your position. Come down and fight me, you coward. 0:18:45.859 --> 0:18:46.440 Abner said. 0:18:46.460 --> 0:18:52.350 Oh, but Abner, I already was down. Last night, when 0:18:52.450 --> 0:18:53.730 you were fast. 0:18:53.470 --> 0:18:54.969 Asleep, David taunted. 0:18:54.990 --> 0:18:56.290 Lies! 0:18:56.830 --> 0:19:00.889 They are not lies, David shouted. He then gestured to 0:19:00.930 --> 0:19:01.869 the king and said. 0:19:02.570 --> 0:19:06.780 My king, Saul, go ahead and see where your spear is. 0:19:08.260 --> 0:19:11.660 You'll find it is not beside your bed, but rather 0:19:12.180 --> 0:19:15.119 next to me in your jar of water. 0:19:15.640 --> 0:19:18.710 Saul looked behind him and in his tent. No spear 0:19:18.869 --> 0:19:22.250 and no jar of water. It was standing upright in 0:19:22.310 --> 0:19:25.630 a jar of water beside David. The king was flustered 0:19:25.670 --> 0:19:29.369 and embarrassed. Once again, David had the perfect opportunity to 0:19:29.410 --> 0:19:33.459 slay him, yet he showed him mercy. Again and again, 0:19:33.980 --> 0:19:37.700 David showed him mercy. Saul wrestled with feelings of relief 0:19:38.109 --> 0:19:41.600 gratitude and hatred all at once. He looked up to 0:19:41.660 --> 0:19:42.480 David and shouted. 0:19:42.920 --> 0:19:46.100 Is that really you, my son David? 0:19:47.040 --> 0:19:51.739 It is, my king. David paused. Abishai could sense the 0:19:51.780 --> 0:19:55.100 hurt in David's voice. He wanted to be strong, but 0:19:55.119 --> 0:19:57.260 there was clearly sorrow in his heart that he was 0:19:57.320 --> 0:20:01.100 trying to hold back. David outstretched his arms and yelled, 0:20:01.600 --> 0:20:04.940 Why does the king pursue his servant? What have I 0:20:05.020 --> 0:20:09.160 done to you to warrant such hatred? Hear me, O king! 0:20:10.030 --> 0:20:14.149 As I plead with you one last time. In the 0:20:14.250 --> 0:20:17.550 presence of your loyal soldiers, let it be known that 0:20:17.670 --> 0:20:21.670 this is twice now that I have had the opportunity 0:20:21.730 --> 0:20:26.330 to slay you, and twice now I have shown you mercy. 0:20:27.910 --> 0:20:30.620 Even though you seek to take my life, I have 0:20:30.760 --> 0:20:35.540 not raised a hand against you. If it is the 0:20:35.600 --> 0:20:39.540 Lord who has inspired this hunt after me, May he 0:20:39.740 --> 0:20:43.820 aid you in your quest. Yet if it is man 0:20:44.160 --> 0:20:48.110 who has whispered lies in your ears, let them be 0:20:48.290 --> 0:20:52.669 cursed before the Lord. For you seek my blood to 0:20:52.730 --> 0:20:56.670 spill forth on this earth when I am clearly innocent. 0:20:58.470 --> 0:21:02.490 Silence overcame the whole camp. Saul's men were still as 0:21:02.510 --> 0:21:05.889 they awaited a response from their king. All this time, 0:21:06.540 --> 0:21:08.740 They had been told to believe that David was planning 0:21:08.780 --> 0:21:12.920 a rebellion against Israel. Yet now King Saul was exposed 0:21:12.980 --> 0:21:15.760 as a petty man, seeking to take David's life out 0:21:15.800 --> 0:21:20.550 of jealousy. With arms stretched out, Saul spoke with a 0:21:20.590 --> 0:21:22.149 trembling voice, saying. 0:21:23.510 --> 0:21:29.330 I have sinned against you, David. I was wrong. 0:21:29.910 --> 0:21:32.270 The entire camp stirred as they heard the words come 0:21:32.310 --> 0:21:35.730 out of Saul's mouth. Tears fell down Saul's cheeks as 0:21:35.770 --> 0:21:37.389 he lamented before David, saying. 0:21:37.670 --> 0:21:42.540 I have acted foolishly, my son. Return, or I shall 0:21:42.580 --> 0:21:46.939 not pursue you any further. David shook his head and sighed. 0:21:48.020 --> 0:21:50.550 As much as he desired to trust the king, he 0:21:50.590 --> 0:21:53.850 did not. David took the king's spear in his hands 0:21:54.230 --> 0:21:55.570 and lodged it into the ground. 0:21:55.990 --> 0:22:00.250 May God be judged between you and I, Saul. Come 0:22:00.930 --> 0:22:05.129 and take your spear. I pray it serves you well. 0:22:06.090 --> 0:22:09.670 With those words, David retreated back into the wilderness with 0:22:09.710 --> 0:22:14.350 his men. Abishai was surprised at David's unrelenting mercy towards Saul, 0:22:14.690 --> 0:22:17.850 and he feared it would be his undoing. David knew 0:22:17.890 --> 0:22:20.800 that Saul would not pursue him that day. If he did, 0:22:21.430 --> 0:22:24.980 his men would surely question his judgment. However, he did 0:22:25.020 --> 0:22:27.280 not trust Saul to keep a level head for long. 0:22:28.000 --> 0:22:30.380 He must plan for the time when the king strikes again. 0:22:31.440 --> 0:22:34.720 David gathered his men and they packed their things. David 0:22:34.760 --> 0:22:36.840 was about to make a decision that would alter the 0:22:36.920 --> 0:22:39.860 course of his heart. He was about to enter into 0:22:39.900 --> 0:22:41.920 the land of the Philistines. 0:22:45.240 --> 0:22:48.399 God is a God of second chances. This basic and 0:22:48.440 --> 0:22:51.700 long-standing truth applies to the city of Nineveh and it 0:22:51.760 --> 0:22:56.080