1 Samuel 26: ☧ Saves Saul Thrice, Takes Spear in Respect

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study 1 Samuel 26.

“As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is and the jar of water that was at his head.” Atop the hill across the valley, David shouts down to Abner like Goliath in chapter 17. Chapter 26 makes surprising connections as David again demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to Saul, saving his life a third time. In repentance and respect, he refuses to even touch Saul’s clothing, taking his spear instead. David insists that the guilt must lie not with Saul himself but with one of his commanders, and both men remind each other in mercy that they both represent the Messiah who was to come—the Lord Jesus, pierced by a spear in unwavering loyalty to His Father on the Cross.