1 Samuel 24 - May 26, 2025

Saul pursues David with three thousand troops into the wilderness of En Gedi, where he enters a cave to relieve himself—unaware that David and his men are hiding inside. David's men see this as divine opportunity for revenge, but David merely cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, later experiencing guilt even for this symbolic action against "the Lord's anointed." When Saul departs, David calls out, showing the robe piece as evidence that he could have killed Saul but chose mercy instead. Momentarily moved, Saul acknowledges David's righteousness and God's choice of him as future king before departing. This encounter powerfully illustrates David's understanding that authority comes from God alone and must not be grasped through violence—a principle Jesus would perfectly embody in refusing worldly paths to power.